Are you looking to explore exotic destinations on a budget? Consider Sri Lanka vacation packages from Canada. They offer Canadian residents tropical beaches, lush landscapes, wildlife resorts, and cultural landmarks all wrapped in a flexible itinerary.
Check out our 10-day vacation recommendations for the best things to do and see in Sri Lanka.
Day 1 & 2 – Sigiriya & Dambulla
Both Sigiriya and Dambulla are located in Matale District, Central Province. You want to start your adventure by staying in Dambulla City and taking a day trip to nearby Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress and mini town.
Sigiriya is a small village area and the home of the Lion Rock, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” As an archaeological site, Sigiriya is one of the most intact examples of urban planning in ancient times; hence, its current status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The main attraction, Lion Rock (Sinhagiri), is a 200-metre-high structure featuring 1,200 stairs. It served as a fortress-palace for King Kasyapa in the 5th century. Lion Rock is surrounded by gardens, other rocks, the Mirror Wall, frescoes, ruins, and reservoirs.
When you’re not exploring Sigiriya, you can spend time in the Dambulla Cave Temples, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the largest cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka and features five caves. Each cave is filled with ancient statues and artworks. Other things to do in Dambulla include seeing the Golden Buddha at the Buddha Museum and embarking on an elephant safari at any of the three national parks (Minneriya, Wasgamuwa, and Wasgamuwa) near the area.
Day 3 & 4 – Anuradhapura
Resume your exploration of ancient Sri Lankan culture at Anuradhapura. Created in the 4th century BC, the 7,179 km² city is the oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka. Two days is enough time to explore the following attractions of Anuradhapura:
- Sri Maha Bodhiya: The Bodhi is the oldest human-planted tree in the world, having existed for more than 2,300 years. The tree and its surrounding grounds are sacred.
- Isurumuniya Vihara: Explore the famous temple built in rocks. It features ancient carvings created thousands of years ago.
- Ranmasu Uyana: The “ Royal Pleasure Garden” is the perfect place to lose yourself in nature. In the past, kings and other members of royalty used to bathe in this garden.
- Ruwanweliseya Stupa: Although originally built in the 2nd century BC, Ruwanweliseya Stupa is still the venue for modern Buddhist rituals. This white hemispherical structure stands 103 metres tall and is one of the world’s tallest ancient monuments.
Day 5 & 6 – Trincomalee
Spend your next two days relaxing in Trincomalee, the popular port city and beach resort. Despite its reputation as a land of beautiful beaches and outdoor excitement, the city can boast of a few cultural landmarks as well. The following are our favourite things to do in Trincomalee:
- Nilaveli Beach: Chill, eat, and drink with locals and tourists on Nilaveli’s white sand beach. The small town is Trincomalee’s most popular resort area.
- Whale Watching: The whale watching season on the east coasts starts in May and ends in October. There are guided tours for watching these magnificent creatures, and some will even allow you to swim with them.
- Pigeon Island: Only a boat ride away from Nilaveli, Pigeon Island has its own white sand beach. You may relax on the beach or go snorkelling in its clear waters.
- Fort Frederick: Check out the old Portuguese fort converted into a Sri Lankan military base. Despite its military status, the fort allows visitors. Inside you’ll find several temples.
- Uppuveli Beach: This is another major resort town. It’s the perfect alternative to Nilaveli if you prefer a gold sand beach.
Day 7 & 8 – Yala
If we had to pick one of the 22 national parks in Sri Lanka, we would recommend Yala. It’s the most popular national park in the country. There’s a lot to see and do in the area. You get to watch elephants, birds, leopards, bears, and other wild animals. Here are the main attractions of Yala National Park:
- Sithulpawwa: Visit the spiritual rock temple located in the park. In ancient times, it housed 12,000 monks.
- Bird Watching: You’ll find all kinds of birds at the park, particularly in its wetlands. They include waterfowl, Eurasian spoonbills, cormorants, and lesser adjutants.
- Public Beach: Most of the coastal areas in the park are restricted. However, there is a public beach open to visitors. Take long walks on the golden sand.
Day 9 & 10 – Mirissa
The beach town of Mirissa is the ideal spot to complete your itinerary. Spend days 9 and 10 relaxing in the peaceful beach atmosphere, snorkelling with sea turtles, surfing the waves, and shopping at the main streets. We recommend spending an entire day exploring the beaches of Mirissa.
You may even join beach parties, food tours, and fishing expeditions in the coastal area. You can spend another day hiking to Coconut Hill, one of Mirissa’s main attractions and hiking destinations. The trails are giant palm trees and spectacular ocean views. Parrot Rock is a lesser-known hiking destination. However, it offers breathtaking views of the rest of the town.
Contact Sri Lanka Tour Guides a travel agent in Sri Lanka who offers Sri Lanka vacation packages from Canada.