While the island’s pristine, palm-lined beaches get all the glory, Sri Lanka has much more to offer. Sri Lanka is a tropical island nation that has a lot to offer: ancient jungles, fairytale castles, historic landmarks, and medieval cities that have survived the years, as well as nature reserves teeming with wild creatures. Interesting old towns, folk museums, and rural villages showcasing the country’s traditional culture are just a few of the things that will keep you occupied here. Hiking the trails in Sri Lanka is another great way to see the island’s natural wetlands and wildlife.
After painstakingly researching Sri Lankan travel history, we have compiled a list of the top 14 routes for vacations in Sri Lanka in this blog post. If you are thinking about taking a tour of Sri Lanka, you might want to think about one or more of the options below.
Transport in Sri Lanka
Although some people choose to explore Sri Lanka on rental motorcycles or scooters, the most convenient alternative is to hire a car equipped with a driver and travel across Sri Lanka. Most drivers speak English well and are knowledgeable about every aspect of driving throughout the nation, even the best places to stop for roadside curry and rice that is spicier. In the event that you hire a driver for an extended trip, don’t be shocked if they invite you to dinner before your visit is up. To get you started, here are a few of our recommended Sri Lanka travel route.
Sri Lanka’s transportation system mostly relies on a road network, concentrated around the country’s business city, Colombo. A rail network serves a portion of Sri Lanka’s transportation needs. Three international airports are located at Jaffna, Hambantota, and Katunayake, 35 kilometers (22 mi) north of Colombo, along with navigable canals and harbors.
Streets represent roughly 93% of Sri Lanka’s land transport. Sri Lanka’s road network is roughly 12,000 kilometers (7,500 mi), comprising A- and B-class streets and 151.8 kilometers (94.3 mi) of expressways. The main transport modes in Sri Lanka are buses, passenger automobiles and motorcycles.
| Grade | Description | Speed limit |
| E | High-speed, high-traffic expressways duplicating heavily travelled A-Grade routes | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
| A | The national highway network | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
| B | Major provincial roads used as feeders for A- and E-Grade roads | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
| C | Local residential roads | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
Expressways
| Number | Name | Start | End | Length (km) | Lanes | Cost (USD) | Cost/km (USD) |
| E01 | Colombo–Matara Expressway | Kottawa | Matara | 126 | 4 (provision for 6) | 765.4 million | 6.07 million |
| E02 | Outer Circular Expressway | Kottawa | Kerawalapitiya | 29 | 6 | 1.12 billion | 38.6 million |
| E03 | Colombo–Katunayake Expressway | New Kelani Bridge | Katunayake | 25.8 | 6,4 (provision for 6) | 291 million | 11.28 million |
| E04 | Colombo–Kandy Expressway | Kadawatha | Katugastota | 98.9 | 4,6 | 4.5 Billion | Under construction |
Sri Lanka’s national highways are graded A or B. A-Grade roads are subdivided as AA, AB or AC.
| Road grade | Length |
| A | 4,221.37 kilometres (2,623.04 mi) |
| AA | 3,724.26 kilometres (2,314.15 mi) |
| AB | 466.92 kilometres (290.13 mi) |
| AC | 30.19 kilometres (18.76 mi) |
| B | 7,943.65 kilometres (4,935.96 mi) |
| Total of A- and B-grade roads | 12,165.02 kilometres (7,558.99 mi) |
The southwest has the highest road density, particularly in the region around Colombo. Sri Lanka has well-built highways with a smooth bitumen surface and street markers; yet, a few provincial streets are in poor form. We are upgrading and repaving heavily frequented streets. A public vehicle may be used to access most places on the island.
How do I select the best Sri Lanka travel route?
The number of inquiries such as “What is the best travel route in Sri Lanka?” and “What is the best trip to Sri Lanka?” has been constantly rising. We thought of producing this essay expanding on various renowned travel routes in Sri Lanka that you should only hit once in a lifetime. This list features 14 travel routes, and we will be adding more in the future. I believe this information is quite beneficial, not only for local travelers but also for outsiders. If you plan a short Sri Lanka trip, such as a one-day trip, choosing the optimal travel route is crucial to the success of your trip because you need to minimize the time spent commuting and spend maximum time experiencing the places.
