Backpacker: trains, hikes and surf
11 days, 10 nights: Colombo (1N), Kandy (2N), Ella (3N), Mirissa (3N), Galle (1N). Best time to go: Dec–Apr.
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo
Colombo
- Galle Face Green sunset & street food · 2 h. Isso vadai (prawn fritters) and kottu from the stalls; busiest on weekends.
- Independence Square & Arcade · 1 h
Local tip: Isso vadai (prawn fritters) and kottu from the stalls; busiest on weekends.
Day 2: Colombo → Kandy
Kandy · Colombo to Kandy, Private car ~3.5h (intercity train ~2.5–3h)
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic · 2 h. Wear white or light clothes covering shoulders and knees; the evening puja (~6:30pm) is the most atmospheric.
- Kandy Lake walk · 1 h
- Bahirawakanda Buddha statue viewpoint · 1 h
Local tip: Wear white or light clothes covering shoulders and knees; the evening puja (~6:30pm) is the most atmospheric.
Day 3: Explore Kandy
Kandy
- Udawattakele forest reserve walk · 2 h
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya · 3 h. 15 min from town; the orchid house and the giant Java fig are the highlights. Carry an umbrella.
- Kandyan cultural dance show · 1 h. Shows start around 5pm near the lake; pair with the evening puja at the Temple of the Tooth.
- Ceylon Tea Museum, Hantana · 1.5 h
Local tip: 15 min from town; the orchid house and the giant Java fig are the highlights. Carry an umbrella.
Day 4: Kandy → Ella
Ella · Kandy to Ella, Scenic train ~7h (car ~5h)
- Nine Arch Bridge · 1.5 h. Check the day's train times locally and arrive 20 minutes before one; stay off the tracks when a train is due.
- Ravana Falls · 1 h. 6 km below Ella on the Wellawaya road and linked to the Ramayana; fullest after rain, rocks are slippery.
Local tip: Check the day's train times locally and arrive 20 minutes before one; stay off the tracks when a train is due.
Day 5: Explore Ella
Ella
- Little Adam's Peak hike · 2 h. 45-min walk from town on a clear path; sunrise or late afternoon.
- Ella Rock hike · 4 h. Start by 6am along the railway line; paths fork, so use offline maps or hire a local guide.
- Flying Ravana zipline · 1 h
Local tip: 45-min walk from town on a clear path; sunrise or late afternoon.
Day 6: Explore Ella
Ella
- Lipton's Seat viewpoint & Dambatenne tea factory · 5 h. Near Haputale, ~1.5h from Ella; go at dawn before the mist rises. Price includes a shared tuk-tuk.
- Ravana Cave · 1.5 h. Steep steps up from the road; associated in local tradition with Ravana hiding Sita.
- Halpewatte tea factory tour · 1.5 h
Local tip: Near Haputale, ~1.5h from Ella; go at dawn before the mist rises. Price includes a shared tuk-tuk.
Day 7: Ella → Mirissa
Mirissa · Ella to Mirissa, Private car ~3.5h
- Coconut Tree Hill · 1 h. Short walk from the east end of the beach; sunrise and sunset get crowded.
- Secret Beach · 3 h. Small cove 10 min by tuk-tuk; a natural rock pool forms at low tide.
Local tip: Short walk from the east end of the beach; sunrise and sunset get crowded.
Day 8: Explore Mirissa
Mirissa
- Whale watching boat trip (Nov–Apr) · 5 h. Boats leave ~6:30am; blue whales are likely but not guaranteed. Take seasickness tablets and pick an operator that keeps its distance from the whales.
- Surf lesson at Weligama bay · 2 h. Weligama's sandy bay suits beginners; Nov–Apr.
Local tip: Boats leave ~6:30am; blue whales are likely but not guaranteed. Take seasickness tablets and pick an operator that keeps its distance from the whales.
Day 9: Explore Mirissa
Mirissa
- Parrot Rock & Mirissa beach sunset · 2 h. Wade across only at low tide.
- Dondra Head lighthouse (southernmost point) · 1.5 h
Local tip: Wade across only at low tide.
Day 10: Mirissa → Galle
Galle · Mirissa to Galle, Private car ~1h
- Galle Fort heritage walk & ramparts · 3 h. Lanes in the morning, ramparts from the clock tower to the lighthouse for sunset.
- Stilt fishermen at Koggala · 1 h. Most stilt fishermen now pose for visitors and charge for photos; agree the fee first.
Local tip: Lanes in the morning, ramparts from the clock tower to the lighthouse for sunset.
Day 11: Depart from Galle
Galle
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Colombo (1 night): Colombo 3 (Kollupitiya) and Colombo 7. Quiet streets near Gangaramaya, cafés and design shops.
- Kandy (2 nights): Hills above Kandy Lake (Lake Round area). Lake views, 5–10 min by tuk-tuk to the temple.
- Ella (3 nights): Ella Rock-side boutique stays (Kital Ella). Valley views and quieter nights near the Ella Rock trail.
- Mirissa (3 nights): Mirissa hillside and Weligama bay. Sea views and pools, close to the whale boats and surf schools.
- Galle (1 night): Inside Galle Fort (boutique guesthouses). Walk the ramparts at sunset and eat in the Fort.