Itinerary overview

12-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 September travel with 3 traveler(s), 12 days, and a luxury 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 Colombo

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

Activities

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
National museum and old-town district orientation
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining

Stay area: Colombo

Transit hotel near Colombo Fort (Budget)

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

Comfortable hotel with easy airport transfer options (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Colombo.

Luxury waterfront hotel with concierge support (Luxury)

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

Day 2

Transfer to Anuradhapura with focused highlights

Colombo -> Anuradhapura | Approx drive: 4-5.5 hrs

Activities

Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Evening local food stop in town center
Use one deeper day in each major region

Stay area: Anuradhapura

Budget heritage guesthouse near ancient zone (Budget)

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

Comfortable city stay for monument access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Anuradhapura.

High-comfort cultural stay with guided experience support (Luxury)

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

Day 3

Transfer to Sigiriya with focused highlights

Anuradhapura -> Sigiriya | Approx drive: 1.5-2.5 hrs

Activities

Village lunch and produce-focused local stop
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing

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)

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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.

Explore Sigiriya at a comfortable pace

Sigiriya local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Sunset viewpoint block with flexible evening return
Use one deeper day in each major region
Photography-focused golden-hour planning block

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 5

Transfer to Kandy with focused highlights

Sigiriya -> Kandy | Approx drive: 2.5-3.5 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

Explore Kandy at a comfortable pace

Kandy local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Temple precinct visit with etiquette briefing

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 7

Transfer to Nuwara Eliya with focused highlights

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

Activities

Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining
Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Highland park or garden walk in cool climate

Stay area: Nuwara Eliya

Simple highland rooms near town center (Budget)

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

Boutique highland property with practical access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Nuwara Eliya.

Luxury tea-country retreat with curated tastings (Luxury)

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

Day 8

Transfer to Ella with focused highlights

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

Activities

Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing
Priority wildlife and adventure block centered around Ella
Cafe cluster walk with flexible evening plan

Stay area: Ella

Budget hillside guesthouse near Ella town (Budget)

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

Comfortable Ella stay with easy trail access (Mid)

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Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Ella.

High-end hillside villa experience (Luxury)

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

Day 9

Explore Ella at a comfortable pace

Ella local exploration | Approx drive: 0.5-1 hrs

Activities

Short hike or viewpoint climb with safety-first pacing
Nine Arches Bridge timing window and viewpoint planning
Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows

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 10

Transfer to Yala with focused highlights

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

Activities

Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Rest block between drive windows
Keep evenings flexible for rest and local dining

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)

Check safari lodges near Yala

Balanced comfort and location for smooth pacing around Yala.

Luxury safari lodge with private guide options (Luxury)

Check safari lodges near Yala

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

Day 11

Transfer to Mirissa with focused highlights

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

Activities

Photography-focused golden-hour planning block
Relaxed coastal dining and walkable evening route
Use one deeper day in each major region

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 12

Transfer to Galle with focused highlights

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

Activities

Galle Fort heritage walk with flexible shopping breaks
Mix landmark visits with practical transfer windows
Early safari timing window with ethical wildlife viewing

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 10800 - USD 20160

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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