Plan a journey

Tailor-made tours ofSri Lanka

Private tours with your own driver-guide, built around your dates and pace. 15 places, one island, planned by people who live here.

Plan your tourExplore the island
Time & temperature
GMT+5:30 local time27–31°C on the coast · 15–20°C in the hills
Tour style
Private & tailor-made
Getting around
Your own driver-guide
Places to choose from
15 across the island
Why Sri Lanka

Small island,
endless journeys

In a single week you can climb a 5th-century rock fortress, ride a blue train through tea country, watch leopards at dawn and end on a palm-lined beach. Distances are short, so you can see a lot in a week.

Decorated elephants at the Kandy Esala Perahera
Kandy
The blue train on the Nine Arches Bridge near Ella
Ella
A leopard resting on a branch in Yala
Yala
A palm-fringed cove on the south coast
Mirissa
Destinations

15 places,
one island

Follow the island the way most tours run it, from the ancient cities to the hills, the parks and the south coast. Select + on any place to add it to your tour, and we’ll plan the route around your picks.

Bay of BengalIndian OceanNegombo(Airport)AnuradhapuraTrincomaleePolonnaruwaSigiriyaDambullaKandyNuwara EliyaEllaUdawalaweYalaTangalleMirissaGalleColombo
  1. Palm trees silhouetted against a pink sunset sky, reflected in a beachfront pool

    West coast

    Negombo

    Lagoon town by the airport

    Close to the airport, Negombo makes an easy first or last night: a lagoon full of outrigger canoes, a lively fish market and a long beach for sunsets. Dutch-era canals still run through town.

    • Lagoon boat ride
    • Morning fish market
    • Sunset on the beach
    Best time
    Nov–Apr
    Stay
    1 night
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 1 hr
  2. The white dome and golden spire of the Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura, framed by trees

    Cultural TriangleUNESCO World Heritage

    Anuradhapura

    The first great capital

    A sacred city of giant white stupas and ancient reservoirs, and home to the Sri Maha Bodhi, a fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree the Buddha sat beneath. Best explored by bicycle, at an easy pace.

    • Sri Maha Bodhi
    • Ruwanwelisaya stupa
    • Mihintale at sunset
    Best time
    Feb–Sep
    Stay
    1–2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 4–5 hr
  3. The giant painted statue of Lord Shiva at Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee

    East coast

    Trincomalee

    The east coast’s deep blue bay

    One of the world’s great natural harbours, with soft white beaches at Nilaveli and Uppuveli. Snorkel the coral around Pigeon Island and visit the clifftop Koneswaram Temple.

    • Pigeon Island snorkelling
    • Nilaveli beach
    • Koneswaram Temple
    Best time
    May–Sep
    Stay
    2–3 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 6 hr
  4. The Vatadage in Polonnaruwa: a seated Buddha above carved steps, guardstones and a moonstone

    Cultural TriangleUNESCO World Heritage

    Polonnaruwa

    The medieval royal city

    The island’s capital from the 11th century, laid out beside a vast reservoir. Royal palaces, temples and the great Buddha figures of Gal Vihara, carved from a single granite rock face.

    • Gal Vihara
    • Royal Palace ruins
    • Cycling the ancient city
    Best time
    Feb–Sep
    Stay
    1 night
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 5–6 hr
  5. Aerial view of Sigiriya: palace ruins and terraces on top of the sheer Lion Rock above the forest

    Cultural TriangleUNESCO World Heritage

    Sigiriya

    The Lion Rock fortress

    A 5th-century palace built on top of a sheer rock, reached through a giant pair of lion’s paws. Frescoes, a mirror wall and water gardens on the way up, and the whole Cultural Triangle on view from the top.

    • Climb at opening time
    • Sigiriya frescoes
    • Sunrise from Pidurangala Rock
    Best time
    Feb–Sep
    Stay
    2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 4 hr
  6. Seated and standing Buddha statues beneath painted ceilings in the Dambulla Cave Temple

    Cultural TriangleUNESCO World Heritage

    Dambulla

    Painted caves in the rock

    Five cave shrines under a granite overhang, filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings, used as a temple for over 2,000 years. A short drive from Sigiriya, so most visits pair the two.

