Located in the Indian Ocean is the small country and island known as Sri Lanka. The country is a lot like India, mainly because it is located just off the southeast tip of India. Most of the tourist travelling from India only see Sri Lanka over a couple hours, usually while waiting for their connecting flight to Bangkok or Columbia.
However, Sri Lanka is a country that shouldn’t be visited over the waiting time of a connecting flight. I spent three hours in Sri Lanka and I knew I needed to make my trip a little longer because there are so many things I needed to do and things to see that I can’t all get my hands dirty in merely 3 hours. You might have seen the beautiful country on social media as the Sri Lankan beaches are quite known for being picturesque.
Therefore, if you are looking to travel to Asia, Sri Lanka is a must-stop. The country is perfect for a brief and economical vacation. If you are looking for cheap flights, you can search and book DWT discounted flights as they have a spring discount going on which is great because Sri Lanka looks exquisite in springtime.
A little About Sri Lanka
The island nation is a beautiful country filled with stunning nature, rainforest, arid plains, highlands, sandy beaches, wildlife, delicious food and most importantly, the lovely and friendly Sri Lankan people.
The country is most famous for its ancient Buddhist ruins, especially the majestic 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes. Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, Anuradhapura also has a number of ruins dating back more than 2,000 years.
So, if you are ready to make a trip for a whole week to the fascinating city of Sri Lanka, here are what we think are the highlights of any trip to Si Lanka. Filled with the best and must-visit places which include stunning temples, captivating history, local markets, sandy beaches and sparkling cities of Sri Lanka, this is our suggested Sri Lanka itinerary. We want to make sure you see the best and have fun sightseeing, eating and drinking in Sri Lanka!
One Week Sri Lanka Itinerary
Day 1
After landing in Colombo, settle down as early as possible in your hotel so you can start exploring the capital city which looks exquisite at night. Start with checking the colonial-style buildings, like the Old City Hall and Dutch Period Museum. Inside the Museum is also the Dutch Hospital building. From there, you can head out to the Viharamahadevi Park. Stroll down the park and you will see its flowering trees. Now you know why spring is an important time in the country.
You can also walk around the streets of Colombo and check out the local shops and try some local foods there. Head to the Galle Face Green on the promenade where you can try amazing street food, or dine at one of those fancy restaurants or a small local café.
Day 2
You next destination is Kandy. On your way, you will see the most important and famous tourist attraction in the country; the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The Orphanage is only a two and half hour drive from the capital city, which means you take to enjoy your road trip sceneries when you head out early in the morning. The Orphanage has caretakers and volunteers who take care of orphaned, abandoned and injured elephants. You can spend the whole day here, watch them get fed or take a walk to the river and bathe and play.
From there, you can head to the Ceylon Tea Museum and then the World Buddhism Museum. Then you can check out the Kandy Lake and enjoy an amazing sunset there.
Day 3
There are so many beautiful things still left to check out in the picturesque city Kandy. Getting down to the city amidst the hill, you will understand why it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start exploring the city by heading to the world-famous Temple of Tooth Relic, known locally as DaladaMaligawa. The sacred Buddhist place is home to a tooth of Buddha, which is what it’s named after.
Next, head to the Gem Museum, where you will admire the true richness of Sri Lanka. You can also buy souvenirs and precious stones semi-precious gems, especially Sri Lankan sapphires which are quite a thing here. To understand Sri Lanka’s rich culture, witness a traditional Kandyan dance performance at the Kandy Lake Club in the evening.
Day 4
Today, you are on your way to NuwaraEliya. This classy place is often called the ‘England of Sri Lanka’ and for the right reasons. The beautiful and picture-perfect city is home to the Sri Baktha Hanuman temple. It is only one and a half hours away from Kandy and stands on the hills of Ramboda. This place is known as the search ground of Hanuman for Sita. If you head here at night of a full moon, you can check out the special poojas conducted here.
Next, head to the Seetha Amman Temple in the village. This is where Sita is believed to have bathed in the stream that runs from the hill at the village SitaEliya. The temple is only recently built in the name of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman. You can also see the footprints that are said to be Lord Hanuman’s.
In NuwaraEliya city, you can check-in to your hotel from where you will get to the Gayathri Pedam. This is where King Ravana’s son Meghnad was granted supernatural powers by Lord Shiva.
Day 5
On your last day, head back to Colombo and board your flight back home. There you can check out the other interesting things in the city which you couldn’t on the first day, such as shopping for batik and other handicrafts at Laksala or tea from the Dilmah Tea Outlet at Crescent Boulevard.
