Location: Budapest Airport
Day 1 - 18 Feb 2019
Budapest Airport
Content: We took a flight from Budapest to Colombo with Turkish Airlines, with 1 stopover in Istanbul. The cost for 1 way/person was $300/person. Duration around 13 hours with stopover included.
Location: Colombo
Day 2 - 19 Feb 2019
Town Hall
Content: We didn't wanted to spend too much time in Colombo, so we decided to stay only for 1 day to rest after the long flight. We took a tuk-tuk tour for the day to see the main attractions of the city. The driver took us to the town hall, some temples and parks. It was a nice tour that cost $23 for 2 persons. We also purchased our train tickets to our next destination, Anuradhapura.
Location: Colombo
Day 3 - 20 Feb 2019
Fort Railway Colombo
Content: We travelled to Anuradhapura by train, from the Fort Station in Colombo. Tickets cost $5 for 2 persons and last around 5 hours.
Location: Anuradhapura
Day 3 - 20 Feb 2019
Sanasuma Tourist Rest
Content: We have arrived to Sanasuma Tourist Rest lodging arounf 12 PM, after a 5 hour bumpy train ride. From the railway station to your accommodation you can take a tuk-tuk, there are many drivers who are offering their transfer services there. Sanasuma is a tipical Srilankan family owened lodging, with friendly hosts that made us feel like home.
Mihindu Aranya Senasanaya
Content: We took a tuk-tuk from our accomodation to visit Mihintale, which is around 20 minutes from Anuradhapura. On the way to Mihintale we stopped to Mihindu Aranya Senasanaya, where you can find a stunning tree, legend says it has healing powers.
Location: Mihintale
Day 3 - 20 Feb 2019
Temple
Content: After visiting the miracle tree we headed to the temple in Mihintale, where people believe to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This place is absolutely amazing, we highly recommend visiting it.
Location: Anuradhapura
Day 4 - 21 Feb 2019
Temple
Content: For this day we planned to visit the ancient temples in Anuradhapura by bicycles. We rented 2 bikes for $6 for the day and visited the ancient temple complex. The entrance tickets cost $50 for 2 persons. Important tip! It is considered an offence and sign of disrespect in Sri Lanka to take pictures with your back towards the Buddha Statues. So be aware of this if you want to take a selfie 🤳.
Location: Habarana
Day 5 - 22 Feb 2019
Habarana
Content: From Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa we took a taxi 🚕 for $43. On the way we stopped to a spice garden called Isiresa Spice Garden. We do not recommend stopping there. It is a tourist trap! Expensive and doesn't worth it.
Location: Polonnaruwa
Day 5 - 22 Feb 2019
Seyara Holiday Resort
Content: We where so lucky to see an elephant on the road to Polonnaruwa. We stayed at Seyara Holiday Resort for 3 nights.
Location: Polonnaruwa
Day 6 - 23 Feb 2019
Lankatilaka Viharaya
Content: We have visited the temple complex in Polonnaruwa, an amazing ancient place that won't disappoint. We admired the giant statue of Buddha and the Lankathilaka temple. Entrance $50 for 2 persons. We rented bycicles from our accommodation for the day to visit the temples. We ride 15 km in total. Tip! If you don't have enough time to do both ancient sites - Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, I woul recommend to choose Polonnaruwa. It is more beautiful!
Location: Sigiriya
Day 7 - 24 Feb 2019
Airbnb
Content: From Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya we took a public bus till the Habarana junction and from there we took a tuk-tuk to our accommodation, Green Garden Home Stay.
Pidurangala
Content: First attraction visited was Pidurangala Rock, at sunset. The climb is not hard, about 30 minutes. From the top you can see the beautiful view of Lion Rock. Amazing view! 📸 Photography tip: everyone recommends climbing on Pidurangala at sunset, but we believe that the light is better at sunrise.
Location: Sigiriya
Day 8 - 25 Feb 2019
Sigiriya Lion Rock
Content: We started our climb up on the Lion Rock early in the morning in order to beat the heat and the crowds. Be aware, there are around 1200 steps to climb, but the view well worth it! 😉
Location: Habarana
Day 8 - 25 Feb 2019
Hurulu Eco Safari
Content: We definetely recommend taling this tour in Hurulu Eco Park. The tour lasted around 5 hours by jeep and we had the chanse to see many elephants in their natural habitat. It was an amazing experience! ❤️
Location: Avukana
Day 9 - 26 Feb 2019
Avukana Buddha Statue
Content: From Sigiriya we continued our trip to Kandy. We have booked a taxi with AGS Kandy Taxi at the cost of $55 per car. On the road, our first stop was at Avukana Buddha Statue, an impressive statue that amazed us. It's located around 54 km from Sigiriya and has a height of 11.36 meters.
Location: Dambulla
Day 9 - 26 Feb 2019
Dambulla
Content: Dambulla is located around 38km from Avukana and the Golden Temple of Dambulla is famous for it's murals.
Location: Kandy
Day 9 - 26 Feb 2019
24 by Suyaama
Content: Stay away from this accommodation! Price was good but the cleanliness was disappointing.
Location: Kandy
Day 10 - 27 Feb 2019
Cafe Secret Alley
Content: Start your day with a delicious breakfast and coffee at Secret Alley Cafe.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Content: After breakfast head to the famous Bhudist temple - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Tip: the entrance was pricey - $15 for person, so we decided to visit only the outside.
Kandy Lake
Content: After the temple, take a peaceful walk around the Kandy Lake.
