The North of Sri Lanka

You can go directly from the airport to Kalpitiya on the north-west coast (about three hours away) for the first three nights of your vacation. Kalpitiya has unspoiled beaches, gorgeous lagoons, and a variety of water activities like as kite-surfing and windsurfing. Dolphins, whales, sting rays, and marine turtles live in the waters of Kalpitiya: go on a whale and dolphin watching trip with excellent ethical credentials, or dive among the coral reefs and observe plenty of colorful tropical species. Relax on the peaceful beaches and take in some stunning sunsets.

Today is spent in Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu is one of Sri Lanka's largest and oldest wildlife parks, as well as one of its most attractive, with a diverse variety of ecosystems that includes the coastal belt, lakes, open grassland plains, and dense forest. See if you can spot leopards, water buffalo, crocodiles, or kingfishers. Because Wilpattu is located away from the main tourist routes, a whole day of safari may be spent in complete solitude.

Travel to the Cultural Triangle to see the famed ruins of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital and the biggest monastic city of the ancient world, controlled by more than 100 Sri Lankan kings from the 4th century BC to the 11th century.

Mihintale, 13 kilometers from Anuradhapura, is one of Sri Lanka's most important religious sites, where Buddhism first appeared on the island around 247 BC. This is a terrific morning activity on your way to your destination, Mannar Island, a little-visited place that is a popular meeting spot for migrating birds in Sri Lanka. This is the nearest point in Sri Lanka to India, where the nations were previously linked centuries ago by Adam's Bridge, a chain of tiny sandy islands. Visit the remains of Mannar Fort, which was erected by the Portuguese in 1560 and may be eerily calm in the late afternoon sun.

Transfer to Jaffna and Sri Lanka's northernmost point. Explore the town of Jaffna, where sacred Hindu kovils devoted to numerous gods can be found on every street corner. Explore the remains of Jaffna Fort and heritage sites such as the old NaguleswaramKovil, Keerimalai hot springs, and the remnants of Kantharodai Buddhist temple. Casuarina Beach, Fort Hammenhiel, and birding on the Jaffna-Karainagar causeway are all to the west. Water birds in their millions line the Jaffna lagoon during the migratory birdwatching season, which runs from September to March: a stunning sight not to be missed.

The more daring may choose to make the most of their time in Jaffna by spending a day on Delft Island, a secluded and lovely island where wild horses graze the bleak plains. Visit the nearby island of Nainativu instead, which is home to the old Nagadeepa Buddhist temple and the Naga PooshaniAmbalkovil.

Trincomalee, one of Asia's oldest towns, has long been an important commercial port due to its enormous natural harbor. It was originally referred to be "the most precious colonial asset on the planet" by the British. A few kilometers to the north are the magnificent beaches of Nilaveli, where sun lovers may enjoy the best weather from June to September. This is Sri Lanka's answer to the Maldives, with endless white sandy beaches and glistening turquoise oceans.

Make a short return to the Cultural Triangle by winding your way south-west. Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, erected by King Kasyapa in the 5th century. The stronghold ruins, wall frescoes, and symmetrical royal gardens around the rock are incredible accomplishments of this age. Visit the historic cave temple of Dambulla. Its rock ceiling is a wide swath of colorful paintings, some of which date back more than 2,000 years and portray Buddhist mythology and stories from the Buddha's former lives. This subterranean temple houses the most Buddha sculptures in one location.

For your final night, travel near to Colombo's international airport.