Ayubowan Travellers! If you're visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, the hardest part is probably deciding where to go.
We've spoken a little about where to go and when to visit in our previous post: The ultimate guide to planning the perfect Sri Lanka holiday. But in this one, we thought we'd give you a bit of extra help by putting together a 14-day base itinerary that you can use as a starting point for creating your own dream holiday. When it comes to Sri Lanka there is a lot to choose from. You've got ancient cities and temples, tea country, mountains, wildlife, beaches, great food and some beautiful hotels. The temptation is to try and fit all of it in.
We've seen plenty of itineraries that do exactly that. One night here, one night there, back in the car the next morning and off to the next place.
You can certainly see a lot of Sri Lanka that way, but we're not convinced you'll enjoy it as much.There’s no shortage of Sri Lankan itineraries out therepromising to show you the best of Sri Lanka in 8 or 10 days. But for a first trip, we prefer 14 days, It gives you enough time to get a good taste of the
country without feeling like you're constantly packing your bags.
country without feeling like you're constantly packing your bags.
We've also built in two nights in Colombo at the start. After a long flight, we think it's worth having a proper first day rather than getting straight into a long drive.The route below takes you from Colombo to Sigiriya, Kandy and the tea country, Ella, Yala and finally the south coast. It's a good introduction to Sri Lanka, but more importantly, it still feels like a holiday. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
You’re trip starts in Colombo. We know some travellers are tempted to leave Colombo as soon as they arrive, but we'd recommend giving it a chance.
After a long flight, two nights here also gives you time to settle in, sleep properly and start getting a feel for Sri Lanka before heading into the rest of the country.Day 1
Arrive in Colombo and head to your hotel. And here’s our first tip: Don't plan too much. Depending on what time you arrive, have a good meal, take a
walk around the area or simply enjoy the hotel and get some rest. There's plenty of time for sightseeing later.
Day 2
Now that you've had a chance to settle in, spend some time exploring Colombo. We often recommend a city tour on day 2, and it's actually one of my favorite experiences in Colombo. I've been to the city many times now and still find myself enjoying it. There's something about the mix of old and new, the food, the busy streets and the different neighborhoods that just keeps bringing me back.
Colombo can be a little underrated, especially when compared with some of Sri Lanka's more famous sights. It's easy to see it as somewhere you simply arrive and leave from but spend a little time here and you'll find there's plenty to discover. We also like to take you beyond the usual tourist stops. Depending on what you're interested in, we can include some of the lesser-known parts of the city, local food spots and places you probably wouldn't find by simply following a guidebook. It's a great way to get your first real feel for Sri Lanka before heading inland.
Stay: Colombo
Good for: Food, culture, history and easing into your holiday.
Day 3
After two nights in Colombo, you'll head inland towards Sigiriya. And this is quite a change from Colombo. The roads are quieter, the scenery totally different! and you'll start seeing a very different side of Sri Lanka.This area is really special because it’s home to some of Sri Lanka’s most important historical and cultural sites. You’ll find places like the famous ancient rock fortress in Sigiriya, and Dambulla, known for its beautiful cave temples filled with Buddhist paintings and statues.
As you explore, you’ll get a real sense of how much history and culture is woven into this part of the country from ancient kingdoms and royal palaces to religious traditions that are still very much alive today.
What you’ll be doing on Day 3:
Get to your hotel, have some lunch, take a swim and enjoy being somewhere completely different. If you've arrived early enough and feel like doing
something, there are plenty of smaller experiences that can be added. But you don't need to fill the day. Tomorrow is when you'll get to explore.
Day 4
This is your main sightseeing day in Sigiriya. Start with Sigiriya Rock fortrace, one of Sri Lanka's most recognisable landmarks. The climb can be quite a workout, especially in the heat, so we'd recommend going early. Later, you can visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, with its collection of Buddhist statues and paintings. There are plenty of other ancient sites in the area too, but for a first trip, we'd recommend enjoying these without trying to tick every single one off the list.
Stay: Sigiriya or Dambulla
Good for: History, culture, temples, nature and photography
From Sigiriya, you'll make your way towards Kandy and then into the central highlands.This is one of my favourite changes of scenery in Sri Lanka.
One minute you're in the warmer, drier landscape around Sigiriya and the next you're in the hills.Day 5
Spend some time in Kandy and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most important Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. You could also go for a walk around Kandy Lake or explore some of the city. Kandy is somewhere we try not to over-plan. Have a look around, have lunch and enjoy the scenery and culture. Speaking of culture, when staying in Kandy, you’ll have an opportunity to catch a traditional Kandyan dance show. For first time visitors to Sri Lanka I’d definitely recommend this experience.
Stay: Kandy
Day 6
Today we get into Sri Lanka's tea country. The area around Nuwara Eliya is famous for beautiful tea plantations and a cooler mountain climate.
Here we'd recommend visiting one of the working tea plantations (there are so many to choose from!) Depending on which one you choose, you’ll be able to experience plucking the tea leaves yourself while being guided on the best leaves to pick, followed by a factory tour to see how the leaves are then processed and finally a tea tasting so you can experience the different types of tea you learned about. I have to add here that the tea estates are really beautiful places to experience, I can’t get enough of them, I never get bored no matter how many times I visit! Adding to that there are some really beautiful properties and resorts in this part of Sri Lanka, this is the part of the holiday I’d splurge a little on the accommodation.Stay: Nuwara Eliya
Good for: Tea, mountain scenery, cooler climate, beautiful accommodations and relaxing
Day 7
From the tea country, continue towards Ella. And while Ella and Nuwara Eliya are somewhat similar in scenery, the vibe is totally different. We often get travellers asking, “Should I do Nuwara Eliya? Or Ella? And honestly, I could probably do an entire blog post around this question alone! However the short answer is do both!
