Visiting Sri Lanka and having the opportunity to explore through a road trip has always been a travel goal of mine.

I’d traveled solo to Sri Lanka and it was a challenging yet rewarding travel experience. It was challenging cause Sri Lanka was facing fuel problems when I’d visited, but never the less I had an enjoyable time.

Here is my 6 days itinerary on how I spent my time in Sri Lanka that perhaps could be helpful with planning your visit as well!

Day 1: March 21, 2022

🔶Flew into Colombo Airport at 8:30 AM.

🔷Cleared immigration which was a smooth process for me coming from the USA. Highly recommend checking what are the requirements when traveling as the rules changes constantly.

🔶My licensed Driver/Tour guy Niroshan was waiting for me at the airport so we can start my 6 days road trip in Sri Lanka. Please reach out and I’ll give his information if you are interested.

🔷Darn my big eyes 👀 were laser focus on exploring some street food…let’s go eat!!!!

All you need is 150 Rupees that’s less than $2 USD.

My licensed tour guide and driver Niroshan and I are having herbal soup for breakfast on the roadside. The Sri Lankans usually have this for breakfast. I totally appreciated the Street Vendor’s services.

About 2 hours later, I was introduced to this dessert called Buffalo Curd. It was too sweet cause it was served with rich honey. The Sri Lankans usually have this after lunch. The container it’s served in is made out of clay.

🔶Toured the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. It’s a cricket stadium in Sri Lanka. So Sri Lanka is known for their cricket matches. My father is a big cricket fan so this was a nice way to appreciate him for being the World’s best dad to me.

🔷Finally made it to Sigiriya, which is 3 hours from Colombo. Sigiriya, which is an Ancient City in Sri Lanka and it’s considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World.

Sigiriya means Lion Rock. So a fortress/palace was built on this gigantic rock that is about 600 feet high in the sky.

This place is epic to see in person and you’ll have a natural high if history is your thing.

There are too many stories around the birth of this place. In fact, there is no evidence or data to explain its purpose; even the experts can’t figure it out. All I have to say is this Lion Rock is like no other places in the world. It’s beautifully unique.

They have about 1200 plus steps that were built after it was found. The stairs were built for people like you and I to climb up. I’m just wondering how the workers arranged the bricks/stones on this rock so high up in the air. Like how did the king get to the top of the rock.

It cost $30 USD to hike the Lion Rick. I’d started hiking at 4:30 PM so I could see the sunset. The hike is about 1 hour or so.

🔶Spent the night at Hotel Back of Beyond – Pidurangala Kurulu Uyana, Pidurangala Dambulla 21120 Sri Lanka. This hotel is in the heart of Sigiriya. It’s very inexpensive and a great place to stay if you are on a budget and want to be close to nature. The rooms are like small private cottages.

Had curry chicken and coconut roti for dinner with a few beer. It was nice to hang in the tree house with my tour guide for a few hours. I’d met lots of other travelers from Europe there as well.

Day 2: March 22, 2022

🔶This activity was not initially part of my itinerary. I’d decided to hike the Pidurangala Rock 🪨 at 5:00 AM so I can see the sunrise at 6:15 AM.

Pidurangala Rock is the sister rock of the Lion Rock. A lot of folks tend to hike the Pidurangala Rock cause its cheaper to climb compared to the Lion Rock and you can get the same view on top of both rocks. I’d actually climbed both! It’s worth it!

It’s best to hike with a professional local tour guide or a trustworthy local. As you get to the top of the Pidurangala Rock, it becomes steeper and its smart to have a pal to have your back in case of any rock drama (there’s the possibility of losing your balance or need a push upwards)!

I’d also climbed barefooted. I wanted to be able to share my experiences with a monk I was going to meet later on. FYI , monks are known for walking barefoot to the Buddhist temples daily.

🔷So before I traveled to Sri Lanka I was well aware of the country’s economic situation. I knew they were facing a fuel challenge, but I was okay with being temporarily uncomfortable.

How was my experiences in Sigiryia?

📍Well I stayed a night in a cottage at Hotel Back of Beyond located in the jungle. I knew there were going to be scattered block-outs & I was unsure if my hotel had a generator as a backup. And I wasn’t sure how the food situation would be.

