Sri Lanka is a tiny island in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka is only 65610 km²in extent. The island is best described as an island of paradise. This tiny island is the navigational hub of the Orient in the ancient world. This resplendent island encompasses a large number of tourist attractions within its small area. The island harbors more than 1300km of pristine beaches, wildlife reserves, primeval rainforests, rivers, lakes, green-capped mountains, thousands of years old ancient monuments and many many more. With such a large number of popular places to visit in Sri Lanka, it sure lives up to its reputation of being an “island of tourist paradise”. Venturing on a 2 days trip in Sri Lanka is a choice of a large number of travelers in Sri Lanka. It allows them to see many interesting places within just a 2 days time. This blog post is based on the 12 best two-day trip places in Sri Lanka. These 12 places have been carefully chosen based on the feedback received from our previous customers.
IS SRI LANKA WORTH VISITING?
YES, Sri Lanka is worth visiting, here are the 20 best reasons to visit Sri Lanka and venture on 2 days trip.
- You are safe in the hands of the most generous people in the world
- Best value for money
- Delicious and spicy seafood
- Some of the oldest monuments in the world
- And the madness of Colombo
- You can witness the Kandyan cultural show
- The wildlife is incredible
- Wonderful rail journeys
- You can cruise along the rivers
- There is a cultural triangle
- A wide range of activities
- Accessibility
- Endless Choices
- Primeval rain forests
- Adrenaline pumping thrilling experiences
- It is safe in Sri Lanka
- Rejuvenate and relax your mind and body with Ayurveda
- Experience a bit of Dutch colonial heritage
- There is a piece of Paradise
- See the Giant blue whales at their doorstep
WHAT ARE THE 7 BEST 2 DAYS TRIP IN SRI LANKA?
- 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya with the train journey
- 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka (adventure) to Kitulgala with Kandy
- 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka to Galle, Bentota, Hikkaduwa With Whale Watching
- The Essence of Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle- Kandy and Sigiriya Tour
- 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka With Yala Safari And Galle Fort
- 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka- cultural Triangle Mini with Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa
- 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR 2 DAYS TRIP SRI LANKA?
- NOVEMBER TO APRIL IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SRI LANKA’S WEST COAST AND SOUTHERN COAST
- APRIL TO NOVEMBER IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO SRI LANKA NORTH AND EAST COAST
WHY VISIT SRI LANKA? IS SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP WORTH IT?
2020 will come to the end in another 1 month and we welcome 2021 with great hopes for a new adventure while planning on our tours to interesting holiday destinations around the world! This blog post is under the heading of Visit Sri Lanka, is it worth it? In the article, we highlight 19 reasons to justify, your visit to Sri Lanka.
“Is Sri Lanka worth visiting?“, “What to visit in Sri Lanka?”, “What to visit in Sri Lanka?“,” Where to visit in Sri Lanka?”, ” Why to visit Sri Lanka?“, these are some of the popular questions that we get from our readers. I have also seen these phrases very often on Quora and wright answer to them as much as possible. Why do we get so many questions about visiting Sri Lanka? Invariably it means that there are a large number of people looking for information about visiting Sri Lanka, and they are lack information on this subject.
We also receive a large number of emails asking the same kind of questions. That’s why we started to provide free consultation for travelers, who need local expertise to plan Sri Lanka tour packages, Seerendipity tours do not charge anything being helpful to you. Same time this blog post is written on several key areas to prove, why you should visit Sri Lanka.
SRI LANKA IN A HOLIDAY DESTINATION PERSPECTIVE
Sri Lanka is a tiny island in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka is only 65610 km²in extent. The island is best described as an island of paradise. This tiny island is the navigational hub of the Orient in the ancient world. This resplendent island encompasses a large number of tourist attractions within its small area. The island harbors more than 1300km of pristine beaches, wildlife reserves, primeval rainforests, rivers, lakes, green-capped mountains, thousands of years old ancient monuments and many many more. With such a large number of popular places to visit in Sri Lanka, it sure lives up to its reputation of being an “island of tourist paradise”.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS FOR YOUR 2 DAY TRIPS IN SRI LANKA
This Resplendent island is a tourist paradise with a large number of places to visit such as sun-drenched beaches, glorious ancient cities, salubrious hill country, beautiful fauna & flora, engraving temples of Buddha, exquisite handicrafts, world-renowned gems, traditional dance & drama, colorful festivals, warm and friendly people and not forgetting the heavenly Sri Lankan cuisine.
