Feel the sun on your shoulders and the wind in your hair as you travel down Sri Lanka’s stunning East Coast. This 12-day Sri Lanka East Coast Exploration itinerary takes you through the sunshine towns of Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Passekudah, Arugam Bay, Ella, Kandy, and Colombo. Enjoy touring ancient ruins one day and relaxing on the pristine shore the next! There’s plenty of sunshine and adventure as you make your way down the coast.
Learn how to surf in Arugam Bay
Discover the inland beauty of the Ceylon Tea Fields
Jeep safari into Kumana National Park
Snorkelling, scuba diving and catamaran sailing in Pasikudah
Whale and dolphin-watching expedition off the East Coast
Enjoy Sri Lanka’s incredible nature and culture in the postcard-perfect town of Kandy
Visit Nine Arch Bridge
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Kandy 1N
Nuwara Eliya 1N
Ella 1N
Arugam Bay 3N
Pasikudah 3N
Sigiriya 2N
Airport pick up and drop off
Assistance at the airport
Accommodation on bed & breakfast basis on mention hotels below
Private luxury car (air-conditioned)
Private English speaking driver for the entire journey
All government taxes
Fuel & local insurance for the vehicle will be provided
Colombo city & shopping tour – 3 hours
Nuwara Eliya city tour – 2 hours
Tea plantation visit & factory visit – Free tea tasting
Spice garden visit & 15 min ayurvedic massage
This package excludes the sightseeing entrance charges (unless specified)
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses are excluded
Late check outs & early check in charges are excluded
Air-tickets NOT included
Camera & video permits
Travel Insurance is NOT included
Guide/driver tips
Kandy
Being an important and well-praised site among those of the Buddhist faith, Kandy is one of the favorites of our Sri Lanka tour packages. This historic city of majestic splendor will sweep you off your feet with its lush greenery and scenic mountain ranges. The mildly cool weather of the city refreshes you as you take a cheerful stroll through the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, appreciating its vibrant beauty. Home to a rich cultural heritage, Kandy will definitely provide you with a unique immersion into the local traditions, as you see the dancers dressed in colorful costumes with distinctive drums begin to perform the cultural dance, which is a unique and well-preserved aspect of Sri Lankan culture. After experiencing the mesmerizing activities that the city has to offer, you will be spending the night in a Kandy hotel overlooking a magnificent city waiting to be explored. Kandy surely is a place that will be in your heart for ever!
Activities – Day 01
Arrive at Sri Lanka (Katunayake International Airport)
Warm welcome from our Driver at the airport
Proceed to Kandy City
Enroute to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Take a part in Sri Lanka Spice Village Trip
Witness a Sri Lankan traditional cultural show
Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Check-in at the hotel and relax
Enjoy your first Sri Lankan buffet dinner at the hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel
Accomodation : Grand kandyan (5 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : BIA Airport to Kandy – 3 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Nuwara Eliya
Among the top favorites of our Sri Lanka tour packages, Nuwara Eliya is a vibrant city that boasts acres of lush-green tea estates, soothingly chilly weather, and enchanting flora and fauna. Nuwara Eliya is a destination not to be missed when you are planning your trip to Sri Lanka, don’t miss Nuwara Eliya as it is a must-see destination. The opportunities at Nuwara Eliya are endless; from long walks in the beautiful parks at the heart of the city, to adventurous hikes through the highlands and tea plantations, this old colonial town never fails to impress one! As you wake up and fill your lungs with pure air, your mind will wonder thinking what this charming town has to offer me today. Will you dine in one of the colonial Tudor-style buildings? Or, will you enjoy a fun horseback ride along the bank of Gregory Lake? Whatever your choice may be, the wonderful city of Nuwara Eliya is the perfect holiday destination in the beautiful island paradise of Sri Lanka!
