Hi all, I couldn't find a Sri Lanka topic.
found a great fare to get to CMB on my way to Singapore in March 2023. March should be a nice month to visit.

i came up with a 12 day itinerary. Purely focussing on the WHS. The TWHS in the east, it would add to much time which I don't have.

what do you think? (note, day 8-9 i start again at day 1. because between there i need to fly to singapore for 5 days).
based on selfdrive. I think a regular car will do? or better go for 4x4?
I would only stay in Dambulla, Kandy and Galle (possible in CMB airport pending flight times)

Day 1 Arrival direct to Dambulla (3-4h drive)?
Day 2 Sigiriya (rock fortress with art) day trip from Dambulla (<1h drive)
Day 3 Anuradhapura (old city) day trip from Dambulla (1.5h drive)
Day 4 Polonnaruva (old city) day trip from Dambulla (1.5h drive)
Day 5 Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (in Dambulla) – drive to Kandy (2h drive)
Day 6 Day trip to Central Highlands Knuckles Range (2h drive to Deenstone Conservation Centre)
Day 7 Day in Kandy – afternoon to CMB
Day 8 Fly out
Day 1 (9) Arrival CMB to Galle
Day 2 (10) Day trip to Sinharaja Forest (3h drive both ways)
Day 3 (11) Day in Galle drive to CMB
Day 4 (12) Fly out

Tnx in advance!

This looks like a great plan Chris, and it has the same elements to what I did, particularly using Dambulla as a base. I would've suggested taking the train for a day trip to Galle from Colombo as it is a nice experience and staying overnight in Anuradhapura, but you have the benefit of the car.

Yes maybe, but I plan actually to not go to Colombo itself. The airport is far out the city and the city is only busy :-)
Take the rental at the airport and go.
I know there is some scenic train rides in Sri Lanka.

You would not need a 4x4 for this.

Some of the coastal towns in the southwest have (had?) congestion just slightly less than India, so you might want to ask around once you get there to confirm if your anticipated travel times are realistic.

However, how the deteriorating political/economic situation in the country during the last year will affect your plans seems like an open question...

Yes; what I read from other travellers is that tourists go first at gas stations.


OK tnx!

I recall the road being a bit rough to Sinharaja, which we paid for a day trip from Galle. Our driver managed it with a 2WD sedan, and going slow, but I'm pretty sure thinking it was good we weren't driving ourselves!