Ancient Heritage & Hill Country · 10D/9N
Ancient
Heritage &
Hill Country
A private 10-day odyssey threading 5 UNESCO wonders, wild elephant safaris & a legendary highland train ride — one seamless Sri Lankan adventure.
10
Days
5
UNESCO
2×
Elephants
100%
Private
4.9
/5
SM
Absolutely breathtaking — every detail was perfectly arranged. Truly personal.
Verified
Featured Highlight
UNESCO
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
09 Nights · 10 Days · Live Route Map
Ancient Heritage & Hill Country
10 Days Adventure
Select any day to zoom into that location. Click any pin for full details, activities and overnight stay. 5 UNESCO sites, wildlife safaris, scenic train and beach finales.
5
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
2
Wildlife Safaris — Minneriya & Optional Yala
3hrs
Scenic Train — Nanu Oya to Ella
Half
Day Leisure — Village Cycling & Poolside
Tour Itinerary
All · 14
Click a day to filter the map
Day 1Day 10
Category Legend
Coastal & Beach
UNESCO Heritage
Wildlife & Nature
Hill Country
Culture & Temple
14
stops shown
Full 10-Day Route
Negombo → Mirissa
Click any pin to explore
5
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
80+
Rescued elephants · Pinnawala
3hrs
Scenic highland train ride
Village
Cycling · paddy fields · catamaran
9
Nights · 10 days total
Tour Highlights
Unforgettable Experiences
Across Every Day
Carefully curated moments that define this journey — from climbing a 5th-century rock fortress to watching wild elephants at sunrise.
5 UNESCO Sites
Cultural Triangle
Five World Heritage Wonders
Stand atop Sigiriya's 200 m volcanic rock, walk ancient Anuradhapura, explore medieval Polonnaruwa, descend into Dambulla's painted caves, and visit Kandy's Sacred Tooth Relic — five UNESCO sites in one extraordinary arc.
Sigiriya Rock
Anuradhapura
Polonnaruwa
Dambulla
Kandy
Wildlife
Wildlife Encounters
Elephants & Wild Safari
Meet rescued elephants at Pinnawala and witness the legendary Gathering at Minneriya — hundreds of wild elephants around an ancient tank.
Pinnawala
River Bathing
Minneriya Safari
Scenic Train
Hill Country
Iconic Train to Ella
Journey 3 hours through misty tea valleys on one of the world's most beautiful train rides — Nanu Oya to Ella — then hike to the Nine Arches Bridge.
Nanu Oya → Ella
Nine Arches Bridge
Village Life
Village Experience
Cycling & Village Lunch
Pedal through paddy fields, glide on a catamaran and share a village lunch with local families — a genuinely off-the-beaten-track afternoon.
Paddy Fields
Catamaran Ride
Village Lunch
Beaches
Coastal Stays
Start & End at the Sea
Begin with Negombo's sunset seafood and end on Mirissa's crescent bay — with optional blue whale watching to crown your final morning.
Negombo Beach
Mirissa Bay
Whale Watching
Day by Day
Ancient Heritage, Elephants & Hill Country
09 Nights / 10 Days · A perfectly paced private tour for European travellers — heritage, wildlife, hill country & soft adventure. Click any day to explore.