Home to twenty-seven national parks of various sizes, occupying more than 5734 sq Km and Sri Lanka is home to seven UNESCO world heritage sites including one of the oldest rain forests in the world known as Sinharaja. There are dozens of cultural and historical sites with thousands of crumbling monuments, among the top places to visit in Sri Lanka.
If you are a beach holiday lover more than 1600 km of pristine coastline around the country awaits you. Sri Lanka, the beautiful tropical island already boasts itself as one of the best countries to travel to, attracts many million travelers every year and Sri Lanka is one of the most beloved and enchanting to them.
INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES FOR SRI LANKA
The island has been recognized as a leading holiday destination in the world, that’s why the island has been able to win many international accolades in the past.
As 2019 wrapped up very soon, readers of the Conde Nast Travellers (US-based upmarket travel publication), have chosen Sri Lanka as the 4th best country to travel to in 2019. 2019 had been a devastating year for the island’s tourism industry due to the Easter Sunday attack; however, the island has been able to maintain its popularity despite the massacre.
The latest international accolade is the best winter holiday destination in the world for 2019. USA Today chooses the best winter holiday destination every year and for 2019 Sri Lanka has been chosen as the best winter holiday destination among many leading countries such as Galapagos island, Dubai-United Arab emirates, Vietnam.
The 32nd Reader’s Choice Awards of the Conde Nast Traveler published in November showed Sri Lanka coming in behind Thailand, Indonesia and Portugal. Saying that “big things come in small packages,” Conde Nast highlighted the variety of things to do and see on the island, from crumbling historical monuments and reserves to tea plantations and pristine beaches. The magazine also commend the effort of the country to get the industry back on its track with initiatives such as visa on arrival, and free visa program, which had been able to accelerate the recovery
1. MEET THE MOST GENEROUS PEOPLE IN THE WORLD IN YOUR SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP
Nuseir Yasin, a popular Video Blogger from Israel had recently named Sri Lanka as the most generous nation in the world, based on his experience with other tourists during the COVID 19 pandemic.
His company had created a below video and published it on YouTube while elaborating the reason for his experience.
During the catastrophic COVID 19 pandemic, a large number of tourists were stranded in holiday destinations around the world, due to the sudden closure of the airports. Tourists were unable to return to their home countries. Most tourists were short of money and desperately looking for help to survive. The tourists around the world were facing many hardships due to unexpected situations. But, in Sri Lanka, it was a different story.
More than 10000 tourists were stranded in Sri Lanka during COVID 19. The Sri Lankan government also imposed a curfew over the entire island in the second week of March and closed the airport and harbors. No one knew when the curfew would be withdrawn. Tourists, as well as the locals, were not aware of what would come next!
However, none of the tourists, who were stranded in the country was subjected to any difficulties due to the sudden closure of the airport and the curfew. Fortunately, the tourists in Sri Lanka had a totally different experience. Because Sri Lanka is one of the most friendly nations in the world.
The people had come forward and extended assistance to the tourists. The tourists were accommodated with local families and provided food and all other facilities until they leave for their home country. Everything was done voluntarily by the local people. Some tourists were staying for about 2 months with local families.
On the other hand, the Sri Lankan tourist board with tourist police had also launched another program on the state level to help the foreign travelers stranded on the island.
Most tourists, who experienced this local hospitality have highly praised the support given to them by local families.
A similar kind of hospitality and generosity was displayed by the people of Sri Lanka during the Tsunami in 2004. Which was a more magnitude catastrophe and caused much large damage to the people of Sri Lanka.
A large number of beach hotels were severely damaged during the Tsunami and hampered their service. Therefore a large number of tourists, who were staying on the beach areas had to resort to some other form of accommodation, food, clothing and other facilities. Most tourists had no money at all as all their valuables were washed away with the giant waves.
It was local people in the southern and western coast who came forward to help foreign tourists, who were stranded in beach hotels. The foreigners were given shelter, food and all necessary things until they leave for their home country.
There had been many such incidents in the past, providing relief to foreign travelers during difficult situations. Tsunami and COVID pandemics had been the most disastrous calamities that we faced during the recent past. Local people had gone through a difficult time on both occasions. So are the foreign tourists, who were staying on the island at that time. But fortunately, none of the foreigners was neglected during the difficult period by the local people. The foreign tourists were taken care of by the locals made sure they are safe as long as they are in Sri Lanka.
