WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 PLACES FOR ONE-DAY TOURS IN SRI LANKA?

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Top 10 places for one day tours in Sri Lanka are as follows: Negombo, Downtown Colombo, Kandy, Wilpattu National Park, Galle, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Yala National Park, Kitulgala, and Udawalawe National Park.

The number of places to visit on one-day trips in Sri Lanka is endless. However, we have filtered some of the best one-day trip places for your Sri Lanka one-day tours. We filtered these one-day trip places based on their historical, natural, and cultural significance, as well as their distance from Colombo. We highlight five very popular Sri Lanka day trips that allow you to visit five important tourist attractions in the country within a single day. A large number of local operators, such as Seerendipity Tours, organise day trips to these places from Colombo and most west-coast tourist resorts.

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ONE DAY TOURS IN SRI LANKA

The tropical island of Sri Lanka is diverse and full of adventure with its multicultural and multireligious society. Why not make a few Sri Lanka day trips from your resort and explore some interesting places on the island? From the palm-fringed, sandy beaches on the southwest coast to the enchanting landscapes in Sri Lanka’s hill country, the rugged terrain in Yala National Park, and the thousands of year-old ancient temples in the cultural triangle, this tropical nation offers something for everyone. Walk in the Sinharaja rainforest, cycle through the cobbled stone alleys of Galle Fort, explore the fascinating underwater world in Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary, or see the giant blue whales on a whale-watching tour. Here is a list of places for one-day trips in Sri Lanka to experience the best it has to offer.

Sri Lanka one day tour Udawalawe national park, Sri Lanka day tour to Sinharaja rainforest, One day Sri Lanka trip to Sigiriya
Affordable Sri Lanka one-day tours from Seerendipity Tours. Click www.seerendipitytours one-day trips for more information and many other one-day programs from Sri Lanka.

TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA WITHIN ONE DAY

There are a large number of places to visit in Sri Lanka within one day, but after considering their historical, natural, and cultural importance as well as the time it takes to reach them from Colombo, we have chosen the below-mentioned places for Sri Lanka day trips. We have written this article under the heading, “Top 10 places to visit in Sri Lanka within one day.”

Seerendipity Tours receives a large number of emails with questions like “What are the best one-day trips in Sri Lanka?“, “Can we book a Sri Lanka day tour with you?” and “Can you give us more information on Sri Lanka day tours?” We thought now was the time to formulate this post because the enquiries for the Sri Lanka one-day tours are, in fact, on an upward trend. In this article, we will discuss popular one-day trips and places to visit in Sri Lanka. We hope this article will give you a solid start on planning your Sri Lanka day trip.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 PLACES FOR ONE-DAY TOURS IN SRI LANKA?

The recent upgrade to Sri Lankan infrastructure, particularly the expansion of highways, has allowed people to reduce their travel time to distant destinations like Yala National Park, Kataragama Temple, and Sigiriya Rock. Here is the list of the top 10 one-day trip places in Sri Lanka. Many local tour operators offer one-day trips to these popular tourist attractions; however, the one-day trips in Sri Lanka usually start as early as 5:00 AM.

  1. Negombo is 37 km from Colombo, a 1-hour drive.
  2. Downtown Colombo
  3. Kandy is 117 km from Colombo, a 3-hour drive.
  4. Wilpattu National Park is 166 km from Colombo, or a 3-hour drive.
  5. Galle is 126 km from Colombo, a 2-hour drive.
  6. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, 175 km from Colombo, is a 3-hour and 30-minute drive away.
  7. Yala National Park is 287 km from Colombo, a 4-hour drive.
  8. Kitulgala, 99 km from Colombo, is a 2hour, 30-minute drive .
  9. Udawalawe National Park is 257 km from Colombo; it takes a 3-hour and 30-minute drive.
  10. Bentota, 80 km from Colombo, is a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Colombo.
  • One-day trips in Sri Lanka: Bentota with a crocodile safari
  • One-day trips in Sri Lanka: whale-watching with Galle and Hikkaduwa
  • Sri Lanka one-day tour to Udawalawe National Park
  • One-day trips in Sri Lanka: rainforest trek/jungle tour, Sinharaja rainforest
  • Sri Lanka: one-day tour to Sigiriya and Dambulla
  • One-day trips in Sri Lanka: Kandy, Elephant orphanage Pinnawala, tooth relic temple and Botanical garden
  • Sri Lanka one-day tour to Kitulgala with water rafting, jungle trekking and bird watching

HOW TO BOOK ONE-DAY TOURS IN SRI LANKA?

You can reach us at info@seerendipitytours.com, on WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

Sri lanka one day tour to Bentota, One day whale watching tour, One day galle sri lanka tour
Affordable Sri Lanka one-day tours from Seerendipity Tours. Click www.seerendipitytours one-day trips for more information and many other one-day programmes from Sri Lanka.

1. ONE-DAY TRIPS IN SRI LANKA: BENTOTA WITH A CROCODILE SAFARI

Bentota is a popular beach resort in Sri Lanka. Bentota is a part of most Sri Lanka multi-day tour packages, such as the Sri Lanka 14-day tour, Sri Lanka 10-day tour and Sri Lanka 8-day tour.

This Sri Lankan one-day tour package includes the Bentota River, Bentota Beach, the sea turtle conservation project, the ancient temple, and a few other tourist attractions where crocodile sightings are frequent, along with many other animals, such as monkeys, lizards, and snakes. You will be exposed to the untamed wilderness as you float through the mangrove lagoons, which are one of the biggest and last remaining mangrove habitats in Sri Lanka. The trip also includes a visit to spice gardens, a sea turtle conservation project, and Bentota Beach.

Important: A boat trip is a very popular activity in Sri Lanka, and there are three main places where you can start the tour. The most popular is the Madu River safari; the second most popular is the Bentota River safari starting from Aluthgama Bridge; and the third boat safari starts from Kaluwamodara Bridge. By far the best safari is the one that starts at Kaluwamodara Bridge, especially if you wish to see crocodiles during the boat safari.

Bentota river safari

2.  PLACES FOR ONE-DAY TOURS IN SRI LANKA WHALE WATCHING TRIP

Sri Lanka has become a whale-watching hot spot in the world, with guaranteed whale sightings on the trip. This one-day trip starts early (at 5:00 AM) from Colombo and other beach resorts, as you have to report to Mirissa harbour by 6:00 AM. You will board the wide whale-watching boat from Mirissa harbour, and on a 2-4 hour trip, you will be able to have a closer look at the blue whales. This one-day trip from Colombo also includes Galle Fort, sea turtle conservation, and Hikkaduwa Beach.

3. SRI LANKA ONE-DAY TOUR TO UDAWALAWE-SAFARI

This is a popular wildlife tour that lets you see elephants up close. Udalawawe is popular for elephants, and there is a large concentration of wild elephants here. The elephant population is on the rise in Udawalawe as the elephant transit camp, which is a project to protect orphan elephants on the island, releases a large number of rehabilitated elephants into the jungle every year.

Sri Lanka one day tour, Udawalawe safari

4. SRI LANKA DAY TOUR: SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST

Sinharaja is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has the largest tract of primaeval rainforest in the country. The forest covers 490 square kilometres. The Sinharaja rainforest is a super-diversity hotspot with a large concentration of fauna and flora. This Sri Lanka one-day trip includes all ground transportation, a nature guide to help you during the jungle trek, and all entrance fees.

5. SRI LANKA DAY TOUR: SIGIRIYA AND DAMBULLA

Sigiriya tour packages from Colombo are very popular among travellers to Sri Lanka. There is a high demand for one-day trips in Sri Lanka, mainly to the cultural triangle, and the Sigiriya one-day tour is one of the most popular among travellers. Even though it is a one-day tour, this activity is packed with many interesting activities. The travellers are not only able to visit Sigiriya Rock on this Sri Lanka one-day tour but also many other places, such as Dambulla Cave Temple, Pidurangala Temple, Ibbankatuwa Ancient Site, and Minneriya for a safari. His Sri Lanka one-day trip to Sigiriya starts early in the morning from Colombo, at around 5:00 AM, due to the distance to cover on the journey.

You can reach us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking on the above-mentioned day tour.

Sigiriya one day tour

WHAT TIME SHOULD I START MY SRI LANKA DAY TRIP?

The starting time of your one-day trips in Sri Lanka is one of the essential facts for the success of your journey. This is critical if you stay in a hotel in Colombo. According to our estimate, tourists who undertake one-day trips to Sri Lanka have only about 4–5 hours to explore the tourist sites. The rest of the day is filled with travel, meals, etc.

Most one-day trips in Sri Lanka take 8–10 hours. Given the limited time available to see the tourist attractions and drive up and down, tourists should plan their one-day trips to minimise travel time, allowing them to explore the sites without rushing. Most one-day trips in Sri Lanka start early in the morning (around 5:00 a.m.) from Colombo.

If you stay in Colombo, you have to pass the borders of the city before the traffic builds up. Most hotels in Colombo are about 30 minutes from the border. But if you leave your hotel at 7 a.m., you may be stuck in traffic for up to 2 hours, wasting time.

Even outside of major cities like Colombo, it is easy to drive in the early hours due to the absence of many vehicles and people on the road. On the other hand, it is very comfortable for the passengers due to the smooth drive.

However, now that we have highways in Sri Lanka allowing us to drive up to 100km per hour, the starting time of a few one-day tours has changed. The starting times of the popular Sri Lanka day trips from Colombo are listed below.

  • One-day tour to Sigiriya Dambulla 04.30 AM
  • One-day trip to Kandy 05.00 AM
  • One-day tour to Nuwara Eliya, 04.30 AM
  • One-day tour to Yala National Park 04.00 AM
  • One-day trip to Udawalawe National Park 05.00 AM
  • One-day trip to the Sinharaja rainforest, 06.00 AM
  • Galle one-day trip, 06.30 AM
  • One-day whale-watching trip at 4:00 AM
  • One-day tour to Bentota 06.30 AM
  • Kitulgala one-day trip 06.30 AM

The above-mentioned pick-up times are valid for trips organised with a private taxi and an experienced tourist driver or guide (who knows the roads well for the tourist attractions). The starting time of the whale-watching trip can’t be delayed, as the boat sets sail in Mirissa on time. It is highly advised not to delay the Sigiriya-Dambulla day trip so that the passengers can climb the Sigiriya rock and Dambulla temple in the early morning and avoid the scorching midday heat.

STARTING TIME OF THE DAY TRIP FROM THE BEACH HOTEL

The starting time of the day trip from beach resorts is usually the same as the starting time from Colombo. However, depending on the location of your resort, either on the west coast or the southern coast, the starting time may vary; e.g., the Galle day trip from Colombo starts at 06.30 AM, while the Galle day trip from Bentota starts at 07.30 AM. The passengers need to consult the local tour operator to get the exact pickup time from their resort.

Sri Lanka one-day tours

Kitulgala one-day tour includes Whitewater rafting (2 hours) and a rain forest trek in the rain forest of Kitulgala. The tour includes entire ground transportation from Colombo or the beach hotel, all entrance and activity fees, a live guide and all taxes.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 PLACES FOR ONE-DAY ADVENTURE TRIPS IN SRI LANKA?

  • Sri Lanka’s one-day adventure tour to Kitulgala
  • One-day adventure trip to Nuwara Eliya
  • Sri Lanka’s one-day adventure tour to Ella
  • Sri Lanka’s one-day adventure to Adam’s Peak
  • Sri Lanka’s one-day adventure to Bentota

HOW TO BOOK ONE DAY SRI LANAK ADVENTURE TOUR?

You can reach us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or by phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

1. A ONE-DAY ADVENTURE TRIP FROM SRI LANKA TO KITULGALA

Kitulgala is better known as the adventure playground of Sri Lanka. Kitulgala attracts the most adventure enthusiasts on the island. The remote adventure holiday spot with a rocky outcrop provides all the ingredients for many adrenaline-pumping activities, such as water rafting, canoeing, mountain climbing, waterfall abseiling, and many others.

Seerendipity Tours has launched a day trip from Colombo to the west coast hotels of Sri Lanka to enable both foreign and local travellers to enjoy this unique destination. This one-day trip includes many interesting features, such as 2 hours of trekking in the rain forest with bird watching, 2 hours of whitewater rafting, canoeing, and trekking through the remote village, accompanied by a delicious local lunch.

Kitulgala is one of the best places for a one-day adventure trip from Colombo. It takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Kitulgala from Colombo. This jungle-rich countryside is located in the western province of Sri Lanka, which means that it can be conveniently reached from the most popular beach holiday destinations on the western and southern coasts of the country.

Kitulgala is also very close to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, making it easy to reach destinations in Sri Lanka’s upcountry. So if you are also looking for a one-day adventure trip from Colombo, you should seriously think of Kitulgala for your one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka.

IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ADVENTURE TRIP, PLEASE READ MY ARTICLE UNDER THE TITLE “KITULGALA BOAT RAFTING AND ADVENTURE“.

2. A ONE-DAY ADVENTURE TRIP FROM SRI LANKA TO NUWARA ELIYA

Nuwara Eliya is the most popular mountain resort on the island and is an ideal venue for a one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka. Nestled in the hills, at 1800 meters above sea level, Nuwara Eliya has a large collection of places for thrilling adventures.

Whether you are staying in Kandy or in a beach resort in the deep south of Sri Lanka, you can easily reach Nuwara Eliya thanks to the well-developed road network. Hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, boating, horseback riding, waterfall abseiling, and golfing are some of the popular activities here.

3. A ONE-DAY ADVENTURE TRIP FROM COLOMBO TO ELLA

Ella, better known as a mountain backpacker’s paradise, is one of the most popular mountain resorts on the island. Ella is still a laid-back village that has many mountains, valleys, tea plantations, waterfalls, and patches of forest.

Mountain climbing, water rafting, waterfall abseiling, trekking, and hiking are the most popular activities in Ella. Most parts of Sri Lanka can use Ella as a destination for one-day adventure trips.

4. A ONE-DAY ADVENTURE TRIP FROM COLOMBO TO ADAM’S PEAK

Adam’s Peak is one of the most popular places on the islands for a one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka. A large number of travellers undertake the one-day adventure trip to Adam’s Peak from Colombo, west coast beach resorts, south coast beach resorts, and Kandy.

The Adams Peak hike, part slog and part trek in the high altitude, the journey to this holy mountain—the 3rd tallest free-standing mountain in Sri Lanka—lures thousands of trekkers every year. Beginning amid lush green foliage on Sri Lanka’s heavily cultivated lower slopes, the hike continues up through dense, dripping rainforests to cloud forests and crosses fascinating landscapes with perennial waterways, large boulders, and small eateries that serve the hikers.

The final stage (about 100 metres) is the steepest part of the climb; however, properly laid stairs make it easy to conquer the mountain. The climb starts around midnight, culminating with sunrise views from the summit over the plains far below. The cold, wet conditions and high altitude of the mountain may make it a difficult trek and a serious undertaking.

Hiking at Adam’s Peak is a highly seasonal one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka. The best time for this one-day adventure trip is from November to April.

5. A ONE-DAY TRIP IN SRI LANKA FROM COLOMBO TO BENTOTA

If you are interested in water sports, mainly saltwater-based activities such as surfing, boating, sea fishing, windsurfing, diving, snorkelling, boating, and other water sports, you better head on to the west and south coasts of Sri Lanka.

There are hundreds of places on the south and west coasts that are ideal for a one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka. Scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, paragliding, canoeing, and rafting are some of the popular activities here.

HOW TO BOOK A ONE-DAY TOUR TO BENTOTA FROM COLOMBO?

You can reach us at info@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or by phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

SRI LANKA DAY TOUR TO YALA NATIONAL PARK AND UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Exploring the rich wildlife in Sri Lanka is one of the most thrilling adventures a traveller can have. Sri Lanka day tours from Colombo to Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park are very popular among wildlife enthusiasts. Both day tours start in Colombo early in the morning and return there on the same day.

With the completion of the southern motorway, it has become easy to drive to most tourist attractions in southern Sri Lanka, including Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park.

If you need additional information on a one-day trip to Udawalawe National Park and Yala National Park, please click the below links.

one day trips in Sri Lanka, PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA WITHING ONE DAY
Udawalawe safari one-day tour, this private tour starts from Colombo and other tourist hotels on the west coast. The tour includes an all-inclusive Udawalawe safari, entire ground transportation, a live guide, all entrance fees, and taxes.

Even though Sri Lanka is not a top-notch destination for wildlife holidays, this tropical island offers an opportunity to spot a large number of wild animals, such as leopards, elephants, bears, and crocodiles. Among a little more than a dozen wildlife reserves, only a few are being used for Sri Lanka safaris. Yala National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National Park, and Eco-Park are the most popular Sri Lanka safaris. Due to travel time from Colombo, we recommend the following national parks for your Sri Lanka day tour.

SRI LANKA A DAY TOUR TO THE WEST COAST OF SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka’s west coast is popular for holidays, and the beaches of Bentota and Hikkaduwa are beach vacation hotspots on the island. However, Sri Lanka’s west coast offers a lot more than pristine, sandy, palm-fringed beaches. There are many dozens of important tourist attractions on the west coast, such as temples, historical monuments, forts, lakes, museums, mangrove forests, marine sanctuaries, etc. The Bentota one-day tour and the Galle one-day tour are the two most popular Sri Lanka day trips to explore the West Coast.

  • Bentota one-day tour
  • Galle one-day tour

DURATION OF THE DAY TRIP TO BENTOTA

Bentota Beach, which lies 100 kilometres south of Colombo, is the most popular beach on the west coast. Therefore, most visitors to Colombo include this day trip to Bentota from Colombo in their bucket list. Usually, the tour starts around 7:00 a.m. from Colombo and ends around 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

Seerendipity Tours arranges regular day trips to Bentota from Colombo. This Sri Lanka one-day tour includes the following places:

  • Sea turtle conservation project
  • Madu riverboat trip (Madu River Safari)
  • The cinnamon island
  • Moonstone mines and
  • Mask Museum

HOW DO WE VISIT THOSE 10 PLACES ON SRI LANKA ONE-DAY TRIPS?

You can reach us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or by phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

You can only explore a small portion of the island in a single day. Avoid packing too much into your road trip, as you must factor in the time required for travel. You can easily overlook the time required for travel due to the interesting attractions that you encounter on the trip. After all, you need considerable time to study the places you visit.

In this article, we are not only discussing 10 places to visit in Sri Lanka within one day but also the important attractions in each place, giving you the full picture of these 10 Sri Lanka day trips.

You can easily explore all ten of these places on one-day tours from Colombo, from the airport, or from the most popular beach resorts, such as Bentota, Kalutara, and Negombo. So you can consider adding a few of the Sri Lanka day tours listed below to your holiday package when you plan your next short holiday in Sri Lanka.

ESCAPE FROM THE ROUTINE LIFE WITH ONE OF THESE ONE-DAY TRIPS

You may have taken a short break from your office after days of hard and routine work, and now is the perfect time for a quick sightseeing tour. An excursion of one or two days is the best option for you.

PLAN YOUR SRI LANKA ONE-DAY TRIP WITH EXPERT

If it is well planned, you will be able to see some of the very beautiful places in Sri Lanka in this short period. At the same time, make use of it to get away from tension and stress or daily routine office work; all these places have plenty of activities to keep you busy. So planning is a critical factor for the success of your one-day trip. That’s why you should seek assistance from experienced travel staff at Seerendipity Tours.

There are many places to visit in Sri Lanka in a day. Choosing the best places to explore based on what you like most can be a relaxing time on the beach, adrenaline-pumping activities like water rafting, or watching giant blue whales.

Perhaps you are in Sri Lanka on an official visit and would like to experience some interesting things. Or you are in transit, waiting for your flight to the next destination and looking for a Sri Lanka tour operator such as Seerendipity Tours to book a short trip from Colombo.

Whatever your requirements, it is beneficial to have a short tour. It seems like a great idea, doesn’t it? For those with time constraints due to office work, scheduled meetings, or flights, a short tour from Colombo seems to be the ideal and well-deserved option.

If there are constraints on the availability of time, plan for a short getaway to the nearest yet most interesting place from Colombo. With a tour of one or two days, you will be able to explore some interesting places nearby, take part in interesting activities, experience Sri Lankan shopping, indulge in a refreshing Ayurveda course, gorge on some delicious Sri Lankan fresh seafood, relax on the pristine beaches of Sri Lanka, etc.

We discuss only 10 one-day trip places in Sri Lanka, but there are many other places that you can visit on a day trip from Colombo or from the west coast beach resorts. Each place caters to tourists with different tastes. For instance, if you book the Kitulgala one-day adventure tour, which is the best one-day adventure trip in Sri Lanka and offers you many possibilities with regards to adventure activities such as trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, and waterfall abseiling, if you head on to Udawalawe or Yala, you can do a jeep safari. So consider what each destination offers before you finalise the place for your one-day Sri Lanka tour.

