Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala worth booking?
Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala is a 216-hour experience in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from $810 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (22)
- Duration
- 216 hours
- From
- $810 per person
This is Sri Lanka's classic circuit done privately and at a sensible pace: your own air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide from the moment you land until your departure flight. You climb Sigiriya, walk through the painted caves of Dambulla, attend the evening ceremony at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, ride one of the world's most scenic railway lines into the tea hills, look for leopards and elephants in Yala, then finish with three unhurried nights on the south coast. Nights in Colombo, the Cultural Triangle and Kandy are in 4-star or higher hotels, with 3-star or higher hotels in Ella and by the beach. Breakfasts and dinners are included on most days, along with bottled water, roadside king coconut, seasonal fruit and gratuities for your driver-guide, so there are few surprises on the road. The tour is run by Apple Vacations, a licensed Sri Lankan operator with its own vehicle fleet.
What you get
About this experience
This is Sri Lanka's classic circuit done privately and at a sensible pace: your own air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide from the moment you land until your departure flight. You climb Sigiriya, walk through the painted caves of Dambulla, attend the evening ceremony at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, ride one of the world's most scenic railway lines into the tea hills, look for leopards and elephants in Yala, then finish with three unhurried nights on the south coast. Nights in Colombo, the Cultural Triangle and Kandy are in 4-star or higher hotels, with 3-star or higher hotels in Ella and by the beach. Breakfasts and dinners are included on most days, along with bottled water, roadside king coconut, seasonal fruit and gratuities for your driver-guide, so there are few surprises on the road. The tour is run by Apple Vacations, a licensed Sri Lankan operator with its own vehicle fleet.
What's included
Included
- Water Bottle (Daily 500ml)
- English Speaking Driver Cum Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Seasonal Fruits
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- 8 Nights Accommodation
- King Coconut
- Free WIFI Onboard (Upon Request)
Not included
- Gratuity For Driver & Guide
- Optional Activities
- Food & Drinks Other than Specified
- Entrance fees
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ar, en, ta
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Confirmation will be received t time of booking
- This activity could be canceled due to extreme weather or unforeseen events. If canceled, you may book a different date or ask for a refund
- Most travelers can participate
- We request all customers carry the Vaccination card while traveling (Digitally or Physically)
- littering & smoking is prohibited inside the vehicle
- Bring a Passport or ID card, Comfortable Walking, shoes, Sunglasses, Sun hat
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please do not wear strong scented perfume as animals are sensitive to odour
- The exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- For 1 Person Single room, 2 Person Double Room, 3 Person Triple Room Respectively.
- Alcohol will not be served by any hotel on Poya days (full moon) and other days prohibited by the Government.
- Quench your thirst by stopping for a complimentary king coconut along the roadside.
- Stop to enjoy some tropical/seasonal fruits during your journey.
- Re-entry is not allowed after you leave the venue
- Please respect and leave the plants and native wildlife untouched
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
5 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent Family Trip with Apple Vacations
Our family is based in Adelaide, Australia, and we travelled to Sri Lanka for a special family gathering. Our parents and cousins travelled from India to join us in Colombo, so there were quite a few family members arriving on different flights. Initially, I contacted Apple Vacations just to arrange a minibus and shared our travel plans with Naveen. After discussing everything with him, we decided to book the complete package instead and we’re really glad we did. Everything was handled extremely well from start to finish. They provided us with a very nice, new and comfortable bus for our family, and they even arranged a special dinner for our whole family gathering. It was a lovely and unexpected touch that made the occasion even more memorable. What impressed us most was how they handled last-minute changes. Two of our family members travelling from India had their flights delayed, and instead of making everyone else wait at the airport, the Apple Vacations team quickly arranged a separate transfer for them. When you’re travelling with a large family, that kind of flexibility and organisation makes a huge difference. Keerthi looked after us really well throughout the trip, and our final driver, Kajan, also did a fantastic job. Everyone was friendly, helpful and made sure our family was comfortable. I honestly wouldn’t think twice about travelling with Apple Vacations again. If you’re travelling from Australia, India or anywhere else and planning a family holiday or gathering in Sri Lanka or the Maldives, I’d happily recommend them. They made the whole experience much easier for our family and helped us create some wonderful memories together in Sri Lanka.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing 14-Day Private Sri Lanka & Maldives Holiday from Australia
We recently completed an amazing 14-day holiday to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and we’re so happy we chose Apple Vacations to organise our trip. After doing our own research, we booked our flights online directly with SriLankan Airlines — Melbourne to Colombo, Colombo to Malé, and then Malé back to Melbourne. The flights were good and the cabin crew were friendly and attentive. When it came to organising the actual holiday, I spent quite a bit of time searching online. I found plenty of local tour operators, but a lot of the packages seemed to be based around group tours, which wasn’t really what we wanted. A friend then recommended that I contact Lester and Deva from Apple Vacations. I actually called them on a Sunday morning, and they told me it would be easier to connect through WhatsApp. Not long after, I received a call back and they sent through a simple summary explaining the suggested travel route, hotels and pricing. I was honestly surprised when I saw the price and even asked again, “Is this price for one person or two?” They confirmed it was for both of us! Compared with what I had been researching, it was excellent value, so we were happy to go ahead. We paid in Australian dollars directly to their company bank account, and the whole booking process was straightforward. From the moment we landed in Sri Lanka, we felt well looked after. We were welcomed warmly, everything had been organised properly, and we received all the information we needed before reaching our first hotel. What we really enjoyed was that this wasn’t a rushed group holiday. It was completely private and the itinerary was very well balanced for us. We had enough time to enjoy each place without feeling like we were constantly packing up and moving on to the next stop. After Sri Lanka, we continued to the Maldives, and the resort they arranged was also excellent. We chose an all-inclusive stay, which was a great way to finish the holiday — just relax, enjoy the resort and not worry about anything else. Overall, our 14 days across Sri Lanka and the Maldives were fantastic. From our first Sunday phone call and WhatsApp messages through to the end of the holiday, Lester, Deva and the Apple Vacations team took good care of us. If you’re travelling from Australia and looking for a private Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday rather than a standard group package, we’d happily recommend giving Apple Vacations a call. Thanks again to Lester, Deva and the whole team for making our holiday such a memorable one.
