If ever a rustic have been designed to make you’re feeling under-travelled, it’s Sri Lanka. This compact island packs in additional range than some continents. Inside a couple of hours, you may go from historical cities carved into rock to misty, cardamom-scented mountains, or from wild elephant plains to seashores that rival something within the Caribbean.
We travelled to Sri Lanka in September, which is technically “shoulder season.” In actuality, this meant virtually 75% sunshine with the odd theatrical downpour to maintain issues fascinating. Two weeks is the candy spot for a loop that takes in Sigiriya’s lion-topped fortress and Galle’s colonial allure, with time for heritage, hikes, and encounters with Sri Lanka’s exuberant wildlife. Simply preserve a raincoat shut at hand.
For those who’re planning a visit to Sri Lanka and also you’re questioning what the perfect issues to do are and find out how to plan your 2 weeks there… You’re within the good Sri Lanka journey information!
Our 14-day Sri Lanka itinerary skips lengthy seaside days; my accomplice’s Irish complexion doesn’t take kindly to Sri Lankan solar, however these looking for tan-line enchancment ought to linger round Negombo (close to Colombo) or the southern coast round Mirissa / Ahangama.
In case you have much less time in Sri Lanka, this one-week itinerary provides you all you want for a whistlestop journey. Let’s tuck in, we could?
Getting Round Sri Lanka: Driver vs. Prepare
In Sri Lanka, “getting there” might be half the journey – and sometimes half the day.
Trains are gradual, scenic, and splendidly atmospheric: open home windows, jungle views, and the spontaneous sharing of snacks and tales. Tickets for the Colombo–Kandy–Ella line open 30 days forward, and advance reserving is sensible, particularly in peak season (December–March).
That stated, the rails don’t attain in all places and, I repeat, are gradual. Sigiriya and Horton Plains are firmly off-map, and every day’s journey between main places will take a number of hours (earlier than the inevitable delays). To maximise our time, we opted for a non-public driver – which sounds indulgent at first however labored out economically at round $60 per day.
We booked our driver, Rohan, six months forward and fine-tuned the route with him through WhatsApp – an environment friendly mixture of planning and allure. This gave us native perception, flexibility and the flexibility to discover places hidden from most vacationers.
That stated, you may’t ignore the practice completely (the Nuwara Eliya – Ella stretch is unmissable, see Day 9), however for consolation and pace, a driver wins.
To go to locations off the practice map like Sigiriya, I’d suggest day excursions (from Kandy on this case) by means of Viator or Get Your Information. Guesthouses usually have tuk-tuks – and drivers – for brief hops like Nuwara Eliya to Horton’s Plains. Technically, you can self-drive, however until you take pleasure in dodging tuk-tuks, cows, and inventive interpretations of lane self-discipline, I wouldn’t suggest it on your blood stress.
For extra Sri Lankan highlights and inspiration, take a look at this publish.
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in Sri Lanka. Merely open the Google Map in your system and have all my suggestions on the contact of your fingertips.
Sensible Ideas for Travelling in Sri Lanka
Getting there: Most worldwide flights arrive at Bandaranaike Worldwide Airport close to Negombo (40-60 minutes from downtown Colombo and Colombo Fort, the place trains originate).
Getting round: Driver vs. Prepare debate is roofed above. We additionally downloaded Pickme – the Sri Lankan Uber – which was preferrred for shorter journeys. Selection of vehicles, tuk tuks or – for the bravest – the again of scooters!
Visas: Apply on-line for an Digital Journey Authorisation (ETA) earlier than arrival. Approval is near-instant and legitimate for 30 days.
Climate: Sri Lanka’s climate is gloriously complicated – we skilled all 4 seasons and lots of extra. Layers and a (shut at hand) light-weight rain jacket are your greatest guess.
Cash & logistics when travelling in Sri Lanka
- Card funds are prevalent in cities, though money stays king in rural areas and when paying Pickme drivers.
- ATMs are simple sufficient to search out – we used Financial institution of Ceylon steadily with out situation and – sudden bonus – with out FX charges. Banks will even change overseas foreign money into USD – if utilizing a smaller vendor, ask to see the quantity you need to obtain and the change charge earlier than handing something over.
- Preserve maintain of small notes, 100 and 200LKR, for rides, souvenirs and snacks as change isn’t forthcoming!
- Some sights (e.g. Sigiriya Rock) show entry charges in USD however will settle for LKR.
