Hello my dear reader! I have finally ticked-off Sri Lanka from my travel wishlist and I am so glad I did. Previously, I was a little skeptical about this trip because people were giving mixed reviews. I was wondering if it is worth all the money I am spending, it is just like South side of India, will I get vegetarian food, is it safe and all that. In this blog post, I am sharing all the details with you.
Let’s begin with visa process:
I visit Sri Lanka in December 2023, it was Visa free for Indians. The date for this was till 31 March 2024. If you are travelling after March 31, then first check the visa details on the official website of Sri Lanka tourism.
Sri Lanka Itinerary 5 Days:
This was exactly my itinerary, you can modify accordingly!
Day 1 –
Landed in Colombo, Sri Lanka around 2pm
Visited Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (time take from Colombo airport to this place, approx 2:30 hours) (This place is huge, time taken to explore, at least 1 hour)
Drive to Kand (approx 1 hour), check-in to your hotel in Kandy
Explore local market & churches (Sunset sets really early in Sri Lanka, by 6pm, its all dark)
Day 2 –
Check-out from Hotel
Explore Kandy (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Royal Botanical Garden, Sri Maha Bodhi Temple, Wood Handicraft Museum, Ceylon Tea Estate & Museum)
Drive to Nuwara Eliya
On the way, visit Bhakta Hanuman Temple in Ramboda, visit Ramoboda Waterfalls, Ramboda Tunnel (the tunnel that you see on Sri Lankan currency),
Check-in to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 3 –
Check-out from hotel
Visit Lake Gregory, Hakgala Botanic Garden and Sita Amman temple (the Ashok Vatika thats referred in Ramayan), Moon Plains (optional)
Drive to Bentota (time taken approx 5:30 hours), on the way, explore spice gardens
Check-in to your hotel in Bentota
Day 4 –
Explore beaches of Bentota, Madhu River Boat Ride (don’t miss, its awesome),Ā Turtle Hatchery (try reaching before the sunset), visit Ayurveda center to rejuvenating massage, chill at the beach.
Day 5 –
Checkout from your hotel in Bentota and leave for Colombo
Checkin to your hotel in Colombo (optional, I booked my late night flight back to India same day and had just 1 luggage, so I managed to explore like that and didn’t book hotel in Colombo)
Visit Lotus tower, Gangaramaya Temple (2 temples), Colombo national museum, Galle face green, visit gemstone shops (optional) (you can use uber or simply take autorickshaws from one place to another, don’t forget to bargain, if they say 250 then say 100 and close at 150 š just like India), Pettah Floating Market (it may disappoint you a bit, but itni dur gaye ho to yeh bhi dekh lo)
So, this was my itinerary of Sri Lanka for 5 days.
Suggested Modifications
Apart from this you can also visit Ambuluwawa Temple (the white tower temple having spiral steps located on the mountain top) that is close to Kandy (approx 25 km south), you can include that in your trip, but just know it requires 1 full day, so if you have an extra day, you can visit it.
You can include Yala National Park in your itinerary as well. It is about 5 hours drive from Colombo.
Other places you can include in your itinerary is Ella (for Ravana’s cave,kuda Ravana falls, nine arches bridge), Sigiriya (for Ravana’s Palace, pidurangala rock) and Jaffna.
FAQ about distance in Sri Lanka
Colombo to Ella distance – 370 km
Colombo to Kandy distance – 144 km
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya distance – 171 km
Colombo to Pinnawala distance – 93 km
Colombo to Bentota distance – 101 km
Colombo to Sigiriya distance – 177 km
Colombo to Jaffna distance – 404 km
Important Tips for your trip to Sri Lanka
- Local mode of transport like trains and buses are good and even some train routes (like Bentota to Colombo and the route to Ella) are beautiful but it requires a lot of time. I felt hiring a car for the trip was a convenient option, you can choose your way, depending upon the budget
- I didn’t buy local SIM card and used my regular number, did international recharge
- Dress moderately, many temples don’t allow sleeveless outfits and shorts (for men women both), carry a band with you as many temples dont allow open hair as well
- Many people know Hindi there, otherwise people in Sri Lanka speak English and Tamil too
- Carry sunscreen and your water bottle
- Must try Sri Lanka veg thali (I tried at the Bhakta Hanuman temple in Ramboda at their Annapurna restaurant)
- If not a fan of spices, you can skip buying creams and oils from spice gardens. I bought skin cream and hair oil, its nothing unique, you get similarĀ and every better things here in India
- Carry cash and yes, credit card works well but not at every place
- You can bring tea from there, its famous. Try White and Golden tea is something you must try
- Don’t drink tap water as it may not suit you, either useĀ mineral water or refill fromĀ RO Filters only.
- Avoid walking barefoot on the beaches or be extra careful, there are worms and crabs, obviously you don’t want to get bitten.
Budget for Sri Lanka Trip
Return ticket from India – approx 30,000 INR
Hotels – average good hotel, 5000 per night including breakfast
Renting a car – approx 25,000 to 35,000 for 4 days (depending upon the vehicle)
Sight-seeing, ticketsĀ etc – 2000 per day
Food – 800 to 2000 per day
Miscellaneous expense – 2000 per day
Still if you have any questions, follow me on instagram and hit me a DM, I will be happy to help you!
Have a great trip! ENJOY š¤
