Sri Lanka Hill Country 10-Day Tour Itinerary

Overview

This comprehensive itinerary takes you through Sri Lanka’s breathtaking central highlands, featuring ancient cities, colonial hill stations, tea plantations, sacred sites, and stunning natural landscapes. The tour covers approximately 500km through misty mountains, emerald tea estates, cascading waterfalls, and charming colonial-era towns.

Day 1: Arrival in Colombo → Kandy

Distance: 116km (3-4 hours) Overnight: Kandy

Morning/Afternoon

  • Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo
  • Meet your driver/guide and depart for Kandy
  • En route stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (optional)
  • Check into hotel in Kandy

Evening

  • Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
  • Attend the evening puja ceremony (6:30 PM)
  • Explore Kandy Lake and town center
  • Traditional Kandyan cultural dance performance

Accommodation Suggestions: Hotel Suisse, Kandy House, or Earl’s Regency

Day 2: Kandy Exploration

Overnight: Kandy

Morning

  • Visit Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya (20 minutes from Kandy)
  • Explore the orchid house, spice garden, and giant Java fig tree
  • Visit a traditional spice garden and learn about Sri Lankan spices

Afternoon

  • Explore Kandy’s local markets and handicraft shops
  • Visit Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue for panoramic city views
  • Optional: Visit Udawattakele Sanctuary for nature walks

Evening

  • Leisure time at hotel or explore Kandy’s colonial architecture
  • Traditional Sri Lankan dinner

Day 3: Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

Distance: 80km (2.5-3 hours) Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Morning

  • Depart Kandy after breakfast
  • En route visit Ramboda Falls (one of Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfalls)
  • Stop at a tea factory and plantation for tour and tasting

Afternoon

  • Arrive in Nuwara Eliya, “Little England”
  • Check into hotel
  • Explore the town center and colonial architecture
  • Visit the Grand Hotel or Hill Club for afternoon tea

Evening

  • Stroll around Gregory Lake
  • Visit the old Post Office and Golf Club
  • Dinner at hotel

Accommodation Suggestions: Grand Hotel, Jetwing St. Andrew’s, or Tea Factory Hotel

Day 4: Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Nuwara Eliya

Distance: 32km each way (1 hour each way) Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Early Morning (5:00 AM departure)

  • Depart for Horton Plains National Park
  • Hike to World’s End (3-4 hour trek)
  • Visit Baker’s Falls
  • Wildlife spotting: sambhur deer, purple-faced langur monkeys

Afternoon

  • Return to Nuwara Eliya
  • Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens
  • Explore Seetha Amman Temple (associated with Ramayana)

Evening

  • Relax at hotel
  • Optional: Visit local strawberry farms

Note: Early start essential to avoid afternoon mist at World’s End

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya → Ella

Distance: 46km (1.5-2 hours by road) or scenic train journey Overnight: Ella

Morning Option 1: Road Journey

  • Depart after breakfast
  • Stop at Devon Falls and St. Clair’s Falls
  • Pass through Talawakele tea estates

Morning Option 2: Train Journey (Recommended)

  • Take the famous Kandy to Badulla train from Nanu Oya station
  • One of the world’s most scenic train rides (2.5 hours)
  • Driver meets you in Ella with luggage

Afternoon

  • Check into hotel in Ella
  • Visit Ravana Falls
  • Explore Ella town and local cafes

Evening

  • Sunset viewing from hotel or town
  • Dinner at a local restaurant

Accommodation Suggestions: 98 Acres Resort, Ella Jungle Resort, or Morning Dew Guest House

Day 6: Ella Exploration

Overnight: Ella

Early Morning

  • Hike to Little Adam’s Peak (1 hour easy hike)
  • Spectacular sunrise views over tea estates

Morning

  • Visit Nine Arch Bridge (Bridge in the Sky)
  • Wait for trains to cross for perfect photo opportunities
  • Explore nearby tea plantations

Afternoon

  • Ella Rock hike for adventurous travelers (2-3 hours)
  • OR visit Ravana Ella Cave (mythologically significant)
  • Cooking class with local family (optional)

