Hello fellow traveller! Are you looking to experience a diverse culture, landscape, and food?
Welcome to the teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka, a mesmerizing destination with a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty. In this 7-day itinerary, we will explore Sri Lanka through the highlights of Colombo, Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Yala, and Bentota. Whether you’re a budget traveler, a family with kids, or a senior seeking a memorable journey, this guide is tailored for you. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that combines diverse landscapes, ancient wonders, flavoursome cuisines, and warm hospitality.
The Best Itinerary to Explore Sri Lanka
We have explored Sri Lanka in its raw beautious self in a chauffeur-driven mini van for 7 days. While it apparently might look more expensive, we calculated and figured out that this conveyance is best suited for travelers with children, or senior citizens, or both! If you’re wondering whether your kid will enjoy this country, we reccomend reading our blog post on Best Age to Travel with a Baby – Top 3 Recommendations in 2024.
We traveled from India, which made the journey short and sweet, however, there are well-connected routes with multiple airlines, all across the world. We did all the dirty work, so you don’t have to, except read on and immerse yourself in the perfect 7-day itinerary to explore Sri Lanka!
Day 1: Colombo – Soak in the Capital’s Vibes
Start your journey in the bustling capital, Colombo. Spend the first day exploring the city’s vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and cultural landmarks. Don’t miss the National Museum, Independence Square, and Gangaramaya Temple. We can’t really stop gushing over the experience at Gangaramaya Temple – which was so much more than a temple! It was an artiste’s wildest imagination captured in tangible form, with lofty arches, towering elephant sculptures, innumerable artefacts, and also the smallest Buddha statue in the world. It was, in fact, nothing short of a museum!
You can also discover the local flavors at Pettah Market or visit the beautiful Viharamahadevi Park. In the evening, take a stroll along Galle Face Green to enjoy the sunset and indulge in a seafood snack-feast from the bustling local vendors. If you wish to splurge a little, have a fancy dinner at the famous Ministry of Crab. This endeavour by the Cricket Champs – Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane, along with culinary mastermind Dharshan Munidasa, is quite a wonderful experience with succulent mud crabs and fresh prawns cooked to perfection. Truly, this would be a milestone in your bucket list to explore Sri Lanka.
Day 2: Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla – A Cultural Escapade
On Day 2, head to the ancient city of Sigiriya, where the iconic Sigiriya Rock awaits. Crowned as the 8th Wonder of the World by UNESCO, and as legends say, it used to be Ravana’s palace, the ‘Lion Rock’ is a natural and architectural marvel. Perhaps your entire plan to explore Sri Lanka remains incomplete without a visit to this mythical wonder. Start your day really early to avoid the midday heat and sweat. This comes as a good rule of thumb to explore Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya Rock opens from 6 AM, so you can be one of the first up top and get aesthetic photos. Climb ~1800 steps to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and marvel at the ancient frescoes.
However, if hiking is not on your mind, feel free to sit in the garden at the base of the rock, or hire a Tuktuk to have a bumpy ride to explore the rock from different viewpoints, or perhaps catch a local activity package with bullock cart ride, rural Sri Lankan lunch, finishing with a boat ride at the Sigiriya lake while marveling at the grandeur of the majestic rock.
In the afternoon, explore the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning cave paintings and statues. The temple is again at a height, reachable with a climb of about 580 rock-cut steps, so hydrate adequately. Later in the day, make time to wander through the Golden Temple and absorb the spiritual ambiance. We also highly recommend visiting a Spice Garden to immerse in the knowledge of Ayurveda, and acquire eco-friendly items like bug repellents, massage oils, incense, balms, and so much more! Treat yourself to some organic hot chocolate while visiting the garden too! Who knew of these little surprises when we set off to explore Sri Lanka?!
Day 3: Kandy – Cultural Heart of Sri Lanka
On Day 3, make your way to Kandy, a city nestled amid hills and home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. It’s perhaps the most important temple site of the country, attracting a wide range of tourists from all across the world. Again, very easily accessible, with an elevator for families with infants, senior citizens or specially-abled tourists, this temple truly represents peace and calm that the Buddhist culture embodies.
If you wish to explore Sri Lanka from all aspects, you can also attend a cultural show featuring traditional dance and music, visit different gem showrooms, featuring moonstones, or explore the local market for some handicrafts, spices, and other souvenirs.
Additionally, you can also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and take a leisurely boat ride on Kandy Lake. Kandy brings a huge range of cuisines, but the authentic Sri Lankan Rice Curry with Coconut Sambal is a must-try here – beware, it’s spicy, but the flavours are to-die-for! We would recommend skipping staying in Kandy and heading straight to the next destination, to make the most of the time and budget to explore Sri Lanka.
