Hi, ok you prefer the public transport. It is cheaper and you can meet new people too. But it will be a lot more easier if you can get hold of a budget car or a cab. There are cheaper cab services too in sri lanka. First course of your trip looks reasonable. Colombo to kandy thrn to dambulla, anuradhapura and polonnaruwa. Because all the cities are situated close by and can be reached by either train or bus directly from one another. Visiting nuwara eliya, ella and badulla will be a nice tour as nuwara eliya is one of the most beautiful areas of the country. If you wish to take in a breathtaking safari experience you should be at yala. In trinco you can do surfing and enjoy the beautiful eastern beaches. There are some temples and ruins in jaffna. So i would suggest the tour as colombo - dambulla - anuradhapura - polonnaruwa - trinco - kandy - nuwara eliya - ella - badulla - yala - galle - colombo. I listed the places in the order of one would visit them. Since you have 15 days and better not ruin it by travelling whole day.. i suggest you contact a cheaper taxi service. I can share the cab services i used if you need.
Hi Henri
Thanks for the advice , can you send the information regards the taxi please, so your planning the same trip or your touting for your taxi service!
Thank you so much Marianne - that is very helpful. I was hemming and hawing about Jaffna, but it seems like maybe it is worth the excursion. Now my friend is not sure if she is going to come or not, so at least that saves me from having to return to Colombo in the middle of my trip!
I've think I've decided not to go to the Maldives in favor of an extra week in Sri Lanka (hence my extended Sri Lankan beach time). This is my updated proposed itinerary - given that I love hiking, ruins, temples, and nature, what could I cut out to give myself an extra day in Jaffna? Is there anything that is glaringly wrong and/or anything that must not be missed that you can't see? Thanks!
Jan 2-4: Colombo – then train to:
Jan 4-6 Bentota – then train (Aluthgama lvs at 08:20) to:
Jan 6-9: Unawatuna (day trip to Galle Fort) then travel by bus to:
Jan 9-11: Mirissa
Jan 11-15: Tangalle
Jan 15-16: Uda Walawe NP
Jan 16-19 Ella – then train to:
Jan 19-20 Ohiya (Horton’s Plains & World’s End) – get there by 7AM!
Jan 20-21: Delhouse (Adam’s Peak) – Start early to be at top by sunrise
Jan 21-25: Kandy – then travel by car (with a stop in Matale) to:
Jan 25-28: Dambulla and Sigiriya (stay in Habarana)
Jan 28-30: Polonnaruwa
Jan 30-Feb 2: Anuradhapura w/side trip to Mihintale – then travel by bus to:
Feb 2-Feb 5: Jaffna - then travel by train back down to Colombo on Feb 5 (stay overnight in Negombo)
Feb 6: Fly CMB to DEL Leaving at 07:50AM
Hello?! Is anyone still there?
I'm in Sri Lanka and so far so good. My friend did not end up joining me, so I am doing one big loop in 5 weeks. The thing I'm stumped on is the following route and if it's best. I'm coming up from Tangalle and going to Udawalawe for one night, then:
Haputale (3 nights) for horton's plains/worlds end, lipton's seat, and Adisham monastery.
Ella (2 nights) for Little Adams peak and Ella Rock. Is there anything else I should not miss?
Dalhousie (1 night) for Adam's peak.
Then off to Kandy.
I'll be traveling by bus or train.
Does this look ok or should I access Horton's Plains from Nuwara Eliya? Is Horton's Plains even worth it given the cost? I'm not really on a strict budget, but I do prefer public transit as the tuk tuks can add up pretty quick.
Thanks.
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