The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, has existed since ancient times. Its natural landscape and rich history attract lakhs of tourists every year. If you, too, are planning a vacation here, this is your Sri Lanka itinerary including Jaffna.
The northern city of Jaffna is less explored. It has a unique cultural identity, and it holds a distinct charm. This article focuses on covering various tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, including Jaffna. We have covered cultural, natural, vibrant, and heritage-filled spots for you.
Day 1 & 2 – Jaffna
Let us begin the trip with Jaffna itself. Jaffna is a district/city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Certain Indian inscriptions tell us that the city existed hundreds of years ago. It is more popular for its distinctive Tamil culture than the rest of Sri Lanka.
You will need around two days to explore the city of Jaffna. On day one, you can first make a visit to Nallur Kandaswamy. It is a huge Hindu temple with golden arches and ornate gopuram. The other places to visit are Jaffna Fort, archaeological museum, Malayan café, etc.
On day two, visit Casuarina Beach. You can explore the Jaffna Market, and you will come across many Tamil people. There are adjoining islands to Jaffna, as discussed ahead.
Day 3 – Delft Island
For the third day, our plan is for Neduntheevu or Delft Island. It is accessible by a short ferry ride. This is the place in Sri Lanka where you will find wild horses roaming freely. The island is known for its rustic charm.
There are many ancient ruins of the Dutch Fort, a Portuguese Church, and much more. The beaches here are not to be missed at all. The best thing here is the coral reefs. The fort is open 24 hours as it is completely ruined.
Camping is a common adventure for tourists who visit Delft Island. It starts at 8 a.m., and you can then leave by 5 pm. Make sure you get back to the jetty by the time the timings are fixed. You may not find any jetty after 6 pm.
Day 4 – Nainativu Island
The adventure continues on another island on day four. Nainativu Island is famous for its religious significance. Take blessings at the Nagapooshani Amman Temple. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati. It opens at 6 am and closes at 1.30 pm. It reopens again, and the timing is between 4.30 pm and 6 pm.
Later, head over to Nagadeepa Buddhist Temple. It is an ancient one. The temple hours are 9 am to 4.30 pm. The legend believes that Lord Buddha visited this place, and then the temple was built. To reach Nainativu Island, you can take a jetty from Jaffna.
Day 5 – Trincomalee
Trincomalee is your next spot. It is known for its pristine beaches and natural harbors. Another temple visit awaits you here. Koneswaram temple is on top of the Swami rock. It is a temple of a thousand pillars that has existed since the medieval period. Visiting hours are 6 am to 6.45 pm. The temple is closed from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Then visit Fort Frederick or the Trincomalee Fort. It is open between 6 am and 10 pm. The construction of the fort was completed by the Portuguese in 1624 CE. Then head over to Nilaveli Beach for adventurous water sports. You can also spend your day relaxing on the golden sand.
Day 6 & 7 – Anuradhapura
For the next two days, you will be at the ancient capital of this nation, Anuradhapura. This entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has many Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and a sacred Bodhi tree.
It is believed that this city flourished for around 1300 years. Ruwanweli Maha Seya is a Buddhist stupa with the largest collection of Buddha’s relics. It opens every day at 5.30 am and closes at 9 pm. To see the sacred Bodhi tree, visit the Mahamewna Garden, which opens at 6.30 am and closes at 9 pm.
Don’t forget to visit the archaeological museum here. It is housed in an old colonial building but has so much for its visitors. The artifacts here tell you the details of the religious, spiritual, cultural, and colonial history of Sri Lanka. It is closed on Tuesdays, while visiting hours for other days are 9 am to 4 pm.
Day 8 – Kandy
It is time you moved to Kandy now. Nestled amidst lush green hills and serene lakes, Kandy is for peace lovers. The coolness here gives a different relief to the mind. A good mindfulness spot is the temple of the tooth relic. It is yet another Buddhist temple.
You can also go to the Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue for panoramic views of the city. In the evening, book a show for the Kandyan Dance Show that you surely cannot miss. Witness various forms of Sri Lankan dance under one roof.
Day 9 – Colombo
The last day is to be spent at Colombo, the modern-day capital of the nation. The Pettah market here is full of souvenirs that you must buy as a memory. Colombo is a bustling city, and thus, there is a lot to do here.
But the most important thing is its nightlife. If you love partying, enjoy the vibrant clubs here. During the day-time, you can visit Gangaramaya temple and the Colombo national museum. You can explore Sri Lankan delicacies all across the streets.
Conclusion
This was it for your Sri Lanka itinerary including Jaffna. This nation is full of destinations and adventures. Since ancient times, Buddhism has been prominent, and hence, you will find many Buddhist stupas and monasteries here.
There is a large population of Hindus as well. Thus, there are a lot of Hindu temples, too. The trip to Sri Lanka is mostly a spiritual one. You can try out adventures on the beaches. Water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, etc. are very common.
Use this article as a guide to your Sri Lanka trip planning. We wish you a safe and happy journey to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Contact Ceylon Empire Travels to get Sri Lanka itinerary including Jaffna.
Editorial Staff at Ceylon Empire Travels are Specialist in Sri Lanka Travel.
