A month or longer is not necessary to fully enjoy Sri Lanka's captivating charms. Actually, you can see almost all of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic temples, and fantastic outdoor adventure activities like cycling, kayaking, and more with a 20-day plan.
You're in for an incredible experience and destination! Find out what this 20-day itinerary for Sri Lanka has in store for you by reading on.
Our driver meets you at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport and drives you directly to your Negombo hotel. Negombo is the perfect place to pause and unwind before beginning your exploration of the remainder of Sri Lanka because it is close to the airport.
Following some downtime, you will visit the Negombo beach area, which offers a beach park, mouthwatering cuisine, and top-notch beverages. Additionally, you will have the chance to socialize with new people and truly experience the locals' friendliness and culture.
Following breakfast, you will visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, also known as the Millennium Elephant Foundation, which offers visitors a close-up safari experience by observing elephants as they roam, graze, and forage on a 15-acre coconut estate.
The Millennium Elephant Foundation offers three services to visitors: a one-day volunteer program, a long-term volunteer opportunity, and an elephant walk experience.
You will be driven to Kandy and lodged in a hotel in the afternoon.You will be taken to The Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance Show, an exciting display of Sri Lankan arts, dance, and cultural heritage, at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Following breakfast, you will embark on a city tour of Kandy, stopping at sites such as the Kandy Garrison Cemetery, the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya, and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
After that, you'll head back to your hotel.
You will be driven to Dambulla after breakfast to visit the Royal Cave Temple, a revered pilgrimage destination for 22 centuries. Gautama Buddha and his life are portrayed in statues and paintings.
During the afternoon, you will hike and ascend to the summit of Sigiriya Rock or Pidurangala Rock.
You will then head back to your hotel and make your overnight accommodations.
Visit the ancient Mihintale Rock Steps in Sri Lanka after breakfast. The Mihintale rock has 1,840 steps that lead up to an ancient stairway.
A journey to Anuradhapura, one of the historic capital cities, will round up the day. You'll check into your hotel there and unwind for the night.
Following breakfast, you will go on a city tour of Anuradhapura, visiting eight holy locations, including Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Isurumuniya Temple, Ruwanwelisaya, and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
A journey to the harbor city of Trincomalee will round up the day. You will spend the night there, check into a hotel, and unwind on the beach.
Following breakfast, you will travel Trincomalee, making a stop at Koneswaram Temple, a well-known spot to see blue whales from the Swami Rock cliff.
You will then go to the Trincomalee War Cemetery, which has 303 graves of troops who died during World War II and members of the British Empire.
After that, you will go to the Kanniya Hot Springs and Fort Frederick, the only stone fort constructed by a colony during the French and Indian War.
You will be driven to Pasikuda, a seaside resort town with a horseshoe-shaped bay, crystal-clear waters, and an infinite stretch of sandy beaches, following breakfast. After that, you will be driven to Marble Beach and Kalkudah Beach, which are both a short distance from Pasikuda.
You will unwind and spend the night in Passikudah Beach in the evening.
You will be driven to Nuwara Eliya after breakfast, where you can take in the beauty of the little lakes and picnic areas in Victoria Park. With so many different species to choose from, the park is also a fantastic spot for birdwatchers.
After that, you'll visit Gregory Lake to take in the refreshing weather and stroll around the lake. You'll also get the opportunity to take a boat and pony ride.
You will settle into a hotel in Nuwara Eliya and spend the night there.
Bring a breakfast pack and start your day early to explore Horton Plains National Park. Attractions including wildlife, mountains, and thick woods can be found there.
You then head back to the hotel to unwind till the afternoon.
Additional sites, including as the Pedro Tea Factory, Lover's Leap Falls, and Seetha Amman Kovil, will be open in the afternoon.
You will be driven back to your accommodation in Nuwara Eliya at the end of the excursion.
You will take a train from Nuwara Eliya (Nanu Oya to Ella) after breakfast. When the ride is over, the driver will drop you off at the Ella station.
You will eat lunch at Cafe Chill in Ella town, which offers delectable regional and international fare. Excellent food, strong WiFi, plus a very nice and informed staff make this restaurant a real hangout.
You will have a tour of Ella in the afternoon, making stops at Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arches Bridge.
Following breakfast, you will journey to Yala, making stops to see well-known tourist destinations such the Ravana Waterfall.
You will reach Yala in the afternoon, settle into your hotel, and spend the night resting.
In Yala National Park, a full-day jeep safari will start early in the morning in a 4x4 jeep car fitted with a safari tracker. Around 05:30 is when this safari will start, and it will stop around 6:00.
Following breakfast, you will go to the historic temple of Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara and the Tissa Wewa reservoir.
The journey will end with a drive to Tangalle, where you may sample buffalo milk curd, a typical yogurt made from water buffalo milk.
Before your trip the following day, you will spend some time at the beach after checking into a hotel in Tangalle.
You will be at the beach all day on this particular day. You may explore the Parewella Natural Swimming Area, take a leisurely stroll along the stunning beaches, eat at some of the best restaurants in the area, and spend some time at Tangalle Lighthouse learning about the history of the area.
Following breakfast, you will go to Mirissa to witness the breathtaking Parrot Rock Bridge and Coconut Tree Hill.
After that, you'll enjoy a delectable seafood meal and spend the remainder of the day lounging on the beach.
You will start a 4-hour whale-watching cruise in Mirissa after breakfast.
After that, you will travel to Galle, where you will see fascinating locations including the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Galle Fort, and Galle Fort Lighthouse.
You will be taken to Hikkaduwa and check into a hotel at the end of the tour.
You will spend some time at the beach in the evening.
You will be taken to Bentota for the Madu Ganga River Safari following breakfast. With the Madu Ganga River Safari, you may discover the ecosystem of the area while exploring the hidden passageways through mangrove woods. Additionally, you can engage in water sports like kayaking and others.
After that, you will visit the well-known Bentota Turtle Hatchery to observe and learn about endangered turtle species, such as the Leatherback and Olive Ridley.
Following breakfast, you will embark on a city tour of Colombo, which will include visits to the Colombo National Museum, the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, Galle Face Green, and One Galle Face Mall.
The tour will thereafter come to a conclusion when you get back to your hotel in Colombo.
Transfer to the airport in accordance with the flight time from Colombo to get ready to depart.