Sri Lanka is a small island that packs a punch. In a brief journey, you’ll be able to discover historic cities, chill out on palm-fringed seashores, hike by means of the plush and misty hill nation and dine on infinite rice and curry.
Even getting round Sri Lanka could be a part of the journey, with its well-known trains turning transport right into a sightseeing journey. Whereas self-driving in Sri Lanka just isn’t really useful, hiring a personal automobile with a driver is simple to rearrange and comparatively inexpensive, making a highway journey a easy option to discover this island nation.
Our 7- and 8-day itineraries spotlight numerous components of the nation, however lengthen your stays in numerous stops and even mix a number of routes to construct the 2- and even 3-week itinerary of your goals.
1. See Sri Lanka’s historic cities and capitals
Enable no less than 7 days
Distance: 250km (155 miles)
With eight UNESCO-listed websites, 4 former capitals and a liberal scattering of atmospheric monastic ruins, rock citadels, gigantic stupas and astonishing Buddhist artwork, the central plains are the place to discover Sri Lanka’s spectacular previous and its wealthy Buddhist cultural heritage. Newbie archaeologists and followers of misplaced cities are in for a deal with.
Anuradhapura: 2 days
The sprawling archaeological web site of Anuradhapura and its sacred Bodhi Tree, holy stupas and archaeological museums could be seen in an extended day, however it’s higher with two. If you happen to’re brief on time, go to simply Abhayagiri.
Commercial
Detour: A half-day journey takes you to Mihintale, 13km (8 miles) exterior city, to affix pilgrims on the spot the place Buddhism first took root in Sri Lanka.
Subsequent cease: Drive 1 hour from Anuradhapura to Ritigala.
Ritigala: 1 day
As you journey from Anuradhapura and in the direction of Polonnaruwa, make a cease on the ruined forest monastery of Ritigala. In an hour you’ll be able to discover the stone stairways, platforms and meditation halls half-hidden between dripping tree roots. The positioning is 8km (5 miles) off the principle highway, so it is best you probably have your individual transport, although you’ll be able to usually discover a tuk tuk on the highway junction.
Subsequent cease: Drive 90 minutes from Ritigala to Polonnaruwa.
Polonnaruwa: 1 day
Extra historic metropolis ruins await at Polonnaruwa, the millennia-old former capital. You’ll be able to see the principle ticketed assortment of monasteries, Buddha statues, stupas and royal palaces in half a day (early morning is greatest) however there are different minor sights to fill an extended day. Do not miss the far northern group of sights and provides the fascinating archaeological museum an hour.
Subsequent cease: Drive 90 minutes from Polonnaruwa to Sigirya.
Sigiriya: 1 day
Sigiriya, which means “lion’s rock”, is a must-see for its spectacular location and enigmatic historical past. Some vacationers are content material to see it from afar from Pidurangala (thus saving the US$30 entry payment) however it’s price visiting each rocks; Sigiriya at daybreak and Pidurangala at sundown. Within the afternoon take a 4WD safari to Minneriya Nationwide Park.
Subsequent cease: Drive 45 minutes from Sigiriya to Damulla.
Dambulla: 1 day
The gorgeous Buddhist cave murals of Dambulla are a creative spotlight of Sri Lanka. You’ll be able to go to them as a half-day tour from Sigiriya, or en path to Kandy, however ensure to not miss them. The precise caves require simply an hour however it’s essential to price range time to hike as much as them. Few individuals in a single day in Dambulla itself.
Subsequent cease: Drive roughly 3 hours from Dambulla to Kandy.
Kandy: 1 day
Kandy is Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, linking the plains to the highlands. Go to the sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic inside the previous royal palace (ideally throughout the dramatic 15-day Esala Perahera pageant) and spend the remainder of the day exploring the Central Market and the previous city. For sundown views take a tuk tuk as much as the Buddha statue on Bahirawa Kanda.
2. Take a prepare journey to the central highlands
Enable no less than 7 days
Distance: 450km (280 miles)
After the warmth of the plains it is a aid to climb into the cool, misty highlands of Sri Lanka’s inexperienced heart. The nation’s greatest strolling trails are right here, however don’t be concerned, in case your legs begin to tire there are many enjoyable options, from rafting and caving to abseiling and canyoning.
