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Description
We drove around Sri Lanka with rental scooters and want to share this awesome 3 weeks itinerary with you. The tour started in Matara where we got by train from Colombo. The hostel organized the scooters without prior reservation and once we got them we just put our bags in the legroom of the scooters and started the trip. It’s an easy and awesome way to get around. It really is one of the best ways to see Sri Lanka on your own.
| Our 3 Weeks Sri Lanka By Scooter Itinerary |
|---|
| 1. Colombo |
| 2. Mirissa and Matara |
| 3. Yala National Park |
| 4. Nuwara Eliya |
| 5. Adam’s Peak & Horton Plains |
| 6. Arugam Bay |
| 7. Kirinda Vihara Maha Devi Temple |
| 8. Galle |
Gallery
Overall costs
$ 1700
Duration
21 days
Rating
Itinerary:
1. South of Colombo
We stayed near Dehiwala because it was one of the nicer beaches of Colombo and was close to a railway station. We walked through the area but there was not much to see. On the next morning we went to the train station and went down to Matara.
2. Around Mirissa and Matara
Mirissa Beach is one of the most famous beaches in southern Sri Lanka but there are beautiful beaches along the whole coast in this area. If you just follow the roads on the beach you will find your spot, but that shouldnt stop you from one visit at Mirissa Beach since it is really worth to going there.
Matara is more of a busy city with less to see but the backcountry of both places offers a lot to see like giant buddha statues and temples in the forest.
3. Yala National Park
Yala National Park can be visited with an organized safari. Among other animals you can see elefants and leopards in the park. The park has several different eco system, from the beach over wetlands to hills and deep forest. Because of this variety a visit in the park is one of the highlights if you visit Sri Lanka.
4. Nuwara Eliya
The highlands around Nuwara Eliya have a temperate climate and are famous for their tea plantations. Some of the plantations can be visited. You can also take a train to Kandy for a day trip.
5. Adam’s Peak & Horton Plains
Most people start the climb to the top of Adam’s Peak at night to see the sunrise from there. It takes between 1-2 hours depending on the crowds on the stairs. There is a temple on the top but apart from that there is not much to see and it gets very crowded and chilly, so bring a sweater.
The most famous place to see on the Horton Plains is a huge cliff called World’s End. Make sure to be there early in the morning since it gets very cloudy throughout the day.
6. Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is one of Sri Lankas top spots for surfing with the best waves and weather from July to September. Be aware of the strong currents in this area.
7. Kirinda Vihara Maha Devi Temple
We drove from Arugam Bay with the scooters all the way back to Mirissa in one day. The route between Buttala and Kataragama was really nice since it goes through the Yala National Park and there is just nature the whole time. We did a little stop at Kirinda Vihara Maha Devi Temple which is located on a rock next to the sea.
8. Galle
We visited Galle for half a day which I think is enough time. The main attraction is the portuguese fort from the 16th century and the old town of Galle. There are some nice rooftop terraces from where you can see over the old town and get some fresh air if it’s again on of these hot days.
After Galle we went back to Colombo from where you can easily travel onwards in India. A nice start would be Kerala and our India Itinerary in reverse order.