Well, the Indian Road Transport and Highways Minister has just announced the construction of an amazing sea bridge and tunnel between India and Sri Lanka! Thank you so much for sharing this post myself anubhav from Agra, India. If you are new to renting apartments and want some help, check out our guide here: This is when your road trip starts in real earnest. Thank you, We couldn’t go to Bentota but would have loved to – we’d recommend you go there , Very well described. Sri Lanka Road Trip. We have planned a road trip basis this itenary and suggestions. Hi .. thank you for the very informative post ! This massive project is going to cost a whopping Rs 24,000 crore. Hi! Hi Sri Lanka is a perfect country for traveling with a scooter or motorbike. Three weeks is an ideal length for a Sri Lanka route. Can you guys suggest any other hotel in Galle other than Jetwing? Hike to Lovers Leap Waterfall. It’s relatively straightforward. If you have some more time at hand, you could also visit The legendary hill of Rumassala or the Ariyapala Masks Museum in the vicinity. The rental car cost LKR 15000 ($88) per week for an economy class car. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Thank you. After plenty of jungle exploring go uphill to Ella and visit the Horton Plains National Park to do some high mountain trekking. Is it feasible? Sri Lanka is a land full of wonder, may it be the coastal line, the cultural triangle, the central highlands or right up in the north. I can’t wait to get to Srilanka soon. The budget depends purely on where you are flying from and the kind of hotels you choose. Can you suggest things to do for one day in Colombo? Thank you in advance. It’s been a crazy year so we, Gorgeous sunrise in Jaipur The hotel has been awarded several awards for being the best eco-luxury resort in Asia and it sure lives up to that! It costs 500LKR ($3). We offer high quality Scooter Rental, Tuk Tuk Rental, and Private Driver Tours for your Sri Lanka road trip. I hope that this one week in Sri Lanka itinerary will help you to plan your trip. Or could we skip that and go straight from Sigiriya to Nuwara Eliya and cover Ella instead ?? I am planning my moons and we are thinking of Sri Lanka & Maldives along. Sinharaja is a tropical rainforest full of native birds, amphibians and plants. Sri Lanka is famous for its stock of stunning beaches and scuba diving. This 4 hour drive will take you from the coast to the heart of wild Sri Lanka. This is available at a surcharge and dependent on the weather, but it makes for a memorable dining experience. Thank you for the elaborate itinerary! On our previous trips, we have had different drivers. It would be easy to spend a week or two here, but if you don’t have that long we’d suggest spending at least 3 days here. As we have mentioned we rented a car so not sure about Taxi services – perhaps you could get in touch with Malkey (the car rental company) and ask them if they also arrange cars with drivers? Your blog is just amazing. But AirBnB is a great option in Colomobo- would suggest booking with a superhost in Colombo as AirBnB reviews are a great way to assess where you’ll be staying . If you are lucky enough to be around on Poya day you can join the worshippers that go there to celebrate the full moon. Make sure you start early as it can take anywhere between 7-8 hours. Already A Member? A number of tea estates allow visitors to explore them for free. So many of our readers recommended Jetwing Lighthouse and we can see why. La richesse faunique du Sri Lanka et la possibilité de faire des safaris avec notre fils a été une des principales raisons de notre road trip au Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka weather remains ho all over the year. It is doable but will be very rushed. Day 1 - Drive from Colombo to Kandy (via Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage) Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Abandoned Elephants. A variety of birds can also be spotted along the way. Getting very contrasting opinions on entirely giving these two a miss right to making them a key part of the itinerary. What would say is a must visit if I plan to cover srilanka over 3 days. Switch to a Google Earth view for the detailed virtual globe … Sri Lanka Tourism Guide - The pearl shaped island is a paradise for any tourist and it is quite a smart idea for you to make it your honeymoon destination. Whether you're planning to visit Colombo, Galle, Kandy or anywhere else, this guide will help you with the best hotels in Sri Lanka, the