Sri Lanka Travel guide
The Best of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. If that alone doesn’t entice you to visit, I don’t know what will. Known for it’s ancient cities, sacred temples, pristine beaches, lush landscapes and of course tea… lots of tea! It’s easy to get around, safe and there’s so much history, culture and beauty to explore. It makes for a perfect vacation. This is my 10 day itinerary exploring the centre and south of the island. Let me show you all the amazing things to do!
Any questions on travelling to Sri Lanka?…..Drop me a comment on any of my YouTube videos and I’d be happy to help!
10 day Sri Lanka Itinerary
- Day 1 - Arrive in Colombo, stay night in Negombo
- Day 2 - Negombo to Sigiriya - Dambulla Cave Complex and Pidurangala Rock
- Day 3 - Sigiriya - Lion Rock sunrise hike, Polonnaruwa
- Day 4 - Sigiriya to Kandy - Temple of the Tooth, Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha, Kandyan Dancing
- Day 5 - Kandy - Ambulawawa Tower, Botanical Gardens
- Day 6 - Kandy to Ella - Odyssey train
- Day 7 - Ella - Little Adams Peak, Nine Arch Bridge, Organic Tea Garden
- Day 8 - Ella to Unawatuna - Ravana falls on route, Galle
- Day 9 - Unawatuna - Unawatuna beach, cooking class
- Day 10 - Unawatuna to Colombo
- Day 11 - Leave to airport
Highlights Not to Miss!
Whatever you decide on for your Sri Lanka itinerary, make sure you don’t miss these!
Pidurangala Rock
A quieter climb and a perfect view of Lion Rock. Early risers may even fancy a sunrise hike!
Ella Odyssey train
A unique and beautiful train ride through the country's tea plantations.
Polonnaruwa
An ancient city where you can explore palace ruins, temples and gigantic buddha carvings.
Getting Around
Perhaps my main question when planning this trip was how to get from city to city. Here are the various options:
Local transport / buses: By far the cheapest option, but journey times can be long and you will struggle to maximise your time.
PickMe app: A must have app and the Sri Lanka equivalent of Uber. As well as short trips on TukTok, you can also book long journeys from city to city. It’s cheaper than a private driver, and definitely the best option if staying for a while in each city.
Private driver: For complete convenience, booking a private driver for your whole trip is the way to go. They will take you everywhere, from cross country journeys to evening restaurants. You will likely need to pay in cash everyday (approx $50).
I went for a private driver and occasionally used the PickMe app for a short TukTuk ride.
Sri Lanka - My City Travel guides
See my individual blogs and videos for all locations on my Sri Lanka itinerary. The ancient city of Sigiriya, the cultural heartland of Kandy, the beautiful coastline of Unawatuna and Galle, and not forgetting the lively city of Colombo. I share the best of what to see and do as well as recommendations on where to eat and stay.
