Are you planning a good week-long trip this holiday season? Make a visit to the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean- Sri Lanka”. This nation is one of the top destinations to spend 8 days of your holiday season. Whether you want a family trip or if you like to travel solo, Sri Lanka is for you all. Check this Sri Lanka itinerary for 8 days.
Sri Lanka is a mixture of ancient, colonial, and modern cultures. The ancient ruins are well-preserved. You can take a sneak peek into Asian history since prehistoric times through Sri Lanka. This blog will help you plan your 8 days in Sri Lanka.
The article covers all types of places for each type of travel enthusiast. From history buffs to nature lovers, Sri Lanka is home to everything. You can cover the majority of the sites in 8 days if you visit the proper destinations. Keep reading to know more.
Day 1 – Negombo
Bandaranaike International Airport is where you should land first. Let your trip begin in the beautiful coastal city of Negombo. If you feel tired from your long flight, relax on the shore under the palm trees. Watch the fishing boats, see the sun go down, and let that tiredness go away.
Negombo has been an important port since ancient times. It was also a place of trading activity for the Portuguese and the Dutch. Therefore, you will get to see many ruins here. When in Negombo, you can visit the Dutch fort. It dates back to the 17th century. It was built by the Portuguese but later acquired by the Dutch.
St. Mary’s Church is another exciting site. It is one of the biggest cathedrals in the nation. The church is more than 140 years old. Here you will come across a painting of Christ that was painted by a local Buddhist painter.
That’s not it. Negombo also has a beach and a beautiful lagoon. Being connected to the Indian Ocean, the beach and the lagoon are ideal spots for water lovers.
Suggested Read: 5 Days Tour Package in Sri Lanka
Day 2 – Sigiriya
Once done with Negombo, move to Sigiriya. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A ruined fortress with a huge rock is the destination for you. Sigiriya attracts most tourists for its big rock structure. If you are interested in archaeology, this place will delight you.
It takes around an hour to climb up the Sigiriya rock. But the view is worth the climb. While you climb up, you will get to see ancient paintings on the rocks. These belong to early 3rd century. The rock fortress was actually a palace of king Kasyapa 1 of Sri Lanka.
The shape of the rock is like that of a lion. And so, it is also known as the lion rock. It is open from 6:30 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. And you will have to purchase the tickets to see the ancient palace ruins. The entrance, the view, the design, everything is mesmerizing.
You will need an entire day as you will have to climb up and then come back, too. You can spot food hawkers nearby to have some snacks.
Day 3 – Kandy
Spend the third day of your trip at Kandy. This is the perfect destination to witness the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. There are many Buddhist sites here in Kandy. One of the most popular is Sri Dalada Maligawa. It has tooth relics of Gautam Buddha. The best time to visit here is on the occasion of Esala Perahera. It is celebrated in July or August.
The temple opens at 5:30 in the morning and closes at 8:00 in the night. The price of the ticket is around LKR 1500.
One of the photogenic places here is Bogambara Lake. The view is scenic and looks delighting. The colorful buildings, blue water, and green plants and trees altogether make it worth watching. the next stop is at Royal Botanical Gardens. Orchids here are very famous. This one is a huge botanical garden with many woody plants.
The botanical garden opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. The tickets cost around LKR 3000. This must sum up your day 3 at Kandy.
Day 4 & 5 – Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya will take up to 2 days for you to explore. There are many nearby attractions that you will enjoy. Nuwara Eliya, or Little England, has a cool and pleasant climate. It has buildings that follow colonial architecture. Since the colonial period itself, Nuwara Eliya has been important.
In the next two days, you will get to see a different side of Sri Lanka. While most cities in the nation are humid or hot, this one is cool and calm. The tea plantations are everywhere, and the aroma is pleasing. If you are a tea lover, you are just about to enter heaven.
Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places. You will find some amazing waterfalls, like St. Clair’s Falls. The falls are amidst the tea plantations and have the most picturesque landscape.
The second day at Nuwara Eliya can be spent plucking strawberries. It is called the strawberry capital of the country. Victoria Park and Lake Gregory are other sites that you can visit. If you want to shop for some traditional items, visit Bale Bazaar.
Day 6 – Ella
Let us move ahead to day 6 of your trip. After a slow start, it is time to begin the adventure. Bring out your adventurous side to explore Ella. It is a hill station, so it has a pleasant climate. Hiking is a common thing here. Ella has many viewpoints, and so tourists often hike the little hills to see the best view.
You can hike up Ella Rock to see the entire hill station. You can hike Little Adam’s Peak as well. Then go to the Nine-Arch Bridge. This was constructed by the British during colonial rule. You will be stunned to see the view of this bridge. When a train passes by, it adds more to the beauty of the bridge. Visit here during the daytime.
If you like to try new food items, Ella is a good spot. Visitors often try local, authentic delicacies. You will find many food stalls on the roadside. There are well-designed cafés and restaurants, too. Ella has amazing spice markets. So, before you leave, make sure you pack some Asian spices for yourself.
Day 7 – Bentota
Bentota is your next destination for adventure. Bentota is popular for its water sports and activities on the beach. If you love water activities, you are now at the right destination. The main attraction in Bentota is the Bentota River. You can take a boat safari here. This river safari is going to be different.
You will spot rare bird species and crocodiles during a river safari in the Bentota River. Apart from this, other activities are carried out on the beach. These include snorkeling and jet-skiing. The cost of these activities is affordable. All the safety precautions have been taken, so you can enjoy them to the fullest.
Once the sun sets, it is time to try some delicious sea food. There are restaurants near the beach. You can book a table to try out Sri Lankan-sea food.
Day 8 – Colombo
Your last destination is the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo. It is a blend of traditional living and modern thinking. The night-life is quite famous, and youngsters make the most of it here. From fancy bars to museums and temples, it has it all.
Now that you have seen many places in Sri Lanka, it is time to indulge in its history. The National Museum in Colombo showcases artifacts that tell Sri Lanka’s story. You can visit the museum everyday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Ticket rates are LKR 60 for children and LKR 1500 for adults. Charges for local and foreign people are different. The ticket prices also include national museum of Natural History. There are parks to sit in and reflect on your 8-day trip to Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Get ready to make the most of your holiday season in Sri Lanka. The country offers experiences like no other. Water sports, forts, spirituality, and nature will give you an amazing time here. From Negombo to Colombo, all the cities have something unique to offer their visitors.
The beaches, mountains, and national parks are great places to collect memories. There are so many sites in this nation that even 8 days might be less. But that is why we have curated this list for 8 days that is perfect for your holiday plan.
We have covered all the details of each city in our separate blogs. You can explore our website to learn more. If you want to stay a little longer in any city, you can make plans accordingly. Do let us know what your plans are for this holiday season.
Contact Ceylon Empire Travels one of the best travel agents in Sri Lanka to get 8 days Sri Lanka itinerary.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
