Shall We Ceylon Island Journey
Package 12 Exclusive Tours 13 Nights / 14 Days

Shall We Ceylon Island Journey

Our signature journey: private chefs and guides, crafts in their home regions, a colonial villa in Galle Fort and wildlife seen the responsible way.

See the day-by-day plan
Duration
13 Nights / 14 Days
Best for
Travellers from France
Pace
Moderate
Best time to travel
Nov – Apr
Starts & ends
Bandaranaike International Airport

The journey at a glance

Overview

Our signature island journey: private guides and chefs, crafts in the regions they come from, slow mornings in the tea hills, two nights in a colonial villa inside Galle Fort, and wildlife watched the responsible way.

  1. Colombo2 nights
  2. Sigiriya2 nights
  3. Kandy2 nights
  4. Nuwara Eliya1 night
  5. Ella2 nights
  6. Galle2 nights
  7. Mirissa1 night
  8. Colombo1 night
  9. DepartFly home

Who this journey suits

Gastronomy, heritage, Bawa design and responsible wildlife (no-chasing whale boats, no-touch turtles), the cultural depth and ethics French travellers value.

Tour highlights

  • Private-chef rice & curry tasting dinner in Colombo
  • Spice Trail farm-to-table clay-pot cooking in Sigiriya
  • Sigiriya with a private guide and storyteller
  • Polonnaruwa royal palaces and water gardens
  • Tea estate visit with the estate manager
  • Horton Plains, Nine Arch Bridge at dawn and the Pekoe Trail
  • Two nights in a restored colonial villa inside Galle Fort
  • No-chasing whale watching, Rekawa turtle nesting and Bawa's Lunuganga
  • Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home feeding time

14 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
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningPrivate transfer to a heritage boutique hotel.
    • AfternoonCheck in and rest.
    • EveningSunset aperitif on a colonial verandah, then a rice & curry tasting dinner by a private chef.

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

  2. Colombo
    Colombo

    Day 2: Day 2

    Colombo

    Travel
    City touring
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningGuided city walk: colonial architecture, Pettah Market and Gangaramaya Temple. Cooking demonstration with a local family.
    • AfternoonAfternoon at leisure.
    • EveningGolden-hour photography walk along Galle Face Green.

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

  3. Colombo → Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 3: Day 3

    Colombo → Sigiriya

    Travel
    ~4–4.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late afternoon
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningScenic countryside drive north.
    • AfternoonArrive in Sigiriya for the Spice Trail: farm-to-table cooking in clay pots with organic garden produce.
    • EveningSunset with views towards the rock.

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

  4. Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 4: Day 4

    Sigiriya

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Midday
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningClimb Sigiriya Rock Fortress at opening with a private guide and storyteller.
    • AfternoonPrivate village cycling tour through paddy fields, and a traditional lunch in a village home.
    • EveningEvening at leisure.

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

  5. Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Kandy
    Kandy

    Day 5: Day 5

    Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Kandy

    Travel
    ~1.25 hrs + ~3.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Short (full day)
    Overnight
    Kandy
    • MorningPolonnaruwa at an unhurried pace: royal palaces, water gardens and ancient statues.
    • AfternoonDrive to Kandy with a stop at a Kandyan craft workshop (wood carving, brass or Dumbara weaving).
    • EveningCheck in at a colonial-style boutique hotel.

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

  6. Kandy
    Kandy

    Day 6: Day 6

    Kandy

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Early afternoon
    Overnight
    Kandy
    • MorningPrivate guided visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
    • AfternoonPeradeniya Botanical Gardens, then free time.
    • EveningKandyan cultural performance, a lake walk and the panorama from Kandy Viewpoint.

    Sample hotels: The Kandy House · Theva Residency (same hotel)

  7. Kandy → Nanu Oya (train) → Nuwara Eliya
    Nuwara Eliya

    Day 7: Day 7

    Kandy → Nanu Oya (train) → Nuwara Eliya

    Travel
    ~4 hrs train
    Free time
    Late afternoon
    Overnight
    Nuwara Eliya
    • MorningScenic train from Kandy to Nanu Oya.
    • AfternoonWorking tea estate: meet the estate manager, see plucking, then a curated tasting in a heritage bungalow.
    • EveningGregory Lake stroll. Optional spa therapy.

