You've successfully arrived in Sri Lanka, welcome! 

After landing, you can easily order a taxi via the Grab app and in no time you'll be on your way to your first encounter with the island, which you're surely looking forward to!

You are currently in Negombo, the "Little Rome" and one of the cradles of the Christian minority on the island. Colonial church architecture blends with the local style, giving you plenty of space to soak up your first impressions of the island. Negombo is perfectly suited for this. Unlike bustling Colombo, life here moves at a slower pace, giving you enough time to acclimatize. On your way to the hotel, you'll see some colonial landmarks, such as the Dutch Canal or St. Sebastian's Church. After a break at the hotel, you can head to Negombo beach, which is a great place to enjoy the sunset :)

Today you have a long journey North. 

But before you set off, come and see the local fish market. Before sunrise, fishermen return to the city and lay their catches directly on the floor, where a lively auction for the largest pieces takes place. You'll find everything here, from sea crabs and oysters to the biggest tuna and manta rays.

Your next stop is the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Here you will get up close and personal with Indian elephants. The facility has been operating for over 40 years, caring for elephants who, for various reasons, cannot care for themselves. Most of the elephants who arrive here are young, sick, injured, and abandoned by their herds. You can observe them in their daily activities, which include feeding, moving to the Maha Oya River, and bathing and wallowing in the mud on the banks.

Before you leave, you can also visit the local "Dung Factory." A small factory producing paper from elephant dung, and a shop where you can buy some of the products made from this paper.

Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka's oldest and most sacred cities, served as the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom for over a thousand years. Today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting visitors with its monumental dagobas, ancient monasteries, and the sacred Bodhi tree – the oldest historically documented tree in the world, under which, according to tradition, Buddha attained enlightenment. The entire city is imbued with history, tranquility, and a spiritual atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.

On the third day you continue with a tour of the Royal City, where you will encounter Buddhist culture in a more significant way for the first time on the island. You'll visit Ruwanweliseya, the best-preserved Dagoba, which is still widely used as a pilgrimage and prayer site by local people.

In the afternoon you should not miss the important Buddhist site, the Mihintale pilgrimage mountain, by far the most beautiful place to watch the sunset. It was here in 247 BC that the Anuradhapura king Devanampiya Tissa met Mahinda, son of the Indian Buddhist ruler Ashoka, and was converted to Buddhism. Approximately 1,800 steps lead to the top of the mountain from the lower car park. The mountain itself is then 300 metres high and offers 3 elevated points from which there are spectacular views of the surrounding area.

It's time to say goodbye to the royal city and head south. :)

After about an hour and a half drive, you'll reach a forest path that will lead you to the ancient Buddhist monastery of Ritigala. Here you can experience firsthand the pilgrimage of Buddhist monks through the jungle, which will take you across several platforms with the remains of the monastery to a giant, centuries-old tree. In ancient times, there was also a pond at the beginning of the path, where Buddhist monks enjoyed a bath after the physically demanding journey. But today, unfortunately, there is only a remnant of a natural pool.

You are slowly approaching the destination of today. You are in the middle of a cultural triangle that includes Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya. You stop at the Dambulla cave temple, where a huge golden Buddha statue greets you upon arrival. However, a more pleasant access to the cave complex is from the other side, a few minutes' drive from the main road. There are fewer tourists here, and on the way to the top you will meet many curious monkeys :). At the top, you need to take off your shoes again and cover your legs and shoulders. If you don't like walking on the rocky surface, you can use socks again. In the individual cave chambers, there are beautifully shaped Buddhist statues and decorated walls. Interestingly, you mustn't stand with your back to the Buddha in photos, as indicated by numerous signs. For sightseeing, you will then move to a beautiful hotel by the lake near Sigiriya.

Today, one of the island's biggest attractions awaits you. The climb to Lion Rock. which offers a stunning view of the surrounding area, especially the remote mountainous landscape in the south of the island. At the top are the ruins of the palaces built by King Kashyapa in BC. He hid here from his brother and built an impregnable fortress. Before climbing the rock to the remains of the fortress, you will walk through the original royal gardens with water tanks and fountains that make the area below the rock a beautiful park.

