Sri Lanka’s story stretches from ancient capitals and temple cave art to cinnamon-scented coasts and misty tea hills. In a compact island you’ll find UNESCO World Heritage sites, wildlife-packed national parks, and a rail line so scenic it’s a destination in itself.

This 15-day journey focuses on three bases to minimize packing and maximize depth: Sigiriya for the Cultural Triangle, Ella for tea country and walks, and Galle for the historic south coast. It’s designed for a comfortable mid-range budget, a relaxed pace, and rich, unique activities—perfect for travelers in the 50–60 age range.

Practical notes: apply online for the Sri Lanka ETA before arrival, carry cash in Sri Lankan rupees, and dress modestly at temples (shoulders/knees covered). The west and south coasts are at their best roughly December–April; pack a light rain layer regardless. Internal travel is easiest by private car and train; book scenic rail seats in advance.

Sigiriya (Cultural Triangle)

Base yourself amid lakes and jungle, with the lion-shaped Sigiriya Rock Fortress towering above rice fields. This is the heart of Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms—ornate cave temples, colossal stupas, and elephant-filled parks a short drive apart.

Top sights nearby include the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO), Dambulla Cave Temple’s gilded Buddhas, the medieval city of Polonnaruwa, and elephant gatherings at Minneriya or Kaudulla (seasonal). Evenings are for quiet sunsets over Pidurangala Rock or a lake-edge stroll listening to bird calls.

Days 1–5: Arrive, Sigiriya Rock & Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, and Elephants

Arrival in Colombo (CMB). For flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drive to Sigiriya (4–5 hours; ~$90–120 by private car). Settle in and aim for an easy first evening—sunset at Pidurangala is a short-but-steep 20–30 minutes up; bring water and grippy shoes.

Climb Sigiriya Rock early to beat heat (there are railings and places to pause; allow 2–3 hours). Pair the morning with Dambulla Cave Temple’s painted grottoes. Another day, visit Polonnaruwa’s ruins—hire a tuk-tuk instead of cycling for comfort, and don’t miss the Gal Vihara stone Buddhas. Time your Minneriya/Kaudulla elephant safari for late afternoon when herds congregate by water.

Curated activities (bookable):

• Private Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park to Visit Elephants

  

  
  Ideal from Sigiriya, this afternoon safari maximizes elephant sightings with experienced trackers; smooth jeep rides and frequent photo stops suit a relaxed pace.
• Private City Day Tour in Anuradhapura

  

  
  Explore Sri Lanka’s first capital—Ruwanwelisaya stupa, sacred Bo tree, and monastic ruins—in a guided day with air-conditioned transport (pickups from nearby hubs can be arranged).
• Sigiriya Day Tour with all included

  

  
  If you’d prefer a fully packaged day from Kandy en route, this option bundles Sigiriya and Dambulla with transport, entries, and a guide.

Where to stay (mid-range focus):

• Sigiriya Village Hotel — Lush gardens, pool, and easy access to the rock; excellent value for long stays.
• Aliya Resort and Spa — Modern rooms, spa, and views toward Sigiriya; great on-site dining.
• Splurge: Water Garden Sigiriya — Villas on mirror-like ponds; serene base after hot temple days.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com (Sigiriya) | VRBO (Sigiriya)

Eat & drink (local gems):

• Rithu Restaurant, Inamaluwa — Homestyle rice-and-curry buffets, hoppers at dinner, and fresh fruit juices.
• Ahinsa Restaurant, Sigiriya — Sri Lankan thalis, kottu roti sliced and sizzling; ask for mild if you prefer.
• Pradeep Restaurant, Sigiriya — Grilled lake fish with lime; friendly service and shaded terrace.
• Breakfast/coffee: Sigiriya Deli & Cafe for egg hoppers, coconut sambol, and strong Ceylon tea.

Onward travel to Ella (via Kandy): Morning car from Sigiriya to Kandy (~2.5 hours; ~$45–60). Then take the famed Kandy–Ella train (6–7 hours). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains and reserve seats ahead via Viator below.

Ella (Tea Country)

Ella is all emerald slopes, tea pluckers in bright saris, and waterfalls tumbling beneath viaducts. At 1,000+ meters, the climate is cooler, walking is easy to moderate, and cafés hum with travelers swapping train tips.

Highlights include the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak (gentle, panoramic), Ravana Falls, and a tea factory tour. The Kandy–Ella rail ride, threading tea estates and cloud forests, is a must.

Days 6–10: Scenic train, tea experiences, and gentle walks

Ride the “blue train” into Ella and drop bags before a late-afternoon amble to Nine Arch Bridge; trains pass frequently near sunset for iconic photos. Next day, stroll up Little Adam’s Peak (45–60 minutes each way on steps and paths) and unwind with a tea tasting—Halpewatte or Uva Halpewatte factories explain with aroma jars and cupping.

Leave a day free for a private safari to Udawalawe (best for elephants and birdlife, with gentler tracks than Yala), or keep it local with a Sri Lankan cooking class (Ella Spice Garden is a favorite—book a day ahead).

Curated activities (bookable):

• Train Tickets From Kandy to Ella

  

  
  Pre-reserved 1st or 2nd class seats for the world-famous scenic ride; avoids station queues and ensures window views.
• Udawalawe National Park | Private Safari Tour

  

  
  A comfortable day-trip safari from Ella, with high odds of wild elephants, eagles, bee-eaters, and buffalo in open grassland.
• Train Tickets from Ella to NuwaraEliya (Nanuoya)

  

  
  Optional return ride for tea lovers—the viaducts and valleys look different in reverse and make a great half-day loop.

