Destination: Sri Lanka

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Negombo & Ancient Cities

TWO TO THREE WEEKS

This 347km trip through Sri Lanka’s ancient cities region takes in centuries-old dagobas (stupas), monasteries, sculptures and palaces as it rolls across hilly green plains and farming valleys and meanders through arid, East Africa–like topography.



As the seaside city of Negombo is closer than Colombo to Bandaranaike International Airport, it’s easy enough to kick off your trip here and skip the capital altogether. Whether or not you decide to spend a night or more in the historic city, Negombo is worth a stop to see the historic remains of the Dutch fort, charming Catholic churches, bustling fish markets and the rich marshlands of Muthurajawela.

From Negombo head northeast to North Central Province and into the Cultural Triangle, so-called because it contains three of the country’s most significant historical sites; it’s also a centre for handicrafts. Your first stop should be Dambulla, a series of cave shrines painted with vivid Buddhist murals. From here it’s a short jaunt to Sigiriya, a 200m-tall rock outcrop that was once either a palace or a monastery (depending on whom you believe), and truly one of the island’s most amazing sights.

Further northeast the former royal capital of Polonnaruwa offers an inspiring collection of Buddhist sculptures and monastery ruins dating back nearly a thousand years. In the vicinity, Minneriya National Park is well worth a visit to view the largest herds of wild elephants in Sri Lanka, along with plenty of other wildlife.

Next head northwest to Anuradhapura, an even older ex–royal capital with an extensive, well-preserved historical park containing the ruins of monasteries, palaces and dagobas (stupas). Stop off in Mihintale, just 13km east of Anuradhapura, to view its small yet impressive collection of monastic ruins and dagobas, and the remains of an ancient Ayurvedic hospital.