One Week Sri Lanka Itinerary
One Week Sri Lanka Itinerary, the Sri Lanka 7 days tour package contains the following destinations.
One Week Sri Lanka Itinerary Overview
Experience the ultimate one week Sri Lanka itinerary in 2026, a year when the island is celebrated as a top-five destination in Asia. This seven-day circuit is meticulously designed for travelers who want to balance ancient history, misty highlands, and tropical coastlines without feeling rushed.
Discover the Cultural Triangle and Hill Country
Your journey begins in the heart of the island’s heritage. In 2026, visitors can enjoy enhanced crowd management and new AR-enhanced tours at the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ancient caves of Dambulla. From there, head to Kandy, the cultural capital, to witness the spiritual majesty of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
The transition to the highlands is best experienced via the legendary Kandy-to-Ella train ride, widely considered one of the world's most scenic rail journeys. As you ascend into Nuwara Eliya, also known as "Little England," you'll be surrounded by emerald tea estates and misty mountain vistas.
Wildlife and Coastal Bliss
No one-week Sri Lanka itinerary is complete without a safari. Yala National Park remains the premier destination for spotting elusive leopards, while Udawalawe National Park offers guaranteed sightings of large wild elephant herds.
Finally, unwind on the southern coast. Spend your last days exploring the narrow, cobblestone streets of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort or relaxing on the golden sands of Mirissa. For those traveling between January and April 2026, early morning whale watching in Mirissa provides a rare chance to see blue whales in their natural habitat. Whether you are seeking a wellness retreat featuring authentic Ayurveda or an adrenaline-filled trekking adventure, our curated itineraries ensure you capture the soul of the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" in just seven days.
Tour Includes
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Private English-speaking driver for the entire journey
- Accommodations bed & breakfast)
- Guidance to locations
- All government taxes
- All travel expenses are covered, including highway tolls, fuel, and parking
Tour Excludes
- Sightseeing entrance charges
- Meals
- Train tickets
- Guide/driver tips
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Negombo to Anuradhapura
One Week Sri Lanka Itinerary begins on picking up from Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo and a direct travel to Munneswaram Kovil in Chilaw.
The Munneswaram Kovil is a popular tourist destination situated on the way to Anuradhapura from Negombo. It is known for its beautiful architecture and its intricate cultural carvings. The temple is also a famous place of pilgrimage for Hindus from all over Sri Lanka.
Then proceed to the Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this day, you will explore the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura and its many sacred Buddhist temples and ruins.
You will stay overnight in Anuradhapura at the end of the first day of your One Week Sri Lanka Itinerary.
First day of Sri Lanka in 7 days, you will visit the following tourist locations:
- Munneswaram Kovil
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
- Ruwanweliseya Stupa
- Lowamahapaya Ruins
- Thuparama Stupa
- Abayagiriya Stupa
- Jethawanarama Stupa
- Smadhi Buddha Statue
- Twin Ponds
- Moonstone
Anuradhapura To Trincomalee
On the second day of your one week Sri Lanka itinerary, you will visit Mihintale, a sacred mountain where Buddhism is believed to have been introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by the Indian Reverant Buddhist Thero Mahinda who was the son of the Indian great emperor king Asoka visited there. You will then proceed directly to Trincomalee, a beautiful city located on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by lush green hills and the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal. The city has several beaches, including Nilaveli Beach and Uppuveli Beach, which are known for their white sand and clear waters. There you will visit Fort Frederick, which is situated on a headland overlooking the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved forts in Sri Lanka. The fort is a triangular structure with three bastions and a moat. It is now a popular tourist destination and offers stunning views of the city and the bay. Driver will take you to your hotel in Trincomalee, where you will stay overnight. You will visit the following places on this day.