2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE BEST VALUE FOR THE 2 DAYS TRIP
Sri Lanka is worth visiting because the island is one of the cheapest holiday destinations in Asia. With the escalating prices in other countries prices are down by a third in Sri Lanka, therefore Sri Lanka has become one of the best long-haul destinations among budget-conscious travelers seeking a holiday on a beautiful tropical island.
Sri Lanka is 38 percent cheaper than Thailand according to Expatistan, the nearest rival on the list of affordable long-haul holiday spots. When it comes to prices of 10 items, including a bottle of water, a beer, sun cream, insect repellent, postcards and a three-course meal for two with wine, Sri Lanka came out as the best-value destination for the second year in a row Thailand followed and Vietnam close behind.
3. WHY SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP? BECAUSE YOU CAN EAT MOUTHWATERING DELICIOUS SEAFOOD
Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the fishing industry is a thriving industry on the island. Sri Lanka exports a large amount of seafood to many countries around the world. A large number of fish varieties can be found here such as barracuda, shrimps, lobster, crabs, etc. Perhaps there is no other country in the regions that can offer the range of seafood that Sri Lanka does.
Rice is the staple diet in Sri Lanka and is served with spicy curry varieties such as fish curry, and vegetable curry. Some of the most popular varieties of curries are fish curry, mutton curry, vegetable curry, dhal curry, chutney and papadam, these varieties can usually be harder to find in most countries around the world.
4. WHY SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP? BECAUSE YOU SEE ONE OF THE OLDEST CULTURES IN THE WORLD
Sri Lank is home to a large number of historical monuments. Some of these monuments are many thousands of years old. Most historical places of Sri Lanka are to be found in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, in the central province. So don’t forget to add a cultural triangle tour to your Sri Lanka tour.
5. WHY VISIT COLOMBO? TO WITNESS A 21ST CENTURY METROPOLIS
Colombo is a cultural melting pot with a large number of ethnic groups and religious groups. Colombo is a pulsating megalopolis that restrains and invigorates in equal measure (like most Sri Lanka cities). However a tour to Colombo is well worth your time, it will reveal a side you may not have known about this city; discover parks that lie under thick green covers that visited by yoga enthusiasts, wander around lavish Buddhist temples, shop at Bustling street markets, drop into the colonial edifies and rejuvenate your mind and body in Ayurveda spa.
6. WHY SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP? TO SEE THE KANDYAN CULTURAL SHOW
Kandyan cultural show takes place in the city of Kandy and is one of the most popular events in the city. Kandyan cultural show is a place to witness the various dance performances of Sri Lanka dancers. It is also a place to see the performances of Sri Lankan musicians using typical Sri Lankan musical instruments.
7. WHERE TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA TO SEE WILDLIFE IN 2 DAYS?
Experience the 2 days tour to Galle, Yala, and southern Sri Lanka with a safari to Yala national park to spot leopards, bears, elephants and many other wild animals. Or choose one of the leading national parks and make a day tour to witness the wildlife galore of Sri Lanka. Notable national parks to include in your Sri Lanka wildlife tour are Yala national park, Udawalawe national park, Minneriya national park and Wilpattu national park.
8. WHY 2 DAY TRIPS IN SRI LANKA? EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEYS IN THE WORLD
Traveling by train in Sri Lanka will be a memorable experience for any traveler. Sri Lanka has a well-developed railway network connecting all corners of the island. Upcountry railway trips, as well as the rail journey along the coastal belt, are considered to be some of the best, some of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Especially the rail journey in the mountain between Kandy and Ella is considered to be one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. This rail trip rewards you with breathtaking scenery across the tea gardens, patches of forests, mountains, and valleys.
Madu River Boat Ride / Madu River Safari Important Fact You Need To Know
9. SRI LANKA 2 DAY TRIPS FOR BOATING?
Sri Lanka has a maze of winding rivers, canals and lakes, most of these winding paths were widely used during the Dutch colonial era, in order to transport goods. Today these water resources are irrigating rice fields and it is a valuable source of fish. Apart from the aforementioned utilities inland water resources are used for various types of water sports such as kayaking, Whitewater rafting, boating etc.
10. SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIPS INTO THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE.
The cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy mark three corners of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. The cultural triangle is home to a large number of two-day trip places in Sri Lanka such as Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy. There are many historical monuments with historical and religious importance within the cultural triangle. The cultural triangle is included in most Sri Lanka road trips because of its cultural splendor. The cultural triangle includes the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, the Tooth relic temple, Sri Maha Bodhi and many dozens of other important monuments.
11. WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN SRI LANKA FOR TRAVELLERS?
From some of the oldest archaeological sites such as Anuradhapura to unbelievable scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities to see wildlife in Yala national park, this tropical island offers the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities and experiences for every traveler to enjoy. Pristine beaches with crystal clear waters of the Indian ocean provide you best spots to enjoy the sun, sea and sand. This tropical island harbors many best-ranked beaches in the world such as Unawatuna, Pasikudah and creates a heaven for beach holiday lovers.
12. TRAVELLING ON SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP
Although international travelers are deprived of land accessibility to the island of Sri Lanka, travelers can access the island from any part of the world using sea and air transport. Sri Lanka is well connected with all countries around the globe and provides several hundred flights every day to all corners of the world.
Other than being a country with well-connected air transport from the outside world, Sri Lanka boasts to be a popular destination with several ports that are visited by regular international cruise ships. Sri Lanka has earned a reputation being a hub in the international sea route between east and west.
In the early days, there had been a port in southern Sri Lanka, and which was called Godawaya. It is a well-known fact that Godawaya port was a popular port of call for a large number of sailing ships, that were traveling between east and west. Due to the proximity to the international sea line between east and west, Sri Lanka is still attracting a large number of ships every year and there are several passenger ships among them carrying a large number of tourists to the country.
The internal infrastructure is also well developed within the country and provides a well-developed road, air and rail transport. The addition of highways in the recent past can be identified as the most effective development of the effective transport system in the country. Now you can curtail the traveling time between the airport and deep south of Sri Lanka almost by 3 hours by using the highway.
Another drawcard is the curtailed traveling time between tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. It does not take many hours to travel between attractions on the island like in most other holiday destinations, mainly due to its proximity from one place to another. Cultural sites, historical cities, rain forest, national parks, rivers, waterfalls all are packed into this small island and the distance between the attractions does not demand travelers to spend days traveling between them.
13. SRI LANKA 2 DAY TRIPS: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
If you travel on a tight budget or like to have a luxurious tour, Sri Lanka has just the thing for you. Since tourism has become an important factor for Sri Lanka’s economy and draws a large number of hard currencies to the country, there are a large number of tour operators, accommodation providers and experiences to choose from.
Due to the well-developed tourism infrastructure, you can make sure that you have a hassle-free enjoyable holiday on the island. But special attention should be drawn if you plan to have your Sri Lanka tour from November to April especially during the months of December and January. Pre-planning is very important at this time of the year to make sure that you have a hassle-free holiday.
Most numbers of foreign tourists arrive on the island from November to April and therefore last moment hotel booking, booking transportation and procuring other services might be difficult during this period.
It is advisable to make all your tour arrangements through tour operators such as Seerendipity tour, they make sure that all your requirements for a peaceful holiday are fulfilled while they will arrange the tour at an affordable rate. November to April is the peak tourist season in Sri Lanka, parallel to the winter season in Europe. Usually, hotel rates and costs for other services are considerably increased during this period every year.
14. WHAT TO VISIT ON SRI LANKA 2 DAY TRIPS TO SEE TROPICAL FORESTS
Adventure Tour in Sri Lanka, Sinharaja
Sri Lanka is very rich in natural resources such as tropical forests and beaches, waterfalls, unspoiled wildlife, and many natural forest reserves, National Parks and sanctuaries. The biodiversity of the country is one of the highest in South Asia, and Sri Lanka is the home of many endemic species of fauna and flora in the region.
Two of the natural sites, Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (2010) and Sinharaja Forest Reserve (1988), have been designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Sinharaja Forest Reserve is known in Sri Lanka as a living heritage (Sinharaja forest is the largest extant Gondwana forest in southern Asia, the Gondwana super-continent existed 180 million years ago).
The forest has a very rich biodiversity with most vegetation endemic to the country. Along with the Sinharaja forest reserve Sri Lanka boast to have 6 other world heritage sites (Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Galle,) declared by the UNICEF.
15. SRI LANKA 2 DAY TRIPS: VARIETY OF ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Sri Lanka Adventure Tour With Hill Country And Beach
Sri Lanka possesses varying geographical features such as mountains, the south-central part of the island features some mountains and steep-sided river canyons. The highest mountain is called Pidurutalaga, and the pinnacle of the mountain is located above 2400 meters above sea level. This region attracts a large number of adventure enthusiasts and provides opportunities for trekking, mountain climbing, Whitewater rafting, caving, mountain biking and many other adventure activities.
16. SRI LANKA 2 DAY TRIPS IS IT SAFE?
After the 30 years of civil war (the civil war ended in 2009), Sri Lanka has become the best country to live in South Asia and it is one of the safest places for holidaymakers around the world. While in most Asian countries civil unrest, political unrest, terrorist activities pose a threat to travelers Sri Lanka offers one of the most peaceful environments for holidaymakers. Therefore Sri Lanka is experiencing a tourism boom at present.
Sri Lanka is being known to the world since the pre-Christian era, historical sources reveal about the foreigners who had to be here for various reasons such as trade, religion, and fact-finding missions in the past. Some of the noteworthy people who had been here are Ptolemy, Fa-Hien (Chinese monk), Marko polo, Lorenzo de Almeida.
Sri Lanka is one of the most peaceful countries in the regions with no political unrest. This beautiful country is granted an accolade from the united states being one of the most peaceful countries in the world and the federal government has issued the least travel advisory for the country in 2018. Even though there had been some disturbances in the political front until 2009, now the island has political stability.
Sri Lanka is a popular nation in the world for its hospitality and Sri Lankan folks are popular for being very friendly- therefore you will not feel like being a foreigner in this beautiful country.
17. 2 DAY TRIPS IN SRI LANKA TO REJUVENATE THE MIND & BODY
Sri Lanka is also popular for Ayurveda treatments and spas. Purely organic ingredients are used in Ayurveda treatments and various kinds of herbal oil are made using leaves, fruits, bark, flowers and roots of plants and trees. There are many Ayurveda treatment centers and spas in the main cities. Many hotels have started their own Ayurveda spas for in-house guests. If you have the time it is worth visiting an Ayurveda spice garden, where you can get an idea about Ayurveda while taking a glimpse of various trees and plants that are been used to produce Ayurveda medicine.
18. 2 DAY SRI LANKA TRIPS: TO EXPERIENCE A BIT OF DUTCH COLONIAL HERITAGE
At least it is Galle, a pocket-sized walled city (Dutch fort) located along the beaches of southern Sri Lanka which Dutch east India company ruled between 1656 to 1796. Today Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is an architectural masterpiece with a large number of houses, palaces, churches, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, art galleries, museums and many other important and attractive places for tourists.
19. VISIT SRI LANKA IN 2 DAYS: RELAX ON THE PRISTINE BEACHES
Colombo is good, but if you like swaying palms, snow-white sandy beaches and turquoise water, and then head to the west and southern coast of Sri Lanka. These isolated beaches are heaven for sun, sand and sea lovers. The sea off the west and southern coast of Sri Lanka offers some of the best diving sites in the region and is, by the most meaning of the word, paradise. If you travel to the island from November to April the East coast and the south coast is the best for a beach stay.
20. SRI LANKA 2 DAY TRIPS: TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK INTO THE BLUE WHALES
Have Fun With Whale Watching In Sri Lanka
The sea off Sri Lanka’s South-West coast. Mirissa is ranked among the best places to spot blue whales and sperm whales in the world. A large number of foreign travelers, who visit Sri Lanka, take part in this memorable whale watching trip in Mirissa. The main whale watching tour season on the island starts in October every year, parallel to the North-East monsoon and whale watching season lasts about 8 months. During the whale watching season, travelers can easily spot giant blue whales off the Mirissa beach due to a large concentration of them. At the start of the North-East monsoon, the number of whales in the area is considerably increased due to the migration of a large number of whales to the waters of Sri Lanka from the Arabian Sea.
WHAT ARE THE 12 BEST 2 DAY TRIP PLACES IN SRI LANKA?
