Amazing Sri Lanka – How To Experience The Full Enchilada!
When I worked in Bangkok, I had a colleague from Mexico who was fantastic at selling guided round trips through Asia to female backpackers. He had this charming Spanish accent, luring his bait in with a few days of Asia travel and then hitting them with the longest possible trip, covering at least 4 countries. He would always end in a big sales crescendo saying: "YOU WANT THE FULL ENCHILADA"! And that's what you want when travelling through Sri Lanka for the first time! Go for the proverbial full enchilada, experiencing the best Sri Lanka has to offer. And you don't even have to rush thanks to the island's relatively small size! How? Well, let's take a closer look at the perfect first-time itinerary for Sri Lanka!
As described in our latest article ‘The Best 5 Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka“, this small island nation offers an incredible array of diverse landscapes and mesmerizing culture. Sri Lanka makes for a perfect travel destination with so many unique places and things to discover. Today we are looking at our first travel itinerary suggestion for your perfect Sri Lanka trip.
If you like what you see but you don’t want to organise it yourself – contact us! We are happy to do it for you!
Let’s have a look at what I would call the perfect route for beginners because it covers all the big highlights Sri Lanka has to offer.
Obviously, this is one of the most popular tourist routes on the island and you wouldn’t be the first or the only one to discover these parts of Sri Lanka. But there are plenty of options to make this trip as individual as you like. Sometimes people forget that the highlights are highlights for a reason. They are simply incredible and a unique experience you shouldn’t miss. Don’t let your need to travel off the beaten tourist path keep you from enjoying the highlights. You can still do it your own way by staying in less touristy places, in accommodation that differs from your mainstream hotel. Also, find activities that might veer from the usual and show you possibly a different side to the area.
It is a stunning route so let’s get started without further ado!
Colombo
With Bandaranaike International Airport as the hub to get to Sri Lanka, Colombo would be the start and endpoint of your Sri Lanka trip. Sri Lankan Airlines connects most major cities worldwide with Colombo as do all major Middle Eastern carriers like Qatar, Emirates and Etihad. The easiest way to find the best connections and lowest rates from your home airport to Colombo is through Trip.com.
As I mentioned before, Colombo was a big surprise to me. I was under the impression that I would be thrown into absolute chaos and was positively surprised when I arrived. It was much more organised than expected with many beautiful historical buildings. Colombo definitely deserves at least a full day of discovery! Take a stroll at the Galle Face Green beach promenade and explore the historical/commercial area around the Dutch Hospital. Dive a bit deeper into the history of Sri Lanka by visiting the National Museum and take a stroll through Viharamahadevi Park. You can easily take a tuk-tuk and explore everything yourself. I would, however, recommend booking an easy half-day city tour to get a bit of an introduction to Colombo and learn more about its history. It is always a good first overview which makes exploring on your own afterwards so much easier. Again, Trip.com is the easiest way to book a day trip, especially if you are already on the ground.
After the organised exploration, I also urge you to set out on foot without much of a plan. You always end up having the best adventures getting lost in the streets, trying some local street food and just being open to what you might find. Live a little and throw yourself into the street life.Again
TIP:
If you, however, really want to get to know people and their culture, join a food tour or a cooking class. Nothing brings you closer to a new place than learning about people’s food and customs. You don’t need to be a foodie or a passionate home cook to do these activities. It’s a lot of fun, you get to know your host country plus you get to try some local delicacies!
Kandy
A must-visit for every first-timer to Sri Lanka. Located in the mountainous central highlands of Sri Lanka, Kandy lies about 140 km inland from Colombo. Beautifully draped around a man-made lake in the city centre and surrounded by lush green hills, Kandy is famous for sacred Buddhist sites. The most important one is the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It is a place of great cultural and historical relevance for Sri Lanka and should definitely be on your list of places to visit. The relic is supposedly the canine tooth of Buddha and is kept with utmost care and security. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy. The entire complex is a very interesting place to discover, not least because of the stuffed remains of Raja, the famous royal elephant. Raja was part of the annual Esala procession for over 50 years, the sacred casket bearer and generally one of the most celebrated elephants in Asia. In 1986 he was declared a national treasure in recognition of his services to the religion and culture of Sri Lanka. When Raja passed away in 1988 his stuffed remains were placed in an especially dedicated museum on the palace grounds.
