The short answer
- Core route
- Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella
- Minimum
- 7 days
- Add ons
- Beach, safari, Galle, Adam's Peak, the north
- Rule we follow
- Beach on whichever coast is dry
Most Sri Lanka trips share the same heart: Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, then the tea country and Ella. What changes is the month. With two monsoons, the beach you want in January is wet in June, and Yala closes for some weeks each year.
Choose your month, days and extras below and the planner does the seasonal thinking for you. When you are happy, send the route to a local specialist for a free quote, or compare ready made tours.
Build your route
1. When are you going?
2. How many days do you have, including travel days?
3. What would you like to add to Sigiriya, Kandy and the hill country?
Your 10 day route for February. A full plan with no spare days. About 17 hours of driving in total.
- February is beach season on the south and west coasts, so the route ends at Mirissa.
- Blue whale season off Mirissa: add a morning boat trip.
| Days | Where | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Sigiriya | Arrive at the airport. Drive about 3.5 hrsSigiriya at opening time, Dambulla caves, Polonnaruwa and an elephant safari |
| 3 | Kandy | Drive about 2.5 hrsTemple of the Tooth, the lake and a Kandyan dance show |
| 4 | Nuwara Eliya | Drive about 3 hrsTea factory visit, then Horton Plains at dawn |
| 5 to 6 | Ella | Train, about 3.5 hrsTrain from Nanu Oya; Little Adam's Peak and the Nine Arches Bridge |
| 7 | Yala | Drive about 2.5 hrsDawn leopard safari in Yala |
| 8 to 9 | Mirissa | Drive about 2.5 hrsBeach days and a whale watching trip |
| 10 | Airport | Drive to the airport (3 hrs) and fly home |
Rough cost as a private tour
US$1,200 to 2,000
Per person for two sharing, with a car, driver and mid range hotels, without flights or entry fees. Add up fees in our fee calculator.
Want this exact route?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for your dates.
Or compare ready made tours: 14 day Sri Lanka tours →
How the planner decides
- The dry coast: From November to April the beach stay is on the south coast; from May to October it moves to Trincomalee and the east. See the month map.
- Safaris: Yala for leopards, except when its main blocks close in September and October, when the planner switches to Udawalawe. Compare parks in our safari guide.
- The train: The route takes the train from Nanu Oya to Ella, the section running since July 2026. See the train status.
- Spare days: Extra days go to the beach, Ella and Sigiriya first.
Rather have a trip to Sri Lanka made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the cost estimate?
It is a rough guide based on US$120 to US$200 per person per day for a private trip with a car, driver and mid range hotels, for two people sharing.
Are the drive times exact?
No. They are typical times with a driver; traffic, roadworks and stops can add an hour or more.
Sri Lanka month by month
More Sri Lanka guides
Best time to visit Sri Lanka: the two monsoons explained
Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so somewhere is always dry. December to March is best for the south and west coasts and the hill country; May to September for the east coast and the north.
Updated 15 October 2026
Sri Lanka itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days
Seven days covers Sigiriya, Kandy and Ella. Ten adds Yala and the south coast, and fourteen slows the pace with Nuwara Eliya, Galle and more beach time. From May to September, swap the south coast for the east.
Updated 15 October 2026
Kandy to Ella train: what is running now, tickets and seats
Since Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025 the hill country line has reopened in stages. Nanu Oya to Ella is running again, but trains cannot yet run from Kandy. Here is what is open, and how to still ride the best part.
Updated 15 October 2026
Sri Lanka entrance fees for 2026 and 2027, with a cost calculator
Entry fees for foreigners add up fast: Sigiriya alone is about US$35, and the Cultural Triangle sites together cost around US$100. Tick the places on your list to see your total.
Updated 15 October 2026