7-day Sri Lanka itinerary from the UK
Day by day
| Day | Route | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Colombo (CMB) → Negombo | Land, meet your driver, and unwind by the coast after the long-haul flight. |
| Day 2 | Negombo → Sigiriya & Dambulla | Climb Sigiriya rock fortress early, then the Dambulla cave temples. |
| Day 3 | Sigiriya → Kandy | Spice garden en route, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the lake. |
| Day 4 | Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Ella | Tea estates, the Nine Arch Bridge and cool hill-country air. |
| Day 5 | Ella → Yala (or Udawalawe) | Afternoon game drive — leopards at Yala, elephants at Udawalawe. |
| Day 6 | Safari → Galle & Mirissa | The Dutch fort at Galle and a palm-fringed beach on the south coast. |
| Day 7 | South coast → Colombo (CMB) | An easy coastal drive back to the airport for your flight home. |
Is one week worth it?
For UK travellers who can only get away for a week, yes — Sri Lanka is compact, so you cover a lot without long transfers. The trade-off is that you change hotels most nights. If you'd rather settle in a bit more, the 10-day or 14-day routes add rest days and the east coast.
What it costs
The private driver-guide and car come to roughly £320–£420 for the week, all-inclusive. Add your hotels, meals and entry tickets. Our cost guide in £ breaks the daily rate down by vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Sri Lanka?
Yes, for a focused first trip. One week covers the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, a slice of hill country, a safari and a beach finish. If you'd rather not move hotels as often, a 10-day plan gives you more breathing room.
How much does a 7-day private driver trip cost in pounds?
The private driver-guide with an air-conditioned car works out at roughly £320–£420 for the week, all-inclusive of the car, fuel and the driver's own costs. Your hotels, meals and entry tickets are on top.
Does the flight time eat into the 7 days?
A little — you land on day one and fly home on day seven, so it's best to keep those days gentle. A private driver makes the arrival day easy by handling the airport pickup and the first drive for you.