Three parks, two ancient cities, the hills and a beach
Wilpattu to the south coast, 12 days is a private Sri Lanka tour by Majeste. It costs $1,368 per person for two at shoulder-season rates (for the hotels on this route, 21 to 30 April and 1 November to 20 December), with comfort hotels, entrance tickets and your own car and English-speaking driver included, and temple-run sites and one activity paid there. Prices checked 7 Nov 2026. In its best months, Feb to Apr, it costs $1,336 to $1,490 per person for two, depending on the start date. It stops at Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Tangalle (Rekawa and Hiriketiya), in that order. The longest drive is on day 2, from Negombo to Wilpattu National Park, about 3 h 15 min. Nothing to pay now.
A longer loop that starts in the north-west with a Wilpattu safari and Anuradhapura before the classic route through Sigiriya, Kandy, the hills and Yala, and ends with a night at Tangalle. Eleven nights with a gentle first day at Negombo, 25 minutes from the airport. Three national parks are included, plus Horton Plains and the train. No drive is longer than about 3 hours 15 minutes. Wilpattu's forest makes sightings harder than at Yala, and the park can flood from November to January.
Only 25 minutes from the airport to Negombo, so the first day is a rest: a walk on the beach, sunset over the lagoon, seafood on the beach road. The beach is average and the sea is rough from May to October; it is a soft landing, not a destination.
Lellama fish market at 06:00 (quiet on Sundays and Poya days), then about 3 hours 15 minutes north to Wilpattu's Hunuwilagama gate. Simple, comfort and superior hotels here are in or near Anuradhapura, about an hour from the gate; the one lodge we name at the gate is the luxury choice. A private jeep safari from early afternoon until dusk, through forest and the villus. Leopards and sloth bears are seen on some drives, not all; the forest is thick and it takes patience.
Under an hour to Anuradhapura. The afternoon covers the sacred city by car: the Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanaramaya and the Samadhi Buddha, with socks for the hot stone. At 15:30 the 1,840 steps of Mihintale for sunset.
Drive 1 hour 40 minutes to Sigiriya with a 45-minute detour to the Avukana Buddha. Pidurangala Rock in the late afternoon, an hour's climb with the view across to Sigiriya at sunset.
Sigiriya Rock at the 07:00 counter opening, 2 to 3 hours. A quiet middle of the day, then a 15:00 private jeep to Minneriya, Kaudulla or Hurulu, chosen on the day. Polonnaruwa can be added in the late morning but makes a very long day.
Dambulla's cave temple, then 2 hours 45 minutes of driving to Kandy. The dance show at 17:00 and the 18:30 puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
Two hours at Peradeniya, then 2 hours 45 minutes over the Ramboda Pass with a tea factory tour and tasting. Cold at night; a 05:00 start tomorrow.
Horton Plains from first light, 9 km and about 3 hours, with no view promised after 09:00 or in the cloudy months. Then the 12:30 to 13:00 train from Nanu Oya to Ella, about 2 hours 30 minutes, luggage by car.
Little Adam's Peak at sunrise and the Nine Arch Bridge before the crowds. A free afternoon in a village that has become busy and commercial; the zip-line or a cooking class are the usual extras.
About 2 hours 15 minutes to Tissamaharama and a 14:30 safari in Yala Block 1. Leopards are seen on some drives, not all, and jeeps crowd sightings. Kataragama's evening puja is 25 minutes away.
A 05:30 Yala drive, then 1 hour 40 minutes to Tangalle's long, quiet beaches; several have strong currents, so ask before swimming. After dark a community-run turtle watch at Rekawa, red torches only; turtles come up on some nights, not all, and the fee is paid at the visitor centre.