Activities
Enjoy the misty morning with a cup of iconic Ceylon tea
Devour a humongous breakfast buffet at the hotel
Proceed to Nuwara Eliya
On the way, witness the Ramboda falls
Stop over at world famous Labukale tea estate & plantation
Experience Sri Lankan tea culture with a ‘Tea Tour’
Visit a strawberry farm & enjoy a fresh strawberry juice & shake
Check in at a colonial-style hotel
Later, visit Gregory Lake and watch the beautiful sunset
Walk around ‘The Little England’ filled with friendly locals
Accomodation : Jetwing St Andrews (5 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Kandy to Nuwara Eliya – 1 hour 15min (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Ella
Beautiful Sri Lanka is all you are asking for, and we give that on your wonderful Sri Lanka itinerary. Ella town is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka from your Sri Lanka tour itinerary. You experience one of the most picturesque train rides in the world when you pass beautiful mountains, steamy waterfalls, luscious forests, and villages with beaming locals: on the Kandy to Ella train. You climb the Ella rock and walk along the rails on the famous Nine Arch Bridge. As promised by your customized Sri Lanka itinerary, you arrive at the edge of the Diyaluma falls yet, another Sri Lanka attraction. You jump right in the gushing water, and you feel like you are in an infinity pool, but it is all the magic of nature!
Activities
Wakeup in the misty morning with a cup of Ceylon tea
Breakfast at the hotel
Check out From Hotel & Proceed to Ella
Enjoy a world famous train ride From Nanu Oya To Ella
Capture beautiful waterfalls and old style train stations
Check in to the charming Ella hotel & refresh
Taste original Ceylon Tea at a tea estate
Witness the famous Ella Gap
Visit the beautiful Nine Arch Bridge
Bath in natural pools of beautiful waterfalls
Appetizing Sri Lankan dinner buffet at the hotel
Accomodation : Morning Dew Hotel (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Nuwara Eliya to Ella – 4 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned) / Train Ride
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay Beach is situated near Potuvil town in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. It is one of the best East Coast beaches. This is widely popular around the world as a perfect surfing spot. A lot of tourists come here for an unforgettable surfing experience. Like surfing activities, this is a nice spot for doing other water sports, including snorkeling. It takes 3 hours to come to Arugam bay from Ella.
Activities – Day 04, 05 & 06
Delicious breakfast buffet at the hotel
Check out From Hotel & Proceed to Arugam Bay
Learn how to surf in Arugam Bay
Taking a Half day trip into Kumana National Park for Wild Safari
Participate in many water activities on this day.
Pick up a surfboard and join in the never-ending summer
Enjoy Sometimes in Lagoon Safari at Pottuvil
Check-in at the breachfront hotel and relax
Enjoy your buffet dinner at the hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel
Accomodation : Focus Cabana (3 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Ella to Arugam Bay – 4hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Pasikudah
This is another top beach on the east coast of Sri Lanka. It is an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. The crystal-clear water will definitely attract any visitor to the beach. Pasikudah Beach is situated 35 kilometers north of Batticaloa City. It takes 4 hours to reach this destination from Ella City.
Activities Day 07, 08 & 09
Wake up to see the beautiful sunrise at the beach
Taste Asia’s best crab at the seafood breakfast buffet
Proceed to Pasikudah beach
You can participate in many water activities on this day.
Take a whale and dolphin spotting excursion into the deep seas.
Explore the quaint local fishing village and observe a quiet way of life
Find the freshest fish you’ve ever tasted as you explore the coastal area.
Visit Kalkudah which area has the most beautiful beaches.
