Flights and Visa:

There are some direct flights available from Mumbai to Colombo but most flights are having layovers at Bangalore or Chennai.

As far as the visa is concerned,we applied for a Visa through the MMT app.They charged us 300 INR for Visa processing.

Important tip:

Don’t book air tickets through IRCTC.There is always a communication gap between IRCTC and airlines.While on the return journey, the connecting flight from Chennai was canceled about one month back, and they didn’t even take efforts to inform us.When checked at the counter on journey day, they told us that they didn’t have our local Chennai phone number so didn’t communicate with us. What a rubbish reason it was!

How to roam around in Sri Lanka:

In Sri Lanka there is an app called Pick Me app. It works like uber or Ola.We used Pick Me app extensively to book tuk tuk and cabs.

Many people, especially foreigners, hire self-drive tuk tuk and wander the whole Sri Lanka. It can be a great and convenient way  to explore the whole Country.Tuk-tuk is a very famous mode of transport in Sri Lanka. One can find vibrant coloured, well maintained, attractive tuk-tuks on every road of Sri Lanka. 

Important tip:

If there is no vehicle available on the Pick Me app, you can still check the price from the app and bargain with the tuk-tuk or cab driver because they charge really high at first.

You can take a bike or scooter on rent at many tourist places in Sri Lanka.We had a rented  scooter for half a day costing around 800 LKR  at a place called Ella.

Try public buses; they are very cheap and well maintained and have very good connectivity and frequency all over Sri Lanka.

About train journeys, you should not miss  Ella – Kandy train journey either way and coastal train journey till Colombo.These are the best train journeys we ever had.

Mobile network :

We got sim card of Dailog company from airport.In Sri Lanka, we recommend you to get a SIM of dialogue as it has a good network range.

Communication language:

As Sri Lanka mainly depends on tourism, the majority of people can understand English and few are able to speak it.With English ,Tamil and Sinhala are well spoken languages in Sri Lanka.

Food in Sri Lanka:

We tried many local famous dishes in Sri Lanka.Kottu roti is one of the dishes which is prepared by cutting maida roti into flat noodles shaped short pieces and cooked with some spices, onions.Egg hopper is a super famous Sri Lankan dish. It’s a plain container concave shaped dosa prepared in a special oval shaped utensil.Plain Omelet cooked inside that dosa with black pepper and salt.Though it was made up of minimal items, it was yummy. Additionally if you like sea foods then Sri Lanka will be heaven for you.

Our travel route:

Sri Lanka can be toured in two parts.Northern Sri Lanka and southern Sri Lanka.We visited the south part of Sri Lanka.

Colombo-Hiriwadunna–Pinnawala –Dambulla-Kandy-Ella-Mirissa-Unawatuna-Galle-Colombo 

Pinnawala :

This place mostly developed due to the Pinnawala elephant orphanage.You can witness large numbers of elephants having baths and even you can feed them.

We stayed at a place called Suwani homestay in Pinnawala.This property was very beautiful with two floors and about four rooms on each floor, and a large balcony and sitting area with chairs and coffee tables having a common kitchen. This area was surrounded by a number of trees. One could easily hear the chirping of birds, the sound of squirrels and monkeys.

Dambulla:

Dambulla is known for Sigiriya rock fortress-a cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage site.For those with a greater hunger for ancient history, a day trip to Sigiriya is well worth the effort.Sigiriya is very beautiful and a must visit place if you are in Dambulla.

We lived in Sundaras Spa and resort,Dambulla which was at the outskirts of the city.

Kandy:

Kandy is a famous hill destination populated mostly around Kandy lake.It gives a glimpse of the British colonial era as there are a lot of structures built by britishers.There is temple of the tooth relic,which is the most sacred place of worship for buddhist people.

Your kandy trip is incomplete if you don’t visit Ambuluwawa tower.This is one the scariest and adventurous places we have visited.A must visit place.

Kandy to ella train journey:

The train runs through a valley of lush green tea farming. It was undoubtedly one of the beautiful train journey we ever witnessed.

Important tip:

It is difficult to get this train ticket.We suggest you catch the train from Peradeniya as a lot of people get down there. Peradeniya junction is just before Kandy station and the train comes from Colombo. 

Ella:

Apart from many other famous spots, Ella is famous for nine arches bridge.Its living railway bridge built by britishers made of stone arches located in lush green valleys mostly filled with tea gardens

We stayed at Ella Sisila view in Ella.This hotel is located very near to Nine arches bridge which can be visible even through hotel

Mirissa and Unawatuna: 

Mirissa beach is one of the cleanest beach we ever visited.Don’t forget to spend evening at coconut tree hill.This point is picturescape and lot of coconut trees and large ocean in backdrop makes instagram worthy place.     

The Secret beach in Mirissa is another treasure less crowded and less explored serene place.There are water basins made of sea water due to rocks where you can enjoy quality time.

We visited the Japanese peace pagoda in Unawatuna.

On the way back to Colombo we visited the Galle light house which was extremely beautiful and one of the main attractions in that area. It is closed for tourists to go up, but the tranquil water at Galle beach and the winds makes it a touristic point. The beach was beautiful and clean. 

Accommodations:

We booked hotels mainly through MMT and Booking.com.You must stay at Marino beach if you are in Colombo.The infinity pool and view overlooking the sea and train track is breathtaking. 

If you want a hotel in Sigiriya try to book Heritage Kandalama , but we didn’t get it as it was full. In any case don’t book Sundaras resort & Spa.

Miscellaneous:

You require a universal adapter for charging phones,watches,power banks etc in Sri Lanka.

Take US dollars with you, you will get a good rate and it is very easy to convert dollars in Srilankan Rupees(LKR).

When you are in kandy do contact Mohan, he is very helpful and welcoming.

Mohan:750892121