Day 1 – Arrival, Dambulla Caves, and Sigiriya
Drive Time: Approx. 4hrs
We threw ourselves straight into our Sri Lankan journey—arrival day and all—figuring we’d be exhausted anyway. Heading north, we stopped on the Dambulla Cave Temples (entry $10 USD), an sudden “Day One WOW.” 5 chambers of murals and golden Buddhas glow softly within the rock gentle, with purple jasmine choices scattered beneath. How anybody painted these naturally curved ceilings stays one in all life’s mysteries. The climb is steep (convey water) however completely value it.
By nightfall, we reached Sigiriya, our base for 3 nights. Forest Edge Eco-Lodge proved an ideal post-travel hideaway: comfy, cool, and surrounded by jungle. We fell asleep to a refrain of bugs who clearly hadn’t heard of bedtime.Prime tip: Your first- however removed from final – monkey encounter might be on the steps resulting in the Dambulla Caves. Preserve valuables zipped up; they’re cheeky and disturbingly good pickpockets.
Day 2 – Historic Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya Rock
Driving Time: 2¼ hrs return to Polonnaruwa, 45 minutes return to Sigiriya Rock
Our first full day started early at Polonnaruwa (entry $30 USD), the UNESCO website of historical Sri Lanka’s second capital, with historical past relationship again almost a millennium and the place serene Buddhas and crumbling palaces relaxation amid shady bushes and monkey chatter. The spotlight was the Twelfth-century Gal Viharaya Buddha statue carved straight into the rock.
Our driver Rohan was a game-changer right here, explaining the symbolism behind the statues and whisking us between temples unfold over 26 sq. kilometres. Belief me: you don’t need to stroll that below the noon solar.
After lunch and a quick siesta, we tackled Sigiriya Rock Fortress (entry $30 USD), one in all Sri Lanka’s most iconic websites. Constructed within the fifth century by – the marginally paranoid – King Kashyapa, it’s half palace, half fortress, half artwork set up (take a look at the carved lion face on the base of the ultimate climb!)
The 1,200-step climb isn’t particularly difficult however does demand stamina, particularly the ultimate staircase clinging to the rock face (these frightened of heights could need to cease previous to this). On the summit, the late-afternoon view of jungles, water gardens and distant hills is pure magic.
Journey suggestions
Prime tip 1: Polonnaruwa is large and never particularly shaded – begin early and plan your route prematurely (or hire a motorcycle if driver-free).
Prime tip 2: Sigiriya is packed at sundown. Cloudy day? Go early morning or mid-afternoon, the views are simply as spectacular and it’ll have a fraction of the crowds.
Day 3 – Elephants at Minneriya Nationwide Park
Driving Time: Approx. 1½ hrs return to the park entrance
After a lazy morning and early lunch in Sigiriya, we set off for one in all Sri Lanka’s true showstoppers.
Seeing wild Asian elephants was high of our want listing, and Minneriya Nationwide Park (entry charge included in tour worth – financial institution on minimal $50 per individual) delivered in model, a real-life David Attenborough documentary. Safaris have to be booked prematurely, together with a information and open-top 4×4 that collects you out of your lodge. It’s most well-known for the annual ‘gathering’ of some 300 elephants between July and October yearly. Exterior of this time, a visit to Yala Nationwide Park on the drive south from Ella to the coast is extra prone to reap rewards.
After a bumpy trip by means of dense bush, we rounded a nook and promptly forgot find out how to communicate. Dozens of elephants surrounded us, moms grazing, infants trumpeting, and one surly bull who sauntered previous our jeep with majestic indifference. Additional on, we watched a herd bathing within the shallows and calves sliding gleefully within the mud. As wildlife encounters go, it’s pure magic.
Prime tip: Afternoon safaris (departing Sigirya motels round 1:30–2:30 pm) give the perfect likelihood of recognizing giant herds and essentially the most exercise, as the warmth eases. From Kandy, you may mix Sigiriya Rock and Minneriya on this full-day tour.
Day 4 – Pidurangula Dawn and Kandy’s Sacred Toot
Driving Time: 3 hours’ drive to Kandy
Earlier than leaving Sigiriya, we had an early wake-up (5am) for one closing viewpoint, from the highest of Pidurangala Rock. A 30-minute climb (slowed by a flux of vacationers), ends in a quick rocky scramble. Most individuals crowd to face Sigiriya throughout the jungle flooring, however step just a little apart and also you’ll watch the jungle wake beneath you as daylight spills over the horizon, well worth the yawns later within the day.