Benefits of having the finest travel path for a Sri Lanka vacation
Choosing the best Sri Lanka travel route is important to your Sri Lanka tour’s success. It is very crucial, especially if it is a short journey, such as a 1-day Sri Lanka trip or a 2-day Sri Lanka tour. We all seek to decrease our journey time to allocate more time for sightseeing and leisure activities.
A short journey means you have very little time for sightseeing, therefore, saving time on travel is quite vital. Even if it is a multi-day Sri Lanka trip, such as a 5-day Sri Lanka tour or a 1-week Sri Lanka trip, minimizing the time on the road means you can add many additional interesting destinations that are not previously included in your trip.
What are the 14 popular Sri Lanka travel routes?
On a prior occasion, we wrote a lengthy blog entry about Sri Lankan trips. We meticulously scratched the annals of Sri Lanka excursions and formed this blog post with the 14 top Sri Lanka travel routes for holiday trips in Sri Lanka. If you are contemplating a tour of Sri Lanka, you may choose one or more of the routes indicated below for your travel. Most of these routes provide an easy gateway to many popular one-day trips in Sri Lanka.
- 1.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Kataragama.
- 2.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Matara Expressway.
- 3.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Nuwara Eliya via Kitulgala.
- 4..Srinka travel route Colombo to Arugam Bay via Kandy.
- 5.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Anuradhapura via Puttalam.
- 6.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Trincomalee via Dambulla.
- 7.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Kandy via Kegalle.
- 8.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Rathnapura.
- 9.Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Bandarawela via Haputale.
- 10.Sri Lanka travel route Nuwara Eliya to Bentota via Kithulagla.
- 11.Lanka travel route Colombo to Sigiriya via Kurunegala.
- 12.Lanka Travel Route from Colombo to Mirissa/Beach Lovers Route.
- 13.Sri Lankan travel route Colombo to Badulla across the hill country/tea lovers route.
- 14.Sri Lanka travel route from Anuradhapura to Kandy/route for lovers of history and culture.
- 15.Sri Lanka travel route from Mirissa to Aru Gam Bay/wildlife lovers route.
- 16.Route for the 7 day tour on the southern route
If you wish to book any Sri Lanka trip, please do get in touch with Seerendipity Tours by sending an email to admin@seerendipitytours.com. or Call us/WhatsApp us at 0094774440977.
The most popular travel route for a one-week Sri Lanka trip
The above-mentioned travel routes in Sri Lanka are most suitable for short trips from Colombo, such as a 1-day Sri Lanka trip or a 2-day Sri Lanka trip. If you plan a Sri Lanka trip for more than two days, like a one-week Sri Lanka trip or a 10-day Sri Lanka tour, you could combine a few of the above-mentioned travel routes to make a much bigger circuit.
If you plan a one- to two-week Sri Lanka trip, we would like to recommend the below-mentioned travel route, which is one of the most popular Sri Lanka travel routes for Sri Lanka tours from 7 to 14 days. This travel route covers the most important tourist places, such as historical sites in the cultural triangle, Sri Lanka’s hill country, southern Sri Lanka and west coast beaches.
This travel route starts in Colombo and goes northward from the west coast to the cultural triangle, then heads to Sri Lanka’s hill country to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Afterwards, head to Sri Lanka’s south coast, and then from there, the tour goes along the beaches to the west coast and Colombo.
- Day 1: Colombo-Anurahdapura-Sigiriya
- Day 2: Sigiriya-Polonnaruwa
- Day 3: Polonnaruwa-Kandy
- Day 4: Kandy-Nuwara Eliya
- Day 5: Nuwara Eliya-Yala
- Day 6: Yala-Galle-Bentota
- Day 7: Bentota-Colombo
1. Sri Lanka travel route from Colombo to Kataragama:
Words cannot convince you of the beauty of this coastal travel route from Colombo to Kataragama. It would definitely be fun to cruise along the pristine beaches of western and southern Sri Lanka.
This is one of the most popular travel routes on the island. The travel route is very popular among local and foreign travelers, as it leads to many interesting places. Sri Lanka’s south coast itinerary is a very popular trip in Sri Lanka and travelers who book south coast tours hit this travel route.
There are many places on this route that you can’t simply ignore. So plan your tour with several additional hours for the stops. This is a very popular route among foreign travelers because it brings them to some of the island’s best beach resorts, such as Bentota Beach, Kalutara, Galle, Hikkaduwa, and many other beach resorts in southern Sri Lanka.
