14-day itinerary · Full circuit
14 days in Sri Lanka
Short answerTwo weeks covers everything most visitors want: the Cultural Triangle, the whole hill-country rail, a safari, both a west-coast and an east- or south-coast beach, and slack for weather.
- Length
- 14 days
- Style
- Full circuit
- Regions
- Cultural Triangle, Hill Country, South Coast, East Coast, Wildlife Regions
- Interests
- culture, history, train journeys, beaches, wildlife, hiking, food, surfing
Before you copy this route
This route crosses the island twice to include Arugam Bay. If you are not surfing, replace days 11–13 with the south coast.
Day by day
- Day1
Arrive Colombo
Transfer and rest.
- Travel:
- Airport transfer
- Time:
- 1–1.5 hours
- Overnight:
- Negombo or Colombo
Negombo is closer to the airport if you land late.
- Day2
Colombo → Anuradhapura
Ancient city by bicycle.
- Travel:
- Private vehicle
- Time:
- ≈4 hours
- Overnight:
- Anuradhapura
The sacred area is large — shoes off at the shrines.
- Day3
Anuradhapura → Sigiriya
Morning ruins, afternoon climb.
- Travel:
- Private vehicle
- Time:
- ≈2.5 hours
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
Climb at 16:00 for softer light if the morning was hot.
- Day4
Sigiriya
Pidurangala at sunrise, village afternoon.
- Travel:
- Tuk-tuk
- Time:
- 15 minutes
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
Rest day from driving.
- Day5
Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Sigiriya
Cycling the medieval capital.
- Travel:
- Bicycle
- Time:
- 45 minutes each way
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
Gal Vihara is the highlight — go early.
- Day6
Sigiriya → Dambulla → Kandy
Cave temple, then the hills.
- Travel:
- Private vehicle
- Time:
- ≈3 hours
- Overnight:
- Kandy
Evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
- Day7
Kandy
Gardens, market, lake.
- Travel:
- City bus
- Time:
- —
- Overnight:
- Kandy
Buffer day for laundry and rest.
- Day8
Kandy → Nanu Oya → Nuwara Eliya
The high railway.
- Travel:
- Train + road
- Time:
- ≈4–5 hours + 30 min
- Overnight:
- Nuwara Eliya
Frost is possible Dec–Feb at night.
- Day9
Nuwara Eliya → Ella
Tea factory visit, then south.
- Travel:
- Vehicle or train
- Time:
- ≈3–4 hours by road
- Overnight:
- Ella
Factory tours follow the harvest schedule.
- Day10
Ella
Ella Rock, Nine Arch Bridge.
- Travel:
- Walk
- Time:
- 2–3 hours
- Overnight:
- Ella
Sunrise start.
- Day11
Ella → Yala
Morning game drive.
- Travel:
- Vehicle
- Time:
- ≈3 hours
- Overnight:
- Tissamaharama
Book the drive through your lodge.
- Day12
Yala → Arugam Bay
Second drive at dawn, then east.
- Travel:
- Vehicle
- Time:
- ≈3–4 hours
- Overnight:
- Arugam Bay
Long day; leave the park by mid-morning.
- Day13
Arugam Bay
Surf, lagoon, rest.
- Travel:
- Tuk-tuk
- Time:
- —
- Overnight:
- Arugam Bay
Board hire is available on the strip.
- Day14
Arugam Bay → Colombo
Transfer for departure.
- Travel:
- Private vehicle
- Time:
- ≈7–8 hours
- Overnight:
- Colombo
Do not schedule a morning flight the next day without a Colombo overnight.
Practical notes
Travel times are estimates for planning, not timetables. Reserve the hill-country train as early as the booking window opens, keep a spare night before your flight, and confirm entry requirements on the official ETA site shortly before you travel.