- 1. Sigiriya rock fortress-170 km from Colombo
- 2. Dambulla cave temple-160 km from Colombo
- 3. Kandy-117 km from Colombo
- 4. Yala national park-166 km from Colombo
- 5. Nuwara Eliya and hill country -126 km from Colombo
- 6. Polonnaruwa ancient city-230 km from Colombo
- 7. Galle-120 km from Colombo
- 8. Mirissa beach-152 km from Colombo
- 9. Udawalawe national park -150 km from Colombo
- 10. Adam’s peak mountain-137 km from the airport
- 11. Kitulgala-90 km from Colombo
- 12 Sinharaja rain forest -138 km from Airport
1. SIGIRIYA-170 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOUR DRIVE, SIGIRIYA IS TOP ON THE LIST OF TWO DAYS TRIP PLACES IN SRI LANKA
Sigiriya is one of the very popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and it is one of the popular two-day trip places in Sri Lanka. The 2 day trip of Sri Lanka to Sigiriya rock fortress rank among the best activities for travelers, you will ascertain its popularity upon reaching the site. You will encounter hordes of tourists at any time of the day here. The hike at Sigiriya takes around 3 hours, it includes an upward and downward journey, the time required to see the ruins and enjoy the scenery. However, the starting time of your hike is a crucial factor and largely decides how long you need to do the hike. Starting the hike at early hours is highly recommended thereby you can avoid the pilgrims and other travelers, who piling up on the queue to the summit. So the best way of exploring the Sigiriya fortress is to have an overnight stay near the rock and start the hike early morning (07.00 am) the next day.
Sigiriya rock
By far Sigiriya rock is the most visited tourist attraction on the island and attracts many thousands of travelers every day. Visiting the Sigiriya rock fortress is the main reason you booked this Sri Lanka 2 day trip.
This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world with gardens, swimming pools, palaces, ponds, caves, audience hall, and ancient paintings. Sigiriya is under the purview of the Sri Lanka archaeological department and visitors are required to purchase the entrance ticket, which cost US$35.00.
Pidurangala temple
Another historical monument but it has far less importance compared to the rock, This Buddhist temple also dates back to the 5th century AD and was patronage by the founder of Sigiriya rock fortress, King Kashyapa. The beautiful temple is to be found a few kilometers away from the rock and houses many Buddha statues and temple paintings.
Dambulla cave temple
Rank among the top tourist attraction on the island, the Dambulla cave temple is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its historical value. Dambulla cave temple is one of the oldest cave temples in the world dating back to the 1st century BC. More than a hundred Buddha statues, god figures, and Buddhist paintings are to be found in the temple.
Minneriya National Park
Even though Minneriya national park is not coming under popular two-day trip place in Sri Lanka, a large number of travelers visit it on their trip to the cultural triangle. Exploring wildlife on foreign soil is a thrilling experience that most travelers like to do. You have the opportunity to take a jeep safari at Minneriya national park on this Sri Lanka two-day tour, however, it is subject to the availability of time. If you have started your Sri Lanka 2 day tour from Negombo or Colombo, you will be able to find time for the safari. However, if you finish the Sri Lanka two-day tour in southern Sri Lanka cities such as Bentota, Galle you might not able to find time for it.
2. DAMBULLA -160 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE, DAMBULLA COMING IN THE 2nd PLACE ON THE LIST OF TWO DAYS TRIP PLACES IN SRI LANKA
Dambulla cave temple
Another important tourist attraction in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka and is another UNESCO world heritage site. The temple is believed to be used as the residence of King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC when the capital (Anuradhapura) was invaded by the south Indian Chola army. Later the king returned to Kandy by defeating the Chola army.
Dambulla cave temple is located very close to Dambulla town and it takes only a few minutes to reach it from Dambulla city center. If you are coming from places like Bentota, Galle, or Negombo and heading to historical places such as Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, invariably you have to pass Dambulla, which means you can visit Dambulla cave temple without any extra drive. Usually, Sri Lanka 2 day tour to Sigiriya includes the Dambulla cave temple in the program. The entrance fee to Dambulla is US$ 10.00 P.P, Dambulla is a cave temple and required to properly dress upon entering the site.
Other important tourist places that you can visit along with the Dambulla cave temple on a 2 day trip in Sri Lanka are
- Minneriya national park
- Pinnawala elephant orphanage
- Sigiriya rock fortress
- Hiriwadunna village (village tour and cooking class)
3. KANDY-117 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE FROM COLOMBO
Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Kandy is a historical city with a large number of Buddhist temples and is also regarded as the cultural center of Sri Lanka. Kandy is surrounded by many interesting places to visit such as botanical gardens, temples, tea gardens, lakes and rivers, wildlife sanctuaries, cultural shows, and the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. Kandy is one of the best places for the top-notch shopping experience, where you can buy gems and jewelry, clothing, leather products, tea, spices and souvenirs.
