7 Days in Sri Lanka: Our Recommendations
Sri Lanka has become South Asia’s tourist magnet for all the right reasons: the country has a rich history coupled with alluring cultural heritages set in a landscape that is lush green and tropical. Given its size, spending around 7 days in Sri Lanka allows for a multitude of distinct experiences, ranging from exploring awe-inspiring ancient citadels and hiking through rolling hills covered with tree plantations to spotting a variety of wildlife. Plus, the splendid coastal landscapes of the island blended with its warmer climate makes Sri Lanka a great place to unwind and relax. Below is our list of three Sri Lanka trips that last from seven to eight days and take you through every nook and corner of the island. Check them out for more inspiration.
- Donald MacDonald
- From Scotland
| Day 1 | Arrive in Colombo airport and transfer to Kandy |
| Day 2 | Visit Peradeniya’s Royal Botanic Gardens |
| Day 3 | Head for Nuwara Eliya, discover tea plantations and colonial bungalows |
| Day 4 | Travel to Tissamaharama, drive through Yala National Park |
| Day 5 | See the Dutch fort of Galle |
| Day 6 | Enjoy a city tour in Colombo |
| Day 7 | Transfer to the Colombo airport for your flight back home |
Starting and ending in Colombo, this Sri Lanka itinerary of seven days is a well-rounded trip that takes you through the main highlights of the country. Embark on your journey from Kandy. Discover the grandeur of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and soak up the beauty of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. Next, head for Nuwara Eliya and relish its misty climate while you step into lush tea plantations and colonial bungalows. Transfer to Tissamaharama after that and enjoy a jeep tour in Yala National Park where you can discover a variety of wildlife. Then soak up the beautiful Dutch architecture of Galle before returning to the capital city. See tour.
| Day 1 | Transfer to Waskaduwa |
| Day 2 | Enjoy boat tour in Madu River, trek through the woods of Sinharaja |
| Day 3 | Visit Udawalawe National Park, spot water birds and wild elephants |
| Day 4 | Go out on game drive in Yala National Park |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Ella and discover its highlights |
| Day 6 | Drive to Horton Plains, reach World's End |
| Day 7 | Enjoy rafting down Kelani River, go cycling in Kitulgala |
| Day 8 | Transfer back to your hotel or airport |
This eight-day itinerary takes you through Sri Lanka’s popular biodiversity hotspots and gives you the opportunity to discover an array of animal and plant species. Get transferred to Waskaduwa on arrival and kick start your journey with an enticing boat ride down the Madu River. Go out on a trekking adventure in Sinharaja Forest Reserve and explore Udawalawe National Park. Continue your journey to Yala National Park, where a game drive awaits you. Adore the soothing beauty of the Rawana Waterfalls and undertake a walking tour in the Horton Plains. End your Sri Lanka adventure with a whitewater rafting experience on the Kelani River. See tour.
Aerial view from above of Sigiriya or the Lion Rock, an ancient fortress and a palace with gardens, pools, and terraces atop of granite rock in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
| Day 1 | Arrive in Colombo |
| Day 2 | Visit Dambulla’s cave temple |
| Day 3 | See the rock fortress of Sigiriya, explore the ruins of Polonnaruwa |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Matale and visit a spice garden |
| Day 5 | Discover tea plantations around Kandy |
| Day 6 | Spot wildlife in Yala National Park |
| Day 7 | Relax on a beach in Galle |
| Day 8 | Head back to the airport for your flight home |
Get the most out of your vacation by spending more than one week in Sri Lanka. This eight-day tour takes you through a bevy of destinations and covers top landmarks of the country including several Unesco World Heritage sites. Start your trip from Colombo and head towards the rock-cut Buddhist sanctuary of Ridi Viharaya. Head for Dambulla’s cave temple after that. The ruins of a royal citadel on top of Sigiriya along with Polonnaruwa’s Gal Viharaya are sure to mesmerize you. Also included is a visit to the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya. Relish the charm of Ella, see a variety of wildlife at Yala National Park and soak up the majesty of the Dutch fort in Galle. See tour.
Spending 7 days in Sri Lanka is enough to cover the top attractions on the island. For more ideas, browse through our 7-day itineraries in Sri Lanka. Not sure about the duration? Check out our guide on how many days to spend in Sri Lanka. For a bespoke travel plan contact our travel experts in Sri Lanka.