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Choose the best vehicle for your one-day tour in Sri Lanka from a wide range of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, mini-coach, micros, etc. We provide all kinds of vehicles at affordable rates.

WHY IS THE TAXI YOUR BEST CHOICE FOR THE SRI LANKA ONE-DAY TRIP?

Pay special attention to transport and find the best way to get around on your Sri Lanka day tour. Opt for private transport with a local driver, as it can help you save time and ensure your day tour runs smoothly.

Taxi or private transport is the best way of getting around Sri Lanka; it is safe, and most importantly, it saves time, but the acute shortcoming of the taxi is the cost that it involves.

You have to reduce the time spent travelling. You have to reduce the time spent travelling since you have only a limited time for the tour. They are cheap, but they take a long time to travel between cities and are always late, so you may not have time to sightsee.

So, pack your bag and make it all ready to treat yourself and enjoy life at its best during the brief vacation. Seerendipity Tours offers many day trips from Colombo, and with those tours, you can explore most of these places chosen by the author as places to visit in Sri Lanka within one day.

Sinharaja rainforest’s day tour starts from Colombo and other major tourist hotels on the West Coast. The travellers will be able to trek through the virgin rainforest of Sinharaja and encounter thousands of tropical trees, plants, veins, and orchids. Sinharaja harbours many hundred bird species too. You will get a guided walking tour of the forest with our nature guide, who explains to you the unique environment of the forest. The trip includes entire ground transportation, all entrance fees, a live guide, and taxes.

PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA WITHIN ONE DAY FROM COLOMBO

There are many places to visit in Sri Lanka that can be reached within a day trip from Colombo. TThe day trips listed below from Colombo offer some exciting options. Plan your day trips from Colombo to the picturesque mountains with tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya and Kandy or the idyllic beach resorts on the west and southern coasts to unwind, seek out activities, and receive divine blessings.

1. NEGOMBO IS TOP ON THE LIST OF PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA WITHIN ONE DAY.

Hikkaduwa Beach Sri Lanka, beach holiday hikkaduwa, hikkaduwa beach, sri lanka beach hikkaduwa, hikkaduwa beach tour
This 7 days beach holiday package is based on a 4-star beach resort on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The beach holiday package includes arriva1/departure transfers on a luxury vehicle, daily breakfast, and dinner as well as all government taxes.

The distance to cover this one-day tour from Colombo is 40 km. 
Time spent on the trip from Colombo: 1 hour (10 minutes from the airport).

The Negombo day trip is among the most straightforward one-day excursions in Sri Lanka, and it’s arguably the best trip from Colombo and the airport. Negombo, the beach city of Sri Lanka near the Colombo international airport, is one of the most sought-after beach holiday destinations in Sri Lanka.

NEgombo’s close proximity to Colombo makes it one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in a single day. It is just a 10-minute drive from the airport and about a 1-hour drive from Colombo; this close proximity makes it one of the best places for a day trip from Colombo, even if you stay only a few hours on the island.

Travellers of all ages are drawn to the beaches of Negombo. The beautiful, pristine beaches; affordable accommodations; restaurants; pubs; cafes; shopping; and recreation activities are the main attributes that make Negombo a favourite.

NEGOMBO FISH MARKET

TThe fish market is a must-visit attraction in Negombo. Negombo is very rich in many varieties of fish, and fishing is the major livelihood of most people here. TTry to visit the fish market early in the morning for the best experience. Behind the fish market, adjoining the sea, is flat land reserved for fish drying. A large amount of fish is scattered over the vast land and left to dry under the scorching heat of the sun.

NEGOMBO TEXTILE MARKET

The textile market is another must-visit attraction in Negombo. A large number of shops are lined up along the main road, and they are full of clothes, handicrafts, food items, etc.

MARY’S CHURCH, NEGOMBO

Among a large number of places to visit, this Catholic church is a must-visit A large tract of land with huge trees and plants helps you forget the hustle and bustle of Colombo.

MUTHURAJAWELA WETLAND

NNegombo’s proximity to the beach makes it a popular beach holiday destination, but its proximity to the Muthurajawela wetland also provides an opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s rich wildlife. The wetland harbours a large number of aquatic bird species, animals such as crocodiles, and many flora species. Muthurajawela is most popular as a destination for birdwatching.

NEGOMBO BEACH, LEWIS ROAD

Negombo is one of the best places for beach holidays on the west coast. The shallow water and palm-fringed beaches with snow-white sand are heaven for beach holiday lovers.

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT ON THE SRI LANKA DAY TOUR TO NEGOMBO

Negombo Lagoon, Dutch Canal, Dutch Fortress, Fishmarket

The prices of the Negombo one-day tour are without entrance fees, boat hire charges, or meals. Single supplement: US$ 10.

  1. Negombo city tour from Negombo beach: Price: US$ 40 per person
  2. City tour of Negombo from Colombo: Price: US$ 60 P.
  3. One-day Negombo tour from Kalutara: price US$ 80 P.P.
  4. Negombo day tour from Bentota: Price: US$ 95 P.P.
  5. Day tour of Negombo from Hikkaduwa/Galle: Price: US$ 120 P.P.

RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION ON NEGOMBO ONE DAY TOUR

You can contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

2. PLACES TO VISIT IN SRI LANKA WITHIN ONE DAY: DOWNTOWN COLOMBO

Colombo city tour

Colombo city centre is also one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka in one day. The city offers a large number of places to visit and many activities to keep you busy during the day and night.

