Wild Sri Lanka with Flights: Jaffna, Trincomalee & Yala – 16 Days
Wilpattu, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Yala and Bentota, with return flights.
Tour overview
This 16-day tour travels to every corner of Sri Lanka, including the Tamil north, with return flights included. A tour director travels with the group throughout by coach. You stay fourteen nights in hotels, with breakfast on most days and twelve dinners.
After a city tour of Colombo you head north to Wilpattu National Park and then climb Sigiriya, with a safari in Minneriya, where elephants gather. Two nights in Jaffna, the heart of Tamil culture, include its Hindu temples and Point Pedro, the northernmost point of the island.
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On the east coast you stay at Nilaveli and visit Trincomalee and the cliff-top Koneswaram Temple, then travel inland to Kandy for the Udawattakele Forest Reserve. Safaris in Bundala and Yala are followed by two relaxing nights by the sea at Bentota.
The physical rating is low. This tour suits travellers who want to see Sri Lanka beyond the usual route, with flights arranged.
Trip highlights
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Wilpattu National Park (Day 4)
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Sigiriya and Minneriya (Day 5)
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Jaffna and Point Pedro (Day 7)
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Trincomalee (Day 9)
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Udawattakele Forest (Day 11)
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Bundala and Yala (Day 13)
Your route
16 stops from Colombo to Bentota
- Colombo Days 1–3
- Wilpattu National Park Day 4
- Habarana Days 4–5
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress Day 5
- Minneriya National Park Day 5
- Jaffna Days 6–7
- Point Pedro Day 7
- Nilaveli Days 8–9
- Trincomalee Day 9
- Kandy Days 10–11
- Yala National Park Days 12–13
- Bundala National Park Day 13
- Dondra Point Day 14
- Galle Day 14
- Bentota Days 14–15
- Bentota Day 16
Why choose this tour
Sri Lanka from north to south, with flights. Jaffna and the east coast, rarely visited.
Best suited to
- Wildlife lovers
- Travellers who have seen the usual sights
- Travellers who value comfort
- Couples and solo travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
16 days from United Kingdom to United Kingdom
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Day 1 · United Kingdom Fly to Sri Lanka
Depart for Colombo.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
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Day 2 · Colombo Colombo
Arrive in Colombo.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 3 · Colombo Colombo
A city tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 · Wilpattu National Park Wilpattu
Into the wild.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park Sigiriya
Lion Rock and elephants.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6 · Jaffna Jaffna
North to Jaffna.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 7 · Jaffna, Point Pedro Jaffna
Tamil heritage.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Nilaveli Nilaveli
To the east coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 9 · Koneswaram Temple, Trincomalee Trincomalee
A cliff-top temple.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 10 · Kandy Kandy
Into the hills.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 11 · Udawattakele Forest Reserve, Kandy Kandy
A forest reserve.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 12 · Yala Yala
South to Yala.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 13 · Bundala National Park, Yala National Park Bundala & Yala
Two safaris.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 14 · Dondra Point, Bentota Bentota
Along the south coast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 15 · Bentota Bentota
A free day.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 16 · Colombo Fly home
Fly to the UK.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Colombo (2 nights) Hotel
- Habarana (2 nights) Hotel
- Jaffna (2 nights) Hotel
- Nilaveli (2 nights) Hotel
- Kandy (2 nights) Hotel
- Yala (2 nights) Hotel
- Bentota (2 nights) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Return flights
- Accommodation 14 nights in hotels
- Meals 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 12 dinners
- Coach travel and airport transfers
- Safaris in Wilpattu, Minneriya, Bundala and Yala
- Visits as described
- Tour director throughout
Not included
- Sri Lanka ETA
- Meals not included 13 lunches and 2 dinners
- Tips
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a small group
- You want an active holiday
- You dislike long drives
- You want a budget trip
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,469 per person, including flights. 19 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights to Colombo are included.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
UK citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for Sri Lanka, applied for online before travel.
Is Jaffna safe to visit?
The north has been open to travellers for many years. Check the latest advice before travel.
Which meals are included?
Most breakfasts, one lunch and twelve dinners.
Is there free time?
Yes, including a free day at Bentota.
Who looks after the group?
A tour director travels with the group throughout.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary