9 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary
9 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Sri Lanka trip maker
Start: Colombo
Train to Habarana, Taxi to Dambulla
1
Dambulla
— 1 night
Drive
2
Kandy
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Ella
— 2 nights
Drive
4
Unawatuna
— 3 nights
Drive
End: Colombo
Mon, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 9
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See full calendar
Dambulla
— 1 night
©
On a trip to Dambulla, visit the largest and best-preserved cave temple complexes in the country, declared a World Heritage Site.Kick off your visit on the 1st (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Golden Temple of Dambulla, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dambulla Cave Temple. Here are some ideas for day two: delve into the distant past at Sigiriya Fortress, make a trip to Pidurangala Rock, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Dhilip De Alwis.
For maps, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Dambulla road trip planning tool.
Colombo to Dambulla is an approximately 2.5-hour combination of train and taxi. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and flight. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) early enough to go by car to Kandy.
Things to do in Dambulla
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Kandy
— 2 nights
©
Nestled between mountains in inland Sri Lanka, Kandy proudly bears its World Heritage Site designation while remaining culturally independent and colorfully picturesque.Start off your visit on the 3rd (Wed): make a trip to Kandy view point, explore the activities along Kandy Lake, don't miss a visit to Galmaduwa temple kandy, then look for gifts at Prestige Selections - Batiks, Handicrafts and Gift Items, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and finally examine the collection at World Buddhist Museum. Keep things going the next day: pause for some serene contemplation at Hindagala Temple, then explore and take pictures at Royal Botanical Gardens, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Kandy Garrison Cemetery, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery Kundasale.
To find other places to visit, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, read our Kandy vacation planning site.
Traveling by car from Dambulla to Kandy takes 2.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Ella.
Things to do in Kandy
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Ella
— 2 nights
©
The relaxing hilltop village of Ella benefits from a more temperate climate than much of the rest of country thanks to its high elevation.Kick off your visit on the 5th (Fri): admire the natural beauty at Honey Bee Garden, take in the views from Nine Arches Bridge, then take in the awesome beauty at Little Adam's Peak, and finally whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks. Keep things going the next day: indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink, admire the sheer force of Ravana Ella Falls, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Ella Rock.
To see traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Ella trip planning site.
Getting from Kandy to Ella by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) so you can drive to Unawatuna.
Things to do in Ella
Highlights from your trip
Unawatuna
— 3 nights
©
Palm-fringed beaches with golden sand, turquoise water, and a colorful coral reef are enough to draw any beachgoer to Unawatuna, but there's plenty to do off the beach here as well.Venture out of the city with trips to Mirissa (Dolphin & Whale Watching & Mirissa Beach) and Hikkaduwa Beach (in Hikkaduwa). There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Galle Fort, relax and rejuvenate at Spa Station, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sea Turtle Farm Galle Mahamodara, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Unawatuna Devol Devalaya.
To find where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Unawatuna vacation builder app.
Traveling by car from Ella to Unawatuna takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and flight; or fly. In March in Unawatuna, expect temperatures between 38°C during the day and 29°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) early enough to go by car back home.
Things to do in Unawatuna
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Sri Lanka travel guide
India's Teardrop
Shaped like a teardrop and located just below the southern tip of India, lush Sri Lanka boasts some of the greatest biodiversity in the world. Unless you time your Sri Lanka holiday for monsoon season, you can expect bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine, perfect for exploring tropical forests, historic temples, colonial forts, and many other buildings dating back to Dutch rule. Popular things to do in Sri Lanka include swimming, sailing, and surfing, though a growing number of visitors come here just to eat their way around the country. Greatly influenced by nearby India, the national cuisine also features many elements of European cooking--a result of the Dutch and Portuguese colonial years. Of course, a trip to Sri Lanka would not be complete without a cup of its world-famous Ceylon tea.
