Highlight & East Coast Tour in Sri Lanka

Looking for a super unique and completely off-the-beaten-path experience in Sri Lanka? Explore the untouched east coast of Sri Lanka! Resorts are springing up in some areas but the east coast is still full of endless stretches of powdery white sand. Most parts of the eastern coast are remain totally crowd-free.

At a Glance

Trip Length

16 Days

Price

When to go

May to November

Transfers

Airport/Hotel – Tour Attractions – Airport/Hotel

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Not to miss in this tour

Boat trip to paradise Pigeon Island and snorkeling with an extremely large number of colorful fish and corals

Relax at the beautiful and nature beach side of the East coast in Nilaveli & Passikudah

Fantastic panoramic view over the tea plantations in Lipton's Seat

Negombo

Pick up in your Hotel or after you exit the Bandaranaike International Airport, your personal Passion Tours Guide will take you to a luxurious and comfortable vehicle and drive you to Negambo. Which will be your first stop for this 16 days Highlight & East Coast Tour in Sri Lanka. Relax on the golden and wide dream beach and check into Goldi Sands Hotel in Negombo for the night.

Sigiriya / Dambulla

In the morning Visit Negombo big Fisher market and after you will drive Sigiriya. Visit to Sri Lanka’s largest vegetable and fruit market (if desired). In the evening there is a small climbing activity where you can explore the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, which was built from ancient times and is now a World Heritage Site and you can walk around by foot or bike the Kandalama Lake in beautiful nature until sunset.

You will stay at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana for two nights.

Sigiriya Rock / Village Tour / Pidurangala Rock

In the morning with pleasant temperatures you climb up to Sigiriya Rock: a rock fortress built by an ancient Sinhalese King. Ruins and a fantastic panoramic view at the top will be astonished.

You will visit the Sigiriya Village tour. Bullock Cart is ancient Sri Lanka’s one of the major transportation systems. Then, you can experience the traditional Sri Lankans transportation system and, in the meantime, you will experience green paddy fields in the Habarana area.

Then you can ride a boat, during catamaran boat riding can see Sigiriya Rock & Pidurangala rock in the away. The best and amazing scenery is Sigiriya and green bushes / endemic birds.

You will visit Farmer’s house. Indeed, you can experience typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality at his house. Then, after you can walk through his farm. After a Short time, you can experience different types of cultivation methods and vegetables. In the end, you can experience a typical countryside Sri Lankan lunch at Farmer’s house.

At evening Pidurangala Rock: Temple built on a rock. Historic exploration on the way and stunning views at the top over the landscape and the Sigiriya Lion Rock. (Not overcrowded and hardly any tourists, best panorama)

Nilaveli / Pigeon Island

From Sigiriya drive to the northeast coast to Trincomalee and Nilaveli. In Trincomalee you can go on a City sightseeing tour and visit the numerous Hindu temples. After visit to the Kanniya hot water spring.

Continue to Nilaveli which is not far from Trincomalee. Here you will spend 2 nights in the Trinco Blu by Cinnamon that is situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. The beautiful sandy beach invites you to relax, swim, dive and snorkel.

Day 5: In the morning possibility to cross over to the paradisiacal coral/bathing island “Pigeon Island” with a small boat. The coral island, which is a nature reserve, offers its visitors an incredibly diverse underwater world. If you wish, you can spend the whole day on the quiet and deserted island. The coral island is definitely a real highlight!

Passikudah Beach

In the morning visit Tirukoneswaram Temple, one of the most important Shiva temples in Sri Lanka. After Drive to Passikudah and Relax and swim on the beach. Here also you will spend 2 nights in the Amaya Beach Passikudah that is situated another most beautiful beach in Sri Lanka.

On day 7 also you can relax, swim and snorkel on Dream beach Passikudah.

Kandy

After breakfast you will drive over Kandy to Peradeniya to one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Asia, which is not far from Kandy. The park is popular with tourists and locals alike. Over 4,000 flowers and plants of all kinds you can see.

Evening Kandy Cultural Dance Show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage Show after The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world-renowned place of worship, where the left Canine tooth of Gautama Buddha is enshrined. The temple which is venerated by thousands of local & foreign devotees and tourists daily was named as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1988.

You will stay at Cinnamon Citadel for the night.

Nuwara Eliya

In the morning walk around Kandy Lake and City later Visit Kandy View Point after you will drive Kitulgala. Just 2 hours from Kandy. Experience White Water Rafting in the picturesque Kelani River, covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids. The distance covered is around 5 KMs. The river and its surrounding will make you feel enchanted, with a memorable Experience during your White Water Rafting Tour in Kitulgala.

After that the trek to natural rock pools and waterfalls of Kataran-Oya. There are 7 natural pools which are extremely beautiful and a gift of nature. You will do these Activities; Sliding down an inclined 05 meter water fall with safety gear, into the rock pool, a confidence jump with safety to a beautiful natural rock pool, swimming in the cool and clean waters of the rain forest.

