Shall We Ceylon Luxe Nature Voyage
Package 03 Premium Tours 14 Nights / 15 Days

Shall We Ceylon Luxe Nature Voyage

Two weeks of slow, nature-rich travel through forest lodges, misty eco-retreats, cloud-forest treks and quiet southern beaches.

See the day-by-day plan
Duration
14 Nights / 15 Days
Best for
Travellers from France
Pace
Relaxed
Best time to travel
Dec – Apr
Starts & ends
Bandaranaike International Airport

The journey at a glance

Overview

Two weeks of slow travel: three nights in the forests around Sigiriya, two in a misty Knuckles eco-lodge, cloud-forest trekking at Horton Plains, a Yala safari and a gentle finish on the beaches of Talpe.

  1. Colombo2 nights
  2. Sigiriya3 nights
  3. Madulkelle2 nights
  4. Kandy1 night
  5. Nuwara Eliya2 nights
  6. Ella1 night
  7. Yala1 night
  8. Talpe2 nights
  9. DepartFly home

Who this journey suits

Slow eco-luxury with nature lodges, Colombo's museums and art, guided treks and longer stays, for experienced French travellers on 2–3 week holidays.

Tour highlights

  • Colombo's National Museum, art spaces and hidden colonial streets
  • Three nights in a boutique nature lodge near Sigiriya
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress and UNESCO-listed Polonnaruwa
  • Village walk through paddy fields and farmland
  • Two nights in a misty eco-lodge in the Knuckles foothills
  • Horton Plains trek to World's End and Baker's Falls
  • Hill-country train to Ella and a Yala leopard safari
  • Slow beach days in Talpe and a Galle Fort sunset

15 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 to unwind
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningArrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to a boutique hotel.
    • AfternoonTime to unwind after arrival.
    • EveningGentle walk along Galle Face Green and the oceanfront promenade.

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

  2. Colombo
    Colombo

    Day 2: Day 2

    Colombo

    Travel
    City touring
    Free time
    Afternoon café time
    Overnight
    Colombo
    • MorningColombo National Museum and selected contemporary art spaces.
    • AfternoonPettah Market and hidden colonial streets. Cafés, design boutiques and artisan spaces.
    • EveningRooftop dining or evening at leisure.

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

  3. Colombo → Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 3: Day 3

    Colombo → Sigiriya

    Travel
    ~4–4.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Evening at the lodge
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningScenic drive inland through village landscapes and coconut plantations.
    • AfternoonCultural and countryside stops on the way. Arrive at a boutique nature lodge.
    • EveningRelaxed evening surrounded by forest and lakes.

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

  4. Sigiriya (Polonnaruwa excursion)
    Sigiriya

    Day 4: Day 4

    Sigiriya (Polonnaruwa excursion)

    Travel
    ~2.5 hrs return to Polonnaruwa
    Free time
    Late morning
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningEarly climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress before the heat and crowds, then a slow breakfast.
    • AfternoonExcursion to UNESCO-listed Polonnaruwa: royal ruins, reservoirs and temple complexes.
    • EveningRelaxed evening at the lodge.

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

  5. Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 5: Day 5

    Sigiriya

    Travel
    Short local drives
    Free time
    Midday and evening
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningVillage walk through paddy fields and farmland, meeting local families.
    • AfternoonOptional safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla, depending on elephant movements (best Jul–Oct).
    • EveningEvening at leisure.

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

  6. Sigiriya → Madulkelle
    Madulkelle

    Day 6: Day 6

    Sigiriya → Madulkelle

    Travel
    ~3 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late afternoon
    Overnight
    Madulkelle
    • MorningVisit the Dambulla Cave Temple with its ancient murals and rock shrines.
    • AfternoonScenic mountain roads to Madulkelle. Check in at an eco-lodge in the misty hills.
    • EveningCool hill-country evening.

    Sample hotels: Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge (or similar)

  7. Madulkelle
    Madulkelle

    Day 7: Day 7

    Madulkelle

    Travel
    On foot
    Free time
    Afternoon at the lodge
    Overnight
    Madulkelle
    • MorningGuided trek to a viewpoint over the Knuckles Mountain Range (exact point to confirm).
    • AfternoonRelax at the eco-lodge, surrounded by wilderness.
    • EveningEvening at leisure.

    Sample hotels: Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge (same hotel)

  8. Madulkelle → Kandy
    Kandy

    Day 8: Day 8

    Madulkelle → Kandy

    Travel
    ~1.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Kandy
    • MorningSlow breakfast with mountain views.
    • AfternoonDrive to Kandy and check in at a boutique hotel. Free time.
    • EveningTemple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then a lakeside stroll or café.

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

  9. Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
    Nuwara Eliya

    Day 9: Day 9

    Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

    Travel
    ~3 hrs with stops
    Free time
    Evening
    Overnight
    Nuwara Eliya
    • MorningDrive through tea-covered landscapes.
    • AfternoonVisit a working tea plantation and a traditional tea factory.
    • EveningExplore the colonial architecture and lakeside surroundings.