Colombo is the commercial hub of Sri Lanka and the busiest city in the country. This economic hub on the island has a fascinating blend of new and old. You can see high-rise modern skyscrapers next to historical buildings dating back to the first half of the 18th century. Colombo City is one of the best places for an unforgettable shopping experience.

Distance from Colombo International Airport: 35 km 
Time required on this one-day tour from the international airport to Colombo city: 1 hour

WHAT ARE THE 10 PLACES TO VISIT ON THE COLOMBO CITY TOUR?

  • Pettah Bazaar
  • Wolvendaal church
  • Gangarama temple
  • Viharamahadevi Park
  • Independent memorial hall
  • Galle Face Green
  • Pettah
  • National Museum
  • Simamalalka/Beira Lake
  • Colombo 7/Cinnamon Garden

PETTAH BAZAAR COLOMBO

The bazaar area of Pettah is one of the must-visit places in Colombo if you fancy shopping in Sri Lanka. The vibrant market is full of imported and local products. The diversity of products is great, as is the price. Virtually everything is available on the island. You can purchase clothing, leather products, gems and jewellery, tea, and Ayurveda in Pettah.

WOLVENDAAL CHURCH COLOMBO

The Dutch colonial administration of Sri Lanka constructed Wolvendaal Church in the 1600s. They built the church at the highest point in Colombo. The church is one of the oldest churches on the island.

GANGARAMA TEMPLE, COLOMBO

Majestically standing on the bank of Beira Lake, this magnificent temple is one of the oldest Buddhist institutions in the city. It has a quiet and serene atmosphere, identical to a religious place, though the temple is located in the busiest city in the country. The pompous temple differs in many ways from other Buddhist temples in the country. Don’t forget to visit the museum of the Gangarama temple, which has a large number of objects of high value.

Buddhist temples are sacred places, and visitors need to have a proper dress code so that they can uphold the sacredness of the religious site. If you are foreign to Sri Lanka and wondering what the Sri Lanka temple dress code and temple rules are, check out this article: “13 Rules You Should Break When Visiting Sri Lanka Buddhist Temples AND Sri Lanka Temple Dress Code.“.

VIHARAMAHADEVI PARK, COLOMBO

The park is a green oasis that provides shelter for thousands of visitors to Colombo. A large tract of land with huge trees and plants helps you forget the hustle and bustle of Colombo. This site is a place to have a peaceful time in Colombo. The well-laid park has running tracks, play areas, waterfalls, a cafeteria, and hundreds of bunks in the shade.

INDEPENDENT MEMORIAL HALL

The remembrance of Sri Lanka’s independence The first independent parliament of Sri Lanka met at this location. Typical Sri Lankan architecture guided the construction of the building.

GALLE FACE GREEN, COLOMBO

Galle Face Beach is the major beach in the city, with a huge open area. As the name suggests, it is a huge area covered with grass, though it is a beach bordering the ocean. Galle’s Face is a popular place to perform various sports and have family gatherings.

5 OTHER PLACES TO VISIT ON A COLOMBO CITY TOUR

  • Colombo National Museum
  • Colombo Zoo
  • BMICH
  • Hindu temple, Compannavidiya
  • Floating market in Colombo

The price of the Colombo one-day tour does not include entrance fees or meals. Single supplement: US$ 40

  1. Colombo city tour from Colombo/Negombo: US$ 40 P.P.
  2. Colombo day tour from Kalutara/Bentota: US$ 60 p.p.
  3. Colombo day tour from Hikkaduwa/Galle: US$ 80 P.P.

RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION ON COLOMBO ONE DAY TOUR

You can contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

3. VISITING KANDY ON A SRI LANKA DAY TRIP FROM COLOMBO

Kandy one day tour

This is one of the most sought-after day tours in Sri Lanka. Kandy is also one of the best places to visit on a Sri Lanka day tour. Kandy differs in many ways from all other places that are identified as places to visit in Sri Lanka within one day, mainly due to its location in the mountains.

Kandy lies 500 metres above sea level and has a cool climate. Kandy is among the few places in the mountains that can be explored on a day tour from Colombo and beach resorts. This one-day trip from Colombo will not be a relaxing trip; it is full of activities.

WHAT TO SEE ON THE KANDY ONE DAY TOUR?

Kandy is one of the most picturesque gateways to Colombo. Kandy is a cultural and historical city with a colonial touch—essentially British influence. Kandy is the home of the most venerated Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka and a Mecca for Sri Lankan Buddhists.

SRI LANKA DAY TOURS TO KANDY FROM COLOMBO: WHAT ARE THE PLACES TO VISIT?

  • Pinnawala elephant orphanage
  • Tooth relic temple
  • Spice garden
  • Tea factory or tea plantation
  • Royal Botanical Garden

TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH RELIC

The tooth relic temple is the most sacred Buddhist temple on the island, and the left eye tooth of Buddha is supposed to be residing there. The temple has a rich historical past and stands beside Kandy Lake.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

The biggest botanical garden in Sri Lanka dates back to the Kandyan kingdom. Today it is a research centre, botanical garden, herbarium, and picnic place.

