Itinerary overview

10-Day Classic Triangle, Hills and Beach Sri Lanka Itinerary

Balanced first-time route linking heritage hubs, tea-country scenery, and south-coast downtime. Designed for August travel with 4 traveler(s), 10 days, and a luxury budget style. The plan keeps transfer pacing realistic while emphasizing beach and food explorers.

First-time Sri Lanka travelersBalanced paceCulture and scenery mixBeachesFoodWellness

Day 1

Arrive and settle in Negombo

Arrival -> Negombo | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Use one deeper day in each major region
Slow-paced morning window for cafe and promenade time
Flexible recovery block after arrival travel

Stay area: Negombo

Affordable family-run stay near local eateries (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Negombo activities.

Mid-range beach hotel with pool access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Negombo.

High-end coastal retreat with spa amenities (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Negombo stay.

Day 2

Transfer to Sigiriya with focused highlights

Negombo -> Sigiriya | Approx drive: 3.5-4.5 hrs

Activities

Coastal sunset block with flexible swim and rest time
Sigiriya rock entry window in cooler hours
Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows

Stay area: Sigiriya

Simple guesthouse with early departure support (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

Practical value-focused base with easy access to Sigiriya activities.

Comfortable lodge for triangle sightseeing (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Sigiriya.

Luxury eco-resort with private experience desk (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Sigiriya stay.

Day 3

Explore Sigiriya at a comfortable pace

Sigiriya local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Local seafood and curry-focused dinner shortlist
Village lunch and produce-focused local stop
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining

Stay area: Sigiriya

Budget safari lodge near Sigiriya access road (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Sigiriya activities.

Boutique Sigiriya stay near heritage sites (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Sigiriya.

High-end wilderness stay with curated dining (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Sigiriya stay.

Transfer to Kandy with focused highlights

Sigiriya -> Kandy | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Activities

Slow-paced morning window for cafe and promenade time
Evening cultural performance options
Use one deeper day in each major region

Stay area: Kandy

Affordable local stay with quick temple access (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Kandy activities.

Mid-range lakefront hotel with easy city access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Kandy.

Premium Kandy retreat with wellness facilities (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Kandy stay.

Day 5

Explore Kandy at a comfortable pace

Kandy local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Temple precinct visit with etiquette briefing
Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Coastal sunset block with flexible swim and rest time

Stay area: Kandy

Simple city rooms near transport links (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Kandy activities.

Comfort-focused hotel with practical transfer support (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Kandy.

Luxury hillside resort with panoramic views (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Kandy stay.

Day 6

Transfer to Nuwara Eliya with focused highlights

Kandy -> Nuwara Eliya | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Activities

Highland park or garden walk in cool climate
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining
Local seafood and curry-focused dinner shortlist

Stay area: Nuwara Eliya

Budget cottage stay in tea country (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Nuwara Eliya activities.

Comfortable colonial-style manor stay (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Nuwara Eliya.

High-end manor stay with private chauffeur options (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Nuwara Eliya stay.

Day 7

Transfer to Ella with focused highlights

Nuwara Eliya -> Ella | Approx drive: 2-3 hrs

Activities

Cafe cluster walk with flexible evening plan
Use one deeper day in each major region
Slow-paced morning window for cafe and promenade time

Stay area: Ella

Affordable stopover lodge close to rail access (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Ella activities.

Mid-range boutique hotel with mountain outlook (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Ella.

Premium Ella resort with spa and curated dining (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Ella stay.

Day 8

Transfer to Yala with focused highlights

Ella -> Yala | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Activities

Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Coastal sunset block with flexible swim and rest time
Sunrise safari with ethical wildlife guidelines

Stay area: Yala

Simple wildlife lodge with early departure support (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Yala

Practical value-focused base with easy access to Yala activities.

Balanced nature stay with local guide links (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

Luxury safari lodge with private guide options (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Yala stay.

Day 9

Transfer to Mirissa with focused highlights

Yala -> Mirissa | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Activities

Relaxed coastal dining and walkable evening route
Use one deeper day in each major region
Slow-paced morning window for cafe and promenade time

Stay area: Mirissa

Budget beach guesthouse in Mirissa (Budget)

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Practical value-focused base with easy access to Mirissa activities.

Comfortable boutique bay stay (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Mirissa.

High-end coastal villa stay with private services (Luxury)

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Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Mirissa stay.

Day 10

Transfer to Galle with focused highlights

Mirissa -> Galle | Approx drive: 0.5-1.5 hrs

Activities

Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Coastal sunset block with flexible swim and rest time
Priority beach and food explorers block centered around Galle

Stay area: Galle

Affordable city stay near transport nodes (Budget)

See beach resorts in Galle

Practical value-focused base with easy access to Galle activities.

Mid-range heritage boutique hotel (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Galle.

Premium fortside retreat with concierge service (Luxury)

See beach resorts in Galle

Premium facilities and service depth for a high-comfort Galle stay.

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Estimated Budget (USD)

USD 12240 - USD 22848

Budget range is directional guidance and changes by travel dates, inventory, and transport style.
Room categories and transfer method can materially change final totals.
Confirm live supplier availability before making payment decisions.

Important Disclaimers

Drive durations are estimates and can vary with traffic, weather, and road conditions.
Accommodation options and inclusions are examples for planning, not guaranteed inventory.
Use this itinerary as planning guidance and validate final logistics before booking.

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