Island Aura Travels
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Culture & Heritage

Heritage & Hill Country Explorer

The classic first-timer loop: the Cultural Triangle, the Temple of the Tooth, the blue train through tea country and two slow days in Ella.

Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella 7 Days / 6 Nights 4.9 (128 reviews) 2 - 12 guests
Home/ Packages/ Heritage & Hill Country Explorer
Duration7 Days, 6 Nights
Group Size2 - 12 guests
Open Departures2 dates
Seats Available15 total

Tour Overview

Seven days that cover the two sides of Sri Lanka most people come for — ancient stone and high green tea country. You climb Sigiriya at dawn, join evening puja in Kandy, then ride the observation carriage from Nanu Oya to Ella through some of the most photographed rail scenery in Asia. Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout with an English-speaking chauffeur guide.

Tour Highlights

  • Sunrise climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
  • Evening puja at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
  • Kandy to Ella observation-class train ride
  • Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak
  • Tea factory tour and tasting in Nuwara Eliya

Day by Day Itinerary

Day1

Arrive Colombo — transfer to Sigiriya

Met at Bandaranaike International Airport by your chauffeur guide and driven north to Sigiriya (approx. 4 hours). Evening at leisure by the pool.

Sigiriya Dinner
Day2

Sigiriya Rock at sunrise & Dambulla caves

Leave at 6:00am to climb the rock fortress before the heat and the crowds. Afternoon at the Dambulla Golden Cave Temple, then a village tuk-tuk and catamaran experience.

Sigiriya Breakfast
Day3

Sigiriya to Kandy via Matale

Drive south through Matale with a stop at a spice garden. Arrive Kandy for the evening puja ceremony at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, followed by a Kandyan dance performance.

Kandy Breakfast
Day4

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

Morning at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, then climb into tea country. Stop at a working tea factory for a tasting on the way to Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya Breakfast
Day5

Blue train to Ella

Short transfer to Nanu Oya to board the observation carriage for the ride to Ella — around four hours through tea gardens and cloud forest. Afternoon free in Ella town.

Ella Breakfast
Day6

Little Adam's Peak & Nine Arch Bridge

Sunrise walk up Little Adam's Peak, breakfast at a view café, then down to the Nine Arch Bridge to watch the train cross. Afternoon at Ravana Falls.

Ella Breakfast
Day7

Ella to Colombo airport

Descend through Ella Gap to the southern plains and drive to the airport (approx. 6 hours) with a lunch stop, in time for your evening flight.

- Breakfast

What's Included

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation with breakfast
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle and chauffeur guide
  • Reserved observation-class train tickets
  • All entrance fees listed in the itinerary
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Bottled water throughout the tour
  • 24/7 on-tour support line

Not included

  • International airfares and visa (ETA)
  • Lunches and dinners unless stated
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses

Traveller Reviews

★★★★★

“Every detail was taken care of — from the airport pickup to the most breathtaking sunrise at Sigiriya. Our guide Ranjan knew exactly when to leave to beat the crowds, every single day. Island Aura made Sri Lanka feel like ours alone.”

Sophie BennettUnited Kingdom

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