After visiting Lion Rock, you can then visit Mount Pidurangala, which has a beautiful view of Sigiriya in particular. However, the climb is more challenging especially in the final passage and definitely not for everyone. The top of the rock is large and gradually sloping. There is therefore room for everyone to take a short break to contemplate the beautiful view :)

After exploring two peaks far and wide, you'll visit a local family where you'll learn about the local preparation of Sri Lanka's favorite dish, Rice&Curry. You'll also learn how to process a coconut, pound rice, or even weave a roof from palm leaves. Finally, you'll enjoy a great lunch with the family, where they'll teach you how to eat properly using only your fingers, like a true local. Reservation on Viator - Sajee's cooking class.

After lunch you will head towards the second royal city, Pollonaruwa. This was founded in the 11th century after Anuradhapura failed to defend itself against Indian raids. The town is smaller than Anuradhapura, but much better preserved. Here you can admire ancient Sinhala architecture in all its glory. 

You're heading further south down the island, towards the mountains. The first of the stops will be in the agricultural area around the town of Matale, where you will visit a spice garden and learn how the different types of spices commonly used today and in Czech cuisine are grown and processed. After a lecture with a local guide, you can also buy a little something as a souvenir in a local shop.

The town of Matale is also known for its rather large Hindu community. And to prove it, there is a beautiful Hindu temple right on the main road in the centre of town, which is definitely worth a visit. Again, watch out for shoes and shorts :). From Matale, you will then move on to Kandy, where you will rest in a nice Hotel.

Early in the morning, you'll set off with a guide to the Knuckles mountain range, where you'll trek through tea plantations, rice paddies, and local communities. It's not the highest mountain range on the island, but there are many paths and trails. Along the way to the mountains, the guide will ask if you prefer a full-day trek or something more relaxed. Be sure to pack a raincoat if you have one, or the guide can easily arrange an umbrella for you. The Sri Lankan mountain weather is unpredictable.

I recommend booking a guide through GetYourGuide – “Knuckles Mountain Range: Waterfall & Leopard Trail Trek” from Kandy. This includes hotel pick-up, an English-speaking guide, lunch, and insured entry fees. It can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance and offers a 'reserve now, pay later' option.

On arrival back in Kandy, I definitely recommend you visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, one of the most important in the world. With an average temperature of 24°C and 160 rainy days a year, tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world thrive here. 

You can also stop by one of the woodworking, painting, and carpentry workshops. Where you will learn the secrets of mixing individual wood colors and see the breathtaking creations of local artists.

You'll end the day with a visit to the Temple of Buddha's Tooth in the heart of the city. This is one of the most sacred buildings on the island. Hidden in the heart of the temple is the Buddha's tooth, closely guarded and locked away in seven golden boxes. Aside from the relics, you can also admire the richly decorated rooms depicting the history of the Buddha's tooth in painted pictures.

The next morning you will still be able to see the city of Kandy in daylight, including a view of the whole city and the lake below.

It's time to move to the high mountains. You'll travel from Kandy towards the sacred mountain of Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), enjoying beautiful views and changing climatic zones along the way. 

On the way, the Kitulgala area is definitely worth mentioning. Where you can have fun rafting on the local wild river. The whole water route is about four kilometers long and there are 3-4 larger descents on the river along the way, which can sometimes shake the raft quite a bit. In the final section, you can even swim in the river under the promise of the guide that there are really no crocodiles here. With the sunset, you arrive at the hotel directly under Adam's Peak, from where you will set out to the summit at night. Book your spot easily and safely now: GetYourGuide – White Water Rafting in Kitulgala from Kandy.

Shortly after two o'clock in the morning you set off on another of the Buddhist pilgrimages in Sri Lanka. There are around 6000 steps and over 1000m of elevation gain. No need for a headlamp, the whole route is surprisingly quite well lit and you don't have to worry about loneliness on the climb either. In the season from December to May, the trail is very busy, even overnight, when the weather turns cold. At the top, while waiting for the sunrise, you may even be surprised by how many people are gathered here at once. After a beautiful sunrise, you can also check out the local shrine, where the Sinhalese believe the footprint of Buddha is located, and then you're on your way back down the stairs, accompanied by stunning views of the dam below the mountain.

On the way to Nuwara Eliya, apart from the scenic tea plantations, you will also be treated to spectacular views of the waterfalls. 

