Looking for 3 weeks Sri Lanka itinerary? This stunning island is home to some of the best beaches in the world and is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. More than 400 different bird species can be found in Sri Lanka’s national parks, and tourists can go on safaris to see elephants and leopards.
Sri Lanka offers a wide range of vacation experiences, from sun-kissed beach vacations to marathon wildlife watching, heart-pounding adventure sports, and pilgrimages to some of the world’s oldest cities.
Day 1 – Negombo
Negombo sometimes referred to as “little Rome,” is a town with a long history and a significant Catholic presence. When you get there, check-in at your lodging before leaving to explore the area. The lobsters, crabs, and prawns in this lagoon are renowned.
On the beach, fish auctions frequently take place. (and are worth experiencing). Old Dutch and Portuguese Colonial structures may appeal to architecture enthusiasts. Additionally, it’s fun to stroll along the area’s numerous canals.
Day 2 & 3 – Sigiriya/Dambulla
Today we will visit the city of Dambulla, which is well-known for its 157 statues, including a 47-foot-long statue of the recumbent Buddha, stunning mural paintings, and a Cave Temple. This cave monastery, which is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, is both a revered sacred pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
King Valagambahu took refuge there in the first century BCE, leaving behind more than 150 images of the Buddha. This is when the five caves first became known. Then, continue on to Sigiriya, where a welcoming lodge is waiting.
The imposing, historic rock fortress at Sigiriya, is a top ecotourism destination in Sri Lanka and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the fortress after breakfast. In order to reach the top, visitors once had to climb through a stone lion’s open mouth and throat. Unfortunately, most of the lion carving has faded, but you can still make out its paw prints in the rock.
Day 4 – Polonnaruwa
The next stop is Polonnaruwa. After Anuradhapura collapsed in 993, Polonnaruwa served as the country of Sri Lanka’s second capital. Along with the Chola-built Brahmanic monuments, it also contains the magnificent ruins of Parakramabahu I a magnificent garden city, which was built in the 12th century.
The cultural triangle of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura includes Polonnaruwa, which is 2 hours from Sigiriya and 4 hours from Kandy.
Day 5 & 6 – Kandy
The cultural significance can be found in Kandy, the capital of the Central Province, for its Temple of the Tooth Relic. One of the most revered places of worship in the Buddhist tradition is this World Heritage site. The city was originally the location of a natural fortress due to its geographical advantage.
In contrast to the coastal forts on the island, it was a fort that was difficult to attack because it was cradled by three mountain ranges. Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations today and is regarded as the entry point to the hill country.
Day 7 & 8 – Nuwara eliya
We next take the route to Nuwara Eliya. Sri Lankan tea is primarily produced in the Sri Lankan town of Nuwara Eliya. In addition to the tea plantations, some of the town’s most well-known attractions include Gregory Lake, Sita Temple, and Horton Plains National Park.
Day 9 & 10 – Ella
One of Sri Lanka’s renowned old trains will take you from Nuwera Eliya to Ella over the course of the majority of the day. The British invented this particular train journey in the 19th century. Its primary use was for the transportation of goods, primarily tea from the local plantations.
You’ll reach the sleepy mountain village of Ella after taking in a day’s worth of breathtaking scenery. The town has a delightfully cool climate because it is situated in the central highlands. You can see all the way to Sri Lanka’s southern coast on a clear day.
There are many wonderful walks in Ella that take visitors through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls, making it the ideal base for relaxation.
Day 11 & 12 – Yala
Yala national park is a must-see in Sri Lanka because of its diverse flora and fauna and offers a singular experience. Though it is worthwhile to visit the park all year round, try to time your trip for when it is busiest.
Yala was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and it was one of Sri Lanka’s first two national parks, along with Wilpattu, when it was established in 1938. The variety of wild animals in the park is its best-known feature. It is crucial for the preservation of aquatic birds, leopards, and elephants in Sri Lanka.
Day 13 – Mirissa
The long whale-watching season in Mirissa, which is surrounded by rubber and coconut plantations, historic temples, and spice gardens, is well-known. The stunning crescent beach is a true paradise for anyone who loves the sun and the sea, and it still has the allure of a quaint fishing village.
Go surfing—you can take lessons if this is your first time—or unwind on Secret Beach’s serene sands. You can take a ride in a vibrant tuk-tuk or rent a motorcycle to explore the coastline.
One of the best places in the world to see blue whales is off the south coast of Sri Lanka.
Whales can be easily spotted in the waters near Mirissa from November to April when they are traveling along their yearly migration route from the Horn of Africa up to the Arabian Sea.
On your whale-watching boat ride off the coast, you might also see sperm whales and different species of dolphins. Enjoy the sunset and a seafood dinner on your final night in Sri Lanka after the excursion of the day.
Day 14, 15 & 16 – Galle
For the next three days, the tour will take on in Galle, a filled provincial capital and the administrative hub of the south, served as Sri Lanka’s first hub for global trade and commerce. Unawatuna Bay, a lovely cove shielded by a reef, is the ancient port city’s claim to fame.
A 36-hectare fortress that was originally constructed by the Portuguese in 1587 and then rebuilt by the Dutch is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ocean encircles it on three sides. Galle’s remarkable collection of historic buildings transports customers to a different era even as the town modernizes.
Sri Lanka’s first hub of international trade was the historic port city of Galle. These days, this town serves as the southern region’s administrative hub and provincial capital. Galle still has a stunning collection of historic sites that go back hundreds of years despite the presence of modern structures and public conveniences.
While visiting Galle, you can also learn about the legendary Unawatuna Bay, which is surrounded by a reef, and the location of the fort bearing the same name. The 36-hectare fort was constructed by the Portuguese in 1587, and UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage Site. The ocean encircles the fort on three sides.
Day 17 & 18 – Bentota
Bentota, our next tour destination is rich with a beautiful beach. The production of toddy, an alcoholic beverage made from coconut nectar, is renowned in Bentota. On Induruwa beach, there is a turtle hatchery. On Bentota Beach, Aturuwella, and Bentota River, one can take exhilarating river cruises, go diving, snorkeling, water skiing, speed boating, kitesurfing, windsurfing, banana boating, and tubing.
Bentota is dispersed along Sri Lanka’s west coast, starting in the north with a collection of hotels that gradually gets smaller as you move south. Long stretches of golden sand are only occasionally shaded by granite outcrops and corkscrew palms.
Richy Skylark Helipad rides are available. Visit the Galapatha Raja Maha Vihare Buddhist temple, which is located in Bentota and contains stone inscriptions, stone carvings, pillars, ponds, and troughs from the medieval era, from this helipad that Skylark Aviation Helicopter uses close to the estuary.
Day 19, 20 & 21 – Colombo
The capital of Sri Lanka’s executive and judicial branches and its most populous city is Colombo. Spend some time exploring Colombo, a bustling city full of historical sites and Buddhist temples.
Drive through the city’s business district to see grand structures from the colonial era coexist with contemporary hotels and office buildings. Visit Pettah’s bustling markets and bazaars to pick up some last-minute offerings.
On your last day in Sri Lanka, go on a city tour of Colombo to meet the welcoming locals and learn more about the country’s rich history and culture.
The political, economic, and cultural hub of Sri Lanka is Colombo, which is also home to a wide range of tourist attractions and is renowned for its diverse culture. From Arab traders to the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonists who ruled the city, Colombo’s history can be described as a melting pot of foreign influences.
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Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