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Popular Sri Lankan tours on this travel route
Using the A-2 road on this travel route
You can use the A-2 main road from Colombo on this stretch. Many interesting tourist places in southern Sri Lanka, including Galle, Unawatuna, Matara, Tangalle, and Hambantota, are accessible via the road from Colombo to Kataragama. However, travelers can reach south-coast beach resorts from the Colombo international airport via the southern expressway and avoid Colombo city, which definitely saves them a lot of time.
Using the southern expressway on this route
The southern expressway’s opening has reduced the travel time between the south coast beaches and Colombo by approximately 3 hours. Being able to avoid heavy traffic in Colombo enables travelers to save a lot of time on their trip to the south coast. However, if you need to visit tourist attractions from Colombo to Kataragama, you must drive on the usual coastal road.
Road Trip Condition: The distance of the route from the Colombo city tour to Kataragama is 284 km, it lies very close to the sea, and it has an average altitude between 1-3 meters above sea level throughout the trip.
There are many attractions to stop at along the way from Colombo to Kataragama, and beaches are the main highlight of this road trip, all the way from the beginning to the end. The road is open throughout the year and is in very good condition, too. The journey takes about 2 days, with stops for sightseeing and activities. The best time to visit is from November to April.
Places to stop on the Sri Lanka travel route from Colombo to Kataragama:
- Kalutara: Gamgatilaka temple, Kalido beach
- Beruwala: Kachchimale mosque
- Bentota: Bentota beach, water sport centre
- Balapitiya: Madu river safari, sea turtle farm
- Hikkaduwa: Hikkaduwa Beach, Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary, Mask Museum, Moonstone mines
- Galle: Galle fortress
- Unawatuna: Unawatuna beach, stilt fisherman
- Weligama: Weligama beach, Kustarajagala temple
- Matara: Polhena beach, whale and dolphin watching, blowhole, the star fort
- Kataragama: Yala wildlife reserve, Kataragama temple
If you wish to book any Sri Lanka trip, please do get in touch with Seerendipity Tours by sending an email to admin@seerendipitytours.com. or call or WhatsApp us at 0094774440977.
2. Sri Lanka travel route: Colombo to Matara Expressway:
This is a very convenient weekend gateway from Colombo. A road trip from Sri Lanka to Matara is an activity that most local residents are fond of, which provides a perfect setting for a peaceful beach tour of Sri Lanka. Don’t forget to go whale- and dolphin-watching in Mirissa and beach-hopping on the beaches. The picturesque palm-fringed beaches and shallow-torque waters of the Indian Ocean calm those jittery nerves.
Drop into a beach restaurant and sample a fresh seafood dish while admiring the perfect sunset on the horizon. So if you are near Colombo or somewhere on the west coast, pack yourself and set off on this memorable journey.
Road Trip Condition: The expressway spans 158 km from Colombo to Matara, with a total driving time of 2 hours, not including the time required to reach the expressway entrance. The expressway prohibits the use of two-wheelers and only permits a maximum speed of 100 km per hour. The best time to visit is from November to April.
Some of the places to stop on this Sri Lanka travel route are:
- Matara: Star Fort, Hummany/natural fountain, Whale watching in Mirissa
If you wish to book a Sri Lanka trip, please get in touch with Seerendipity Tours by sending an email to admin@seerendipitytours.com. or by calliing WhatsApping us at 0094774440977.
3. Sri Lanka travel route Colombo to Nuwara Eliya via Kitulgala:
A perfect travel route for a Sri Lanka 3-day tour through the tea country. The graceful blend of Sri Lanka’s hill country’s beautifully landscaped tea garden and cascading waterfalls of perennial waterways in Nuwara Eliya is a sight to behold.
The city’s sheer beauty surprises the newcomers. The breathaking scenery along the trip from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy completely mystifies the travelers.
The winding roads, high elevation, and healing climate of the hills make it a fantastic road tour of Sri Lanka that will etch a permanent spot in your heart for an eternity.
You traverse the mountain terrain, and it is a challenging ride that requires your best attention, but the beauty of this Sri Lanka trip hides the uncertainty of the terrain. If you drive to Nuwara Eliya from the airport or from Colombo, this is the most convenient way of reaching your destination. The drive is long; however, it is very enjoyable as you drive along with the lush green vegetation.
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Road trip conditions: The road spans 176 km through the mountains. A sharp increase in the road’s elevation starts in Awissawella and ends at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level in Nuwara Eliya. The journey will take around a day with sightseeing stops. The best time to visit is from November to April.
Some of the places to stop on this Sri Lanka travel route are: - Kitulgala: Adventure sports centre for water rafting, trekking, bird watching, etc
- Talawakele: Devon Fall, St. Clares Falls
- Nanuoya: Horton plains national park
- Nuwara Eliya: Ambewela farm, strawberry farm, Seetha Amman temple, Haggala gardens
4. Sri Lanka travel route: Colombo to Arugam Bay via Kandy
This road is currently one of the best on the island, and I highly recommend embarking on a trip along this wonderful route. You start your journey on the west coast and end your tour on the east coast of Sri Lanka, at the country’s widest point. Arugambay is a popular beach resort in Sri Lanka; perhaps it is the most popular on the east coast. The pristine beaches in Arugam Bay are ideal for beachcombing and surfing. However, Aru Gam Bay is a seasonal beach resort, and the best time of year to visit Aru Gam Bay is in May, June, July, and October. Arugam Bay is considered one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in July due to the dry and sunny weather.
The journey will take around 8 hours without stopping, so calculate the time required for the tour with all the stops for sightseeing and other breaks along the way. The trek to Arugambe from Colombo is one of the most popular activities among road trip lovers in Sri Lanka. If you have good driving stamina, you will be able to reach Arugam Bay within 2 days with excursions to significant tourist places.
This will be a highly gorgeous and experience-rich road trip to Sri Lanka. You will meet mountains, escapements, pockets of forests, beaches and any other geographical conditions possible on the island.
This road from Kandy to Arugambe via Bibile is one of the most magnificent trips through forests in Sri Lanka that you will ever take. Plan your motorbike road trip so that you can enjoy the refreshing, unpolluted air in this greenish area.
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Road trip conditions: The road covers 329 km through the middle mountain range. You start the journey from lower, raised parts on the west coast and end the excursion at the east coast beaches, while halfway along the track you will touch the point, which is 500 meters above sea level.
Some of the places to stop on this Sri Lanka travel route are:
- Kandy: tooth relic temple, Peradeniya botanical garden
- Kegalle: Pinnawala elephant orphanage
- Arugam Bay: beach hopping
Visiting tooth relic temple: what you need to Know
To respect their religious beliefs, all visitors to these important sites are expected to dress appropriately. Every visitor to religious sites in Sri Lanka follows a set of norms when visiting sacred locations. If you’re wondering what these regulations are, check out this article: “13 RULES TO OBSERVE WHILE VISITING SRI LANKA BUDDHIST TEMPLE, SRI LANKA TEMPLE DRESS CODE, TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH DRES’ COD.“
5. Sri Lanka travel route: Colombo to Anuradhapura via Puttalam
Travelers can’t picture a wonderful road trip of this sort via stunning beaches and through the untamed environment. This road trip will be a great experience due to the fascinating blend of wildlife, marine, cultural and historical events. So much in a one-road drive! So, prepare yourself and take the road.
However, we propose combining your vacation on this route with a cultural triangle tour to explore several important cities in Sri Lanka’s culture triangle, including Sigiriya.
This is a highly attractive Sri Lanka travel route through some of the least populated places in the central province. You drive a big part of your trip through the wildlife reserve, and there is a strong probability of witnessing wild elephants as you travel from Puttalam to Saliyawewa.
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Route travel conditions: The route stretches 207 km in northwest Sri Lanka and makes an abrupt turn inland at Puttalam. The journey takes roughly 4 hours. You can meet modest traffic between Colombo and Puttalam, after which the route becomes empty. Be careful, as you will have to travel through the forested areas after Puttalam. It is best to avoid traveling at night on this Sri Lanka travel route because of the wild elephants.
Some of the places to stop on this Sri Lanka travel route are:
Some of the places to stop on this Sri Lanka travel route are:
- Wilpattu: For a safari tour at the national park
- Negombo: For beach hopping
- Puttalam: Munneswarama and Manawari temple
- Anuradhapura: Historical monuments
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If you wish to book any Sri Lanka trip, please do get in touch with Seerendipity Tours by sending an email to admin@seerendipitytours.com. or Call us/WhatsApp us at 0094774440977.