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

  8. Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Ella
    Ella

    Day 8: Day 8

    Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Ella

    Travel
    ~1.5 hrs + ~2.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Ella
    • MorningEarly walk at Horton Plains.
    • AfternoonDrive through mountain mist to Ella and check in, with a short detour to Ravana Falls.
    • EveningSunset cocktail overlooking the valley.

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

  9. Ella
    Ella

    Day 9: Day 9

    Ella

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Midday
    Overnight
    Ella
    • MorningNine Arch Bridge at dawn, a tea estate walk and café culture.
    • AfternoonPekoe Trail ridge hike over historic tea estates.
    • EveningYin yoga session.

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

  10. Ella → Udawalawe → Galle
    Galle

    Day 10: Day 10

    Ella → Udawalawe → Galle

    Travel
    ~5–5.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Evening
    Overnight
    Galle
    • MorningScenic transfer towards the south coast via Udawalawe.
    • AfternoonStop at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home for the noon feeding of orphaned calves, then continue to Galle.
    • EveningCheck in to a restored colonial villa inside the Fort.

    Sample hotels: Amangalla · The Fort Bazaar · Galle Fort Hotel (or similar)

  11. Galle
    Galle

    Day 11: Day 11

    Galle

    Travel
    On foot / short drives
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Galle
    • MorningExpert-led Fort heritage walk and a Beeralu lace-making demonstration.
    • AfternoonFusion street food along the fort lanes, then beach time at Unawatuna or Jungle Beach.
    • EveningOptional sunset cruise along the coast.

    Sample hotels: Amangalla · The Fort Bazaar · Galle Fort Hotel (same hotel)

  12. Galle → Mirissa
    Mirissa

    Day 12: Day 12

    Galle → Mirissa

    Travel
    ~45 min drive (+ ~1 hr each way to Rekawa)
    Free time
    Midday
    Overnight
    Mirissa
    • MorningOptional whale watching on a certified no-chasing vessel (Nov–Apr).
    • AfternoonPrivate beach picnic prepared by the hotel, then rest.
    • EveningNight visit to Rekawa turtle nesting beach (no-touch, wild observation).

    Sample hotels: Mandara Resort · Cape Weligama (or similar)

  13. Mirissa → Colombo
    Colombo

    Day 13: Day 13

    Mirissa → Colombo

    Travel
    ~3.5 hrs driving with stops
    Free time
    Short (full day)
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningKoggala stilt fishermen and an Ambalangoda mask-carving workshop.
    • AfternoonMadu River mangrove safari to Cinnamon Island, then Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's country estate (subject to access).
    • EveningFarewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the ocean.

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

  14. Colombo → Depart
    Departure day

    Day 14: Day 14

    Colombo → Depart

    Travel
    ~1 hr to the airport
    Free time
    Morning
    Overnight
    Departure
    • MorningLeisurely breakfast.
    • AfternoonLast-minute shopping: Ceylon teas, spices, artisan gems and handcrafted textiles.
    • EveningPrivate airport transfer 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 03–04Jetwing Vil Uyana · Water Garden Sigiriya
Kandy2Days 05–06The Kandy House · Theva Residency
Nuwara Eliya1Day 07Heritance Tea Factory · Jetwing St. Andrew's · The Grand Hotel
Ella2Days 08–09Uga Ghiri · 98 Acres Resort & Spa
Galle2Days 10–11Amangalla · The Fort Bazaar · Galle Fort Hotel
Mirissa1Day 12Mandara Resort · Cape Weligama
Colombo1Day 13Galle Face Hotel · Tintagel Colombo
Total1313 nights / 14 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

  • Rekawa turtles nest at night; sightings are wild and not guaranteed.
  • Lunuganga visits are by guided tour; book ahead.
  • 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 FoodMadu River Safari and Turtle ConservationKandy TourGeoffrey Bawa Works Day TourWhale and Dolphin Watching in MirissaPolonnaruwa Ancient City Day TourElla Highlights Day Tour

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