Sri Lanka Travel Bucket List - 10 Day Itinerary

Sri Lanka, tropical paradise with a lot of history, culture and natural beauty, located in the Indian Ocean. This island nation, located southeast of India, has captivated travelers for centuries with its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and warm hospitality.

Is Sri Lanka tourism open? Yes and Yes! Is Sri Lanka safe? I felt very safe travelling around Sri Lanka. Is Sri Lanka worth visiting? 100 %

Sri Lanka may seem like a small island, but upon closer look, you'll realize that with traffic and stops, it takes time to move around. Here is the route and how we managed to explore Sri Lanka in 10 days.

QUICK OVERVIEW WHERE WE STAYED:

DAY 1 - COLOMBO

DAY 2-3 - SIGRIYA

DAY 4 - KANDY

DAY 5 - ELLA

DAY 6-9 - GALLE, MIRISSA

DAY 10 - NEGOMBO

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL TO COLOMBO'S BANDARANAIKE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

We arrived at the airport around 8 in the morning, and despite losing our luggage, we headed straight to Colombo. For our trip, we hired a driver from Casons company, which cost us 600 euros for 10 days, plus we had to pay an extra 9 euros per day for the driver's accommodation. I must say, considering the traffic and how crazily people drive there, it was the best idea. We had an 8-seat bus with a 1000-kilometer range included, and every extra kilometer cost around 40 euro cents. The driver was waiting for us at the airport.

SOME MAIN QUESTIONS ABOUT SRI LANKA:

Is Sri Lanka easy to travel around by car? We looked up different options: renting a car, taking trains and then we found a driver with reasonable price for us. Sri Lankan traffic is chaotic, as they drive on the left side, and it’s quite a mess. Additionally, there are numerous animals, including elephants, on the roads, making driving quite complicated.

WHAT TO SEE IN COLOMBO

Colombo, Sri Lanka's bustling capital, is a treasure trove of vibrant culture and fascinating landmarks. Here's a snapshot of must-see attractions in Colombo:

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque - The mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo and a popular tourist site in the city.

Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara - one of the most revered historic Buddhist temples located 10 km away from Colombo.

Walk around Galle Face Green - a nice beach walk at the ocean with kites, food trucks and a beautiful view.

Sri Kailawasanatan Swami Temple - This is the oldest and largest hindu temple in Colombo and is dedicated to the Gods Shiva and Ganesh.

DAY 2-3 - COLOMBO TO SIGIRIYA

We began our journey to Sigiriya early in the morning, and the drive from Colombo typically takes around 4 hours. However, we opted to make a stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which is halfway to Sigiriya, adding an extra hour to our trip.

Where to visit from Colombo to Sigiriya? Best stops along Colombo to Sigiriya drive are Kandy, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Dambulla Royal Cave Temple.

Why Sigiriya after Colombo not South? Visiting Sigiriya next made sense for us because, in the south, we aimed for a more relaxed experience. So, we tackled all the adventurous activities like climbing the mountain and exploring Kandy's temples at the beginning of our trip. We strategically started from the furthest point, which was Sigiriya, and then drove all the way down to the south, making stops along the way.

Is Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage worth it? Honestly, you get to witness a lot of elephants bathing in the river, and I adore watching them. However, what might not be evident in all the pictures is that they are chained in the water and also within the sanctuary. Additionally, the place is quite crowded with tourists, and at every step, locals ask for more money. You pay for the entrance ticket, and then there are additional charges for touching them, taking pictures, and getting close to feed them. So, this is my honest review.

What time elephants in Pinnawala bath? If you're wondering about the bathing time, the elephants head to the river at 2 o'clock.

How much is Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage ticket price? As for the ticket price, it's 3000 LKR, approximately 9 euros.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka

Is Sigiriya worth it? Absolutely! I've detailed where to go in Sigiriya, what to see in Sigiriya, how long to stay in Sigiriya and the most Instagrammable places in Sigiriya in my latest blog post.

Sigriya, Sri Lanka

DAY 4 - KANDY

We stayed in Kandy for one night and we managed to see all the main attractions, so if you ask me what things to do in Kandy, then you cannot miss Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Kandy’s Market, Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya and Kandy Lake.

How far is Kandy from Sigiriya? Around 2 hour drive.

What makes Kandy special? Kandy is important, because it is a home of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of themost sacred places in Buddhist world. It is also listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Is Kandy worth it? It is the second largest city in Sri Lanka and it holds a significant cultural value, so yes it is worth it.

How long in Kandy is enough? For us 1 day in Kandy was enough and you have enough time to visit all the main places.

Where we stayed? Aayu Hathana Boutique Hotel that is around 10 minutes drive from the main area.

DAY 5 - ELLA

After Kandy, we drove all the way to Ella, where we didn't spend the night but stayed for a couple of hours. The journey from Kandy to Ella takes around 4 hours, and along the way, you can spot a couple of tea plantations, offering picturesque landscapes where you can enjoy beautiful fields of tea and partake in tea tasting.

What to do in Ella? You can visit famous Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock.

What makes Ella special? Ella captivates both day hikers and seasoned trekkers. Little Adam's Peak and Ella Rock stand out as the area's renowned trails, complemented by attractions like Ravana Falls and other picturesque waterfalls nearby.

Is Ella worth it? It's very beautiful there. However, keep in mind that it's one of the most popular places, so don't expect to arrive and capture an empty, Instagrammable bridge picture. The area tends to be crowded, and the same goes for the waterfalls.

DAY 6-9 - GALLE, MIRISSA

The south of Sri Lanka offers a completely different experience. Here, you can indulge in endless stretches of beautiful palm-fringed beaches, relish delicious meals at cozy restaurants, try your hand at surfing, and much more. Discover the beauty of these beaches in more detail.

What to do in south Sri Lanka - The southern region presents a myriad of options, from surfing and snorkeling to enjoying delightful meals at nice restaurants. Additionally, within 2-3 hours, you can explore the largest national parks.

Read more about south Sri Lanka in my "Unveiling South Sri Lanka: Top Things to See" and Do" & "Best Beaches in Sri Lanka South" blog.

Mirissa, Sri Lanka

DAY 10 - NEGOMBO

The journey from South Sri Lanka to Negombo takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on your starting point. We chose to spend our final day at Amagi Aria hotel in Negombo, conveniently a 15-minute drive from both the airport and the city center. To be honest, Negombo was the most disappointing place of them all, so we opted to spend most of our time in the hotel. Unfortunately, Negombo doesn't offer much to do, and the area has a considerable amount of trash.

If you are planning to explore Sri Lanka's south, I recommend checking out my Best Beaches in South Sri Lanka and if you want to spice up your social media, the top 8 most Instagrammable places in Sri Lanka could be helpful!