Land of Diverse Wildlife, Rainforests and Endless beaches – this is what Sri Lanka is about! If you are looking for a wonderful yet affordable vacation, Sri Lanka is a definite choice. As per Sri Lanka Tourism board, within a mere area of 65,610 kilometres lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometres of coastline – much of it pristine beach – 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years. The country still remains virgin and forms a promising holiday destination for those looking for non-crowded spots.
Glimpse of Our Trip
- We visited Sri Lanka in September and in December. The great news about Sri Lanka is that it is a year-round destination! Irrespective of the time of the year, you can always make a short trip to Sri Lanka.
- The tour map is enclosed below. Do note that we did this tour in 2 different trips and have combined it here to make it more meaningful.
- Day 1: Reach Colombo
- Day 2: Colombo> Sigiriya> Wasgamuwa
- Day 3: Wasgamuwa> Matale> Kandy
- Day 4, 5 & 6: Kandy> Wadduwa
- Day 7: Wadduwa> Galle> Balapitiya> Colombo
- Day 8: Colombo
Re-living Experiences: Food, Vacationing, Photography & More
Amongst the various options we had, we preferred to take a taxi with a driver for our entire trip. The reason is silly but true! We needed a photographer to take our pictures. Haha yes! Most of the route has beautiful landscape with not many people around, so if you are craving for nice couple pictures, do get a driver. Here are a few shots taken by our driver 😉
Day 1: Colombo
The taxis are not too expensive and the drivers are generally very pleasant to talk to. You can also rent motorbikes and drive rented cars. The west coast is connected through trains as well but we did not consider that option.
After a relaxing day in Colombo we started our trip for Sigiriya.
Day 2: Colombo> Sigiriya> Wasgamuwa
Sigiriya Lion Rock is a World Heritage Site and is considered to have been built in 447 CE. We took a tour guide to embrace the site which is very beautiful and elaborate. We got lucky as the weather was quite nice and it was drizzling. It has a beautiful collection of boulder gardens, terraced gardens, frescoes and remains of the city.
After an amazing lunch enroute, we reached Kandy. The drive is beautiful with beautiful tress and hills on both sides. The famous Tooth Relic Temple is in Kandy. It is built to house the tooth relic of Buddha. Thereafter, we saw the Kandy view point, Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue & Royal Palace of Kandy. Kandyan dance is a must see if you are in Kandy. The shows are in the evening and don’t need any pre-booking.
Day 4, 5 & 6: Kandy> Wadduwa
The next day we started for Wadduwa. Wadduwa is slightly expensive as it has resorts on the beach. We stayed in Hibiscus beach Hotel spending 3 days leisurely reading books on the beach, playing games and taking sun bath.
Day 7: Wadduwa> Galle> Balapitiya> Colombo
We went further south to see Galle. It is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by Portuguese and Dutch rulers. The landscape is very authentic and very different than what you see in the rest of Sri Lanka.
On our way back to Colombo, we did the river safari in Madu river in Balapitiya. The Mangrooves caves are stunning. The best part was the fish spa in the middle of the river. Wow! It was awesomeeee!!
We reached Colombo in the night and slept well after a really long and eventful day. We stayed in Ocean Colombo and got a room with a nice view of the Indian Ocean. We saw Arcade Independence Square, Gangaramaya buddhist temple and finally returned to the airport. This marked the end of a really memorable trip which we will remember for a really long time.
Immerse yourself in the land of diverse landscapes and let us know how you spent your precious moments in this wonderful land.
What an absolutely amazing journey and adventure! It looks like you took everything Sri Lanka has to offer and made the most of it. I hope to soon be able to travel the world and I think you’ve helped me decide to add Sri Lanka to the list of places I want to experience.
This looks like such a wonderful experience! All of your pictures turned out AMAZING! Just pinned and liked your facebook page.
This looks amazing! We have a good friend that grew up in Sri Lanka. He’s always telling us we need to visit!
Sri Lanka looks like a beautiful place to visit. I knew a Sri Lankan in college and she always described her homeland as such but actually seeing these pictures really puts it into focus.
That is so clever of you taking along a driver just for him to take photos. I didn’t know Sri Lanka was this stunning in terms of views and heritage
So much culture, love this! My favorite part of traveling is being challenged culturally. Even just by the food.
I’m so intrigued by the fish spa. It looks so interesting. Sri Lanka is such a beautiful destination. I love all the greenery and beaches. They have a very serene feel.
The scenery is Sri Lanka is so gorgeous. I can absolutely see why it would be a top travel destination.
Eight full days of just exploring and seeing places! It’s definitely good to have a plan laid out when you’re going on a vacation like this. Sri Lanka sounds like a great place!
I think it’s quite an adventure and there’s definitely so much to see in Sri Lanka! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! It would be nice to see this in person someday!
Haha you are so clever, taking a driver along just to takes photos for you! I didn’t know Sri Lanka was this rich with beautiful destinations and sites
This is somewhere that’s always been on my to visit list, there’s just so many beautiful looking places x
I have always wanted to visit Sri Lanka! I have so many place son my list and so little time!
I’ve never thought about visiting Sri Lanka but your write up on it makes me want to take a visit! I love how you had your taxi driver also double as a photographer 🙂
Haha yes! We have recommended that driver to few of our friends and relatives. He is awesome!
I would definitely try the fish spa too. That lion is amazing and 447 is super old, I almost can’t even wrap my head around it. Such a great trip.
