Traveling is believed to be the best way to break down barriers along with purveying a unique cultural experience. An excursion with the family gives a chance to spend quality time together and make memories of a lifetime. With similar aspirations, Khushboo Bapna chose to have a family vacay in Sri Lanka. As she was traveling to Sri Lanka on a budget, her experience will surely help future travelers in planning their budget-friendly trip to Sri Lanka. Read on to know how she explored the best of Sri Lanka on this lucrative trip.
I had been looking for a relaxing, short and a budget-friendly trip with my family. I checked the popular destinations in Asia but was not much convinced. After a few days, a family friend shared their Sri Lanka travel experience which persuaded us to plan an excursion to this beautiful place. They also suggested us to book our package via TravelTriangle as they had an amazing experience with them and we were glad that we followed their advice.
Our Sri Lanka trip gave us an opportunity to witness peaceful beaches, illuminating ancient ruins, lush landscapes along with enjoying some electrifying water sports activities. The country has numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and inherits over the 2,000-year-old culture that can be validated by visiting legendary temples, caves and prominent peaks. If you are planning to visit Sri Lanka on a budget just like us then you must check out our detailed experience guide which will surely help you in planning yours!
Details Of Traveling Sri Lanka On A Budget
Trip Type: Tour
Trip Cost: INR 51,000
No. Of People: 4
Trip Duration: 7D/6N
Inclusions: Breakfast, dinner, airport transfer, English speaking driver, sightseeing, Spice Garden, Gem Museum, Mask Factory, cultural show, SIM card, highway tickets, complimentary tea at the Tea factory & plantation.
Exclusions: Lunch, entry fee charges
Itinerary When Traveling Sri Lanka On A Budget
Day 1: Arrival, Pinnawala elephant orphanage, and Sigiriya sightseeing tour
Day 2: Polonnaruwa sightseeing tour
Day 3: Dambulla cave temple and Kandy sightseeing tour
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya sightseeing tour
Day 6: Exploring Bentota
Day 7: Departure
5 Experiences When Traveling Sri Lanka On A Budget
Our 7-day trip made us indulge in numerous experiences, some were part of our itinerary and others we encountered while hopping from one destination to another. Here are the 5 best experiences one will surely incur while traveling Sri Lanka on a budget:
1. Illuminating Sightseeing At Sigiriya
Our first destination in Sri Lanka was Sigiriya which is locally called as the ‘Eighth wonder of the world’. It is located in the North Central Province and exhibits archeological ruins. Our Sigiriya sightseeing tour included numerous attractions, namely, Sigiriya rock fortress, water garden, Ajanta cave, Bulart Cart rides, and Elephant back safari. The best spot here was the Sigiriya rock fortress that astonished us with its exclusive amalgamation of nature and human imagination. The fortress features remain of a ruined palace amidst the prolonged network of fortifications, enormous gardens, ponds, canals, and waterfalls. The fortress has a long history and as our guide unfolded the facts about this place, we were astonished by its existence.
Another amazing spot was the Water garden that completely surprised us with its beauty and architecture esp. the way pools were connected to underground water was unique. The frescos on the caves called Murals exhibiting vibrant female figures was another surprise for us. I believe that travelers who have a love for history and architecture must not miss out on this place.
2. Sneak-peaking The Ancient Ruins Of Polonnaruwa
Our next stop was the ancient city of Polonnaruwa that features Brahmanic monuments. We visited Gal Vihara, Quadrangle, Lankatilaka, Rankot Vihara, Parakrama Lake, and Minneriya National Park. Gal Vihara exhibits beautiful images of Buddha, cut from a long slab of granite. Later, we trolled down the ruins of Royal Palace known as Quadrangle which had concentrated collection of ancient buildings.
Lankatilaka temple is one of the most popular destinations in Polonnaruwa. This temple had a unique devotional ambiance where one can relax and meditate for hours. Rankot Vihara is also a Buddhist temple, entirely different from Gal Viahara. The magnificent architecture of this temple will surely make you fall in love with it.
