Private Trip: My Review of My Stay in Sri Lanka

Last December I had the opportunity to spend a stay in Sri Lanka with Private trip. 10 unforgettable days discovering this island that had always been a dream of mine. In this article I will present you the details of my stay in Sri Lanka, my itinerary, my favorites and my disappointments.

I don’t usually travel with an online travel agency like Voyage Privé, but overall I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of my stay in Sri Lanka. My trip included flights, transportation with a guide/driver in a comfortable vehicle, accommodation in 4-star hotels, meals, and activities on site.

The stages of the circuit in Sri Lanka offered by Voyage Privé

Here is the itinerary of my trip to Sri Lanka with Voyage Privé: Colombo – Habarana – Sigiriya Rock – Minneriya National Park – Dambulla – Pasikudah – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala National Park – Galle – Balapitiya – Colombo

Colombo

It all starts in Colombo, after a ten-hour flight with Qatar Airways in remarkable conditions (upgrade to Business Class). Needless to say, I was in top form to start exploring the capital. Honestly, a half day is enough to explore Colombo.

Here is what I recommend:
– Walking around in the popular neighborhood of Pettah
– See the Hindu temple of «Kailavasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil»
– See the Memorial to Independence
– See the Red Mosque Jami Ul Alfar 

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Habarana

I left Colombo in the middle of the day to head to Habarana via the A1 road to Ambepussa, then the A6 road to Habarana. The landscape changes as I move away from the capital. The buildings of Colombo give way to lush nature. Along the entire route there are many small villages that are worth a visit. The opportunity to take short breaks to buy pineapple and cashews. I arrived in Habarana late in the afternoon and checked into the Cinnamon Lodge hotel.

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The Rock of Sigiriya

The very next morning I went to the top of the famous Rock of the Lion from Sigiriya. After climbing the 1261 marches, I arrived at the site of the former royal capital dating from the 5th century.
Since the summit, the 360° view is spectacular! You can also see very beautiful ancient murals there, and you also encounter dozens of monkeys!

I didn’t have time to go Pidurangala Rock at sunrise as I had been advised. Apparently we have a magnificent view of the Lion Rock.

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The Minneriya National Park

I went to the Minneriya National Park, It was an opportunity to observe about thirty elephants in freedom, but also crocodiles, iguanas, deer, buffaloes and a wide variety of birds. It was fabulous… The 4×4 don’t race and don’t all gather in the same place, which is really nice. At least you can observe (or not) animals with more tranquility. 

Reminder: keep in mind that we are in a national park and that the animals do not come to you on request. If you are not lucky enough to see them that day, so be it, it will be for another time 🙂

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Dambulla

Dambulla is located about twenty kilometers from Habarana and the city is known for its Temple of Gold, the Sacred caves and the vegetable market (one of the biggest in the country). 

On the site of Temple of Gold There is the immense statue of the Buddha and the gold-covered stupa that are worth a look.

On the other hand, about ten minutes' walk from Temple of Gold, There are the Sacred caves, This is my big favorite spot on this stage in Dambulla. These are 5 caves built in the 1st century by King Valagama and which house nearly 150 statues of Buddha (including one, lying down, about fifteen meters long) as well as exceptional frescoes. The site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I really recommend you go there; you won’t be disappointed! 

Before your departure from Dambulla, make a stop at the fruit and vegetable market. It’s also worth a look. It’s bustling with people and a great opportunity to discover new flavors. Only professionals come to the market to negotiate and buy in bulk. It’s the Rungis of Sri Lankan markets 🙂

Brief stop in Matale

After 1.30 hours by car and many stops for photos along the road, I made a brief stop in Matale, the last stop of this day, before arriving a little later in Kandy.

I stopped at the spice garden in Matale. As the name suggests, a spice garden is a small garden where you can discover plants recognized in Ayurvedic medicine, but also flowers, spices, and insects. Although the visit is very interesting, the site remains touristy, and the guide of the Spice Garden encourages you to buy Ayurvedic products in its shop, but at exorbitant prices!

Therefore, I recommend that you only do a short visit of about 45 minutes, that you still leave a tip to the guide and that you do not buy anything on the spot. If you wish to purchase Ayurvedic products during your trip to Sri Lanka, I recommend that you visit a pharmacy or a specialized store. The prices of the products will be significantly cheaper 🙂

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Kandy

I arrived in Kandy at the end of the day, the former royal capital, located at the gates of the Sri Lankan mountains at an altitude of 700 meters. Formerly renowned for its tranquility, today the city is bursting with energy and you simply need to wander around the center to see how noisy and congested it is. Despite this, this stop is a must before continuing to the country’s verdant mountains.

Here is what I recommend you to see and do in Kandy:
– Take a walk through the aisles of Food market in Kandy. You will find there tea, spices, medicinal plants, etc...
– Have a picnic at Peradeniya Botanical Garden (6km from Kandy). The setting is relaxing and pleasant.
– Walk along the Kandy Lake
– From the lake you can observe the great White statue of Buddha, illuminated at night.
– To visit the the Temple of the Tooth which houses a relic of the Buddha's tooth

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The train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella

Big change of scenery… After the tropical vegetation of the Habarana region, here I am in the heart of the Sri Lankan mountains at almost 2000 meters altitude and it is about 13°C!