Other important tourist places that you can visit along with Kandy on a 2 day trip in Sri Lanka are
- Tooth relic temple
- Historical museum
- tea museum
- Royal botanical garden
- Kandy lake (boating)
- tea factory
- Pinnawala elephant orphanage
- Kandyan cultural show
- Highlights – Sinharaja Rainforest, Udawattakele, Galway’s bird sanctuary, Horton plains, White water rafting, Udawalawe national park, Yala national park, waterfalls, Spice garden, tooth relic temple, tea factory and plantation, Bentota beach
- Duration-5 Days
- Start/End-Colombo
- Transport-Private vehicle
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Meals-Breakfast and Dinner
4. YALA NATIONAL PARK-166 KM FROM COLOMBO-5+ HOURS DRIVE FROM COLOMBO
Can be explored in a 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Sri Lanka 2 days tour package to Yala is one of the very popular activities among foreign travelers because it enables them to see one of the rarest animals in the world, the leopard. The 2 days trip to Yala can be booked from 40+ hotels in western and southern Sri Lanka. The 2 days trip in Sri Lanka is available either with a full-day Yala safari or a regular 3 hours jeep safari.
Both versions of the trip usually include few other important places such as
- Galle fortress
- Hikkaduwa beach
- Madu River estuary
- Sea turtle conservation project
- Mask Museum
5. NUWARA ELIYA-126 KM FROM COLOMBO-4+ HOURS DRIVE FROM COLOMBO
Can be explored in a 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
The drive from Colombo and most other beach resorts on the west coast take around 3 hours due to a large number of bends on the steep road. Nuwara Eliya sits 1800 meters above sea level and which is the main reason for its popularity as a holiday destination. Nuwara Eliya is a holiday destination with a healing climate, where the temperature hovering around 20 degrees Celsius. Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by mountains peaks as well as tea gardens. Unlike most other 2 day trips in Sri Lanka, you will not encounter many religious sites here, most importantly it is highly unlikely to visit a Buddhist temple with historical importance. However you will visit the Sita temple and Hanuman temple, both are Hindu shrines.
Important tourist places that you can visit along with Nuwara Eliya city on a 2 day trip in Sri Lanka to Nuwara Eliya are
- Gregory lake, tea factory
- Ambewela farm
- Horton plains national park
- strawberry farm
- Sita temple
- Waterfalls
- Haggala botanical garden
- Victoria park
6. POLONNARUWA-230 KM FROM COLOMBO-4+ HOURS DRIVE
Can be explored in a 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
The historical city of Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan kings in the 11th century ruled the island from Polonnaruwa. The historical city of Polonnaruwa hides many dozens of historical monuments that are dating back many centuries. The main reason for venturing on a 2 day Sri lank trip to Polonnaruwa is visiting the historical monuments because Polonnaruwa is a living testimony of the rich culture and history of ancient Sri Lanka. You can see parks, lakes, gardens, palaces, temples and many other historical monuments.
Important tourist places that you can visit along with Polonnaruwa on this 2 day trip in Sri Lanka are
- Sigiriya rock fortress
- Dambulla cave temple
- Minneriya national park (safari)
- spice garden
- handicraft centre
- Hiriwadunna village (village tour and cooking class)
- Pinnawala elephant orphanage
7. GALLE-120 KM FROM COLOMBO-2+ HOURS DRIVE
Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Galle is the capital of southern Sri Lanka and a popular beach resort. Galle Fort is the most popular landmark in the city and is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its historical importance. Galle Fort is the best preserved Dutch build Fort in the region and it dates back to the 15th century AD. The Fort is protected by a huge wall and inside the fort is a complete city with big houses, offices. Today most buildings function as hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shops, cafes, bars and, museums. Take a stroll along the cobble-stoned narrow streets and see the well-preserved Dutch-built mansions in the old Dutch style.
Important tourist places that can be visited on this 2 day trip in Sri Lanka are,
- Hikkaduwa beach
- Madu River estuary
- Bentota beach
- Mask museum
- Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary
- Sea turtle conservation project
- Moonstone mines
8. MIRISSA-152 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE
Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Mirissa is the whale watching hub in Asia and one of the most popular spots for whale watching tours in the world. Mirissa is one of the two-day trip places in Sri Lanka and attracts a large number of travelers every day. Mirissa had been a popular beach resort in the south but today it is more than a beach resort due to the popularity of whale watching tours. A large number of travelers set off on boasts from Mirissa in search of blue whales, sperm whales. Spotting whales is quite easy in Mirissa, especially from November to April as a large number of whales migrate to the Sri Lankan waters from the Arabian Sea. Two day trip in Sri Lanka to Mirissa usually includes an overnight stay in Mirissa in view of the early departure of whale watching boats from the harbor.
