Sri Lanka is a dazzlingly beautiful country, and there’s so much to see and do. Culture? Check. Beaches? Check. Nature? Absolutely. And it’s bigger than you think — for the extremely geography-savvy, it’s just a bit larger than West Virginia. You could easily spend a month here and never get bored. But let’s say you have only a week or so, and you’re not looking to pack every minute with activity. This one-week Sri Lanka itinerary will help you plan a perfect seven-day trip.

Day 1: The Great Train Adventure

Starting in Colombo, head to Kandy or Nanu Oya for the train ride of your life!

Yes, this train ride really is all it’s cracked up to be. First of all, you’ll see fields, forests, villages that you just can’t see from a car. Secondly, if you book the right ticket, you can lean out of windows or doorways (the train doors just stay open) and see the Sri Lankan landscape right up close.

The best routes for scenery are either Kandy to Nanu Oya (the most convenient) or Nanu Oya to Ella (the most popular). It is possible to ride the train up into these hills all the way from Colombo, but that’s more time on the tracks than most people prefer.

Stay Overnight: In Nuwara Eliya

Day 2: Tea Plantations & Botanical Gardens

Spend the morning exploring the tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya.

The easiest way to see the tea plantations is just to strike out on foot on nearly any back road. The more expensive — and fun — way is to visit a plantation that offers tours, tastings, and tea “safaris” (we learned how to pick tea at Labookellie and had the time of our lives).

After a lunch of delicious dosas at Ambaal’s Pure Vegetarian, head south of town to the Hakgala Botanical Garden. The second-largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka, this place is really a wonder — and it’s definitely under-visited, so you may have it all to yourself.

Stay Overnight: In Nuwara Eliya

Day 3: Drive to Yala & The 9-Arch Bridge

This will mostly be a driving day, though you’ll definitely want to get out of the car to take the 20-minute hike to Sri Lanka’s famous Nine-Arch Bridge.

The walk to see this colonial engineering masterpiece is both hot and hilly, but worth it if you time your arrival to coincide with a train rumbling down the tracks (sadly, timetables may not help you with this. Afterwards, head into Ella and enjoy a mint iced tea at Chill Cafe — trust me, this is an iced tea marvel.

Then continue your drive, but take one more break to see Ravana Falls, one of the widest waterfalls in the country (and, as legend has it, the place where King Ravana of the Ramayana hid princess Sita in a cave, a revenge kidnapping for Sita’s husband having sliced off Ravana’s sister’s nose).

Stay Overnight: Somewhere near the Palatupana Entrance to Yala National Park

Day 4: Safari Day 1

It’s time to see animals! It wouldn’t be a visit to Sri Lanka without a wildlife safari.

Make sure you’ve booked an all-day safari at Yala National Park, which has the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Yala is divided into five different blocks, and you’ll want to plan to spend the entire day at Yala 1. I can recommend safaris organized by Wanderluxe Ceylon to help get you the best sightings (and to beat the line at the park entrance).

Stay Overnight: Somewhere near the Palatupana Entrance to Yala National Park

Day 5: Safari Day 2

You have two choices for an afternoon wildlife safari today: you can stay at Yala, but head out to blocks 4 and 5 …

… or you can take a slightly longer drive up to Udawalawe National Park.

Yala 4&5 and Udawalawe are both quieter and less crowded than Yala 1, so this day should be even more peaceful. You’ll likely see a broader diversity of animals at Yala, but Udawalawe is better if you want to see all elephants, all the time.

Stay Overnight: Either near Yala National Park or Udawalawe National Park, depending on where you’ve spent the day

Day 6: Beach Time

Sri Lanka has beautiful water!

Whether you’re in the mood for a swim, a beachside lounge, or a lazy afternoon at seaside café, you’ll be spoiled for choice. As you drive along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, beaches are everywhere—just dip off the main road and you’ll likely find one worth stopping for. One of the most popular is Unawatuna, known for its soft sand and seasonal surfing, snorkeling, and diving. It’s worth whiling away the hours here until sunset.

Stay Overnight: Galle

Day 7: Galle Fort

One of the most charming towns in Sri Lanka is Galle, which features a fortified city founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later expanded by the Dutch.

There’s so much to do in Galle Fort: walk the ramparts, shop at cute boutiques, eat at wonderful restaurants (don’t miss The Bungalow), visit old churches, and — of course — check out the famous Galle Lighthouse.

Stay Overnight: Galle

Tips: Important Things to Know Before You Go to Sri Lanka

• Getting Around: You will need a driver to make all of this happen; I highly recommend Sampath (you can find him here on Facebook or here on Instagram — tell him I say hi!). Renting a car or tuk-tuk is an option, but not necessarily a safe or a wise one.
• When To Visit: Thanks to two different monsoon systems, Sri Lanka’s weather varies widely by region and time of year. This will definitely impact your travel plans (for example, in August, the southern beaches can be rainy—so you’ll be better off heading east for sunshine). If you’re looking for the highest chances of consistently sunny weather, your best bet is to go sometime between late November and early April.
• Airport: Plan to fly in and out of Colombo, home to Sri Lanka’s major international airport.
• Is One Week Enough? You can see and do a lot in a single week! If you have more time, you might consider visiting:
  • Kandy — for temples
  • Sigiriya Rock — for a famous historical fortress
  • Polonnaruwa — for ancient ruins
  • Ella – for hiking

If you loved this itinerary and want to understand why more travelers should add Sri Lanka to their list, check out my post on Underrated Sri Lanka.