The former Kingdom of Ceylon, currently known as Sri Lanka, continues to be seen by many as a secondary destination, most often part of an extension to neighboring India or the Maldives.
That was also how I saw it, but after “some homework”, I realized that it is a country of contrasts and full of potential. It has beaches at the best level, it has temples, it has history, it has wildlife, it has friendly and welcoming people, it has good food (especially for spicy lovers) and it has security. But he continues to face a travel problem, which still deters some tourists: the lack of options in terms of roads and the maximum speed limit of 70, turning 50 km paths into marathons of almost two hours... But perhaps this is what makes him gives charm…
GENERAL DATA
Capital: Colombo
Population: About 22 million
Religion: Mostly Buddhist (70% of the population)
Climate: Tropical with two distinct seasons, dry and rainy.
Best period to visit: It is recommended to visit from December to March
Visa: Request prior authorization online through the government website. It costs 35 USD.
Time zone: +05:30 UTC
10-DAY ITINERARY
Colombo – 130 kms (03:15 am) Dambulla – 70 kms (01:30 am) Polonnaruwa – 56 kms (01:10 am) Sigiriya – 90 kms (02:40 am) – Kandy – 136 kms (7 hours by train or 03:30 am) – Ella – 180 kms (04:10 am) Mirissa – 40 kms (00:53) Galle Fort – 154 kms (02:20) Colombo.
MANDATORY VISIT:
In Dambulla visit the Golden Temple and Rock Cave
2. In Polonnaruwa, visit the ruins that give the city its name.
3. In Sigiriya, climb Lion's Rock at dawn.
On the way back, if you have free time, visit a typical village and learn how to make one of the country's typical dishes.
Get ready to climb 1200 steps to the top. Go early to avoid the crowds and stay hydrated.
Typical breakfast, where you can't miss the curry. It is a true meal for “champions”.
4. Go on a safari in one of the many existing nature reserves. In my case, I went to Kaudulla National Park.
5. Explore Kandy , an interesting city to explore on foot.
At the end, take the train to Ella and be amazed by the landscapes you will encounter during the 7 hour journey.
6. Ella is a small village surrounded by mountains and valleys , but with a lot to do, so I recommend a minimum of 2 days to be able to visit everything.
Drink the famous Ceylon tea; gain strength to climb Mini Adam's Peak and be amazed by the view of Ella Rock (I admit that I didn't have the courage to climb this one, I was already so tired that I couldn't take more hours of walking); go to the famous Demodara Nine Arch, a bridge that, as the name suggests, has 9 arches and where the train passes and cool off in the Ravana Waterfall before continuing your journey.
7. Mirissa. Choosing which beach to stay at is not an easy task, it all depends on whether you want a lot of entertainment, whether you want surfing, or whether you just want to relax. I chose Mirissa and it was a very good decision. No fuss, good beach for swimming, relaxed atmosphere and fresh fish for dinner with your feet in the sand. There is better than this! With the bonus of being close to the area where you can see whales.
Mirissa beach is divided into two bays by Parrot's Rock.
I was lucky enough to see some whales up close.
8. End the trip at Galle Fort , which was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Get lost in the interior streets and let yourself be enchanted by the perfect mix of modern and old.
The truth is that this was a trip made without high expectations and I came away satisfied. There is so much left to see and do, but there is no shortage of reasons to return soon.
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