If you’re enthusiastic about visiting Sri Lanka, you’ll want an epic itinerary that may permit you to 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 how one can benefit from 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 National vacationer board. As all the time, all phrases and opinions are my very own. This article might include affiliate hyperlinks. If you buy by way of these hyperlinks, I could earn a small fee at no extra price to your self. This helps in 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 high double-decker bus tour of town.
You’ll find out about Colombo’s historical past, tradition and heritage while on this “urban safari”.
The highlights of the tour embrace Colombo National Museum, Colombo Lighthouse, Galle face inexperienced, Pettah Bazar, Independence sq., Floating Market, Cinnamon Garden and the newly constructed Lotus tower.
On high of that, snacks are offered in addition to recent coconuts (one of the simplest ways to start out your vacation in my view!).
After this, go to Gangarama Temple, one of many oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo.
Located on the Beira Lake, residence to dozens of pelicans, it’s straightforward to see why this lovely temple is probably the most visited within the metropolis.
Top Tips
- If you wish to see town come alive, do the evening model of the bus tour which features a boat journey on Diyawanna Lake
- Wear white to the temple and gown modestly, protecting your knees and shoulders.
Where to Stay
The Kingsbury Colombo or the Galle Face Hotel, each have nice buffets and gorgeous swimming pools!
Day 2 – Habarana
What To Do
It’s time to see elephants within the wild!
Start early and drive from Colombo to Habarana which is roughly – 185Km / 4 Hrs.
Depending on the time of 12 months, the elephants migrate between 3 areas, so be sure to e book a day tour for the appropriate National 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 have been in a position to 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.
Note: You should 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 recommend doing this.
Top Tips
- Visit on a weekday when you can, we went on a Saturday and it was very busy with locals.
- Take a raincoat simply incase, we bought hit by a 15 minute bathe that shortly cleared up and led to an attractive double rainbow, however with an open jeep you wish to be lined!
- Bring 2 x 100 LKR as a tip to your driver and tracker
Where to Stay
I stayed on the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, that is the place I sampled considered one of Sri Lanka’s greatest dishes, egg hoppers for the primary time and positively advocate them!
Day 3 and 4 – Sigiriya
What To Do
Drive 20 minutes from Habarana to Sigiriya. You can discover this space for the following two days.
In that point, check out one of many many journey actions on provide equivalent to scorching air ballooning and mountaineering.
My favorite exercise was climbing Sigiriya (Lion Rock).
This distinctive rock fortress or “castle in the sky” is 600 ft above the bottom. The high of the rock, homes ruins of a former royal palace, and offers lovely views of the encircling space.
You can spend half a day right here, nevertheless the climb up is just 45 minutes so don’t fear about problem.
For locals the entry price is 50 Rupees and for foreigners the fee is 30 USD (5000 Rupees).
I’d additionally recommend climbing Pidurangala Rock, we didn’t have time to do that (because of this I recommend staying 2 days).
It is positioned simply reverse Sigiriya Rock fortress and offers a tremendous panoramic view of the realm and the majestic palace.
The entry price is just 500 LKR per particular person and also you don’t have to pre e book simply pay if you arrive.
The hike is just 30-45 minutes to the highest, and dawn is the right time to climb up.
Top Tips
- Hike within the morning earlier than it will get too scorching, each hikes are comparatively brief so this needs to be doable for any health degree. Note: Sigiriya is open 7am until 5:30pm, and Pidurangala Rock is open 5am until 5pm.
- There are a variety of monkeys discovered alongside the Sigiriya hike, they’re very playful and enjoyable to observe, however all the time watch out of your belongings (particularly meals!)
Where to Stay
Habarana may be very shut so you’ll be able to stay at Cinnamon Lodge or perhaps check out an superior treehouse in Sigiriya.
Day 5 and 6 – Knuckles Mountains
What To Do
Drive 3 hrs (110km) from Sigiriya to Rangala.
This is your probability to get away from the crowds and go to considered one of Sri Lanka’s greatest 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 hanging resemblance to the knuckles of a clenched fist.