    • Cave Temple murals
    • The Golden Temple
    • Spice gardens on the way to Kandy
    Best time
    Feb–Sep
    Stay
    Half a day, or 1 night
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 4 hr
  7. Decorated elephants and torchbearers at the Kandy Esala Perahera at night

    Hill countryUNESCO World Heritage

    Kandy

    The last royal capital

    Set around a lake in the hills, Kandy guards the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the island’s most revered shrine. In July or August the Esala Perahera fills its streets with drummers, dancers and decorated elephants.

    • Temple of the Tooth
    • Peradeniya Botanic Gardens
    • Kandyan dance show
    Best time
    Jan–Apr
    Stay
    2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 3 hr
  8. Rolling tea estates and tall trees in the mist near Nuwara Eliya

    Hill country

    Nuwara Eliya

    Tea country, in the clouds

    At nearly 1,900 metres, this cool hill town is wrapped in tea estates, with colonial bungalows and a lake. Tour a working tea factory and walk Horton Plains to the cliff edge at World’s End.

    • Tea factory & tasting
    • Horton Plains & World’s End
    • Gregory Lake
    Best time
    Jan–Apr
    Stay
    1–2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 5 hr
  9. The blue train crossing the Nine Arches Bridge through the forest near Ella

    Hill country

    Ella

    Trains, ridges and waterfalls

    A laid-back village in a gap in the hills, best reached on the scenic train through the tea country. Watch the blue train cross the Nine Arches Bridge and hike Little Adam’s Peak for sunrise.

    • Nine Arches Bridge
    • The hill-country train
    • Little Adam’s Peak
    Best time
    Jan–Apr
    Stay
    2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 6 hr
  10. A mother elephant and her calf grazing beside safari jeeps in Udawalawe National Park

    Wildlife parks

    Udawalawe

    Elephants, every day

    Open grassland around a big reservoir makes Udawalawe one of the most reliable places in Asia to see wild elephants, often in large herds. The Elephant Transit Home nearby raises orphaned calves for release.

    • Jeep safari
    • Elephant Transit Home
    • Birdlife on the reservoir
    Best time
    Year-round
    Stay
    1 night
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 4 hr
  11. A leopard resting on a tree branch in Yala

    Wildlife parks

    Yala

    Leopard country

    Sri Lanka’s best-known national park, where dry scrub meets lagoons and the Indian Ocean. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, plus elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles.

    • Dawn jeep safari
    • Leopard spotting
    • Lagoons & birdlife
    Best time
    Feb–Jul
    Stay
    1–2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 5 hr
  12. Aerial view of turquoise surf, a wide sandy beach and coconut palms near Tangalle

    South coast

    Tangalle

    Quiet bays and turtle beaches

    A slower stretch of the south coast with long, empty beaches and small coves. At night, sea turtles come ashore to nest at Rekawa, a short drive along the coast.

    • Rekawa turtle watch
    • Mulkirigala rock temple
    • Empty beaches
    Best time
    Nov–Apr
    Stay
    2–3 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 3 hr
  13. A sandy cove with palms and a sea stack in turquoise water

    South coast

    Mirissa

    Whales and palm-lined coves

    A crescent of sand in the deep south and the island’s favourite base for whale watching, with blue whales offshore from around December to April. Climb Coconut Tree Hill for sunset and swim at Secret Beach.

    • Whale watching
    • Coconut Tree Hill
    • Parrot Rock & Secret Beach
    Best time
    Nov–Apr
    Stay
    2–3 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 2.5 hr
  14. The clock tower and ramparts of Galle Fort under a blue sky

    South coastUNESCO World Heritage

    Galle

    A walled fort town by the sea

    A 17th-century Dutch fort wrapped in ocean ramparts, its lanes lined with old churches, galleries, cafés and boutique hotels. Walk the walls at sunset as the lighthouse comes on.