SRI LANKA DAY TOURS TO KANDY FROM COLOMBO: VISITING A TEA FACTORY

Tea is one of the major export goods in Sri Lanka; perhaps you don’t know that the world-renowned Ceylon tea is produced here. Sri Lanka is the home of Ceylon tea, and the best Ceylon tea comes from the upcountry of Sri Lanka. The well-maintained tea garden is very attractive and photogenic.

SRI LANKA DAY TOURS TO KANDY FROM COLOMBO: VISITING ELEPHANT PARK

Most day trips from Colombo to Kandy include the Pinnawala elephant orphanage. Pinnawala is one of the places included in most road trips in Sri Lanka, too. Here, you can see the largest herd of tamed elephants in the world. The number of animals in the herd now exceeds 80.

A FEW OTHER IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT ON SRI LANKA DAY TOURS TO KANDY FROM COLOMBO

  • Kandy lake
  • Embekke Devala
  • Lankatilaka Temple
  • Gadaladeniya temple
  • Kandyan cultural show
  • A gem museum

The prices of the Kandy one-day tour do not include entrance fees and meals. Single supplement: US$ 40

  1. Negombo one-day tour from Colombo: US$ 80 P.P.
  2. Negombo one-day tour from Kalutara/Bentota: US$ 100 per person
  3. One-day Negombo tour from Hikkaduwa/Galle: US$ 120 per person

RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION ON KANDY ONE DAY TOUR

You can contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

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Udawalawe one wildlife tour can be booked from Colombo hotels and 400+ other beach resorts on the west coast of Sri Lanka

4. SRI LANKA DAY TOUR: VISITING WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

The distance to cover from Colombo is 166 km. 
Time taken on the tour from Colombo: 3 hours

Important Facts About Wilapatu Park

Area: 317 sq km 
Annual Average Temperature: 27.7°C Annual Rainfall: 1000mm 
The Best Time of the Year To Visit: October to May 
visiting hours: 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

The Wilpattu National Park Day Tour is one of the most interesting one-day trips in Sri Lanka. This is the only national park that I chose as one of the places to visit in Sri Lanka in one day. You need to do 2-day trips from Colombo in order to explore most other popular national parks on the island, such as Yala.

THE VILLUS, WHICH IS UNIQUE TO WILPATTU

Located at the northwest corner of the island, Wilpattu National Park is one of the least explored wildlife reserves on the island. It was closed to visitors for many decades due to the civil war in northern Sri Lanka.

One of the important characteristics of the park that differs from most other national parks in Sri Lanka is the existence of willus (natural lakes). These are shallow water holes with a sandy soil rim that store water during the shower. They provide valuable services as the main water storage in the park for all kinds of creatures.

FAUNA OF WILPATTU

Fauna: 31 species of animals can be seen here, such as leopards, sloth bears, elephants, sambhur, wild buffalo, mongooses, spotted deer, crocodiles, and monkeys.

FLORA OF WILPATTU

Flora: many types of vegetation are to be found here, including littoral trees and plants such as salt grass, scrubs, and dry zone forest trees such as Weera, Palu, Milla, satin, Wewarna, and ebony.

AVIAN FAUNA SPECIES OF WILPATTU

Birds: A large number of avian fauna species have been identified in Wilpattu National Park. There are many endemic birds among them. Sri Lankan jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetii), little cormorants, the painted stork, the open bill, terns, and gulls, along with many species of owls, kites, buzzards, and eagles, are very common here.

Some of the wetland birds, such as cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), black-headed ibis (Threskiornis malanocephalus), spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), pintail (Anas acuta), whistling teal (Dendrocygna javanica), garganey (Anas querquedula), purple heron (Ardea purpurea), and large white egret, can also be seen here.

Reptiles and Amphibians: Gunther’s Cat Skink, Deccan Ground Gecko, Malabar Pit Viper, Humayun’s Wrinkled Frog, Beddome’s Lacerta, Bombay Bush Frog, etc.

A FEW OTHER PLACES TO VISIT ON A SRI LANKA DAY TOUR TO WILPATTU FROM COLOMBO

  • Manawari temple
  • Munneswaram temple, Puttalam

The prices of the one-day tour to Wilpattu National Park Safari do not usually include entrance fees, Jeep hires, or meals; however, you can book the same-day tour with the inclusion of entrance, Jeep hire, and all other expenses. This Sri Lanka one-day tour to visit Wilpattu National Park can be booked mainly in the below-mentioned variations. The cost of the tour differs depending on the starting location.

  1. One-day tour of Wilpattu from Colombo or Negombo
  2. Wilpattu day tour from Kalutara/Bentota
  3. Wilpattu one-day tour from Hikkaduwa/Galle

RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION ON WILPATTU ONE DAY TOUR

You can contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

5. SRI LANKA DAY TOURS TO GALLE FROM COLOMBO

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Distance from Colombo: 118km 
Time required to travel from Colombo: 3 hours

GALLE

Just a little over 100 kilometres south of Colombo is Galle, the capital of southern Sri Lanka, with its pristine beaches and hopping nightlife. Galle has a dose of history as well. The ancient seaport of Galle was part of the ancient sea trade route, and it was visited by many hundred of traders from Persia, Greece, Mesopotamia, China, India, and the Arab world over the last many millennia. Today, Galle is a popular tourist attraction with hundreds of kilometres of pristine beaches, forts, temples, patches of forest, rivers, lakes, and water sports centres.

