Exploring Sri Lanka in 10 Days: A Complete Travel Itinerary with Driver

Sri Lanka is the kind of place where a “short drive” can turn into an unexpected highlight because the road itself is part of the story. One minute you’re weaving past coconut stalls on the coast, the next you’re climbing into tea country where the air turns cool and the hills disappear into mist.

If you have 10 days in Sri Lanka, the easiest way to see the island properly is to travel with a private driver (and optional guide). It keeps the pace comfortable, unlocks scenic detours you’d never plan on a map, and saves you from long transport connections when you’d rather be watching sunsets or sipping tea on a hillside.

Below is a complete 10-day route that balances culture, wildlife, hill country, and beaches built exactly for travelers who want a smooth, flexible trip with a driver.

Why travel Sri Lanka with a driver?

Sri Lanka looks small on the map, but travel times can surprise you. Roads are scenic, winding, and slower than you might expect especially in the mountains. A driver helps you:

• Save time (no hunting for buses, trains, or multiple taxis)

• Travel safely and comfortably

• Stop anywhere: viewpoints, waterfalls, local cafés, photo spots

• Customize your days based on weather, energy levels, and interests

If you’re booking through srilankatourwithdriver.com, this itinerary also works well as a private tour plan either point-to-point or with the same driver throughout.

The 10-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary (with Driver)

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo → Drive to Negombo

After your flight, skip the big-city rush and head to Negombo, a laid-back coastal town close to the airport. It’s the easiest way to settle in, sleep well, and start fresh tomorrow.

Do:

• Walk the beach at sunset

• Try fresh seafood (Negombo is known for it)

Overnight: Negombo

Day 2: Negombo → Sigiriya (Cultural Triangle)

Today you head inland toward the Cultural Triangle Sri Lanka’s ancient heartland. With a driver, this is an easy ride with room for stops.

Optional stops on the way:

• Dambulla Cave Temple (beautiful murals and giant Buddha statues)

• A local fruit stand (pineapple and wood apple are worth trying)

Overnight: Sigiriya

Day 3: Sigiriya Rock Fortress + Village Experience

Start early for Sigiriya Lion Rock, the iconic climb that rewards you with views across jungle and farmland. You can take the morning at your own pace, then slow down in the afternoon.

Do:

• Climb Sigiriya before the heat builds

• Visit a village tour (simple, local, and surprisingly memorable)

• Optional: Pidurangala Rock for sunset views facing Sigiriya

Overnight: Sigiriya

Day 4: Sigiriya → Kandy (Temples, gardens, and lake views)

The road to Kandy begins to shift the vibe more hills, more greenery, more life on the streets. Kandy is cultural and lively, with a strong spiritual presence.

Do:

• Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic

• Walk around Kandy Lake

• Optional: Peradeniya Botanical Gardens if you love plants and quiet paths

Overnight: Kandy

Day 5: Kandy → Nuwara Eliya (Tea country begins)

This is where Sri Lanka changes dramatically. As you climb into hill country, it cools down and the views stretch wide tea plantations, pine forests, and mist.

Do:

• Stop at a tea factory for a tour and tasting

• Catch viewpoints and waterfalls along the drive

• Explore Nuwara Eliya (often called “Little England”)

Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 6: Scenic Train + Ella (the famous hill-country stretch)

This day has one of the most loved experiences in Sri Lanka: the hill-country train route. The simplest way to do it is to let your driver handle the logistics drop you at the station, then meet you in Ella.

Do:

• Take the train from Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) to Ella

• Enjoy open-door views, tea slopes, and cloud forest scenery

• Settle into Ella for a relaxed evening

Overnight: Ella

Day 7: Ella Highlights (Nine Arch Bridge + viewpoint hikes)

Ella is small but packed with “wow” moments. It’s perfect for a mix of light adventure and downtime.

Do:

• Visit Nine Arch Bridge (best in the morning or late afternoon)

• Hike Little Adam’s Peak (short, easy, high reward)

• Optional: Ravana Falls stop on the way back

Overnight: Ella

Day 8: Ella → Yala (Wildlife safari day)

Leave the cool hills and head toward the dry zone and national parks. The landscape changes again flatter, warmer, more open.

Do:

• Afternoon Yala safari (chance to see elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, and maybe a leopard)

• Relax early safari days start and end dusty in the best way

Overnight: Near Yala (Tissamaharama or Kirinda)

Day 9: Yala → South Coast (Mirissa / Weligama / Unawatuna)

After safari, it’s time for the ocean. Your driver can choose a scenic coastal route, and you can stop when something catches your eye.

Choose your beach base:

• Mirissa: relaxed beach town vibe

• Weligama: surfing, cafés, long sandy bay

• Unawatuna: lively, close to Galle and easy day trips

Overnight: South Coast

Day 10: Galle Fort + Return to Colombo / Airport

Use your last day to soak in a different side of Sri Lanka: colonial streets, boutique shops, and golden-hour views in Galle Fort. Then your driver takes you back to Colombo or straight to the airport depending on your flight.

Do:

• Morning in Galle Fort

• Lunch by the ocean

• Drive back to Colombo / airport

Helpful tips for this 10-day route

1) Start early in the Cultural Triangle and hill country
Morning = cooler climbs, clearer views, fewer crowds.

2) Pack for different climates
Sri Lanka isn’t “one weather.” Bring:

• Light clothes for the coast

• A layer for Nuwara Eliya and Ella (evenings can be chilly)

3) Keep one flexible day if possible
Weather changes fast in the hills. With a driver, you can swap the order of hikes or viewpoints easily.

4) Don’t overpack your schedule
Sri Lanka is best when you leave space for tea stops, roadside fruit, and unexpected detours.