There's a lot travelers can see and do with two weeks to spend in Sri Lanka. Explore the island on a highlights tour that takes you to historic temples and national parks, focus on coastal destinations and UNESCO-listed sites, or opt for an itinerary that includes cycling and boating through Sri Lanka's natural wonders. If you're traveling with children, consider a family-oriented tour, or if you're eager to see the Maldives, combine ten days in Sri Lanka with a few more in the paradise of these nearby coral islands. Learn more about your options by reading over the itineraries below.

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Sri Lanka 

See Sri Lanka's top attractions, from national parks to ancient monuments to idyllic beaches, on this sweeping highlights tour of the country. 

A tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Explore "Little Rome" in Negombo Negombo
Day 2 Go on a Jeep Safari Around Wilpattu National Park     Wilpattu
Day 3 Tour the City of Jaffna Jaffna
Day 4 Day Trip to Delft Island  Jaffna
Day 5 Visit One of the Oldest Cities in the World Anuradhapura
Day 6 Ascend the Sacred Mountain of Mihintale Trincomalee
Day 7 Enjoy a Dolphin-watching Tour in Trincomalee Trincomalee
Day 8 Discover the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya Sigiriya
Day 9 Visit the Temples of Dambulla & Kandy Kandy
Day 10 Learn About Tea Production in Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya
Day 11 Hike in Horton Plains National Park Haputhale
Day 12 Trek to a Viewpoint & Head to the Beach at Unawatuna Unawatuna
Day 13 Explore the Dutch Fort in Galle Unawatuna
Day 14 Sightsee in Colombo & Depart  


Welcome to Sri Lanka! Kick off the adventure with a Jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, looking for rare leopards on the trip. Spend the next few days around the Jaffna Peninsula, taking boat rides to nearby islands, then tour Anuradhapura — one of the world's oldest cities — before ascending the sacred mountain of Mihintale. Continue onward to coastal Trincomalee for a dolphin-watching tour and time to relax on the beach.

The next part of the trip is educational. Visit the famous temples of Dambulla and Kandy, then take some time to learn about tea production in the Hill Country. On day 11, you'll explore Horton Plains National Park, spotting rare wildlife during a safari. Hike to a viewpoint over the region the next morning, then base yourself at the beach in Unawatuna for the last few days of the trip. Tour Galle, known for its Dutch fort, on the last full day. You'll sightsee in the capital of Colombo before catching a flight out. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Ancient History & Pristine Beaches in Sri Lanka 

From cultural exploration to relaxation, this well-balanced 14-day itinerary offers a wonderful mix of sightseeing in Sri Lanka's key destinations and time to enjoy the country's beautiful beaches.

Sunrise over the beach in Tangalle
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Wander Through "Little Rome" in Negombo Negombo
Day 2 Drive to Wilpattu National Park Big Game Safari Campsite (Wilpattu)
Day 3 Go on Safari in Wilpattu Big Game Safari Campsite (Wilpattu)
Day 4 Visit One of the World's Oldest Cities, Anuradhapura Sigiriya
Day 5 See the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya Sigiriya
Day 6 Tour the Ruins of Polonnaruwa Pasikudah
Days 7-8 Relax by the Seaside in Pasikudah Pasikudah
Day 9 Visit the Temples of Kandy & Dambulla Kandy
Day 10 Train to Ella Ella
Day 11 Drive to Tangalle & Spot Turtles After Dark Tangalle
Day 12 Free Day in Tangalle  Tangalle
Day 13 Visit Galle Dutch Fort Colombo
Day 14 Sightsee in Colombo & Depart  


The trip begins in Negombo. Leave for a two-day safari experience in Wilpattu National Park, then continue on to Anuradhapura, one of the world's oldest inhabited cities. Spend the next few days touring key monuments here and in Sigiriya, home to a famous rock fortress. Then you'll go to Polonnaruwa to see the spectacular Gal Vihara temple complex and other ancient ruins. Midway through the trip, take a break by the beach at Pasikudah, where you'll have free time to relax and enjoy the coast.

Check out the cave temples at Dambulla before boarding an antique train for the epic ride to Ella — the trip itself is an adventure! Continue to oceanfront Tangalle, where you'll have the chance to see turtles hatching their eggs on the beach at night. Take another free day for exploring, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Then you'll tour Galle Dutch Fort in Galle and spend an afternoon sightseeing in the capital city of Colombo before catching a flight out. Learn more

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Itinerary #3: Discover Nature & Culture in Sri Lanka

Hike through national parks, go on a cycling tour, and visit Sri Lanka's most magnificent temples and monuments on this two-week adventure through the country's natural wonders and historic centers.

Take a trip on one of the world's most beautiful train journeys
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Sightsee in Colombo Colombo
Day 2 Browse the Bazaars of Pettah Adam's Peak
Day 3 Hike to Adam’s Peak Nuwara Eliya
Day 4 Learn About Tea in Hill Country Kandy
Day 5 Free Day in Kandy Kandy
Day 6 Trek in the Knuckles Mountain Range Kandy
Day 7 Catch a Cultural Show in Kandy Kandy
Day 8 Visit Temples in Sigiriya & Dambulla Sigiriya
Day 9 Cycle Tour of Hiriwadunna & Minneriya National Park Sigiriya
Day 10 Stop at the Sacred Mountain of Mihintale  Anuradhapura
Day 11 Explore the Ancient City of Anuradhapura  Anuradhapura
Day 12 Go on a Dolphin-Watching Tour in Kalpitiya Kalpitiya
Day 13 Kitesurf & Beach Day in Kalpitiya Kalpitiya
Day 14 Depart   


Start the itinerary in Colombo, the capital city, where you'll shop for locally produced crafts and textiles in the bazaar of Pettah. On day three, you'll rise early and hike to the top of Adam's Peak for incredible sunrise views from the sacred mountain. You'll tour a tea plantation near Nuwara Eliya and board an antique train for the famously scenic journey to Kandy, where you'll base yourself for the next few days. Hike in the Knuckles Mountain Range, visit historic sites, and catch a cultural show to see traditional Sri Lankan music and dance. 

