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 October travel with 3 traveler(s), 10 days, and a mid budget style. The plan keeps transfer pacing realistic while emphasizing wildlife and adventure.

First-time Sri Lanka travelersBalanced paceCulture and scenery mixWildlifeAdventureTea country

Day 1

Arrive and settle in Negombo

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

Activities

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Beach walk and seafood-focused dinner options
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining

Stay area: Negombo

Simple lagoon-facing transit rooms (Budget)

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

Seaside hotel with practical transfer access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Negombo.

Luxury beach resort with premium dining (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

Use one deeper day in each major region
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Village lunch and produce-focused local stop

Stay area: Sigiriya

Budget safari lodge near Sigiriya access road (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

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)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

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

Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Priority wildlife and adventure block centered around Sigiriya
Sunset viewpoint block with flexible evening return

Stay area: Sigiriya

Value stay close to village dining options (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

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

Mid-range nature hotel with pool and garden (Mid)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Sigiriya.

Premium nature retreat with guided excursions (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Sigiriya

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

Lakefront promenade and market exploration
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing

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 5

Explore Kandy at a comfortable pace

Kandy local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Evening cultural performance options
Use one deeper day in each major region
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block

Stay area: Kandy

Budget hill-view guesthouse in Kandy (Budget)

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

Boutique Kandy stay in heritage neighborhood (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Kandy.

High-end heritage property with private concierge (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

Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Tea-estate session with tasting and processing overview

Stay area: Nuwara Eliya

Affordable guesthouse with valley views (Budget)

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

Mid-range tea-country hotel with fireplace lounges (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Nuwara Eliya.

Premium highland resort with wellness amenities (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

Nine Arches Bridge timing window and viewpoint planning
Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing

Stay area: Ella

Simple backpacker-friendly rooms with valley views (Budget)

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

Balanced hillside hotel for scenic pacing (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Ella.

Luxury mountain retreat with private decks (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

Rest block between drive windows
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing

Stay area: Yala

Budget safari camp near park gate (Budget)

Check safari lodges near Yala

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

Comfort wildlife hotel near key access routes (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

High-end parkside retreat with all-inclusive planning support (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Yala

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

Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Beach recovery block and sunset viewpoint timing
Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows

Stay area: Mirissa

Affordable coastal stay with local cafe access (Budget)

See beach resorts in Mirissa

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

Mid-range coastal hotel with pool (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Mirissa.

Premium Mirissa resort with curated dining (Luxury)

See beach resorts in Mirissa

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

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Sunset lighthouse and rampart route
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining

Stay area: Galle

Simple heritage area rooms with walkable access (Budget)

See beach resorts in Galle

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

Balanced coastal city stay for mixed itineraries (Mid)

See beach resorts in Galle

Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Galle.

Luxury colonial-style hotel inside heritage zone (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 4437 - USD 7956

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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