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
Content: 2 km away from the Sacred Tooth Relic lies the impressive Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue representing Buddha in the Nirvana position. The statue is 27 meters high and can be spoted almoust from ever corner of the city.
Buono
Content: Head for lunch to Buono Bistro, a place with free WiFi and good priced food. This place support also a good cause - Child Action Lanka - of the kids of the streets.
Location: Kandy
Day 11 - 28 Feb 2019
Royal Botanic Gardens
Content: Spend the day at the Royal Boranic Gardens, a place with more than 4000 species of plants, and it has around 59 hectares. It is renowned for its orchids collection!
Location: Kandy
Day 12 - 1 Mar 2019
Kandy Cooking Class by AGS
Content: We strongly recommend to take a cooking class in Kandy. We spent 5 hours learning to cook delicious Sri Lankan recipes. The guy from AGS picked us up from the hotel and took us to the market to buy some fresh ingredients for the class. At the end we eat what we cooked, it was an awesome experience.
Location: Maskeliya
Day 13 - 2 Mar 2019
Subash hotel Adams peak
Content: After Kandy we booked a taxi to Adam's Peak, choosing to stay at Subash Hotel Adams Peak in Maskeliya. Only 100 m from the hotel there was a tea plantation and the beautiful Maskeliya Lake. Loved this place!
Location: Ratnapura
Day 14 - 3 Mar 2019
Sri Pada / Adam's Peak
Content: Adam's Peak or Sri Pada is an important religious site in Sri Lanka. We took a tuk-tuk from the hotel to the site and started our ascent around 1 AM in order to be sure we are arriving at sunrise. Bare in mind that there are 5400 stairs till the peak and it's extremely hard 😪, but the view is amazing and rewarding.
Location: Hatton
Day 15 - 4 Mar 2019
Hatton
Content: From Adam's Peak we were heading to Ella, one of the most beautiful places in Sri Lanka. We took a bus from Subash Hotel to Hatton train station with destination Ella. Sri Lanka train rides are very famous and picturesque, but unfortunately our experience was very disappointing. The train was fully packed with people, and we had to stay on our feet for 5 hours till we reached Ella. Not very scenic in our eyes.
Location: Ella
Day 15 - 4 Mar 2019
Ella Rohamton
Content: We stayed 3 nights at Ella Rohamton for the price of $77 for 2 people, with breakfast included.
Gem & Berries Ella - Sri Lanka
Content: Good food and good coffee, right next to the hotel Ella Rohamton.
Location: Badulla
Day 16 - 5 Mar 2019
Nine Arches Bridge
Content: The most popular thing to do in Ella is the Nine Arches Bridge. We have walked here from our accommodation and visited it 2 times. Tip: make sure you check the train shedule, so you don't miss it. You can sip on a coconut purchased from the locals till you are waiting for the train to pass on the bridge.
Location: Badulla
Day 17 - 6 Mar 2019
Little Adam's Peak
Content: Little Adam's Peak is a short and sweet climb with picturesque views. We walked here from our accommodation. From the main road you go right alongside the 98 Acres resort and you'll find your way to Little Adam's Peak.
Location: Ambagollapathana
Day 17 - 6 Mar 2019
Adam's Breeze Restaurant
Content: On thw way back home we stopped at Adam's Breeze restaurant. Try the kotu and rotti, are delicious.
Location: Habaraduwa
Day 18 - 7 Mar 2019
Tabula Rasa Resort
Content: After Ella we headed to the Southern part of Sri Lanka. We took the first bus to Matara and from there a tuk-tuk to our accommodation, Tabula Rasa Resort. This resort is a true gem. Nestled in the lush jungle, you will have amazing views and a resfreshing pool for the hot afternoons. Monkey are roaming on the trees outside of your terrace. It is truly amazing!
Location: Unawatuna
Day 18 - 7 Mar 2019
Dalawella Beach
Content: We rented a scooter for our time spent on this part of the island as the accommodation is quite remote and you need a vehicle to move around. Spent the afternoon on the famous Dalawella Beach, located around 4.8 km from Tabula Rasa Resort. I felt like Jane on the palm swing and climbed the rock near Wijaya Beach restaurant at sunset.
Wijaya Beach
Content: Stop by Wijaya Beach Restaurant for food and cocktails.
Location: Unawatuna
Day 19 - 8 Mar 2019
Kingfisher Hotel
Content: Unawatuna Beach is perfect for sunbathing and relaxation. We chose to rent sunbeds at King Fisher Hotel, for the price of $6 for 2 persons and spent the whole day on the beach relaxing.
Location: Galle
Day 21 - 10 Mar 2019
Galle
Content: If you are in the area, than you must visit the charming city of Galle. It is located around 14km from Habaraduwa. Head to the lighthouse for Insta worthy pictures and if you have the time, stay till sunset.
Pilgrims Hostel & Restaurant
Content: You can eat at Pilgrims, while you are waiting for the sunset.
Location: Kogalla Lake
Day 22 - 11 Mar 2019
Idle Bikes
Content: We booked a guided bicycle tour around Kogalla Lake. The surrounding was so picturesque.
Location: Talpe
Day 22 - 11 Mar 2019
Sugar beach
Content: We have spent the afternoon at Sugar Beach Talpe relaxing. Grab some food and cocktails and enjoy the view.
Location: Unawatuna
Day 23 - 12 Mar 2019
Jungle Beach
Content: Jungle Beach is a beautiful beach in Unawatuna. You don't have to pay for sunbeds, it is enough to serve something from the bar located on the beach. This was our last day in Sri Lanka before we headed back to the airport in Colombo. Hope you guys liked our Sri Lanka itinerary.