WHAT ARE THE BEST TWO DAY TRIP PLACES IN SRI LANKA? WHAT IS THE BEST 2 DAYS TRIP IN SRI LANKA?

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

The island harbours more than 1300km of pristine beaches, wildlife reserves, primaeval 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 to Sri Lanka is a choice for a large number of travellers in Sri Lanka. It allows them to see many interesting places within just 2 days’ time.

Table of Contents

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 harbours more than 1300km of pristine beaches, wildlife reserves, primaeval 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 to Sri Lanka is a choice for a large number of travellers in Sri Lanka. It allows them to see many interesting places within just 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.

Click here to choose your best Sri Lanka 2-day trip
Click here to choose your best Sri Lanka 2-day trip

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.

  1. You are safe in the hands of the most generous people in the world
  2. Best value for money
  3. Delicious and spicy seafood
  4. Some of the oldest monuments in the world
  5. And the madness of Colombo
  6. You can witness the Kandyan cultural show
  7. The wildlife is incredible
  8. Wonderful rail journeys
  9. You can cruise along the rivers
  10. There is a cultural triangle
  11. A wide range of activities
  12. Accessibility
  13. Endless Choices
  14. Primaeval rain forests
  15. Adrenaline-pumping thrilling experiences
  16. It is safe in Sri Lanka
  17. Rejuvenate and relax your mind and body with Ayurveda
  18. Experience a bit of Dutch colonial heritage
  19. There is a piece of Paradise
  20. See the Giant blue whales at their doorstep

WHAT ARE THE 7 BEST 2 DAYS TRIP IN SRI LANKA?

  1. 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya with the train journey
  2. 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka (adventure) to Kitulgala with Kandy
  3. 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka to Galle, Bentota, and Hikkaduwa With Whale Watching
  4. The Essence of Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle- Kandy and Sigiriya Tour
  5. 2 Days trip to Sri Lanka With Yala Safari And Galle Fort
  6. 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka- cultural Triangle Mini with Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa
  7. 2 Days trip in Sri Lanka to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR 2 DAYS TRIP TO SRI LANKA?

When is the best time to travel to Sri Lanka? November to April best time to travel to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka dry weather from November to April, 2 days trip in sri lanka
The map of Sri Lanka with the best beaches for beach holidays. Sri Lanka is surrounded by more than 1300km of pristine beaches and the western and south coast of Sri Lanka provides the best places for beach holidays from October to April.

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 right answer 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 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 travellers, who need local expertise to plan Sri Lanka tour packages, Seerendipity tours do not charge anything for 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 FROM 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 harbours more than 1300km of pristine beaches, wildlife reserves, primaeval 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 TO VISIT ON YOUR 2 DAYS TRIP

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, colourful 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 travellers every year and Sri Lanka is one of the most beloved and enchanting to them.

Galle 2 days tour from Bentota, places to visit in Sri Lanka in 2 days, 2 day trips sri lanka, 2 days trips sri lanka, sri lanka in 2 days, diving in Hikkaduwa, Bentota to Galle day tour
This 2-day Sri Lanka tour includes 2 most important tourist attractions in southern Sri Lanka Yala and Galle Fort, on this 2 days private tour you will be visiting many tourist attritions such as the Madu River estuary, Yala national park, Galle Fort, Moonstone Mines, sea turtle conservation project, Galle fort as well as Yala wildlife reserve. The tour includes a full-day safari at Yala national park with a picnic lunch. The tour includes entire ground transportation places to visit in Sri Lankan, a live guide, accommodation, and all taxes

INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES FOR SRI LANKA

The island has been recognized as a leading holiday destination in the world, and 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, and 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 commends the effort of the country to get the industry back on its track with initiatives such as visa on arrival, and the free visa program, which had been able to accelerate the recovery

1. MEET THE MOST GENEROUS PEOPLE IN THE WORLD ON YOUR SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP

Nuseir Yasin, a popular Video Blogger from Israel recently named Sri Lanka the most generous nation in the world, based on his experience with other tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His company created the 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. 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 harbours. 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 travellers 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 which 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 by the giant waves.

