Trip Planning
Sri Lanka itineraries: 4 incredible routes to explore the island
Sri Lanka is a small island that packs a punch. In a short trip, you can explore ancient cities, relax on palm-fringed beaches, hike through the lush and misty hill country and dine on endless rice and curry.
Even getting around Sri Lanka can be part of the adventure, with its famous trains turning transport into a sightseeing journey. While self-driving in Sri Lanka is not recommended, hiring a private car with a driver is easy to arrange and relatively affordable, making a road trip a simple way to explore this island nation.
Our 7- and 8-day itineraries highlight various parts of the country, but extend your stays in various stops or even combine multiple routes to build the 2- or even 3-week itinerary of your dreams.
1. See Sri Lanka’s ancient cities and capitals
Allow at least 7 days
Distance: 250km (155 miles)
With eight UNESCO-listed sites, four former capitals and a liberal scattering of atmospheric monastic ruins, rock citadels, gigantic stupas and astonishing Buddhist art, the central plains are the place to explore Sri Lanka’s spectacular past and its rich Buddhist cultural heritage. Amateur archaeologists and fans of lost cities are in for a treat.
Anuradhapura: 2 days
The sprawling archaeological site of Anuradhapura and its sacred Bodhi Tree, holy stupas and archaeological museums can be seen in a long day, but it’s better with two. If you’re short on time, visit just Abhayagiri.
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Detour: A half-day trip takes you to Mihintale, 13km (8 miles) outside town, to join pilgrims at the spot where Buddhism first took root in Sri Lanka.
Next stop: Drive 1 hour from Anuradhapura to Ritigala.
Ritigala: 1 day
As you travel from Anuradhapura and towards Polonnaruwa, make a stop at the ruined forest monastery of Ritigala. In an hour you can explore the stone stairways, platforms and meditation halls half-hidden between dripping tree roots. The site is 8km (5 miles) off the main road, so it’s easiest if you have your own transport, though you can often find a tuk tuk at the road junction.
Next stop: Drive 90 minutes from Ritigala to Polonnaruwa.
Polonnaruwa: 1 day
More ancient city ruins await at Polonnaruwa, the millennia-old former capital. You can see the main ticketed collection of monasteries, Buddha statues, stupas and royal palaces in half a day (early morning is best) but there are other minor sights to fill a long day. Don’t miss the far northern group of sights and give the interesting archaeological museum an hour.
Next stop: Drive 90 minutes from Polonnaruwa to Sigirya.
Sigiriya: 1 day
Sigiriya, meaning “lion’s rock”, is a must-see for its spectacular location and enigmatic history. Some travelers are content to see it from afar from Pidurangala (thus saving the US$30 entry fee) but it’s worth visiting both rocks; Sigiriya at dawn and Pidurangala at sunset. In the afternoon take a 4WD safari to Minneriya National Park.
Next stop: Drive 45 minutes from Sigiriya to Damulla.
Dambulla: 1 day
The beautiful Buddhist cave murals of Dambulla are an artistic highlight of Sri Lanka. You can visit them as a half-day excursion from Sigiriya, or en route to Kandy, but be sure not to miss them. The actual caves require just an hour but you need to budget time to hike up to them. Few people overnight in Dambulla itself.
Next stop: Drive roughly 3 hours from Dambulla to Kandy.
Kandy: 1 day
Kandy is Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, linking the plains to the highlands. Visit the sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic inside the former royal palace (preferably during the dramatic 15-day Esala Perahera festival) and spend the rest of the day exploring the Central Market and the old town. For sunset views take a tuk tuk up to the Buddha statue on Bahirawa Kanda.
2. Take a train journey to the central highlands
Allow at least 7 days
Distance: 450km (280 miles)
After the heat of the plains it’s a relief to climb into the cool, misty highlands of Sri Lanka’s green center. The country’s best walking trails are here, but don’t worry, if your legs start to tire there are plenty of fun alternatives, from rafting and caving to abseiling and canyoning.
Kandy: 2 days
Once you’ve seen the Temple of the Tooth, explored the old town and caught a performance of traditional Kandyan dance, get out of town and take a hike; either through the forbidden forest of Udawattakele or on a guided hike through the misty Knuckles range. We recommend adding on a day for overnight glamping in the conservation forest.