After breakfast and a bathe, we headed south to the highlands and to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital and residential to the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa). Mentioned to accommodate a relic of the Buddha’s tooth, it’s hidden inside ornate golden caskets, however the environment, incense, drumming, and devotion is unforgettable.
Intricate murals hint Kandy’s proud previous as an unbiased kingdom till 1815. Entry prices 2,000 LKR; a guided excursions is properly value it.
We stayed at SWP Ecolodge on Kandy Lake (about $65 per night time) and spent the night strolling lakeside and eating close by on the – unoriginally named however scrumptious parts – Golden Curry restaurant.
Journey tip
Gown modestly – cowl your legs and shoulders – when visiting the Temple of the Tooth. Come at mid-afternoon when ceremonies start for the final word cultural immersion.
Day 5 – Trekking within the Knuckles Mountains
Driving Time: Approx. 1-hour drive every manner
Knuckles Mountain Vary is a brief drive from Kandy and proved to be a hiker’s paradise: jungle trails, air that smelled faintly of cinnamon and an unimaginable vary of edible natural world en route. Our information – see beneath – identified a number of objects widespread to each Sri Lankan dinner desk (pepper, mangoes, jackfruit, cloves, vanilla and rather more), choosing assorted examples for us to attempt. It was as a lot a botanical lesson because it was miles within the legs.
This was a full-day tour and after freshening up again in Kandy, we visited the Central Market earlier than dinner. The higher flooring is among the many least expensive place in Sri Lanka to select up souvenirs (some mild haggling required), whether or not it’s elephant yoga pants, coconut cookware or carved masks you’re available in the market for.
Journey tip:
You may solely hike in Knuckles with an accredited information – we used the wonderful Nipuna Climbingwhose worth ($110 USD for full-day personal hike) included transfers to/from lodge. Alongside day hikes, they provide multi-day hikes together with homestays.
Journey tip:
Put on lengthy sleeves and light-weight trousers – the local weather in Knuckles is good for leeches. Guides ought to usually present leech socks (knee-length waders you put on over common socks and trousers) to forestall them from latching to your legs, however test prematurely.
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in Sri Lanka. Merely open the Google Map in your system and have all my suggestions on the contact of your fingertips.
Day 6 – Botanic Gardens, Cooking, and Kandyan Tradition
A gentler begin at the moment with a stroll by means of Kandy’s Royal Botanic Gardens (10–quarter-hour from the centre, entry 3,000 LKR), a sprawling Victorian creation of towering double coconuts, flamboyant orchids, and a whole lot of bats snoozing overhead.
Lunch needed to be earned: we joined a Sri Lankan cooking class that started again at Central Market, choosing (and sampling) substances for lunch earlier than heading into the hills for a crash course in curries, daals, and okra, all below the uncompromising gaze of a Sri Lankan grandmother. A number of operators run related lessons round Kandy, with Viator providing a strong vary. Choose one that features the go to to Central Market.
We capped the day at Kandy Lake Membership, the place drummers, headdresses, and acrobats distilled centuries of tradition right into a vibrant hour-long present—equal components historical past lesson and spectacle. The interpretation sheet was welcome, if sometimes complicated.
Prime tip: E-book the dance present on-line (4,500 LKR) prematurely to get an honest seat close to the stage. Kandy Lake Membership is a 30-minute stroll uphill from town centre, so use a Pickme tuk-tuk and ask them to return after the present.
Day 7 – Tea Trails to Nuwara Eliya
Driving Time: 3hrs to Nuwara Eliya
Leaving Kandy’s bustle behind, Rohan steered us into the misty hills of Tea Nation. A go to to a plantation is virtually obligatory, so we stopped at Blue Area Tea Plantation for a captivating crash course in tea-making with century-old equipment nonetheless clanking away, adopted by a tasting of six varieties that redefined “an honest cuppa.”
By afternoon, we reached Nuwara Eliya, a colonial favorite the place cooler air, golf programs, and rose gardens linger from the British period. A stroll round city, sending postcards from Sri Lanka’s oldest publish workplace in a match of retro tourism and a throwback cocktail on the Grand Lodge, served by red-lapelled waiters straight out of the Twenties, rounded off the day in genteel model. We stayed on the outskirts, the place Rohan picked us up every morning and used Pickme tuk-tuks to get into city.