01
DAY 01
Arrival & Negombo
Coastal Gateway · West Coast Beach · Seafront Sunset
Negombo
Day 01 · Start
Negombo
Schedule
Arrival at BIA · Transfer to Negombo (20 min / 12 km)Transfer
Relax at beach & enjoy the sunsetLeisure
Optional fresh seafood dinner on the coastOptional
Highlights
West Coast Beach
Negombo Lagoon
Dutch Canals
Overnight · NegomboBoutique beach hotel · 1 night
02
DAY 02
Negombo → Pinnawala → Anuradhapura
Elephant Orphanage · UNESCO Sacred City
Anuradhapura
Day 02 · En Route
Pinnawala
Schedule
Drive to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (2 hrs / 90 km)Transfer
Elephant feeding & river bathing experienceWildlife
Continue to Anuradhapura (3 hrs / 140 km)Transfer
Evening at leisure in AnuradhapuraLeisure
Highlights
Baby Elephants
River Bathing
Pinnawala Village
Overnight · AnuradhapuraHeritage eco lodge · 1 night
03
DAY 03
Anuradhapura Heritage Exploration
UNESCO Sacred City · Full Day · Ancient Temples
Anuradhapura
Day 03 · UNESCO
Anuradhapura
Schedule
Sri Maha Bodhi Tree — 2,250-year-old sacred treeUNESCO
Ruwanwelisaya Great StupaHeritage
Abhayagiri & Jetavanaramaya StupasHeritage
Ancient reservoirs (wewas) explorationHeritage
Cycling tour of the archaeological parkOptional
Highlights
Sri Maha Bodhi
Ruwanwelisaya
Abhayagiri
UNESCO Site
Overnight · AnuradhapuraHeritage eco lodge · 2nd night
04
DAY 04
Anuradhapura → Sigiriya Village
Village Cycling · Catamaran Ride · Local Lunch
Sigiriya
Day 04 · Village
Sigiriya
Schedule
Drive to Sigiriya (1.5 hrs / 75 km)Transfer
Village cycling — paddy fields, villages & irrigation canalsExperience
Traditional catamaran ride on canalExperience
Local village lunch with a Sri Lankan familyExperience
Highlights
Village Cycling
Catamaran Ride
Village Lunch
Overnight · SigiriyaJungle-edge boutique hotel · 1 night
05
DAY 05
Sigiriya Rock & Polonnaruwa
Fortress Climb · Medieval Capital · Leisure Half-Day
Sigiriya
Day 05 · UNESCO
Sigiriya
Schedule
Early morning Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb (2–3 hrs)UNESCO
Ancient frescoes & Lion Gate mirror wallHeritage
Drive to Polonnaruwa (1.5 hrs / 60 km)Transfer
Royal Palace, Gal Vihara & Parakrama SamudraHeritage
Afternoon half-day leisure at hotel / poolsideLeisure
Highlights
200m Rock Climb
Gal Vihara
Parakrama Samudra
Leisure Half-Day
Overnight · SigiriyaJungle-edge boutique hotel · 2nd night
06
DAY 06
Dambulla Cave Temple & Safari
UNESCO Golden Cave · Minneriya Wildlife Safari
Sigiriya / Habarana
Day 06 · UNESCO
Dambulla
Schedule
Drive to Dambulla Cave Temple (30 min / 25 km)Transfer
5 sacred caves · 80 Buddha statues · 2,100 m² ceiling paintingsUNESCO
Evening half-day jeep safari at Minneriya National ParkWildlife
Wild elephants, deer, peacocks & crocodilesWildlife
Highlights
5 Sacred Caves
80 Buddha Statues
Wild Elephant Safari
Overnight · Sigiriya / HabaranaEco lodge in the jungle
07
DAY 07
Sigiriya → Kandy
UNESCO Tooth Temple · Kandy Lake · Cultural Dance
Kandy
Day 07 · UNESCO
Kandy
Schedule
Drive to Kandy (2.5 hrs / 90 km)Transfer
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO)UNESCO
Kandy Lake promenade walkLeisure
Evening cultural dance performanceOptional
Highlights
Tooth Relic Temple
Kandy Lake
Kandyan Dance
Overnight · KandyHill-view boutique hotel
08
DAY 08
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Tea Estates · Little England · Hill Country
Nuwara Eliya
Day 08 · Hill Country
Nuwara Eliya
Schedule
Scenic drive through tea plantations (2.5–3 hrs / 80 km)Transfer
Tea plantation & factory guided visitExperience
Gregory Lake walk (optional boat ride)Optional
Evening at leisure in colonial-style Nuwara EliyaLeisure
Highlights
Tea Plantation
Factory Tour
Gregory Lake
Overnight · Nuwara EliyaColonial hill station hotel
09
DAY 09
Scenic Train to Ella → Mirissa
World's Most Scenic Train · Nine Arches · Ella Hike
Mirissa
Day 09 · Ella
Nine Arches Bridge
Schedule
Morning scenic train: Nanu Oya → Ella (approx. 3 hrs)Experience
Little Adam's Peak — light rock climbAdventure
Nine Arches Bridge photographyExperience
Drive to Mirissa (4–5 hrs / 190 km)Transfer
Highlights
Scenic Train Ride
Nine Arches Bridge
Little Adam's Peak
Overnight · MirissaBeachfront boutique hotel
10
DAY 10
Mirissa Beach & Departure
Beach Morning · Whale Watching · Fly Home
Departure
Day 10 · Farewell
Mirissa
Schedule
Relaxing beach morning at MirissaLeisure
Optional whale watching (Nov – Apr)Optional
Transfer to Bandaranaike Airport (3 hrs / 175 km)Transfer
Highlights
Mirissa Beach
Whale Watching
Indian Ocean
Departure DayTransfer to Bandaranaike International Airport
Package Details
What's Included
A fully supported private tour — everything you need for a seamless, worry-free journey.
