Sri Lanka offers an incredible diversity that you can discover in a relatively short time: Mysterious temples, captivating mountain landscapes and deserted beaches. So that you through Sri Lanka the most out of your backpacking trip Holst, I have put together an itinerary for 14 days for you.
Before you go on a trip, you need to apply online, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The proceeds fairly straightforward and within three days you will receive the confirmation. This you should print for entry into Sri Lanka.
Day 1: Arrive in Sri Lanka
Every traveler will land north of Colombo by plane at Bandaranaike International Airport. The city of Colombo is not worth it for a longer stay. One night you can here but already plan to recover yourself from the rigors of flight. The best you look for a hotel in Mount Lavinia, a suburb south of the city. Here there is a beach and excellent bus links into the center. Excursions in the Gangaramaya Temple and the Viharamahadevi Park worthwhile. Caution: Do not allow to run through the area by a local. This demand at the end of their tour a fat tip!
For the next day you should buy the same train ticket to Kandy. More tips on you’ll find at the end of the article.
Days 2-4: Kandy
The next day you will walk the fascinating train ride to Kandy. But this stage is an attraction in itself. Arrived in Kandy there is much to experience. Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of Buddhist temple. Recommended are the Temple of the Tooth (entry:. 1,100 rupees including shoe levy) and the somewhat remote Degaldoruwa rock temple, which you probably have completely alone for you will.
Relax, you can (Admission: 1,100 rupees) for a walk in the Royal Botanical Garden. A good view of the city has one of the great statue of Buddha, which can be seen from anywhere. Lakeside you discover if you are lucky turtles and monitor lizards in the midst of the city. A list of other attractions in Kandy there are in our blog.
Day 5: Day trip to Dambulla and Sigiriya
From Kandy you can do a day trip to Dambulla and Sigiriya. Both places are among the main attractions in Sri Lanka. In Dambulla huge caves are full of Buddhist sculptures part of a temple complex. The striking Lion Rock Sigiriya is a must for any trip to Sri Lanka. The entrance fee of 3,900 rupees is quite proud and the way to the top is strenuous. However, the climb is worth. Really beautiful it is when one starts around 16 clock. Then you can watch the sunset from the top. A day trip from Kandy can be complete by taxi (from 5,000 rupees with tuk tuk) or by bus.
Days 6-7: Nuwara Eliya
On the sixth day of your trip you’re taking the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (exit in Nanu Oya). Nuwara Eliya is the city with the highest altitude of Sri Lanka and came under great influence of the British colonialists. So one has to wonder not have golf courses, racecourse and many homes in the British style. The region is also known for the fantastically green tea plantations. You should be prepared that it is quite cold and partly rainy here. A sweater and a raincoat should not be missing in your backpack.
On the seventh day it is to get up early: Around 5 clock in the morning you can take you to the Horton Plains. The driver you should organize the day before (from 1,000 rupees per person). The Horton Plains are mainly known for the World’s End, where the terrain descends to 870 meters and provides a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. Furthermore, one finds here a large waterfall, numerous bird species and Sambar deer.
Back in Nuwara Eliya, it is time to pack up and the railway line to move on to Ella.
Days 7-9: Ella
The surrounding area of Ella is really enchanting. This area attracts many tourists to the small town of Ella. Nevertheless, one does not need to fret about large crowds when you explore the attractions in the region. In Ella is especially hiking on the program. Thus, the tourists are spread widely. The first tour takes you to the Little Adam’s Peak. From the hill you have a great view of the Ravana Falls, the Ella Rock and surrounding plantations.
You should not miss the trek to the 9-Arches Bridge. The walk takes you along the railway tracks and leads to a scenic train bridge. The last hike starts on the tracks and guides you to the Ella Rock. Again, one has an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. After a trek it is strengthening in one of the numerous restaurants in Ella, probably preparing the most delicious dishes in Sri Lanka.
Day 10: Observe animals in the wild
Yala is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and at the same time the most popular with backpackers. This is partly due to the many elephants that live here. But it is even more important for most visitors, that there is one of the highest leopard populations in the world here. Therefore, the chances are quite high that you can see a leopard in the wild. Other residents of the National Park include sloth bears, colorful birds, crocodiles, mongooses and water buffalo. In my article “On safari in Yala National Park” can you give of what you will encounter animals and how the tours are organized an impression.
Half a day is enough in the Yala National Park from easy. Back in Tissamaharama the things are packed and we continue to Tangalle. There is a wonderful beach where you hardly meet other people. This fact it is probably also due to that evening giant sea turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs here. This spectacle can attend thanks to the Turtle Conservation Project at Rekawa-beach. It’s really fascinating, when a 600-kilogram turtle struggling along the beach.
To turtle farms you should incidentally make a wide berth, as they endanger the preservation of endangered animals in addition.
Days 11-13: lounging in Unawatuna
The next morning we take the bus to Unawatuna, a small beach town by all backpackers needs are met. The beach is really nice, even if you here must expect more tourists than in Tangalle. There are small restaurants and bars right on the beach. You can visit yoga lessons, get a massage, surfing and snorkeling.
For a change from beach life, a trip to the neighboring town of Galle makes. There is a fort built by the Dutch. Several museums clarify about the history of the place. The fort of Galle exudes Mediterranean flair and invites you to dream.
Day 14: Departure
Eventually the end comes every trip and so is now after two weeks of varied Return to. Besides small souvenirs you take unforgettable memories of green tea plantations, dreamy beaches and exotic animals to take home.
Costs for backpackers in Sri Lanka
The cost for backpackers are relatively low. Accommodation in guesthouses you get depending on the region from 2,000 rupees. Those who do not pre-booked, but concerned directly in the villages for a hotel, you can save considerably.
A meal you can already get from one euro if you are eating in small restaurants. Relatively expensive are the ticket prices at major attractions. Who relies on public transportation, the simple guest rooms divided by a second person and allows himself little luxury, can expect a total cost of about 340 euros per person for two weeks. Upwardly there is de facto no limit. In addition to the flight. Patrick has here been explained in the blog, how do you find cheap flights.
How do you get during your Sri Lanka travel from A to B
The proposed tour you can completely cover by public transport. Exceptions are exploring a national park.
The train ticket from Colombo to Kandy you should if possible book one day before the journey, because the tickets on the day of departure may be scarce. Beech best second grade. In the first class can not open the window so that the visibility is limited. These prices are considerably more expensive in the first class.
The two other train routes (Kandy by Nanu Oya Nanu Oya and Ella) you do not have advance reservations. It is enough if you buy the ticket just before leaving the station.
Buses in the coastal regions run very frequently. When you stand at a bus stop, you have to give the approaching bus a hand signal, he should stop. Otherwise he roars past. The ride ticket you buy at a cashier who passes through the bus. The prices are extremely low. There are publicly and privately organized buses. In the private buses, it happens now and again that you will get ripped off as a backpacker. To avoid this, you can fall back on the red state buses.