Important tourist places that you can visit on this 2 day trip in Sri Lanka are,
- Galle fortress
- Hikkaduwa beach
- Madu River estuary
- Bentota beach
- Mask museum
- Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary
- Sea turtle conservation project
- Moonstone mines
9. UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK-150 KM FROM COLOMBO-4+ HOURS DRIVE
Can be explored in a 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Another popular two-day trip place in Sri Lanka. If you make a trip to Udawalawe it is purely due to the wildlife observation at Udawalawe national park, Udawalawe national park is one of the best places to sport a large gathering of wild elephants. The remote tourist attraction can be visited on a day trip from Colombo however if you would like to explore the national park without much haste, it is recommended to boos Sri Lanka 2 day trip to Udawalawe.
Important tourist places that you can visit on this 2 day trip in Sri Lanka are Galle fortress, Hikkaduwa beach; Udawalawe elephant transit camp, Madu River estuary, Bentota beach, Mask Museum, Hikkaduwa marine sanctuary, Sea turtle conservation project, Moonstone mines.
The two-day trip in Sri Lanka to Udawalawe national park can be easily combined with other tours such as a Yala national park tour, a whale watching trip and the Galle two-day trip.
10. ADAMS PEAK-137 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE
Can be explored in a 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
The 2 days trip in Sri Lanka to Adam’s peak is essentially involved with 5 hours hike to visit the footprint of Buddha, which resides at the pinnacle of the mountain. The hike can be a very tiring task making you rest for a few days at your hotel. However many travelers take this challenge and make the upward journey on their foot. The mountain sits in a reserve surrounded by lush green forest. The abundance of spellbinding scenery is the biggest reason for its popularity among foreign travelers.
- Kandy, Pinnawala elephant orphanage, tooth relic temple, royal botanical garden, Water rafting, jeep safari at Udawalawe national park, Boat tour at Madu river estuary, Bentota beach
- Duration-4 Days
- Places- Kandy, Udawalawe, Kitulgala, Bentota, Colombo
- Start/End-Colombo
- Transport-Private vehicle
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Meals-Breakfast and Dinner
11. KITULGALA-90 KM FROM COLOMBO-2+ HOUR DRIVE
Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Kitulgala is a popular day tour spot from Colombo and many other locations, however, with such a large number of interesting activities it offers Kitulgala is well deserved to be categorized as one of the best two-day trip places in Sri Lanka. A 2 days trip in Sri Lanka to Kitulgala will be a very thrilling and happening tour to most travelers, and it involves many adrenaline-pumping activities such as mountain climbing, rain forest trekking, water rafting, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and caving. Usually, the adventure lovers boo this trip and it is available from more than 40+ hotels in western and southern Sri Lanka as well as from the airport. The trip can be easily done on a day trip from Colombo with fewer activities such as water fasting, kayaking and jungle trekking.
- Highlights- Sinharaja rain forest trek 4 hours, Fresh water river bath (optional) exploring fascinating Fauna and Flora of the Rain forest
- Duration-1 Day
Places- Sinharaja, - Start/End-Colombo
- Transport-Private vehicle
12. SINHARAJA-138 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE
Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Visiting this most valuable natural asset of Sri Lanka would undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for any foreign traveler. The lush green forest of Sinharaja is one of the oldest patches of rainforest in the world and it’s its roots go back to many millennia (Gondwanaland era). You will be making trekking along the buffer zone of Sinharaja and you will see a bit of the natural wealth of the forest. The trek lasts about 3 hours and you will be escorted by one of our nature experts giving you all the bits and pieces of information about this ecological marvel.
Seerendipity tour is a fully locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Seerendipity tours and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.
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When you book a tour with us, you directly book the tour with the local company, which means there are no middlemen and therefore you can guarantee the best price. Simply get in touch with us and let us know when you travel and what you like to see.
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Our staff makes a personalized program for you, which you can change until you find the best package for you. You can also browse our existing tour packages for inspiration; all our ready-made tour packages are customizable and can be tailored to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com