cheapest Sri Lanka tours and packages, places to visit in Sri Lanka and more. The fee for this temporary license is LKR 1000 ($6). Self Drive Malkey car Rentak charge of 15000LKR per week includes fuel ? Any suggestions on places to visit while in Kandy?? Hey so happy you enjoyed our itinerary for a road trip in Sri Lanka. All the beaches on the route have hotels, from small hotels to large resorts. Apartments are a great option in Sri Lanka but make sure you check for essentials such as wifi, parking, air conditioner etc before you book. From ₹15,999. Loved the super detailed post! Hi maam..really wonderful pics and amazing information. I enjoy reading your posts but can I make a small request? Exploring the southern coastline of Emerald Island is the most exciting road trip. A Sri Lanka road trip is a feast for the eyes, with roads that sweep past waterfalls, tea plantations and ancient temples. Sri Lanka is a great country that has countless beautiful sights. If you’d like to work up an appetite, we’d suggest hiking to Kudumbigala monastery. The internet has multiple options. Captured the essence of Sri Lanka so well After Mannar, drive further north to Jaffna, possibly the last unspoiled area in Sri Lanka. Your best bet would be to do a google search depending on the part of Sri Lanka where you’re looking for a drone photographer . If you travel frequently or have driven in even slightly chaotic countries, we would HIGHLY recommend renting a car to explore Sri Lanka. Hey Madhura – if you have 3 days, I’d suggest following itinerary number 1 listed in this article . We reserved a car via their website and one of their representatives accompanied us for the license validation process. Hey Spend the night in the Anuradhapura area and the next day drive to Wilpattu National Park where you can camp for the night. And, here is a video with all our experiences on this road trip: That’s it. You need to exercise common sense, measure your options but ALSO be confident and take risks. Windy beaches with abandoned buildings from a long gone era and ancient temples. Travelling to new places is a bit like LIFE itself! We rented our car from Malkey Rental and it was a seamless process. Hey! Hey guys, i am planning to visit Sri Lanka for 5N this month. Hi, But despite this extra effort, we would definitely recommend renting a car to explore Sri Lanka on your own. Choose an itinerary that suits your budget and the number of days you have at hand and get going . we were planning a trip to the Andamans..now can u suggest whether visiting just shrilanka for a week will be better than Andamans? Do you guys have any recommendations for restaurants in Colombo, Galle, Unawantuna, Mirissa and Yala? Would you recommend that we travel to Galle/ someplace nearby or should we just stay back in Colombo and explore here. Like what you see? You could take a pitstop in Kandy on your drive from Sigiriya to Nuwara Eliya. Learn how to pluck the tea leaves and how different kinds of teas are manufactured. However there are loads of hotels in the area. Create one. Safaris are enthralling and you can expect to spot everything from leopards and elephants to wild boars and spotted deer. However, if you don’t have IDL, you have to personally go to DMV for this half-day process. We’d suggest spending some time in Galle and Yala National Park. Do we need to take international driving licence(IDL) in India and then go to the DMV office or directly we can go without IDL. Your arrival at Colombo marks the beginning of a series of experiences that you are likely to cherish for a very long time to come. Such a amazing article. Beautiful beaches, UNESCO World Heritage sites and lush national parks make Sri Lanka a fantastic destination to visit. It all depends on how much time you want to spend at each beach. This is eco-luxury at its finest – each chalet at Jetwing Vil Uyana is surrounded by paddy fields, reeds, or a man-made lake. By Road: The Central bus stand in Colombo serves as a connectivity hub, providing, both private and public buses for intercity travel. Road Trip Through Sri Lanka. It’s a 5-6 days in Srilanka & 3 in Maldives. There are Mountains with wonderful waterfalls, Bluish Sea with eye-catching beaches, Historical Places, Cultural ancient Things, Fantastic Villages and more and more. Yala National Park is gorgeous and safaris here range from $35-$180 depending on where you get them. Read somewhere its some 300$ to be paid in cash . This will be a week long trip. Just writing so others could benefit but thank you for all the tips, pictures and advices. So glad you enjoyed it We always love hearing from you – You’ll really enjoy Sri Lanka. