Sigiriya & the Cultural Triangle
The Lion Rock fortress, Dambulla’s painted cave temples and the ruins of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Best for History, climbing, sunrise
Why Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs ancient cities, misty tea country, leopard safaris and palm-fringed beaches into an island you can explore well in two weeks.
Highlights
- Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle
- Tea country by train
- Leopards in Yala
- Galle Fort and the south coast
Where to go in Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea country, leopards and beaches, all in a compact island that’s easy to loop by road and rail.
Getting around the classic loop
- Colombo to SigiriyaAbout 4 hours by road
- Sigiriya to KandyAbout 2.5 hours by road
- Kandy to Nuwara EliyaAbout 3 hours by road or the hill-country train
- Nuwara Eliya to EllaAbout 3 hours by train through tea country
- Ella to YalaAbout 2.5 hours by road
- Yala to GalleAbout 3 hours by road
- Galle to ColomboAbout 2 hours by expressway
Kandy
The lakeside hill city and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, with botanical gardens nearby.
Best for Culture, temples
Tea country
Nuwara Eliya and Ella: rolling plantations, tea-estate bungalows and one of the world’s most scenic train rides.
Best for Scenery, slow travel
Yala
One of the best places in the world to see leopards, plus elephants, crocodiles and birdlife. The park usually closes for part of September and October.
Best for Leopards, safari
Galle & the south coast
A walled colonial fort town with boutiques and cafés, near beaches and whale watching from Mirissa in winter.
Best for Beaches, whales, strolling
Trincomalee & the east coast
Quiet beaches, coral and whales, at their best from about May to September when the west coast is rainy.
Best for Summer beaches
Colombo
A lively capital of colonial landmarks, markets and very good restaurants, usually a first or last night.
Best for Food, arrival days
When to go
December to April for the south and west coasts. May to September for the east coast.
Two monsoons mean there’s always a good coast. The west and south are best from December to April, and the east coast from May to September. The center works most of the year.
- JanDry west and south coasts; whales
- FebIdeal across most of the island
- MarHot and dry; great safaris
- AprNew Year festivities
- MaySouthwest monsoon arrives
- JunEast coast beaches at their best
- JulKandy’s Esala Perahera
- AugEast coast and ruins shine
- SepYala often closes for a few weeks
- OctRains island-wide
- NovRains easing in the south
- DecWest coast season; holidays
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan2.9″
Feb2.7″
Mar4.6″
Apr9.1″
May14.6″
Jun7.9″
Jul5.4″
Aug4.3″
Sep6.3″
Oct14.4″
Nov12.4″
Dec5.7″
Jan5.2″
Feb3.3″
Mar4.1″
Apr7.4″
May6.3″
Jun5.5″
Jul5.1″
Aug4.3″
Sep5.4″
Oct11.1″
Nov11.1″
Dec7.9″
Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
December to April
The classic season: sunny beaches in the south and west, whale watching off Mirissa and dry days in the hills.
May to September
The southwest monsoon brings rain to the west coast and hills, while the east coast and ancient cities are at their best.
October and November
Rain can fall anywhere between the monsoons. Lower rates and green landscapes, with flexible plans.
Festivals
Kandy’s Esala Perahera, with drummers, dancers and elephants, takes place in July or August. Sinhala and Tamil New Year is in mid-April.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Sri Lanka trip we plan is built around you.
Sri Lanka in Two Weeks
Temples, tea country by train, Yala and Galle.
Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Culture first, then an overwater villa.
Where you'll stay
Tea planter bungalows, safari camps and beach villas. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Book the train early
Reserved seats on the hill-country train sell out. We book the best stretch and have your driver meet you at the other end.
Travel with a driver-guide
Most travelers explore with a private driver-guide, who handles the roads and brings the history to life.
Dress for temples
Cover shoulders and knees, and take off shoes and hats. At the Temple of the Tooth, light-colored clothing is a respectful choice.
Paperwork before you go
U.S. travelers need an electronic travel authorization before arrival. We confirm the current rules using official sites only.
Sri Lanka questions
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
December to April for the south and west coasts. May to September for the east coast.
How long should I spend in Sri Lanka?
Most of our travelers spend 12 to 14 days in Sri Lanka. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Sri Lanka?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Sri Lanka is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
More in Indian Subcontinent
Tell us about your Sri Lanka dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164