Sri Lanka Itinerary 5 Days

Highlights of the 5-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary

From Cultural Heritage to Scenic Beaches

This is a 5-day Sri Lanka itinerary covering the highlights of the island, including Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Kandy city, Kandy lake, Kandy temple of the tooth relic (sri dalada maligawa), Kandy view point, Kandy city center, royal botanical gardens Peradeniya, Ramboda waterfall, Ramboda sri bhaktha hanuman temple, Nuwara Eliya tea plantations and Ceylon tea museum, Nuwara Eliya town, Gregory lake, Victoria park, hanuman footprint at Seetha Eliya temple, Nanu Oya to Ella train, nine arch bridge, little Adam’s peak, Ravana falls, Ella city, Udawalawe national park safari, Mirissa beach, coconut tree hill, whale watching tour, Galle Dutch fort, Galle lighthouse, and Galle international cricket stadium. This itinerary covers the major tourist attractions and things to do and see in the cities of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Mirissa, and Galle. The route takes you from Colombo to Kandy, then Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya to Ella, Ella to Mirissa, Mirissa to Galle, and finally from Galle to Bandaranaike international airport, Colombo, Sri Lanka. This flexible Sri Lanka tour package is ideal for short stays and first-time visitors.

Included

Excluded

Airport pickup
Colombo to Kandy distance is about 2.5 hours
On the way visit Sri Lanka Pinnawala elephant orphanage
Things to do or tourist attractions in Kandy Sri Lanka:
- Kandy temple of the tooth relic or sri dalada maligawa
- Kandy lake and Kandy town city tour
- Kandy city center
- Kandy view point
- Traditional cultural dance show

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya distance is about 2.5 hours
On the way visit :
- Royal botanical gardens in Kandy Peradeniya
- Ramboda waterfall
- Sri bhaktha hanuman temple also known as Ramboda hanuman temple
- Sri Lanka Nuwara Eliya tea factory and tea plantation visit / Ceylon tea museum
Nuwara Eliya experiences cool weather year-round, so jackets or sweaters are recommended
Things to do and things to see in Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka:
- Gregory lake
- Nuwara Eliya town tour
- Victoria park Nuwara Eliya
- Seetha Eliya seetha amman temple where the hanuman footprint in Sri Lanka can be seen

Go to Nanu Oya Nuwara Eliya train station
Nuwara Eliya to Ella train journey
- Sri Lanka train tickets can be reserved from the official government website
- Nuwara Eliya to Ella train booking should be done in advance as there is a huge demand
- Most famous Nanu Oya or Nuwara Eliya to Ella train is called Ella Odyssey train
- Your driver will come to Ella train station to pick you up
Nuwara Eliya to Ella distance is about 2 hours on the car and 2.5 hours on the train
Things to do and see in Ella Sri Lanka:
- Visit nine arch bridge
- Nine arch bridge in Ella Sri Lanka is a very famous Instagram photo spot
- Hike little Adams peak. Little Adam’s peak in Ella takes around 1.5 hours to climb up and down
- Ella town explore and leisure time in Ella city

Ella to Mirissa distance is about 3 hours
On the way visit:
- Ravana falls / Ravana Ella waterfall
- Ravana cave Ella (Optional)
- Udawalawe national park safari
- In Udawalawe national park Sri Lanka you can see wild elephants year-round
Things to do and see in Mirissa Sri Lanka:
- Mirissa coconut tree hill
- Relax at Mirissa beach
- Mirissa beach in Sri Lanka is ideal for swimming, sunset views, and relaxing
- Nightlife in Mirissa offers relaxed beachfront bars and live music after sunset

Optional whale watching tour (seasonal)
- Mirissa whale watching season is from November to April
Mirissa to Galle distance is about 1 hour
Things to do and see, and places to visit in Galle Sri Lanka
- Galle Dutch fort
- Galle lighthouse and Galle clock tower
- Galle cricket ground and international stadium
- Explore Galle town by car
Galle to Colombo distance is about 2 hours
Arrival at Bandaranaike international airport Colombo Sri Lanka

Experiencia inmejorable!! - Estamos muy contentas con el viaje que hemos hecho a Sri Lanka en familia, y sin duda una parte muy importante de que esta experiencia haya sido tan especial ha... read more

Jeanette B
August 25, 2026
A Small Island, A World of Wonders with Lanka Tour Hire - A special mention goes to our driver and guide, Mr. Kavin, who played a huge role in making our 10-day Sri Lanka trip truly memorable. More than just a driver,... read more

Kogulan K
June 3, 2026
Highly Recommended: Safe, Professional, and Kind - If you are looking for a tour hire and a driver in Sri Lanka, I highly recommend Kavin. He recently took care of my parents, and his service was exceptional;... read more

Keerthana M
March 4, 2026
Exceptional service with genuine respect and reliable. - Amazing 5 full-day trip with this company, and it truly exceeded my expectations. Kavin, despite being young, handled everything so professionally and thoughtfully—from airport pick-up until drop-off. He carefully planned... read more

STAR2411
February 16, 2026
Ottima esperienza grazie a Kavin - Abbiamo avuto un fantastico giro in Sri Lanka. Abbiamo visto tutto quello che c’era da vedere magistralmente organizzato da Kavin Fernando
Non potevamo trovare di meglio come accompagnatore in... read more

renato c
February 12, 2026
Unforgettable Experience with Lanka Tour Hire! - We recently toured Sri Lanka with Lanka Tour Hire and had an absolutely wonderful experience! From airport pickup to the final drop-off, everything was seamless. The team was professional, friendly,... read more

Perema D
April 19, 2025
Excellent driver and tour guide - Mr Niranjan was always on time to pick us up and he estimated our arrival times to destinations pretty accurately. He took us to places we wanted to go to,... read more

ajaycmistry
May 3, 2020
Best driver and local guide - While here for some business Nira drove me to Galle. On the way he took me to one of the best shops to get tea, a turtle rescue center,and a... read more

bwillispdx
October 22, 2019

      EXCELLENT
  Based on 16 reviews
  
  
      Posted on Google 
 
  Srisa
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful experience with Lanka Tour Hire during our Sri Lanka trip. We booked them for transportation throughout our 7-day itinerary, and the service was excellent from start to finish.