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

  10. Nuwara Eliya (Horton Plains)
    Nuwara Eliya

    Day 10: Day 10

    Nuwara Eliya (Horton Plains)

    Travel
    ~1.5 hrs each way
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Nuwara Eliya
    • MorningEarly excursion to Horton Plains: cloud forest, grasslands, World's End and Baker's Falls (~9 km loop, 3–4 hrs). Alternative: Bomburu Ella waterfall.
    • AfternoonReturn to the hotel. Free afternoon.
    • EveningRelaxed evening in the cool highlands.

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

  11. Nanu Oya → Ella (train)
    Ella

    Day 11: Day 11

    Nanu Oya → Ella (train)

    Travel
    ~3–3.5 hrs train
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Ella
    • MorningThe iconic hill-country train through tea plantations, waterfalls and tunnels.
    • AfternoonPanoramic viewpoints and café culture in Ella.
    • EveningEvening at leisure.

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

  12. Ella → Yala
    Yala

    Day 12: Day 12

    Ella → Yala

    Travel
    ~2.5–3 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late morning
    Overnight
    Yala
    • MorningDrive through changing landscapes towards the dry zone.
    • AfternoonSafari in leopard territory: elephants, birdlife and dry-zone wilderness.
    • EveningSunset at the luxury safari lodge.

    Sample hotels: Wild Coast Tented Lodge · Uga Chena Huts (or similar)

  13. Yala → Talpe
    Talpe

    Day 13: Day 13

    Yala → Talpe

    Travel
    ~3 hrs drive
    Free time
    Afternoon and evening
    Overnight
    Talpe
    • MorningScenic coastal drive.
    • AfternoonCheck in at a boutique beach retreat on a palm-fringed shore.
    • EveningEvening at leisure by the ocean.

    Sample hotels: The Owl and the Pussycat · The Frangipani Tree · Apa Villa Thalpe (or similar)

  14. Talpe (Galle Fort)
    Talpe

    Day 14: Day 14

    Talpe (Galle Fort)

    Travel
    ~20 min each way to Galle
    Free time
    Morning
    Overnight
    Talpe
    • MorningSlow beach morning by the Indian Ocean.
    • AfternoonOptional surfing lesson, yoga or village visit, then late afternoon in Galle Fort's colonial streets, galleries and cafés.
    • EveningSunset dinner overlooking the ocean.

    Sample hotels: The Owl and the Pussycat · The Frangipani Tree · Apa Villa Thalpe (same hotel)

  15. Talpe → BIA → Depart
    Departure day

    Day 15: Day 15

    Talpe → BIA → Depart

    Travel
    ~2.5–3 hrs via the Southern Expressway
    Free time
    Relaxed morning
    Overnight
    Departure
    • MorningRelaxed breakfast.
    • AfternoonTransfer to Bandaranaike International Airport.
    • EveningDeparture.

    No overnight: departure day

Chosen for character and comfort

Hotels at a glance

LocationNightsDaysSample hotels (or similar)
Colombo2Days 01–02Tintagel Colombo · Galle Face Hotel
Sigiriya3Days 03–05Jetwing Vil Uyana · Water Garden Sigiriya · Heritance Kandalama
Madulkelle2Days 06–07Madulkelle Tea & Eco Lodge
Kandy1Day 08The Kandy House · Theva Residency
Nuwara Eliya2Days 09–10Heritance Tea Factory · Jetwing St. Andrew's
Ella1Day 11Uga Ghiri · 98 Acres Resort & Spa
Yala1Day 12Wild Coast Tented Lodge · Uga Chena Huts
Talpe2Days 13–14The Owl and the Pussycat · The Frangipani Tree · Apa Villa Thalpe
Total1414 nights / 15 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

  • Horton Plains opens at 6 AM; mornings are clearest before the mist rolls in.
  • Yala usually closes for part of Sept–Oct.
  • 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 FoodYala National Park Day TourKandy TourPolonnaruwa Ancient City Day TourElla Highlights Day Tour

You may also like

More journeys

All Round Tours
Lanka Legacy Luxe Premium 01 11 Nights / 12 Days

Lanka Legacy Luxe

Colombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Galle

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.

Price on requestModerate pace
Eternal Romance and Reverie Premium 02 10 Nights / 11 Days

Eternal Romance and Reverie

Negombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · South Coast

A journey for two: private villas, couples' spa time, a tented safari lodge and candlelit dinners from the hills to the sea.

Price on requestRelaxed pace
The Island of a Thousand Views Popular 04 5 Nights / 6 Days

The Island of a Thousand Views

Colombo · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Bentota

Six days of Sri Lanka's best views: Kandy, the tea highlands, the famous train to Ella and a beach finish in Bentota.

Price on requestActive pace

14N / 15D · Price on requestPremium Tours

Chat with us