Sri Lanka
Rock fortresses and cave temples, the train through the tea hills, leopards in Yala and a few days on the beach, all within a day's drive of each other.
Sigiriya, from the air
Sri Lanka is compact: you can see ancient royal cities, misty tea estates, national parks and colonial forts in two weeks without long journeys.
The classic loop starts in the Cultural Triangle around Sigiriya, climbs to Kandy and the hill country, takes the scenic train to Ella, drops to Yala for leopards and ends on the south coast at Galle.
The west and south are best from December to April; the east coast, from May to September. There is good weather somewhere on the island all year.
Where to go
Region guides Sri Lanka
Sample journeys
Sri Lanka · 12 nights
Negombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Yala · Galle
The rock fortress of Sigiriya, the Temple of the Tooth, the train through the tea hills, leopards in Yala and the old fort at Galle.
India and Sri Lanka · 14 nights
Kochi · Munnar · Alleppey · Colombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Ella · Galle
Old Kochi, the tea hills of Munnar and a night on a houseboat, then a short flight to Sri Lanka for its ancient cities, the hill-country train and the fort at Galle.
Before you go
Visas, money, health, local customs and the best months to go are on the travel tips and best-time pages.
Entry rules change. We check the current rules for your nationality when you book.
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