Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Overview
- Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
- Departures: Private, any date
- Group size: Private, from 2 travellers
- Accommodation: Comfortable 4★ hotels and boutique stays in Sri Lanka, and an island resort in the Maldives
- Countries: Sri Lanka, Maldives
Nine days around Sri Lanka, from the rock of Sigiriya and the temples of Kandy to the hill-country train and Galle Fort, followed by four quiet nights on an island in the Maldives.
This fourteen-day trip pairs a classic tour of Sri Lanka with a few slow days in the Maldives. It suits honeymooners and couples who want culture, landscapes and wildlife first, then real rest by the sea.
You start in Colombo and head north to Sigiriya to climb the rock fortress and visit the cave temple at Dambulla. In Kandy, you see the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the botanical gardens, then ride the hill-country train through tea estates to Ella. Two nights near Galle follow, with time in the old fort and on the beach.
From Colombo it is a short flight of about an hour and a half to Malé. A speedboat or seaplane, depending on where your island lies, takes you on to four nights on a resort island, with snorkelling on the reef, boat trips to sandbanks and plenty of time to do nothing at all.
A few honest notes. The Sri Lanka part is busier, with some days of four to five hours on winding roads and a long day on the train, where seats depend on availability. Sigiriya is best climbed early. Seaplanes fly only in daylight, so a late arrival can mean a first night near Malé. Turtles, mantas and dolphins are often seen, but sightings are never guaranteed.
We can shift the balance between touring and beach, or add a night in a tea bungalow. Tell us your dates on our plan your trip page.
Day-by-day itinerary
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel in Colombo. Rest after the flight, then head to Galle Face Green as the heat eases, where local families gather by the sea in the evening to fly kites and share snacks from the food stalls. If you land late, we can plan a first night near the airport instead.
Overnight: Colombo
Drive north into the dry zone, about four to five hours by road, stopping at the Dambulla cave temple, where painted caves hold rows of Buddha statues. Cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes. Arrive in the Sigiriya area in the afternoon and settle in among paddy fields and forest, with the great rock rising above the trees.
Overnight: Sigiriya · Meals: Breakfast
Climb Sigiriya rock early, before the heat, past the water gardens, the painted frescoes and the giant Lion’s Paw, to the ruins of the palace on the summit. Rest through the middle of the day. In the late afternoon, choose between a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, where elephants often gather in season, and a quiet village visit with rice and curry.
Overnight: Sigiriya · Meals: Breakfast
Drive south through Matale to Kandy, about two and a half to three hours by road. After lunch, walk around Kandy Lake in the heart of the old royal capital. In the evening, join worshippers at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the drumming and offerings of the evening ceremony. Bring a light scarf or long trousers to cover up.
Overnight: Kandy · Meals: Breakfast
Spend a slow morning in the botanical gardens at Peradeniya, wandering among palms, orchids and giant trees. Back in town, take in the city views from the hilltop Buddha statue at Bahirawakanda, or walk in the forest of the Udawattakele reserve above the temple. In the evening, watch a performance of Kandyan dance and drumming.
Overnight: Kandy · Meals: Breakfast
Board the hill-country train for a journey of about six to seven hours through tea estates, forest and waterfalls to Ella. Reserved seats depend on availability, and your driver takes your luggage by road and meets you at the station. Arrive in Ella in the afternoon, where the air is cooler and evenings call for a light layer.
Overnight: Ella · Meals: Breakfast
Walk up Little Adam’s Peak early for sunrise views through Ella Gap to the plains far below. Later, follow the path to the Nine Arches Bridge to watch a train cross its stone arches, keeping well clear of the tracks. Spend the afternoon at a tea factory, seeing how leaves are plucked, rolled and dried, and taste the results.
Overnight: Ella · Meals: Breakfast
Leave the hills on a drive of about four to five hours, dropping through the lowlands to the south coast. Along the coast road you may see fishing harbours and stilt fishermen. Settle into your hotel near Galle in time for a walk on the beach or a first swim, following local advice on where it is safe.
Overnight: Galle · Meals: Breakfast
Explore Galle Fort with your guide, its quiet streets of old houses, churches and a mosque enclosed by walls from the Dutch period, built over earlier Portuguese defences. Browse craft shops and galleries, rest through the heat by the pool or the sea, then walk the ramparts to the white lighthouse at sunset.
Overnight: Galle · Meals: Breakfast
Drive to the international airport, about two and a half hours by road, for the short flight to Malé, about an hour and a half. From there, a speedboat or seaplane transfer takes you to your island resort, depending on its location. Seaplanes fly only by day, so with a late arrival you may spend the first night near Malé instead.
Overnight: Maldives (island resort) · Meals: Breakfast
Wake to the sound of the sea and spend the day as you please. Swim and snorkel on the house reef, where turtles and reef fish are often seen, rest in the shade, or book a massage. Meal plans vary between islands, and we confirm yours in your written quote.
Overnight: Maldives (island resort) · Meals: Breakfast
Join an optional boat trip to a sandbank in the middle of the ocean, or a guided snorkelling trip to a nearby reef. In some atolls, manta rays and whale sharks can be seen in season, though sightings always depend on luck. In the evening, watch the sun set over the water from the beach.
Overnight: Maldives (island resort) · Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a final full day on the island. Swim, read, try a dive with the island’s dive centre if you are certified, or take a sunset boat trip to look for dolphins, with no guarantees. Please remember not to touch coral or marine life, and use reef-safe sun cream to help protect the reef.
Overnight: Maldives (island resort) · Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, your speedboat or seaplane takes you back to the airport near Malé. If your flight leaves later in the day, you can spend a few hours in the city to see the Old Friday Mosque, built of carved coral stone, and the fish market by the harbour. Dress modestly in Malé, then head to the airport for your flight home.
Overnight: — · Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
- Accommodation for 13 nights with breakfast (island meal plans confirmed in your quote)
- Private airport and hotel transfers in Sri Lanka
- Private car and driver throughout Sri Lanka
- Local English-speaking guides for sightseeing in Sri Lanka
- Reserved seats on the Kandy–Ella train, subject to availability
- The flight from Colombo to Malé named in the itinerary
- Speedboat or seaplane transfers between Malé and your island
- Entrance fees to sights in the itinerary
- 24/7 support during your trip
Not included
- International flights, including your flight home from Malé
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed
- Tips for guides, drivers and island staff
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities such as safaris, diving and boat trips
Good to know
Sample itinerary: we adapt the route, hotels and dates to you and confirm everything in your written quote. Best December–April.
In Sri Lanka you travel with a private car and driver: about four to five hours from Colombo to Sigiriya, two and a half to three hours to Kandy and four to five hours from Ella to the south coast, with the hill-country train from Kandy to Ella. Colombo to Malé is a short flight of about an hour and a half, then a speedboat or seaplane transfer to your island, depending on its location; seaplanes fly only by day.
Frequently asked questions
December to April suits both parts of this trip, with dry weather on Sri Lanka’s west and south coasts and in the hill country, and calm, sunny seas in the Maldives. From about May to November the south-west monsoon brings more rain and wind to both.
It depends on where your island lies. Islands close to Malé are reached by speedboat, while those further away need a seaplane or a domestic flight and a boat. Seaplanes fly only in daylight, so we match your flight times to the transfer.
Yes. The tour in Sri Lanka keeps a gentle pace with two nights in most places, and the four nights on an island give you time to rest at the end. We can choose rooms and stays with privacy in mind and adjust the balance between touring and beach days.
Of course. Four to seven nights is a good length for the Maldives, so you could add a few more island days, or swap a night in Sri Lanka for one by the sea. We adapt the plan when you request a quote.
