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| train tunnel near 9 arch bridge |
Our Backpacking Lifestyles! For anyone considering doing a two-week backpacking tour, this might be your perfect Sri Lanka itinerary.
Before visiting Sri Lanka, do the following to get a 30-day visa:
1. Visit the Sri Lankaelectronic visawebsite (www.eta.gov.lk) several days before arriving.
2. Follow the online application process and pay with a credit or debit card.
3. Once approved, print out the visaconfirmation.
Day 1
We arrivedat Bandaranaike International Airportat 10:00 pm. It is located in a suburb of Negombo, 20 miles north of the commercial capital Colombo. From the airport, we immediately took bus 187 to Colombo Fort Central Bus Station. The actual fare is 100 Rupees per person but since it was already late at night, we paid 300 Rupees each. It is still the cheapest way to get to Colombo. A tuk-tuk ride is about 2,500 rupees ($17 USD). Luckily, when we arrived at Colombo Fort Central Bus Station, there was a 12:00 midnight No. 49 bus going to Dambulla. It was a 4 hour and 50 minute ride and we were charged 260 Rupees each. By the way, buses are quite a popular option in Sri Lanka and it is generally safe and will definitely get you to your destination.
Day 2 Dambulla to Sigiriya
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| Sigiriya |
From Dambulla Bus Station, we rode a tuk-tuk to Sigiriya. We just asked our tuk-tuk driver to take us to any good accommodation near the Sigiriya Lion Rock. And we were wonderfully blessed when he took us to Water House. It is an enchanted place where time seems to stand still and everything goes slowly. The owner is very friendly and accommodating. We paid 3000 Rupees for a night.
So our adventure begins…
Should you climb the Sigiriya or PidurangalaRock?
Leisure travel means differently to everyone, and if you love the adrenaline rush of adventure, climbing the world-famous Sigiriya Lion Rock in Sri Lanka, could be right for you. The Ancient City of Sigiriyais recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entrance fee per person is 4500 LKR which is around $30 USD.The climb up the rock and back down will take from 1.5 hours to 3 hours.We suggest arriving early in the morning and climbing as soon as possible as it gets busier as the day goes on. Sigiriya is definitely worth a visit, it is in itself a very impressive site to behold.
You've heard of Sigiriya Rock (Lion Rock), but what about Pidurangala? Just 5 kilometres away is our next stop… Pidurangala! Is there an entrance fee? Yes, you need to pay 500 Rupees (it’s simply a donation). Once you finally reach the top of Pidurangala Rock you will be greeted by a magnificent vista similar to Sigiriyas but being less grand and far more strenuous to climb, it is often overlooked by tourists.
The Verdict:
We all love different things. We have different priorities and expectations as well. Sigiriya and Pidurangala are both stunning and charming. Each has its own merits.
Day 3 Sigiriya-Dambulla-Kandy-Hatton-Maskeliya-DALHOUSIE
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| bus hatton to Maskulina |
Sigiriya-Dambulla
In less than 30 minutes we reached in Dambulla. The usual charge for that route is 1500 Rupees. We left the guesthouse at 7.30am and just time to catch the bus going to Kandy.
Dambulla-Kandy
Dambulla is 72Km north of Kandy. There are several different buses that will get you there, running at least every half hour. The express bus took us three hours to reach Kandy Central Bus Station. We paid 100 Rupees each.
Kandy-Hatton
Out-of-pilgrimage-season buses
Distance from Kandy to Hatton Bus Standis 70 kilometres. It takes 3 hours to arrive. Paid 110 Rupees each.
Hatton-Maskeliya
Busfare from Hattonto Maskeliyais Rs 45 per person.
The distance is 17.7 kilometres (45 minutes ride)
Maskeliya-DALHOUSIE
The cheapest way to get from Maskeliya to Dalhousie is by bus which costs 4o Rupees per person and takes 20m.
We stayed at Adam’s Peak Inn for 1 night as a base for climbing Adam’s Peak. It is a perfect place with great views, very accommodating and friendly staff and the room price is affordable for that area (3000 Rupees).
Should you visit Sri Pada (also known as Adam’s Peak)? The mountain is best known as a pilgrimage site for locals and tourists alike. It is the most sacred mountain in Sri Lanka. There were around 5,500 steep steps on the way to Sri Pada Mountain. The top of the mountain has a huge footprint. The Buddhist residents say it's the footprint of Buddha's left foot. The Hindus claimed that the footprint belonged to Lord Shiva. The Muslims and the Christians believed that it was Adam's first step after being kicked out from the Garden of Eden. Yes, it’s worth it and whoever braves the steps and reaches the summit would be rewarded with panoramic mountain views. It is an ecologically diverse place hidden from the world.
Back to Adam’s Peak Inn…
We ate our breakfast, packed our things and took buses going to Maskeliya then Hatton. From Hatton, we took another bus to Nuwara Eliya (fare price is 110 Rupees per person). The distance from Hatton to Nuwara Eliya is 42 kilometers(26 miles).
We checked-in at Park View Guest House (price room per night is 2500 Rupees). It’s perfectly located on the hill, very near to the bus station, shops and restaurants.
Day 5 Kirigalpotta Mountain via Horton Plains
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Kirigalpoththa Peak |
We had a very early start to ensure good views at Horton Plains. The distance between Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plain is 28.5 km. The private van cost us 6000 Rupees (quite expensive, huh?). The Entrance Ticket price is 15 USD per person.
Off to the Beaten Horton Plain Trail…
Kirigalpotta is second tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, starting from Horton Plains National Park. It was not an easy climb but very interesting. The trail wasn’t marked, no signs at all. Mind you, we got lost on our way back but we’ve managed to go through. So, you need to download the offline Google map beforehand. It took us approximately six hours to get to the top and back down. Other than that, it is a heaven from thrill seekers.
Day 6 Nuwara Eliya to Ella/Nine Arch Bridge/Little Adam’s Peak
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| Horton plains |
Are you heading to Ella, Sri Lanka? The beautiful 3-hour train trip from Nuwara Eliya to Ella takes you through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views. By the way, Ella is small town highly popular amongst tourists. This place is laid back and has a slow pace of life. Indeed, a perfect place to unwind! The lush green mountains around Ellaare perfect for hiking toofor it offers spectacular and dramatic views.
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| 9 arch bridge Ella |
One of the highlights in the mountain village Ella is the 30-meter high Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. This beautiful Nine Arch Bridge is a very picturesque spot as it is located in a dense jungle and tea fields. It is one of the most iconic spots in the whole of Sri Lanka. No wonder, it has now become an Instagrammer's favourite. By the way, it is just a 30 min. walk from the Ella town. We would highly recommend a visit.
Little Adam’s Peak is a hiking hotspot in Ella. It was a fairly easy hike which gives you a good impression of the landscapes around it. The views from the top are fantastic and well worth the walk! Absolutely STUNNING!
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