Lanka Legacy Luxe
Package 01 Premium Tours 11 Nights / 12 Days

Lanka Legacy Luxe

Colonial Colombo, ancient kingdoms, slow tea-country days and two nights in Galle Fort, all in boutique stays. A classic loop of Sri Lanka at an elegant pace.

See the day-by-day plan
Duration
11 Nights / 12 Days
Best for
Travellers from France
Pace
Moderate
Best time to travel
Dec – Apr (hill country & Cultural Triangle year-round)
Starts & ends
Bandaranaike International Airport

The journey at a glance

Overview

A classic loop of Sri Lanka at an unhurried pace: colonial Colombo, the ancient kingdoms of the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, the tea highlands and the scenic train to Ella, ending with two nights inside the world of Galle Fort.

  1. Colombo2 nights
  2. Sigiriya2 nights
  3. Kandy1 night
  4. Nuwara Eliya2 nights
  5. Ella2 nights
  6. Galle2 nights
  7. DepartFly home

Who this journey suits

Heritage, colonial architecture, food & wine and slow hill-country days in boutique stays. The 12-day length suits French holiday allowances.

Tour highlights

  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple (both UNESCO)
  • Polonnaruwa's ancient ruins and a visit to village artisans
  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a Kandyan dance performance
  • Colonial tea estate tasting and a working tea factory
  • The scenic hill-country train from Nanu Oya to Ella
  • Nine Arch Bridge and a sunset walk up Little Adam's Peak
  • Sunset on the ramparts of Galle Fort
  • Welcome dinner of seafood, spices and wine, plus a rice & curry cooking demo

12 days, paced for real travel

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Arrive BIA → Colombo
    Colombo

    Day 1: Day 1

    Arrive BIA → Colombo

    Travel
    ~1 hr airport transfer
    Free time
    Afternoon free to rest
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningArrive at Bandaranaike International Airport. Meet & greet and private transfer to Colombo.
    • AfternoonCheck in at a boutique heritage hotel and rest after the flight.
    • EveningSunset walk on Galle Face Green, then a Sri Lankan welcome dinner of seafood, spices and wine.

    Sample hotels: Galle Face Hotel · Tintagel Colombo (or similar)

  2. Colombo
    Colombo

    Day 2: Day 2

    Colombo

    Travel
    City touring by car (~1–2 hrs in total)
    Free time
    Early afternoon break at the hotel
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningGuided tour of Dutch & British colonial architecture, Independence Square and Pettah Market with street-food tasting.
    • AfternoonPhoto stops at the Pettah Floating Market, then back to the hotel to rest.
    • EveningSri Lankan rice & curry cooking demonstration, followed by dinner.

    Sample hotels: Galle Face Hotel · Tintagel Colombo (same hotel)

  3. Colombo → Dambulla → Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 3: Day 3

    Colombo → Dambulla → Sigiriya

    Travel
    ~4 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late afternoon at the lodge
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningEarly departure. Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO) on the way.
    • AfternoonVillage cycling tour, catamaran ride on a rural lake and a traditional Sri Lankan lunch.
    • EveningEvening at leisure at the lodge.

    Sample hotels: Water Garden Sigiriya · Jetwing Vil Uyana (or similar)

  4. Sigiriya (Polonnaruwa excursion)
    Sigiriya

    Day 4: Day 4

    Sigiriya (Polonnaruwa excursion)

    Travel
    ~2.5 hrs return to Polonnaruwa
    Free time
    Midday break at the lodge
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningClimb Sigiriya Rock Fortress at opening (around 7 AM) before the heat, then breakfast back at the lodge.
    • AfternoonGuided tour of Polonnaruwa's ancient ruins and statues. Meet village artisans making traditional crafts.
    • EveningReturn to Sigiriya for dinner at the lodge.

    Sample hotels: Water Garden Sigiriya · Jetwing Vil Uyana (same hotel)

  5. Sigiriya → Kandy
    Kandy

    Day 5: Day 5

    Sigiriya → Kandy

    Travel
    ~2.5–3 hrs drive
    Free time
    Early afternoon to relax
    Overnight
    Kandy
    • MorningDrive south into the hills.
    • AfternoonCheck in at a hotel overlooking the hills and relax.
    • EveningKandyan cultural dance performance, the evening ceremony at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a walk around Kandy Lake.

    Sample hotels: The Kandy House · Theva Residency (or similar)

  6. Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
    Nuwara Eliya

    Day 6: Day 6

    Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

    Travel
    ~3 hrs drive with stops
    Free time
    Evening at leisure
    Overnight
    Nuwara Eliya
    • MorningRoyal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, on the way out of Kandy.
    • AfternoonScenic drive through rolling tea plantations. Tea tasting at a colonial estate, a working tea factory and waterfall viewpoints.
    • EveningArrive in Nuwara Eliya. Evening at leisure.