Kavin was friendly, professional, punctual, and very helpful throughout the entire journey. What we especially appreciated was that he went beyond the planned itinerary and took us to a few additional beautiful locations along the way, which made our trip even more memorable.

He was also very attentive and would regularly check in with us to make sure everything was going well, whether we were comfortable, happy with the plans, or needed anything. The driving was safe and comfortable, and we always felt well taken care of.

Overall, we had a smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free experience. We truly appreciate the effort and hospitality throughout our trip and would definitely recommend Lanka Tour Hire to anyone looking for reliable and friendly transportation in Sri Lanka. Highly recommended! 🇱🇰❤️
    Posted on Google 
 
  Prasen Raj
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great experience with this tour agency! Everything was well organised, from transportation to the daily itinerary. Kavin, was friendly, punctual, helpful, and drove safely throughout the trip. He made our journey comfortable and enjoyable. Highly recommended this agency and Kavin for anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka!
    Posted on Google 
 
  Subaanthi Kanagaratnam
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A dedicated tour guide. His name is Mr. Niranjan. According to the Baha'i writings "Work is worship, service is prayer", and Mr.Niranjan is doing just that. His honesty, dedication and top notch labour rendered in a form of devotion.
    Posted on Google 
 
  Pandian Thangapandy
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was such a safe and sound service by father and son combination. They are highly knowledgeable and made our life so much easier in Sri Lanka. We will surely hire them for future needs and recommend them to anyone.
    Posted on Google 
 
  Aaa .b
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing 5 full-day trip with this company, and it truly exceeded my expectations. Kavin, despite being young, handled everything so professionally and thoughtfully—from airport pick-up until drop-off. He carefully planned itineraries that perfectly matched my interests, drove safely at all times, flexible, attentive and helpful.

As a Muslim traveler, I was deeply touched by how considerate and respectful he was of my needs. He was mindful of prayer times, made stops at mosques if there was a possibility I wouldn’t reach the hotel in time, and genuinely put in the effort to find truly halal restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions.

If I have the chance to visit Sri Lanka again, I will definitely use their service—no doubt. A truly stress-free experience. Please keep being the wonderful person and spreading kindness to others. Highly recommended! 👍
    Posted on Google 
 
  renato costella
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Abbiamo fatto un viaggio magnifico con Lanka Tour Hire
Kavin e’ stato fantastico nel suggerire ed organizzare tutto il tour.
Abbiamo visto tutto quello che c’era da vedere . Tutto molto bello !
Non potevamo trovare di meglio come guida in questo viaggio.
Prudentissimo ed esperto nella guida nel difficile traffico dello Sri Lanka. Preparatissimo nel documentare la cultura e la storia dei luoghi che abbiamo visitato.
Corretto e disponibile sempre, gentile ed onesto ci ha messo a nostro agio in tutto il viaggio
    Posted on Google 
 
  taQ -
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our trip with Lanka Tour Travel was incredibly smooth and enjoyable. Our guide, Kavin, went above and beyond to tailor the itinerary to our preferences, making the entire experience seamless and stress-free.

Kavin demonstrated true professionalism—he was respectful, humble, and honest throughout the journey. His punctuality and polite demeanor stood out, and it was clear that he was committed to delivering the best possible service. If you’re Muslim, worry not, he has the good knowledge to provide Halal Restaurant too.

We highly recommend Lanka Tour Travel to anyone planning a trip to Sri Lanka with a private guide. The service was exceptional, and Kavin’s dedication made all the difference!

Exceptional Service and all the best !
    Posted on Google 
 
  nirmala krishnan
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our organiser booked Lanka Tour Hire for our recent trip to Sri Lanka, and I’m truly glad they did a great job. We were guided by Kavin and driven by Mr. Dilanka, and both went above and beyond throughout the journey. Kavin was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and culture, and his storytelling made even someone like me, who usually isn’t into history, feel genuinely interested and engaged. Really made the places come alive with his stories. Even he patiently answered all our questions.

Always made sure everyone was safe and accounted for, and showed such genuine care especially towards our grandma, helping her without being asked whenever we encountered steep paths.

They were always punctual, and the trip was well-organised while still being flexible. We made last-minute changes like shopping stops and watching a chariot procession, and the team made it all happen without any fuss and still kept us on track and made sure we didn't miss a thing.

Even when my dad and I stayed back at the hotel, Kavin helped arrange a tuk-tuk to temple for us from afar, staying true to his word.

He also treated us to little snacks during the journey and even brought flowers for our prayers with his own money thoughtful gestures we’ll never forget.

At one point, I left something behind in the van, and they made sure it was returned to me, which I really appreciate their honesty.

Mr. Dilanka was an excellent driver — calm, friendly, and always willing to help us get the best deals from local vendors. The entire team made us feel welcome and looked after, with great hotel choices and constant warmth and smiles.

As a woman, I felt completely safe, respected, and cared for throughout the entire trip.

I’d definitely say this company is visitor-friendly and one to look out for if you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka.

Thank you again for making our journey so special and unforgettable.
    Posted on Google 
 
  Balaji U (Bala)
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide Kavin was an awesome guy and his hospitality was unmatched. His knowledge on the historic SriLanka and its diverse culture was incredible. His driving skills and style made us so comfortable.
 
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