Sri Lanka 15 Days Itinerary

Looking for Sri Lanka 15 days itinerary? One of the world’s small nations is Sri Lanka. Due to the island’s small size, you can see a good portion of what it has to offer in just a few weeks. However, because the attractions are so close to one another, you could easily spend a year there and still not see everything.

This is an itinerary that focuses on coastal locations and UNESCO-listed sites, takes you to historic temples and national parks, or includes cycling and boating through Sri Lanka’s scenic landscapes. You may also choose an emphasized tour of the island.

Day 1 – Sigiriya

 

The first destination is to go to Sigiriya, an old rock fortress that was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Some people believe the location deserves to be the eighth wonder of the world.

The name, which translates to “Lion Rock,” makes reference to the way climbers used to start their final ascent to the top of the monument by passing through a lion’s open mouth and throat.

Unfortunately, today all that is left of this lion sculpture are its enormous paw prints on the rock. It’s an amazing sight to see the fortress rising high above the jungle.

Suggested Read: 3 Weeks Sri Lanka Itinerary

Day 2 – Dambulla

 

Next, we proceed to Dambulla. It is renowned for having the biggest and best-preserved complex of cave temples in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple. It is a revered pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has impressive mural paintings and 157 statues, including a huge Buddha monument.

King Valagambahu sought refuge here in the first century BCE, which is when the location first became known. These days, it’s worthwhile to visit not only the cave temple but also the stunning countryside views.

Day 3 – Polonnaruwa

 

The cultural triangle of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura includes Polonnaruwa, which is 2 hours from Sigiriya and 4 hours from Kandy.

After Anuradhapura was destroyed 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.

Under the authority of King Parakramabahu, a 2500-hectare tank known as the “Parakrama Samudra” was built. The city can be easily explored on foot and is split into a new and an old town. You can also hop on a bicycle to travel around the well-preserved ruins thanks to the area’s flat, well-maintained roads.

We’ll visit the striking and stirring Gal Vihara temple complex, which is home to three enormous granite statues of the Lord Buddha.

Day 4 & 5 – Kandy

 

Kandy was initially constructed as a natural defense against assault, making it a difficult target for outside invaders. After breakfast, go on a city tour that stops at the Peradeniya Botanical Garden and the Temple of the Tooth.

Take a scenic train ride with friendly locals from Nanu Oya to Kandy to start the day. Beautiful views can be seen outside the window, especially on rainy days when small waterfalls can be seen flowing from the escarpment. To save time entering the busy city, disembark when you get to the valley next to Kandy and head to your car.

The next stop is Kandy, a strategically located city that is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The impressive 16th-century temple complex is made up of numerous structures that are decorated with carvings and paintings of Buddha. As the name implies, it is the location of a significant relic, the Buddha’s tooth, which is vigilantly protected by security day and night.

Day 6 & 7 – Nuwara eliya

 

Today we will proceed to Nuwara Eliya, also known as “Little England.” Sri Lanka’s highest town, which the British colonized, still exudes a classic grandeur. There are numerous rose gardens, old colonial-style hotels, and a golf club founded in 1889.

There is no other place in Sri Lanka with a climate like this. When you travel to a tea plantation in the afternoon, the high elevation provides a cooler, energizing atmosphere that makes for a pleasant journey. You can find out more there about Sri Lanka’s primary export, Ceylon tea. Watch the brightly attired tea leaf pickers working diligently on the sloping hills.

They fill several sacks of tea leaves every day with amazing dexterity. On this special tour, you’ll get to see the entire process from tea bush to teapot.

Day 8 & 9 – Ella

 

Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, You travel for two hours this morning to reach Ella, a charming hilltop town that is becoming more and more well-known. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way as you’ll pass through two more national parkland sections where you might see elephants and other animals.

With numerous fantastic walks through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls, Ella makes a great base for relaxation. This village calms your mind and makes your day carefree and relaxing thanks to its ideal climate.

Spend some time taking a stroll through the town to take in the breathtaking views of the valleys below and the distinct atmosphere. After lunch, embark on a lovely three-hour hike along a longer pilgrimage trail to Little Adam’s Peak. Along the way, expect grand mountain vistas and quaint village scenes; don’t forget your camera.

When you return to the village, get ready, then go out to dinner at one of the local establishments. Sri Lankan dhal curry, young jackfruit curry, and fish curry with mixed rice are some of the nation’s most well-known dishes that any visitor has to try during their tour.

 Day 10 & 11 – Yala

 

The presence of numerous leopards makes Yala National Park Sri Lanka’s most visited wildlife park.

Take leisurely morning strolls through the jungle, enjoy breakfast in the open-plan restaurant with views of the grounds, and relax at your remote jungle eco-lodge. By late morning, it’s time to get in the van and travels for three hours to Kataragama, which is close to Yala National Park and is considered sacred by pilgrims who practice Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Continue your 2.5-hour Jeep safari through a remote area of the park after checking into your hotel. Elephant sightings are common in this region, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the magnificent leopard, which is the area’s more elusive big mammal.

It is the country’s second-largest national park and is situated in the southeast. You’ll have the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife today on a Jeep safari because it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1900.

The park is also home to large herds of elephants, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffalo, sloth bear, jackal, and mongoose in addition to the leopards, which are the main attraction here.

Numerous species of birds, including rosy starlings, paradise flycatchers, crested hawk eagles, blue-tailed bee-eaters, and common Loras, are present in the area.

Day 12 & 13 – Galle

 

Galle, a city perched on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, proudly displays its history.

As soon as we get there we check into an upscale hotel in the heart of the old walled-off town with colonial architecture and an abundance of palm trees. This region is full of historical significance, unique tales, and ancestry.

It’s the ideal place to spend a leisurely afternoon recovering from your flight because there are so many delicious food options available, as well as peace and quiet.

Get to know some of the colorful locals, learn about the families who have lived here for generations, and take a stroll along the city’s ramparts on a morning walk led by a local.

Then take a boat to Unawatuna Beach, a popular, palm-lined, sandy stretch that draws tourists from all over the world. Turtles are occasionally seen here. Before going swimming, enjoy a pizza while overlooking one of the nation’s most stunning beaches. Remember to keep an eye out for the sea.

Day 14 & 15 – Colombo

 

We would spend some time today, the final day of the tour, touring Colombo, a vibrant city full of historical sites and Buddhist temples. Take a drive through the city’s business district to see grand structures from the colonial era coexisting with contemporary hotels and office buildings.

Visit Pettah’s bustling markets and bazaars to pick up some last-minute gifts. On your final night, eat Sri Lankan cuisine at a neighborhood restaurant. In Colombo, various cultures coexist. A busy city’s hustle and bustle is dotted with attractions.

These ports were once visited by ancient Arab traders, and the historic city was formerly inhabited by Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonists. Discover the country’s past and its many diverse attractions by visiting historical and cultural sites.

Contact Ceylon Empire Travels the best travel agents in Sri Lanka to get Sri Lanka 15 days itinerary.