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Sri Lanka road trip
Visit Sri Lanka and enjoy a week and a half in the beautiful nature and explore the rich history, unique culture, and the most delicious food. The plan covers the west, south, and center of the island and contains all the important places you can catch in a 12-day journey. The package includes a journey plan with essential tips and tricks, advice on avoiding scams, guidance on best SIM card, and clarifying health concerns, but also the best hotels and restaurants during your trip. Enjoy!
Explore Colombo
Some people stay in Negombo after arrival as the airport is closer to Negombo, but there is not much to see and our recommendation is to drive directly to Colombo. As a first thing at the airport, buy a SIM card (Dialog is recommended as the best provider with great network coverage and amazing price compared to e-sims) and withdraw some cash directly at the lobby. If you have some time after your arrival, feel free to explore the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple (400 LKR) - it is one of the most important temples in Colombo. There you can also see the smallest Buddha statue on the island, encased in a glass box, whereby visitors can view it with a magnifying glass. Or you can take a walk along the Galle Face Green with nice views of the city. Another recently popular place to visit is the Lotus Tower which is the tallest tower in South Asia however it is a bit overpriced for the views and the tourist ticket is 20$. Be prepared for many people with advice for you, asking for money afterward, or trying to persuade you that there's a ceremony you can't miss leading you to a tourist trap. If you hear: "Today is your lucky day", most probably you are involved in a scam. 55TG Boutique Suites
If you're looking for a hotel, 55TG Boutique Suites is a nice, quiet, and green place with a delicious breakfast. It is a bit far from the city center, but taxis booked via Uber are affordable. There's AC in the room so there's no need to sleep with windows open, but there are quite big holes around doors, so beware of the mosquitos - especially during the rainy season. The prevalence of Dengue fever is higher in the Colombo area, so if you don't have a vaccination, use a mosquito repellent at all times. Galle - old colonial fortress
Hire a driver via Uber, that is the best way as you know the price before the trip. However, it might be tricky as due to the length of the trip you might wait a bit till someone accepts your request. A low-cost alternative to hiring Uber is to take the train, however, you will spend at least twice as much time traveling.
Galle is a beautiful place and we recommend staying at least for two days. Take a walk through the old city and the fortress, and explore cute streets with colonial buildings and shops with local products. The Galle Old Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the best-preserved colonial forts in Asia. It was inscribed as a UNESCO site in 1988. Inside the fort, you'll find the iconic Galle Lighthouse. It was originally built by the British in 1848 and is still in operation today, guiding ships into the Galle harbor.The Arch Restaurant
While in Galle, enjoy some local cuisine in a fancy way. The Arch stands proudly within Galle's ancient fort. They invite guests to join them and enjoy the plenty of offerings from their skilled team in both the kitchen and bar. Their menu is thoughtfully curated by their servers and chefs. One of the chefs mastered his skills at a Michelin restaurant in New York. Hotel Thaprobane Resort
Nice hotel with 2 pools (one is with salty water) and a delicious breakfast. It's rather old, some rooms might be a little bit worn out, and we got two broken hairdryers, however, the overall experience was positive. The hotel offers many activities - schedule a yoga class or a spa treatment for the next day at the reception. Spa treatment is around 2500 LKR per person. Unawatuna beach
Take a walk to Unawatuna Beach, or just find a nice spot and relax while watching the colorful surroundings. The bay is protected by a natural reef, making it safe for swimming and ideal for families. Alongside its natural beauty, Unawatuna offers a vibrant nightlife scene with beachfront bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood delicacies.The Bungalow Galle Fort restaurant
Cozy place with local food and a hipster vibe. It offers a diverse menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and traditional Sri Lankan flavors with a modern twist placed in the elegant ambiance of a colonial-era bungalow. You can watch the sunset in the fort near the lighthouse after the dinner. Safari in Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park has a population of 500 elephants and other species like peacocks, white monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and does. You'll need at least 3-4 hours to see the elephant based on the weather and conditions. Usually, guides plan these trips for early morning or afternoon as during the day there is a minimal chance of spotting any animals due to high temperatures. Entry fee was 3000 LKR($9), Jeep and guide: 13,000 LKR. And a small recommendation: don’t eat a lot, the road is unpaved and you could feel sick after. You can choose from many safari offerings, we had it arranged via our accommodation owners at Jungle Edge Bungalow.