This was the fish time I had fish spa in a lake. Frankly I was a bit scared but then it turned out to be a great experience!
This looks like a beautiful place to visit. I love reading about the best things to do at places that I have not been to yet.
Oh my gosh, I can’t handle the pictures you took! Absolutely stunning. This sounds like an amazing time and place to visit!
Thank you Lydia!
Would love to visit Sri Lanka. One of our friends went there recently and they have great stories to share. I love the pictures you have shared here as well.
Wow! I am sure your friends loved Sri Lanka! It’s quite beautiful!
That Tooth Relic Temple looks very interesting! My 3yo just said “I don’t like those feet!” I think they look so cool! What an awesome guide to Sri Lanka!
Hahaha! Those feet are gigantic and I felt so small. 😀
I am shocked because Sri Lanka looks amazing, the beaches, the forests, the wildlife all look so worth seeing. I probably will never go but I wish I could such great pictures.
I was surprised too and it was worth the visit. 🙂
I’ve never even heard of Sri Lanka! Sounds beautiful though and I’ll have to put it on my one day list!
yeah! This country never makes it to the list but it is absolute beautiful. 🙂
I agree that Sri Lanka is an incredible place to visit! Thanks for sharing your advice.
I am not sure if I will ever make it to Sri Lanka, but it sounds like a gorgeous place. You have great information here for anyone heading that way.
Thank you Robin! It is one of those places that is less spoken about but really beautiful!
It would be interesting to visit the famous Tooth Relic Temple. I wonder why they built the temple, and the great story behind it.
Thank you Blair! I didn’t know that earlier but there are tooth relic temples at other places as well. For example: Singapore has one too!
Beautiful photos and a lovely guide. Great tip on getting a driver to have someone take your couple pictures! I hope to visit Sri Lanka someday soon!
Thank you Liz! Yes having a driver in Sri Lanka really helps!
Very beautiful! It looks a bit like Germany actually! My kids would love the building with the claws. I think that would make their day!
Hahaha! Thank you! Its a fun place for both kids and adults. 🙂
We definitely want to visit Sri Lanka soon. We traveled around Bermuda via a taxi guide. Lovely to hear that the same can be done in Sri Lanka. Did you have the same driver throughout your stay or did it differ depending on the day / location?
Hey Christina! We had the same driver. That helped us build a bond with him and develop sense of trust. He also became our official guide. 🙂
That is an awesome end quote – that travel leaves you speechless and then there’s a story to be told. Your photographs are absolutely gorgeous, love the ones of the feet on the sand!
You refreshed my memories of a trip long back. Sri Lanka is gorgeous. Loved the elephant orphanage enroute to Kandy, the tooth relic temple as you described and the cultural evening there. The only difference was that we stopped at Nuwara Eliya before we went back to Colombo. Sigh! What a trip. Thanks for letting me relive it with your pictures and post.
I would love to see all the World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka! It all looks incredible and your photos are so inspiring. Good to know when you travel is not important. I love places like that, because I don’t always get free time during major travel seasons.
I am travelling to SL next month, but I only plan to visit beaches and places around Bentota and Colombo only, since I am taking my parents… thank you for this post though, I can use some of the tips 🙂
I think getting a driver is always the best since you can actually ask them questions about the places you are passing by. And I had never thought of using them as photographers! Haha. I will sure remember that tip on my next trip. The pictures are amazing by the way!
I had no idea there were 8 World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka. I’ve heard the food is really tasty though. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip full of adventure!
I love all of the different activities in Sri Lanka. And you certainly surprised me with a few facts.
Beautiful place , Sri Lanka , from beaches to greenery. Havnt been there but I have heard a lot about it. A friend of mine is a native of Kandy . That would be on my list.
Sigiriya Lion Rock is a great place. I like painting walls. it was very beautiful. You also lucky enough to come when the weather is nice. sights there looks cool and beautiful.
I use to think that Sri Lanka would be similar to South India. But it looks absolutely beautiful! Glad to know that you had an amazing time out there and loved your pictures!
I didn’t even know more than half of the facts you’ve said here about Sri Lanka! They have such a fascinating history as well as a rich culture and land.
Wow, your trip was packed! Looks like it was beautiful. I love the photo of the bird!
We have not yet been to Srilanka but everytime we read through a post we feel we are missing on something. Looks like you covered a lot while on your trip to Srilanka. Your pictures are amazing.
I bookmarked your artice because me and my husband will reach Sei Lanka this December! Your itinerary is truly hepful, thanks a lot. I cannot wait to get there 🙂
I am very excited for you Andra! Hope you enjoy your trip. December is a very good time to be in Sri Lanka. Waiting to hear all about it once you are back from your trip. 🙂
It’s unbelievable how many fish there is! I am just curious, what is the plant you were holding?
That is Cinnamon, freshly made from the inner bark of several trees. This is used as a spice in Indian food and adds aroma that you cannot miss. 🙂
Thanks for this doable itinerary. I haven’t been there yet so will be referring back for your helpful tips.
You took a taxi just for the photographer or you think that is not safe to drive there? WOuld you recommend renting a car a do a self made road trip?
Sri Lanka is quite safe (people are adorable!) but the distances are long for you to do by public transport. Also, having a private car enables you to stop wherever you like and to enjoy the views; something you cannot do while you are on train/bus.
This is a lovely guide. A friend of mine traveled to Sri Lanka for a colleagues wedding and had an amazing time. I love seeing pictures of places I am planning to travel to. Lots to do and see there.