Day 4-5: Nuwara Eliya – Tea Plantations and Cool Climes
The best part about the beautiful country is its diverse landscapes, something you’ll keep encountering as you explore Sri Lanka. While Sigiriya was hot as coal, Nuwara Eliya, was a breath of fresh air and balm to the sweating skin. As you explore Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya will truly steal your heart. This picture perfect hillside destination is often referred to as “Little England” due to its colonial architecture and cool climate. It gave us major Darjeeling vibes! Visit a tea plantation to witness the tea-making process and enjoy a scenic train ride through lush landscapes.
A must-visit site is the Seetha Amman temple, which is the mythological site for the first meeting of Shri Hanuman and Goddess Seetha. It is located right by the road, with easy access for young children as well as aged tourists.
Don’t forget to take a stroll in the Hakkgala Botanical Gardens, enjoy the scenic Gregory Lake, and visit a local strawberry farm, all offering tranquility amidst stunning surroundings. Nature truly becomes your constant companion when you explore Sri Lanka!
In Gregory Lake, here are several options of different boat rides, of which we recommend the motor boat – a slow ride in calm waters with the entire family only makes the experience sublime and memories sweeter! You can also visit the Queen Victoria Park, which has beautiful greenery, a well-maintained children’s park, and serves as a wonderful destination for a picnic under the shade of the huge banyan trees. If visiting between January to April, the weather truly is the best in Sri Lanka, cool and breezy!
Day 6: Yala National Park – Get in Touch with your Inner Tarzan
Start late on Day 5 and head to Yala. On your way to Yala National Park, stop at the Nine Arches bridge and Ravana Waterfalls for some gorgeous photo opportunities! However, the climb to the bridge is downhill amidst lush green forests, so do wear closed shoes. The waterfall, on the other hand is right on the road, which makes it an amazing stop for families with young children and aged members.
On reaching the area, you can opt to stay near the National Park, where the hotel options are bit on the pricier side, or select neighbouring villages where budget-friendly but extremely hospitable stay options are available. We recommend reaching Yala the previous day you intend to do the Safari, as the though there are two slots of the safari, we recommend opting for the morning slot, which starts at around 7 AM, for better weather and higher chance of fauna spotting. You would need to book a jeep, which normally picks up from the hotel by 4.30 AM.
Embark on a safari adventure, view its diverse wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and exotic birds. We really were overwhelmed with the sightings, watching the beautiful creatures in action. To know more and plan your safari, visit the official website of Yala National Park for the latest updates. After the safari, come back to your hotel and relax in the pool or head to the local market for shopping!
Day 7: Bentota – Relax by the Beach
Start early on Day 7, and drive out through the smooth highways of Sri Lanka. As you begin your last day in the beautiful country, we recommend heading to Bentota for a relaxing beach getaway. Enjoy water activities or simply unwind on the pristine shores. There are several seafront hotel options, and we highly recommend staying in a sea-facing room, as unlike many countries, you can experience the waters literally at your feet! You can also visit a moonstone gem mine, take a riverboat ride in Madhu River, or even release baby turtles from a turtle hatchery! According to us, the activity to release turtles in the sea is truly a lifetime experience, so fulfilling, and completely safe for kids too!
Pamper yourself to a relaxing spa to unwind after a week of adventure, or indulge in some fresh seafood prepared to your palate and taste by the welcoming and polite chefs at your hotel. A great way to spend the evening is by picking up souvenirs. The options are truly endless and the prices are really pocket-friendly – apparels, knick-knacks, artefacts, cookware, cutlery, you name it, they got it!
Pack Your Suitcase with a Lifetime of Memories
As your 7-day journey to explore Sri Lanka comes to an end, you’ll carry memories of ancient wonders, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re a budget traveler, a family with little ones, or a senior seeking tranquility, this mesmerizing island country offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to every adventurer. Get ready to be enchanted by this jewel of the Indian Ocean!
9 Responses
Excellent narration and helpful for all.
Thank you for such a well-written and detailed travel blog. You really did a very thorough research on Sri Lanka and found out one of the best ways to explore this beautiful tropical paradise with young kids and elderly members of the family.
Great post! I enjoyed reading it and learned a lot. Your writing style is engaging and easy to follow, and the information you provided was very helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise on this topic. Keep up the good work.
thank you for the kind words! Please share it with your friends and all those you think will benefit from this read!
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¡Muchas gracias! No olvides leer nuestros otros blogs de la serie sobre Sri Lanka. Espero que también te resulten útiles. ¡Gracias!