Home › Journeys › Sri Lanka's Hills to Coast › 5 days
Sri Lanka's Hills to Coast — a 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
The 5-day version for February: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.
5
days
479 km
distance
12.0 h
in transit
33
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Both the hill country and the south coast sit in their dry window — the famous train rides with the doors open.
Day 1 Colombo → Kandy
🌡 13.0–36.9°C · 🌧 ~13 rain days · ☀ 11.8h light
09:00
St Andrew's Scots Kirk churchhistory & sagasmuseums & heritagechurches & landmarks
Sense colonial history in quiet, echoing pews.
50 min · Colombo
09:50
The Natural History Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Discover dioramas showcasing Sri Lanka's diverse flora and fauna.
50 min · Colombo · Child Rs 150, adult Rs 300
open: Sa-Th 9AM-5PM. Closed all public holidays
10:40
The Dutch Period Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Gaze at artifacts recounting Dutch colonial rule in a small setting.
50 min · Colombo · Child Rs 300, adult Rs 500 (price listed 2013)
open: Sa-Th 9AM-5PM
14:22
Bahirawakanda templechurches & landmarkslocal & traditionalhiking
You will see a towering Buddha statue overlooking the city.
50 min · Kandy · Rs 250
15:12
World Buddhist Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Discover the world’s first international Buddhist museum.
50 min · Kandy · Entrance fee included into Temple of the
open: 8AM-6:30PM
16:02
Ceylon Tea Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
You will see the history of tea and taste a complimentary cup.
50 min · Kandy · Foreigner adult Rs 750, children Rs 400
open: Tu-Su 8:30AM-3:45PM, it closes 45 minutes earlier on Sundays
16:52
The Empire cafehistory & sagascoffee & bakes
Enjoy wraps and diverse meals in a nice setting near the Temple of the Tooth.
60 min · Kandy
18:30
Green Leaf Hotel and Bakerslocal & traditional
Savor flavorful rottis, rice, and curry in a cozy, affordable setting.
75 min · Kandy
Overnight: Kandy
e.g. Earl's Regency · Forest Villa
Day 2 Around Kandy
🌡 13.0–36.9°C · 🌧 ~13 rain days · ☀ 11.8h light
09:00
Nilambe Meditation Centrehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
You can practice yoga, meditate, and live a monastic lifestyle.
90 min · Kandy
10:30
Temple of the Toothhistory & sagas
Witness sacred rituals and glimpse the relic’s casket twice daily.
50 min · Kandy · Rs 2,000 (since Jan 2017) for foreigners (price listed 2017)
open: Dawn to dusk
11:20
Royal Palace of Kandymuseums & heritage
Explore a museum rich with archaeological treasures.
50 min · Kandy · Entrance fee included into Temple of the
open: Till 16:30
12:10
Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuaryhiking
You will hear monkeys and feel the tranquility of a tropical rain forest.
50 min · Kandy · Foreigners Rs 650
open: 7AM–6PM
13:00
Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniyahistory & sagas
You will see lush, diverse plant collections from around the world.
50 min · Kandy · Foreigners Rs 2000, students Rs 1,000 (price listed 2000)
open: 7:30AM–6PM, ticket counter closes 1 hour earlier
13:50
Buddhist Publication Societyhistory & sagas
You can discuss Buddhism and take home introductory materials.
90 min · Kandy
open: M-Sa 9AM–4:30PM
15:20
Bakehouselocal & traditional
Enjoy traditional Sri Lankan meals with a scenic city view from the balcony.
60 min · Kandy
Overnight: Kandy
e.g. Earl's Regency · Forest Villa
Day 3 Nuwara Eliya
🌡 11.8–32.2°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 11.8h light
10:52
Victoria Parkhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Stroll among diverse plants in a tranquil park.
50 min · Nuwara Eliya · Rs1000 (kids 500)
11:42
Hill Clubhistory & sagascoffee & bakes
Visit a historic gentleman's club in a stone building.
50 min · Nuwara Eliya
12:32
Lover's Leap waterfallmuseums & heritage
Feel the rush of a 30-meter waterfall in a legend spot.
50 min · Nuwara Eliya · Free
13:22
Nuwara Eliya Post Officemuseums & heritage
Admire the Tudor-style architecture of the old post office.
50 min · Nuwara Eliya
14:12
Adam's Peakhiking
Tread a steep, sacred trail up a revered mountain peak.
90 min · Nuwara Eliya
15:42
Ramboda Falls
Feel the mist of a towering 108-meter waterfall rushing down.
50 min · Nuwara Eliya · Rs 20
16:32
Grand Indianlocal & traditional
Delight in the finest traditional Indian cuisine in the region.
60 min · Nuwara Eliya
18:30
Ambaal's pure vegetarian Hotel & Restaurant
Savor authentic Indian flavors across three inviting restaurant floors.
75 min · Nuwara Eliya
open: Daily 7AM-10PM
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya
e.g. Spring Acre · The Tea Factory Hotel
Day 4 Ella
🌡 13.0–34.8°C · 🌧 ~15 rain days · ☀ 11.8h light
10:30
Little Adam's Peakmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhiking
Hike through tea plantations for panoramic views of Ella.
50 min · Ella
11:20
Nine Arch Bridgemuseums & heritagehiking
Admire the elegant rock bridge architecture amidst lush greenery.
50 min · Ella · Free
12:10
Newburgh Green Tea Factorymuseums & heritagehiking
Savor unique green tea flavors in a historic factory.
90 min · Ella
13:40
Rawana (Ravana) Fallshiking
Feel the refreshing spray of the powerful waterfall.
50 min · Ella
14:30
Ella Rockhiking
Experience breathtaking valley views after a vigorous climb.
50 min · Ella · Rs 930 (for foreigners)
15:20
Ancient Rawana Buddhist templehistory & sagas
50 min · Ella
16:10
Matey Hut
Delight in flavorful pumpkin and green mango curries at a rustic stall.
60 min · Ella · Rs 1000-1500 per person
Overnight: Ella
e.g. Sunnyside Holiday Bungalow · Zion View Guest House
Day 5 Galle
🌡 23.5–31.7°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 11.8h light
14:45
All Saint's Churchchurches & landmarks
Admire the elegant Anglican architecture and peaceful ambiance.
50 min · Galle
open: Masses: F Su 8AM
15:35
Fort's wallshiking
Stroll along historic walls at sunset, enjoying the views.
50 min · Galle · Be wary of unauthorized local or foreign
16:25
National Sea Museummuseums & heritage
Explore maritime history in a Dutch warehouse.
50 min · Galle