Thirteen days across Sri Lanka: the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, elephant safaris, tea country by train to Ella, surf lessons and safaris at Arugam Bay, and the buzz of Colombo to finish.
Posts from this destination
Having a private driver in Sri Lanka — what to expect
Honest, practical advice after two weeks on the standard driver circuit: extremely helpful and friendly, but not neutral on price and not the route to a unique trip — and what we'd do differently.
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Yala & Negombo — a leopard safari and the long way home
The last big thing on our list: a leopard safari at Yala — the dawn Jeep queue, a leopard high in a tree, kingfishers, crocodiles and buffalo — then a last night in Negombo before the long flight home.
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Arugam Bay — learning to surf (and a hospital dash)
Down to the east coast to learn to surf: a wild elephant on the drive, three days of lessons with Vitus taking to it brilliantly — and Noah's fever turning into a hospital dash and blood tests.
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Ella — the hill-country train, Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge
The famous slow train up into the hills, Little Adam’s Peak, the frisbee-over-the-train stunt at Nine Arches Bridge, and the long climb up Ella Rock.
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Kandy — a spice garden, a giant Buddha & the Temple of the Tooth
South from the Cultural Triangle to Kandy: a spice garden on the way, a giant Buddha above the city, a tea factory still running on 1938 machinery, a fragrant walk around Kandy Lake, and a full-moon night at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth.
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Sigiriya & Dambulla — Lion Rock, caves & elephants
A broken-down car, the Dambulla cave temples, a hot afternoon safari for wild elephants at Kaudulla, a Sri Lankan cooking class, and the big climb up the Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress — monkeys, wasps and all.
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