13 Day Classic Plus Sri Lanka — More Time, More Memories

About This Tour

The classic Sri Lanka loop plus one extra day, for Polonnaruwa.

If Sigiriya is Sri Lanka's dramatic vertical postcard (a single rock, a single king, a single century), Polonnaruwa is the horizontal one. Several square kilometres of palace ruins, temple complexes, royal audience halls, and astonishing rock-cut Buddha statues, sprawling across a flat plain best explored by bicycle in the cool of early morning. Thirteen days lets you see all of this without trading away a night at the coast. If you have any interest in history, this is the version of Sri Lanka to book.

Your Route

• Day 1: Colombo Airport → Sigiriya
• Day 2: Sigiriya climb at sunrise
• Day 3: Polonnaruwa by bicycle, Dambulla caves in the afternoon
• Days 4–5: Kandy & the Temple of the Tooth
• Day 6: Nuwara Eliya, tea country
• Days 7–8: Ella, via the scenic train
• Day 9: Yala safari
• Days 10–12: South coast: Galle Fort, Mirissa, Weligama
• Day 13: Drive to airport

Private air-conditioned car and dedicated driver-guide for the full thirteen days.

The Moments That Will Stay With You

🚴 Polonnaruwa by bicycle. The capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th to 13th centuries: the kingdom of King Parakramabahu the Great, who built the famous Sea of Parakrama (a 5,600-acre artificial lake still in use today) and presided over what historians call the island's medieval golden age. UNESCO World Heritage. The site is vast and flat, best explored on bicycles (which we arrange). The highlight is the Gal Vihara: four colossal Buddha statues carved from a single granite outcrop, including a 14-metre reclining Buddha widely considered the finest piece of Sinhalese rock sculpture ever made. Allow three hours minimum.

🏔️ Sunrise at Sigiriya. A 180-metre plug of granite that a 5th-century king, Kashyapa, converted into his fortress-palace. UNESCO listed. Be at the gate for 6:30 AM. The summit stays quiet for about twenty minutes before the crowds arrive, and that window is the whole point.

🛕 Dambulla cave temples. Five painted caverns hold 153 Buddha statues under 2,100 m² of decorated ceiling; the sanctuary has been in continuous use for 22 centuries.

🙏 The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. Houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. Go for the 6:30 PM puja: drums, conch shells, chanting monks, and a brief glimpse of the gold casket.

🚂 The blue train from Nanu Oya to Ella. Three hours of tea country rolling slowly past the open doors. Doors stay open by tradition. We book reserved 1st-class seats.

🐆 Yala at first light. At 979 km², it is Sri Lanka's most famous stretch of leopard territory.

🏰 Galle Fort. The Portuguese built it in 1588, the Dutch walled it in, and UNESCO lists it today. Three nights at the coast lets you actually slow down.

Why This Route, Not the 12-Day or 14-Day

Polonnaruwa is the missing piece in the 12-day Classic Circuit. If Sigiriya gives you goosebumps and you want more, Polonnaruwa is the deepest historical experience Sri Lanka offers. The 12-day forces a choice between Polonnaruwa and a full south coast stint; the 13-day gives you both. The 14-day adds a third coastal night, which is wonderful if you want to slow down further.

Good to Know

• Your driver-guide is with you all 13 days in a private A/C vehicle.
• The itinerary is a framework. Extra time at Polonnaruwa, an afternoon at the Sigiriya Museum, longer at Galle; just tell your guide.
• Bicycles for Polonnaruwa included. We pick a route around the most photogenic temples and away from the crowds.
• Electronic visa, applied online, ~10 minutes.
• No malaria risk on this route. No vaccinations required.
• Runs every day of the year. You choose the dates.

✅ Included

Private A/C vehicle for 13 days · Professional English-speaking driver-guide · 12 nights of accommodation at your chosen tier · Daily breakfast · Airport pick-up and drop-off · Bicycle hire at Polonnaruwa · Reserved seats on the scenic train · All fuel, tolls, and parking · 24/7 WhatsApp support

❌ Not Included

Site entrance fees (unless you select the All Site Entrances add-on or All-Inclusive meal plan) · Lunches and dinners (unless you upgrade meal plan) · International flights · Travel insurance · Tips for your driver-guide and hotel staff

📋 Booking

The price on this page is live: set your group size, hotel tier and dates and the total updates as you go · Instant confirmation upon payment · Secure card checkout · Custom dates year-round