Island Circuit

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1
   Airport → Negombo

   Arrival in Sri Lanka

   • Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
   • Meet your Trailmark Tours representative and transfer to nearby Negombo, a beautiful coastal town located close to the airport.
   • Check in to your hotel and take some time to relax after your journey.

   Evening — Leisure

   • Enjoy a relaxed evening at the hotel or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.

   Overnight: Negombo Meals: Dinner

2. Day 2
   Negombo → Wilpattu National Park

   Journey to Wilpattu

   • After breakfast, begin your journey from Negombo towards Wilpattu National Park.
   • Travel through rural landscapes, villages, paddy fields and tropical countryside.
   • Upon arrival, check in to your hotel or wildlife lodge.

   Evening — Wilpattu Safari

   • In the afternoon/evening, enjoy your first wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park.
   • Explore the park's forests, grasslands and natural water bodies while looking for Sri Lankan wildlife.
   • Possible sightings include: Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards, spotted deer, wild buffalo, wild boar, crocodiles, sloth bears, monkeys, peacocks and numerous bird species.
   • Return to the lodge after the safari and relax.

   Overnight: Wilpattu Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

3. Day 3
   Wilpattu Safari → Sigiriya

   Early Morning Wilpattu Safari

   • Wake up early for another exciting safari experience in Wilpattu National Park.
   • The early morning hours offer an excellent opportunity to explore the park while wildlife is active.
   • Return to the hotel after the safari and enjoy breakfast.

   Journey to Sigiriya

   • Check out and travel towards Sigiriya, passing through Sri Lanka's dry-zone countryside and rural villages.
   • Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

   Evening — Leisure

   • Enjoy the hotel surroundings and relax after the day's journey.

   Overnight: Sigiriya Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

4. Day 4
   Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Leisure

   Morning — Sigiriya Rock Fortress

   • After breakfast, visit the spectacular Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
   • Explore the ancient water gardens, landscaped gardens, frescoes, Lion's Paw area and archaeological remains.
   • Continue to the summit and enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding forests and countryside.

   Afternoon — Leisure

   • Return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon.

   Optional Cultural Experience

   • An optional traditional Sri Lankan village experience can be arranged, including local farming, cooking demonstrations, village walks or other cultural activities.

   Overnight: Sigiriya Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

5. Day 5
   Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Minneriya / Kaudulla Safari

   Polonnaruwa Ancient City

   • After breakfast, travel towards Polonnaruwa, one of Sri Lanka's ancient capitals.
   • Explore the archaeological remains of the ancient kingdom, including historic temples, statues and important ruins.
   • Visit the famous Gal Vihara, known for its impressive rock-cut Buddha statues.

   Evening — Wildlife Safari

   • In the afternoon/evening, proceed for a wildlife safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park.
   • The park selection can be based on current wildlife movements and conditions.
   • Possible sightings include: Sri Lankan elephants, deer, wild buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys, peacocks and water birds and other wildlife.
   • Return to Sigiriya after the safari.

   Overnight: Sigiriya Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

6. Day 6
   Sigiriya → Dambulla → Kandy

   Dambulla Cave Temple

   • After breakfast, check out and travel towards Kandy.
   • En route, visit the famous Dambulla Cave Temple.
   • Explore the historic cave complex, Buddha statues and beautifully preserved traditional murals.

   Journey to Kandy

   • Continue through the central region towards Kandy.
   • Check in to your hotel and relax.

   Evening — Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

   • Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist and cultural landmarks.

   Kandyan Cultural Dance

   • In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance performance, featuring traditional costumes, music and dance.

   Overnight: Kandy Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

7. Day 7
   Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

   Scenic Journey Through the Highlands

   • After breakfast, begin the scenic journey from Kandy towards Nuwara Eliya.
   • Travel through beautiful mountain landscapes, waterfalls and tea plantations.

   Tea Factory & Tea Plantation

   • Visit a traditional Ceylon Tea Factory and tea plantation.
   • Learn about the tea-making process, including tea cultivation, picking, withering, rolling, fermentation / oxidation, drying, grading and packing.
   • Enjoy a traditional Ceylon tea tasting.

   Optional Scenic Train

   • Subject to train schedules and ticket availability, an optional scenic train journey can be included.
   • Experience the famous hill-country railway as it passes through tea plantations, forests, tunnels and mountain scenery.

   Nuwara Eliya

   • Continue to Nuwara Eliya and explore the town.