via Tripadvisor
Great Memories, Great People, Amazing Sri Lanka
Here’s a warmer, more personal version that feels like a genuine traveller sharing a good experience with friends. We’ve just returned home to Sydney after a wonderful holiday in Sri Lanka, and we’re still talking about what a great time we had. We travelled as a group of friends, mostly in our 50s and 60s, so we wanted the trip to be comfortable, relaxed and well organised. From our very first enquiry, Lester at Apple Vacations made everything easy. He was always quick to reply, listened to what we wanted and patiently helped us get the itinerary just right. The price was also very competitive compared with the other options we looked at. Once we arrived in Sri Lanka, we met our guide Aaron and driver Chandana, and we couldn’t have asked for two better people to travel with. Aaron was full of local knowledge and always ready for a good chat and a laugh. Chandana was a fantastic driver calm, careful and always making sure we were comfortable. What we appreciated most was how genuinely they looked after us. There were no dramas, no rushing around and nothing ever seemed too much trouble. After spending so much time together, Aaron and Chandana felt less like our guide and driver and more like a couple of good mates showing us around their beautiful country. Sri Lanka itself was amazing, but the people we travelled with made it even more special. We came home with lots of photos, plenty of laughs and some really lovely memories. We’ve already been telling our friends back in Australia that if they’re thinking of visiting Sri Lanka, give Apple Vacations a go. A big thank you to Lester, Aaron and Chandana for taking such good care of us. We’d happily come back and do it all over again.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Service When We Needed It Most!
My husband and I flew all the way from Orlando, Florida, while the rest of our family joined us from Mumbai, India, for our long-awaited family vacation in Sri Lanka. To be honest, we had booked a few hotels on our own before finding Apple Vacations. Unfortunately, when we arrived, a couple of them were nothing like what was advertised online. We were tired, travelling with family, and it was already around 9 PM, so we were really worried. We immediately called Suren, and even at that hour, he answered our call and started working on a solution. Within a short time, he arranged accommodation for us in two lovely hotels in Ella so that everyone had comfortable rooms. It completely turned the situation around, and we can’t thank him enough for going above and beyond. A special thank you to our drivers, Aaron and Chandana. They weren’t just drivers—they became a part of our journey. They always had great recommendations, from the best time to do the safari to hidden local spots. One day they took us to a fantastic place in Kandy for authentic Indian dosa, and it honestly tasted just like home. Those little touches made such a big difference. What impressed us most was how much the entire Apple Vacations team genuinely cared about our experience. We always felt supported, and whenever we needed help, someone was just a phone call or WhatsApp message away. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, but the people you travel with make all the difference. Suren, Aaron, Chandana, and the entire Apple Vacations team made this a vacation our family will never forget. We will definitely recommend Apple Vacations to our friends and family in both the USA and India, and we hope to return again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable experience in Sri Lanka
This was our first trip ever to Sri Lanka, but it won't be our last. From the time we landed until drop-off, we felt welcomed, safe, and fully comfortable. The van was clean and spacious. The places we were suggested all exceeded our expectations. We would recommend it to our friends and family, and special thanks to Rukhsar for being our tour guide throughout this journey🙏🌷
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 216 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $810 to $1,300
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd, who run 102 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.1.
See everything Apple Vacations Pvt Ltd runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colombo.
How much does Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala cost?
+
Prices start at $810 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colombo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala take?
+
Plan for about 216 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colombo is not rushed.
Is Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colombo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 216-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala?
+
Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colombo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colombo and add a light layer if any part of the 216-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colombo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colombo?
+
On Outty we rank every Colombo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Flexi dates on all 5 to 7 days packages for car and English speaking driver, Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle, Private Multi Day Sri Lanka Tour with Chauffeur. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colombo?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala?
+
Included: Water Bottle (Daily 500ml); English Speaking Driver Cum Guide; Air-conditioned vehicle; Seasonal Fruits; and Dinner. Not included: Gratuity For Driver & Guide; Optional Activities; Food & Drinks Other than Specified; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 583 listed pickup locations in and around Colombo. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala offered in?
+
It is offered in Arabic, English and Tamil. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Colombo. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala?
+
Across 22 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Sri Lanka 9-Day Private Tour: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella & Yala.
Pick your date