Tip:
When you visit the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic you will have to dress modestly. That means you are not allowed to enter with shorts or a sleeveless top. If you have a sarong, bring it along to cover yourself. Alternatively, you would have to rent a sarong to enter the temple.
Kandy is a lovely little town and a great place to explore on foot. It’s easy to take a walk around the lake, explore the little backstreets and restaurants or visit the impressive Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue which towers over the town. Spend a little time in Kandy and plan some extra time to do a day trip to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress or even an overnight experience.
Tip:
Travel from Colombo to Kandy by train! It is not the fastest way, but it is a beautiful and relaxed way to enjoy the countryside! Tickets are cheap and it’s a great, once-in-a-lifetime experience! Don’t miss out on it!
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya is without a doubt one of the most impressive places I have ever been to! Sigiriya lies about 90 km north of Kandy, about a 2.5-hour drive one way. Visiting this unique sight is definitely worth the time and the effort to get there. This enormous single rock sticks about 200 metres out of the flat green landscape. The palace complex has been built in the 5th century by orders of King Kasyapa. Amazingly, today you’ll still find the remnants of the palace, an extensive network of fortifications, gardens, ponds, alleys and fountains on top of the rock. Truly unbelievable! If you climb the 1200 steps up to the top you’ll have the chance to marvel at this significant historical wonder as well as the stunning views! It is well worth a visit!
Tip:
If you have enough time on your hands spend the night in the area! There are many nice local guest houses and hotels, many with great views of the rock! Take it slowly and enjoy a relaxed afternoon after scaling up the rock. It is a physically challenging visit because it’s a lot of steps and it is HOT! So, take it slowly and make the most of your visit!
Ella
Taking the train from Kandy to Ella is a must! If you are on Instagram you must have seen thousands of pictures of so-called influencers hanging out of a moving train surrounded by tea plantations. Now that the influencers are done with it, your time has come! It is a fantastic, yet long day! The train ride takes about 8 – 9 hours past lush jungles, small villages and hilly tea plantations. Being on a train, you have time to relax and take it all in. When was the last time you simply looked out of the window watching the world go by? Use the time to read a good book, listen to a podcast and most importantly enjoy the ride.
TIP:
Take some snacks with you, because it’s a long day. In case you don’t have time, there are vendors on the train selling some local snacks. I do remember the samosas being absolutely delicious and dirt cheap! Nevertheless, I do recommend taking some provisions with you.
The small mountain town of Ella is just charming. It somehow reminded me of a type of ski resort town, just in a tropical setting without the snow! The main road is lined with rustic hotels, bars and restaurants while the town is surrounded by some impressive mountain ranges. The area is perfect for hiking and exploring on foot. You shouldn’t miss the Nine Arch Bridge, the Rawana Waterfalls and of course, Little Adams Peak!
Another MUST when in Ella is visiting a working tea plantation. We opted for Amba Estate, a small scale organic farm, which only sells small quantities of high-quality tea to selected buyers. It was an interesting and memorable experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The farm manager told us all about the history of the estate, but also about tea production in Sri Lanka. We had a good look around all parts of the tea production process and finished our visit off with a tea tasting. If you really want to treat yourself you can even stay for a few nights on the estate.
Udawalawa
From the cool, lofty heights of Ella, you travel down again to the flat and humid lowlands of Sri Lanka. You’ll find two of Sri Lanka’s most famous National Parks located closely together and just a stone’s throw away from the coast. The perfect stopover before you hit the beaches.
Who would have thought that such a small place like Sri Lanka has some great wildlife experiences on offer? Udawalawa National Park and Yala National Park both offer great safari experiences you shouldn’t miss out on when you are in the area. I do believe choosing a really nice lodge close to the park is key to an enjoyable experience. There are plenty around and on offer for all budgets, big or small! The choice is yours.
