26 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary

The commercial capital of the country, Colombo has added modern touches to its colonial-era core, creating an exciting and eclectic coastal city.

Colombo is known for historic sites, shopping, parks, wildlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, take in the local highlights with Walking tours, get engrossed in the history at The Bandaranaike Museum, and don't miss a visit to Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.

To find traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Colombo trip maker website .

Auckland, New Zealand to Colombo is an approximately 20-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of flight, taxi, and bus. You'll gain 6 hours traveling from Auckland to Colombo due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Auckland in February, expect nights in Colombo to be about the same, around 27°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 37°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to take a train to Galle.

The southernmost city on the island, Galle combines colonial-era history with a tropical feel and climate.

Venture out of the city with trips to Hikkaduwa Beach (in Hikkaduwa), Mirissa (Mirissa Beach & Dolphin & Whale Watching) and Nandana Tea Factory (in Akuressa). There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Galle Fort, enjoy the sand and surf at Jungle Beach, stop by Lak Gems & Jewellery, and stroll through Bentota Beach.

To find photos, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Galle sightseeing tool .

Traveling by train from Colombo to Galle takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In February in Galle, expect temperatures between 37°C during the day and 27°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) so you can travel to Kandy.

Nestled between mountains in inland Sri Lanka, Kandy proudly bears its World Heritage Site designation while remaining culturally independent and colorfully picturesque.

Step out of Kandy with an excursion to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala--about 1h 15 min away. There's much more to do: contemplate the long history of Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, explore the different monuments and memorials at Kandy War Cemetery, identify plant and animal life at Knuckles Forest Reserve, and admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanical Gardens.

Start your trip to Kandy by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Getting from Galle to Kandy by combination of taxi and flight takes about an hour. Other options: do a combination of flight and taxi; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) so you can travel to Yala National Park.

One of the most popular national parks in the country, Yala National Park boasts a wide variety of animals, and does important work in conserving and growing populations.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sat): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kataragama Temple and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Yala National Park. On your second day here, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kiri Vehera and then look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Yala National Park online trip maker .

You can fly from Kandy to Yala National Park in 1.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and flight; or do a combination of train and bus. Expect a daytime high around 38°C in March, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sun) early enough to travel to Arugam Bay.

Start off your visit on the 9th (Mon): don't miss a visit to Magul Maha Viharaya, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kudumbigala Monastery, then delve into the distant past at Sangamankandy Pilliyar Kovil, and finally make a trip to Muhudu Maha Vihara. On the 10th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: look for gifts at Rice & Carry Bags Shop, stroll through Arugam Bay, then enjoy the sea views from Sangaman Kanda Lighthouse, then explore the activities along Pottuvil Lagoon, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Arugam Bay trip itinerary website .

Explore your travel options from Yala National Park to Arugam Bay with the Route module. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Tue) so you can go by car to Ella.

The relaxing hilltop village of Ella benefits from a more temperate climate than much of the rest of country thanks to its high elevation.

Explore Ella's surroundings by going to Lipton’s Seat (in Haputale) and Mohini falls (in Nuwara Eliya). Next up on the itinerary: take in the awesome beauty at Little Adam's Peak, take in the dramatic natural features at Ella Rock, admire the natural beauty at Ella Spice Garden, and make a trip to Demodara Nine Arch Bridge.

Start your trip to Ella by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Getting from Arugam Bay to Ella by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Fri) so you can drive to Uda Walawe National Park.

One of the primary nature reserves in the country, Uda Walawe National Park provides vital habitat for a herd of Sri Lankan elephants.

On the 14th (Sat), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Udawalawe National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 15th (Sun): get to know the resident critters at Udawalawa Elephant Orphanage and then identify plant and animal life at Elephant Transit Home (ETH).

To see other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, use the Uda Walawe National Park online travel route planner .

You can drive from Ella to Uda Walawe National Park in 2.5 hours. In March, daytime highs in Uda Walawe National Park are 38°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Sigiriya.

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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Sigiriya: Polonnaruwa (Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, & more), Dambulla (Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs & Golden Temple of Dambulla) and Mihintale (in Anuradhapura). Next up on the itinerary: delve into the distant past at Sigiriya, identify plant and animal life at Dhilip De Alwis, explore the wealth of natural beauty at Minneriya National Park, and don't miss a visit to Pidurangala Rock.

To see photos, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Sigiriya travel route planner.

Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Uda Walawe National Park to Sigiriya takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and flight; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.