Next stop: Take a 4-hour train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya: 1 day
If you’ve managed to snag tickets, enjoy the country’s famous train ride through the hills and tea plantations to Nanu Oya, before taking a tuk tuk for the remaining 10km (6 miles) to Nuwara Eliya. Play a round on the British-era golf course, pick up a jar of chutney made by Franciscan nuns and linger over high tea in one of the town’s atmospheric colonial-era hotels.
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Next stop: Drive 2.5 hours from Nuwara Eliya to Sri Pada.
Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak): 1 day
Anyone who likes pilgrimages will want to make the pre-dawn hike from Dalhousie (travel here the evening before) up the 5000-plus steps to the summit of Adam’s Peak, where you’ll walk in sacred footprints of Buddha or Biblical Adam, depending on your religious persuasion. Expect to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with pilgrims, especially on poya (full moon) nights, when you’ll queue for hours.
Next stop: Drive 3.5 hours from Sri Pada to Horton Plains National Park.
Horton Plains National Park: 1 day
Back at Nuwara Eliya, make the hour-long drive to the high plateau of Horton Plains for the popular 9.5km-loop (5.9-miles) to the World’s End escarpment for incredible views. If you fancy something remoter and more demanding, take a guide for the day hike up to Mt Kirigalpotta, Sri Lanka’s second-highest peak (and the highest you can actually hike to).
Next stop: Take a 3-hour train from Nanu Oya station near Nuwara Eliya to Ella.
Ella: 1 day
After Horton Plains make your way to the backpacker center of Ella, preferably on the afternoon train from Pattipola, and visit one of Ella’s many spectacular waterfalls. Early the next morning walk the 3-hour return trail to island-wide views at Ella Rock, or organize a guide for the off-beat hike to 5000-year-old cave art at Kurullangala Rock.
Next stop: Drive 2 hours from Ella to Uda Walawe National Park.
Uda Walawe National Park: 1 day
Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for a 4WD safari. The drive from Ella to Uda Walawe goes via Wellawaya and Thanamalwila and a hired car will really save you some time here over the buses. From Uda Walawe the beaches of the south coast are just 2 hours’ drive away.
3. Explore Sri Lanka’s south coast
Allow at least 7 days
Distance: 320km (199 miles)
Sri Lanka’s south is a string of gorgeous beaches, surf schools and hip restaurants, with a more independent vibe than the west. It’s a great place to learn to surf and eat smoothie bowls, but there are also Buddhist temples and pilgrimage sites, and the vibe gets quieter and wilder as you head east.
Galle: 1 day
You need a full day in Galle to wander it’s 2km-long (1.2-mile) fort walls, soak up the colonial history and enjoy the fortified town’s stylish restaurants, bars and cafes. It’s the most romantic human-made destination in Sri Lanka, so is a good place to splash out on a fancy hotel and cocktails. Get here on the coastal train from Colombo Fort.
Next stop: Drive 2 hours from Galle to Weligama.
Weligama: 1 day
Public transport is frequent along the south coast but it’s nice to have your own wheels to stop off at beachside restaurants and detour to the Handunugoda Tea Estate. Spend a couple of hours in Weligama trying a surf lesson at one of dozens of surf schools. If you catch the bug, come back for a week-long surf camp.
Next stop: Drive 2 hours from Weligama to Tangalla.
Tangalla: 1 day
It’s a beautiful drive to Tangalla, so take your time and consider stops at Dondra Head Lighthouse, beautiful Talalla Bay and the stunning beach at Goyambokka. Arrive in Tangalla in time for a sunset stroll along the wild sands of Marakolliya Beach. End the day with a sundowner or fish dinner right on the beach, and keep an eye out for nesting turtles.
Next stop: Drive 2 hours from Tangalla to Tissamaharama.
Tissamaharama: 1 day
Get to Tissa at lunchtime and spend the afternoon visiting the Buddhist dagobas and monastery ruins of the ancient Kingdom of Ruhuna. Around dusk, head to the banks of the Tissa Wewa reservoir to watch flittering bats, roosting birds and the colors of the setting sun; boat tours are a nice option. Get an early night, as you’ll be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
Next stop: Drive 1 hour from Tissamaharama to Yala National Park.
Yala National Park: 1 day
A dawn 4WD safari to Yala National Park is a must-do. With luck you’ll spot a leopard lazing in the cradle of a tree branch, but even the unlucky will see wild elephants, crocodiles, painted storks, iridescent bee-eaters and maybe even a sloth bear. You’ll be back in Tissa at lunchtime, so with planning you could continue into the hills that afternoon.
