Sri Lanka Tours

The Top 3 Road Trips to Take in Sri Lanka

If you are a fan of road trips, Sri Lanka is perhaps the ideal destination for you to explore. While there are numerous self-drive car rental services around the island, we recommend hiring a chauffeured ride for the best experience. If you have traveled through Southeast Asia, you are probably aware of the traffic rules, or their lack thereof, resulting in chaos. Merganser Holidays can arrange exclusive Sri Lanka tours, including relaxing road trips through the heartland. With that in mind, here is a list of the top 3 road trips to take in Sri Lanka.

1. Explore the Hill Country

The perfect excursion for the adrenaline junkies, the drive towards Nuwara Eliya starts from Colombo. Drive alongside picturesque tea estates, quaint hill towns, and tropical forests as the weather gets cooler. We recommend exploring any of the bigger tea estates in the area to witness the production of the famous Ceylon tea.

Next on the list is the famous Horton Plains National Park. Located just 30 minutes from Nuwara Eliya, the park is located at an altitude of 7,000 feet and is home to a number of popular treks. The two most popular hikes include Baker’s Fall and World’s End. Next in line is Ella, set amongst a quaint rural backdrop, the hamlet is the ideal location to spend the night.

Your sightseeing options in Ella include a hike to Little Adam’s Peak and Diyaluma Falls. Next up, the cultural capital of Kandy will keep your engrossed for a few days. The architectural and cultural hotspots in town include the Temple of he Tooth, Kandy Lake, and the Royal Botanical Gardens. You can drive back to Colombo, or continue exploring the Cultural Triangle.

2. The Cultural Triangle

Start your journey from Kandy and visit Anuradhapura, 4 – 5 hours away. Popular attractions here include the ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilizations, the Bodhi tree, Ruwanwelisaya, and Kuttam Pokuna. You can also explore the local monasteries and museum before heading down to the city of Polonnaruwa 100 km away.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is home to a plethora of temples, stupas, and statues. Some of the popular attractions in town include the Archaeological Museum, the Sacred Quadrangle, Gal Vihara, and Rankot Vihara. Next up, the Lion Rock of Sigiriya awaits your attention. Located 50 kms from Polonnaruwa, the ancient kingdom located atop the hill is a testament of the bygone era. The magnificent ruins of the citadel, frescoes, and mirror wall are a thing of wonder, and the walk up the stone steps is equally enchanting. This also marks the end of the Cultural Triangle road trip.

3. The Northern Limits

Perhaps the most diverse road trip Sri Lanka has to offer, exploring the northern end of the country will take you through the commercial hubs, cultural centers, and hill towns. Start your journey at Colombo by exploring the colonial architecture, ancient temples, and the war memorial. The Dutch canals of Negombo are a popular draw nearby.

Bid adieu to city life on your drive towards Anuradhapura. Located 200 km from the capital, this ancient city is home to the famous Bodhi Tree Temple. 50 minutes from town is the Wilpattu National Park. Home to natural lakes, wildlife safaris, and jungle trails, the rich biodiversity of the oldest National Park in the nation is a sight to behold!

Next in line is the colonial town of Mannar. When in town, do not forget to visit the Ketheeswaram Temple and the forts constructed by the Portuguese. Spend some time by the beach before driving to Jaffna, the largest city on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. Your trip concludes with a visit to the Jaffna Fort, Jaffna Palace, and the public library!

About Merganser Holidays

Merganser Holidays is among the leading local travel companies in Sri Lanka. Proficient in organizing bespoke Sri Lanka holiday packages. We specialize in crafting travel itineraries based on client recommendations. Visit our website to browse our Sri Lanka tour package catalogue and the best deals on online bookings.