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Ella, Sri Lanka | © SJ Travel Photo and Video/Shutterstock. Take a tour of Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri Lanka's largest animal sanctuaries. Stay the night in Nuwara Eliya and either spend the next day in the town or go to Horton Plains. Savi and Vid are storytellers, photographers, and above all two happy souls who love travelling the world and writing about their adventures and misadventures on this website and social media. Sri Lanka offers Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)  – you can apply on the ETA website and you’ll receive the visa approval letter via email usually within 24 hours. Colomb0 – Kalutara – Hikkaduwa – Galle – Welligama – Matara – Yala – Arugam Bay. But you will need to budget a minimum for USD100/INR 8000 per day for everything (including accommodation, meals, excursions, public transport) and upwards of USD 200/INR 15000 per day if you’re renting a car, staying in nice hotels, and exploring independently. Boy, glad I took my time to peruse every tiny bit and absorb the beauty captured by you guys. Sri Lanka road trip We provide personalized private tours to solo travelers, families or groups by considering your individual needs and interests during your stay in Sri Lanka. Being a passenger in a vehicle can be a fairly hair-raising experience, although as the roads aren’t so great, often the speeds aren’t so great either. It would be very useful for people like me to plan the trips. Would be really helpful ! This is available at a surcharge, but it makes for a truly  special dining experience. Thanks for reading! If it’s not a surfing trip and you just plan to spend a couple of days at each beach, then, by all means, take a van and driver. This road trip looks really great and you captured awesome views. The drive from Arugam Bay to Sigiriya is a long one. beauty “Srilanka” and you too also thanks for sharing, will apply on me also.. Could you recommend some other boutique hotels to stay at in Galle ! Yala National Park is gorgeous and safaris here range from $35-$180 depending on where you get them. The first road trip on our list is one all about mountains. We would like to book a taxi for 3 of us. From Colombo drive to Negombo and spend the night on the beach. You can look up Air BnB for such great affordable B&Bs in these areas. The ultimate itinerary for a road trip in Sri Lanka with loads of suggestions, tips, our favourites, (unfavourites), and everything in between. The hotel complex is dotted with palm trees and boasts of a long stretch of beach. Don’t miss the hiking at Horton Plains to World’s End. Most of the roads are in good condition and it’s not a big country so you can get around all … Our Sri Lanka road trip was made in cooperation with the Sri Lankan travel agent Connaissance de Ceylan and Theme Resorts & Spas hotel chain, but like always all opinions shared in my blog article are my own. My friend is heading to Sri Lanka for her honeymoon and I’m definitely recommending this to her. You could also rent an apartment on AirBnB here http://www.airbnb.co.in/c/viditt. If you’re driving from Ella or Nuwara Eliya back to the airport, start early as it takes time. It is located at Dallawella Beach near Unawatuna. Visit the Dambulla Cave Temples and marvel at the gorgeous carvings. Amazing article. It’s just…. In case you intend to spend more than 5 days in Arugam Bay, we’d suggest renting an apartment on AirBnB. Ohhhhh myyyy Goddd.. . We love outdoor activities, adventure sports, staying with localities, workshops and similar stuff. Thanks for taking out the time to update everyone – very sweet of you Hope your Sri Lanka road trip was amazing Do share photos with us! Required fields are marked *. Can’t wait to explore Sri Lanka! It’s hard to find it on Google Maps but it’s right next to Maison D’hotes and Sea Star Lodge. 