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, a necessity after the strenuous climb, a scenic drive through Hatton and the local tea plantations awaits you on your way to the colonial town of Nuwara Eliya. You'll probably need to make several stops here, as even more beautiful scenery appears around every bend. 

You must also stop to visit one of the many tea processing farms, where you will learn a lot of information about the individual types, get acquainted with the techniques used during the colonial era, and finally, you will also have a tasting of the individual grades of White, green and black tea. All this, of course, with a captivating explanation from the guide, who will be happy to guide you around the farm. Finally, you will also have the opportunity to buy some tea souvenir, perhaps as a gift for someone back home. 

Late in the afternoon, you finally arrive in the "heart" of Sri Lankan colonialism, the town of Nuwara Eliya. Upon arrival, you'll notice a significant British influence, whether in the architecture of the local post office, the Victorian quarters around Gregory Lake, or the local racecourse and golf course. And if you're lucky, you'll even experience true English weather. This is, after all, why the British chose this location for development; at an altitude of around 1900 meters above sea level, the daily temperature is much closer to that of European countries.

There's an even bigger surprise in Horton Plains National Park in the early morning. Here you will encounter the greatest contrast between the jungles around the royal cities and the nature in the mountain areas. With an altitude of over 2,100 metres, you'll encounter dense morning mists, the forest wildlife you know from European forests and, unless you head here early in the morning when cloud cover is minimal, heavy rain. On a pleasant circuit without a significant climb, you will also see 2 famous viewpoints: the "Little End of the World" and the "End of the World".

Interesting are the controls at the entrance to the national park. When the local rangers will take away your plastic bags,  (even the labels on the bottles) to prevent any waste from tourists entering the park.

After visiting Horton Plains, you'll move to Pattipola, the highest railway station in Sri Lanka. From there, enjoy a ride on the famous train to the heart of Hill Country tourism, the town of Ella, or travel with your driver. In Ella, you'll once again feel a slightly European atmosphere. In season, it may seem that there are more tourists than locals. From the town, you can take a walk to the famous Nine Arch Bridge or to Rawana Falls, where you can cool off on hot days with a swim in natural pools.

You must certainly not miss the climb to the small Adam's Mountain. But don't worry, it's no longer a dizzying hike. Rather, it's a pleasant afternoon stroll along the tea plantations and along the path of local children playing. At the top, you'll be treated to spectacular views of the surrounding area on all sides. And if you like a bit of an adrenaline rush, you can shorten the trip down by riding the zip-line. 😎

You leave the mountains and slowly make your way back to the ocean. On the way, you'll visit Udawalawe National Park. It is famous for its large elephant population, so you don't have to worry about not seeing any. Of course, it is best to visit the park early in the morning or towards the evening when it is not so hot and the animals are no longer sheltered from the heat. Besides the elephant family, you can also see herds of water buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks, a variety of waterfowl and coyotes.

Yala is a larger park than Udawalawe and the main landmark is the elephant-shaped rock around which deer, elephants and water buffalo graze on the plains. The main attraction of the national park, however, is the leopards, which are often not easy to find due to the size of the park, so seeing them is not a given when visiting. Moreover, if a driver finds them and lets others know, the roads become a melee, with drivers fighting for the best spot to spot them. 

After visiting the park, be sure to also take some time to explore the area around the town of Tissamaharama. You'll find the huge Tissa Wewa reservoir or a well-preserved dagoba, where sacred relics were once kept. On the way out of town, I recommend stopping anywhere along the road for some homemade curd with honey – it's absolutely delicious.

You survived all the inland dangers and finally reached the ocean, congratulations!  

Your first stop will be at a rock formation where, during stormy seas, a geyser is created by the waves crashing against the rocks. The hole in the rock from which the water erupts is 20 meters deep and, it must be said, it's quite a sight sometimes. 

Later in the afternoon you reach the southernmost point of Sri Lanka.

The lighthouse is 50 metres high and there are 222 steps to the top. The lighthouse offers a spectacular view of the southern rugged coastline.

A bit further along the coast is the first major city, Matara. On the sprawling beach right in the city center, you can access the local Buddhist temple Weherahena via a suspension bridge. You'll end your day here.

You'll have the chance to enjoy the sunrise on the photogenic Dallawela Beach near Unawatuna. A massive rock emerges from the ocean here, practically begging you to climb it and take a memorable photo (with caution and at your own risk).