3. Family Time Amidst The Panoramic Kandy
The third destination of our Sri Lanka trip was Kandy. We visited the famous Dambulla cave temple on our way to Kandy which was truly mesmerizing. Kandy lies amidst mountains in the Kandy plateau and we crossed tropical plantations to reach this destination. We visited the famous temple of the Tooth Relics, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa. The temple was entitled by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in the year 1988. It is believed to house the most important relics of Buddha, that’s tooth!
Another exciting experience here was Kandy Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka which is popularly called as Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden. After visiting numerous temples and palaces, Royal Botanical Garden gave us a chance to plunge in the natural beauty of Sri Lanka exhibiting vibrant and diverse flora and fauna.
4. Enticed By Verdant Surroundings Of Nuwara Eliya
If you are traveling Sri Lanka on a budget and checking out the places to cut-short from your itinerary, then this is the place you must not omit from your wish-list. The place is an ultimate cool-climate escape exhibiting lush tea plantations and preciptous hills. Nuwara Eliya is a unique experience having a subtropical highland climate, making it a pleasant-break for tourists.
Ramboda waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya that showers a fine mist of water as it falls down from an allevation of 109m captivated us with its beauty. We also visited Green Tea plantations and crystal-line reservoirs in Nuwara Eliya.
Our other exciting stop-over was Seetha Amman Temple which was really admired by my parents. The place features two temples, one of goddess Sita and another one of Hanuman. There is also a stream flowing along the temple. The locals told us that the goddess Sita spent her days there when she was imprisoned by Ravana. The temple flabbergasted us, especially my parents and will remain in our memories forever.
5. Adventures At Stunning Resort Town Of Bentota
Completely different from our previous destinations in Sri Lanka, Bentota was a beautiful resort town giving the glimpse of coastal belts. Bentota beach gave us a chance to relax by the pristine golden sands while admiring the unresting billows of the Indian Ocean. We also indulged in the adventurous water sports activities in Benota that gave an electrifying twirl to our vacay in Sri Lanka!
At the Madu Ganga River safari, we witness numerous bird species and the rich wildlife. I personally felt as if I am boating in the paradise and was in love with the panoramic vistas of this serene place.
Tips For Future Travelers
Following are the tips that helped us while holidaying in Sri Lanka and will surely be an aid for future travelers as well:
- Try to reach your hotel by 7 PM as we noticed that there is no street light in Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and Sigiriya.
- Plan a visit to the historical places only if you have love for history and architecture otherwise you might find those spots boring.
- The lush beauty of Sri Lanka is also home to mosquitos. Don’t forget to keep your mosquito repellent handy.
- Carry light clothes, preferably cotton-made outfits but don’t forget to pack woolen clothes if you are planning to visit Nuwara Eliya.
Get Your Travel Queries Answered
Planning a journey without getting your basic queries answered is not wise! Check out the most-searched queries of the travelers planning to visit Sri Lanka:
1. Is Sri Lanka safe for tourists?
A. Yes, Sri Lanka is completely safe for tourists esp. the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau follows very strict correspondence to assure a safe environment for its visitors.
2. What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
A. The best time to explore Sri Lanka is between December to March. The temperature remains constant between 27-29°C. Sri Lanka in March is the best as the sea is calm during this month and one might also witness Blue and Sperm Whales.
3. Is Sri Lanka family friendly?
A. Yes, every year millions of travelers head here with their families like any other vacation spot in Asia.
4. Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?
A. Indians need to apply for an online visa to travel to Sri Lanka. It is quite a simple process and a 100% online procedure. You will be issued an Electronic Travel Authorization that allows one to holiday in this country for 30 consecutive days.
5. How much does it cost to visit Sri Lanka?
A. The price of your trip depends on the number of days and places you are planning to visit. For an ideal vacation including all the prime destinations will cost a minimum between INR 40,000-50,000 per person.
Our trip to Sri Lanka was a fantastic escapade giving us sweet memories to be cherished in the years to come. We are quite satisfied with TravelTriangle that ensured our traveling Sri Lanka on a budget, a luxuriating excursion. Our well-planned itinerary and hassle-free transfers made our journey comfortable there. We asked to arrange a wheelchair for my father and were astonished at the driver always took care of this requirement. I must mention that the driver appointed to us very well-spoken and was a big help! Book your trip to Sri Lanka via Travelomama to grab some exclusive offers.
