15-Day Sri Lanka Adventure: Cultural Triangle to Coast
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15-Day Sri Lanka Adventure: Cultural Triangle to Coast

Guide By

Vasishta

Destination

Sri Lanka • 11 cities

Published

December 13, 2025

Duration

2w 1d

Budget

Flights Rs 28k for two (ex-Chennai)

Visa

No

Highlights

Climbing the 1200 steps of Sigiriya Lion Rock

Scenic train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella

Coastal bus ride from Matara to Galle

Staying inside the historic Galle Fort

Hiking to Ravana Falls and Caves in Ella

15-Day Sri Lanka Adventure: From Ancient Rocks to Southern Coasts

Source: Original Thread by Vasishta (@vasishtanagalla)

Trip Overview

  • Duration: 15 Days
  • Travel Style: Hard-core travel oriented, exploring like a local using public transport (buses, trains) and hiking.
  • Companions: Mother & Son trip.
  • Route: Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya/Dambulla/Kandy) → Hill Country (Nuwara Eliya/Ella) → South Coast (Mirissa/Galle) → Colombo.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Sigiriya

  • Arrival: Landed at BIA Colombo (1 hour flight from Chennai).
  • Transport: Took a cab directly to Sigiriya (4-hour drive). The roads were smooth but two-lane, making the 145km journey take longer.
  • Stay: Checked into a homestay 250m from the fort by 6 PM.
  • Dinner: Kenoli restaurant (highly recommended for Ceylon food).

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Day 2: The Lion Rock Fortress

  • Activity: Climbed Sigiriya (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A total of 1200+ steps (850 to the Lion's Paw, 350 steep iron steps to the summit).
  • Highlights: The museum, the Mirror Wall, the summit terrace views, and the ancient cave paintings on the way down.
  • Evening: Rest and shopping.

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Day 3: Dambulla Caves to Kandy

  • Morning: Taxi from Sigiriya to Kandy with a stop at Dambulla.
  • Dambulla Cave Temple: A 22-century old site requiring a 364-step trek. Features a rock-cut temple with a Sleeping Buddha and panoramic views. Also visited the Golden Buddha.
  • Afternoon: Reached Kandy by 2 PM.
  • Evening: Visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (UNESCO site). Witnessed the prayers and inner sanctum opening.

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Day 4: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

  • Transport: Local bus from Kandy to Karandupana, then connecting bus to Pinnawala.
  • Activity: Watched elephants at the bath site. Shopping nearby (good deals with bargaining).
  • Return: Back in Kandy by 5 PM.

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Day 5: Bus to Nuwara Eliya

  • Transport: Bus from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (Recommended over train for this specific leg for stunning views).
  • Afternoon (Trip 1): Hired a tuk-tuk. Visited Sita Amma Temple, Hakgala Garden, Sita Agni Pariksha site.

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Day 6: Exploring Nuwara Eliya

  • Transport: Tuk-tuk tour starting at 9 AM.
  • Activities: Gregory Lake, Post Office, Local market, Bhakta Hanuman Temple, Waterfalls, and 3 tea factory tours (including leaf plucking).
  • Dining: Dinner at Ambaals (South Indian cuisine).

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Day 7: The Scenic Train to Ella

  • Transport: Train from Nanu Oya station to Ella. Known as one of the most scenic train rides.
  • Experience: Train was packed; stood by the door enjoying the landscape and chatting with fellow travelers.
  • Ella: Arrived at the 1800s-style station. Walked uphill to the homestay.

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Day 8-9: Exploring Ella

  • Vibe: Scenic spots mixed with Hindu mythology (Ravana history).
  • Sites Visited:
    • 9 Arches Bridge
    • Dowa Rock Temple
    • Ravana Cave (Tough hike/leg workout)
    • Ravana Waterfalls (Massive waterfall, great view point)
    • Secret Waterfalls (Less crowd)
  • City Center: Lively place with restaurants, pubs, and souvenir shops.

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Day 10: South Coast - Matara to Mirissa

  • Travel: Bus to Matara (beautiful seaside road via Hambantota), then bus to Mirissa.
  • Mirissa: Stayed 300m from key locations.
  • Activities: Coconut Hill Point, Turtle Beach, swimming.
  • Highlights: Parrot Island (walking into the sea to reach it) and the clean Mirissa beach.

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Day 11: Galle Fort

  • Transport: Bus to Galle (2 hours).
  • Stay: Cara Galle Fort (Located inside the fort, upgraded to a suite).
  • Activity: Exploring Galle Fort, a European-style fortification with hotels, churches, and museums. Best explored between 5 PM - 7 PM.

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Day 12: Unawatuna Day Trip

  • Transport: Tuk-tuk to Unawatuna (INR 160), bus back to Galle.
  • Activity: Enjoying the waves at Unawatuna Beach.

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Day 13-14: Colombo

  • Transport: AC Bus from Galle to Colombo (3.5 hours).
  • Stay: Renuka City Hotel.
  • Sightseeing:
    • Gangaramaya Temple & Seema Malaka Temple.
    • Galle Face Green & Promenade.
    • One Galle Mall, Dutch Hospital, Clock Tower, World Trade Center, Port City Mall.

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Day 15: Departure

  • Final Eats: Breakfast at A2B, Lunch at Thalapakatti.
  • Last Shopping: Lakshala & Galle Mall.
  • Departure: Cab to airport (1hr 10min). Reached home safely after a flight delay.

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Recommendations

Food & Restaurants

  • Kenoli Restaurant (Sigiriya): Located near the fort, offers the best Ceylon food.
  • Ambaals (Nuwara Eliya): South Indian cuisine, great for tiffins or Butter Naan with Paneer Tikka Masala.
  • Anand Bhavan (Colombo): Behind Renuka City hotel.
  • Colombo Chains: A2B and Thalapakatti for familiar Desi/Indian food.

Stay

  • Sigiriya: Homestays near the fort are convenient.
  • Galle: Cara Galle Fort (Great service, potential upgrades).
  • Colombo: Renuka City Hotel (3-star, central location).

Transport Tips

  • Kandy to Nuwara Eliya: Take the bus, not the train. The views are better on the road for this leg.
  • Nuwara Eliya to Ella: Take the train. It is the famous scenic route.
  • Coastal Route: The bus ride from Hambantota/Matara to Galle runs parallel to the sea and is stunning.

Costs & Budget

  • Flights: Approx Rs. 28,000 for two (return from Chennai).
  • Airport Transfer (Colombo): LKR 3300 (~INR 965) for a cab from city to airport.
  • Local Transport:
    • Tuk-tuk Galle to Unawatuna: INR 160.

Tips & Notes

  • Climbing Sigiriya: It involves 1200+ steps. It is a serious leg workout.
  • Dambulla Cave: Requires a 364-step trek.
  • Train to Ella: If you don't get a window seat, standing at the door provides great views and opportunities to chat with other travelers.
  • Pinnawala Shopping: You can find great deals if you bargain well.
  • Colombo Air Quality: Can be lower than the rest of the island (AQI was 159 on the day of visit).
  • Currency: Most costs mentioned in the thread seem to be converted to Indian Rupees (INR) or stated in LKR.

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