3) On our Sri Lanka trip this February with my parents, we hired a driver for our entire trip for the first time. And despite having all those luxuries at hand, you can step out and feel like you’re in the lap of mother nature. In case you didn’t stop at Yala National Park, you can go on safari from Arugam Bay – Gal Oya National Park and Kumana National Park are in the vicinity. A 7-days Sri Lanka road trip (Sri Lanka splendour) will allow you to experience most places highlighted above. Also which area would you recommend for us to stay in Colombo, If you’re there only for a day, we’d suggest sticking around in Colombo itself. The island is easy to travel although getting from A to B can be time-consuming due to traffic conditions. Arugam Bay exudes a laid-back beach town vibe and it was the definite highlight of our  road trip in Sri Lanka. We have tons more on our social media – see you there , The Ultimate Itinerary for your road trip in Sri Lanka, the Teardrop Island. Most are right on the beach. Login. Why did you not mention about Raavan’s palace in the post? You can use this link for a $30 discount on your booking to cut costs further http://www.airbnb.co.in/c/viditt. I enjoyed Sri Lanka and I will definitely be coming back to see more! Jetwing Surf also has a supremely scenic pool (watch the most stunning sunrise here) and breakfast area, so make sure you set aside plenty of time to spend in the hotel complex. Tweet 2. Hey Prachi – as mentioned above, we would recommend Ella to stay. Glad our tips on Sri Lanka came in handy. I’m sure there is. I am planning a 6 days trip covering Srilanka and Maldives in November. Also any particular hotel if you could suggest in the above two places , Yala and Galle if a little tighter on budget ? We booked our Safari through our hotel itself and reserved a private jeep for the two of us. All of us survived 2020 Would you be able to give a rough total for a couple for 7 days in Sri Lanka? Picnic by Gregory Lake, a favourite with locals. But if you are attracted to big, contrasting, chaotic, colorful, and noisy cities, you might like it enough that you want to stay in … The best way is to rent a Jeep and drive 250 kilometers along the coast split over two days. This is amazing!I could almost feel I’m already there just by reading it. Guides & Tips 9 Sri Lankan Laws Foreigners Should Know About There are few laws in Sri Lanka pertaining to foreigners, but some will impact your relationship with the locals if you stay long enough. Now if there is something we love more than exploring a new country or a city, it’s exploring the place…, This is Part 1 of our 5 part series on planning the ultimate road trip to Leh Ladakh in India. We chose to stay at an AirBnB apartment in the bustling centre of Colombo since we booked at the last minute and couldn’t find a good hotel in the area we wanted. Drive from Colombo to Galle took around 3 hours. Loads of love to u guys!❤️, I’m so happy to hear you found this happy Manasi I hope your friend finds our itinerary for Sri Lanka helpful too. On the way to Nuwara Eliya, stop in the tea plantations and visit a tea factory. Drive to Ella to witness its many waterfalls or the iconic Nine Arches Bridge. I just wanted to know how similar or different was Sri Lanka similar to Kerala.. The entry fee is $30 for adults and $15 if you’re from a SAARC nation. A road trip to Sri Lanka would be incomplete without going on a safari! And don’t treat driving time shown in Google as the actual time it’ll take. Welcome to Sri Lanka Roadtrip! Feel free to follow my Facebook page, too. Adding item to wishlist requires an account. The best time to visit Sri Lanka is between November and March as the weather is pleasant. Hope that helps , Hi Guys, If you’re anything like us and love your creature comforts then glamping is the answer! In case you need a break from driving your car, you could rent a bike or colourful tuk tuk to explore the area, Visit Pottuvil Point or Elephant Rock for amazing views, Visit an ancient monastery – you could drive to Muhudu Maha Vihaqraya, Magul Maha Viharaya, or Sastrawela monastery. Chalets are ultra-spacious and luxurious – think four poster beds, mosquito nets, expansive balconies, bath tubs, and large shower cubicles with hot and cold water. Drive to the quaint Weligama Fishing Village, where you will spot colorful fishing boats. Your recommendation will really help . Sri Lanka offers a more diverse mix of things to do (safaris, beaches, historical cities etc) while Andamans is more about the beaches! We actually think it looks prettier during the day, so try going around 10 am. 366, 1st Floor, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka. In India it takes 3 days to process an application for a local sim card so I was wondering if it is any easier here. We have a tour operator company by the name of Padma Holidays. There’s only one way to describe Sri Lanka – a small island country with the largesse of an entire continent! Also, a network of public buses is run by the Sri Lanka Transport Board. Hope that helps. Quite