Colombo

Airport transfer(1 hour)

Pre-booked hotel transfer or taxi 3,000-5,000 LKR (~$9-15). Or airport express bus to Fort (150 LKR). Traffic can be severe during rush hours

Gangaramaya Temple evening visit(1 hour)

Free (donations welcome). Eclectic Buddhist temple. The adjacent Seema Malaka floating temple on Beira Lake is serene at dusk. Near Slave Island area

Dinner at Ministry of Crab(1.5 hours)

In the historic Dutch Hospital precinct. Sri Lanka's most famous restaurant (by cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara). Crab curry from 2,500 LKR (~$7.50). Book ahead. Worth the splurge on arrival night

Fort area colonial walk(1.5 hours)

Colombo's historic district. Old Parliament, Clock Tower, President's House. The area is being renovated. Walk along Chatham Street and York Street for colonial-era banks and trading houses

Pettah Market(1.5 hours)

Free. Colombo's sprawling bazaar. Each street specializes — spice stalls (Ceylon cinnamon ~500 LKR/pack), textiles, and electronics. Beware of pickpockets. Open 8AM-6PM

Lunch at Upali's(1 hour)

Near Gangaramaya. Excellent rice and curry buffet (~1,200 LKR). The kottu roti (~600 LKR) — chopped roti stir-fried with curry — is the street food staple you must try

Galle Face Green sunset(1.5 hours)

Free. Colombo's oceanfront promenade. Street food vendors sell isso wade (shrimp fritters, ~150 LKR) and corn on the cob. The sunset over the Indian Ocean is spectacular. Locals fly kites and play cricket

Drive to Galle via Southern Expressway(2 hours)

120 km south. Hire a car for the day (8,000-10,000 LKR) or take the express bus (750 LKR, 2 hours)

Galle Fort exploration(3 hours)

Free to enter. Walk the ramparts for ocean views, explore cobbled streets with art galleries and boutique hotels, visit the lighthouse, and see the Dutch Reformed Church (1755). The fort is compact — everything is walkable

Lunch at A Minute by Tuk Tuk(1 hour)

Inside the fort. Sri Lankan-fusion menu. Crab curry ~2,000 LKR. Atmospheric courtyard dining

Dinner at Nuga Gama(1.5 hours)

At Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Traditional village-style Sri Lankan dining under a giant nuga tree. Rice and curry feast ~2,500 LKR per person

Drive to Kandy(3.5 hours)

115 km. Hire driver $50-70/day (best for multi-day island touring). Or train from Colombo Fort (3 hrs, 2nd class 400 LKR — scenic)

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic(1.5 hours)

2,000 LKR (foreigners). Houses the Buddha's tooth — Sri Lanka's most sacred relic. The evening puja ceremony at 6:30PM is most atmospheric. Dress modestly. Remove shoes. Photography in outer areas only

Kandy Lake walk(45 minutes)

Free. Encircle the beautiful man-made lake beside the temple. The surrounding hills and temple reflected in the water are picturesque

Lunch at Kandy Muslim Hotel(45 minutes)

Despite the name, it's a restaurant — famous for biryani (~500 LKR) and devilled chicken. Near the Kandy market. Cash only

Optional: Kandy Cultural Show(1 hour)

Traditional dance performance at the Kandy Cultural Centre. 1,500 LKR. Kandyan dancing, fire-walking, and drumming. 5PM daily

Drive from Kandy to Sigiriya(2.5 hours)

Via Matale. Stop at a spice garden en route

Spice garden visit in Matale(1 hour)

Free guided tour (they make money selling products). See cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, clove growing. Ayurvedic massage available (~1,500-3,000 LKR). The cinnamon peeling demo is fascinating

Sigiriya Rock Fortress(2.5 hours)

$30 USD (foreigners). 200m rock rising from the jungle. 1,200 steps to the top — the Lion's Paw entrance, mirror wall, and Sigiriya Damsels frescoes en route. Start early to avoid midday heat. The views from the summit over endless jungle are breathtaking