Next stop: Drive 4 hours from Yala National Park to Haputale.
Haputale: 2 days
Haputale is a great place to hike the central highlands away from the crowds of places like Ella. Get up early to join the tea pickers on a stroll through tea fields to Lipton’s Seat or make longer day hikes to the summits of nearby Prabhawa or Wangedigala peaks, the latter offering views of Sri Lanka’s tallest waterfall.
4. Go off-track in the northeast
Allow at least 8 days
Distance: 300km (186 miles)
This is the remotest of our itineraries, for those who want to shake off the surfer dudes and Instagrammers and get a deeper sense of rural Sri Lanka and the aftermath of its civil war. Alongside the more surreal sights are some fabulous beaches, towering Hindu temples, ancient Buddhist stupas and superlative food.
Trincomalee: 1 day
Get to Trinco by train, from Colombo or Habarana, or bus from Anuradhapura, and then spend some time getting to know this ancient port town, from its Dutch-era Fort Frederick to the towering gateways of the much-revered Koneswaram Kovil Shiva temple. Between March and November, keep a look out for whales from this finger of land.
Next stop: Take a bus for 30 minutes from Trincomalee to Nilaveli.
Nilaveli: 1 day
There are many fabulous beaches on the east coast but few rival the 4km-long (2.5-mile) sands of Nilavelli. There’s not much to do here except slow down, go swimming and relax, though the snorkeling off nearby Pigeon Island is fantastic for coral and black-tip reef sharks. Certified divers can explore the wreck of an aircraft carrier.
Next stop: Drive 1 hour from Nilaveli to Kuchchaveli Beach.
Kuchchaveli Beach: 1 day
Rent a tuk tuk or car with driver for an absorbing day’s drive north along the B424, as it threads between ocean and lagoon. Stop at a trio of Buddhist ruins (including one of the world’s oldest stupas) and pause to watch fishers land their catch at Kuchchaveli Beach.
Next stop: Take a 2-hour bus ride from Pulmoddai to Mullaittivu.
Mullaittivu: 1 day
The bus from Pulmoddai drops you in the sober town of Mullaittivu, where the final days of the civil war played out in 2009. Pay your respects at the two war memorials here; one celebrating the army’s victory, the other established by locals to mark the site of the final massacre. It’s a sobering place to gain insights into the war.
Next stop: Drive 2 hours from Mullaittivu to Jaffna.
Jaffna: 2 days
In the vibrant northern Tamil city of Jaffna you can explore remnants of colonialism at the Dutch fort, British-era churches and Tamil temples (try to catch the chariot processions of July’s Nallur festival), and savor the culinary scene, from an early morning visit to fish markets to dinners of spicy crab curry, topped off by a cocktail at the Peninsula Hotel.
Next stop: Take a ferry for 30 minutes to 1 hour from Jaffna to Neduntivu.
Neduntivu (Delft): 2 days
Take two days (or preferably three) to explore the archipelago west of Jaffna where Sri Lanka splinters into a scattering of islands in the Palk Strait. Drive the causeways to Velanai and Punkudutivu, take ferries to Nainativu’s Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites, then overnight on Neduntivu island, home to wild horses and coral fences, before returning to Jaffna via Karaitivu and its pocket-sized fort.
Trip Planning
Royal Caribbean removes one of its most popular ports from cruise itinerary – booked passengers have no say
ROYAL Caribbean bosses are to remove a popular tourist destination from the company’s travel itineraries.
Officials said the decision was made out of caution.
Royal Caribbean bosses are continuing to pause visits to Labadee – a plush, private resort located off Haiti’s northern coastline.
Trips to Labadee have been paused at intervals over the last year.
Last summer, bosses at the cruise company paused trips to Labadee until September 2024.
In April, chiefs announced visits to the Haitian island would be halted.
And, now this pause has been extended to October, according to USA Today.
The move was made out of “an abundance of caution,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
“We have communicated with guests directly on this change.”
Americans are urged not to travel to Haiti.
The State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory.
Level 4 travel advisories are issued because of the life-threatening risks posed to travelers.
Syria, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela, Lebanon, and Somalia are other countries under a Level 4 warning.
Officials have warned how Americans who visit Haiti may be at risk of kidnapping.
Kidnappers on the island are known to target and attack convoys.