Journey tip:
It’s considerably cooler right here than in Kandy or the coast, so convey a jumper for night wanderings.
Time for week two of your final 2-week itinerary in Sri Lanka…
Day 8 – Horton Plains and World’s Finish
Driving Time: Approx. 1.5 hours every manner
One other day, one other pre-dawn begin. Horton Plains Nationwide Park, about 90 minutes from Nuwara Eliya, affords yet one more face of Sri Lanka: rolling grasslands, sambar deer, and the jaw-dropping viewpoint generally known as World’s Finish. The ten km loop is a straightforward stroll for anybody with primary health, ending at a sheer 870-metre drop the place the world actually appears to cease.
Arrive early, by 10 a.m., clouds usually erase the view. With that stated, don’t assume your journey is a bust in case you arrive to be greeted by a wall of dense fog. We arrived in such circumstances, morale fading quick, till the mist lifted half an hour later like a theatre curtain. The panorama beneath, with tiny homes, roads, and bushes scattered like Legos, was value each early alarm, as was just a little Schadenfreude for the massive tour group that had misplaced persistence and left minutes beforehand.
After lunch again on the town, we visited Lover’s Leap waterfall and the close by Victoria Park earlier than dinner at modern Themperadu, which fuses traditional Sri Lankan flavours with Asian and western influences.
Journey tip:
Some drivers keep away from Horton Plains’ slim roads; ask prematurely in the event that they’ll subcontract to an area SUV. In any other case, your guesthouse in Nuwara Eliya can doubtless prepare transport – they’ll usually throw in a picnic breakfast to eat on the viewpoint too.
Day 9 – Prepare to Ella
Journey Distance: 20-minute drive to Nanu-Oya station, adopted by approx. 3-hour practice trip to Ella
A 2-week itinerary in Sri Lanka wouldn’t be full with out sampling the international locations most well-known practice route, so we hopped on from Nanu Oya (a brief drive from Nuwara Eliya) to Ella. We booked seats prematurely by means of the Sri Lanka Railways web site, the place seats might be reserved as much as 30 days prematurely (value doing in peak season as they promote out and also you don’t need to be standing in a non-reserved carriage.)
The journey earns each little bit of its status: tea-carpeted hills give approach to aromatic pine forests, and locals wave from open doorways because the practice clanks previous villages and valleys seemingly frozen in time. With carriage doorways left open, you may lean out and drink all of it in, there can’t be many higher transferring viewpoints on the planet.
We arrived in Ella mid-afternoon and rewarded ourselves with a therapeutic massage, drinks, and dinner on the appropriately named Chill Bar within the city’s vigorous centre, unashamedly touristy however nice enjoyable. The city is packed stuffed with homestays, together with our alternative for lodging, with ethereal rooms and contemporary breakfasts very welcome.
Journey tip:
There’s little distinction between first- and second-class reserved seats; second is livelier and higher for assembly locals (and admittedly, the perfect views are by means of the open doorways on the finish of every carriage).
Day 10 – Diyaluma Falls and Little Adam’s Peak
Driving Time: Approx. 1-hour drive every approach to Diyaluma Falls
Ella’s hills hum with waterfalls, however Diyaluma Falls (entry charge 350 LKR) is the showstopper. A one-hour drive (or tuk-tuk trip) from Ella, adopted by a 30-minute hike, brings you to a sequence of swimming pools spilling over a 220-metre drop, an infinity view adequate to grace any luxurious resort. Climb rigorously to increased tiers for even grander vistas (and just a little vertigo). We known as at Kuda Ravana falls on the way in which again, which lies simply off the roadside – nice however overcrowded, we knew we’d made the correct name.
After a scrumptious lunch again in Ella (Rotti Hut within the city centre did the perfect roti in all of Sri Lanka), we tackled Little Adam’s Peak, a brief 20-minute uphill stroll providing one in all Sri Lanka’s greatest sundown panoramas. It’s a part of the 98 Acres resort complicated, standard with the Flashpacker crowd, however when you keep away from the theme-park model hoopla, the views match the perfect of something in Sri Lanka.
Journey tip:
Depart Ella by 8:30 am to take pleasure in Diyaluma’s swimming pools earlier than the crowds. Water sneakers are a should, these rocks are slicker than they give the impression of being.
