12 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary
12 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Sri Lanka attractions planner
Route & dates
12 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary
Start: Colombo
1
Colombo
— 2 nights
Find places to stay »
Fly:
1h
2
Kandy
— 2 nights
Find places to stay »
Drive:
1h 45min
3
Sigiriya
— 2 nights
Find places to stay »
Fly + taxi:
3h
4
Tissamaharama
— 1 night
Find places to stay »
Drive:
1h 30min
5
Ella
— 1 day
Find places to stay »
Drive:
1h 45min
6
Udawalawe National Park
— 1 night
Find places to stay »
Drive:
2h 45min
7
Galle
— 3 nights
Find places to stay »
train:
1h 45min
End: Colombo
Edit
View full calendar
2
nights
Colombo
2
nights

The commercial capital of the country, Colombo has added modern touches to its colonial-era core, creating an exciting and eclectic coastal city.Start off your visit on the 24th (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Negombo Beach, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Galle Face Green. Keep things going the next day: make a trip to Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, then stroll through Mount Lavinia Beach, and then take a stroll through Independence Square.
For other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, use the Colombo travel route planner .
If you are flying in from Hong Kong, the closest major airports are Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. In March, daytime highs in Colombo are 37°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Kandy.
Things to do in Colombo
Side Trip
Negombo Beach
Find places to stay Mar 24 — 26:
Highlights from your plan

Negombo Beach
1:00pm, Sat Mar 24

Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple
3:00pm, Sat Mar 24

Galle Face Green
4:30pm, Sat Mar 24
2
nights
Kandy
2
nights

Nestled between mountains in inland Sri Lanka, Kandy proudly bears its World Heritage Site designation while remaining culturally independent and colorfully picturesque.Start off your visit on the 26th (Mon): make a trip to Kandy view point. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Tue): take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanical Gardens, pause for some photo ops at Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, steep yourself in history at Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, then make a trip to Degaldoruwa Temple, and finally explore the activities along Kandy Lake.
To see ratings, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Kandy visit planner.
Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Colombo to Kandy takes an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Sigiriya.
Things to do in Kandy
Side Trips
Millennium Elephant Foundation, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Royal Botanical Gardens
Find places to stay Mar 26 — 28:
Highlights from your plan

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
2:00pm, Tue Mar 27

Royal Botanical Gardens
10:00am, Tue Mar 27

Kandy Lake
5:00pm, Tue Mar 27
2
nights
Sigiriya
2
nights

The historic rock of the same name dominates the landscape of World Heritage-listed Sigiriya, where the steep and striking lava plug contains the ruins of an ancient empire.Kick off your visit on the 29th (Thu): Head underground at The Golden Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Golden Cave Temple, then don't miss a visit to Sigiriya World Heritage Site, and finally don't miss a visit to Pidurangala Rock.
To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Sigiriya trip maker tool .
You can drive from Kandy to Sigiriya in 2 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Tissamaharama.
Things to do in Sigiriya
Side Trip
Golden Temple of Dambulla
Find places to stay Mar 28 — 30:
Highlights from your plan

Sigiriya
2:00pm, Thu Mar 29

Golden Temple of Dambulla
10:00am, Thu Mar 29

Pidurangala Rock
5:00pm, Thu Mar 29
1
night
Tissamaharama
1
night

Tourism in Tissamaharama revolves around the town's vast historic and cultural heritage, with the surroundings of scenic paddy fields adding to the ambiance.Kick off your visit on the 30th (Fri): explore the striking landscape of Yala National Park.
To find ratings, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read our Tissamaharama trip itinerary maker website .
Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Sigiriya to Tissamaharama takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In March, daytime highs in Tissamaharama are 39°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) to allow time to drive to Ella.
Things to do in Tissamaharama
Side Trip
Yala National Park
Find places to stay Mar 30 — 31:
Highlights from your plan

Yala National Park
12:30pm, Fri Mar 30
1
day
Ella
1
day

The relaxing hilltop village of Ella benefits from a more temperate climate than much of the rest of country thanks to its high elevation.Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Demodara Loop as well as Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. Kick off your visit on the 31st (Sat): take in the awesome beauty at Little Adam's Peak, then don't miss a visit to Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, then take in the dramatic scenery at Ravana Ella Falls, and finally don't miss a visit to Demodara Loop.
To find photos, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Ella trip itinerary planner.
Drive from Tissamaharama to Ella in 1.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Uda Walawe National Park.
Things to do in Ella
Find places to stay Mar 31 — Apr 1:
Highlights from your plan

Little Adam's Peak
10:00am, Sat Mar 31

Demodara Nine Arch Bridge
12:00pm, Sat Mar 31

Ravana Ella Falls
1:30pm, Sat Mar 31
1
night
Udawalawe National Park
1
night

One of the primary nature reserves in the country, Uda Walawe National Park provides vital habitat for a herd of Sri Lankan elephants.Start off your visit on the 1st (Sun): explore the striking landscape of Udawalawe National Park.
For photos, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Uda Walawe National Park online holiday planner .
Traveling by car from Ella to Uda Walawe National Park takes 2 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) to allow time to drive to Galle.
Things to do in Udawalawe National Park
Find places to stay Mar 31 — Apr 1:
Highlights from your plan

Udawalawe National Park
10:00am, Sun Apr 1
3
nights
Galle
3
nights

The southernmost city on the island, Galle combines colonial-era history with a tropical feel and climate.Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): look for gifts at Embark, steep yourself in history at Galle Fort, look for gifts at Chilli Dragon Spice, then make a trip to Japanese Peace Pagoda, and finally stroll through Unawatuna Beach. On your second day here, kick back and relax at Jungle Beach, stroll through Mirissa Beach, and then get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour.
To find photos, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Galle route planner.
You can drive from Uda Walawe National Park to Galle in 3 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and bus. You'll have a few hours on the 4th (Wed) to wrap things up before traveling home.
Things to do in Galle
Side Trips
Unawatuna, Mirissa
Find places to stay Apr 1 — 4:
Highlights from your plan

Mirissa Beach
12:00pm, Tue Apr 3

Galle Fort
10:30am, Mon Apr 2

Jungle Beach
10:00am, Tue Apr 3
Similar Plans
16 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
15 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
15 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM INDIA
January, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, popular sights
PREFERENCES: January, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
15 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
October, culture, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: October, culture, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
16 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, slow & easy, popular sights
PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Slow & easy
16 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM INDIA
August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, fast-paced, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Fast-paced
16 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM LITHUANIA
July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
14 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
13 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM BANGLADESH
January, kids, culture, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, popular sights
PREFERENCES: January, kids, culture, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
15 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
October, teens, kids, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, shopping, wildlife, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: October, teens, kids, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Medium
14 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM THAILAND
March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
21 days in Sri Lanka
BY A USER FROM SRI LANKA
July, teens, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, teens, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Slow & easy
View more plans