SRI LANKA

1 Kandy to Ella Train

The Kandy to Ella train ride is the most famous thing to do in Sri Lanka. For six to seven hours, the train passes lush, green plantations, waterfalls, and countless red and purple flowers.

The train route begins in Colombo, likely where your Sri Lanka journey starts. Take the train from Colombo to Kandy, getting off in Kandy. Spend a couple of days in Kandy, seeing the top sights like The Royal Botanical Gardens, traditional Kandy dancing, Temple of the Tooth, Ambuluwawa Tower, Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya (Kandy’s “Big Buddha”), and the nearby Sigiriya (“Lion Rock”) before boarding the train to Nuwara Eliya.

2 Sigiriya, “Lion Rock”

Built in the 5th century, Sigiriya was the palace and fortress of King Kashyapa I who fled after murdering his father the king. On the lush plains of Sri Lanka’s upcountry, a massive 180m rock towers over the landscape. Framed by two lion’s paws that gave it its name, Sigiriya once had a massive lion’s head built of brick onto the rock, intimidating all who might draw near.

Sigiriya was a lush palace whose memory can still be seen today in the footprints of terraced gardens, lotus-dotted pools, and a famous mirror wall made of highly polished plaster, egg whites, beeswax, and honey that once reflected the portraits of King Kashyapa I’s five-hundred concubines.

Sigiriya is a fascinating place to visit; UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1982.

Sigiriya had long since been swallowed by the jungle until archaeologists recovered it in 1831 and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1982.

Because sunrise is the best time to visit, it’s recommended to spend the night in Sigiriya beforehand, or you can do what we did and hire a taxi to take you on a day trip there.

3 Nanouya & Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations

From Kandy, take the train to Nanouya. Spend a night in Nanouya or Nuwara Eliya, walking in the tea plantations, watching the train pass over Nanouya waterfall, and tasting tea at the Bluefield Tea Factory. It’s free to walk in the plantations of Bluefield Tea Factory, but if you want to see tea being picked, remember to visit in the morning on a weekday. Once you’re ready, board the train for Ella—the last stop on your Sri Lankan train journey!

4 Ella & Nine Arches Bridge

It makes sense that the trainline from Colombo ends in Ella. Once you’ve reached Ella, there’s nowhere else you’d rather go. Spend at least two nights here, driving to Mahamevnawa Monastery, walking to the top of Little Adam’s Peak, visiting Ravana Waterfall, swimming in Diyaluma Falls’ natural infinity pool, and taking in the beauty of the mountains. The most famous landmark in Ella is the Nine Arches Bridge. Ask any taxi or tuktuk to take you there, and wait for the train to pass, while walking in the lush, green beauty of the terraced tea field below. Not only is it a better view, but it’s a great way to escape the crowds! Trains tend to pass around 9:30am, 11:30am, 3:30pm, 4:30pm and 5:30pm.

5 See Wild Elephants in Udawalawe National Park

From Ella, it’s just 2 hours to Udawalawe National Park, famous for its Asian elephants and lush, tropical forests. If you’ve never seen Asian elephants in the wild, you have to go here! It’s a perfect day trip from Ella. To get there, you can either book your taxi and jeep safari separately, or do what we did and book them together.

6 Elephant Transit Home

Not every elephant gets the same chance at life. Some are sick, injured, or orphaned. That’s why Udawalawe National Park started its Elephant Transit Home to care for baby elephants until they’re old enough to live on their own in the wild. When they reach five or seven-years-old, they’re released into the wild to live a life without fences!

7 Sri Lankan Cooking Class

Learn how to cook your own delicious Sri Lankan food! There are many cooking classes in Ella, but our favorite is the one at Bella Ella. For just 2,800 LKR per person, learn how to cook four veg curries and chicken or fish.

8 See Wild Leopards in Yala National Park

Yala is the place to go to see wild leopards in Sri Lanka! From Ella, take a bus or hire a taxi to take you 2 hours to Yala National Park. It’s also possible to visit Yala as a day tour from Ella, but we recommend staying at least one night here.

