Sri Lanka in July

[marsaline]

Can anyone help with planning for this. We didn't think we were going to be able to go away this summer but now have the chance to go away for two weeks. DH would really like to go to Sri Lanka since it has a good mix of wildlife, beaches and cultural stuff.

I understand part of the island has good weather at this time of year. Can anyone help with a rough itinerary? Its for me, DH, DC (20 and 18).

It isn't a money no object holiday but money isn't a major factor since we're conscious that one of the DCs in particular might not want to come away with us for much longer so we want to make the most of every opportunity.

bump

One of my favourite topics, and favourite destination yet.

Our route was Habarana, Nilavelli, Arugum Bay, Ella, Kandy over 2.5 weeks in July/August.
We used public transport - train colombo to Habarana and train Ella to Kandy. Buses everywhere else. No nights in Colombo.
People hire a car and driver too.

How long?

I would start in Colombo, national museum, food market, over to kandy via elephant sanctuary, up to the cultural triangle, down to the tea plantations, onto Yala for a nights camping and safari head back to galle before r&r at somewhere like Bentota taking in a river safari, turtle sanctuary etc.

obviously not everything is doable in 2 weeks!

We could probably stretch to two and a half weeks depending on flight availability but no longer than that

Thank you both, very helpful.

I've worked out that north and east of the island is best in July.

We would like to do (if possible):

elephant sanctuary
cultural triangle
safari
turtles if that's possible in july
whale spotting (also if possible in july)
beach

Does this seem possible at that time of year and within 2-2.5 weeks?

I think there is also a festival/celebration Perahera in kandy on 30th July. Would be great to be there for that

any recommendations for route and specific places to stay?

My route above gave us everything but elephant sanctuary. However the 'great gathering' of elephants is near Habarana (Minerya ? National park) so we saw elephants while doing the cultural triangle from there. We stayed at Disna Homestay, amazing food, lovely family, more guest house really.
You can access Yala national park from Arugum Bay.
Turtles we saw while snorkeling off pigeon island from Nilaveli/Trincomalee area. Boats go from Nilavelli beach.
The Perahera was quite an experience if it can fit in with your plans.

@marsaline did you go last summer? How was it?!