A morning on the beach, then about 3 hours 15 minutes by expressway to the airport. Galle Fort is a possible lunch stop and adds about 45 minutes.
| Stop | Simple | Comfort (this tour) | Superior | Luxury |
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| Negombo1 night |
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| Wilpattu National Park1 night |
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| Anuradhapura1 night |
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| Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana)2 nights |
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| Kandy1 night |
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| Nuwara Eliya1 night |
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| Ella2 nights |
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| Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama)1 night |
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| Tangalle (Rekawa and Hiriketiya)1 night |
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| Per person for two | $1,171 | $1,368 | $1,690 | $2,289 |
Hotels are named as examples of the standard you will get. If a named hotel is full we book one of the same standard in the same area and tell you which. Bed and breakfast unless the itinerary says otherwise.
| When | Per person | Compared |
|---|---|---|
| June (low season) | $1,332 | Lowest |
| November (shoulder season) | $1,368 | $36 more than the lowest |
| February (peak season) | $1,490 | $158 more than the lowest |
| Christmas and New Year | $1,614 | Highest, $282 more than the lowest |
Priced for a start date in each period. Your dates may fall across two seasons, so check them in the price box. Some stops here cost more in their own busy weeks, such as mid-July to August. The Christmas and New Year price includes our estimate of any compulsory gala dinner on 24 or 31 December.
| Group | Per person | Total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | $2,294 | $2,294 | Car |
| 2 adults | $1,368 | $2,736 | Car |
| 3 adults | $1,322 | $3,965 | Van |
| 4 adults | $1,102 | $4,407 | Van |
| 6 adults | $1,005 | $6,027 | Large van |
| 8 adults | $973 | $7,777 | Large van |
Two adults share each room, and an odd adult has a single room at 80% of the double rate. We pick the smallest vehicle that seats the group in comfort. Per-person figures are rounded up to the dollar.
No drive over about 3 hours 15 minutes; dawn starts on days 2, 5, 8, 9 and 11.
Yala Block 1 has more sightings and far more jeeps; Wilpattu has fewer of both. This tour includes both, so you see the difference. Neither guarantees a leopard.
The sea at Tangalle is rough from May to October, and this tour is priced with the Tangalle nights in every month. To spend the last nights at Trincomalee instead and route back via Sigiriya, use Change the route or add days beside the price: the planner prices that route before you book.
No. Turtles nest all year, most often from April to July, and some nights none come up. The watch is community-run and you may wait several hours on the beach.
Fourteen days covers ancient cities, the hills, two parks and the south coast, no day over 4h30 in the car. About USD 1,709 each with Majeste, 7 Nov 2026.
Majeste's Classic Sri Lanka 7-day tour is USD 866 per person for two in 3-star hotels, shoulder season, with car, driver, tickets and safaris. 7 Nov 2026.
January to March is driest on the west and south coasts, in the hills and the Cultural Triangle; May to September suits the east. Checked 7 Nov 2026.
14 days · Comfort hotels
Negombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Hatton (Adam's Peak and tea country), Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Galle (with Unawatuna)
The full loop: four parks, rafting, a tea bungalow
$1,716
per person for two, 14 days, comfort hotels, shoulder season, tickets included, temple-run sites paid there
10 days · Comfort hotels
Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala (Tissamaharama and Kataragama), Galle (with Unawatuna)
The classic loop with room to breathe
$1,230
per person for two, 10 days, comfort hotels, shoulder season, tickets included
10 days · Comfort hotels
Sigiriya (Dambulla and Habarana), Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Udawalawe National Park, Hikkaduwa
Pool hotels, bicycles, elephants and a shallow sea
$1,053
per person for two, 10 days, comfort hotels, shoulder season, tickets included
Fees last checked 7 Nov 2026. Hotel rates last checked 7 Nov 2026. Transport rates last checked 7 Nov 2026. Activity prices last checked 7 Nov 2026. Rupee fees converted at LKR 332.5 to USD 1 (XE mid-market rate, 6 Nov 2026).
Where the figures come from
More about our photos on the credits page.
Example for 2, no date chosen
$1,368per person, rounded up$2,735.64 total
for 2 adults, 12 days, comfort hotels, car, shoulder season
Nothing to pay now. You pay your driver in cash when the trip starts. Plans change? Cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup. Replies within 30 minutes, 07:00 to 21:00 Sri Lanka time.
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