Top to Bottom Adventure of Sri Lanka
Overview
As the name suggests, a genuine top-to-bottom route: north to the Jaffna peninsula, a region most short trips skip entirely, then back down through the cultural triangle, hill country and south coast to Weligama.
A good fit for a second or third trip to Sri Lanka, once the classic circuit is out of the way and Jaffna's Tamil culture and Dutch colonial history are the draw.
Gallery
Highlights
- Wilpattu and Minneriya National Parks
- Jaffna's Dutch fort and library
- Dambulla cave temple and Kandy's Temple of the Tooth
- Stilt fishing and beaches at Weligama
- City tours of Colombo and Kandy
Included & excluded
- Accommodation, 3–4 star hotels or similar, half-board basis
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle for the full itinerary
- Assistance of a chauffeur guide
- Government taxes
- 1 litre bottled water per person per day
- Wilpattu National Park safari & a full day in Jaffna
- Entrance fees to sights in Sri Lanka
- Airfare and visa fees
- Early check-in / late checkout charges
- Tips and porterage
- Lunch and any other meals not mentioned
Day by day
Arrival — Negombo
Arrive at Katunayake and transfer to Negombo to unwind on the beach after the flight.
Negombo → Anuradhapura → Wilpattu National Park
Travel inland via Anuradhapura for an afternoon jeep safari at Wilpattu.
Anuradhapura → Jaffna
Head north to Jaffna, a region shaped by Tamil culture and a Dutch colonial past.
Jaffna
A full day exploring Jaffna — its library, markets and the fort's ramparts.
Jaffna → Minneriya National Park → Habarana
Travel south for an afternoon safari at Minneriya, known for its elephant herds.
Habarana → Dambulla → Kandy
Visit the Dambulla cave temple en route to Kandy.
Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
Drive up through tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya → Galle → Weligama
Head to the south coast, stopping at Galle's fort, en route to Weligama.
Weligama
A day at leisure — watch the stilt fishermen, swim, or try surfing.
Weligama → Colombo
Travel back up the coast to Colombo for a final city tour and some shopping.
Colombo → Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Map
Frequently asked questions
Why include Jaffna when most itineraries skip the north entirely?
It's a genuinely different region — Tamil culture, Dutch colonial history, its own food — and this route suits travellers who've likely done a south or hill-country trip before and want to see the rest of the island.
Is it comfortable to travel in Jaffna?
Yes, it's a normal part of the domestic tourism circuit today, with good accommodation and a warm reception for visitors.
Is 11 days the minimum for a route that includes the north?
Realistically yes — Jaffna alone is close to a full day's drive from Colombo each way, so a shorter trip would turn it into a rushed detour rather than a proper stop.