28 days in Sri Lanka Itinerary

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

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kandy: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (in Pinnawala), Nuwara Eliya (Bluefield Tea Gardens & Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple) and Elephant Freedom Project (in Kegalle). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanical Gardens, admire the sheer force of Ramboda Waterfall, and pause for some photo ops at Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue.

To see photos, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read our Kandy trip itinerary planning app .

London, UK to Kandy is an approximately 14-hour combination of flight and taxi. You can also do a combination of train, flight, and taxi; or do a combination of flight and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Kandy is 5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Galle.

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

Explore Galle's surroundings by going to Hikkaduwa Beach (in Hikkaduwa), Mirissa (Mirissa Beach & Dolphin & Whale Watching) and Nandana Tea Factory (in Akuressa). Next up on the itinerary: steep yourself in history at Galle Fort, look for all kinds of wild species at Sea Turtle Farm and Hatchery, delve into the lush surroundings at Sinharaja Forest Reserve, and stop by Lak Gems & Jewellery.

To find ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Galle visit website .

Do a combination of flight and taxi from Kandy to Galle in an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and flight; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in February, and nighttime lows around 27°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can travel 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 the numerous day-trip ideas around Ella: Thotupola Kanda Nature Trail (in Ohiya), Horton Plains National Park (in Nuwara Eliya) and Tissamaharama (Tissamaharama Raja Maha Vihara & Safaris). There's much more to do: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Little Adam's Peak, explore the striking landscape at Ella Rock, expand your horizons at Honey Bee Garden, and take in the dramatic scenery at Ravana Ella Falls.

To see photos, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Ella itinerary builder site .

Traveling by combination of flight and taxi from Galle to Ella takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Arugam Bay.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Wed): make a trip to Magul Maha Viharaya, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kudumbigala Monastery, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Sangamankandy Pilliyar Kovil, and finally make a trip to Muhudu Maha Vihara. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Rice & Carry Bags Shop, explore the activities along 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.

For other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Arugam Bay day trip planning site .

Drive from Ella to Arugam Bay in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to 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 6th (Fri): take in the spiritual surroundings of Kataragama Temple and then explore the striking landscape of Yala National Park. On your second day here, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kiri Vehera and then take an exotic tour of a safari tour.

For ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Yala National Park trip maker site .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Arugam Bay to Yala National Park. In March, plan for daily highs up to 38°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can travel 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 8th (Sun), admire nature's wide array of creatures at Udawalawa Elephant Orphanage and then look for all kinds of wild species at Elephant Transit Home (ETH). Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the striking landscape of Udawalawe National Park.

To find photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Uda Walawe National Park trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Yala National Park to Uda Walawe National Park with the Route module. In March in Uda Walawe National Park, expect temperatures between 38°C during the day and 26°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can travel to Dambulla.

On a trip to Dambulla, visit the largest and best-preserved cave temple complexes in the country, declared a World Heritage Site.

Explore Dambulla's surroundings by going to Polonnaruwa (in Polonnaruwa), Pidurangala Rock (in Sigiriya) and Euphoria Spice and Herbal (in Matale). Next up on the itinerary: Head underground at Golden Temple of Dambulla, look for all kinds of wild species at Dhilip De Alwis, delve into the distant past at Sigiriya, and explore the striking landscape of Minneriya National Park.

To see ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Dambulla online road trip planner .

Do a combination of taxi and flight from Uda Walawe National Park to Dambulla in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and flight; or drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) so you can travel to Colombo.

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

Change things up with these side-trips from Colombo: Dolphin & Whale Watching (in Bentota) and Negombo (Negombo Beach & Nature & Wildlife Tours). There's still lots to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple, get engrossed in the history at The Bandaranaike Museum, pause for some photo ops at Independence Memorial Hall, and explore the galleries of Ganeshism Studio Gallery.

To see more things to do, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Colombo trip app .

You can take a train from Dambulla to Colombo in 2 hours. Other options are to do a combination of taxi and flight; or drive. In March, daily temperatures in Colombo can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Tue) so you can travel back home.