If the timing works, I’d recommend including the famous train journey through the hills. It's one of those experiences where the journey really is
part of the trip. The train winds through tea plantations and mountains, and you get to see parts of the countryside you wouldn't see from the road.
Arrive in Ella and settle into your hotel. Take the afternoon slowly. Ella has plenty of places to explore, but you don't have to start ticking them off as soon as you arrive. Find somewhere with a good view, have a drink and enjoy being in the mountains.
Day 8
You've got a full day in Ella, so you can choose what suits you. Nine Arch Bridge is an easy addition to the day, and Little
Adam's Peak is a good option if you'd like a relatively manageable walk with some great views. You could also visit another tea plantation, see a waterfall or just spend a few hours wandering around town. And if you'd rather have a late breakfast and spend the morning at your hotel, that's fine too. One of the things we really try to avoid when planning holidays is jam packing every day with activities.
Stay: Ella
Good for: Mountains, scenic journeys, hiking, photography and slowing down
Day 9
Travel from Ella towards Yala. Get to your accommodation, enjoy the surroundings and have an early night if you're planning a morning safari.
Day 10
Get up early for your morning safari. The morning is a beautiful time to be in the park, and you'll hopefully have the chance to see some of Sri Lanka's wildlife in action. Yala National park is famous for its wild leopard population, but as well as the leopard you’ll also have an opportunity to see wild elephants, Sri Lankan bird life, deer and crocodiles.
After the safari, head back to your hotel for breakfast and take the rest of the day easy. Spending two nights in Yala gives you more time to enjoy
your surroundings giving you a chance to explore a few of the surrounding parks as well to maximise your wildlife experience.
Stay: Near Yala National Park
Good for: Wildlife, photography and nature
Days 11–14: The South Coast
Now it's time to slow things down properly. After travelling through the interior of Sri Lanka, you'll finish the trip with four nights on the south coast.
You could stay around Galle, Weligama, Mirissa or somewhere a little quieter depending on the type of hotel and beach experience you're looking for.Day 11
Make your way from Yala towards the coast and check into your hotel. This is the point in the trip where we'd encourage you to put the itinerary away for the afternoon. Have lunch, go for a swim, sit by the beach and enjoy the hotel. You've got four nights here. There's no rush.
Day 12
Spend the day however you like. If you want to explore, head to Galle Fort and spend a few hours wandering through the old streets, shops and cafés.
If you'd rather be on the beach, by all means have a beach day! On the other hand there are many beach and water activities you could opt to do if your feeling adventurous. Here are a few experiences we offer:- Whale & dolphin watching (depending on the season)
- Jet Skiing
- Visiting a turtle conservation centre
- Surfing lesson
- Wind surfing lesson
- Coral reef exploration
- Deep sea fishing
- Scuba diving experience
- Sailing
- Underwater museum Diving
You could also arrange a private experience along the coast or simply enjoy a long lunch somewhere overlooking the ocean.
Day 13
Leave this day almost completely open. Sleep in. Have breakfast. Go to the beach. Book a massage. Whatever you feel like doing. You can
always add an activity if you feel like it. After two weeks of travelling around Sri Lanka, this is the sort of day you'll probably appreciate more than you expected.
always add an activity if you feel like it. After two weeks of travelling around Sri Lanka, this is the sort of day you'll probably appreciate more than you expected.
Day 14
Enjoy your final morning in Sri Lanka before making your way back towards Colombo and the airport. If your flight isn't until later in the
day, you could build in a final stop or experience along the way. And then it's time to head home.
day, you could build in a final stop or experience along the way. And then it's time to head home.
Your 14-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary at a Glance
Day | Destination | Highlights |
1 | Colombo | Arrival & relaxation |
2 | Colombo | City, food & culture |
3 | Colombo → Sigiriya | Journey to the Cultural Triangle |
4 | Sigiriya | Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla |
5 | Kandy | Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic |
6 | Tea Country | Tea estate & tasting |
7 | Ella | Scenic journey & settling in |
8 | Ella | Nine Arch Bridge, hiking & free time |
9 | Yala | Journey to wildlife country |
10 | Yala | Safari & relaxation |
11 | Yala → South Coast | Arrive & relax |
12 | South Coast | Galle Fort & coastline |
13 | South Coast | A full day to relax |
14 | South Coast → Colombo | Final morning & departure |
Not exactly, and this is something worth considering before booking. Sri Lanka has two main monsoon systems, so the weather can be quite different depending on which side of the island you're visiting, you can check out our Best time to visit Sri Lanka. A month-by-month guide for more details regarding the monsoon seasons.
But generally speaking the south and west coast usually have their best beach conditions from around November to March, while the east coast tends to be more suitable during the middle of the year. So if you're travelling during the Australian winter, for example, we'd look closely at whether finishing on the south coast makes sense for your dates. Sometimes it makes more sense to change the route and finish around Trincomalee or another part of the east coast instead.
So what’s the take away?
Use this 14 day itinerary guide as your starting point, not a rulebook. If wildlife is a big part of your trip, look at spending longer around the national parks. If you're a big beach person, give yourself more time on the coast. If you love food and culture, put more time into Colombo,
Kandy and Sigiriya. And if you're travelling for a honeymoon or celebrating something special, look more into your hotels and experiences.
We've planned enough Sri Lankan holidays to know that there isn't really a single itinerary that suits everyone. The best ones are the ones that make sense for the people travelling.
Interested in a tailor-made holiday just for you?
Tell us when you're coming, who you're travelling with and what you'd like your holiday to feel like and we'll take it from there.
We hope to here from you soon! But until then Subha gaman!
