Sri Lanka, also known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is a lovely island with a lot of history, culture, beautiful scenery, and clean beaches. Plan a 10-day trip to Sri Lanka with this thorough itinerary. It will show you the best places to see, things to do, and places to stay each day so you have an unforgettable trip. For people who have extra time, we’ve also added a few extra days so that your trip can last for 14 days.
Day 0: arrive in Sri Lanka
Most people who come to Sri Lanka land at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. In general, international flights come late at night or early in the morning. Because of this, we’re calling today your arrival day or a day to rest and recover. After going through customs, go to your hotel in Negombo, which is a town that is close to the airport.
Jetwing Blue is a place to stay.
The seaside hotel is a great place to relax after a long flight, with large pools and a large buffet that’s perfect for refueling. The hotel has a calm vibe that’s great for your first day in Sri Lanka.
Day 01: From Negombo to Anuradhapura
Take a 3.5-hour drive north to get to Anuradhapura, which is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city of Anuradhapura was built in the 5th century BC, and it is full of historical and archaeological places. The ruins of palaces, stupas, and bathing pools from long ago give us a look into Sri Lanka’s past culture.
How to Spend Your Time in Anuradhapura
- Another big stupa in the world is the Jetavanarama Stupa.
- Ruwanweliseya is a huge white stupa that represents Sri Lanka’s Buddhist history.
- There is a story that Buddha meditated under Sri Maha Bodhi, which is the oldest tree known to man.
- Kuttam Pokuna: Two bathing pools from a long-ago country.
Palm Garden Village is a good place to stay.
This rustic hotel is only 10 minutes west of Anuradhapura. It has beautiful grounds and a calm mood. The area, which looks like an old temple complex, is a peaceful place to relax after a day of exploring.
Day :02 Anuradhapura to Trincomalee via Wilpattu National Park
From Anuradhapura, it only takes 30 minutes to drive to Wilpattu National Park, which is Sri Lanka’s biggest national park. While other Sri Lankan parks are busy with tourists, Wilpattu is a quiet place to go on adventure where you can see leopards, elephants, and other animals.
- Going on a safari in Wilpattu National Park
- Best for seeing leopards, elephants, birds, and elephants
- To see a lot of animals and get to know the park, a half-day tour is a must.
Next, take a three-hour drive to Trincomalee, a harbor town on the northeast coast. Take it easy at the beach, or go to Nilaveli Beach for beautiful white sands and blue water.
A place to stay is the Trinco Blu by Cinnamon.
This beachfront resort has cozy cabins that are only a few steps from the water. Take it easy on the beach or at The Crab, the resort’s crab restaurant.
Day 3 (via Hiriwadunna Village) From Trincomalee to Sigiriya
Make sure you stop at the Thirukoneswaram Hindu Temple on your way south from Trincomalee. It is perched on a cliff and has beautiful paintings and carvings. There are great views of the ocean from the temple, and if you’re lucky, you might see a formal wedding.
Next, go to Sigiriya, but first stop in Habarana for a unique cultural experience. You’ll ride a bullock cart, visit a local family’s house, learn how to make coconut sambal, and enjoy a boat ride with a view of Sigiriya on the Hiriwadunna Village Tour.
Aliya Resort & Spa is a great place to stay.
This high-end property is only 10 minutes from Sigiriya and has a beautiful infinity pool with views of Sigiriya Rock. After a day of exploring culture, the dramatic building and peaceful atmosphere will be just what you need to relax.
Days 4 and 5: Sigiriya and the Sigiriya Rock Fortresss
climb the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, which is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous sites. There are great views of the farmland from this old royal citadel, which is 200 meters above the jungle below. Do the sunrise climb early to escape the crowds and heat of the middle of the day.
If you want to try something new, you can hike to Pidurangala Rock, which has a view of Sigiriya Rock that is just as amazing.
Aliya Resort & Spa is a great place to stay.
Rest and recharge at this lovely lodge for a second night after the exciting climb up Sigiriya.
From Sigiriya to Kandy on Day 5 (via Dambulla Cave Temple)
The Dambulla Cave Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage spot that you should not miss on your way south to Kandy. This huge temple complex is carved into a huge rock and has hundreds of Buddha figures and detailed paintings inside. People who visit Sri Lanka should see this temple complex because it is one of the most impressive in the country.
Welcome to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s culture center. Kandy is the second-biggest city in the country, but it still has a relaxed vibe. You can visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic to see a tooth from Buddha or take a stroll through the peaceful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Jetwing Kandy Gallery is a place to stay.
This small hotel is very nice and has beautiful views of the river. The property is quiet and has great amenities, which makes it a great place to stay while you experience Kandy
Day 6: From Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
From Kandy, you can get to Nuwara Eliya, a lovely hill town known for its tea gardens and buildings from the colonial era. The drive goes through tea farms, lush green hills, and roads that wind around the hills.
When you get to Nuwara Eliya, you can take a boat ride on Lake Gregory or visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. In this cute town, don’t forget to have a classic afternoon tea.
Heritance Tea Factory is a place to stay.
You can stay in a colonial-style hotel that used to be a tea factory. The rooms are very nice and have views of the huge tea fields.
Day 7: From Nuwara Eliya to Ella
You can drive from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, a small town in the southern hill country of Sri Lanka. People love Ella for its beautiful views and outdoor activities like climbing and exploring.
You can go on a short walk up Ella Rock to get a great view of the valley, or you can go to Nine Arches Bridge, a beautiful colonial-era bridge surrounded by lush jungle.
98 Acres Resort & Spa is a great place to stay.
From this resort’s hilltop location, you can see beautiful views of the countryside. Enjoy the spa and take it easy in the peaceful setting.
Day 8 : Ella goes to Yala National Park
You can see leopards in the wild at Yala National Park, which you can get to by driving there. You can see elephants, crocodiles, many kinds of birds, and even the hard-to-find leopard on a jeep tour through the park.
Cinnamon Wild Yala is a great place to stay.
This nature resort is close to the park center and has nice rooms, fun things to do outside, and a chance to be in nature.
Day 9: From Yala to Mirissa (via Galle)
On your way to Sri Lanka’s south coast, make a stop at Galle. This old colonial city is famous for its Galle Fort and lovely cobblestone streets. See the Dutch colonial buildings, go to the Galle Fort Lighthouse, and take a walk through the cute shops and bars.
Keep going to Mirissa, a lovely beach town. Enjoy the evening by the beach or go on a boat ride at sunset.
The Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa is a good place to stay.
This beautiful beachfront house has its own private access to the beach and is a great place to unwind after a day of exploring.
Day 10: Mirissa – Colombo :End your trip And arrived Colombo
Take a whale-watching tour in the morning off the coast of Mirissa on your last day (seasonal). After that, go to Colombo to catch your flight home. This is the end of your 10-day trip through Sri Lanka.
Colombo is a good place to stay if you’re stopping overnight.
Stay at the Shangri-La Hotel if your flight is late or if you want to stay an extra night in Colombo. It has high-end services and a stunning view of the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka’s best attractions are all on this Sri Lanka Travel Itinerary 10 days, from old temples and ,ultural experiences to beautiful landscapes, tea plantations, and clean beaches. Sri Lanka has something for every kind of tourist, whether they want to stay longer or just do the most important things. This guide should help you plan your next trip to this beautiful island paradise.