3–4 days
- Negombo→
- Sigiriya→
- Dambulla→
- Kandy→
- Colombo / airport
Navira Ceylon Field Guide
Sri Lanka Destination Guide
Attractions, visit times, photo spots and one-day plans for 18 regions — plus tour routes to shape your trip.
Tour route planning
Suggested tour routes
Starting points for a private tour. We adjust every route to your interests, season, arrival times and a comfortable daily driving pace.
5–6 days
- Negombo→
- Sigiriya→
- Dambulla→
- Kandy→
- Nuwara Eliya→
- Ella
7–8 days
- Negombo→
- Cultural Triangle→
- Kandy→
- Hill Country→
- Ella→
- Yala
8–10 days
- Negombo→
- Sigiriya→
- Kandy→
- Nuwara Eliya→
- Ella→
- Yala→
- Galle
10–12 days
- Negombo→
- Anuradhapura→
- Sigiriya→
- Kandy→
- Ella→
- Yala→
- Mirissa→
- Galle
12–14 days
- Negombo→
- Anuradhapura→
- Jaffna or Trincomalee→
- Cultural Triangle→
- Kandy→
- Hill Country→
- South Coast
14+ days
- Add east coast, Mannar, Wilpattu, Sinharaja or specialist adventure days
Explore by region
18 regions of Sri Lanka
Open a region for its attractions table, best photo spots, recommended experiences and a timed one-day plan.
01 · Western Province
Negombo & Airport Gateway
Ideal first or final night near Bandaranaike International Airport
8 stopsOne-day plan
02 · Western Province
Colombo City
Urban heritage, food, shopping and modern skyline
7 stopsOne-day plan
03 · Central / North Central Province
Cultural Triangle: Sigiriya, Dambulla & Habarana
Ancient engineering, cave art and village life
8 stopsOne-day plan
04 · North Central Province
Polonnaruwa & Minneriya
Medieval capital and elephant country
8 stopsOne-day plan
05 · North Central Province
Anuradhapura & Mihintale
Sacred city, stupas and Buddhist heritage
8 stopsOne-day plan
06 · Central Province
Kandy & Central Heritage
Sacred temple, royal history, gardens and performing arts
9 stopsOne-day plan
07 · Central Highlands
Nuwara Eliya & Horton Plains
Tea estates, cool climate and highland scenery
8 stopsOne-day plan
08 · Uva Province
Ella, Haputale & Bandarawela
Railway scenery, hikes, waterfalls and tea viewpoints
9 stopsOne-day plan
09 · Southern Province
Galle, Unawatuna & Hikkaduwa
Fort heritage, beaches and marine experiences
9 stopsOne-day plan
10 · Western / Southern Coast
Bentota, Beruwala & Madu River
River, garden, beach and water-based experiences
8 stopsOne-day plan
11 · Southern Province
Mirissa, Weligama & Tangalle
Surf bays, whale watching and palm-lined beaches
9 stopsOne-day plan
12 · Southern / Uva region
Yala, Bundala & Kataragama
Safari landscapes, birds and pilgrimage
7 stopsOne-day plan
13 · Sabaragamuwa / Uva
Udawalawe & Ratnapura
Elephant country, gems and foothill nature
7 stopsOne-day plan
14 · Eastern Province
Trincomalee & Nilaveli
Beaches, temples, harbour and marine life
8 stopsOne-day plan
15 · Eastern Province
Pasikudah, Batticaloa & Arugam Bay
Shallow bays, lagoon culture and surf
9 stopsOne-day plan
16 · Northern Province
Jaffna & Delft Island
Tamil heritage, island landscapes and distinctive cuisine
9 stopsOne-day plan
17 · North-western Sri Lanka
Mannar & Wilpattu
Island history, birdlife and wilderness
7 stopsOne-day plan
18 · Special-interest routes
Adventure & Nature Extensions
Rainforest, mountains, rafting and pilgrimage
8 stopsOne-day plan
Before you travel
- Confirm interests, mobility, dietary needs and preferred pace before departure.
- Check opening days, weather, road conditions, park rules, train times and boat availability on the day.
- At religious sites, wear modest clothing and remove shoes/headwear where required; never photograph people praying without consent.
- On wildlife trips, keep a safe distance, never feed animals and follow the park guide's instructions.
- Allow for water, shade and rest stops, especially on climbs and long drives.
Distance & time guidance
- Kilometres shown are approximate local road distances, not guaranteed driving times.
- In the hill country, winding roads make journeys longer than the map distance suggests.
- Colombo and Negombo traffic can significantly affect short transfers.
- Safaris, hikes, boat rides and train journeys need separate time buffers.
- Fewer stops with quality time make a better trip than rushing through a long checklist.
Download the full guide (PDF)
Distances and visit times are planning estimates. Photos are illustrative.