    • Fort ramparts at sunset
    • Lighthouse & old lanes
    • Stilt fishermen at Koggala
    Best time
    Nov–Apr
    Stay
    1–2 nights
    By road from Colombo
    ≈ 2 hr
  15. Colombo’s lit-up skyline at dusk, with the Indian Ocean and a glowing sunset behind

    West coast

    Colombo

    The capital, for a last evening

    A busy port city where colonial buildings sit beside glass towers. Stroll Galle Face Green at sunset, visit Gangaramaya Temple and wander the markets of Pettah before your flight home.

    • Galle Face Green
    • Gangaramaya Temple
    • Pettah markets
    Best time
    Dec–Mar
    Stay
    1 night
    From the airport
    ≈ 1 hr
When to go

There’s always
a sunny coast

Two monsoons reach opposite sides of the island at different times of year, so whenever you come, part of Sri Lanka is at its best. Pick your month.

In January, head for the west coast, south coast, hill country.

West coast
  1. Jan: Best
  2. Feb: Best
  3. Mar: Best
  4. Apr: Good
  5. May: Wetter
  6. Jun: Wetter
  7. Jul: Wetter
  8. Aug: Wetter
  9. Sep: Wetter
  10. Oct: Wetter
  11. Nov: Good
  12. Dec: Best
BestSouth-west monsoon brings rain May to September.
South coast
  1. Jan: Best
  2. Feb: Best
  3. Mar: Best
  4. Apr: Best
  5. May: Wetter
  6. Jun: Wetter
  7. Jul: Wetter
  8. Aug: Wetter
  9. Sep: Wetter
  10. Oct: Wetter
  11. Nov: Good
  12. Dec: Best
BestCalm, sunny seas December to April; whale season too.
Hill country
  1. Jan: Best
  2. Feb: Best
  3. Mar: Best
  4. Apr: Best
  5. May: Wetter
  6. Jun: Wetter
  7. Jul: Good
  8. Aug: Good
  9. Sep: Good
  10. Oct: Wetter
  11. Nov: Wetter
  12. Dec: Good
BestDriest January to April; misty and green the rest of the year.
Cultural Triangle
  1. Jan: Good
  2. Feb: Best
  3. Mar: Best
  4. Apr: Best
  5. May: Best
  6. Jun: Best
  7. Jul: Best
  8. Aug: Best
  9. Sep: Best
  10. Oct: Wetter
  11. Nov: Wetter
  12. Dec: Wetter
GoodDry and sunny most of the year; wetter October to December.
East coast
  1. Jan: Wetter
  2. Feb: Wetter
  3. Mar: Good
  4. Apr: Good
  5. May: Best
  6. Jun: Best
  7. Jul: Best
  8. Aug: Best
  9. Sep: Best
  10. Oct: Good
  11. Nov: Wetter
  12. Dec: Wetter
WetterIts season is the opposite of the south: best May to September.
Wildlife parks
  1. Jan: Good
  2. Feb: Best
  3. Mar: Best
  4. Apr: Best
  5. May: Best
  6. Jun: Best
  7. Jul: Best
  8. Aug: Good
  9. Sep: Wetter
  10. Oct: Wetter
  11. Nov: Good
  12. Dec: Good
GoodYala is best in the dry months; parts usually close around September–October.

BestGoodWetter or some closuresA general guide; weather varies from year to year, and your planner will advise for your dates.

How it works

Your tour,
made for you

No fixed packages, no group to keep up with. Just the island, the way you want to see it.

  1. Pick your places

    Select + on the places that catch your eye, or simply tell us what you love: culture, wildlife, beaches, tea country.

  2. We shape your route

    A planner turns your picks into a day-by-day route with handpicked stays and sensible driving times, and sends you the full price in writing.

  3. Travel at your pace

    Your own driver-guide meets you on arrival and stays with you throughout, with your planner a message away.

Your Sri Lanka, your way

Tell us what you’d love to see. We’ll reply with a route, stays and the full price.

Plan your tour

1 of 8

Where would you like to go?

Here are the places you picked. Add more, remove any, or let us suggest a route.