It was local people on 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 travellers during difficult situations. Tsunami and COVID pandemics had been the most disastrous calamities that we faced in 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 and 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

Cost living comparison thailand Colombo
Sri Lanka is an affordable tourist destination compared to most other countries in Asia. Here is the cost comparison between Thailand and Sri Lanka.

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 travellers seeking a holiday on a beautiful tropical island.

Sri Lanka is 38 per cent 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

WHY SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP? BECAUSE YOU CAN EAT MOUTHWATERING DELICIOUS SEAFOOD
Rice and curry are the staple diet of Sri Lanka.

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 are 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.

If you plan a Colombo city tour, try to do it on Sunday or on public holidays as much as possible. It helps you to travel between sights easily and comfortably while saving time, as there is very less traffic in the city on holidays. On the other hand, you can travel efficiently between sites means you can allocate more time to explore the sites. If you plan your city tour on a weekday, try to avoid rush hours like 7-9 in the morning and 5-6 in the afternoon.

6. WHY SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP? TO SEE THE KANDYAN CULTURAL SHOW

2 days kandy kitulgala tour
Venture on a Southern Sri Lanka tour to see the important tourist attraction on Sri Lanka’s south coast such as Wildlife parks, beaches, forts, museums, parks, and town

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 SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP? EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEYS IN THE WORLD

Travelling by train in Sri Lanka will be a memorable experience for any traveller. 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.

Ella is a charming hill station in the central hills of Sri Lanka. Ella is popular for its scenic countryside will green cover, the visitors can enjoy scenic walks through tea plantations, hike up the green-capped mountains, visit waterfalls, takes a zip line ride or track a scenic train journey through the mountains. The train journey from Ella to nanu oya is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. Another important tourist attraction in Ella is the Nine Arch Bridge, visit the bridge when a train passes by, and you will be able to take selfies with the blue train in the background.

Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo
Madu River estuary is the 2nd biggest wetland in Sri Lanka, located near the popular beach resort of Bentota. This Ramsar wetland has become one of the most popular places for boat trips as it allows travellers to explore mangrove forests, visit the island and observe many wild creatures such as monkeys, crocodiles, monitors, etc.

Madu River Boat Ride / Madu River Safari Important Facts You Need To Know

9. WHERE TO VISIT SRI LANKA 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.

Cultural triangle sri lanka, Visit Sri Lanka, what to visit in sri lanka, is sri lanka worth visiting, why visit sri lanka, when to visit sri lanka, is sri lanka a good place to visit, sri lanka worth visiting
The cultural triangle in the central province of Sri Lanka hides thousands of historical monuments dating back many thousands of years.

10. WHAT TO SEE ON THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE 2 DAYS SRI LANKA TRIP?

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 trips to places in Sri Lanka such as Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and 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 splendour. The cultural triangle includes the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, the Tooth Relic temple, Sri Maha Bodhi and many dozens of other important monuments.

two day trip places in Sri Lanka, 2 day trip in Sri Lanka, BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOURS IN SRI LANKA
Simply Sri Lanka 8 Days Private Tour with Luxury Accommodation- This eight-day private tour takes you to the most important tourist places on the island such as Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla golden temple, and the tooth relic temple of Kandy, the national park of Udawalawe. Towards the end of the trip, you will be anchoring on the empty beaches of Mirissa.

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 snorkelling 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 traveller 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 harbours many best-ranked beaches in the world such as Unawatuna, and Pasikudah and creates a heaven for beach holiday lovers.

12. TRAVELLING ON SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP

Although international travellers are deprived of land accessibility to the island of Sri Lanka, travellers 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, 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 travelling 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 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 travelling time between the airport and the deep south of Sri Lanka almost by 3 hours by using the highway.