Home stay & home cooking experience at Jungle Edge Bungalow
Staying in a homestay offers you a more intimate and authentic experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture and lifestyle. Accommodation is very simple but provides all you need and the owners are very kind. You can try a cooking session with locals to see how they prepare their lifelong food - rice and curry made with hand-grown rice and fresh ingredients. Interested in how coconut milk is made? Do not miss the opportunity.Rawana waterfall
Enjoy the views on your journey to Ella and visit the widest waterfall with 25m height which is massive, especially in the rainy season. Some people take a bath, but it’s forbidden. Be careful because stones are slippery and wet. It’s close to the road, so you won’t spend more than 15 minutes.Ravana Mega Zip Line from Little Adam’s Peak
Enjoy the thrilling adventure with a scenic view on the longest zipline in Sri Lanka. The station is right on the way to Little Adam’s Peak. Don’t worry, you don’t need anything. You’ll get straps, helmets, and short instructions and you can keep your belongings in the locker. If interested, you can get a GoPro on a selfie stick to record your grimace. Costs 9600LKR with an additional 2000LKR for GoPro.Walk on Little Adam’s peak
Get to the starting point close to Dreamy Stay Ella Hotel. From the starting point, you can hire a tuk-tuk for half of the way up for 500LKR, but it’s a walking distance, not only from the starting point (1.3km - 124m elev.) but also from Ella (2.5km ~ 1h).Lunch at Cafe Chill
One of the best restaurants in Ella can serve you Curry Rice wrapped in banana leaves along with many tasty Sri Lankan, but also European foods. Fun fact: the restaurant fed and sheltered tourists that stranded on an island because of COVID-19 for free.Nine Arch Bridge
It's recommended to get there in the morning, around 9 AM as later it gets more crowded. Get to the starting point (parking place) and take a tuk-tuk or as we recommend, a short walk to the railway bridge to explore architectural beauty and admire lush greenery. Trains pass the bridge about 6 times a day. Make sure to check out the current train schedule with locals to capture people hanging out of the train, but most taxi guides cover that for you. The scheduled times for the famous Sri Lankan train journey are very rough, and a lot of the time it can be late.Take a train from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy stunning views of nature, tea plantations, and old villages. You’ll go through the highest train station - Pattipola railway station in Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,897.5 m. The tourist version - Ella Odyssey - runs on Saturdays only and also stops by the main tourist attractions to take a picture. The observation train we recommend runs every day at 11:11 a.m. Get off at Nanu Oya station and travel to Nuwara Eliya by taxi or with your driver. If you wish to travel by another day, check the timetable. Tickets can be bought at the train station directly - for daily express trains, ask for the observation wagon and it costs around 10 $ per person. Despite the short ride, these trains are quite slow and might have delays so count with 3 hours for a journey at least. Labookellie Tea Lounge - Tea Factory, plantation, and shop
After getting to Nuwara Eliya in the afternoon (around 2 p.m.) - drive to Damro Tea factory. All in one. You will get a short free tour of the factory to learn how to lucking fresh tea leaves, withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and sorting, producing world-renowned Ceylon tea. Enjoy tasting a tea for free and then buy the tea as a souvenir from the shop. Costs from 1100LKR to 14000LKR for Gold special tea.Lover’s Leap Waterfall viewpoint
Enjoy the view from the road’s viewpoint. If you want to explore more, hire a tuk-tuk or a guide to get closer.Gregory lake
After the check-out from the hotel, enjoy (usually) the misty morning and take a short walk on the beautiful lake’s shore, or enjoy a boat ride or jet ski in the heart of the tea country hill city, Nuwara Eliya. You can make a loop walk and see temples, tea plantations, horses, cows and a lot of flowers. The entry fee is 300LKR.Victoria Park
Visit the charming public park from the British Colonial era, est. in 1897. With a wide array of plants and trees, including roses, rhododendrons, and numerous species of birds, Victoria Park provides a delightful setting for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. You'll most probably meet Tony, the gardening manager, who is the smartest guy in the garden. He’ll explain every single species and know each plant’s name in 7 languages. The entrance fee to the park is 300 LKR pe person.Punsisi Resort - Adam's Peak
If you want to hike to the Adam's Peak for sunrise, the best option is to stay directly in the village Dalhousie (Nallathanniya). Driving here from Nuwara Eliya is long and painful - the road is in terrible condition. As the place is not very touristy, the village doesn't have any fancy hotels. If you prefer higher standards of accommodation, stay at least in Hatton, however, it’s far from the Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) start route and you have to count on more than an hour of driving. Te Dalhousie village is small, out of season also very quiet and a bit creepy, but definitely worth seeing. There are a few small shops and restaurants where you can buy some snacks for a hike.Hike to Adam’s peak (Srà Pada)
Climb the 3rd highest peak in Sri Lanka early morning around 2:30 am to be at the summit before sunrise at 6 am. Don’t forget to bring water, some food, but also warm hiking clothes and a waterproof jacket. Be aware of leeches that can suck the blood(mostly around ankles) through the socks. They are mainly active during the rain. If you climb the peak out of the main season, the temple area on the top is closed, also no shops with snacks are open along the route. On the other hand, you’ll likely have a much less crowded climb with only a few tourists.