Travelers have been warned not to cross the land border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
US Department of State Travel Warnings
THE State Department uses a four level system to issue travel advisories.
Here is what each level means.
- Level 1 – Exercise normal precautions – This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international travel, and conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States.
- Level 2 – Exercise increased caution – Be aware of increased risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.
- Level 3 – Reconsider travel – Reconsider your travel to the destination due to serious risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.
- Level 4 – Do not travel – This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.
Source: US Department of State
And, the families of kidnapping victims have been forced to pay up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure people have been released.
Americans have been told not to travel to the island due to the threats of crime, terrorist activity, unrest, and limited health care resources.
Officials have also warned about the risks of gang violence outside the main airport in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024.
Americans considering traveling to Haiti are encouraged to set up a point of contact before leaving for the island.
And, they should create a will before leaving the US.
Travelers should also leave DNA samples with their medical provider just in case they are needed by family members, according to the State Department.
Drivers should always keep their cars locked, be alert, and never travel alone.
Trip Planning
More Aussies are using AI to plan holidays, from scoring deals to assembling itineraries
I’m planning a trip to Iceland, aka one of the most expensive countries in the world.
Can I afford to go? What would a realistic budget look like for a two-week holiday? How can I cut corners to save some cash?
I decide to do the 2025 equivalent of phoning a friend — I ask my buddy ChatGPT.
My initial prompt is too vague and it gives pricing in USD, which isn’t particularly helpful. I refine my criteria, asking for a rough total in AUD for a fortnight in September, departing from Perth (“please”, I add, because manners are still important when talking to a robot).
In the blink of an eye, Chat spits out a breakdown of average costs on everything from flights to accommodation, car rental, food and activities.
There are three tiers for backpacker, mid-range and luxury travel and an option to split components if I have a travelling companion.
It even offers suggestions for making my hard-earned coin stretch further, like buying groceries rather than eating out and opting to self-drive rather than joining a guided tour of the famous Golden Circle.
All in all, Chat reckons I’ll need to save $8500-$9000 to make Iceland happen.
What would have taken me hours of research and a lot of math just to ascertain whether I can even consider the trip in the first place was reduced to mere minutes.
Cutting corners, cyber style
While I want to give myself a pat on the back for being so resourceful — there’s a certain smugness that comes with finding a sneaky shortcut — I am hardly the first to use ChatGPT for travel tips.
In recent research conducted by Compare the Market, nearly a third of those surveyed admitted to using artificial intelligence to plan their holidays.
These Aussie respondents said they outsourced a range of tasks to AI, with the most common being destination recommendations, hunting for deals, seeking activities and finding accommodation.
Others reported they used AI to quickly create itineraries, scour flights or transport and understand currency conversion.
The data also gave insight into how different generations are embracing the technology — or not.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, gen Z and millennials are spearheading the adoption of AI when it comes to concocting their dream vacation, with 52 per cent and 44 per cent respectively utilising the tool to plan a holiday.
Meanwhile, 93 per cent of baby boomers and 76 per cent of gen X respondents said they were resistant to bringing AI into their trip arrangements.
Compare the Market’s Chris Ford says the stats reflect how we engage with the ever-changing tech landscape.
“Our latest data highlights a shift in the way travellers are approaching their planning, with convenience, personalisation and speed driving the adoption of innovative AI tools,” he says.
“It’s likely that travellers are using these tools in addition to chatting with travel agents, conducting desktop research or seeking ideas and inspiration from social media.
“AI is evolving at a rapid rate and as it becomes more accessible and intuitive, it’s not surprising that travellers are relying on new technology to help shape their dream holidays.”
But the insurer warns against taking AI’s word as gospel.
With nothing to validate the credibility of such recommendations, Ford says travellers need to practice due diligence.
“AI can be a great starting point when planning a holiday, but always ensure you’re crossing your ‘t’s and dotting your ‘i’s,” he says.
“Many of these tools and services are still in their infancy stage and may not be 100 per cent accurate, so do your own research to ensure you’re equipped with the right tools and information for your trip.
“The last thing we want to see is anyone getting themselves into a potentially dangerous or unsafe situation based on the recommendations from AI.”
The virtual line in the sand
Ford makes a crucial point here about our relationship with platforms like ChatGPT.
Rather than approaching them as one-stop-shop to curate every element of our holiday, we should instead consider them as a starting point to kick off deeper research.