If you have been on an African safari, you know the concept. A local ranger takes you in a safari vehicle through the park, hoping for some exciting wildlife sightings. The animals you can expect here are Asian elephants, buffalo, deer, wild boars, reptiles and surprisingly many peacocks! Take a few hours to explore the wildlife with your ranger and enjoy nature!
While it is a lovely experience, Sri Lanka is not Africa. Driving through Udawalawa or Yala is simply not the same as the Serengeti or Kruger National Park. The animals are not the same, neither is the size of the national parks. Please, adjust your expectations accordingly! Personally, I believe one game drive and one, maybe two nights in one of the surrounding lodges is a great experience, but sufficient!
Mirissa
Time to get to the coast and get your swimmers on! Now, the coast is where you can really pick and choose what you like. I have stayed at several little places along the southern coast – in Tangalle, Mirissa and Unawatuna. I loved them all. I guess, finding your perfect beach stay really depends on your personal taste, budget and preferences. While Tangalle is a large city, the coastal villages by the beach seem pretty rural and rustic. Tangalle was probably the least touristy and we didn’t see too many other travellers while we spent a few nights here. Mirissa and Unawatuna definitely cater more for tourists with quite a few beach bars and tourist infrastructure. However, it still had a pretty rural village feel to it and felt less touristy compared to other destinations in Asia. The beaches just blew me away in Sri Lanka – beautiful turquoise sea, white sand and palm trees as far as the eye can see. If you prefer to be really off the beaten tourist path there are enough villages in between to find a more local vibe. If you don’t mind a few fellow travellers and a bit of a beach bar vibe – Mirissa and Unawatuna are both great places to relax for a few days.
Galle
Last but not least – you need to visit Galle Fort! Located only 6 km north of Unawatuna you can easily take a break from your beach bliss to visit Galle Fort. Catching a tuk-tuk is easy and cheap, so there is no reason not to go! If you want to treat yourself for a few nights, stay in one of the stunning boutique hotels at Galle Fort.
The Fort was initially built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later fortified by the new Dutch colonial forces in 1649. Today, the Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site with a colourful history, giving many different ethnicities and religions a home over the centuries. Today, the beautifully restored colonial buildings and the impressive fortified walls make for a great visit. You literally stumble across history around every corner. Make sure you take some time to visit some of the unique galleries and shops. It is simply impossible to not come home with a souvenir here. Galle also has some outstanding restaurants in a great atmosphere. You should definitely put a little budget aside to have a great evening with some delicious food and a good drink!
Back to Colombo
And with this, your Sri Lankan round trip comes to an end. From Galle, it’s about a two-hour drive back to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. If you fly out that day, please make sure to plan some extra time for your transfer back. You never know what traffic is like and it can easily take longer than expected.
What to think of when planning your trip
You should plan at least two weeks for the above itinerary if you don’t want to rush too much. Ideally, plan for a little more if you can! We are talking about Slow Travel, right?! Also, don’t be shy to take stops out if you feel you are not genuinely interested! There is no shame in having not seen it all.
Sri Lanka is extremely good value for money, but be realistic about what you like and what you need. It is still possible to spend a lot of money on expensive hotels in Sri Lanka! But be honest with yourself. Don’t make yourself stay in small homestay accommodation because you feel like you have to get down and dirty with the locals when actually you need western standards hotels. Don’t budget too tightly because you do want to have the freedom to go for nice dinners, beach drinks or spontaneous excursions. It is important that you realistically look at what’s most important to you during your travels and what you can afford. From here you can adjust your itinerary to what you need it to be.
If you would love to go but don’t have the time or don’t have the patience to piece it all together – let us do it for you! We have the contacts on the ground and the know-how to plan a trip you can fully enjoy while experiencing the best Sri Lanka has to offer. Contact us for a quote!
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Have a wonderful week and until next time,