Kandy: 2 days
As soon as you’ve got seen the Temple of the Tooth, explored the previous city and caught a efficiency of conventional Kandyan dance, get out of city and take a hike; both by means of the forbidden forest of Udawattakele or on a guided hike by means of the misty Knuckles vary. We advocate including on a day for in a single day glamping within the conservation forest.
Subsequent cease: Take a 4-hour prepare trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya: 1 day
If you happen to’ve managed to snag tickets, benefit from the nation’s well-known prepare trip by means of the hills and tea plantations to Nanu Oya, earlier than taking a tuk tuk for the remaining 10km (6 miles) to Nuwara Eliya. Play a spherical on the British-era golf course, decide up a jar of chutney made by Franciscan nuns and linger over excessive tea in one of many city’s atmospheric colonial-era resorts.
Commercial
Subsequent cease: Drive 2.5 hours from Nuwara Eliya to Sri Pada.
Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak): 1 day
Anybody who likes pilgrimages will wish to make the pre-dawn hike from Dalhousie (journey right here the night earlier than) up the 5000-plus steps to the summit of Adam’s Peak, the place you may stroll in sacred footprints of Buddha or Biblical Adam, relying in your non secular persuasion. Count on to stroll shoulder-to-shoulder with pilgrims, particularly on poya (full moon) nights, once you’ll queue for hours.
Subsequent cease: Drive 3.5 hours from Sri Pada to Horton Plains Nationwide Park.
Horton Plains Nationwide Park: 1 day
Again at Nuwara Eliya, make the hour-long drive to the excessive plateau of Horton Plains for the favored 9.5km-loop (5.9-miles) to the World’s Finish escarpment for unbelievable views. If you happen to fancy one thing remoter and extra demanding, take a information for the day hike as much as Mt Kirigalpotta, Sri Lanka’s second-highest peak (and the best you’ll be able to truly hike to).
Subsequent cease: Take a 3-hour prepare from Nanu Oya station close to Nuwara Eliya to Ella.
Ella: 1 day
After Horton Plains make your option to the backpacker heart of Ella, ideally on the afternoon prepare from Pattipola, and go to one in every of Ella’s many spectacular waterfalls. Early the subsequent morning stroll the 3-hour return path to island-wide views at Ella Rock, or arrange a information for the off-beat hike to 5000-year-old cave artwork at Kurullangala Rock.
Subsequent cease: Drive 2 hours from Ella to Uda Walawe Nationwide Park.
Uda Walawe Nationwide Park: 1 day
Early mornings and late afternoons are the most effective instances for a 4WD safari. The drive from Ella to Uda Walawe goes through Wellawaya and Thanamalwila and a employed automobile will actually prevent a while right here over the buses. From Uda Walawe the seashores of the south coast are simply 2 hours’ drive away.
3. Discover Sri Lanka’s south coast
Enable no less than 7 days
Distance: 320km (199 miles)
Sri Lanka’s south is a string of attractive seashores, surf colleges and hip eating places, with a extra unbiased vibe than the west. It is an awesome place to be taught to surf and eat smoothie bowls, however there are additionally Buddhist temples and pilgrimage websites, and the vibe will get quieter and wilder as you head east.
Galle: 1 day
You want a full day in Galle to wander it is 2km-long (1.2-mile) fort partitions, take in the colonial historical past and benefit from the fortified city’s fashionable eating places, bars and cafes. It is probably the most romantic human-made vacation spot in Sri Lanka, so is an efficient place to splash out on a elaborate lodge and cocktails. Get right here on the coastal prepare from Colombo Fort.
Subsequent cease: Drive 2 hours from Galle to Weligama.
Weligama: 1 day
Public transport is frequent alongside the south coast however it’s good to have your individual wheels to cease off at beachside eating places and detour to the Handunugoda Tea Property. Spend a few hours in Weligama making an attempt a surf lesson at one in every of dozens of surf colleges. If you happen to catch the bug, come again for a week-long surf camp.
Subsequent cease: Drive 2 hours from Weligama to Tangalla.
Tangalla: 1 day
It is an attractive drive to Tangalla, so take your time and think about stops at Dondra Head Lighthouse, stunning Talalla Bay and the gorgeous seashore at Goyambokka. Arrive in Tangalla in time for a sundown stroll alongside the wild sands of Marakolliya Seaside. Finish the day with a sundowner or fish dinner proper on the seashore, and maintain a watch out for nesting turtles.
