Recommended Routes For...

Ancient temples

Marvel at cave temples and ruins of ancient shrines (route 9), pay homage at the medieval Temple of the Tooth (route 6) or visit artistically restored temples in Colombo (route 2).

Sri Lanka Tourism

Animal lovers

Watch the magnificent Gathering of the Elephants at Minneriya (route 10), go searching for elusive leopards in Yala (route 12) or get up close to myriad colourful creatures in Colombo’s spacious zoo (route 4).

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Beaches

Laze on Negombo’s sandy seafront (route 5), promenade on Mount Lavinia’s golden strand (route 4) or head to Unawatuna, Sri Lanka’s most popular backpacker resort with a charming cove and a laidback atmosphere (route 11).

Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications

Botanical gardens

Get back to nature at Sri Lanka’s very different botanical gardens (route 6 and route 7) and dry-zone arboretum, where you can meander along the trails under ghostly tropical trees (route 9).

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Colonial architecture

Discover ornate British colonial buildings in Colombo Fort and inspiring Dutch designs in Pettah (walk 1), or a time-warp amalgamation of both in Galle Fort (tour 11).

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Hottest curries

If hotel food is too bland, search for spicier cuisine in rest houses, or in the cities of Kandy (route 6) and Colombo (route 2), where you’ll find a wide spread of restaurants.

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Mountain views

Peer through Ella Gap for fabulous views down to the south coast (route 8), glimpse Mount Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest peak, from Nuwara Eliya (route 7); or scramble up to Lipton’s Seat (route 8) for breathtaking vistas.

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Tea trekking

Trek through tea gardens to your heart’s content at Kandapola (route 7) and Haputale (route 8), relishing the cool mountain air, then warm up with a cup of pure Ceylon tea in a plantation bungalow.

Sylvaine Poitau/Apa Publications