Where to stay (mid-range focus):

• Ella Rock House — Quiet hillside address with balconies and views; friendly hosts and hearty breakfasts.
• Nature escape: Ella Jungle Resort — Riverfront hideaway accessed by jeep and cable car; birds at dawn are your alarm.
• Splurge: 98 Acres Resort & Spa — Chalets wrapped in tea fields, spa treatments, and Little Adam’s Peak at your doorstep.
• Budget: Hangover Hostels Ella — Clean dorms/private rooms near the station.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com (Ella) | VRBO (Ella)

Eat & drink (favorites with detail):

• Cafe Chill — Legendary for devilled chicken, veggie kottu, and fresh lime soda; lively but comfortable seating.
• AK Ristoro — Garden setting with Sri Lankan–Italian menu; order the grilled tuna or creamy pumpkin soup on cooler evenings.
• Matey Hut — Small, friendly spot for hoppers and curries made mild on request; arrive early to avoid waits.
• Breakfast/coffee: The Barn (central) for cappuccinos and curd with treacle; local bakeries for coconut roti hot off the griddle.

Onward travel to Galle: Private car from Ella to Galle via the south (5–6 hours; ~$110–140). You can add a morning safari at Yala or Udawalawe en route (adds ~2–3 hours). Train routings exist but are long and involve changes; if you’re curious, check Trip.com Trains for times.

Galle (South Coast)

Waves kiss golden beaches while Galle Fort’s cobbled lanes echo with three centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and British history. Inside the ramparts: coral-stone bastions, churches, cafés, galleries, and sundowners over the Indian Ocean.

Use Galle as a hub for Unawatuna’s swimmable bay, Mirissa’s whale-watching (seasonal Nov–Apr), cinnamon estate visits around Koggala Lake, and day safaris inland. The coastal train between Galle and Colombo hugs the shore—worth a short, scenic hop.

Days 11–15: Fort walks, coastal day trips, and optional safari

Start with a guided or self-led loop of Galle Fort: the Lighthouse, Flag Rock, ramparts at sunset, Groote Kerk, and the Dutch Hospital precinct. Spend a day at Unawatuna (safe swimming, reef views) or Wijaya Beach (rock pool at low tide) and another exploring Mirissa and Weligama’s surf coves; watch stilt fishermen near Koggala at dusk.

For wildlife lovers, choose a day trip to Yala (leopards, longer drive) or Udawalawe (elephants, gentler tracks). Keep one unplanned day to browse boutiques and relax at a verandah café; the fort is made for lingering.

Curated activities (bookable):

• Yala National Park Wildlife Safari/ Game Drive - by Ajith Safari

  

  
  From the south coast, this expert-run safari maximizes leopard and elephant chances; expect an early start and a full day.
• Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle

  

  
  Hire a vetted driver for bespoke coastal days—cinnamon estates, mask carving in Ambalangoda, turtle conservation visits—at your pace.

Where to stay (mid-range focus):

• Jetwing Lighthouse — Oceanfront icon just outside the fort; sea-view rooms, two pools, and great sunsets.
• Inside the walls: Amangalla — A historic grand dame; consider a one-night splurge for its spa and period charm.
• Budget: Galle Fort Hostel — Simple, central base for on-foot exploration.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com (Galle) | VRBO (Galle)

Eat & drink (inside and around the Fort):

• Lucky Fort Restaurant — Famous nine-curry platter at lunch; home recipes, generous portions.
• Elita Restaurant — Fresh seafood on the lane behind the ramparts; try the jumbo prawns with garlic butter.
• Church Street Social (at Fort Bazaar) — Refined Sri Lankan plates and cocktails in a colonial courtyard.
• A Minute by Tuk Tuk (Dutch Hospital) — Open-air ocean views, crab curry, and tropical mocktails at sunset.
• Sweet/coffee: Isle of Gelato for artisanal gelato; The Heritage Cafe for espresso and eggs any style.

Departure logistics: Galle to Colombo Airport is ~2–2.5 hours via expressway by car (~$60–80). The coastal train to Colombo takes ~2 hours; check times on Trip.com Trains. If you have a half day in Colombo, consider a breezy overview before your flight:

• Colombo City Tour by Tuk Tuk Morning OR Evening - All Inclusive

  

  
  Zip between Pettah markets, the Red Mosque, and Galle Face Green with photo stops and snacks.

Pacing, mobility, and budget tips

• Climbs: Sigiriya’s steps have handrails; take it slow with water breaks. Little Adam’s Peak is stepped and manageable; use a walking stick if helpful.
• Heat: Schedule exposed sites in the morning; keep a light scarf, hat, and electrolyte tabs handy.
• Budget 45/100: Expect ~$110–160/day for two excluding long transfers (mid-range hotels, private transfers when needed, entries, and a few guided activities). Trains and local eateries reduce costs further.
• Drivers vs. self-drive: Roads are busy; most travelers prefer a driver for comfort and safety. Use the Viator driver option above for flexible days.

Getting between cities (time and ballpark costs):

• Colombo Airport → Sigiriya: 4–5 hrs by private car ($90–120).
• Sigiriya → Kandy: 2–2.5 hrs by car ($45–60).
• Kandy → Ella: 6–7 hrs by train (reserved seat $10–30; book via Viator). See Trip.com Trains for schedules.
• Ella → Galle: 5–6 hrs by private car ($110–140); optional safari stop adds ~2–3 hrs.
• Galle → Colombo Airport: 2–2.5 hrs by expressway ($60–80) or ~2 hrs by train to Colombo, then 45–60 min taxi.

Fifteen days in Sri Lanka lets you savor ancient capitals, ride a bucket-list train, and unwind by the sea without rushing. With thoughtful pacing, vetted guides, and mid-range comforts, this route layers culture, wildlife, and coastal charm into a trip you’ll reminisce about for years.