- Mihintale Temple
- Fort Frederick
- Konneswaram Kovil
- Shankari Devi shrine
Trincomalee Day Excursion
Driver will pick you up at the hotel and drop you at the point where whale watching starts. The most common whales seen in Trincomalee are the blue whale, the sperm whale, and the humpback whale. These whales can grow up to 100 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons. They are an amazing sight to see, and whale watching is a truly unforgettable experience. After that you will visit Pigeon Island National Park, a marine national park located 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli. The island’s name derives from the rock pigeon which has colonized it. The national park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs of Sri Lanka. The park is home to a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, fish, turtles, and dolphins. The coral reefs are home to over 100 species of hard coral and 200 species of fish. The park is also a nesting ground for sea turtles. You can go snorkeling or diving in the clear waters of the park to see the amazing marine life. You can also take a boat trip around the island or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the stunning views. You will stay overnight in Trincomalee at the end of the day of your one week Sri Lanka itinerary. Third day of Sri Lanka in 7 days, you will visit the following tourist locations:
- Whale Watching
- Pigeon Island National Park
Trincomalee to Sigiriya
On the fourth day of your 7 day Sri Lanka tour, you will visit Kanniya Hot Springs, a site with hot wells located in Trincomalee. There are seven wells in a square shape. Wells are only 3–4 feet deep and you can clearly see the bottom. The temperature is considerably high but vary slightly from one spring to another. Wells run out of water, when 10-15 buckets of water are taken out. Next, you will visit Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will explore the ruins of this ancient city, which was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It was also a major center of Buddhism, and it is home to some of the most impressive Buddhist ruins in Sri Lanka, including the Lankatilaka Temple, the Gal Vihara, and the Vatadage. After that, you will proceed to Minneriya National Park for a wildlife jeep safari. The park is famous for its large gathering of Asian elephants, which can number up to 350 during the dry season. It is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including water buffalo, spotted deer, sloth bears, and leopards. Then the driver will take you to your hotel in Sigiriya, where you will stay overnight. Your one week Sri Lanka itinerary includes visiting the following tourist locations on the fourth day.
- Kanniya Hot Springs
- Ancient city of Polonnaruwa
- Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park
Sigiriya to Kandy
Our driver will pick you up early in the morning to see the sunrise with a 360-degree panoramic view from the top of Pidurangala Rock. After that, the driver will drop you off at your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, you will go on a village tour in Sigiriya, where you can experience Sri Lankan culture in a truly authentic way. You will proceed to Kandy, a hill city in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka and was the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. Kandy is a beautiful and historic city that is worth visiting. It is a great place to learn about Sri Lankan culture and history, and to experience the beauty of the Sri Lankan countryside. On the way to Kandy, you can visit the Matale Hindu Temple. If you like, you can also visit a spice garden. Your next stop will be Nalanda Gedige, which is considered to be the absolute center of Sri Lanka. After that, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth in the afternoon. The Temple of the Tooth is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, that houses the tooth relic of the Buddha. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. Then the driver will take you to your hotel in Kandy, where you will stay overnight. The following tourist locations will be on the fifth day of your one week Sri Lanka itinerary.
- Pidurangala Rock
- Sigiriya Village Tour
- Matale Hindu Temple
- Spice Garden
- Nalanda Gedige
- Temple of the Tooth
Kandy to Colombo
In the morning, you will travel to Peradeniya to see the Royal Botanical Garden. The Royal Botanical Garden is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. The garden was founded in 1821 and is home to a wide variety of plants, including orchids, ferns, and trees. After that, you will go white water rafting in Kitulgala. It is a small town in Sri Lanka that is known for its white water rafting. The Kelani River, which flows through Kitulgala, is a Class II to III rapid river, making it a popular choice for white water rafters of all experience levels. Then, you will proceed directly to Colombo, where you will stay overnight. The following tourist locations will be visited by you on the sixth day of your one week Sri Lanka itinerary.
- Royal Botanic Garden
- White Water Rafting at Kitulgala
Colombo to Airport
In the morning of Day 7, you will be taken on a Colombo city tour. You can visit some of the city’s most popular landmarks, such as the Gangaramaya Temple, the National Museum, and the Pettah Market. After that, you will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight. The following locations will be visited by you on the last day of your one week Sri Lanka itinerary.
- Colombo City Tour
- Shopping
- Bandaranaike International Airport