Good News!

The hotel staff made me feel so welcomed! They made my experience fulfilling and exceeded my expectation. Honestly I don’t know if there was a block out. Thankfully!

And they made me coconut roti and dhal for breakfast. The food was a lot for me so I shared this yummy breakfast with my tour guide Niroshan. And the left over I’d packaged it and gave it to the Sri Lankans in the village as I hit the road to my next destination. Thought this was appropriate since I had observed my surroundings the night before I’d entered my hotel.

I’m praying for All the Sri Lankans especially the ones I’d met and engaged with during my journey in Sri Lanka! They were very joy-able and sweet to me!

🔶Visited Dambulla Cave Temple. It’s the largest cave temple in Sri Lanka! It tells the story of Buddha and his life. There are over 150 Buddha Statues here. Had the opportunity to have a one on one discussion with a monk. This was the beginning of my spiritual journey.

🔷As we were driving to our next destination if spotted the Muthumariamman Temple in Matale, Sri Lanka. This temple has about 1008 statues. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve laid eyes on.

🔶Finally made it to Kandy City in Sri Lanka and I’d then made my way to the cultural center. I was able to see an authentic cultural performance. Haha! Saw a few of the local Sri Lankans walking on fire. Ouch!

🔷Now for dinner, I had Masala Dosa at one of the local restaurant in Kandy City, Sri Lanka. Omghosh! The Masala dosa was so delicious. It’s interesting to learn that the Sri Lankans also eat Masala dosa which happens to be a South Indian meal.

🔶Stayed the night at Kandy Hotel Yo 1/5, Mahamaya Mawatha Kandy Central Sri Lanka

Day 3: March 23, 2022

🔶Visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy City. This temple is the most sacred Buddhist temple in the world and Sri Lanka. It houses the tooth of Buddha. Monks, Buddhist followers and interested travelers like myself come from all over the world to spent some time here.

You must dress appropriately to get into the temple such as covering your shoulders and legs. Once you get into the temple you would need to take your shoes off; I’d asked if I could wear socks cause the ground was very hot to walk on outside of the temple.

I’d also met a monk here and spent some time with him. There are personal things I’d like to reflect on and give attention to annually. I usually seek spiritual guidance.

I’d also toured the temple with a local tour guide. And then I prayed with the local Sri Lankans; they are really really loving people.

🔷I’d also purchased a few books in Kandy City before we made our way to Nuwara Eliya.

🔶And I was on my way to Damro Tea Factory; it’s one of the oldest tea plantation in Sri Lanka.

I’d met a few of the workers in the Tea plantation. They pluck the Ceylon tea leaves 🍃 then it gets send to the tea factory to process so we can have tea. So traditionally women are the only ones in Sri Lanka that have the privilege to pluck the Ceylon tea leaves. Talk about job security. Lol! I’d spent about 15 minutes chatting with them. They are so funny and crazy like me. Haha!! I still remember their laughters as I’m putting this blog post together.

Once you get up to Damro Tea Factory; they give you Ceylon tea with cake. Then you start the tour where the tour guides their teach you the process on how the Ceylon tea leaves 🍃 turn into tea. It’s very interesting; if you didn’t know Sri Lanka manufactures the world’s most recognized tea that’s calls Ceylon black tea.

🔷Stayed a night at Villa Mount Royal in Nuwara Eliya. It’s a gorgeous hotel with such a lovely view of the mountains. And enjoyed dinner with my tour guide. We had chicken curry, rice, dhal and lots of curry vegetables.

Day 4: March 24, 2022

🔶Had delicious tea and enjoyed the view at Villa Mount Royal in Nuwara Eliya hotel.

🔷Took a drive to Ambewela’s farm. It’s the New Zealand of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately the farm was closed due to Covid, but I was able to enjoy the scenery.

🔶 🚆 Took the train from Nuwaraeliya to Ella in Sri Lanka. Craziest thing I did in Sri Lanka!