The landscapes are breathtaking and you can admire the tea fields stretching out over the mountains. The atmosphere changes completely! Nuwara Eliya is an old English colony and I was surprised to see old houses that make you think you are in the United Kingdom.

The train journey is an unforgettable experience to have during a trip to Sri Lanka. It is considered one of the best ways to travel in the country. The most beautiful train journeys in the world. I took the train at Nanu Oya station and enjoyed the mountain scenery and the terrace tea plantations for 3 hours. It’s fantastic! The train doors are open, which allows you to enjoy the views and take beautiful photographs.

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The Yala National Park

I think this is the big disappointment of the trip… I’ll talk about it a little more in another paragraph.

However, I was impressed by the lodges at the Cinnamon Wild hotel, located on the edge of Yala National Park and a few minutes’ walk from the beach. In the evening, you can see crocodiles, buffaloes and many birds along the edge of the main pond. The hotel consists of lodges with beautifully decorated terraces, scattered throughout the entire site.

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Galle

Before joining Balapitiya, I walked along the southeastern coast of the island and made a brief stop in Galle, an ancient colonial port city that is definitely worth a visit. In fact, I regret that I only stayed there for 3 hours.

Once again, we feel like we are in another country, the contrast with the previous stages of the journey is so striking. Galle Fort is the largest in the Asian continent. As we wander through the old city, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we discover the many architectural influences that have shaped it.es Galle over the centuries (Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch). The alleys are charming and the buildings are remarkable. You feel like you are in the colonial district of Saint Domingue and/or in the medina of Essaouira!

I recommend staying 2 days in Galle, with a night in one of the magnificent hotels in the old colonial town.

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Balapitiya

After a week on the roads of Sri Lanka, it’s time for relaxation. I checked into the Shinagawa Beach Hotel. The plan: lounging and… That’s all! All the rooms at the hotel are spacious and offer a panoramic view of the sea that stretches for miles. In the late afternoon I enjoyed the beach activities as the fishermen returned from selling their fish.

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My favorite things about the trip

My guide

I would like to begin the summary of this trip to Sri Lanka by introducing you to my guide/chauffeur, Claude, who is largely responsible for the success of the trip. Prepare yourself, I will use superlatives to talk about him!

Voyage Privé works closely with Hayleys Tours, one of the most renowned local agencies in Sri Lanka, which participated in organizing the tour in Sri Lanka. Moreover, before each new trip is posted on the website, Voyage Privé does a great job of preparing in advance by building trips in collaboration with premium partners.

From my arrival at Colombo Airport until departure, Claude accompanied me throughout the entire journey. Claude is Sri Lankan, smiling, available, kind, with a rare kindness, very professional and he adapts the itinerary to my wishes. He also provides a multitude of information during the trip and I think he brings «his» Sri Lanka to life in the best way, with pride and enthusiasm. Yes, he is passionate and really exciting!

Claude speaks English, German, and Spanish, but is trying to improve his French skills. He is also passionate about it.e through Ayurvedic medicine and music. In addition to his job as a guide, he is a saxophonist and regularly performs with his friends in small local events.

A fabulous country

I didn’t expect to discover so many contrasting landscapes in a single country like this. And even then, I only traveled a small part of Sri Lanka… This will be the opportunity to return to continue exploring. In an hour’s drive, you go from a tropical atmosphere to mountainous landscapes in the heart of the island.

Sri Lanka is also its inhabitants… Always smiling, warm and kind… For those who love photography and portraits, it is a little paradise. The people are friendly and always want to be photographed.

I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the country! That’s what I thought when I arrived in Colombo, thinking that it would be less the case in the more remote cities and villages. But no, right up to the very end of Sri Lanka I found bins for selective waste collection! I was told that children are taught about recycling from a very young age at school.

At no time did I feel unsafe in Sri Lanka despite the communal tensions that may exist from time to time. Here everyone lives and coexists in harmony.

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My disappointments from the stay

The pace of my stay in Sri Lanka was quite intense; I was driving many hours every day to get from one city to the next. I would have liked to stay a few more days on my own to enjoy some of the island’s sights and take the time to get used to the local rhythm of life. This will be the opportunity to return to Sri Lanka once again to enjoy the island in a different context.

The hotels are pleasant and comfortable, but I’m not a big fan of the unlimited buffets. Although the cuisine offered is varied and very good, I prefer street food and small, typical restaurants outside the hotel. This is a great opportunity to immerse myself even more in the life of the country.

Among the activities offered, I cancelled the discovery of the «Millenium Elephant Foundation» right from the beginning of the trip. This is a refuge where visitors can take elephant rides and go with them into the water. I am not enthusiastic about the initiative, especially since elephants can be observed in the wild many times during a trip to Sri Lanka (on the roadside, in national parks, etc.).

The Yala National Park is to be avoided What a disappointment… I arrived at the entrance of the site at 7am and there were already dozens of 4×4s lining up. Then the guides exchanged with each other using their walkie-talkies to indicate where an animal was located. As a result, I found myself in a fabulous vantage point surrounded by about sixty 4×4s that had converged in the same place… You can imagine the smell of exhaust pipes and the noise that was present there.

Yala National Park is the most popular and visited in the country, but there are other quieter parks where you can observe wildlife in better conditions: Minneriya National Park and Udawalawe National Park