The Knuckles mountains are one of many greatest locations for mountaineering inside Sri Lanka and embrace lovely loads of trails such because the High Knuckles Trek, Waterfall Trek, Heel Oya trek, Corbett’s Gap trek, and Burnside.
I recommend staying right here for two days so you’ll be able to expertise a number of hikes.
Including 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’ll be able to swim in (convey a towel and swimwear).
The subsequent day you’ll be able to attempt one of many different hikes on provide at Wild Glamping Knuckles together with the High Knuckles Trek, Waterfall Trek, Corbett’s Gap trek, and Burnside.
Top Tips
- Take waterproofs, and heat clothes, it’s a lot colder within the mountains than the remainder of Sri Lanka
- Bring a head torch you probably have one, hand torches are offered however handsfree is all the time simpler
- Alcohol shouldn’t be served right here, however you’ll be able to convey a bottle or two from Sigiriya
Where to Stay
Stay on the superb 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 depart catching up in your emails for after this expertise.
Each glamping tent sleeps 2 and has a desk, wardrobe, and an ensuite lavatory with scorching water.
Traditional Sri Lankan breakfast and lunch are served, and for dinner there’s a every day BBQ by candlelight.
This luxurious tent keep, was my favorite expertise in Sri Lanka, and is simply one of many greatest 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 is the perfect place to go to a tea plantation and do a tea plucking tour or a manufacturing unit tour.
The metropolis itself is residence to British colonial-style buildings, an attractive lake and a singular publish workplace.
Top Tips
- Bring heat clothes, Nuwara Eliya experiences cool and crisp evenings.
Where to Stay
Stay on the gorgeous St.Andrew’s Hotel, a historic resort with lovely widespread rooms and beautiful English model gardens.
In 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 first cease is Mirissa, one of many hottest seaside locations in Sri Lanka.
It is nice for individuals who take pleasure in browsing, snorkelling, swimming, crusing, fishing and scuba diving.
The first day might be largely touring, however you’ll be able to chill out 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 advocate their leg therapeutic massage!).
The subsequent morning you’ll need to get up early and depart at 6am to go whale watching.
Mirissa harbour is just 10 minutes drive from the resort, and breakfast and lunch might 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 can spot sperm whales, killer whales, Bryde whales, brief finned whales, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and the elusive blue whale (the biggest mammal on the planet!).
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’ll both spend extra time in Mirissa having fun with the seaside or instantly switch 1.5 hrs to Bentota to benefit from the night there.
Top Tip
- Leave early from Nuwara Eliya at round 7 or 8 am so you’ll be able to arrive in Mirissa after lunch and have time to discover or chill out by the seaside.
- Don’t neglect to convey your sunscreen and a hat onboard the crusing boat, you’ll need them!
Where to Stay
Stay on the Mandara Resort, this beachfront resort has an awesome pool, seaside bar and personal seaside space.
Day 10 – Bentota
What To Do
Bentota seaside is likely one of the most lovely seashores in Sri Lanka.
In the morning you are able to do a river safari in Bentota Mangrove Lagoon.
Expect to see monitor lizards, river birds and jellyfish as you cruise alongside the tranquil waters.
In the afternoon, attempt among the watersports on provide equivalent to crusing, windsurfing, parasailing, jet snowboarding or paramotoring.
If you wish to simply chill out, then the pool on the Taj Bentota Spa and Resort can’t be crushed!
Top Tip
Where to Stay
Stay on the Taj Bentota Resort and Spa, e book dinner on the S.H.A.C.Ok seafood restaurant on the garden, and benefit from the many facilities on provide – that is the form of resort you don’t have to (or wish to) depart!
That’s a wrap on this Sri Lanka 10 day Itinerary
That’s the top of this superior itinerary for Sri Lanka for 10 days that’s excellent for wildlife, nature and outside journey lovers.
If you wish to embrace extra historical past and tradition, contemplate swapping the Knuckles Mountains for a few days in Kandy, the place you’ll be able to 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 necessary archaeological website.
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