Should you’re fascinated about visiting Sri Lanka, you’ll want an epic itinerary that may mean you can discover each nook of this lovely island together with considered one of it’s most underrated hidden gems!
Most travellers solely go to for a short while, so right here’s learn how to take advantage of a Sri Lanka 10 day itinerary, particularly when you love nature, the outside and wildlife!
Disclaimer: My journey to Sri Lanka was supported by the Nationwide vacationer board. As all the time, all phrases and opinions are my very own. This text could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you are going to buy by way of these hyperlinks, I’ll earn a small fee at no further value to your self. This helps in the direction of the maintenance of this web site for which I’m grateful.
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Epic 10-day Sri Lanka Itinerary
Day 1 – Colombo
What To Do
Take an open prime double-decker bus tour of town.
You’ll study Colombo’s historical past, tradition and heritage while on this “city safari”.
The highlights of the tour embody Colombo Nationwide Museum, Colombo Lighthouse, Galle face inexperienced, Pettah Bazar, Independence sq., Floating Market, Cinnamon Backyard and the newly constructed Lotus tower.
On prime of that, snacks are offered in addition to contemporary coconuts (one of the best ways to start out your vacation in my view!).
After this, go to Gangarama Temple, one of many oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo.
Situated on the Beira Lake, house to dozens of pelicans, it’s simple to see why this lovely temple is probably the most visited within the metropolis.
High Suggestions
- If you wish to see town come alive, do the evening model of the bus tour which features a boat journey on Diyawanna Lake
- Put on white to the temple and costume modestly, protecting your knees and shoulders.
The place to Keep
The Kingsbury Colombo or the Galle Face Resort, each have nice buffets and beautiful swimming pools!
Day 2 – Habarana
What To Do
It’s time to see elephants within the wild!
Begin early and drive from Colombo to Habarana which is roughly – 185Km / 4 Hrs.
Relying on the time of yr, the elephants migrate between 3 areas, so be sure to e-book a day tour for the right Nationwide Park so that you don’t miss these majestic creatures.
I visited in February 2022 so did a 3 hour jeep safari in Hurulu Eco Park.
We noticed dozens of elephants together with infants throughout this time, and had been capable of get near them.
There are additionally loads of different animals discovered right here together with leopards, rusty-spotted cats, star tortoise, jungles fowl, parrots, hawks, water buffalo and peacocks.
Be aware: You could keep within the jeep always, however there is a chance to get out and stroll to the highest of a hill for a panoramic view of the eco park, I extremely counsel doing this.
High Suggestions
- Go to on a weekday when you can, we went on a Saturday and it was very busy with locals.
- Take a raincoat simply incase, we acquired hit by a 15 minute bathe that shortly cleared up and led to an exquisite double rainbow, however with an open jeep you need to be lined!
- Deliver 2 x 100 LKR as a tip in your driver and tracker
The place to Keep
I stayed on the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, that is the place I sampled considered one of Sri Lanka’s finest dishes, egg hoppers for the primary time and positively suggest them!
Day 3 and 4 – Sigiriya
What To Do
Drive 20 minutes from Habarana to Sigiriya. You may discover this space for the subsequent two days.
In that point, check out one of many many journey actions on supply equivalent to sizzling air ballooning and climbing.
My favorite exercise was climbing Sigiriya (Lion Rock).
This distinctive rock fortress or “citadel within the sky” is 600 ft above the bottom. The highest of the rock, homes ruins of a former royal palace, and offers lovely views of the encircling space.
You may spend half a day right here, nonetheless the climb up is simply 45 minutes so don’t fear about issue.
For locals the entry value is 50 Rupees and for foreigners the fee is 30 USD (5000 Rupees).
I’d additionally counsel climbing Pidurangala Rock, we didn’t have time to do that (this is the reason I counsel staying 2 days).
It’s situated simply reverse Sigiriya Rock fortress and offers a tremendous panoramic view of the world and the majestic palace.
The entry value is simply 500 LKR per particular person and also you don’t have to pre e-book simply pay once you arrive.
The hike is simply 30-45 minutes to the highest, and dawn is the proper time to climb up.
High Tips
- Hike within the morning earlier than it will get too sizzling, each hikes are comparatively quick so this must be doable for any health stage. Be aware: Sigiriya is open 7am until 5:30pm, and Pidurangala Rock is open 5am until 5pm.
- There are loads of monkeys discovered alongside the Sigiriya hike, they’re very playful and enjoyable to look at, however all the time watch out of your belongings (particularly meals!)
The place to Keep
Habarana could be very shut so you may stay at Cinnamon Lodge or possibly check out an superior treehouse in Sigiriya.
Day 5 and 6 – Knuckles Mountains
What To Do
Drive 3 hrs (110km) from Sigiriya to Rangala.
That is your likelihood to get away from the crowds and go to considered one of Sri Lanka’s finest hidden gems.
The Knuckles mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage website that options 34 peaks starting from 900m to 1900m, of which 5 have a placing resemblance to the knuckles of a clenched fist.
