Anticlockwise Sri Lanka Itinerary
3 Weeks/ 21 Days in April
This anticlockwise itinerary specially created for January includes most locations in the dry zone
By going anticlockwise, you can secure a train ticket in that famous train journey from Ella to Nanu Oya. It’s always fully booked from Nanu Oya to Ella by agents who sell tickets at a higher price later. Be Smart! Beat the Mafia!
TripAdvicer Top 10 Southern beaches in Sri Lanka Wildlife | Adventure | Culture | Heritage
Day 1: Negombo
(20-30 mins from the Airport)
Airport to Negombo and recover from jet lag while enjoying the coastal ambiance. Negombo is often considered the best place for tourists to spend their first night in Sri Lanka for several compelling reasons as you may find below.
Day 2,3: Mirissa
En route: Ambalangoda Mask Factory/Museum, Turtle Beach HikkaduwaNo:3, Galle City Tour, Jungle BeachNo:4, Unawatuna BeachNo:9, Dalawella BeachNo:12, Mihiripenna BeachNo:5, Thalpe Beach, Koggala Beach
Available activities
Whale watching, Turtle Point Snorkeling, Coconut Tree Hill, Secret Beach, Paradise Dive Center, Mirissa Deep Fishing Tours, Water Sports or simply relax at Mirissa beachNo:2 in TripAdvicer Top 10 List or Weligama beachNo:11
(You may select a few of your interests)
Day 4,5: Kirinda
En route: Polhena Beach, Dondra Head, Polhena BeachNo:7, Hiriketiya BeachNo:6, Silent BeachNo:13 Goyambokka BeachNo:8
Yala Safari and relax at the beach
Day 6,7,8: Arugam Bay
Surfing or relax at the beach
| City | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| Trincomalee | 63 |
| Polonnaruwa | 92 |
| Sigiriya/Habarana | 95 |
| Arugam Bay | 98 |
| Kalpitiya | 112 |
| Hambantota | 118 |
| Wilpatu | 127 |
| Anuradhapura | 128 |
| Dambulla | 156 |
| Galle | 161 |
| Kandy | 173 |
| Negombo | 179 |
| Kirinda/Tangalle | 180 |
| Colombo | 183 |
| Ella | 192 |
| Mirissa | 193 |
| Bentota | 202 |
| Udawalawa | 222 |
| Nuwara Eliya | 245 |
En route: Udawalawe National Park
(Kirinda to Udawalawe: 1 hr 20 mins. Udawalawe to Ella 2 hr)
–
Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge, Ella Rock Hike, Ravana Ella Falls, Demodara Loop, Ravana’s Cave, Kinellan Tea Factory, Kithal Ella Falls, Nil Diya Pokuna, Kalu Dola Ella, Kurullangala Rock Arts,
and at the last but not least,
Demodara to Nuwara Eliya scenic train journey.
Most popular train ride is from Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) to Ella or Kandy to Ella. But you get off the train just before you reach the famous Nine Arches Bridge. If you continue to the next stop, Demodara, you can experience going over the the bridge and also you can witness the famous Demodara loop. But as tickets get sold-out fast on this direction, we recommend starting from Demodara station, which is only 20 mins away from Ella, and continue in the opposite direction towards Ella, Nanu Oya or Kandy. It’s the same train journey but tickets are mostly available.
See below for ticket purchasing guide.
Nuwara Eliya
Day 13,14: Kandy
En route: Labookellie Tea Centre and Tea Garden, Ramboda falls, Chariot Path Ramboda, Ambuluwawa Tower, Embekka Dewalaya, Gadaladenia Temple
–
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Evening Service times: 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm),
Kandy View Point, Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Ceylon Tea Museum, Spice Garden, Hanthana Mountain Range, Kandy Brass wear Village, National Museum Kandy, Natural Gems and Gemmological Museum, Evening Cultural Kandyan Dancing Show.
Day 15,16: Habarana
En route: Dambulla Cave temple
Sigiriya, Pidurangala rock, Village tour with Sri Lanka style lunch, boat tour in a lake near Sigiriya, Hot air balloon ride, Elephant watching safari
Day 17, 18: Anuradhapura
(1 hr from Habarana)
Sightseeing in Anuradhapura & Mihintale,
Wilpattu safari(February to October)
Day 19,20: Kalpitiya
(2 hr from Wilpattu)
Whale watching, Kite surfing, Water Sports, Kayaking, Mangrove Forest Boat Tour, Reef Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Scuba Diving, Dutch Fort or simply relax at the beach.
Day 21: Negombo
(3 hr 20 min from Kalpitiya)
Relax at the beach.
Transfer to the Airport for departure.
How to Book
Train Tickets
Ticket booking system doesn’t allow booking tickets from Demodara to Nanu Oya but the train stops at Demodara where you can get in. So, when booking tickets, select FROM: ‘Badulla’ To ‘Nanu Oya’. Then go to Demodara railway station on time.
Demodara to Nanu Oya Train Time Table:
| Frequency | Departure Time Demodara | Arrival Time Nanu Oya | Duration | Train No | Train Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | 6:27 AM | 9:17 AM | 2 hrs 50 min | 1016 | Udarata Menike |
| Sunday Firday | 8:32 AM | 11:28 PM | 3 hrs | 1042 | Ella Odyssey |
| Daily | 9:27 AM | 12:09 Noon | 2 hrs 42 min | 1006 | Podi menike |
| Daily | 10:58 AM | 14:11 PM | 3 hrs 13 min | 1008 | – |
| Monday Wednesday Friday | 11:19 AM | 14:15 PM | 3 hrs | 6 | Special |
| Daily | 12:16 Noon | 16:09 PM | 3 hrs 53 min | 1596 | – |
Day 1
Negombo
Negombo is often considered the best place for tourists to spend their first night in Sri Lanka for several compelling reasons.
Proximity to the airport: Negombo is located just 10 km from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), making it easily accessible after a long flight. This short distance means less travel time and a quicker start to your relaxation.
Beach access: The town offers beautiful beaches where travelers can unwind and adjust to the tropical climate. It’s an ideal place to recover from jet lag while enjoying the coastal ambiance.
Gentle introduction to Sri Lanka: The town provides a softer landing into Sri Lankan culture. It’s less hectic than Colombo, allowing visitors to ease into their trip.
Transport hub: Negombo is well-connected to other parts of Sri Lanka, making it easy to start your journey to other destinations the next day.
Accommodation Staying in Negombo allows tourists to begin their Sri Lankan adventure immediately, rather than spending time traveling to Colombo or other distant locations after arrival.
Local attractions: Despite being a transit point, Negombo offers interesting sights like the fish market, Dutch-era canals, and historic churches, providing immediate cultural experiences.
Dining choices: There are numerous restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, catering to diverse palates.
These factors combine to make Negombo an ideal starting point for many travelers, offering convenience, comfort, and a pleasant introduction to Sri Lanka.
How to get there
Most accommodation providers in Negombo provide Airport pickup. Make sure to check for Airport pickup when you book your hotel in Negombo.
The following accommodation provides offer Airport Pickup.
Where to stay in Negombo
Highest rated beachfront accommodation in Negombo
As some airline crew use this hotel to sleep, the hotel staff try their best to keep noise at a minimum levele.