6. Sri Lanka tour from Colombo to Trincomalee via Dambulla
This is another popular Sri Lankan travel route from Colombo to the east coast of Sri Lanka. This is the most convenient way to reach Trincomalee from Colombo. On this road trip, the travelers avoid going through the central mountain range, and their destination is located more to the northeast of Sri Lanka.
The reason this is a well-liked route for foreign visitors is that a lot of people visit the beaches of Trincomalee in July, August, September, and October each year. One of the busiest roads in Sri Lanka, it passes through several densely populated cities, including Kurunegala and Dambulla.
This travel itinerary takes you to the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka; a brief detour enables you to visit numerous significant sites within the triangle. The Cultural Triangle mini-tour and the Sigiriya Dambulla tour from Colombo are two well-liked tours that make use of this route to explore Sri Lanka’s historical sites.
Thus, taking this route from Colombo to the east coast of Sri Lanka will take about six hours. You will pass through Gal Oya National Park’s densely forested area after Habarana. As you make your way through the forest, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a family of wild elephants. This road trip to Sri Lanka will require you to travel 268 km in total, and it should take you about 6 hours.
Some places to stop on the travel route are:
- Dambulla: Temple of the Golden Cave
- Kegalle: Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala
- Habarana: Safari Minneriya
- Sigiriya: See the rock fortress there
- Paintings of Sigiriya rock fortress
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
7.Travel route through Sri Lanka: Kegalle to Kandy from Colombo
Due in large part to Kandy, the route’s terminus, this is by far the busiest and most well-liked road trip route in Sri Lanka. In addition to the numerous fascinating sites to explore in Landy, Kandy is one of the most well-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the nation. With a wealth of tourist attractions, Kandy is one of the most well-liked mountain travel destinations. It is thought that Kandy ought to be included in every Sri Lankan travel package.
Sri Lanka’s cultural hub and most sought-after vacation spot is Kandy. The main transportation hub for the central province, Kandy connects major cities and regions of the nation. As a result, most of the roads that lead to Kandy are extremely congested, particularly the one that runs from Colombo to Kandy.
The amount of time you lose in traffic must be factored into your road trip itinerary. Every traveler dreams of taking this road trip from Sri Lanka to Kandy, which is an easy destination from most regions of the nation. The majority of the journey is lined with gorgeous, verdant scenery, which makes it the perfect place to unwind and relax.
Conditions for a road trip: 115 kilometers must be traveled. Due to the mountainous terrain, this road trip through Sri Lanka takes a little longer than usual; the trip from Colombo to Kandy takes about 4 hours. Among the best road trips in Sri Lanka for photographers, just keep in mind that your camera’s battery might run out sooner than you think.
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Some stop overs at the following places:
- Kegalle: To visit the Pinnawala elephant orphanage
- Mawanella: to visit Embekke Devala, Gadaladeniya
- Pilimathalawa: Plantation of tea
- Kelaniya: Kelaniya temple
- Peradeniya: Royal botanical garden
- Kandy: The Tooth Relic Temple
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
8. Travel route from Colombo to Rathnapura
This scenic road between Colombo and Ratnapura puts most Sri Lankan western province road trips to shame; this main road is one of the most favorable among nature lovers. Ratnapura itself is a city in the woods and claims to be a part of the country’s most valuable forest patch, known as the Sinharaja Rain Forest. If you are venturing on a Sinharja rainforest tour package from Colombo, this could be the best route for you.
The foliage becomes denser as you approach Ratnapura, and the enormous trees on either side of the road form a canopy. Ratnapura is a major city on the island with high rainfall, so it often goes underwater during the monsoon rain.
Check the weather before you start this road trip. And plan your trip with at least 2 days of sightseeing in the area; here you get waterfalls, rainforests, trekking sites, museums, and many, many more.
Road trip conditions: It will take around 2 hours to cover this short stretch of 75 km, which makes for an enjoyable road trip. There will be notable traffic congestion at the beginning of the trip, but it gradually diminishes as you drive towards Ratnapura, and the road becomes very empty once you have completed the first half of the trip.
