Sri Lanka has been a dream destination for many travellers, we know. But in this busy life, all have a limited time frame for travel. Located in the Indian Ocean to the south of India, Sri Lanka is a destination of pristine beaches, calm ambience, rich tradition, and delicious food. This brief will help travellers plan better.
Reaching Sri Lanka and explore Colombo
Colombo is the capital city of the island country Sri Lanka. It is connected to all Indian cities. That’s why the best way to reach Sri Lanka is to hop on a flight from any international airport. From Delhi, it takes about 3-4hours approximately. The cheapest flights are available from Chennai. Also please note, travelling with a visa and passport is a must in Sri Lanka. The immigration is generally quick in the Colombo International Airport. After getting fresh at a resort, visit the Gangaramaya temple, a prayer spot and a museum. Next, the tourists can head to Beira Lake which is very near the temple.
Colombo is a fusion of tradition and modern vibes. Along with some new-age style, it has an old-city charm too. Enjoy some nightlife and shopping at the heart of the island nation. Visit the Ministry of Crab. This is also on most of the travellers’ bucket list.
Some other notable places to visit in Colombo are Virahamahadevi Park, the floating market of Pettah, and Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque.
Explore Mirissa
The drive from Colombo to Mirissa takes around three hours. Here, there are some major tourist spots including Bentota, Galle, Hikkaduwa. On the way don’t miss out on the enchanting view of the coastline. Mirissa beach is a great place to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Enjoy a candlelight dinner at some of the restaurants along the coastline.
While in Mirissa, watch some dolphins and also you can try your hands in fishing. You can also get a chance to encounter a majestic creature, i.e., the blue whale.
Marissa is also famous for the nightlife with some South Goa ambiance. Clean beaches and friendly western tourists are its things.
Experience Galle
Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is full of Buddhist temples and some fantastic viewpoints. This place gives out a feeling of a Dutch town with roadside cafes, beautiful lanes, boutique stores, colonial architectures, and picturesque corners which happens to be the perfect backdrop for some Insta shots. You can spend your evening walking on the pebbled streets and relishing some delicious gelatos. Don’t forget to take some souvenirs back home, such as keychains, handmade cards, paintings, jewellery, sarongs, etc.
Some visual wonders that you can visit are a Dutch reformed church, Galle tower, the National Museum, and the Galle cricket stadium. Also, witness a breathtaking sunset with a panoramic view from the top of the Galle lighthouse. Some popular beaches such as Unawutana, Koggala, and Hikkaduwa lie close to Galle. Enjoy some activities like surfing, canoeing, and diving on these beaches.
Witness the scenic Nuwara Eliya
Travelling to Nuwara Eliya from Galle is an eight-hours-long bus ride. The smooth drive along the southern coastline of Sri Lanka has been full of picture-perfect scenic views. Nuwara Eliya is popular as ‘little England’ for its atmosphere and chilly air. Gregory lake is a great place to be at. The famous Petro tea estate and the Lover’s Leap waterfall offer some great views.
Journey to Kandy
Kandy is home to the sacred Buddhist temple, Temple of the Tooth, holding the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, the city of Kandy always looks vibrant with beautiful streets. Sightseeing for the day includes the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue, the second tallest statue of Sri Lanka. It is an 88ft high white-colored statue of Buddha. The spice gardens here are worth a visit. Don’t forget to take some spices home from here. Go up to the Kandy viewpoint and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire Kandy city.
Now, giving you a Sri Lanka itinerary for the explorers ––
Day 1: Land in Colombo and explore the city
Day 2: Explore more of Colombo. Drive to Mirissa.
Day 3: Experience Mirissa, and drive to Galle
Day 4: Drop your luggage at a hotel. Explore Mirissa. Experience the best of the Sri Lankan cuisines
Day 5: Take a bus to Nuwara Eliya from Galle. Reach Galle, soak in the scenery and relax in the land of little England
Day 6: Hop on a journey to Kandy
Day 7: Explore Kandy at its best
Day 8: Experience a picturesque journey from Kandy to Colombo. Get on a flight back to India.
Pickyourtrail can help you get the best itinerary and in turn an overall amazing trip with its Sri Lanka Tour Packages.
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