When in Sri Lanka its dope to travel by train from Nuwaraeliya to Ella. It’s a beautiful train ride and you’ll get to see the gorgeous scenery the country has to offer! The train ride is about 3 hours, but they make about 20 stops.

So train tickets must be booked in advance such as a month. I was doing a traveling blog for a friend so she’d booked my ticket for me.

On my train journey I’d engaged with one of the worker on the train. He kept telling me how I’d looked like a Sri Lankan woman; that made me felt awesome…perhaps my ancestors were from Sri Lanka since it used to be part of India.

I’d also met a fellow solo female traveler from USA. How cool that she’s Egyptian!

🔷 Made it to Little Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka

Phew! This was my last hike in Sri Lanka! I’d hiked Little Adam’s Peak in Ella. It’s a fairly decent hike if you are in okay shape like me. The hike takes 2 hours to get to the top.

A lot of folks hike Little Adam’s Peak in search of Buddha’s footprint. Yup, I found it! 😊

Get ready to appreciate and indulge with nature and see some really spectacular views/landscapes Ella has to offer.

So I didn’t make it to Big Adam’s Peak since I had only one day in Ella!

🔶Visited the nine arch bridge in Ella. It’s so gorgeous with the most beautiful view. It’s a short hike to the bridge. Be careful with taking pics near the edges. Also be ready to see the trains passing by. Too cool!

🔷When in Ella, I totally recommend visiting Cafe Chill. It’s the hottest restaurant in Ella. It’s more for tourists to chill. The drinks and food are absolutely inexpensive. I’m a fan of their Moscow mules. Yummy!

🔶Highly recommend staying a night at Poomaz Peace Palace – Ella, you’ll have the most gorgeous view of Big Adam’s Peak.

Day 5: March 25, 2022

🔶Had delicious tea and enjoyed the view at Poomaz Peace Palace – Ella, you’ll have the most gorgeous view of Big Adam’s Peak.

🔷Take in the beauty of Ramboda waterfall. It’s the most gorgeous waterfall in Ella and it’s convenient to visit as its in the heart of the city. Definitely visit to cool yourself down especially when the weather is really steaming hot in Sri Lanka.

🔶Made it to Udawalaw, Sri Lanka. There is not much to do here, but tour the safari.

🔷Had an authentic Sri Lankan lunch at one of the local restaurant in Udawalaw. Highly recommend trying jackfruit curry and red rice.

🔶Spent a few hours with a Sri Lankan family and had the opportunity to learn about their daily lifestyle. The Sri Lankans are very pleasant people and easy going.

🔷 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🤣 🥰Udawalawa, Sri Lanka #bucketlistcheck✅

I’d totally dedicated a good chunk of my day exploring Udawalawa’s Safari, where I’d stalked/observed elephants 🐘🐘🐘. I’d seriously wanted to understand how they do things solo or as a family. Plus I was doing a travel blog for a travel blogger friend. Sweet opportunity!

Basically I and other travelers were sitting in our safari jeeps for hours watching how the 🐘 🐘🐘behave and make their moves. Ummh they are kinda like us humans! Say what?!!!

Oh how I ❤️ you Sri Lanka 🇱🇰!

🔶Spent the night at Hantara Udawalawa. It’s a really inexpensive hotel in the heart of Udawalawa. It’s an excellent place to get close with nature. Also had some delicious fried chicken noodles Sri Lankan style for dinner. Yummy!

Day 6: March 26, 2022

🔶Had a simple breakfast at Hantara Udawalawa hotel.

🔷On our way from Udawalawa to Colombo. It’s about a 3 hour drive.

🔶Stopped at a local mall to purchase some sovereigns. Had the most delicious fried chicken for lunch. Yummy! I didn’t want to have anything spicy since I was flying back home that evening.

🔷Visited Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. It’s a temple to worship and learn. I hang with a monk for a few hours and he read to me.

🔶Freshen up at this local hotel in Colombo before going back to the airport since my flight was like 16 hours as I head back to NYC!

🔷If you are interested in exploring with my licensed and professional tour guide Niroshan, please let me know and I’ll pass along his information.

Hopeful this blog gives you a taste of how beautiful the country Sri Lanka is all about.

Thank you for your taking the time to read my blog.

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