Airport transfers on arrival & departure (Bandaranaike International Airport)
09 nights accommodation — boutique hotels & eco lodges (breakfast & dinner daily)
Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking chauffeur-guide throughout
All entrance fees — Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy Temple
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (entrance + river bathing session)
Minneriya National Park half-day jeep safari (shared 4WD)
Sigiriya village cycling tour with catamaran ride & village lunch
Scenic train tickets: Nanu Oya → Ella (2nd class reserved)
Tea plantation & factory guided visit, Nuwara Eliya
Evening Kandyan cultural dance show tickets
Government taxes & service charges
24/7 WhatsApp support from Pixel Ceylon Tours team
International flights to/from Colombo
Sri Lanka tourist visa (ETA — online, approx. USD 35)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Lunches & personal beverages (unless stated)
Optional whale watching — Mirissa (approx. USD 40 pp)
Tips & gratuities for guides and drivers
Personal shopping, laundry, spa & room extras
Any activities listed as "optional" in the itinerary
Good to know: All tours are fully private — you won't share vehicles or guides with other groups. Accommodation can be upgraded to luxury properties on request. Pricing is based on twin-share occupancy; solo traveller supplements apply.
Pricing & Booking
Your Perfect Journey
All-Inclusive Package
Starting from
$1,490
per person · twin share · 10 days
Accommodation
Entrance Fees
All Transport
Private Guide
Breakfasts
Select your group size
Solo Traveller
Private guide & vehicle
$1,890/pp
Couple / Duo
Best value · twin share
$1,490/pp
Small Group (3–6)
Family or friends
$1,250/pp
Free cancellation up to 30 days prior
5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Anuradhapura — Ancient Sacred City
Polonnaruwa — Medieval Capital
Sigiriya — 5th-Century Rock Fortress
Dambulla — Golden Cave Temple
Kandy — Sacred Tooth Relic Temple
Tour Essentials
Duration: 10 Days / 09 Nights
Route: Negombo → Mirissa
Group: 1–6 passengers
Meals: Daily breakfast included
Best time: November – April
Guide: English-speaking, private
Fully Customisable
Dates, hotel grades and activities can all be adjusted. Contact us for a bespoke quote tailored to your group and travel style.
Traveller Reviews
What Our Guests
Say About This Tour
Over 200 European travellers have experienced this journey. Here's what they told us.
Absolutely the trip of a lifetime. Sigiriya at sunrise, the train through the tea hills, and waking up to elephants at Minneriya — Pixel Ceylon thought of everything. Our guide was extraordinarily knowledgeable and made every stop feel personal.
MK
Markus & Katja
Verified
The village cycling day was something we never expected — lunch cooked by a local family in their home, a catamaran on the canal... it was magical. Far beyond a typical tour.
SL
Sophie & Luca
Verified
The scenic train to Ella is everything everyone says — but honestly the whole itinerary was perfectly paced. We never felt rushed. Mirissa on the last morning with whale watching was a perfect finale.
JB
James & Beth
Verified
Ready to Explore Sri Lanka
10
Days · 09 Nights
5
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
2
Wildlife Encounters
4.9
Guest Rating · 200+ Reviews
1,490
From · per person
Pixel Ceylon Tours
First Time in Sri Lanka
7 Nights
3 UNESCO
Customisable
07 Nights
Whale Watching
3 UNESCO Sites
Scenic Train
Private
Customisable
Tailor Your Journey
Choose your travel dates
Upgrade hotel grade
Add or remove stops
Any group size
No extra charge for changes
Starting from
$1,390
per person