Grand Ceylon: North to South

A three night run to Jaffna and Delft Island, then the full classic circuit south.

An eighteen day grand tour that goes further north than almost any itinerary on the island, a three night extension to the Jaffna Peninsula and Delft Island, before turning south through the full classic circuit, Sigiriya, Kandy, tea country, Yala and the coast. Built for travellers planning the one significant trip of their year.

Type: Grand Heritage and Wildlife Circuit – Extended
Best For: Travellers planning the one significant trip of their year
Comfort Level: Premium Heritage
Best Time to Travel: Year round, the Jaffna extension driest January to September
Activity Level: Moderate, comprehensive
Pace: Slow and comprehensive, the full island end to end
Route: Colombo – Negombo – Anuradhapura – Jaffna – Delft Island – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala – Tangalle – Galle – Colombo

Unique to This Tour: A three night extension to the Jaffna Peninsula and a full day excursion to Delft Island, a remote outpost in the Palk Strait with herds of wild ponies, a centuries old hollow baobab tree, and the ruins of a coral stone Dutch fort.

Signature Moment: Wild ponies wandering Delft Island’s coral strewn shore in the Palk Strait.

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 -

Arrival - Negombo

Transfer from the airport to Negombo. Overnight in Negombo.

Day 02 -

Negombo - Anuradhapura

Drive north, approximately 2.5 hours. Afternoon visit to the Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

Day 03 -

Anuradhapura Sacred City - Mihintale

Continue exploring the ancient sacred city, followed by an afternoon visit to Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have first reached Sri Lanka. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

Day 04 -

Anuradhapura - Jaffna

Drive north to the tip of the island, approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, crossing from the dry zone plains into the distinct Tamil culture, cuisine and palmyra palm landscapes of the Jaffna Peninsula. Overnight in Jaffna.

Day 05 -

Jaffna City

Visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant Hindu temples, and walk the restored ramparts of the Dutch built Jaffna Fort. Afternoon at the local market and a Jaffna style seafood lunch. Overnight in Jaffna.

Day 06 -

Delft Island

A full day excursion by ferry, approximately 45 to 60 minutes each way from Kurikkaduwan Jetty, to Delft Island, a remote, near treeless outpost in the Palk Strait known for its herds of wild ponies, a centuries old hollow baobab tree, and the ruins of a Dutch coral stone fort, best December to April, when seas are calmest. Overnight in Jaffna.

Day 07 -

Jaffna - Sigiriya

Drive south to the Cultural Triangle, approximately 4 to 4.5 hours. Overnight in Sigiriya.

Day 08 -

Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Dambulla

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the morning. Afternoon visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple. Overnight in Sigiriya.

Day 09 -

Sigiriya - Kandy

Drive to Kandy, approximately 3 hours. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the afternoon. Overnight in Kandy.

Day 10 -

Kandy Cultural Day

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. Evening Kandyan cultural dance performance. Overnight in Kandy.

Day 11 -

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Drive into the highlands, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, via a tea factory tour and tasting. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 12 -

Horton Plains - World’s End

Early walk across Horton Plains to World’s End. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 13 -

Nuwara Eliya - Ella

Scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella. Visit the Nine Arch Bridge on arrival. Overnight in Ella.

Day 14 -

Ella - Yala

Drive south, approximately 2.5 hours, via Wellawaya for an afternoon jeep safari through Yala National Park. Overnight near Yala.

Day 15 -

Yala - Tangalle

Dawn safari, then transfer to the south coast at Tangalle, approximately 2 hours. Overnight in Tangalle.

Day 16 -

Tangalle Leisure - Rekawa Turtle Walk

A slow day on the beach, with an optional guided evening visit to Rekawa Beach, a nesting site for several species of sea turtle. Overnight in Tangalle.

Day 17 -

Tangalle - Galle

Drive to Galle, approximately 1 hour. Afternoon walking the ramparts of Galle Fort. Overnight in Galle.

Day 18 -

Departure

Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, approximately 2.5 hours.

Inclusion

All private ground transport throughout the tour, including the extended Jaffna leg

Private heritage guide for Anuradhapura and Mihintale

Local Jaffna city guide

Delft Island ferry tickets and jeep tour

Private guide for Sigiriya and Kandy

Private jeep safari at Yala

Scenic train tickets, Nanu Oya to Ella

Guided Galle Fort walking tour

All airport transfers, arrival and departure

17 nights accommodation as specified above

Daily breakfast at each property

24 hour on ground support throughout

Exclusions

International flights to and from Colombo

Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Lunches and dinners unless specified

National park entrance fees, Yala approximately USD 25-35pp

Optional Rekawa turtle conservation programme fee

Personal spending, souvenirs and tipping

Tour Highlights

Jaffna Fort and Nallur Kandaswamy Temple

Delft Island wild ponies and baobab tree

Anuradhapura Sacred City

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Horton Plains and World’s End

Yala leopard safari

Where You’ll Stay

Negombo: Jetwing Blue or Jetwing Lagoon

Anuradhapura: Ulagalla Resort or Palm Garden Village (2 nights)

Jaffna: Jetwing Jaffna (3 nights)

Sigiriya: Water Garden Sigiriya or Aliya Resort (2 nights)

Kandy: The Kandy House or Cinnamon Citadel (2 nights)

Nuwara Eliya: Heritance Tea Factory or Tea Trails Bungalows (2 nights)

Ella: Zion View or Ella Gap Tourist Rest

Yala: Chena Huts by Uga or Wild Coast Tented Lodge

Tangalle: Amanwella or Buckingham Place (2 nights)

Galle: Fort Bazaar or Amangalla