Return to Colombo or stay in Sigiriya area(3.5 hours)

Drive back to Colombo. Or stay near Sigiriya/Dambulla for a more relaxed pace (~4,000-8,000 LKR for guesthouse)

National Museum(1.5 hours)

600 LKR. Regalia of Kandyan kings, ancient art, and historical artifacts. Near Viharamahadevi Park

Lunch at Nihonbashi(1 hour)

Japanese-Sri Lankan fusion by Dharshan Munidasa. Sashimi with Sri Lankan spices. Mains 2,000-4,000 LKR. Near Galle Road

Spa at Siddhalepa Ayurveda(2 hours)

Traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Full body massage ~5,000 LKR. Herbal steam bath. Sri Lanka is one of the world's authentic Ayurveda sources

Sunset at Mount Lavinia Beach(1.5 hours)

12 km south of Colombo. Wide golden beach near the colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel (have a drink at their terrace, 500-1,000 LKR). More relaxed than Galle Face

String hoppers breakfast(30 minutes)

Don't leave without trying string hoppers (steamed rice noodle nests) with coconut sambol and curry. Any hotel or local restaurant. ~300-500 LKR

Last shopping at Barefoot Gallery(1 hour)

Colombo's most famous design shop. Handwoven textiles, Barbara Sansoni designs. The courtyard cafe is charming. On Galle Road

Transfer to CMB airport(1 hour)

Taxi 3,000-5,000 LKR. Allow 3 hours before international flights. Expressway makes the drive faster

Temple of the Tooth(1.5 hours)

2,000 LKR

Cultural show(1 hour)

1,500 LKR

Sigiriya climb(2.5 hours)

$30 USD

Dambulla Cave Temple(1.5 hours)

1,500 LKR. Five caves with 153 Buddha statues and murals dating to the 1st century BC. Climb the rock to the entrance. Remove shoes

Polonnaruwa ancient city(3 hours)

$25 USD. Medieval capital with standing Buddha statues, royal courts, and irrigation tanks. The Gal Vihara — four massive rock-carved Buddhas — is Sri Lanka's sculptural masterpiece. Rent a bicycle at the entrance (500 LKR) to cover the spread-out ruins

National Museum(1.5 hours)

600 LKR

Drive to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda(3 hours)

From Colombo or Kandy. The road winds through tea plantations at increasing altitude. Ramboda Falls roadside stop

Pedro Tea Estate tour(1.5 hours)

500 LKR. Watch tea plucking, processing, and tasting. The factory dates to the 1880s. Buy fresh tea directly (~500-1,500 LKR per pack)

Nuwara Eliya town walk(1 hour)

Known as 'Little England.' Colonial-era post office, Victoria Park (300 LKR entry), and the Hill Club (jacket-and-tie dinner if you visit). Cool climate — bring a jacket

Stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya(0 minutes)

Guesthouses from 3,000 LKR. The cool mountain air is a welcome change from coastal humidity

Scenic train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella(3 hours)

The world-famous scenic train ride. 2nd class: 300 LKR. Book ahead or arrive early. Hang out of the open doors for photos (everyone does). Tea plantations, tunnels, and mountain views

Nine Arches Bridge(1 hour)

Free. The iconic viaduct surrounded by tea plantations. Train crossing times: check locally. Walk the tracks (carefully) or view from the side path. 2 km walk from Ella town

Little Adam's Peak hike(1.5 hours)

Free. Easy hike through tea plantations to a viewpoint. 45 min up, 30 min down. The 360-degree view of Ella Gap is stunning. Best in morning light

Stay in Ella(0 minutes)

Guesthouses from 2,000 LKR. The town has great cafes and restaurants

Ravana Falls(1 hour)

Free. One of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. 6 km from Ella. You can swim at the base. Named after the mythical king Ravana from the Ramayana

Lunch at Ella Village Restaurant(1 hour)

Rice and curry ~600 LKR. Authentic local food

Morning jeep safari at Yala(4 hours)