Evening

  • Relax at café overlooking the valley
  • Visit local markets and shops

Day 7: Ella → Bandarawela → Haputale

Distance: 25km (1 hour) Overnight: Haputale

Morning

  • Depart Ella after breakfast
  • Stop in Bandarawela – explore the town and market
  • Visit Dowa Temple with its ancient rock cave temple

Afternoon

  • Arrive in Haputale
  • Check into accommodation
  • Visit Lipton’s Seat for panoramic views (created by Sir Thomas Lipton)

Evening

  • Explore Haputale town
  • Visit the railway station (one of the highest in Sri Lanka)
  • Dinner with mountain views

Accommodation Suggestions: Melheim Resort, Ambiente Haputale, or local guesthouses

Day 8: Haputale → Badulla → Kandy

Distance: 200km (5-6 hours with stops) Overnight: Kandy

Morning

  • Early departure after breakfast
  • Drive to Badulla via scenic mountain roads
  • Visit Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara (ancient Buddhist temple)

Afternoon

  • Continue journey to Kandy through Mahiyangana
  • Lunch en route at a local restaurant
  • Pass through changing landscapes from hill country to mid-country

Evening

  • Arrive in Kandy and check into hotel
  • Leisure evening or explore areas missed on Day 1-2

Day 9: Kandy → Matale → Kandy

Distance: 26km each way (45 minutes each way) Overnight: Kandy

Morning

  • Day trip to Matale
  • Visit Aluviharaya Rock Temple (where Buddhist scriptures were first written)
  • Explore extensive spice gardens in Matale

Afternoon

  • Visit Knuckles Mountain Range viewpoints (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Experience local village life and traditional crafts
  • Optional: Visit Sri Muthumariamman Temple

Evening

  • Return to Kandy
  • Last-minute shopping for souvenirs
  • Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant

Day 10: Kandy → Colombo Departure

Distance: 116km (3-4 hours)

Morning

  • Final breakfast in Kandy
  • Check out and depart for Colombo
  • Optional stop at Millennium Elephant Foundation (if not visited on Day 1)

Afternoon

  • Arrive in Colombo
  • Brief city tour (time permitting): Galle Face Green, Independence Square
  • Shopping at Odel or local markets
  • Transfer to airport for departure

Essential Information

Best Time to Visit

  • Dry Season: December to March (ideal weather)
  • Shoulder Season: April-May, September-November (fewer crowds, occasional rain)
  • Monsoon Season: May-September (avoid if possible)

Packing Essentials

  • Warm layers (temperatures can drop to 10°C at night)
  • Comfortable hiking shoes
  • Rain jacket
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • Light cotton clothes for daytime
  • Modest clothing for temple visits

Transportation

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
  • Train tickets for Nuwara Eliya to Ella journey (book in advance)
  • All transportation, fuel, and parking included

Cultural Etiquette

  • Remove shoes before entering temples
  • Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees)
  • Don’t point feet toward Buddha statues
  • Photography may be restricted in some temples

Health & Safety

  • Carry a first aid kit
  • Stay hydrated, especially during hikes
  • Be cautious on wet trails
  • Travel insurance recommended

Estimated Budget (Per Person)

  • Budget: $400-600 (guesthouses, local restaurants)
  • Mid-range: $600-1000 (3-star hotels, mixed dining)
  • Luxury: $1000-2000+ (4-5 star resorts, fine dining)

Budget includes accommodation, meals, entrance fees, transportation, and guide services

What’s Included

  • All accommodation (9 nights)
  • Daily breakfast and dinner
  • Air-conditioned private vehicle
  • English-speaking driver/guide
  • All entrance fees and activity costs
  • Train tickets for scenic journey

What’s Not Included

  • International flights
  • Lunches (allows flexibility to try local restaurants)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for driver and hotel staff
  • Travel insurance

Note: This itinerary can be customized based on your interests, fitness level, and budget. Some activities may be weather-dependent, particularly hiking and viewpoints.