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Sri Lanka

Wilpattu NP - Trincomalee - Highlands - Tangalle - Galle - Colombo

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Trip Overview

Highlights & Details

Hotel Nights

$

for 2 persons, 19 nights
in October 2019

Camelot Beach Hotel, Negombo

Big Game Camp, Wilpattu NP

Anantamaa, Trincomalee

Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya

Mountain Blue Hotel, Kandy

Villa Mount Royal, Nuwara Eliya

Ella Flower Garden

Palm Paradise Cabana, Tangalle

OZO, Colombo

Transportation

$

for 2 persons, rental car for 4 persons
in October 2019

Colombo Airport – Negombo

  • by Rental Car
  • 20min

    • Negombo – Wilpattu NP

  • by Rental Car
  • 3h 15min
  • Parking at Leopard Den Restaurant

    • Wilpattu – Anuradhapura

  • by Rental Car
  • 45min

    • Anuradhapura – Trincomalee

  • by Rental Car
  • 2h

    • Trincomalee – Sigiriya

  • by Rental Car
  • 1h 50min

    • Sigiriya – Kandy

  • by Rental Car
  • 2h 45min

  • Tip: On the way are Spice Gardens – the gardens are beautiful, but the spices are cheaper in Kandy on the market.

    • Kandy – Nuwara Eliya

  • by Rental Car
  • 2h 35min

  • Tip: On the way are beautiful tea plantations and farms.

    • Nuwara Eliya – Ella

  • by Rental Car
  • 1h 50min

    • Ella – Tangalle

  • by Rental Car
  • 2h 55min

    • Tangalle – Galle – Colombo

  • by Rental Car
  • Tangalle – Galle, 1h 30min
  • Galle – Colombo, 2h 15min

    • Activities

    $

    for 2 persons,
    in October 2019

    Big Game Jeep Safari

  • High Chances of Leopards
  • Knowledgable Naturalist Guide
  • Jeep of max. 8 persons
  • $114

    • Temples Anuradhapura

  • Entrance, $50
  • Guide, $10
  • Wel Bhodhiya
  • Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
  • Jethawanaramaya Dagaba
  • Thuparamaya

    • Reef Snorkeling Trincomalee

  • Pigeon Rock/Island
  • Half-day tour
  • Private for 4 persons
  • $24

  • Tip: They do snorkel trips to Blue Whales – we didn’t go, but next time we will for sure!

    • Lion Rock Climb

  • Entrance, $60
  • Steep steps upwards
  • Monkey on tour
  • Incredible views

    • Elephant Jeep Safari

  • Kaudulla NP
  • About 100 elephants
  • Jeep Safari
  • Private Tour for 4 persons
  • $54

    • Kandy

  • Temple of the Sacred Tooth, $17
  • Private Cooking Class, $60
  • Best Kandy Kitchen

    • Blue Field Tea

  • Tea Plantation Tour
  • Tour is complimentary
  • $6, Tip for Guide

    • Nuwara Eliya

  • Royal Botanical Garden
  • $22

    • Ella

  • Famour Train Ride, $10
  • Nine Arch Bridge, Hike is free

  • Tip: 2nd & 3rd class is without reservation and easy. 1st class is with reservation and can be booked in advance at the train station. We took the train from Ella to Ohiya and back, because we had the rental car.

    • Colombo

  • Buddha Temple
  • Entrance $5
  • Seema Malakaya

    • Sri Lanka

    Arrival at the Beach

    Day 1-2: Negombo

    Sri Lanka

    Closest Leopard Encounter

    Day 3: Wilpattu NP, Big Game Camp

    With a size comparable to Singapore the Wilpattu national park is the biggest national park in Sri Lanka. It is a unique nature reserve with more than 60 lakes and famous for its Leopard population. Going on a jeep safari is a once in a lifetime experience! Delicious openair BBQ, bonfire and sleeping in a Safari tent included.

    Sri Lanka

    Historical Hot Temples

    Day 4: Anuradhapura

    Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals. You can find an endless number of well and less well preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. Make sure to cover your knees and shoulders as the guards are quite strict. And bring some socks as otherwise you will burn your feet.

    Sri Lanka

    White Beach & Coral Reef

    Day 5-6: Trincomalee

    Trincomalee offers some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and probably also in the world. The sand is perfectly white and coconut trees provide shade to completely relax. It is famous for great sea food, whale watching and snorkeling.

    Sri Lanka

    High on the Lion’s Rock

    Day 7-8: Sigiriya

    It is probably The site in Sri Lanka and considered the 8th world wonder. It is a monastery built on top of a 200m high magma plug of a long-eroded volcano. It takes 30 USD, 1’200 steps and a bit of fitness to reach the top and is absolutely worth it.

    Sri Lanka

    Hundreds of Elephants

    Kandulla NP is home to the biggest Elephant population in Sri Lanka. Besides those gentle giants it offers beautiful nature, different deer, birds and much more.

    Sri Lanka

    Tasty, spicy Food

    Day 9-10: Kandy

    Kandy doesn’t show its charm immediately but when you know what to do, then it is a wonderful place to visit:

    – Join a Cooking Class
    – Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth
    – Visit the Big Buddha Statue (Bahirawakanda Vihara)
    – Buy spices at the spice market

    Sri Lanka

    Tealandia

    Day 11: Nuwara Eliya

    Nuwara Elyia itself does not offer that much, but its location is unique. It is located in the highlands of Sri Lanka right in the middle of countless tea plantations. It is also the starting point to take the train to Ella for those who are not travelling with their own rental car.

    Sri Lanka

    Famous Train Ride

    Day 12-13: Ella

    Ella is probably the most touristy town in the highlands of Sri Lanka but this is not particularly a bad thing. The main benefit are its outstanding restaurants, from which we can particularly recommend the Ak Ristoro. The reason why it is so touristy is the train track that passes through it and this brings us directly to the two best things to do in Ella:

    – Train surf through the endless tea fields
    – Try to take a good photo with the Nine Arch Bridge

    Sri Lanka

    Private Beach

    Day 14-16: Goyambokka Beach

    When thinking about the perfect beach most people refer to white sand, crystal clear water and coconut trees providing shade. Now combine this with little beach cafes that serve great seafood at bargain prices and you are at Goyambokka Beach.

    Sri Lanka

    Old Fort Town

    Day 17: Galle

    When travelling from Tangalle to Galle you pass four main attractions you shouldn’t miss. Three of them are on your way and the fourth one is right in the center of Galle:

    – Stop at the train station in Unawatuna
    – Become a peacock in Merissa
    – Picture the Stilt Fishermen in Ahangama
    – Visit the Dutch Fort in Galle

    Sri Lanka

    Busy Streets of Colombo

    Day 18: Colombo

    Colombo doesn’t have the charm of Galle and also not the beach of Negombo but it has still some spots worth checking out:

    – Visit the Gangaramaya Temple
    – Shop at the Pettah Markets
    – Eat at a beachfront restaurant

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