$40-60 per person. 5:30AM start. Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, 215 bird species. Your driver/tracker will know the best spots. Bring binoculars

Dinner at Gallery Cafe(1.5 hours)

In the former studio of Geoffrey Bawa (Sri Lanka's most famous architect). Mains 1,500-3,000 LKR. Beautiful courtyard

Barefoot Gallery shopping(1 hour)

Handwoven textiles and design

Odel department store or Good Market (Saturday)(1.5 hours)

Good Market (Race Course, Saturdays) has organic products, street food, and artisan goods

Farewell dinner at Nuga Gama(1.5 hours)

Village-style feast under a giant tree

Transfer to CMB(1 hour)

3-5k LKR taxi

Sigiriya(2.5 hours)

$30

Polonnaruwa ancient city(3 hours)

$25. Gal Vihara rock Buddhas

Scenic train to Ella(3 hours)

300 LKR 2nd class

Morning safari(4 hours)

$40-60

Drive from Yala to Mirissa(3 hours)

Scenic coastal road via Tangalle

Mirissa Beach afternoon(3 hours)

Laid-back beach town. Swimming, surfing, and coconut-palm fringed sand. Beach chairs ~300 LKR. Much less developed than Galle coast

Dinner at Dewmini Roti Shop(1 hour)

Famous for fresh roti with various curries. Roti set ~400 LKR. Local legend in Mirissa

Whale watching tour(5 hours)

5:30AM departure from Mirissa harbour. ~$40-50 per person. Nov-April season. Blue whales (largest animal ever), spinner dolphins, and sperm whales. Rough seas possible — take seasickness medication. One of the best whale-watching spots in the world

Sunset from Parrot Rock(1 hour)

Free. Small rocky outcrop at the east end of Mirissa Beach. Climb up for a panoramic sunset view over the bay. Careful — slippery when wet

Unawatuna Beach(4 hours)

Sheltered bay with calm water. Better for swimming than Mirissa. Japanese Peace Pagoda on the hill above (free, 20 min walk up) for panoramic views

Lunch at Lucky Fort Restaurant(1 hour)

Beachside. Seafood rice and curry ~800 LKR

Drive to Anuradhapura(4 hours)

200 km north. Hire driver for the day. Or take the train (4 hours)

Sacred City of Anuradhapura(3 hours)

$25 Cultural Triangle ticket covers entry. The Sacred Bodhi Tree (grown from a sapling of the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment in 249 BC) is the world's oldest documented tree. Ruvanvelisaya dagoba (stupa), Jetavanaramaya (once the world's 3rd tallest structure), and Isurumuniya rock temple. Rent a bicycle to cover the spread-out site

Drive to Nallathanniya (Adam's Peak base)(3.5 hours)

From Colombo. Stay overnight at a guesthouse near the trailhead (2,000-4,000 LKR)

Begin climb at 2AM(4 hours)

5,500 steps up 2,243m. The trail is lit with lights and tea shops. Join the stream of pilgrims. Moderate-strenuous. The Sacred Footprint at the summit is venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians

Sunrise at the summit(1 hour)

The sunrise from Sri Pada is legendary — the shadow of the perfect conical peak stretches across the landscape. One of Sri Lanka's most profound experiences

Drive to Negombo(1.5 hours)

30 km north of Colombo, near the airport

Negombo Beach morning(3 hours)

Long beach with fishing boats. The Dutch Canal can be explored by boat (1,000 LKR). The fish market at dawn is colorful and chaotic

Lunch at Lords Restaurant(1 hour)

Seafood specialist in Negombo. Fish curry ~800 LKR, whole grilled lobster ~3,000 LKR

Tea shopping at Dilmah T-Lounge(45 minutes)

Sri Lanka's premium tea brand. Tasting and shopping. Gift boxes from 1,500 LKR

Farewell dinner at Gallery Cafe(1.5 hours)

Geoffrey Bawa's studio. Mains 1,500-3,000 LKR