7-day itinerary to Sri Lanka
Day 1 –
The Colombo city
Colombo is a simple city to get to, and most hostels are within a 45-minute drive which provides an opportunity to maximise the time in the countryside.If one arrives in Colombo late at night, one can plan to spend the night in Negombo (where the international airport is located). If you arrive early in the morning, take advantage of the opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s capital city.Keep in mind that the distance between two points is not the same as the distance between two points.
Day 2 –
Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla Caves
Sigiriya, the beautiful rock formation, halfway up with a majestic gate shaped like a lion. The royal palace was abandoned after the king’s death. It was later used as a Buddhist monastery for a period of time. This location has been abandoned since the 14th century.Take a taxi before 7 a.m., as the journey from Negombo to Sigiriya will take 5-6 hours. Once reached the Lion Rock Fortress, One can plan to hike all the way to the top which might take around 3-4 hours.Drive to the Unesco-listed Dambulla Buddhist caves and monastery, the world’s largest painted cave complex. We arrived just in time to see the most tranquil sunset ever witnessed. To visit the four temples, you must walk up a steep hill. The cave starts on a plateau 340 metres above sea level, where you can enjoy a beautiful green panorama.A safari at Minneriya National Park near Habarana is another highlight of the day. Seeing elephants in their natural habitat. Sri Lanka is known as an elephant’s motherland, with around 200 elephants living in Minneriya National Park. Elephant herds in large herds are common in this region.Return to Kandy and spend the night. Located high in the mountains with breathtaking views.
Day 3 –
Kandy
Kandy is riddled with significant landmarks, and it’s no wonder that it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is home to the Temple of the Holy Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred shrines. The temple houses a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, which can be seen twice a day during a special ceremony, as the name implies. Overnight stay at Kandy.
Day 4 –
Nuwara Eliya
Taking an early morning train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya allows for a full day of hill country exploration with an infinite number of scenic stops at plantations. Tuk-tuks and cabs are waiting outside the Nuwara Eliya train station once you arrive.Nuwara Eliya, dubbed “Little England,” has a distinct feel from the rest of Sri Lanka. The British ‘discovered’ the region in 1819, and it soon became a ‘home away from home’ hotspot for those visiting or employed in Sri Lanka due to the cool climate. It’s why Tudor architecture can be found everywhere, which I find strangely fascinating. Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya relishing the Tea-temptations.
Day 5 –
Ella toy train ride
THE MOST WELL-KNOWN FEATURE IS THE BOHEMIAN TOWN IN THE MOUNTAINS. Take an early morning train to Ella. This train trip, which winds through hills, tea fields, and villages, is arguably Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attraction. The British established the railway system in 1865 to transport tea and coffee from the Hill Country to Colombo. Ella is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination, and local BnBs are springing up to meet the demand, but they still need to improve their service levels. They are a short walk from the main town centre where you can have an overnight stay. Remain in the location for the stunning views.
Day 6 –
Galle
To get to Galle, we’ll use a nearby cab service in Ella. If you take the highways, it will take you about 4-5 hours. Galle, perched on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, is proud of its past. The city’s colonial-era showpiece, a 16th-century Portuguese-built fort, is surrounded by windswept beaches and nodding palms, while the rest of the city is trimmed with Dutch-style homes, quirky shops, whitewashed mansions, and heritage museums. The Dutch extended the stone sea walls, which encircled car-free streets with architecture that reflects Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule.
Day 7 –
Depart with the glance of Galle sunrise
You can spend the morning exploring the colonial quarters of Galle or go directly to the airport, depending on your flight schedule. With a total travel time of 2.5 hours, one of Sri Lanka’s only major multi-lane highways connects Galle and Colombo.Though preparing for your trip to Sri Lanka isn’t difficult, having a trustworthy travel partner can be advantageous. Start customising your Sri Lanka journey at Pickyourtrail and start your trail to Sri Lanka. Pickyourtrail guarantees not only fast and trouble-free travel but also cost-effectiveness. So, go ahead and PickYourTrail!