Overnight stay and relax at the Beachfront hotel
Accomodation : Amaya Beach (5 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Arugam Bay to Pasikudah – 3 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Sigiriya
An essential destination of every Sri Lanka trips, the amazing ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya might strike one as a peculiar sight. Its round structure and its intricate ancient urban landscape surely astound the best of us! Declared as a world heritage by UNESCO, this massive column of rock once used to be the capital of an ancient Sri Lankan kingdom. As you step into Sigiriya rock, you are bound to be amazed by the infamous Sigiriya frescoes depicting the beautiful Lankan women of the fifth century. The Mirror Wall, providing an outlook of ancient poetry, gives you a glimpse into the lives of early visitors of the site. Moreover, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the Gardens of Sigiriya as you wonder about the intellect and ingenuity of the ancient minds at work. Topping the list of tourist destinations in our Sri Lanka tour packages, Sigiriya fortress is a captivating masterpiece of ancient urban landscape and architecture.
Activities – Day 10
Wakeup to a beautiful morning in Pasikudah to See the Sunrise
Appetizing buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to Sigiriya City
En Route to Polannaruwa to See Ancient City
Visit to Ancient City of Sigiriya
Enjoy a soothing Ayurveda spa session
Check-in at the antique-style hotel and relax
Enjoy your buffet dinner at the hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel
Activities – Day 11
Wakeup to a beautiful morning in Sigiriya
Appetizing buffet Breakfast at the hotel
Enter the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Frescoes
Enjoy a wonderful Sri Lankan traditional boat ride
Experience how Sri Lankan ancestors travelled through a cart ride
Experience Sri Lankan culture in a truly village experience
Enjoy a grand buffet dinner with authentic Sri Lankan food
Overnight stay at the hotel
Accomodation : Hotel Sigiriya (4 Star Hotel)
Meal Plan : Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Time : Pasikudah to Sigiriya – 4 hours (approx.)
Transfer Mode : Private Car (Air Conditioned)
Colombo
This morning we have to Drive to Colombo to have some free time to do some last-minute shopping in Colombo and to pack your belongings. You will check out from your hotel and be transferred to the airport after spending a memorable time on your Sri Lanka 12 day tour. Have a safe journey!
Activities – Day 12
You’ll have Colombo City Tour for 03 Hours if you had enough time for your Flight
Doing Some Last Minute of Shopping in Colombo
Pack your Things & Proceed to Airport (02 Hours Drive)
Airport Drop & Enjoy Your Flight & Safe journey!
END!
EXCELLENT Based on 22 reviews Suraj thilina2025-04-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Superb experience, the bus was well cleaned and maintained, the driver was super friendly me and my staff really enjoyed it a lot, will definitely reach out again!!!!!! Fathima Zamana2025-04-03Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service! The bus was on time, clean, and the driver was very professional. A smooth and comfortable ride! pavithra wijeyarathne2025-04-03Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service !! Keep it up udara suranga2025-04-03Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. පැය කීපයක් ඇතුලත හොඳ බස් එකක් සෙට් කරලා දුන්නා. 👌👌👌 Kamesh Prashan2024-12-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly RecommendVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Yes, you will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. In addition, if you intend visiting Sri Lanka on a short visit,you will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival.
You can either apply and obtain an extended visa from a Sri Lankan Embassy/ Consulate from your country of residence prior to arrival in Sri Lanka or get an extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo 10. This procedure will take about 2-3 hours, and you will have to give a bona fide reason for staying over 30 days. If you are staying in a resort for a long period, the staff will be able to help you with the application.
It’s a good option to purchase a local SIM card and top up cards while you are on holiday. The mobile call rates are relatively cheap for both local and IDD calls. There are many mobile operators in the country (E.g. Dialog, Mobitel, Etisalat, Hutch etc.,). Dialog has a counter at the Colombo Airport and you can obtain a connection on arrival. A Dialog connection will cost about Rupees 1500. Top up cards are freely available island-wide. You can buy top-up cards for denominations of Rupees 100, 400 & 1000. Be sure that your phone is `dual band’ and unlocked.
Most hotels provide internet facilities. There are internet cafes in most towns with WIFI connection. Connections in smaller towns will be slow. The average cost of surfing in a Cyber Café is about US$ .50 per hour. Many large 5 star and some boutique hotels provide Wifi facilities.