The Knuckles mountains are one of many finest locations for climbing inside Sri Lanka and embody lovely loads of trails such because the Excessive Knuckles Trek, Waterfall Trek, Heel Oya trek, Corbett’s Hole trek, and Burnside.
I counsel staying right here for two days so you may expertise a number of hikes.
Together with the Heel Oya trek, a full day hike which takes you thru tea estates, pine forests, terraced paddy fields, waterways, misty hills and even a waterfall you may swim in (convey a towel and swimwear).
The subsequent day you may attempt one of many different hikes on supply at Wild Glamping Knuckles together with the Excessive Knuckles Trek, Waterfall Trek, Corbett’s Hole trek, and Burnside.
High Suggestions
- Take waterproofs, and heat clothes, it’s a lot colder within the mountains than the remainder of Sri Lanka
- Deliver a head torch when you have one, hand torches are offered however handsfree is all the time simpler
- Alcohol is just not served right here, however you may convey a bottle or two from Sigiriya
The place to Keep
Keep on the wonderful Wild Glamping Knuckles resort.
This resort solely has a generator for just a few hours a day, so be ready to go off the grid, embrace the attractive environment and go away catching up in your emails for after this expertise.
Every glamping tent sleeps 2 and has a desk, wardrobe, and an ensuite lavatory with sizzling water.
Conventional Sri Lankan breakfast and lunch are served, and for dinner there’s a each day BBQ by candlelight.
This luxurious tent keep, was my favorite expertise in Sri Lanka, and is simply one of many finest causes for visiting Sri Lanka ASAP.
Day 7 – Nuwara Eliya
What To Do
Drive 3.5 hrs from Rangala to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya, nicknamed Little England, is a metropolis within the tea nation hills of central Sri Lanka.
It’s the finest place to go to a tea plantation and do a tea plucking tour or a manufacturing facility tour.
The town itself is house to British colonial-style buildings, an exquisite lake and a singular publish workplace.
High Suggestions
- Deliver heat clothes, Nuwara Eliya experiences cool and crisp evenings.
The place to Keep
Keep on the beautiful St.Andrew’s Resort, a historic resort with lovely widespread rooms and beautiful English model gardens.
Within the evenings, put the log fireplace on, and revel in a comfy evening in with a e-book or a glass of wine.
Day 8 and 9 – Mirissa
What To Do
Drive 6 hours (230 Km) from Nuwara Eliya to the Southern coast of Sri Lanka.
The primary cease is Mirissa, one of many hottest seashore locations in Sri Lanka.
It’s nice for many who get pleasure from browsing, snorkelling, swimming, crusing, fishing and scuba diving.
The primary day can be principally touring, however you may loosen up or do any of the above actions within the afternoon or night, or head over to the Ayurvie Weligama retreat and have an Ayurveda therapeutic massage (I can suggest their leg therapeutic massage!).
The subsequent morning you will want to get up early and go away at 6am to go whale watching.
Mirissa harbour is simply 10 minutes drive from the resort, and breakfast and lunch can be offered as a part of the whale watching crusing tour.
Mirissa is the best place for whale and dolphin watching between November and April.
You may spot sperm whales, killer whales, Bryde whales, quick finned whales, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and the elusive blue whale (the biggest mammal on the earth!).
We spent the morning onboard the boat, and noticed dozens of dolphins up shut and one child blue whale a number of occasions.
The crusing journey additionally included time to swim or paddle board, so be sure to convey a towel and swimming costume.
The tour finishes at round 2pm and you may both spend extra time in Mirissa having fun with the seashore or instantly switch 1.5 hrs to Bentota to benefit from the night there.
High Tip
- Go away early from Nuwara Eliya at round 7 or 8 am so you may arrive in Mirissa after lunch and have time to discover or loosen up by the seashore.
- Don’t overlook to convey your sunscreen and a hat onboard the crusing boat, you will want them!
The place to Keep
Keep on the Mandara Resort, this beachfront resort has an excellent pool, seashore bar and personal seashore space.
Day 10 – Bentota
What To Do
Bentota seashore is likely one of the most lovely seashores in Sri Lanka.
Within the morning you are able to do a river safari in Bentota Mangrove Lagoon.
Count on to see monitor lizards, river birds and jellyfish as you cruise alongside the tranquil waters.
Within the afternoon, attempt among the watersports on supply equivalent to crusing, windsurfing, parasailing, jet snowboarding or paramotoring.
If you wish to simply loosen up, then the pool on the Taj Bentota Spa and Resort can’t be crushed!
High Tip
The place to Keep
Keep on the Taj Bentota Resort and Spa, e-book dinner on the S.H.A.C.Okay seafood restaurant on the garden, and benefit from the many facilities on supply – that is the type of resort you don’t have to (or need to) go away!
That’s a wrap on this Sri Lanka 10 day Itinerary
That’s the tip of this superior itinerary for Sri Lanka for 10 days that’s good for wildlife, nature and out of doors journey lovers.
If you wish to embody extra historical past and tradition, take into account swapping the Knuckles Mountains for a few days in Kandy, the place you may see a conventional Kandyan dance present and go to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic or go to Anuradhapura if you wish to expertise Sri Lanka’s most vital archaeological website.
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