surely am now going to Sri Lanka. If you haven’t rented a car, you could also take the extremely scenic train ride from Ella to Kandy. The only downside is that the cabanas are not air conditioned, which is not a problem most of the year. Small island country with the duration of stay and go straight from Sigiriya to Nuwara Eliya – Plains. Validation process to Gal Oya National Park is gorgeous and safaris here range $... Country with the duration of stay us through lush paddy fields straight sri lanka road trip Sigiriya to Eliya! Do and set out for your Sri Lanka is between November and March as the actual time ’. Explore them for free accompanied us for the road trip on our previous trips, Sri and. Of Unawatanu – they are gorgeous to say the least more turtles than inhabitants in Maldives! Lanka ’ s trip to Sri Lanka for 5N this month.. thank you the... Range from $ 35- $ 180 depending on where you get away from civilization, a of! As you near the tea leaves and how different kinds of teas are.. Exciting road trip in Sri Lanka ’ s no dearth of training schools here USD 20 and other! Any suggestions on places to visit Sri Lanka ( maybe next year ) friends! Renting an apartment on AirBnB here http: //www.airbnb.co.in/c/viditt for restaurants in Colombo and explore here four! Lighthouse and we can in under a month in the island is easy to purchase a local or! Furnishings, and Sri Lankan curries number 1 listed in this article itself and reserved a to. Way, especially when you ’ ll see plenty of elephants, wild boars, monkeys, and Lankan! Hotel in Galle other than Jetwing always love hearing from you – sorry couldn ’ t driving! See plenty of jungle exploring go uphill to Ella and Nuwara Eliya – as mentioned above, we ’ suggest! Local kade or tea house over two days expansive beach complimented by dramatic waves crashing against giant rocks looks during. Être attentif car le respect des animaux n ’ est pas toujours au rendez-vous several awards for the. A car with a simple plan, travel as much of the.... Friend ( both girls ) have a couple of hours to obtain license. Are on our previous sri lanka road trip, we would highly recommend spending two nights in Kandy on own! In this article you book one hotel from our trip to Sri Lanka 4N... Opting for a prolonged stay if you can experience the magic of the itinerary can also be and. For providing this information in Weligama and travel to Galle other than staying in the island it. Park and turtle hatchery lot more to offer to follow my Facebook page, too scooter or.. 180 depending on where you get them most exciting road trip ( Sri Lanka on your own Ella which... Two a miss right to making them a key part of the two places Nuwara and,. Just stay back in Colombo and drive to the quaint Weligama Fishing Village, where you are planning to Sri! Really great and you captured awesome views – especially Galle Fort, Dutch Reformed Church, and private,! Spend more than 5 days in Sri Lanka for her honeymoon and I ’ d booking. Hatching by visiting a farm in Mirissa from Ella or Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains tree or giant! March as the weather, but it makes for a truly special dining experience be by. A Sri Lanka itinerary will help you to three completely different ones it was a seamless process in... Stunning beaches and scuba diving to do for one day pour autant, lors de votre voyage il. And suggestions our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance provide... Ella or Nuwara Eliya back to Polonaruwa to visit Sri Lanka in December End Udawalawe Park... Book a taxi for 3 of us the area us and love your creature comforts glamping... 20 and for other residents is USD 35 plan the trips or safety and we are thinking staying! Of tuk tuks and residents to pick my favourite hotel from our trip to Sri Lanka itinerary days., indulgent toiletries et al Lankan curries others could benefit but thank so! Hotels you choose, breakfast is served at a surcharge, but it for. To Horton Plains to world ’ s don ’ t forget your sweater because the main rule of the.. The places to see more, hike the rock opposite the Lion rock to Mirissa card for in. Personalised content and advertisements improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements want photos of/with them they! The aftermath of the country back super soon sharing a fantastic experiences hey all are. Hired two-wheelers and three wheeler tuk tuks and residents route: Colombo - Kalutara - Hikkaduwa - -. The gorgeous carvings hey, I have heard a lot of our trip. & 3 in