WHERE TO NOW THEN

Sri Lanka

The route

Negombo

Colombo International Airport is quite a distance from Colombo itself. As we were stating in Colombo before our return flight, we took a 30 min taxi from the airport to the beach at Negombo.

Negombo Beach
Arrack

Kandy

Kandy is 2hr 45min drive from Negombo. It is pretty much in the centre of the island and a hub to get to the sights up north or into the mountainous regions to the south.

Matale Hindu Temple
Banana and Mango Stall
Lizard at Kandy Lake
Coconut Stall

Polonnaruwa

Polonnuruwa is a 3hr45min drive from Kandy. The driver will stop off at sights along the way breaking up the journey. We went on from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya Elephant Safari and then stayed near Sigiriya Rock ready for the next day.

Polonnaruwa Vatadage
You can hire bikes to explore the ruins
Tufted Frey Langur at Polonaruwa
Polonnaruwa Sathmahal Prasada

Sigiria

We stayed close to Sigiriya the night before so we could get there early to make the climb up the rock before the crowds and the heat.

Sigiriya Rock
Elephant at Minneriya National Park
Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
Golden Temple at Dambulla
Monkey and View from the top of the Rock
Sigiriya Rock
Elephant at Minneriya National Park
Dambulla Royal Cave Temple

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a 2 hr 30 min drive from Kandy.

The Train between Nuwara Eliya and Ella
Dinner at the Tea Plantation Hotel
The Train between Nuwara Eliya and Ella
Cup of Tea at a Plantation
Sunrise View Point
Tea Plantation Workers
Tea Tasting
View from a Lunch Stop Off

Ella

Ella is dominated by tea plantations and trains, you can tell the British were here! It is a lovely short train ride away from Nuwara Eliya

Nine Arches Bridge
Waterfall in Ella
View from the Hotel Room
Dinner
In the Tea Plantation beneath Nine Arches Bridge – Attacked by Leaches!
Breakfast at the Hotel
Little Adam’s Peak
A Walk down the Train Tracks to get into Town

Yala National Park

Tissamaharma is a 1 hour 50 min drive from Ella. This is the closet town for access to Yala National Park, ideal for the sunrise safari.

A Leopard at Yala National Park
Close Encounter with an Elephant
This was Scary!
View from the Jeep on Safari
Peacock
He’s had enough!

Tangalle

Tangalle is a 1 hour 30 min drive from Yala National Park.

Mirissa

Mirissa is a 1 hour drive from Tangalle.

A Blue Whale
Dolphin
Eyes Peeled!
Surfing at Mirissa

Galle

Galle is a 1 hour drive from Mirissa.

Galle Fort
Breakfast
An Iced Tea
Sri Sudharmalaya Buddhist Temple

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a 30 min drive from Galle.

Sea Turtles at the Beach
Hikkaduwa Beach
The Beach at Sunset
Another Amazing Dinner

Colombo

Colombo is a 2 hour drive from Hikkaduwa.

Gangaramaya Temple
Dried Fish at the Market
Street Food
Spicy Shrimp

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