ONE-DAY GALLE CITY TOUR FROM COLOMBO

Galle’s one-day tour is one of the most popular day trips from Colombo. Galle is the capital of southern Sri Lanka and is located near the southern border of the country. Galle is an important place of interest among travellers due to the Galle Fort and other natural attractions. The fort was built by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later expanded by the Dutch administration in Sri Lanka (1656–1796).

Today, Galle Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site, and it is a huge city with a large number of buildings and palaces built after old Dutch architecture. Most of these old houses and palaces now serve as hotels, guest houses, rest houses, shops, museums, and galleries.

You can wander around the Fort for many hours while exploring the museums, galleries, souvenir shops, textile shops, cafes, restaurants, churches, and temples. Galle Fort is a well-planned, protective city with a giant wall and hundreds of buildings with a sea view.

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT ON THE SRI LANKA ONE-DAY TRIP TO GALLE?

  • Mask Museum
  • Maritime Museum, Galle Forts
  • Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum
  • Madu River estuary
  • Hikkaduwa Beach
  • Mon stone mines

VISITING THE MARITIME MUSEUM ON A GALLE DAY TRIP FROM COLOMBO

The storage facility of the Dutch East India Company houses the Galle maritime museum, which is a part of Galle Fort. A large number of artefacts are displayed here.

GALLE DAY TRIP FROM COLOMBO: VISITING THE MARTIN WICKRAMASINGHE MUSEUM

The Martin Wickramasinghe Museum is a folk museum that showcases the life patterns of the people of Galle. There are a large number of exhibits discovered in southern Sri Lanka, all of which are closely connected to the day-to-day lives of common people.

GALLE DAY TRIP FROM COLOMBO: VISITING MADU RIVER ESTUARY

Madu River is a Ramsar wetland and an important ecological asset of the island. The Madu River shelters endangered mangroves, and the riverbank boasts a vast expanse of mangrove forest. A large number of aquatic bird species, as well as many types of animal species such as water monitors, crocodiles, and monkeys, can also be spotted here.

GALLE DAY TRIP FROM COLOMBO: EXPLORING HIKKADUWA BEACH

Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular beach resorts on the west coast. Hikkaduwa is most popular for its coral reefs and the fascinating underwater world off the shore. Glass-bottom boating is a popular activity among the visitors here, which enables them to see large coral reefs with many fish species in the shallow water.

GALLE DAY TRIP FROM COLOMBO: VISITING MASK MUSEUM

The Galle trip from Colombo is one of the most popular one-day trips in Sri Lanka, and visiting moonstone mines is an interesting activity included in the Galle tour. Moonstone is a semi-precious stone with a grade of 4. This milky-coloured semi-precious stone can only be found in Ambalangoda, near Hikkaduwa. A large number of people in Hikkaduwa make precious jewellery with moonstones, and jewellery- making has become a leading cottage industry in the area. In Ambalangoda, many small shops sell gems and jewellery. Some of the jewellery is fastened with moonstones, and some of it is studded with other precious stones such as sapphires, blue sapphires, amethyst, aquamarine, etc.

A FEW OTHER PLACES TO EXPLORE ON SRI LANKA DAY TRIPS FROM COLOMBO TO GALLE

  • Mak museum
  • Sea turtle conservation centre
  • Stilt fisherman
  • Kande vihara (Buddhist temple)

Seerendipity offers a one-day trip package that includes all ground transportation, an English-speaking guide, and entrance fees. You can book a Galle one-day tour from many other locations on the west coast. However, this Sri Lanka day trip is exclusive to a private tour group.

You can book the tour at beach resorts, with the price varying depending on the hotel you are staying at. If you need more information on this one-day trip, please write to us at admin@seerendipitytpours.com.

  1. Sri Lanka: One-day tour of Galle from Colombo or Negombo
  2. Sri Lanka Galle one-day tour from Kalutara/Bentota
  3. Galle one-day tour from Hikkaduwa

RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION ON GALLE ONE DAY TOUR

You can contact us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, WhatsApp at 0094 77-440977, or phone at 0094 77-4440977 for more information and booking.

A ONE-DAY TRIP TO THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE: IS IT POSSIBLE?

A one-day trip to the cultural triangle is possible from Colombo; however, the travellers need to start the trip at around 05.00 from Colombo. This is mainly due to the distance to cover from Colombo to the north-central province. Even with the very early morning starts, you will not be able to visit all major cultural and historical sites within a day; you will be able to see a few chosen sites. On a one-day trip to the cultural triangle, you can visit the Sigiriya rock fortress and Dambulla golden temple, Polonnaruwa historical city, or Anuradhapura ancient city. As an experienced tour operator, we strongly recommend you allocate time and money for at least a 2-day cultural triangle tour; thereby, you will be able to visit a few important sites and have plenty of time to explore them.

If you are looking for a one-day Sri Lanka tour similar to what we have published above, please don’t hesitate to contact us; we can help you plan the best Sri Lanka tour package for you.

WHY YOU SHOULD BOOK YOUR SRI LANKA ONE-DAY TRIP WITH SEERENDIPITY?

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

The best price guaranteed for you Kandy one day trip

When you book a tour with us, 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 Kandy one day trip with expert

Our staff makes a personalised programme for you, which you can change until you find the best package for you. You can also browse our existing tour packages for inspiration; all our ready-made tour packages are customizable and can be tailored to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977

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