Journeys
The Grand Island Tour
Culture, mountains and safaris
The complete journey, for those who want to live it all: the royal cities of the Cultural Triangle, the northern road to Jaffna and its islands, the Temple of the Tooth, the legendary mountain train, three nights to breathe in Ella, the Yala safari, and a last swim at Hiriketiya before arriving at La Maison VEDA, where the journey ends, or carries on. Two weeks at the right pace: never two big days in a row, base camps to unpack in, and time to let the island sink in.
Duration
13 days / 12 nights, or 14 days with the Trincomalee option from May to October
Route
Departing from Colombo, arriving at La Maison VEDA
Who it is for
1 to 17 people, by car, van or bus depending on numbers
Price
€100 to €150 per day per person, to be confirmed
Stops
Dambulla → Sigiriya (2 nights) → Minneriya → Polonnaruwa → Anuradhapura → Jaffna (3 nights) → Kandy (2 nights) → mountain train → Ella (3 nights) → Haputale → Yala → Hiriketiya → La Maison VEDA
To be confirmed: Price and journey name to be confirmed by Aurélie.
Day by day
- 01
Day 1, Colombo to Sigiriya: the Dambulla caves
Departure from the airport towards the Cultural Triangle (around 4 hours), visiting the Dambulla cave temples on the way. Settle in Sigiriya for 2 nights.
- 02
Day 2, Sigiriya: the Lion Rock and the elephants of Minneriya
Climb the Lion Rock in the morning, safari in Minneriya National Park in the afternoon, the great elephant gathering. Night in Sigiriya. Optional sunrise at Pidurangala.
- 03
Day 3, Polonnaruwa by bicycle, then Anuradhapura
A morning in the medieval capital, explored by bicycle among dagobas, palaces and stone Buddhas. In the afternoon, drive to Anuradhapura (around 2½ hours). Night in Anuradhapura.
- 04
Day 4, Anuradhapura, then the Northern Road
A morning in the sacred capital: the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the great white dagobas, the royal pools. In the afternoon, head north to Jaffna (around 3½ hours). Settle in for 3 nights.
- 05
Day 5, Jaffna, Tamil heart
A day in the northern capital: the Dutch fort, the Nallur Hindu temple, the markets and the unique atmosphere of this reborn city. Night in Jaffna.
- 06
Day 6, the islands of Jaffna
Nainativu and its sacred temple, Delft or Kayts by ferry and lagoon causeways. Night in Jaffna.
- 07
Day 7, Jaffna to Kandy
A long drive towards the mountains, with stops on the way. Arrival in Kandy at the end of the day, settling in for 2 nights.
- 08
Day 8, Kandy: the Temple of the Tooth
A gentle morning around the lake, then the Temple of the Tooth, one of Buddhism's most sacred places. Night in Kandy.
- 09
Day 9, the mountain train to Ella
Drive up to the highlands, a tea factory visit, then the legendary mountain train to Ella (around 3½ hours through the plantations). Settle in Ella for 3 nights, the great pause of the journey.
- 10
Day 10, Ella: bridges and peaks
Nine Arch Bridge in the morning, sunset at Little Adam's Peak. A day without driving. Night in Ella.
- 11
Day 11, Lipton's Seat and free time
Dawn departure for Lipton's Seat, by road then tuktuk, a legendary panorama over the plantations, and a Hindu temple visit. Free afternoon in Ella. Optional Ella Rock climb if the sky is clear. Night in Ella.
- 12
Day 12, Ella to Yala: the safari
Down towards the south, jeep safari in Yala National Park from 2 pm to 6 pm: elephants, leopards, crocodiles. Night near the park.
- 13
Day 13, Yala to Hiriketiya and La Maison VEDA
The return drive along the south coast with a swim and lunch at Hiriketiya beach, one of the island's finest horseshoes of sand. Arrival at La Maison VEDA in the afternoon, the end of the journey, or the start of the stay for those who want to linger by the lake.
Seasonal option
Seasonal option, Trincomalee, one extra day, from May to October. When the east coast is at its best, the journey becomes 14 days with 2 nights in Trincomalee between Jaffna and Kandy: beach, Koneswaram temple, and optional snorkelling at Pigeon Island. Kandy then drops to 1 night. In high season, December to March, we recommend the 13-day version: the north-east monsoon reaches the east coast at that time.
What is included
- Private driver and all transport
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation with breakfast
- All scheduled activities and visits, entrance tickets included
What is not
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
Optional extras
- Sunrise at Pidurangala on day 2: around €5
- Tea factory visit on day 9: around €4
- Ella Rock climb on day 11, weather permitting: free
Extend at La Maison VEDA
The journey ends with us, by Koggala Lake: add as many nights as you like in the Lake House or Lake Loft villas. Yoga at the studio, beach, turtles, massages, or simply the lake.
