10 days
Summer & the east coast in 10 days
Planned for the Swedish summer holidays: culture and elephants inland, then clear water and calm beaches on the east coast while the south-west has its monsoon.
© AntanO · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival and Kandy
Travel to Kandy and settle in by the lake.
- Travel:
- About 3–4 hours by road
- Overnight
- Overnight: Kandy
Day 2
Kandy
Temple of the Tooth, botanical gardens and, in some years, the Esala Perahera festival.
- Overnight
- Overnight: Kandy
Day 3
Dambulla and Sigiriya
The cave temple on the way north.
- Travel:
- About 3 hours by road with stops
- Overnight
- Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 4
Sigiriya and the elephant gathering
The rock in the morning; in the afternoon, a safari in the season when elephants gather.
- Overnight
- Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 5
Polonnaruwa and on to the coast
The ancient city, then to Trincomalee.
- Travel:
- About 3 hours by road
- Overnight
- Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 6
Pigeon Island
Snorkelling among reef fish, conditions permitting.
- Overnight
- Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 7
Beach day and Koneswaram
A free day, with the clifftop temple at sunset.
- Overnight
- Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 8
Along the coast to Pasikuda
Calm, shallow water for the whole family.
- Travel:
- About 2.5–3 hours by road
- Overnight
- Overnight: Pasikuda
Day 9
Pasikuda
Rest and swim before the journey home.
- Overnight
- Overnight: Pasikuda
Day 10
Departure
A long drive to the airport; a final night near the airport is often more comfortable.
- Travel:
- About 6–7 hours by road
- Overnight
- Departure day