Sri Lanka may not be a very popular place, but many people have it on their wish list of countries they want to visit. If Sri Lanka is on your wish list too, this itinerary can help make your trip unforgettable. It is an island in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. It is also known as the pearl of the Indian ocean. Although it is not much popular like European countries, the island boasts about historic Buddhist significance, beautiful beaches, and unique wildlife.
Well, there are lots of things to see and explore in Sri Lanka, but this blog discusses a 5-day Itinerary if you are planning to go over there the first time. When you plan to visit somewhere, the first thing that flashes through your mind is the best time to visit.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on the coasts you have chosen for your trip. For West and South coasts, you should travel between December and March and between April and September if you are heading to the East coast. If you want to enjoy the driest months, you should visit between February and March. Here are the places that you must visit if you make a trip to Sri Lanka.
Colombo
Your trip will be incomplete and dull if you skip exploring Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Explore Galle Face, an urban park that stretches 500m along the coast. Watch the stunning sunset and embrace the beauty of the beach.
You can visit there anytime between 9 am to 6 pm, and it does not require any entry fee. If you want to explore Sri Lanka’s history, visit the National Museum, where you will see relics, busts, swords, and other historical things are belonging to the colonial era.
It is open for visitors from 9 am to 5 pm and costs 1,000 LKR the best part of the Colombo trip is you will get a chance to explore the city in an open deck transport. There are three types of open deck tours: a glimpse of Colombo, Heritage of Colombo and Colombo at Night that include the city’s best attractions from past till date. All the tours include different sightseeing.
Habarana
Habarana may not be the most visited place in Sri Lanka, but this is admired by those who are safari lovers. If you love safari, you should not skip visiting there. This city boasts about high-class tourist resorts. If you see this city, you can explore the Minneriya sanctuary, an abode of Sri Lankan elephants. You can take a ride on elephants to explore the city.
Sigiriya
If you are not fond of exploring wildlife, you should spend your second day in Sigiriya. Lion Rock is the most popular tourist attraction in Sigiriya. The best time to see the rock is morning time because the weather remains cool. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is Polonnaruwa. It boasts about Royal Palace, the Quadrangle, Rankot Vihara, and the Audience Hall. Although this place has a lot of things to explore, these sites are mainly visited by tourists. That must be on your bucket list.
Jaffna
Jaffna is known for ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples. Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil is the most famous Hindu temple there where many tourists visit every year. Another tourist attraction is Jaffna Fort. You can see the ruins of this fort built in the 17th century. Do not forget to visit the Kankesanthurai beach. This is the perfect beach to relax if you are tired of the city crowd.
Public Library and Clock Tower are also the most popular tourist attractions. By visiting the Public Library and Clock Tower, you will get to know about ancient archaeology. Near the Public Library is the stunning Dutch. Watch a beautiful sunset from this fort dates back to 17th century. Since Sri Lanka civil war was held in Jaffna, you can see the ruins of civil war.
Kandy
This city is known for its beautiful Buddhist stupas and temples. Apart from religious places, the city also boasts about hiking tours, culture and heritage, and international Buddhist museum. One of the most fantastic attractions for which tourists visit here is Kandy Lake and Botanical Garden.
If you plan to visit Sri Lanka, you should not skip Colombo, the capital. If you have a lot of time, you can visit other cities and towns as well. A Sri Lanka trip does not need to be expensive even if you are consulting a travel agent.
They may help you prepare an itinerary that includes the best and most popular tourist attractions. It can ease your burden too. However, you will have to bear the cost of all the arrangements that your travel agent will do for you. If it seems slightly expensive and you have fallen short of cash, you can take out loans for bad credit with no guarantor on benefits.