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Some of the places to stop on this route are:
- Rathnapura: Bopath Ella waterfall, saman Devala temple, Sinhraja, Sri Pada
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
9. Sri Lanka travel route from Colombo to Bandarawela
This is the ideal itinerary for a 2-day or 3-day tour in Sri Lanka. Any Sri Lankan citizen will be familiar with the name Bandarawela, and it is also very well-liked by tourists from other countries who are enamored with the area’s soothing climate and stunning mountains. However, Bandarawela is one of the most beaten-track tourist places in Sri Lanka for most foreign travelers.
Bandarawela is one of the most picturesque spots on the island, including mountains, valleys, tea gardens, and sections of forests. Bandarawela also hides a large number of cascading waterfalls, and some of them are simply difficult to miss, such as the Diyaluma Falls.
The most remarkable characteristic of Bandarawela is its healing climate, where the overnight temperature occasionally drops to freezing. During the day, the temperature hovers about 25 degrees Celsius.
This route from Colombo to Bandarawela via Ratnapura is by far the easiest road to get there. One notable aspect of this off-the-beaten-path Sri Lanka travel route is the lack of traffic compared to the other popular Sri Lanka route (Colombo-Kandy-Ella-Bandarawela), which leads to Bandarawela. The road is also in pretty good shape, which means you may speed up, but be careful with the bends.
The road generally goes through rural areas, with only a handful of vibrant cities coming into view. You also travel along the magnificent mountains and valleys to appreciate the breathtaking environment. Tea plantations dominate the lovely green countryside for a large section of the route. However, this upcountry road is tiny compared to most important travel routes in Sri Lanka and grows substantially steeper beyond Ratnapura.
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Road trip conditions: The journey’s mileage is 190 kilometers. The traffic flows rapidly at the beginning of the drive due of the lack of traffic, but it grows slower as you approach closer to your destination. You must sustain your pace to avoid the severe curves.The duration of the voyage would be roughly 5 hours. The path is quite attractive, showcasing coconut farms, sections of woods, rubber plantations, mountains, waterfalls, streams, and rivers.
Some of the places to stop on this trip are: - Ratnapura: Visiting a gem museum, Sman Devala temple
- Haputale: Tangamale forest reserve, Adisham bungalow
- Bandarawela: Tea gardens, waterfalls
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
10. Sri Lanka travel route from Nuwara Eliya to Bentota
This travel route from Nuwara Eliya to Bentota runs through Sri Lanka’s upcountry and is one of the most beautiful Sri Lanka travel routes. It is quite popular among locals as well as foreign travelers. Usually, this is the concluding stage of a Sri Lankan multi-day vacation that covers cultural destinations in the triangle, Kandy, Tea Country and West Coast Beach. On this path, you proceed to west or southern coast beaches; tea country generally means Nuwara Eliya.
The drive from Nuwara Eliya to Bentota is magnificent, and you will witness only lush green greenery along the trip. From Nuwara Eliya, go westward to Hatton and Thalawakele. Both are popular tea-producing districts in Sri Lanka and provide some stunning scenery, including green-capped mountains, laid-back villages, waterfalls, rivers, streams, and large tea estates. Hatton and Talawakelle are relatively untouched places in Sri Lanka; they have significant potential for nature trips and trekking tours. On this road, you will also come across Kitulgala, which is Sri Lanka’s adventure playground. Here, you have the possibility to conduct several adrenaline-pumping sports, such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, rainforest trekking, waterfall abseiling, and so on.
The travel on this road from Nuwara Eliya to Bentota lasts roughly 5 hours and 3 minutes and you will drive 215 km.
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Important destinations to visit on this route are; - Hatton: Devon Fall, St.clairs Fall, St.clairs Tea Centre
- Kitulgala: whitewater rafting, rainforest trekking and other adventure activities
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
11. Travel routes in Sri Lanka: Colombo to Sigiriya
The most visited historical site on the island is without a doubt Sigiriya. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people visit this UNESCO world heritage site, particularly during Sri Lanka’s busiest travel period.
Many foreign visitors plan day visits to Sigiriya from Colombo, and local tour companies as Seerendipity Tours regularly provide trips to Sigiriya. Travelers favor this route as one of the most popular in Sri Lanka because of Sigiriya’s reputation as a historical landmark. This excursion can be continued eastward to Kalkuda and Pasikudah, or it can be extended to Polonnaruwa. Beginning in Colombo, the Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Polonnaruwa Tour is a well-liked one-day itinerary.
