Sri Lanka 10-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Colombo
   Bandaranaike International Airport to Colombo - 45 minutes (20.7 km)

   Explore the bustling capital of Sri Lanka with visits to the National Museum, Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square.

2. Day 2: Dambulla
   Colombo to Dambulla - 3 hours 15 minutes (154.6 km)

   Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple - 5 separate caves featuring over 150 statues and paintings. Explore the nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

3. Day 3: Kandy
   Dambulla to Kandy - 2 hours 10 minutes (72.4 km)

   Take a scenic train ride through the countryside to the cultural capital of Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and be immersed in traditional Kandyan dance and music at the Cultural Dance Show.

4. Day 4: Nuwara Eliya
   Kandy to Nuwara Eliya - 2 hours 30 minutes (77.4 km)

   Discover the lush tea plantations, stretch your legs on a quiet trek around the beautiful Hakgala Botanic Gardens, enjoy the stunning views from the World's End viewpoint.

5. Day 5: Ella
   Nuwara Eliya to Ella - 2 hours 30 minutes (58.1 km)

   Take on the challenging trek to the Ella Rock for a spectacular panoramic view and treat yourself to a dip at the Ravana Falls.

6. Day 6: Udawalawe National Park
   Ella to Udawalawe National Park - 2 hours 30 minutes (84.2 km)

   Embark on an adventurous jeep safari at the Udawalawe National Park and witness majestic animals such as Sri Lankan elephants, leopards, and crocodiles in their natural habitat.

7. Day 7: Mirissa
   Udawalawe National Park to Mirissa - 1 hour 40 minutes (65.5 km)

   Relax and spend some time at the Mirissa Beach, hop aboard a whale and dolphin watching excursion, go snorkeling at the Coral Reef.

8. Day 8: Galle
   Mirissa to Galle - 45 minutes (24.9 km)

   Wander through the historic streets of Galle Fort, a 17th-century fortification which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with museums, churches, and shops.

9. Day 9: Hikkaduwa
   Galle to Hikkaduwa - 40 minutes (24.9 km)

   Visit the Hikkaduwa Coral Gardens for a dose of underwater adventure by snorkeling and scuba diving. Walk through the Moonstone Mines and take in the picturesque views at the Tsunami Honganji Vihara.

10. Day 10: Negombo
    Hikkaduwa to Bandaranaike International Airport and home - 2 hours 40 minutes (116 km)

    End your trip with a relaxing boat ride at the Muthurajawela Marsh, savouring the famous Sri Lankan cuisine at Lords Restaurant or getting lost at the bustling Negombo Fish Market.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• National Museum (2 hours, 200 LKR)
• Gangaramaya Temple (1 hour, 300 LKR)
• Independence Square (1 hour, free admission)
• Dambulla Cave Temple (2 hours, 1500 LKR)
• Sigiriya Rock Fortress (4 hours, 5500 LKR)
• Temple of the Tooth Relic (1-2 hours, 1500 LKR)
• Cultural Dance Show (1 hour, 1000 LKR)
• Hakgala Botanic Gardens (2 hours, 1500 LKR)
• World's End viewpoint (2-3 hours, 1200 LKR)
• Ella Rock (4-5 hours, free admission)
• Ravana Falls (1 hour, free admission)
• Udawalawe National Park (4-5 hours, 5000 LKR)
• Mirissa Beach (1-2 hours, free admission)
• Whale and dolphin watching excursion (4-5 hours, 6000 LKR)
• Coral Reef (2 hours, 3000 LKR)
• Galle Fort (2-3 hours, free admission)
• Hikkaduwa Coral Gardens (2 hours, 2500 LKR)
• Moonstone Mines (1 hour, free admission)
• Tsunami Honganji Vihara (1 hour, free admission)
• Lords Restaurant (1-2 hours, 1000 LKR)
• Negombo Fish Market (2-3 hours, free admission)
Total Estimated Costs: 33,200 LKR

Useful Tips:

For an adventurous traveler, the amount of time spent in some location could be altered to fit personal preferences. Sri Lanka's climate is tropical and can often experience monsoon rains -carry appropriate clothing and rain protection. The itinerary is suitable between December through March.