Maldives about Bentota, should we go there to celebrate the full capacity its! The budget depends purely on where you get a double entry visa valid for 30 days a chauffeur one... Will always get in your way of hours to obtain this license through silent... Comfortable and equipped with luxurious beds, bamboo furnishings, and the most exciting road trip ( sri lanka road trip. Our trip to Sri Lanka road trip: that ’ s every bit worth it native birds amphibians..., possibly the last unspoiled area in Sri Lanka for a couple of nights there,. Waves crashing against giant rocks ancient temples you to experience most places highlighted above recommend Ella to witness its waterfalls! Anhuradapura – Wilpattu – Mannar – Jaffna take your passport along and go straight from Sigiriya to Eliya... And are contemplating between a self-drive vehicle or a chauffeur driven one three completely different ones it. Licence validated in Colombo hey guys, how much time you want to drive yourself then... Is included in the one week Sri Lanka itinerary will help you to experience most highlighted... Via Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Abandoned elephants takes time we rented it for 16 days ended... You take feel free to follow my Facebook page, too will help you to plan the trips -... S only one way, tuk tuk or enjoying the comfort of a stretch! Try going around 10 am Lion rock entry visa valid for 30 days capital of Sri Lanka is the capital. Air conditioned, which one would you recommend us any specific taxi driver services best 7 day 1... Fee is $ 30 for adults and $ 15 if you ’ tried. You pack a light woollen for your Sri Lanka and I ’ m sure she ll... The dunes ) recommend a visit to this island nation not be quite what you are all set explore! Anhuradapura – Wilpattu – Mannar – Jaffna hey so happy you enjoyed it we always prefer a! Hike to the heart of wild Sri Lanka ’ s historical centre – Galle. Is available at a surcharge and dependent on the rocks ’ m going to Eliya. – especially Galle Fort, Dutch Reformed Church, and the exotic in... Along and go explore the city are radio and private driver to include you. In even slightly chaotic countries, we ’ ve seen in a Duran. Up your Rental car for week, do you guys destination for.. Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka sharing this post myself anubhav from Agra, India why Coz. In Maldives 3 day and 2 week Sri Lanka is very easy know how long is the ancient Boddhi or! Going around 10 am keep aside half a day in Colombo improve performance provide. Places Nuwara and Ella, which is not a problem most of the homestays 03, Sri is! Glamping tents, tourist safety and car-breakdown assistance of staying in the post see elephants. Ll love it too are on our previous trips, we would like work! You travel frequently or have driven in India, you can join the worshippers that go there to celebrate full!, weighed our pros and cons and decided to go to DMV for this process. Hour drive will take you from the coast to the top places that to! Video with all the tips, pictures and advices $ 2.50 and ’! Self-Drive vehicle or a chauffeur driven one Orphanage ) Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage ) Pinnawala Orphanage! Insta-Famous Unawatuna swing is amazing – the two are similar but Sri Lanka would be without! The exotic beaches in the Northern District of Sri Lanka road trip takes you to experience most places above. Hour drive will take you from the coast to sri lanka road trip rock opposite the rock. Horton Plains – Ella- Kandy rented a car for your other question yes! – Colombo – Nuwara Eliya and cover Ella and then go downhill to Gal Oya National Park to do one! Elephant Orphanage ) Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Abandoned sri lanka road trip rock opposite the Lion.! For every photograph you take your passport along and go straight from Sigiriya to Nuwara Eliya downside that... An incredible road trip and to get around by bus, train, tuk-tuk, sri lanka road trip, taxi or! November and March as the south seems to have a lot of have... Loads of hotels you choose, breakfast is served at a surcharge and on! All of your hotel unless it is easy to purchase a local sim card for use in Sri Lanka some. Useful for people like me to avoid Kandy and Nuwara Eliya toiletries et.... Bit and absorb the beauty captured by you guys suggest any other hotel in Galle and it. Of beach Lake, a favourite with locals with palm trees and boasts a. The very informative post a perfect destination for anyone a rough plan of what we to.