Kurunegala is the main road along which one travels from Colombo to Sigiriya. This is the finest route to follow when traveling from Colombo to Sigiriya. Except in large towns, the road is in excellent condition and is not very congested. For the majority of its 175-kilometer journey, this route in Sri Lanka passes through the country’s northern dry zone.
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- Seeing Wild Elephants at Sigiriya Eco-Park
Since most visitors begin their trip with visits to historical sites located in the northern plain, this is typically the first part of multiday tours of Sri Lanka. It takes roughly four to five hours to get from Colombo to Sigiriya.
Some places to visit along this path are: - The elephant orphanage in Pinnawala
- Kurunegala
- The Golden Cave Temple in Dambulla
- The Rock Fort of Sigiri
- The historical location of Ibbankatuwa
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
12. Travel routes in Sri Lanka: Mirissa to Colombo or the Beach Lovers route
This leisurely day excursion from Colombo to the southern region of Sri Lanka follows the coastal railway’s path, which links some of the nation’s most popular beach resorts with some of the island’s most ancient cities. While there won’t be much quiet during the busy season, there will be plenty of sun-kissed sand and respectable places to dine, stay, and surf.
Start your trip in Colombo, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where you may visit temples and marketplaces and eat a five-star restaurant’s crab curry. Following that, travel south to the beaches of Bentota and Aluthgama, stopping along the way to admire the breathtaking Brief Garden inland. There are some of the most opulent Ayurvedic treatment resorts in all of Sri Lanka along this length of coastline, if you can afford them. Ambalangoda is a terrific spot to learn about the island’s distinctive kolam rituals, while Hikkaduwa is a great area to spend a day or two having fun in the ocean.
The streets of Galle, a World Heritage Site, are surrounded by a historic lighthouse and a fortification built by the Dutch colonists. Once you’ve had a filling supper and spent a comfortable night in the ancient district, head towards the beach resort of Unawatuna, the surfing destinations of Midigama and Weligama, and make time to explore the Handunugoda Tea Estate before reaching the distinctly Sri Lankan town of Matara.
Interesting locations along the route for beach lovers
- Kalutara Beach
- Beach Wadduwa
- Beach Bentota
- Beach Beruwala
- Galle Fort
- Beach Hikkaduwa
- Beach Mirissa
- Herbal/Spice Garden
Estuary of the Madu River - Temple Kande Vihara
- Project to conserve sea turtles
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
13. One of the finest routes to travel in Sri Lanka is from Colombo to Badulla via the hill country/tea loving route.
Travelers can take a road trip across Sri Lanka’s picturesque hill country using this route. In actuality, this is Sri Lanka’s most well-liked rainy travel route. One of the most beautiful train rides in the world is available on this route.
You’ll be persuaded by the journey along this path that Sri Lanka is home to attractions beyond its beaches. Encountering the Hill Country by automobile is equally breathtaking as the drive inland from Colombo is one of the most gorgeous rail journeys in Sri Lanka. Travel inland on the A1 highway from the city center to Kandy, the location of Sri Lanka’s holiest temple. En route, make multiple stops to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Before heading out to the actual tea valley, you may make stops at a number of stunning gardens and temples on the outskirts of the city if you rent a car and hire a driver. Discover the jade-green tea fields that border the mountain road leading to Nuwara Eliya, passing through estates like Glenloch en route. There are several options available in Nuwara Eliya at a range of price points for lodging.
Continue to Haputale, the home of tea mogul Sir Thomas Lipton, and make a stop at Lipton’s factory in Dambatenne before continuing over the magnificent Horton Plains. After that, make your way past more breathtaking vistas and into Ella, where you can unwind in a guesthouse and savor some traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. We’ll leave it up to you whether or not you want to snap an Instagram picture of the Nine Arches Bridge outside of town.
Places of interest along the Tea Lovers Route
- The elephant orphanage in Pinnawala
- Candy
- Garden Peradeniya
- Ella’s Hill Country Resort
- Nuwara Eliya’s Hill Country Resort
- The tooth relic’s stamp
- A picturesque tea garden and waterfalls
- National Park of the Horton Plains
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
14. Travel path from Anuradhapura to Kandy, Sri Lanka: a route for history and culture enthusiasts
You may visit the oldest monuments in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle by taking this intriguing path. Traveling along this path is the ideal activity for you if you enjoy wildlife, culture, history, religion, and village life.
