The Best of Sri Lanka

Morning: Welcome to Sri Lanka
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly greeted by a representative from Nagomi Lanka Tours. From here, you will begin your journey toward Sigiriya, located in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. The drive takes about 4–5 hours through scenic countryside, rice fields, and small villages.

Afternoon: Sigiriya Rock Fortress
After checking in to your hotel and having lunch, begin your first adventure with a visit to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. This 5th-century royal citadel, built by King Kashyapa, rises 200 meters above the jungle. As you climb the rock, admire the ancient fresco paintings, the Mirror Wall, and the Lion’s Paw Terrace before reaching the summit. From the top, enjoy stunning panoramic views of the forest and lakes below.

Evening: Village Tour & Local Dinner
In the evening, experience traditional Sri Lankan village life with a village tour. Ride a bullock cart, cross a lake on a canoe, and visit a local home where you’ll enjoy a traditional meal cooked over a clay stove. This experience offers a genuine taste of rural Sri Lankan culture.

Overnight stay in Sigiriya.

Morning: Dambulla Cave Temple
After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient monastery, built into a rock, contains over 150 Buddha statues and beautiful wall paintings. The peaceful atmosphere and the golden Buddha statues make it a spiritual and artistic treasure of Sri Lanka.

Afternoon: Spice Garden Visit & Kandy City
Continue your journey to Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. On the way, stop at a spice garden in Matale to learn about Sri Lanka’s famous spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom. You can also enjoy a short Ayurvedic massage and discover how these natural ingredients are used for health and beauty.
Arrive in Kandy and check in to your hotel. Later, take a walk around Kandy Lake and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The temple houses a relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth, and during the evening ceremony, you can experience the sounds of drums, chanting, and fragrant incense.

Evening: Cultural Dance Show
End your day with a Kandyan cultural performance featuring traditional music, dances, and fire shows that express the island’s ancient traditions.

Overnight stay in Kandy.

Morning: Train Ride through the Tea Hills
After breakfast, begin your scenic journey to Ella. First, drive to Nuwara Eliya, a charming mountain town known as “Little England” for its cool climate and colonial-style buildings. Visit a tea plantation and factory to learn about the process of making world-famous Ceylon tea — from picking tea leaves to final production. You can also enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while overlooking the misty hills.
Next, board the train from Nanu Oya to Ella, one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. The journey takes you through lush green hills, tea estates, and waterfalls. It’s a perfect experience for photography lovers.

Afternoon: Explore Ella
Arrive in Ella, a small and peaceful mountain village surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Visit the famous Nine Arches Bridge, a beautiful colonial-era railway bridge surrounded by green valleys. You can also enjoy a short hike to Little Adam’s Peak, which offers stunning views of the Ella Gap and tea plantations.

Evening: Relax in Ella
Spend the evening relaxing at a cozy café or restaurant with a view of the mountains. Ella has a calm and refreshing atmosphere — perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

Overnight stay in Ella.

Morning: Drive to the Southern Coast
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and begin your scenic drive to Galle, located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. On the way, you can stop to see Rawana Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the hill country.
Continue the journey down through rolling hills, forests, and small villages until you reach the sunny beaches of the south.

Afternoon: Explore Galle Fort
Arrive in Galle, a city filled with colonial charm. Visit the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch. Walk along the old cobblestone streets, see the Galle Lighthouse, and visit art galleries, cafes, and boutique shops inside the fort walls. The blend of European architecture and tropical surroundings makes Galle a magical destination.

Evening: Sunset at the Beach
As evening falls, watch the sunset from the fort walls or relax on a nearby beach. You can also enjoy a seafood dinner at a restaurant by the sea.

Overnight stay in Galle.

Morning: Coastal Drive to Colombo
After breakfast, drive along the scenic coastal road to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Along the way, you can stop to see stilt fishermen in Weligama or sea turtle hatcheries in Bentota, where baby turtles are cared for and released into the ocean.

Afternoon: Colombo City Tour
Arrive in Colombo and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Then explore the city’s main attractions on a guided city tour, including Galle Face Green, Independence Square, Gangaramaya Temple, and the Old Parliament Building. Colombo offers a lively mix of history, culture, and modern lifestyle.

Evening: Shopping & Departure
Before your departure, shop for Ceylon tea, handicrafts, gemstones, and local souvenirs at places like Odel, Laksala, or Barefoot Gallery. Enjoy your final moments in Sri Lanka with a relaxing cup of tea or a seaside walk before your airport transfer.

Your 5-day journey with Nagomi Lanka Tours ends with unforgettable memories of Sri Lanka’s ancient history, green hills, warm people, and golden beaches. This itinerary is perfect for Japanese travelers who wish to experience the essence of Sri Lanka — from mountains to ocean — in comfort and style.