Another drawcard is the curtailed travelling 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 forests, national parks, rivers, and waterfalls all are packed into this small island and the distance between the attractions does not demand travellers to spend days travelling between them.

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Sri Lanka offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for travellers from cheap dormitory types of accommodation to super-luxury villa accommodation.

13. SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP: 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.

Sri Lanka Jungle Tours, two day trip places in Sri Lanka, 2 day trip in Sri Lanka
Sinharaja virgin forest is one of the oldest patches of forest in the world dating back many millions of years (Gondwana land era) and it is one of the best two-day trip places in Sri Lanka for nature lovers. This natural jewel is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its importance. Taking a Sinharaja rain forest trip is the best way of exploring this rain forest and Seerendipity Tours offer a 1-day Sinharaja trip to many other trips combined with the Sinharaja forest.

14. WHAT TO VISIT ON SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP 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, the 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 supercontinent 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 boasts of having 6 other world heritage sites (Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Galle,) declared by UNICEF.

15. SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP: VARIETY OF ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Sri Lanka Adventure Tour With Hill Country And Beach

Sri Lanka possesses varying geographical features such as mountains, and 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 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 DAYS TRIP IS IT SAFE?

After 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, and terrorist activities pose a threat to travellers 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, and Lorenzo de Almeida.

Sri Lanka is one of the most peaceful countries in the region 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 on 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 a foreigner in this beautiful country.

17. 2 DAYS TRIP TO 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 centres 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 DAYS SRI LANKA TRIP: 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 the 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.

No trip to Sri Lanka would be completed without a visit to Galle Fort, and Galle City, a historical coastal city on the south coast. Galle Fort is popular for its medieval period, Dutch colonial constructions, beautiful sandy beaches and lively markets. Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is a must-see tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Taking a leisurely stroll on a cobbled stoned alley is the best way to explore this fascinating tourist attraction. Galle Fort is packed with colonial mansions, museums, galleries, churches, temples, restaurants, cafes, and hotels. Arts and crafts along with gems are a big scene here. Many galleries and exhibitions showcase the work of local artists and craftsmen.

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, then head to the west and the 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 are the best for a beach stay.

20. SRI LANKA 2 DAYS TRIP: TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT 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 travellers, 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, travellers 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 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 DAYS 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-DAY 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 from Sri Lanka to Sigiriya rock fortress rank among the best activities for travellers, 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 in the early hours is highly recommended thereby you can avoid the pilgrims and other travellers, who pile up in 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 travellers 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, an 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 patronaged by the founder of Sigiriya rock fortress, King Kashyapa. The beautiful temple is to be found a few kilometres 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 travellers visit it on their trip to the cultural triangle. Exploring wildlife on foreign soil is a thrilling experience that most travellers 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, and Galle you might not be 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 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 centre. 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 the 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

What can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip to Sri Lanka from Colombo

Kandy is a historical city with a large number of Buddhist temples and is also regarded as the cultural centre 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 a top-notch shopping experience, where you can buy gems and jewellery, 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

View Tour

  • 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

Special Price US$ 530, save $80, Regular Price US$610

4. YALA NATIONAL PARK-166 KM FROM COLOMBO-5+ HOURS DRIVE FROM COLOMBO

What can be explored on 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 travellers 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 a few other important places such as

  • Galle fortress
  • Hikkaduwa beach
  • Madu River estuary
  • Sea turtle conservation project
  • Mask Museum

Can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo, two day trip places in Sri Lanka, 2 day trip in Sri Lanka
Ramboda water fall Nuwara Eliya

5. NUWARA ELIYA-126 KM FROM COLOMBO-4+ HOURS DRIVE FROM COLOMBO

What can be explored on this 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 hovers around 20 degrees Celsius. Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by mountain 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 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

What can be explored on this 2 days trip to 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 Lanka trip to Polonnaruwa is to visit 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
  • Pidurangala temple
  • 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

What can be explored on this 1 day and 2 days trip to 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-built 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 and 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
2 days Sri lanka tour galle and mirissa, two day trip places in Sri Lanka, 2 day trip in Sri Lanka

8. MIRISSA-152 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE

What can be explored in 1 day and 2 days trip on 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 travellers 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 travellers set off on boasts from Mirissa in search of blue whales, and 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 from Sri Lanka to Mirissa usually includes an overnight stay in Mirissa in view of the early departure of whale-watching boats from the harbour.

