Travel with Pabasara Ceylon Pabasara Holidays
Classic Round Tour

The Emerald Estate & Rainforest Reserve

12 Days / 11 Nights Colombo to Bentota Couples & Families
Home Tour Packages Classic Sri Lanka Grand Tour
Duration12 Days / 11 Nights
RouteColombo → Bentota
Meal PlanHalf Board
Best ForFirst-time Visitors

Your 12-Day Journey, Day by Day

A quick overview of every stop — tap any row to jump straight to the full detail below.

DayRoute / FocusHighlights
Day 01Arrival / ColomboAirport pickup and transfer to your Colombo hotel.
Day 02KandyExplore historic Kandy.
Day 03Gal Oya ParkTravel to Gal Oya national park.
Day 04Gal OyaSpend the day immersed in the serenity of Gal Oya.
Day 05Gal Oya LodgeEnjoying the serenity and beauty of the Gal Oya lodge.
Day 06Nuwaraeliya Drive to Nuwaraeliya and explore the town.
Day 07Horton PlainsDay trip to Horton Plains national park.
Day 08Sinharaja Rain ForestDrive to sinharaja rainforest.
Day 09Sinharaja Rain ForestAmazing hike through sinharaja rainforest.
Day 10BentotaHead to coastal Bentota and engage in water sports in the evening.
Day 11BentotaMake the most of your last day on Bentota beach.
Day 12Bentota / DepatureDrive to Colombo Airport for your onward flight.

Moments You'll Remember

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sinharaja Rain Forest

Sri Lanka's last remaining primary tropical rainforest—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots.

Temple of the Tooth, Kandy

Kandy's Sacred Temple

Step inside the Temple of the Tooth, one of Buddhism's most revered sites.

Nine Arch Bridge, Ella

A sambar deer peacefully grazes in the cool highlands of Horton Plains

A graceful sambar deer grazes peacefully across the misty grasslands of Horton Plains, embodying the quiet beauty of Sri Lanka's highland wilderness.

Leopard in Yala National Park

Track Leopards in Yala

Search the plains for one of the densest wild leopard populations on Earth.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

01

Welcome to Sri Lanka

Upon your arrival in Colombo, our team will be ready to warmly welcome you and introduce you to your personal chauffeur guide, who will accompany you throughout your entire journey in Sri Lanka.

Together, you will embark on a scenic drive as you leave the coast behind and ascend into the hills toward the charming town of Kandy.

Overnight inColombo
Distance80 km
Travel time1 hour
02

Explore historic Kandy

Today, you will explore the historic city of Kandy with visits to the iconic Temple of the Tooth and the lush Royal Botanical Gardens.

Recognized as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, this vibrant town features a UNESCO World Heritage-listed old centre that is absolutely perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Overnight inKandy
Distance100 km
Travel time1 hour
03

Drive to Gal Oya National Park

Today, your journey takes you further east on a scenic drive to the remote and pristine Gal Oya National Park, where you will check into the spectacular Lodge.

Once you arrive in this magical wilderness, you can choose to unwind and soak in the peaceful surroundings or head out for an unforgettable evening boat safari on the reservoir.

Overnight inGal oya
Distance180 km
Travel time6 hours
04

Spend the day immersed in the serenity of Gal Oya

This massive reservoir offers a truly unique wildlife experience as the only national park in Sri Lanka where you can enjoy safaris by boat. It provides a rare opportunity to witness wild elephants swimming across the water and various other animals gathering along the shoreline to drink.

You will spend the day fully immersing yourself in the peaceful serenity and breathtaking natural beauty of Gal Oya and its surrounding landscapes.

Overnight inGal oya
Distance20 km
Travel time30 mins
05

Enjoying the serenity and beauty of the Gal Oya Lodge

The hotel organizes a wide variety of activities, from birdwatching walks of different lengths to a morning hike up Monkey Mountain, as well as evening camera-trap setups that let you participate in the lodge’s wildlife monitoring program.

Overnight inGal Oya
Distance110 km
Travel time4 hrs 15 mins
06

Drive to Nuwara Eliya and explore the town

Today, you will head much higher into the hills as you drive to Nuwara Eliya, an old British hill town nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea-growing country.

Before checking into your hotel, you will visit a local tea factory to see exactly how tea is made, and later head out to explore the town itself.

Overnight inDigana
Distance30 km
Travel time45 mins
07

Day trip to Horton Plains National Park

Today, you will drive about an hour out of town for a hike through Horton Plains National Park, a stunning landscape filled with high-altitude grasslands and misty cloud forests.

Located high up in the hills, this area showcases a completely different, unique side of Sri Lanka compared to what you have already experienced, so keep an eye out for grazing herds of sambar deer along the way.

Overnight inNuwara Eliya
Distance110 km
Travel time3 hrs 30 mins
08

Drive to Sinharaja Rainforest

Today, your journey takes you down from the highlands into the lush expanse of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a vibrant tropical sanctuary celebrated for holding some of the most diverse plant and animal life in Sri Lanka.

Upon arriving at this dense jungle haven, you will check into your accommodations, settle into the serene surroundings, and let the calming, natural symphony of the rainforest welcome you to your stay.

Overnight inElla
Distance135 km
Travel time3 hrs 30 mins
09

Amazing hike through Sinharaja rainforest

Embark on an unforgettable trekking adventure through the dense canopy of the Sinharaja rainforest alongside an expert local guide.

This prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site serves as a vital sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of exotic jungle wildlife, including the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, making it absolutely essential that you keep your camera ready to capture these rare encounters.

Drop-offAirport
Distance180 km
Travel time2 hrs 45 mins
10

Head to coastal Bentota and engage in water sports in the evening

Today, you will enjoy a scenic drive toward the coast to spend the final days of your holiday relaxing along the beautiful shoreline of Bentota. This vibrant beach destination caters to all travellers with its excellent variety of accommodations tailored to different budgets.

During your stay, you can look forward to exploring a local turtle hatchery, thrill-seeking with a selection of exciting water sports, or cruising along the peaceful Bentota River and its lagoon on a scenic safari.

Drop-offAirport
Distance180 km
Travel time2 hrs 45 mins
11

Make the most of your last day on Bentota Beach

Make the most of your final day by unwinding on the golden shores of Bentota, Sri Lanka. You can spend your time relaxing on a beachside lounger, swimming in the warm ocean, or indulging in a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment.

Conclude your memorable getaway with a peaceful evening stroll as you watch a vibrant tropical sunset over the water.

Drop-offAirport
Distance180 km
Travel time2 hrs 45 mins
12

Fly home

Today, we will arrange your transfer directly to the airport for your journey back home.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to split up the travel time, we can book a final night's stay closer to the airport, ensuring a much shorter and more relaxed trip on your departure day.

Drop-offAirport
Distance180 km
Travel time2 hrs 45 mins

Ready to See the Full Cost?

Check hotel-by-hotel accommodation and a full price breakdown for this tour, including single supplements and seasonal add-ons.

Tour Accommodation

DayPlaceRoom TypeMeal Plan
Day 1ColomboDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 2NegomboDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 3–4SigiriyaDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 5KandyDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 6DiganaDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 7Nuwara EliyaDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 8–9EllaDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 10YalaDeluxe RoomHalf Board
Day 11–13MirissaDeluxe RoomHalf Board

Tour Cost

Per person sharing a double roomUSD —
Single supplementUSD —
Triple reductionUSD —