Sri Lanka is a land of captivating scenery, rich cultural heritage, and natural wonders that beckon tourists. There are many secrets to be discovered by venturing a little off the beaten path and traveling the country’s lesser-known routes. Imagine yourself traveling through lush tea plantations, seeing elephants on the side of the road, and even discovering a waterfall paradise on a secluded road. To experience all of this, there is no other option than to go on a road trip in this small country. In this article, we introduce you to the best road trips in Sri Lanka, which showcase the diversity of this tropical paradise at every mile.
Top Road Trips in Sri Lanka that Unveil the Hidden Treasures
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya
This chapter will tell you about one of the unforgettable road trips in Sri Lanka that takes you through breathtaking landscapes from Colombo to the cool, misty hills of Nuwara Eliya. This journey, approximately 527 kilometers and taking about 6-7 hours, showcases the true beauty of Sri Lanka.
At the beginning of this adventure, you must first travel from Colombo to Avissawella town and from there, you must travel to Bulathkohupitiya, famous for its lush greenery and spices. On this route, you can see several old suspension bridges and visit the Solab Falls. From Bulathkohupitiya, you must travel through the scenic Dedugala towards Dolosbage and then to Nawalapitiya. Along the way, you can witness a paradise of waterfalls, including Rikili Falls, Nalagana Falls, Rukmal Falls, and Dethiri Falls, as well as beautiful viewpoints, the ruins of Dedugala city, the Palampitiya viewpoint, Kabaragala Mountain, and many beautiful tea estates. Once you reach Nawalapitiya, you have two options to choose from: the route through Maswela to Thawalanthenna, or the route through Kothmale to Dibula town.
Option one, the route through Maswela to Thawalanthenna, allows you to visit places like the Kotmale Mahaweli Maha Seya and hike Peacock Hill, and then you can reach Nuwara Eliya city via Thawalanthenna. Along the way, you can visit Ramboda Falls and engage in activities like tea factory visits.
Option two, the route through Kothmale to Dibula town, allows you to visit the Dibula Estate and Devon Falls along the way. Afterwards, you need to proceed towards Thalawakele on the main Colombo-Nuwara Eliya road. On this stretch, you can see St. Clair’s Falls. On the route from Thalawakele, through Nanu Oya, to Nuwara Eliya, you also have the opportunity to visit Nanu Oya Falls.
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Galle To Nuwara Eliya
Next, we’re going to talk about another road trip in Sri Lanka that you can start from the Southern Province. This journey can begin in Galle, and first, you should travel to the town of Neluwa. From there, proceed through Lankagama and Mederipitiya to Deniyaya. During this trip, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Sinharaja Rainforest and witness numerous waterfalls, including the magnificent Sath Mahala Falls. Moreover, you can experience the beauty of rural life amidst a mild climate throughout the journey. After arriving in Deniyaya, you need to travel through Sooriyakanda to Rakwana. Along this route, you can admire the beauty of places like Sooriyakanda Morning Side and the Gonagala viewpoint. Following this, travel from Rakwana through more stunning scenery to reach Madampe town, and from there, join the Balangoda-Ratnapura main road via Kahawatta. Traveling from there towards Kalupahana, you can see waterfalls such as Pahantudawa Falls and Surathali Falls, as well as the enchanting landscapes of the Southern Province.
Upon reaching Kalupahana, you can take a detour from the main road to see Babarakanda Falls, the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Suppose you are traveling in a 4×4 vehicle or a motorcycle suitable for hill climbing. In that case, you can go from there along the “Devil’s Staircase” route to Ohiya and then through Horton Plains to Nuwara Eliya. Otherwise, return to Kalupahana and travel again towards Beragala, passing through scenic views. From Beragala, take the road to Wellawaya. During this part of the journey, you can hike to the top of Diyaluma Falls, the second-tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka, and even swim in its natural pools. After arriving in Wellawaya town, turn left and travel on the Ella-Wellawaya road. Along the way, you can take short detours from the main road to see Ella Wala Falls and the Alikota Ara Reservoir.
Furthermore, while traveling from Wellawaya to Ella, visit places like Ravana Falls and the Nil Diya Pokuna (Blue Water Pond). Afterwards, explore the attractions around Ella town, such as the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, Ravana Cave, and Ella Rock, before returning from Ella to Bandarawela and then heading to Lipton’s Seat. Lipton’s Seat is a place that has gained tourist attraction, once being the favorite viewpoint of Thomas Lipton, one of the pioneering figures, along with James Taylor, in introducing tea cultivation to Sri Lanka, located on his estate. After enjoying its beauty, travel to the cool town of Haputale to visit the Haputale viewpoint and Adisham Bungalow. Finally, travel along the scenic Haputale-Borallanda road to Borallanda town and then proceed through Ohiya and Horton Plains National Park to Nuwara Eliya.
Matale To Hettipola
Next, we will tell you about another one of the most beautiful road trips in Sri Lanka. That is the journey from Matale to Hettipola via Rattota and Illukkumbura. This journey can be started by coming to Hettipola and proceeding from there, or by coming to Matale city and starting from there. In this section, we will talk about how to start the journey from Matale. First, you need to come to Matale city and from there, take the Rattota road to reach Rattota town and continue past it on the Illukkumbura-Palle Gama road. Keep in mind that the road is very narrow and in poor condition.
Traveling on this route, you can witness beautiful places such as Babarakiri Falls, Riverston, Pitawala Pathana, the Knuckles Conservation Forest, Lakgala, Wambatuhena Ella, and the Kalu Ganga Reservoir. Throughout the journey, the roadsides are incredibly scenic, possessing a beauty that is beyond words. Traveling on this route will make you realize just how beautiful this small island is.
