What is a good Sri Lanka itinerary for beginners?

A solid 10-day starter trip hits Colombo, the Cultural Triangle (don’t skip Sigiriya), Kandy, and the tea estates of Nuwara Eliya. Wrap it up with an elephant safari at Minneriya and a few lazy days on the southern beaches.

This classic loop gives you a taste of everything without spending half your vacation stuck in traffic. Starting up in the central plains lets you tackle the big ancient ruins early, before cooling off in the misty hill country. Eventually winding up on the south coast is the perfect finish. You get a chance to surf, eat fresh seafood, and actually relax before heading back to the airport.