2 weeks in Sri Lanka

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danxav
danxav

Hi

My wife and I are travelling to Sri Lanka for 2 weeks from the 22nd January. We want to spend most of the time relaxing on the beach but also want to see a couple of cultural sites. This is our initial itinerary:
22nd. Arrive Colombo Airport at 6am. Shuttle bus to Katunayaka bus station and first bus to Kandy. A day and one night in Kandy to chill.
23rd. Taxi and driver to take us from Kandy to Dambulla/Sirgiya and return to Nuwara Eliya. One night in Nuwara Eliya
24th. Morning train from Nanuoya to Ella. One night in Ella
25th. Day in Ella. Evening bus to Tangalle or taxi depending on the time the bus takes.
26th to 4th. Tangalle - Mirissa - Galle - Hikkaduwa(and beaches inbetween for day trips on scooter)
4th. Train from Hikkaduwa to Negombo via Colombo (maybe an hour or two in the city but not that bothered) and afternoon on the beach. Flight out at 2am (5th). OR Leave Hikkaduwa at sundown, train to Colombo, late dinner and then a train to the airport arriving at 11/12 at night.

We will be coming back to Sri Lanka another time to do the north and east but I think for a two week holiday this gives us a little glimpse into what Sri Lanka has to offer culturally as well as allowing us to chill.
What do you think of the itinerary, is it easily doable? I know we should spend more time here and more time there and we would normally do that but this time our holiday is shorter and we want to relax for at least a week or so.

Thanks for any comments in advance.

Daniel and Saara Smith

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friendly_checkingirl
friendly_checkingirl

Ella to Tangalle is a long long journey, not sure that's a good idea on an evening.

Every group has its own dynamics, if you can't see the idiot then it's probably you.
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think :-D
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nuwan99
nuwan99

Hey there !
Second day of your journey (23rd Jan) will be a tiring one , because you have planned to visit Sigiriya and Nuwaraeliye on the same day! It will take 3 hours from Kandy to Sigiriya. And the return route also will take 6 hours to Nuwaraeliye from Sigiriya. You will miss the scenic view on the way to Nuwaraeliye when it is dark.

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rajamax
rajamax

yeah this is doable... As Nuwan99 said it will be a tiring day on 23rd. so the best is to go straight to Dambulla and stay and chill your first night in there.you can go to Dambulla but 12pm latest. same day visit Dambulla cave temple..No need driver you can use public trasport for that

. next day with a taxi from Habarana climb sigiriya . make sure to be there no later than 7.30 am so by 11.30 you can finish sigiriya. Ride an elephant or village tour if you want.. and come to Kandy.. you will have enough time to see Temple of tooth relic same day after noon... then you can go to Nuwara eliya. try to leave Kandy 3pm latest. so you can see the good views until Nuwara eliya.

every thing else will be ok.. more that leave Hikakduwa at sunset go to Negambo by train with 2-3 hours of or more transit in Colombo.. try to see National Museum in Colombo ( LKR 600 pp for tourist )..

you no need to go Negambo you can get off from the Katunayake railway station which is only LKR 200 tuk tuk ride to Airport.. refer this for time table (http://slr.malindaprasad.com/?from=FOT&to=KTK) make sure these days you have to check in 5 hours before your flight .

hope it helps

Raja

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danxav
danxav

Thanks for the advice. I think maybe we should go straight to Dambulla from the airport to save some time for the next day and be able to get to Nuwara Eliya easier the following day.
Check in 5 hours before flight! Really!? I can check in online and do the baggage drop only. I don't think I need 5 hours to do that.
Thanks again!

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simonhill
simonhill

I'm not sure you need 5 hours (maybe mistype), but at the moment they are doing daytime maintenance at the airport. Flights and check in times have been changed to accommodate this. I have already been notified by my airline of earlier than normal closure of check in.

Might be worth double checking before you fly home.

Agree about starting at Dambulla, etc.Pointless going to Kandy, then down to Dambulla, then to NE which is via Kandy.

Enjoy.

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danxav
danxav
In response to #6

We are flying out at 2.20am so I think there aren't that many planes flying out at that time, however I'll check beforehand. Thanks for your help.

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danxav
danxav

Just checked the departures from Colombo.....there are lots of departures in the middle of the night! I guess they don't care so much about noise pollution!

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rajamax
rajamax

actually due to the runner way maintenance air port is close in the day time for 8 or 10 years. Couple of days ago I was watching news and it said 5 hours. Before it was 3 hours ( advising) but no one come before 3 hours..same here now their recommend time is 5 but 3 hours will be ok.

actually Night time is the busiest time even in normal day. but now all the flight that fly in day time these days flying in night time. number of staff is increased from a particular shift but number of check-in desks are still same. that is the reason passengers being asked to come early. still no need to come 5 hours 3 will be ok...but be careful even you check online still you have to present infront of the check-in desk don't take any risk..my sister is working in the airport she told me on 9th Jan there were some passengers missed their flights
:(

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