14 Day Private Ultimate Sri Lanka

Welcome to Colombo! On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative and escorted to your private transfer, who will transfer you to your Colombo Hotel. Special Information:Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel. Please note that the included mileage applies only to the scheduled sightseeing. If you would like your private driver to take you to sights outside the planned itinerary, we can provide additional transport only within a 5 km radius.

This morning after breakfast, meet your private chauffeur guide for a welcome meeting that will provide an orientation to Sri Lanka and an introduction to your upcoming journey. We then head south towards Galle, with a Colombo sightseeing tour on the way. Colombo offers a blend of modern western and Sri Lankan elements, and you will drive past some of the commercial capital's sites including Old Parliament, President's House, Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square. We will also visit the Colombo National Museum. This museum takes visitors through Sri Lankan history, housed in a neo-Baroque building constructed by William Henry Gregory, Governor of Ceylon, in 1877. Exhibits are dedicated to each of Sri Lanka's historical kingdoms, with informational display boards providing insights such as the meaning behind the mudras (gestures and poses) depicted in Sri Lanka's Buddha statues. Then, in Balapitiya, we take a boat trip on the Madu River to visit 64 scattered islands, including Cinnamon Island, where we learn about cinnamon production. Sri Lanka is the world's largest producer of pure cinnamon. Arrive at your hotel in the evening for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Pettah Market Colombo National Museum Madu River Cinnamon Island Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.Please note that the Colombo National Museum will be closed every Monday for maintenance starting September 1, 2025. As an alternative, Polonnaruwa Museum will be visited instead.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel, with lunch served at the hotel. This afternoon, set out on a tour of Galle Fort and its fortifications. This is a city that blends past and present. Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1988, the presence of Portuguese, Dutch and English is evident in the architectural styles of Galle Fort. Return to the hotel this evening for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Galle Fort

In the morning after breakfast, we leave for Yala National Park. On arrival, spend your afternoon on a guided game drive exploring the dynamic wildlife and the most luxuriant plant life in Yala National Park. Being one of the largest parks in Sri Lanka, it is the ideal place to sight the rare leopard! Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening. Special InformationYala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period, as defined in the departure dates listed below, Yala National Park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park, while still being able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

You will have an early start today, departing before sunrise for another safari in Yala National Park by jeep to spot the diverse wildlife that calls the park home. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then we leave Yala and make a stop in Ella to take in the sceneries of the hill country. Transfer to Ella Railway Station and board the scenic train to Haputale. The journey takes you through tea country with views of rolling hills, waterfalls and plantations along the way. On arrival in Haputale, continue by road to Nuwara Eliya. Often referred to as 'Little England', this genteel highland community has a vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era bungalows. Check in to your Inspiring Stay for the next two nights, the Grand Hotel. Built in 1891, this was the palatial residence of the former Governor of Sri Lanka, Sir Edward Barnes. The Grand Hotel is an enduring icon of Nuwara Eliya, perched on a mountain ridge overlooking green countryside in tea country. It retains a romantic, old-world ambience alongside modern comforts, with well-appointed rooms, magnificent gardens and an array of amenities and activities including music therapy, yoga and more. The Grand Hotel is also renowned for its traditional afternoon tea, a quintessential British tradition which you will experience on this tour. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Yala National Park Scenic Train Journey Nuwara Eliya & The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. A smart casual dress code applies for dinner at all restaurants and bars. Passengers in shorts, sleeveless shirts or rubber slippers will not be permitted to enter the restaurants. It is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation in advance, as Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd class is basic but has air-conditioning. The non-air conditioned 3rd class sometimes is the only option based on availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked we will conduct the route by road.

Today you will have a leisurely morning at your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an Inspiring Taste at probably the most talked of outlet in Nuwara Eliya, the Grand Tea Lounge. Here we enjoy an iconic High Tea at the Grand Hotel. Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Grand Tea Lounge Optional Tour - Horton Plains & World's EndAt approximately 5:30am, leave for Horton Plains National Park. This park holds great importance due to the rich and unique biodiversity and being a catchment area feeding some of the main rivers of Sri Lanka. It is also known to be a 'super biodiversity hotspot' and thus declared a UNESCO site in 2010. The national park is most famous for the vista - World's End. You will be accompanied by a private escort the entire duration of the hike - from the Horton Plains Park Park Office, to World's End (via Mini World's End) and back. Wear strong and comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Bring sunscreen, food and water. The weather can change very quickly on the plains – one minute it can be sunny and clear, the next chilly and misty. Bring a few extra layers of warm clothing. There are no safety rails available so we recommend this activity for those who are physically fit and go on long walks often. We do not recommend this if you have a difficult time walking along uneven, potentially wet, and rocky terrain. Meeting Point: HotelIncludes: Return transfers, entrance into Horton Plains National Park, packed breakfast, private escort.Start Time: 5.30amEnd Time: 12.30pm

After breakfast, depart Nuwara Eliya for Kandy. En route, take in the scenery of the tea country with views of rolling hills and waterfalls along the way. Stop to visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy the absolute tea experience, from the moment the young tea leaves are plucked to being processed in the factory to make a cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is a good place to purchase quality tea. Continue on to Kandy, with lunch at a local restaurant en route. On arrival in Kandy, check in to your hotel before dinner. Inspiring Highlights Tea Plantation Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast, explore the beautiful city of Kandy with an included Tuk Tuk and Bazaar tour, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Kandy, once known as Senkadagala, was the Hill Capital from 1514 to 1815 AD and was named a UNESCO heritage site in 1988. Take in the city's lake, historic temples and well-preserved royal palace ruins. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance before returning to the hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Kandy Lake Cultural Performance

After breakfast, depart Kandy for a scenic drive through the central highlands to Sigiriya. On arrival, check in to your hotel and settle in at leisure. This afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Located in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa and bordered by the Mahaweli and Amban rivers, this park stretches across 36,948 hectares. It was declared a National Park in 1984 and is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to observe elephants. This evening, enjoy an Inspiring Taste with a sundowner pre-dinner Arrack (a local cocktail) or something else to suit your taste, along with canapés, followed by dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Minneriya National Park Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Since elephants are migratory animals, we may visit Kaudualla or Eco Park on this day instead, based on the elephant locations.

This morning will be an early start, where we'll climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (also known as Lion's Rock) - an extraordinary artistic complex dating back to 477-498 AD. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has become a global attraction due to its unique architecture. For lunch, participate in an Inspiring Taste cooking demonstration where you'll learn to prepare Sri Lankan rice and curry (5-6 curries). Savour your meal while overlooking the beautiful gardens. In the afternoon, we'll take a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital city of Sri Lanka (1017-1235 AD). Polonnaruwa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 after the fall of Anuradhapura. In the evening enjoy a cocktail and dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Sigiriya Rock Fortress Polonnaruwa

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, continue to the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC. Perched over 100 metres above the surrounding plains, this is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples, housing some 150 statues of the Buddha alongside images of Hindu deities. The walls and ceilings are adorned with vivid frescoes depicting the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Return to your hotel for lunch.Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Golden Temple of Dambulla Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Today, after breakfast, depart the beauty of Sigiriya as we make the drive back to Negombo. On arrival, enjoy the afternoon free at leisure to explore the coast and the local activity or simply relax by the pool.Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Spend the day relaxing at the beach or by the pool. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel.

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Sri Lanka. Late check-out is included, giving you access to your room until 8pm if required. At the appropriate time, you will be privately transferred to the Bandaranike International Airport (CMB) to board your flight home. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.