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
Kandy is a busy place. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka and now it is known as nation's cultural capital. Visit one of the most important temples in Sri Lanka. This revered UNESCO World Heritage site cradles an ancient relic, believed to be a tooth of Lord Buddha himself. You can enter the place without your shoes only. If you would like to experience it with locals, there are 3 ceremonies per day (05:30 h, 09:30h, and 18:30h) and this is your chance to have a look at the golden relic holder for the sacred tooth of Buddha. Entrance fee is 2000 LKR per person and you won't probably spend more than 2 hours there.Senani Hotel
Hotel has a nice view on the Kandy and the lake in the city center. It is very well equipped and has also an outdoor swimming pool. Royal Botanical Garden
To visit the botanical garden you have to drive to Peradeniya. It should take around 30 minutes to get there, but the traffic in Kandy can be tricky with its traffic jams. Visit the largest 600-year-old botanical garden in Sri Lanka that attracts more than 2M visitors annually and see more than 4000 species of plants like orchids, spices, palm trees, mambos, ficus, etc. Don't get scared, large bats are hanging on the trees. Entrance fee is 3000 LKR per person.Regent Spice Garden
Get a helpful presentation about a unique spicy garden and its different smells of spices like curry leaves, santal wood, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You’ll get served by tasty hot cocoa drink and a short head and neck massage free of charge. Of course, you can buy oils, powders, and balsams in a shop for an affordable price. Especially we recommend local cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa. Be careful with cosmetic products without the proper information if you are sensitive. Even if it’s natural, it can cause irritation as the concentrations are often quite high. Also, despite the staff being very friendly and helpful, they will try to make as much money as possible if you visit. Don’t be afraid to say no to some products or ask for a discount if you decide to buy something. The entrance to the garden is free.Get massage at Thrimal Ayurvedic Treatment Center
Try real Ayurvedic treatments like full body oil massage, steam bed with leaves, or third eye treatment alias oil dripping on your forehead (shirodhara) as a relief from migraine. You'll be checked and interviewed by Ayurvedic doctor in the beginning, it takes a few minutes, then you'll choose your treatment. This place is a hidden gem, very nice, amazing people, not too touristy and also the price is good. Reserve your massage in advance and wear clothes that can get dirty from oil. Price for a massage and steam bath is 35$ per person.
Oak Ray Elephant Lake Hotel
This is your final destination for the following activities and great starting point for Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya Rock. The resort is in good shape and has clean and fancy deluxe rooms with baths, AC, and easy access to a huge nearby pool and restaurant that serves all day.Hike the Sigiriya Lion Rock
Wake up around 5 a.m. for one of the most spectacular sunrises (and also experience the place with less crowds and heat). Prepare to be awe-inspired by the breathtaking fortress of Sigiriya, a true wonder of ancient engineering and artistry. This unique 200m magma-made ancient rock fortress is one of the island’s highlights and is also a UNESCO heritage. At the summit, discover the ruins of an ancient palace that once housed a mighty king. The panoramic views from the top are nothing short of spectacular, offering a vista of lush forests and serene lakes that stretch as far as the eye can see. You’ll have a view of one of the oldest gardens in the world showcasing early urban planning. Climb is not really difficult if you are a healthy person and most probably you'll be up in an hour or less. Entrance fee is 30$ and you have to buy your ticket at the ticket office not at the entrance. Polonnaruwa
Step into the ancient pages of history and wander through the mesmerizing ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's majestic archaeological site. This UNESCO World Heritage treasure invites you to explore the remnants of a glorious kingdom that once reigned supreme. Usually, it's an all-day trip, visitors rent bikes or walk around the area. However, if temperatures are above 35°C, consider taking a driver to help you move between the sites and temples and you still get your dose of walk wandering around the ruins. Bottled water is accessible around the place along with king coconuts. Entrance fee is 25$ per person. Dambula Cave Temple and Golden Temple
Visit the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka with frescoes and 153 Buddha statues from the 1st century BC. The complex is situated on top of the hill and you have to take quite a few stairs to get there, so don't forget to bring some water with you. You can enter the complex with bare feet only and you have to left the shoes in the boxes for a small charge. Ask about the price before you store the shoes there to avoid any surprise later. Entrance fee is 1500 LKR per person. 