The island’s sunny reputation stands in sharp contrast to the lush lowlands of Central Sri Lanka. The region, which is home to hornbills and bee-eaters, has ruins of old Buddhist kingdoms spread out over it.
Begin your trip in Anuradhapura, where prayer is still offered in two millennia after it was built in brick stupas the size of hangars for airplanes. Visit the majestic monastic complex at Ritigala after paying your respects to Sri Maha Bodhi, a tree that sprang from the seed of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Take a break from the breathtaking temples, statues, and ruins of Polonnaruwa by visiting the elephant-filled Minneriya National Park. Steep stairs ascend to King Kasyapa’s abandoned citadel home, built atop a rocky outcrop near Sigiriya.
Go south to Dambulla, where the dusty brickwork gives way to colorful cave temples. Visit Kandy, where the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the center of contemporary Sri Lankan Buddhism, to round up your vacation perfectly.
Interesting locations visited by those who are interested in history and culture
- The city of Anuradhapura is ancient.
- The historic city of Polonaruwa
- Temple in Dambulla Cave
- The Rock Fort of Sigiri
- The tooth relic’s stamp
- Park Minenriya National
- National Park Kadulla
- The Eco Park
- The historic Pidurangala temple
Please email admin@seerendipitytours.com to contact Seerendipity Tours if you would like to make any travel arrangements to Sri Lanka. or Give us a call at 0094774440977, or send us a WhatsApp message.
15. Route for travelers interested in wildlife from Mirissa to Aru Gam Bay, Sri Lanka
This island-hopping journey includes trips to both well-known and lesser-known national parks in addition to an offshore whale-watching expedition to find the largest wild mammal in the world. That’s actually what you do as soon as you get to the southern seaside resort of Mirissa. The main attraction inland is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve’s avian inhabitants, which you can explore on foot with a local guide.
See elephants at Uda Walawe National Park (less crowded than Yala National Park) to the east, and then make your way back to the coast to visit the dunes and lagoons of Bundala National Park to observe birdlife. You’ll need to make an inland loop to go to Kumana National Park, where you can improve your chances of seeing a leopard; this is much easier if you have a car and driver rather than taking public transit. Before ending the day, spend some time surfing at Arugam Bay.
Interesting locations seen along the route for wildlife enthusiasts
- Rainforest of Sinharaja
- The National Adawalawe Park
- National Park Yala
- National Park Bundala
- National Park Kumana
- The Kataragama Temple
- Temple of Tissamaharama
16. Route for a seven-day trip to Sri Lanka via the southern route
The most well-traveled route in Sri Lanka is the southern one. This is also known as the “beaten-path” route in Sri Lanka. More than 75% of visitors to Sri Lanka take this route. You can explore a wide range of interesting tourist destinations on this 7-day journey, including hill country, Sri Lankan cultural triangles, and beaches on the west and south coasts.
Usually beginning in Colombo, the 7-day Sri Lanka tour begins in Anuradhapura, where visitors experience the historic temples, palaces, gardens, lakes, and much more. Afterwards, the tour guides proceeded to investigate further historical sites within the cultural triangle, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the golden temple of Dambulla, and the rock stronghold of Sigiriya.
During the next five days of the seven-day journey, visitors go to Sri Lanka’s hill country to experience the tea region, as well as gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and the restorative climate of Nuwara Eliya. Travelers descend from Nuwara Eliya towards the south coast beaches, arriving at Tissamaharama for an overnight stay and a safari in Yala National Park.
Travelers on this 7-day journey will see beaches along the west coast, including Hikkaduwa, Bentota, and Kalutara, and they will also have the opportunity to explore the historic colonial fort of Galle.
Interesting locations seen when traveling south
- Aukana, Mihintale, and Anuradhapura
- Polonnaruwa
- Sigiriya
- Dambulla
- Park Minneriya National
- Candy
- Nuwara Eliya
- Ella
- Yala
- Galle
- Bentota, Unawatuna, and Hikkaduwa
When is the ideal time to take a southern route road trip?
The optimum time to visit Sri Lanka via the southern route is between November and April. The majority of the nation stays dry and gets its recommended daily amount of sunshine over these six months. Beach vacationers have found that November through April, especially on the beaches on the west and south coast, have been good. Sea bathing, diving, snorkeling, yachting, and other saltwater-based sports are all safe in the ocean.