Day 11 – Drive to Mirissa
Driving Time: 4 hours’ drive to Mirissa
Earlier than leaving Ella, we stopped on the well-known 9 Arches Bridge (a 5-minute drive or 20-minute stroll out of Ella to the trailhead, then a leisurely 25-minute stroll to the bridge), a Victorian masterpiece hidden in jungle greenery and straight out of an Indiana Jones finale.
Time your go to for a passing practice (the 9:45am is good) and seize a chilly drink from a close-by café for the right picture op.
This bridge is among the hottest issues to witness on a 2-week itinerary in Sri Lanka – don’t miss it!
Then started the longest drive of our journey, a spectacular descent from misty hills to sun-soaked coast (that was the plan, albeit the clouds descended for us!) Mirissa welcomed us with heat air, golden seashores, and the plain urge to decelerate. We checked right into a breezy seaside lodge, spent the afternoon wading out to Parrot Rock, catching the views at Coconut Tree Hill and becoming a member of a snorkelling journey (USD c. $20) to satisfy Mirissa’s resident turtles (up shut, however respectfully). We opted for an ethereal room near the 1st flooring pool at Mimoza, which was an exquisite place to chill out after a prolonged journey.
Cocktails and curry at Ceylon Curry Home proved the right pairing for a lazy night.
Journey tip:
Select a snorkel operator with sustainable practices, no touching, no chasing, and with smaller teams (critiques are usually a giveaway which operators really stroll the stroll!)
Journey tip:
When discussing a curry, ‘Medium spicy’ by Sri Lankan requirements is able to blowing most Westerners’ heads off.
Day 12 – Galle
Driving Time: 1.5 hours to Galle
One more world awaited us in Galle. Town’s well-known fort seems like a small 17th century European city teleported to the tropics – suppose cobbled streets, Dutch structure, and previous garrisons became stylish boutiques and cafes.
The climate right here wasn’t type to us (translated, we skilled a monsoon for about six hours) so our strolling tour of the fort and previous metropolis (USD $15) was considerably dampened nevertheless it was a captivating glimpse into the various cultures that known as Galle residence and left their mark on town’s structure and delicacies.
As soon as sneakers had been dried, we ventured out to wander the streets of the fort at night time, which with the rain mirrored off the cobblestones felt much more magical. We stayed within the Seven Pillars, a colonial-era masterpiece with a number of the most attentive service we skilled wherever in Sri Lanka. All the primary sights have been inside strolling distance.
Of all of the locations we visited in Sri Lanka, Galle is the one I want we had stayed longer. Had we completed so, we’d have been following these options.
Prime tip: Rain apart, strolling the fort partitions is greatest completed early morning or at sundown, as there’s valuable little shade!
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in Sri Lanka. Merely open the Google Map in your system and have all my suggestions on the contact of your fingertips.
Day 13 – Colombo Metropolis Highlights
Driving Time: 1.5hrs to Colombo
We debated skipping Colombo, as many travellers do on a 2-week itinerary Sri Lanka, nevertheless it turned out to be a nice shock. After saying goodbye to Rohan and checking into Marino Seashore (in identify solely – the British-built railway cleaved the precise seaside from town!), we took a dip within the Olympic-length rooftop infinity pool then acquired on the strolling sneakers for one final exploration – this time centered on the highlights of each Colombo’s heritage and trendy sides.
Highlights included Independence Sq., the Nationwide Museum (for one final tradition hit), and the dazzling Gangaramaya Temple, a wonderful jumble of statues, relics, and what felt like a number of thousand terraced Buddhas. We ended the day at Galle Face Inexperienced, the place locals flew kites and distributors served isso wade (prawn fritters) because the solar dropped into the Indian Ocean. An ideal closing chapter.
Journey tip:
Skip costly lodge transfers on your flight residence. E-book a PickMe trip to the airport as a substitute, cheaper, sooner, and refreshingly air-conditioned. Enable at the least an hour, extra throughout rush hour.
Voila! That’s your 2-week itinerary for Sri Lanka!
Thanks for studying!
World Traveller Phil Thomas is a contract journey author, based mostly in UK, with over 110 international locations below his belt. You may comply with Phil’s adventures by means of his weblog, Somebody Else’s Nation and through his Instagram, Fb and Blueskychannels.
Get lifetime entry to my infinite hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, chill out and discover in Sri Lanka. Merely open the Google Map in your system and have all my suggestions on the contact of your fingertips.
