Sri Lankan Newbie Advice needed

Hi All,

We are looking at visiting Sri Lanka later this year and really need some advice on what to see, where to go and how do it.

Our party will consist of 4 adults and 1 child and we would are keen to see some of the country side as well as spend some time in a villa near a beach. We will have about 16 days and any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Sri Lankan Newbie Advice needed

Hi there,

The usual pattern would be: 10 days inland tour and then the last 5 days on the beach. As the beaches south of Colombo are the best, a useful plan would be:

* First day Negombo (near airport) to overcome jetlag, assuming your flight lands afternoon-evening. If early landing you can skip and directly do the 4-hour first leg.

* 3 days Cultural Triangle. Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla cave temple, at least one %26#39;old monumental city%26#39;, Habarana elephantback ride and a jeep safari in a wildlife park nearby Habarana.

* 3 days Kandy area: Pinawela elephant orphanage, Tooth Temple, Botanical gardens, kandy dance etc.

* 3 days Hill country (waterfalls, tea plantations). Best hotel area is Nuwara Eliya but it does not have the best sights/vistas; those are in the Haputale-Ella area 40 km to the south. So you could choose where to base yourself.

* Then end at the coast, and from your beach place make smaller (half-day) trips like Galle fort. Both south coast (Galle-Hambantota) as Southwest (Galle to Kalutara) has nice beaches, hotels and villas etc. etc. See e.g. www.boutiquesrilanka.com for impressions of villas for hire though they%26#39;re not a cheap site, and many other sites for the hotels on your route.

All the best,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

Sri Lankan Newbie Advice needed

Thanks,

It sounds like it is quite an adventure.

Hi again,

Not necessarily. The route given I%26#39;d recommend to anyone because this way you see all the main landscapes/climate zones. Whether at any place you%26#39;d need to visit ALL mentioned sights or not, or even maybe only part of the group will use the car whilst the other part stays near the pool - all up to you!

Have sun fun,

%26lt;Erik%26gt; %26amp; [Sandya]

I can鈥檛 add to the excellent advice above other than if you are looking to rent your own villa this site might also be useful:

www.lankaholidays.com/index.php鈥?/a>

But I have never used them, so its info rather than advice.

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