1 Week in Sri Lanka - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Sri Lanka

This weeklong highlights tour takes you to Sri Lanka's top attractions, featuring safaris in two national parks, visits to UNESCO-listed temples, and a tour of a tea plantation in Hill Country.

Welcome to Sri Lanka! The trip begins in "Little Rome," also known as Negombo. You'll visit the famous fish market, a great place for colorful photo ops, before moving on to Wilpattu National Park. Look for elephants and leopards on a safari around the park before continuing on to Anuradhapura, a city where you'll sightsee and learn about the great Sinhala civilization. On day four, tour the famous rock fortress in Sigiriya and the cave temples of Dambulla.

In the second part of the trip, you'll visit the incredible temple complex of Kandy and learn about the harvesting and production of tea in high-altitude Nuwara Eliya, part of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. Finish the trip with another Jeep safari, this time in Udawalawe National Park, home to water buffalo, lizards, sambar deer, monkeys, and a huge variety of birds. Sleep in a tented safari camp before the trip comes to a close. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Sri Lanka Wildlife Adventure 

Elephants, monkeys, sloths, whales, dolphins, rare birds: you'll see all of these and more on this exciting wildlife adventure around Sri Lanka's national parks and coastline.

Start the adventure with a bit of cultural sightseeing and shopping in the capital city of Colombo before being whisked away to the wilderness on the following day. Go on an exciting Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park, one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. You'll also take a Sri Lankan cooking class at the safari camp on day two. Then continue on to Yala National Park, keeping your eyes open for Sri Lankan leopards and other exotic wildlife during a guided safari.

You'll explore the coast during the second part of the trip, basing yourself in oceanfront Mirissa. Go snorkeling or diving, rent a motorbike to explore the area, or just relax on the beach. Rise early on day five for a whale-watching boat tour off the coast. You could go out on the water again on day six, in pursuit of more whale-watching opportunities, or enjoy some free time for water sports, swimming, and sunbathing before the trip ends. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Beaches of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's gorgeous landscapes, from the coastline to national parks home to a wide variety of wildlife, take center stage on this 7-day tour around the country. 

The beach resort of Mirissa is the starting place for this relaxing journey along Sri Lanka's coastline. Swim, sunbathe, and walk on the beach, then get to bed for some rest—you'll have an early wake-up call the next day. Embark before dawn on a whale-watching tour off the coast—you're likely to spot blue whales from the boat deck. On day three, you'll head out on a full-day cycling tour around Galle, stopping to see the Dutch fort, visit a tea factory, and go on a boat ride on Koggala Lake.

There are fewer scheduled activities on the agenda for the second part of the trip. You'll have ample time to relax on the sand, try water sports, and spot rare birds as you transfer from Mirissa to Bentota, another fantastic beach resort on the Sri Lankan coast. On the last morning, you'll travel to the capital city of Colombo to do some sightseeing and shop for souvenirs in the bazaar of Pettah before it's time to catch your flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Outdoor Adventures in Sri Lanka 

Suited for all ages, this 7-day journey through Sri Lanka's great outdoors features trekking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and safari tours in national parks.

Kick off your itinerary in Negombo, taking some time to visit the famous fish market on day one. Then you'll transfer to the Knuckles Mountain Range for a trekking adventure through gorgeous landscapes on day two. Hike Manigala Rock on day three, then continue on to Kandy, where you'll be able to tour the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Stop in a traditional drum-making village on day four.

Next, you'll go whitewater rafting on the Kelani River and overnight in Nuwara Eliya, located in the heart of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. Day five is devoted to exploring the wilderness of Horton Plains National Park, home to elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard. As the sun lowers in the sky, you'll have the chance to go canoeing in Samanalawewa Reservoir, then spend a day sightseeing and shopping in Colombo before flying out. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Trekking in Sri Lanka

Get off the beaten path on this trekking adventure through the rugged landscapes of Sri Lanka, including Horton Plains National Park and Ella Rock.

The trekking itinerary begins in Sigiriya. You'll visit the famous rock fortress, where two huge stone-carved lion paws are all that's left of an ancient monument of a lion. Hike to the top of Pidurangala Rock on day two to enjoy outstanding views over the surrounding jungle. Then it's on to Kandy and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Continue the next day to Nuwara Eliya, where you'll do some high-altitude hiking past beautiful scenery and tea fields. You'll also learn how tea is harvested and produced. 

Hike through Horton Plains National Park next, spotting native wildlife, then overnight in the village of Ella. The next day's trekking itinerary takes you to the top of Ella Rock. On the last full day of the trip, you'll go hiking around the ancient village of Kinchigune, then move on to the Dutch-style canals of Negombo. You'll spend the last night here sightseeing and dining on Sri Lankan cuisine before the trip ends and you head to the airport. Learn more

More Great Sri Lanka Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Sri Lanka? Check out these other Sri Lanka itineraries, with active adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.