culture triangle and kandy

I didn't stop in Colombo and started my trip out of Kandy, but for me the order (leaving out other sights on the way) was Dambulla/Sigiriya/Polonnaruwa. Yours would be in reverse if you want to end up in Kandy. I went by car, so can't give any advice on other modes of transport.

@chriskean1 - thank you!.
p.s. what an enviable collection of photos, especially the African portraits.

@sltripdilra - thank you! I have a total of ten days at hand. I arrive and depart from Colombo. I'm keen on cultural sights (especially Sinhala buddhist) more than beaches - hence the cultural triangle. However, for some variety I thought of adding the hill country such as Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, etc. I'm on the fence about visiting Trinco and/or kataragama - I hear they are interesting but with only ten days it might be a lot of travel. Same for Galle, plus it might be rainy? Would be great to get any suggestions.

arora.vaibhav you're welcome, and thank you too. My Sri Lanka pics are all from the Cultural Triangle area, in case you want some inspiration re some of the smaller attractions.

@chriskean1 - thanks again. I had a look - and I was going to miss ridi vihara otherwise. This was very helpful. Now, I think i overestimated my ability to rush from A to B and all that's available to see in each place.

Hi! In Colombo airport you can change money 24/7. No need to wait for the next day. You can easily find a taxi that will take you to Negombo or Colombo, depending where you want to stay. Colombo is, in the eye of many travellers I've met, the least interesting of the places you plan on visiting. I would keep the few days of sightseeing for the end, in case you want to extend your stay in other places!

Safe travels.

I know this is last minute but if I have ten - fourteen days in this month, and am focused on looking for historical sights, (last minute) train travel and perhaps flit across three location - not a beach person - would Thailand be a better option (it has three great sites - bangkok temples and palace, sukothai and ayyuthaya).

Either country has VoA (or ETA) on an Indian passport. The cost to fly to Thailand is much higher from where I sit, but the photos look very appealing. Either has monsoon in August. Also being a vegetarian, I'd have to work around the food rather than relish as most others talk about.

Any responses would be great!

p.s. Marianne - Thanks!!