   Overnight: Nuwara Eliya Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

8. Day 8
   Horton Plains → Ella

   Early Morning — Horton Plains National Park

   • Depart early morning for Horton Plains National Park.
   • Enjoy a hike through the spectacular highland landscape towards World's End.
   • The area offers beautiful views, misty mountains, grasslands, forests and unique highland vegetation.

   Journey to Ella

   • After completing the hike, continue towards Ella.
   • The journey passes through spectacular hill-country scenery.

   Arrival in Ella

   • Check in to your hotel and relax.
   • Enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by Ella's mountains and tea plantations.

   Overnight: Ella Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

9. Day 9
   Little Adam's Peak → Nine Arch Bridge → Ella Rock

   Morning — Little Adam's Peak

   • Start the morning with a hike to Little Adam's Peak.
   • Enjoy panoramic views over Ella's mountains, valleys and surrounding tea plantations.

   Nine Arch Bridge

   • Continue to the famous Nine Arch Bridge.
   • Walk through the surrounding greenery and tea plantations to reach this historic railway bridge.
   • If the railway timetable allows, you may have an opportunity to see a train crossing the bridge.

   Evening — Optional Ella Rock

   • For guests looking for an additional adventure, an optional Ella Rock hike can be arranged.
   • The hike is more challenging and requires a reasonable level of fitness.
   • Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding mountain landscape before returning to the hotel.

   Overnight: Ella Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

10. Day 10
    Ella → Yala

    Journey to Yala

    • After breakfast, check out and travel from Ella towards Yala.
    • Enjoy the changing scenery as the route descends from the central highlands towards Sri Lanka's southern wildlife region.

    Arrival in Yala

    • Check in to your hotel or wildlife lodge.

    Afternoon — Leisure

    • Enjoy some free time to relax after the journey.
    • Optional nature activities can be arranged depending on time and availability.

    Overnight: Yala Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

11. Day 11
    Yala National Park Safari

    Early Morning Wildlife Safari

    • Wake up early and depart for a safari in Yala National Park.
    • Explore forests, grasslands, lagoons and rocky landscapes while searching for Sri Lankan wildlife.
    • Possible sightings include: Sri Lankan leopard, Sri Lankan elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, wild buffalo, crocodiles, wild boar, monkeys, peacocks and endemic and migratory birds.
    • Return to the hotel after the morning safari and enjoy breakfast.

    Afternoon — Leisure

    • Relax at the hotel during the afternoon.

    Optional Evening Safari

    • For guests who want additional wildlife viewing, a second safari can be arranged in the evening, subject to park regulations and availability.

    Overnight: Yala Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

12. Day 12
    Yala → Udawalawe → Elephant Transit Home

    Journey to Udawalawe

    • After breakfast, check out and travel towards Udawalawe.

    Elephant Transit Home

    • Visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, a conservation facility involved in the care and rehabilitation of orphaned wild elephants.
    • Learn about the rehabilitation process and the conservation work carried out to prepare elephants for eventual return to the wild.

    Optional Udawalawe Safari

    • Depending on the day's schedule and departure time, an optional Udawalawe National Park Safari can be arranged.
    • Udawalawe is particularly known for its elephant population and diverse birdlife.
    • Continue towards the southern coast after the visit.

    Overnight: Galle / Southern Coast Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

13. Day 13
    Udawalawe / South Coast → Galle Fort

    Journey to Galle

    • After breakfast, continue your journey towards Galle, travelling along Sri Lanka's beautiful southern coastal region.
    • Enjoy views of tropical vegetation, villages and coastal landscapes along the route.

    Evening — Galle Fort

    • In the evening, visit the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • Walk through the atmospheric streets inside the fort and explore historic fortifications, colonial-era buildings, old streets, Dutch and Portuguese heritage, the lighthouse area, local shops and cafés, and the oceanfront ramparts.
    • Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Galle Fort around sunset.
    • The evening is ideal for photography, walking along the ramparts and experiencing the combination of Sri Lankan and colonial heritage.
    • Return to your hotel after the visit.

    Overnight: Galle / Southern Coast Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

14. Day 14
    Galle → Bandaranaike International Airport

    Journey to the Airport

    • After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin your journey towards Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
    • Travel north along the western/southwestern coast and enjoy the final views of Sri Lanka.
    • Depending on your flight departure time, a short stop or leisure period can be arranged if time permits.

    Airport Transfer

    • Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in time for your international departure.
    • End of the Trailmark Tours Sri Lanka Adventure.

    Meals: Breakfast