Lush, green forests where emerald parrots roam the sky, soft pink lotus flowers grow in abundance, and leopards reign. Here, Asian elephants walk in the thick jungle, and leopards grace heavy branches like golden speckled monarchs. Lagoons run into the warm, Indian Ocean, and buffalo rest in the salty mud beside snow-white egrets.

Spend at least one full day on safari in Yala National Park for a chance to experience the Sri Lankan wild.

Look out for leopards, sloth bears, Asian elephants (three of Sri Lanka’s Big Four!), buffaloes, spotted deer, sambar deer, peacocks, and much more.

9 Snorkel with Sea Turtles in Mirissa

Mirissa Beach is the beach of your dreams, where leaning palm trees cast shadows above stunning white sand coastlines. Just steps away in the shore, the sun casts shimmering rays of light through azure depths where wild sea turtles swim in turquoise waters. Snorkeling and swimming alongside them is an unforgettable experience. Rent a mask right from the beach, and dive into the crystal-clear waters right off the coast of Mirissa Beach. Glide through the ocean depths, marveling at the graceful movements of these sea turtles as they glide through their underwater world.

10 Watch the Sunset from Coconut Tree Hill

As the day begins to gently fade into the horizon, climb Coconut Tree Hill for a dreamy pink sunset. Once there, amidst the rhythmic lull of crashing waves and the salty breeze, watch as the sun dips into the horizon, painting the beach with hues of gold and sparkles of ocean-water. This is one of Mirissa’s most popular sunset spots, so don’t expect to have it to yourself, but for a more intimate experience, visit for sunrise.

11 Learn to Surf

Mirissa is one of the best places to learn how to surf with countless surf schools and skilled teachers dotted all over the Sri Lankan coastline. With each gentle push of the board and the guidance of skilled instructors, be introduced to the art of riding the waves, surrendering to the rhythm of the ocean’s embrace. Against the backdrop of palm-fringed shores and the distant silhouette of fishing boats, find your balance and a sense of accomplishment when you catch your first wave. Leave with not just a new skill but a new outlook, where every wipeout is met with determination and every successful ride is celebrated with joy.

12 Spot Blue Whales

Sri Lanka is one of the best places to spot blue whales in the world! Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up by a tuk-tuk from your hotel and board your boat as you set out to spot the majestic blue whales off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Glide across the azure waters aboard a comfortable vessel, keeping a keen eye out for the telltale spouts and graceful breaches of these magnificent blue whales. As the world’s largest animal, the sight of a blue whale rising from the depths is nothing short of breathtaking, a testament to the sheer power and beauty of the ocean.

13 Galle

Step back in time and discover the captivating charm of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through narrow cobblestone streets lined with colonial-era buildings, and explore the iconic Galle Fort, a formidable fortress that has stood the test of time, offering panoramic views of the shimmering Indian Ocean. From quaint boutiques to bustling markets, Galle’s vibrant atmosphere invites exploration at every turn, inviting you to unravel its secrets and uncover its hidden treasures.

14 Traditional Stilt Fishing

Perched atop slender wooden stilts anchored firmly in the ocean’s embrace, fishermen enact a ballet of patience and skill, their silhouettes etched against the backdrop of the rising sun or the golden hues of dusk. Passed down through generations, this unique fishing technique reflects the resourcefulness of coastal communities and their harmonious relationship with the sea. As the fishermen balance precariously on their stilt perches, each movement is deliberate, surrounded by the crashing waves and the salty breeze.

15 Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, the “Red Mosque”

Journey into the heart of Colombo and discover the striking beauty of the Red Mosque, a landmark that stands as a testament to Sri Lanka’s rich cultural tapestry. Admire the mosque’s elegant red-and-white facade, adorned with intricate architectural details that reflect the influence of Moorish design. Step inside to find a tranquil oasis of serenity, where the soft glow of stained glass windows bathes the prayer hall in a warm, welcoming light. As the call to prayer echoes through the air, look out for why this candy-cane-striped mosque is said to be designed after pomegranates.

Travel Insurance for Sri Lanka

Whatever you do, don’t travel without travel insurance. Whether it’s sickness, theft, or lost luggage, something WILL go wrong, and travel insurance is your only way of lessening costs!