57 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary

The commercial capital of the country, Colombo has added modern touches to its colonial-era core, creating an exciting and eclectic coastal city.

Venture out of the city with trips to Negombo (Negombo Beach & Angurukaramulla Temple), Kalutara (Kalutara Beach & Dolphin & Whale Watching) and Waikkal (Pio Ayurveda Center & Tiffany lanka gem). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, take an in-depth tour of Colombo National Museum, enjoy the sand and surf at Mount Lavinia Beach, and admire the masterpieces at The Galleries of Sapumal Foundation.

For traveler tips, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Colombo tour itinerary site.

Use the Route module to see travel options from your home to Colombo. In May, daily temperatures in Colombo can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to drive to Galle.

The southernmost city on the island, Galle combines colonial-era history with a tropical feel and climate.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Galle: Hikkaduwa Beach (in Hikkaduwa) and Mirissa (Coconut Tree Hill, Mirissa Beach, &more). Spend the 22nd (Sun) spotting exotic species with a safari tour. And it doesn't end there: steep yourself in history at Galle Fort, stop by Made In Ceylon, tour the pleasant surroundings at Sea Turtle Farm Galle Mahamodara, and enjoy the sand and surf at Mihiripenna Beach.

For where to stay, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Galle trip planning tool.

Getting from Colombo to Galle by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 38°C, and evening lows to 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time to drive to Tissamaharama.

Tourism in Tissamaharama revolves around the town's vast historic and cultural heritage, with the surroundings of scenic paddy fields adding to the ambiance.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Tissamaharama: Udawalawe National Park (in Udawalawe National Park) and Kiri Vehera (in Kataragama). Spend the 26th (Thu) exploring nature at Bundala National Park. There's much more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, see Off-Road Tours, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara.

For other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Tissamaharama trip planner.

Drive from Galle to Tissamaharama in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 38°C, and evening lows to 29°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Kandy.

Nestled between mountains in inland Sri Lanka, Kandy proudly bears its World Heritage Site designation while remaining culturally independent and colorfully picturesque.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Kandy: Kegalle (Millennium Elephant Foundation & Elephant Freedom Project), Huluganga Ella Falls (in Wattegama) and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (in Pinnawala). The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery Kundasale, explore and take pictures at Royal Botanical Gardens, and examine the collection at World Buddhist Museum.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Kandy online road trip planner.

Getting from Tissamaharama to Kandy by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to go by car to Nuwara Eliya.

Sitting high up in the hills, the green and pleasant Nuwara Eliya offers both a rich history and proximity to pristine natural areas.

Change things up with these side-trips from Nuwara Eliya: Devil's Staircase (in Ohiya), Sampath Gems (in Ratnapura) and Castlereagh Reservoir (in Hatton). There's lots more to do: appreciate the extensive heritage of Nuwara Eliya and Tea Country, relax in the rural setting at Bluefield Tea Gardens, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sita Temple, and take some stellar pictures from Piduruthalagala Forest Reserve.

Make your Nuwara Eliya itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by car from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Ella.

The relaxing hilltop village of Ella benefits from a more temperate climate than much of the rest of country thanks to its high elevation.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ella: Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya (in Badulla), Lanka Ella (in Beragala) and Lipton’s Seat (in Haputale). There's still lots to do: take in the awesome beauty at Little Adam's Peak, admire the natural beauty at Honey Bee Garden, take in the views from Nine Arches Bridge, and take in the dramatic natural features at Ella Rock.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, read our Ella trip maker website.

Getting from Nuwara Eliya to Ella by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Arugam Bay.

Spend the 18th (Sat) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To see photos, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Arugam Bay online day trip planner.

Getting from Ella to Arugam Bay by car takes about 3 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Polonnaruwa.

Lying 216 km (134 mi) from Colombo, Polonnaruwa offers a rich history second in Sri Lanka only to Arunadhapura.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Polonnaruwa: Mihintale (in Anuradhapura) and Safaris (in Habarana). Spend the 24th (Fri) exploring nature at Wasgamuwa National Park. The adventure continues: appreciate the history behind Gal Vihara, explore the ancient world of Medirigiriya Vatadage, take in the spiritual surroundings of Somawathiya Stupa, and steep yourself in history at Gal Potha.

To find more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Polonnaruwa online travel planner.

You can drive from Arugam Bay to Polonnaruwa in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Trincomalee.

A center of Tamil culture and language, Trincomalee suffered greatly during the 30-year civil war, but the troubles haven't dimmed the natural and cultural charms of the place.

Take a break from Trincomalee with a short trip to Pigeon Island National Park in Nilaveli, about 56 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: meet some fierce fish with Nilaveli Blue Diving Centre, make a trip to Girihadu Seya, take in the waterfront at Trincomalee Harbour, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Nilaveli Beach.

For photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Trincomalee online trip maker.

Drive from Polonnaruwa to Trincomalee in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sat) early enough to go by car to Dambulla.

On a trip to Dambulla, visit the largest and best-preserved cave temple complexes in the country, declared a World Heritage Site.

Go for a jaunt from Dambulla to Sigiriya to see Pidurangala Rock about 32 minutes away. Spend the 5th (Tue) exploring nature at Minneriya National Park. Next up on the itinerary: explore the fascinating underground world of Golden Temple of Dambulla, stroll through Dhilip De Alwis, see Off-Road Tours, and make a trip to Sigiriya Fortress.

To find traveler tips and tourist information, go to the Dambulla online trip maker.

Drive from Trincomalee to Dambulla in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and taxi; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel back home.