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
Kitulgala one day tour, two day trip places in Sri Lanka, 2 day trip in Sri Lanka
This one-day tour includes Whitewater rafting Off Kitulgala, jungle trekking of the Kitulgala rainforest, village walk, and bird watching. This private tour can be booked from Colombo as well as any other beach resort on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The tour includes entire ground transportation, all entrance, and activity cost as well as taxes.

9. UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK-150 KM FROM COLOMBO-4+ HOURS DRIVE

What can be explored on this 2 days trip in Sri Lanka from Colombo

Another popular two-day trip place to 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 for 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.

Hiking in Sri Lanka, Adams peak hike, two day trip places in Sri Lanka, 2 day trip in Sri Lanka
Adams’ peak is a popular two-day trip place in Sri Lanka, which is the third highest mountain in Sri Lanka and has religious importance. A large number of local and foreign travellers make the arduous journey to the top by foot every year. In the picture, a group of Buddhist devotees marches down the mountain after finishing their religious observances.

10. ADAMS PEAK-137 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE

What can be explored on this 2 days trip on Sri Lanka from Colombo?

The 2 days trip in Sri Lanka to Adam’s Peak essentially involved 5-hour 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 travellers 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 travellers.

View Trip

  • 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

Special Price US$ 690, save $60, Regular Price US$750

11. KITULGALA-90 KM FROM COLOMBO-2+ HOUR DRIVE

What can be explored on this 1 day and 2 days trip on 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 travellers, and it involves many adrenaline-pumping activities such as mountain climbing, rainforest trekking, water rafting, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and caving. Usually, 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.

View Trip

  • Highlights- Sinharaja rain forest trek 4 hours, Freshwater river bath (optional) exploring fascinating Fauna and Flora of the Rain forest
  • Duration-1 Day
    Places- Sinharaja,
  • Start/End-Colombo
  • Transport-Private vehicle

Special Price US$ 150, save $60, Regular Price US$210

12. SINHARAJA-138 KM FROM COLOMBO-3+ HOURS DRIVE

What can be explored on this 1 day and 2 days trip to Sri Lanka from Colombo

Visiting this most valuable natural asset of Sri Lanka would undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for any foreign traveller. The lush green forest of Sinharaja is one of the oldest patches of rainforest in the world and it’s its roots go back 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.  

Serendipity Tour is an entirely locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Serendipity Tours, and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.

The best price guaranteed for your Sri Lanka trip

When you book a tour with Serendipity Tours, 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.

Plan your best Sri Lanka trip with-expert

Our staff makes a personalised program for you, which you can change until you find the best Sri Lanka trip package for you. Visit www.sirilaktours.com to browse our existing tour packages, which you can customise to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977.

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8 thoughts on “WHAT ARE THE BEST TWO DAY TRIP PLACES IN SRI LANKA? WHAT IS THE BEST 2 DAYS TRIP IN SRI LANKA?”

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  7. Nice article on Sri Lanak 2 days trip places. I just stumbled upon your website as I was looking for some information about Sri Lanak 2 days trips. I will be in Sri Lanka for a short period of time on my trip to USA. I have about 2 days of time in sri Lanak and look for a nice trip to see a bit of Sri Lanka.

    Reply

  8. We took one of the Sri Lanka two-day trips you mentioned in the article. It was to Yala national park and southern sri Lanka. It was a wonderful trip

    Reply

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