Then it goes into the highlands towards Nuwara Eliya, at 1889 m the highest town on the island. A winding road with beautiful landscapes, passing the numerous tea and vegetable plantations. On the way you will visit a tea factory, here you will be explained everything about the production of tea during a guided tour. Afterwards you can enjoy the fantastic view over the lush tea plantations from the balcony with a cup of tea.

You will be staying and relaxing in Araliya Red in Nuwara Eliya for the night.

Ella Sightseeing

In Nuwara Eliya after the Sightseeing with “Little England”, Vegetable & Fruit Market, Colonial Building, Gregory Lakeside, you will be driven to the Nanu Oya train station for your train ride to Ella. This is a ride during which you must do nothing but sit back, relax, and enjoy the most breathtaking scenery. In the evening walk through the small town of Ella.

Your luxury accommodation for the night is 98 Acres Resort & Spa in Ella.

Day 11: In the Morning visit to Lipton’s Seat. There is a fantastic panoramic view over the tea plantations (only in the morning without fog and with the best view). Visit the Nine Arch Bridge. It’s one of the engineering marvels of the early 20th century.

It’s a good idea to start an evening hike to the Little Adam’s Peak through the beautiful tea plantations and enjoy the best views of the Ella Gap.

Yala National Park

Morning visit the Rawana Waterfall after drive to the Diyaluma waterfall, hike to the waterfall with an incredible view (220 m high and the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, with only barely / no tourists, a real “hidden place”).

Then you will visit Archeological site in Buduruwagala. After that you will drive to Tissamaharamaya on the edge of Yala National Park. About 2 hours’ drive you will reach Cinnamon Wild Yala, your hotel for the night.

Unawatuna Beach

In the early morning a jeep safari is waiting for you to explore the Yala National Park, which you will surely not forget. Be fascinated by the wildlife of Sri Lanka on the Jeep safari and observe the rarest animals.

You will drive from Yala to the most popular beach area Unawatuna.

Let the murmur of the azure ocean waters and warm tropical sun escort you to a serene hideaway in a corner of the southern Sri Lankan coastal belt. In Unawatuna, where you will spend the next Three Nights relaxing in Apa Villa in Talpe.

Day 14: At morning visit of Galle Dutch Fort & Old Town after that boat safari on the Koggala River through the lagoons and mangroves with a visit to Cinnamon Island, Bird Island and Temple island. After you can visit the Turtle Hatchery.

At evening relax and bathe on the dream beach of Unawatuna.

On day 15 also you can relax, swim and snorkel on Dream beach Unawatuna.

Transfer to Airport / Hotel

Your last day of the Highlight & East Coast Tour in Sri Lanka has now come to an end and your personal Passion-Tours guide will take you to the Airport or the booked beach hotel.

If you want to make further changes, please contact us. We will then tailor-made the itinerary for you. Our Passion-Tours team is looking forward to hearing from you!

Places you will stay

Goldi Sands Hotel in Negombo

Goldi Sands is a glamorous iconic hotel nestled on the golden beaches of Negombo. The hotel boasts of One Hundred and Thirty one air-conditioned double rooms including Five Junior Suites and Two Duplex suites.
Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is located at the heart of Sri Lanka's world famous cultural triangle where history, time and tradition meet. Situated amidst green forests, hotel is a 25-minute drive away from Minneriya National Park.
Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon is a luxurious 4-star beachfront resort located 6.5 km from Trincomalee. Say hello to sunshiny days on the beach, by the sea, and of course in your whitewashed blue – mosaicked balconies, overlooking the deep blue sea.
Amaya Beach Pasikudah

Located on the dreamy shores of the Indian Ocean, the stunning Amaya Beach, is the pearl of the iconic Pasikudah bay. With 125 contemporarily furnished rooms and suites, this beach haven offers and idyllic environment to relax and recharge.
Cinnamon Citadel in Kandy

Among the best Kandy hotels in terms of facilities and services, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy is the best destination to unwind and relax in the misty mountains.
Araliya Red in Nuwara Eliya

Settle in and unwind at Araliya Red – a premier amongst Nuwara Eliya hotels and craft lifetime memories at an enchanting destination that is embellished in colonial charms!
98 Acres Resort & Spa in Ella

Set amidst stunning mountains, 98 Acres Resort & Spa is one of the most distinct Ella hotels offering a charming getaway full of romance & adventure.
Cinnamon Wild in Yala

Only a 5-minute drive from the famous Yala National Park is Cinnamon Wild Yala. It features chalets with private balconies and free Wi-Fi. It features an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
Apa Villa in Thalpe

Apa Villa Thalpe sets the standard to which other luxury villas aspire. Collection of 6 beach-front suites and 1 garden suite with interconnecting option available are a perfect match to our naturally beautiful surroundings.