    Sample hotels: Heritance Tea Factory · Jetwing St. Andrew's (or similar)

  7. Nuwara Eliya
    Nuwara Eliya

    Day 7: Day 7

    Nuwara Eliya

    Travel
    Short local drives only
    Free time
    Most of the day (slow-travel day)
    Overnight
    Nuwara Eliya
    • MorningWalk through English-style gardens and the colonial town.
    • AfternoonFree for romantic walks, nature photography or a stroll by Gregory Lake.
    • EveningFireside dinner at the hotel.

    Sample hotels: Heritance Tea Factory · Jetwing St. Andrew's (same hotel)

  8. Nanu Oya → Ella (train)
    Ella

    Day 8: Day 8

    Nanu Oya → Ella (train)

    Travel
    ~3–3.5 hrs train
    Free time
    Early afternoon after check-in
    Overnight
    Ella
    • MorningTransfer to Nanu Oya station and board one of the world's most beautiful train journeys.
    • AfternoonArrive in Ella, check in, then visit Nine Arch Bridge.
    • EveningSunset walk up Little Adam's Peak (~45 min each way).

    Sample hotels: Uga Ghiri · 98 Acres Resort & Spa (or similar)

  9. Ella
    Ella

    Day 9: Day 9

    Ella

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Afternoon at leisure
    Overnight
    Ella
    • MorningGuided waterfall hike and tea estate walk.
    • AfternoonFree: café culture and local cuisine in Ella town.
    • EveningDinner with valley views.

    Sample hotels: Uga Ghiri · 98 Acres Resort & Spa (same hotel)

  10. Ella → Galle
    Galle

    Day 10: Day 10

    Ella → Galle

    Travel
    ~5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Short (arrive mid-afternoon)
    Overnight
    Galle
    • MorningDrive from the hills down to the south coast.
    • AfternoonCheck in and explore Galle Fort (UNESCO) and its boutique art galleries.
    • EveningSunset walk along the ramparts.

    Sample hotels: Amangalla · The Fort Bazaar · Jetwing Lighthouse (or similar)

  11. Galle
    Galle

    Day 11: Day 11

    Galle

    Travel
    Optional ~45 min each way to Mirissa
    Free time
    Full day at leisure
    Overnight
    Galle
    • MorningOptional dawn whale watching from Mirissa (Nov–Apr), or a slow breakfast.
    • AfternoonRelax at Unawatuna or Jungle Beach: swim, snorkel and unwind.
    • EveningOptional cooking class, spa treatment or sunset cruise.

    Sample hotels: Amangalla · The Fort Bazaar · Jetwing Lighthouse (same hotel)

  12. Galle → Colombo → Depart
    Departure day

    Day 12: Day 12

    Galle → Colombo → Depart

    Travel
    ~2 hrs to Colombo + ~1 hr to the airport
    Free time
    Depends on flight time
    Overnight
    Departure
    • MorningDrive to Colombo on the Southern Expressway.
    • AfternoonShopping for spices, teas and local handicrafts.
    • EveningPrivate transfer to the airport for departure.

    No overnight: departure day

Chosen for character and comfort

Hotels at a glance

LocationNightsDaysSample hotels (or similar)
Colombo2Days 01–02Galle Face Hotel · Tintagel Colombo
Sigiriya2Days 03–04Water Garden Sigiriya · Jetwing Vil Uyana
Kandy1Day 05The Kandy House · Theva Residency
Nuwara Eliya2Days 06–07Heritance Tea Factory · Jetwing St. Andrew's
Ella2Days 08–09Uga Ghiri · 98 Acres Resort & Spa
Galle2Days 10–11Amangalla · The Fort Bazaar · Jetwing Lighthouse
Total1111 nights / 12 days

Hotels are samples of the style and level. Final hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability.

What's included

Included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole journey
  • English-speaking chauffeur guide (other languages on request)
  • Accommodation as listed, or similar, with daily breakfast
  • Airport meet & greet and private transfers
  • Fuel, parking, highway tolls and your guide's meals and lodging
  • Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
  • Hotel taxes and service charges
  • 24/7 local support throughout your journey

Not included

  • International flights
  • Sri Lanka visa / Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Entrance tickets, safari jeeps and train tickets, unless your quote includes them
  • Lunches, dinners and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Camera and video permits at some sites
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, early check-in, late check-out and personal expenses

Good to know

  • Sigiriya has around 1,200 steps; allow 2–3 hrs. Gates open around 7 AM.
  • Whale watching runs Nov–Apr and depends on sea conditions.
  • Reserved and observation seats on the hill-country train sell out. Book as soon as dates are confirmed.
  • Temple visits: shoulders and knees covered; shoes and hats off at shrines.
  • Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and photo stops.
  • Hotels are samples of the style and level. Final hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability.

Day tours on this route

Each of these days is also available on its own.

Dambulla and Sigiriya Day TourGalle Fort and Southern Coast Heritage TourColombo City Culture, Markets and Street FoodKandy TourWhale and Dolphin Watching in MirissaPolonnaruwa Ancient City Day TourElla Highlights Day Tour

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