The second week begins in Sigiriya, home to an ancient rock fortress. You'll tour that, and the cave temples of Dambulla, on day eight, then go on a cycling tour around the countryside. Enjoy an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park, where you'll likely spot elephants. The last few days of the trip are action-packed: you'll visit the sacred mountain of Mihintale, sightsee in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, and end up in coastal Kalpitiya, where a dolphin-watching tour and kitesurfing lessons are both on the agenda. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Sri Lanka Family Adventure

Bring the whole family along for this two-week family tour that includes a dolphin-watching boat tour, the chance to interact with baby elephants at a rehabilitation facility, various safari excursions, and a cooking class with a Sri Lankan chef.

Enjoy a safari adventure in Wilpattu National Park
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Explore the Outdoors in Waikkala Waikkala
Day 2 Enjoy the Beaches of Kalpitiya Kalpitiya
Day 3 See Dolphins on a Boat Tour in Kalpitiya  Wilpattu
Day 4 Go on Safari in Wilpattu National Park Wilpattu
Day 5 Sightsee in Anuradhapura  Sigiriya
Day 6 Explore the Ruins of Polonnaruwa  Sigiriya
Day 7 Visit Temples in Dambulla & Kandy Kandy
Day 8 Learn About Tea in Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya
Day 9 Discover Horton Plains & Udawalawe National Parks Udawalawe
Day 10 Visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe Unawatuna
Days 11-12 Relax on the Beach in Unawatuna Unawatuna
Day 13 Tour Historic Galle & the Capital City of Colombo Colombo
Day 14 Depart   


Your family will begin the tour in Waikkala, home to lovely beaches and more than 60 species of birds. You'll continue on to Kalpitiya on day two, where you'll go on a dolphin-watching tour and relax on the sand. Then it's off to Wilpattu National Park for a safari tour. You'll also attend a cooking class with a local chef who will teach you to prepare traditional Sri Lankan food. The next few days are dedicated to sightseeing, first in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, then in the rock fortress of Sigiriya, the ruins of Polonnaruwa, and the cave temples of Dambulla.

In the second part of the trip, transfer to Nuwara Eliya to see firsthand how tea is harvested and produced. On day nine, you'll have back-to-back safari experiences in two national parks, Horton Plains and Udawalawe. After seeing elephants in the wild, you'll see baby elephants up close at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. Spend a few days relaxing on the beaches of Unawatuna, snorkeling around the coral reef offshore, and trying various watersports. Then you'll finish up with a tour of historic Galle and the capital city of Colombo before flying out. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Explore Sri Lanka & The Maldives 

On this outdoorsy 14-day trip plan, you'll divide your time between Sri Lanka's highlights and the island paradise of the Maldives, where you'll have the chance to snorkel with tropical fish and enjoy glorious sunsets.

A traditional boat in the Maldives
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Explore "Little Rome" in Negombo Negombo
Day 2 Visit Yapahuwa Rock Fortress Giritale
Day 3 Tour the Temple of Sigiriya & Ruins of Polonnaruwa Giritale
Day 4 Discover the Cave Temple of Dambulla  Kandy
Day 5 Learn About Tea at a Tea Plantation Ella
Day 6 Hike to Little Adam's Peak & Ella Rock Ella
Day 7 Enjoy an Afternoon Safari in Udawalawe National Park Udawalawe
Day 8 Visit Historic Galle Fort Unawatuna
Day 9 Relax by the Beach in Unawatuna Unawatuna
Day 10 Get to Know the Capital City of Colombo  Colombo
Day 11 Fly to the Maldives Maldives
Day 12 Explore an Island Paradise in the Maldives Maldives
Day 13 Boat Around the Maldives Maldives
Day 14 Depart  Maldives


The itinerary commences in Negombo. You'll visit Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, then the rock temple of Sigiriya and the ruins of Polonnaruwa, spending the night in Giritale. Move on to the cave temples of Dambulla and Kandy, home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Cool off in Hill Country, basing yourself in the village of Ella for a few nights. You'll tour a tea plantation and do two hikes in a single day, one to Little Adam's Peak and the other to Ella Rock.

Kick off the second week with a safari adventure in Udawalawe National Park. Learn about the Dutch fort in historic Galle, then take a couple of days to relax by the beach in beautiful Unawatuna. You'll have an afternoon to sightsee and shop in the capital city of Colombo, then catch a flight to the Maldives the next day. The last few days of the trip will be filled with boating, swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying unforgettable sunsets as you soak up the charm of this breathtaking island paradise. Learn more

More Great Sri Lanka Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Sri Lanka? Check out these other Sri Lanka itineraries, with active adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Map

Map of 2 Weeks in Sri Lanka - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Map of 2 Weeks in Sri Lanka - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas