Back in April, Jack and I finally got round to visiting Sri Lanka. This had been on our list for years, not least due to the diverse landscapes, the amazing wildlife and the rich culture. We spent two weeks in Sri Lanka, exploring it alongside our guide and driver, Malan. In all honesty, it had to be one of my favourite travel adventures of all time. Whether you are after beaches, safaris, culture, climbing or a foodie adventure, Sri Lanka can really do it all.
Two Weeks in Sri Lanka | Your Ultimate Guide
Flights to Sri Lanka and Top Tips
We booked our flights quite late – it was probably our most impromptu trip to date – and so flights cost around £1,000.00 each. We had a few different providers to choose from, but went with Sri Lankan airlines as it was significantly cheaper than the competition. Plus, it was a direct flight from Heathrow Terminal 3.
I had read a few interesting reviews about Sri Lankan airlines and wasn’t really sure what to expect. However, our economy class journey was actually just as good as the majority of other airlines. My one small critique was that the miniature televisions don’t swivel. When you are booking, I would also suggest paying extra to choose your seats. The window-seat row only has two seats, so it is perfect for couples who want to sit together.
Lastly, make sure that you book your Sri Lankan visa. These last 30 days and are available through their immigration site. They cost $50USD per person.
Currency in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee; a very colourful currency that you can only find in the country. It is a closed-currency, meaning that you can only acquire it in the country. It is also illegal to remove it.
When you get through customs, there are lots of exchange shops where you can trade in cash. They take most currencies, including pounds, euros and the US dollar. If time is short, don’t worry – the majority of good hotels offer this service too. Just make sure that you check ahead of time.
From our two weeks in Sri Lanka, we learnt quite quickly that the majority of businesses and hotels will take a travel card. However, be aware that tipping is part of the culture and a small tip can actually suggest that you were unhappy with the service. We accidentally offended one or two people early on!
How to Spend Two Weeks in Sri Lanka
Day 1 – 5: Habarana
We started our trip in Habarana. This was a good 5 hour car journey from the airport and is in the heart of the cultural triangle. We were recommend the Cinnamon Lodge for a hotel, which was a gorgeous hotel on the shores of Lake Habarana, meaning that there was plenty of wildlife around to spot. The location was also in close proximity to the main attractions in the area, of which there are many!
Must-See Attractions:
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Out of all the activities in Sri Lanka, we were arguably most excited to climb Sigiriya. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is often known as the 8th wonder of the world, and for good reason. It is a giant rock fortress which has stood for over 1,000 years which, in ancient times, used to resemble a giant lion. The climb is steep and scary, but the views are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Top tip: climb as early as you can. It gets busy and very hot.
- Dambulla Caves – If you want to see more of the rich history of Sri Lanka, head to the Dambulla Caves. This is one of the most sacred places on the island and comprises of five small caves, each one immaculately decorated with cave paintings and Buddha statues. Again, be prepared for a lot of steps to reach here!
- Hurulu Eco Park – Habarana has a really high population of elephants. In fact, you’ll often see them crossing the road here during dusk. One of the best places to see them is the Hurulu Eco Park, which is a smaller area which is perfect for spotting elephants. Because of the small size, the jeep safaris here can get quite crowded and we found that we were constantly fighting to get good spots to see the animals!
As well as the list above Habarana has lots of other small attractions to look out for. There are lots of lakes dotted about and you can take an oruwa (a traditional boat) out with a guide, or visit a cultural show where traditional dances are performed. We loved both of these experiences, but booked through our guide. I will also be sharing a more in-depth guide to Habarana and the above attractions shortly.
Day 5-6: Kandy
After four days in Habarana, it is just a 3 hours drive to Kandy. This is the cultural capital of the country snd is home to the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. For our time here, we stayed in the Earl’s Regency, a large hotel which had everything we needed. I would personally say that one night is enough, before you catch the train to Nuwara Eliya.
Must-See Attractions:
- Temple of the Tooth – The most obvious place to visit in Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth. It is easily the most spiritually important site on the island and is truly special to walk around. The temple is so important as it houses a sacred relic; namely a tooth from the Buddha. At certain times, the tooth casket is shown to the public, however, be aware that these times get incredibly busy and are probably best avoided!
- Kandy Lake – If you can, take a walk along Kandy Lake. This is actually man-made and really sets the scene for the city. As you walk around you’ll see people selling various souvenirs, including popcorn which you can use to feed the fish!
- Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya – My favourite thing to do in Kandy was walking around the Botanical Gardens. These are massive, covering 146 acres, and are home to plenty of different plants from around the world. The most iconic spot is of course the palm tree walkway, but you’ll find plenty of highly-photogenic locations as you walk around.
Day 6-7: Nuwara Eliya – Sri Lanka’s ‘Little England’
From Kandy, head to Nuwara Eliya. You can do this by car, which is along mountainous roads and is apparently quite the experience, or by train. This iconic, Insta-famous train goes through all of the highlands of Sri Lanka and takes you through cloud forest and tea plantations. It can go all the way to Ella, however for Nuwara Eliya you will need to get off at Nanu Oya, before taking a car or tuk tuk. Top Tip: If you are taking the train, make sure that you book months in advance. In recent months these have sold out really quickly and are then resold at a higher price.
We spent our night here at the Heritance Tea Factory, a converted (you guessed it!) tea factory which now serves as the highest hotel in Sri Lanka at around 2,000m above sea level. If I am honest, there is not a lot to do up here. We visited the Grand Hotel and had afternoon tea and, when we arrived at the Heritance, went on a tea-making tour. Other than that, pack a jumper (it is much chillier up here) and enjoy the incredible views of Little England with a cup of tea in hand.
head to the cool highlands of Nuwara Eliya, known as Little England for its colonial architecture, tea plantations, and chilly climate. Spend at least one night here to enjoy the scenic beauty and relaxed atmosphere.
Days 7-10: Yala – Safari Adventure and Wildlife
From the cold, hilly tea plantations, head down to the warm and coastal Yala National Park. The journey here is quite long (5 hours or so), and I would recommend stopping in Ella to see the famous Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak and Ravana Falls. Ella is really quite touristy so it is a great spot to stop for lunch.
At Yala, there is only really one main thing to do; a safari! We stayed at Jetwing Yala, which was right on the coast and was an excellent, albeit large, hotel. It was perfect to lounge about when we weren’t in a jeep, but was also close enough to the National Park so that we could explore.
As you’re driving around with your guide, keep a lookout for the truly breathtaking wildlife. Of course there are elephants, deer and water buffalo, but on rarer occasions you can also spot sloth bears and leopards! My favourite part though was the huge community of birds that lived here, especially the vibrant bee catchers.
Top Tip: Leopards are best seen at dusk, so try to do the 2-6pm slot if you can. I would also suggest booking your safaris ahead of time with your company or contacts to try to save some money.
Days 10-11: Galle – A Taste of Colonial Charm
From Yala, it is a short drive along the highway to Galle. However, for a more scenic route, you can take the coastal road and see all of the famous beaches nearby. This is also where you’ll find the famous stilt fishermen.
We stayed at the Jetwing Lighthouse, which was a lovely hotel but was annoyingly out of the centre. In hindsight, whilst I enjoyed our stay, I would have booked a more central hotel so I could explore the town in the evening. I would say that one night is enough here though.
The main attraction in Galle is of course the Fort. Start your time here by walking along the walls, where you’ll be met by crashing waves and the wind of the Indian Ocean. There is also the famous lighthouse to see. However my favourite part about Galle was the small independent shops and cafes. It felt very European and I loved perusing the various shops for small souvenirs and art for our home. The restaurants here also have incredible views over the Ocean and serve deliciously fresh seafood.
Days 11-14: Negombo – Relax and Unwind by the Sea
We ended our two weeks in Sri Lanka in Negombo, right near the airport. We were advised to stay at the Sentido Heritance Negombo, however I can’t say that this was our favourite hotel. It was far too large and just wasn’t quite what we were looking for. However, the town and location is great and there are other hotels to relax by.
Whilst you’re here, I would strongly encourage relaxing and soaking in the sun before you fly home. Negombo beach in particular is really popular and is known for its golden sand. However, if you get the urge to explore you can always head to the nearby Muthurajawela Wetlands to see local wildlife. Or, if relaxing is not your thing, I would take one of these nights and add it to either Habarana, Yala or Ella (breaking up the long journey).
Final Thoughts – Two Weeks in Sri Lanka
Two weeks is a perfect amount of time for a tour of Sri Lanka. Any less than this and you’ll just miss out places which just need to be seen. This guide has only touched the surface and you’ll see links appearing to other posts going into more detail about all of these places. Sri Lanka is a really special place and if you have ever thought about going, go. I promise that you won’t regret it.
