12 days · The full trail, coast to hills
Complete Ramayana Journey
Twelve days on the fuller Ramayana trail: Munneswaram, Koneswaram in Trincomalee, the hill-country sites, Ussangoda and Rumassala on the south coast.
Private tour · price on request
Temples and places of the epic
Ramayana Trail of Sri Lanka
Eight days visiting temples and landscapes that tradition associates with the Ramayana — Munneswaram, Seetha Amman Temple, Divurumpola and the Ravana sites around Ella.
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Pace
- Balanced
- Best months
- Most of the year
- Activity level
- Easy
- Route
- Negombo – Chilaw – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Colombo
- Price
- On request
Many travellers, particularly from India and the Indian diaspora, come to Sri Lanka to visit places that Hindu tradition and local belief connect with the Ramayana. This itinerary links the best-known of them with the hill country’s natural beauty.
We present these sites respectfully and accurately: their associations with the epic are matters of faith, tradition and local storytelling, not archaeological fact. Our guides explain what is believed, what is historical and what is simply a much-loved local story. Vegetarian meals and temple timings are planned in advance.
Trip highlights
- Munneswaram and Manavari temples near Chilaw
- Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda
- Seetha Amman Temple, Seetha Eliya
- Divurumpola temple
- Ravana Falls and Ravana Cave near Ella
- Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara near Colombo
At a glance
- Starts / ends
- Colombo Airport (CMB)
- Best months
- January, February, March, April, July, August, September
- Transport
- Private air-conditioned car or van
- Guiding
- Driver or licensed chauffeur guide — your choice
- Meals
- Bed and breakfast (other meal plans on request)
- Ideal for
- Families, Mature travellers, Couples, Friends & small groups
Route
Negombo – Chilaw – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Colombo
Day by day
-
Day 1 · Negombo Arrive — Negombo Airport welcome and transfer to Negombo for a restful evening.
Airport welcome and transfer to Negombo for a restful evening.
- Travel:
- 30 min
- Overnight:
- Negombo
-
Day 2 · Kandy Munneswaram and Manavari, then Kandy Drive north to Chilaw to visit Munneswaram, an ancient Shiva temple that tradition links to Rama’s worship after the war, and nearby Manavar...
Drive north to Chilaw to visit Munneswaram, an ancient Shiva temple that tradition links to Rama’s worship after the war, and nearby Manavari, where local belief holds that Rama installed a lingam. Continue inland to Kandy.
- Travel:
- About 4 hr 30 min with visits
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Kandy
-
Day 3 · Kandy Kandy Visit the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy’s Hindu kovils, and walk around the lake. The evening is at leisure.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy’s Hindu kovils, and walk around the lake. The evening is at leisure.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Kandy
-
Day 4 · Nuwara Eliya Ramboda and Seetha Eliya Climb into the hills to the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda, then continue to Seetha Eliya near Nuwara Eliya, where the Seetha Amman Te...
Climb into the hills to the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda, then continue to Seetha Eliya near Nuwara Eliya, where the Seetha Amman Temple stands beside a stream. Tradition identifies the area with Ashok Vatika, the garden where Sita was held.
- Travel:
- About 3 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Nuwara Eliya
-
Day 5 · Ella Hakgala and Divurumpola to Ella Pass Hakgala, a rock associated in local tradition with Hanuman, and visit Divurumpola, traditionally regarded as the place of Sita’s trial...
Pass Hakgala, a rock associated in local tradition with Hanuman, and visit Divurumpola, traditionally regarded as the place of Sita’s trial by fire. Continue to Ella.
- Travel:
- About 3 hr with visits
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Ella
-
Day 6 · Ella Ravana Falls and Ravana Cave Visit Ravana Falls and the Ravana Cave, both linked in local tradition to the epic. The cave involves a climb of several hundred steps and i...
Visit Ravana Falls and the Ravana Cave, both linked in local tradition to the epic. The cave involves a climb of several hundred steps and is optional. Afternoon at leisure in Ella.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Ella
-
Day 7 · Colombo To Colombo via Kelaniya A long but scenic drive to Colombo. Visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, a Buddhist temple associated in some traditions with Vibhishana, be...
A long but scenic drive to Colombo. Visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, a Buddhist temple associated in some traditions with Vibhishana, before checking in.
- Travel:
- 5 hr 30 min – 6 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Colombo
-
Day 8 Depart Transfer to the airport, timed to your flight.
Transfer to the airport, timed to your flight.
- Travel:
- 45 min – 1 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
What’s included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver or chauffeur guide
- Accommodation at your chosen level (twin/double sharing)
- Daily breakfast
- Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking
- Driver’s accommodation and meals
Not included
- International flights and Sri Lanka ETA/visa fees
- Entrance fees to sites and national parks (quoted separately)
- Safari jeeps, boat trips and train tickets unless stated in your proposal
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless stated
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Practical details
Accommodation
We suggest hotels at the level you choose — good-value, comfortable, boutique or premium — and explain why each one suits the route. You can swap any hotel before anything is booked.
Transport & guide
You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle sized for your group and luggage, with the same driver or chauffeur guide throughout. Licensed site guides can be added at major heritage sites.
Best time to travel
Driest in the hills from January to April; July to September is also good.
Add-ons for this route
Availability depends on season and your dates — we confirm before adding anything. Tick the ones you like in the form below.
Ella is the heart of tea country and the classic hill-country railway.
-
Scenic Hill-Country TrainDaily services year-round
Kandy – Nanu Oya – Ella · 3 – 7 hours depending on section
-
Little Adam’s Peak Sunrise WalkYear-round, weather permitting
Ella · 2 – 3 hours
-
Tea Factory & Estate VisitYear-round; some factories close on Poya (full moon) days
Hill country · 1 – 2 hours
Kandy is the home of Kandyan dance and a good place to learn Sri Lankan cooking.
-
Kandyan Dance PerformanceEvenings, year-round
Kandy · 1 hour
-
Sri Lankan Cooking ClassYear-round
Kandy, Sigiriya, Ella or Galle · 2 – 3 hours
Colombo rewards a few hours on foot or by tuk-tuk, with scenic flights where available.
-
Colombo Food WalkYear-round
Colombo · 3 hours
Also possible on this trip
- Add Koneswaram in Trincomalee (see the 12-day Complete Ramayana Journey)
- Temple pujas arranged in advance where possible
Frequently asked questions
Are these Ramayana sites historically proven?
No. The associations come from Hindu tradition, local belief and storytelling. They are deeply meaningful to many visitors, and our guides explain them respectfully without presenting them as archaeological fact.
Can vegetarian food be arranged?
Yes. Vegetarian meals are easy to arrange throughout Sri Lanka; we inform hotels in advance.
Is there much walking?
Most temples involve short walks. Ravana Cave has a longer climb of several hundred steps and is optional.
Make this trip yours
Adjust anything below, or just tell us your dates. A consultant replies personally — this is not a booking and nothing is charged.
Updated . Travel conditions change — we confirm details when we plan your trip.
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