After all, isn’t that part of the fun with travel — the anticipation in the lead-up, the process of discovering a destination before we have arrived and assembling a bucket list tailored to our specific taste?
By asking a computer to generate an itinerary based on what’s popular, we are depriving ourselves of creativity, spontaneity and adventure.
We must also remember that what the AI bot spits out is dependent on the quality of our prompts.
The more we refine our request, the more likely we will receive helpful answers, but even then things can go wonky.
Take this from my colleague Belle: “I asked ChatGPT to give me a child-friendly restaurant in Ubud. It sent me to a weird health food restaurant with a koi pond where you couldn’t wear shoes. My feral children cleared the room within minutes. Disaster.”
Then there’s the cognitive dissonance that comes with considering the environmental impact of AI versus the fear of being left behind if we don’t get on board with this technology.
Like it or not, it is shaping and re-shaping the future at breakneck speed.
We all have to decide where our (virtual) line in the sand is: what is productive and “mindful” use based on our needs and values.
For me, I’m OK with employing ChatGPT to whip up a quick budget so I can take the holiday to Iceland I’ve always dreamed of.
But when it asks if I want activity recommendations or a detailed itinerary next, I politely decline. I’d rather leave some room for mystery and exploration.
“Thanks”, I farewell my cyber mate in my sign-off (because, manners).
What the team thinks
Our collective of writers just so happens to represent the four age demographics mentioned in the research above. So what’s the hot take?
Stephen Scourfield — baby boomer
Trusting someone – or, in this case, something – to book a holiday (particularly a family holiday!) requires a lot of trust.
If some detail is missed in the booking process (a wrong date, a badly timed connection), it will be you standing there, somewhere, trying to fix it (possibly with the family “on your case”).
Would I trust AI yet?
No – not yet.
Of course, I think we all know that AI is good at doing grunt work and it is up to us to check details. So AI is already useful for the broad-brush, first sweep of mapping out a holiday.
But AI won’t then back itself by booking it all. (That will be the game changer.)
So, at this stage, AI, for me, is still a basic tool of research – not a replacement for an experienced and knowledgeable travel agent.
Leyanne Baillie — gen X
Although my generation is confident when it comes to using tech (even if we’re not digital natives), I think AI programs would be more effort than they’re worth.
I know it could be a time-saver in terms of journey-planning brainstorming and getting a rough guide of options, but I’d still want to tailor my itinerary to cater to my personal taste.
I don’t think I’m ready to hand over the reins completely to artificial intelligence just yet.
Jessie Stoelwinder — millennial
I love a good travel hack, and that’s how I have been approaching my use of AI.
Anything that makes life a little easier and frees me up to investigate the fun stuff — where to eat, hike, shop, people-watch etc. — and I am on board.
I’ve used ChatGPT to quickly aggregate travel data for personal trips to assist with admin, logistics and practicalities, which I will then cross-check and verify to make sure the information works for me.
Recommendations, however? Word of mouth and insider intel from a human being will always win, in my opinion.
Megan French — gen Z
I would be open to the idea of utilising AI when planning my travels but I’d take everything it recommends with a grain of salt while still doing my own thorough research.
I think it’s great for foundational information-based planning early in trip preparations, such as “what holidays are on in India during July and how is best to navigate them?”
But when it comes to booking flights and accommodation, I’d go nowhere near AI … yet.
My hostel was minutes from the Danube, on the Pest side and just a perfect location. A little bit further from the city but accessible via tram, scooter, or bike and still within walking distance of great restaurants, bars and sights.
Plus, if you, like me, crave some Asian cuisine while wandering the cities of Europe, Budapest has a surprisingly incredible selection of small restaurants to try. My personal favourite was PHỞ 18 Budapest — you can thank me later.
What to do in Budapest.
Budapest is so large, and with so much to do, it’d take a tightly packed itinerary to get it all done in a few days. But here are a few of my non-negotiables.
Firstly, walk around. In my humble opinion, there is no better way to get a feel for a new city than by roaming the streets and taking in the sights on foot. Especially in Budapest, a city that can capture your imagination at every corner. Crossing the Liberty Bridge and seeing both sides of the city unfold before your eyes is an experience not easily forgotten.
On my first morning, I walked up to Buda Castle and explored the grounds and museums before hiring a scooter and making my way back to my accommodation.
Image: Supplied.
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