Subsequent cease: Drive 2 hours from Tangalla to Tissamaharama.
Tissamaharama: 1 day
Get to Tissa at lunchtime and spend the afternoon visiting the Buddhist dagobas and monastery ruins of the traditional Kingdom of Ruhuna. Round nightfall, head to the banks of the Tissa Wewa reservoir to look at flittering bats, roosting birds and the colours of the setting solar; boat excursions are a pleasant possibility. Get an early night time, as you may be up on the first light tomorrow.
Subsequent cease: Drive 1 hour from Tissamaharama to Yala Nationwide Park.
Yala Nationwide Park: 1 day
A daybreak 4WD safari to Yala Nationwide Park is a must-do. With luck you may spot a leopard lazing within the cradle of a tree department, however even the unfortunate will see wild elephants, crocodiles, painted storks, iridescent bee-eaters and possibly even a sloth bear. You will be again in Tissa at lunchtime, so with planning you might proceed into the hills that afternoon.
Subsequent cease: Drive 4 hours from Yala Nationwide Park to Haputale.
Haputale: 2 days
Haputale is a superb place to hike the central highlands away from the crowds of locations like Ella. Rise up early to affix the tea pickers on a stroll by means of tea fields to Lipton’s Seat or make longer day hikes to the summits of close by Prabhawa or Wangedigala peaks, the latter providing views of Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfall.
4. Go off-track within the northeast
Enable no less than 8 days
Distance: 300km (186 miles)
That is the remotest of our itineraries, for individuals who wish to shake off the surfer dudes and Instagrammers and get a deeper sense of rural Sri Lanka and the aftermath of its civil conflict. Alongside the extra surreal sights are some fabulous seashores, towering Hindu temples, historic Buddhist stupas and superlative meals.
Trincomalee: 1 day
Get to Trinco by prepare, from Colombo or Habarana, or bus from Anuradhapura, after which spend a while attending to know this historic port city, from its Dutch-era Fort Frederick to the towering gateways of the much-revered Koneswaram Kovil Shiva temple. Between March and November, maintain a glance out for whales from this finger of land.
Subsequent cease: Take a bus for half-hour from Trincomalee to Nilaveli.
Nilaveli: 1 day
There are a lot of fabulous seashores on the east coast however few rival the 4km-long (2.5-mile) sands of Nilavelli. There’s not a lot to do right here besides decelerate, go swimming and chill out, although the snorkeling off close by Pigeon Island is incredible for coral and black-tip reef sharks. Licensed divers can discover the wreck of an plane service.
Subsequent cease: Drive 1 hour from Nilaveli to Kuchchaveli Seaside.
Kuchchaveli Seaside: 1 day
Lease a tuk tuk or automobile with driver for an absorbing day’s drive north alongside the B424, because it threads between ocean and lagoon. Cease at a trio of Buddhist ruins (together with one of many world’s oldest stupas) and pause to look at fishers land their catch at Kuchchaveli Seaside.
Subsequent cease: Take a 2-hour bus trip from Pulmoddai to Mullaittivu.
Mullaittivu: 1 day
The bus from Pulmoddai drops you within the sober city of Mullaittivu, the place the ultimate days of the civil conflict performed out in 2009. Pay your respects on the two conflict memorials right here; one celebrating the military’s victory, the opposite established by locals to mark the location of the ultimate bloodbath. It is a sobering place to realize insights into the conflict.
Subsequent cease: Drive 2 hours from Mullaittivu to Jaffna.
Jaffna: 2 days
Within the vibrant northern Tamil metropolis of Jaffna you’ll be able to discover remnants of colonialism on the Dutch fort, British-era church buildings and Tamil temples (attempt to catch the chariot processions of July’s Nallur pageant), and savor the culinary scene, from an early morning go to to fish markets to dinners of spicy crab curry, topped off by a cocktail on the Peninsula Resort.
Subsequent cease: Take a ferry for half-hour to 1 hour from Jaffna to Neduntivu.
Neduntivu (Delft): 2 days
Take two days (or ideally three) to discover the archipelago west of Jaffna the place Sri Lanka splinters right into a scattering of islands within the Palk Strait. Drive the causeways to Velanai and Punkudutivu, take ferries to Nainativu’s Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage websites, then in a single day on Neduntivu island, residence to wild horses and coral fences, earlier than returning to Jaffna through Karaitivu and its pocket-sized fort.
