
moderate
10 days
Moderate fitness recommended — able to manage multi-hour days, stair climbs (Sigiriya ~200m ascent) and short hikes.
Ten days that stitch Sri Lanka’s main storylines together: UNESCO sites, misted tea country, jeep safaris and river rapids. Expect long drives, cool hill stations, and a steady mix of cultural immersion and active days.
The first morning light in Sri Lanka arrives as a warm breath — humid and patient — pushing across Galle Face Green and into the van’s open window as you head inland. The tour’s rhythm is set here: early departures, quiet temple hours, and long stretches where tea terraces and rubber forests seem to race the road. This 10-day guided loop moves with purpose — Colombo’s colonial facades to Sigiriya’s iron-hard summit, Kandy’s lake-side sanctuaries to the misted heights of Nuwara Eliya — packing heritage sites, white-water, and wildlife into a single, coherent arc.

Sri Lanka’s humidity and heat can sneak up; carry a 1–2L refillable bottle and drink frequently between vehicle transfers.
Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits and carry a sarong or scarf to borrow if needed.
Stone steps at Sigiriya and wet paths in tea country get slippery—choose shoes with good traction.
Highlands can be chilly at dawn while coastal towns are hot—use layers and a compact rain jacket for sudden showers.
The itinerary threads together eras — Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa reveal hydraulic kingdoms, while Galle Fort shows layered Portuguese, Dutch and British coastal control.
Wildlife viewing follows park guidelines to minimize disturbance; support locally run village tours and certified turtle hatcheries to contribute to community conservation.
Grip and support for temple steps, short hikes, and slippery tea paths.
Compact protection for sudden tropical showers, especially in hill country.
Keeps water, camera, and temple cover-ups organized during long transfer days.
Useful at dawn/dusk near wetlands and in lowland parks to reduce mosquito bites.