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Negombo, Sri Lanka
Arrival night close to CMB airport. Afternoon: beach, Dutch Fort and St. Mary's Church, sunset at the lagoon. Get the tuktuk briefing before the first drive.
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Chilaw, Sri Lanka
Short first stage (about 1–2 hrs) along the A3 — avoid the expressway. Early morning: Lellama fish market in Negombo (busiest before 08:00). In Chilaw: Munneswaram Kovil; optional birdwatching at Anawilundawa wetlands (late afternoon is best).
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Puttalam, Sri Lanka
Stopover: lunch and stretch break roughly halfway on the long drive Chilaw → Anuradhapura (A3, then A12).
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Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Long drive from Chilaw (3.5–4.5 hrs), arrive mid-afternoon; Sri Maha Bodhi at dusk for the evening puja. 24 Nov: full day in the ancient city by bike or tuktuk — Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri, Thuparamaya, Isurumuniya. Cover shoulders and knees, shoes off at temples.
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Mihintale, Sri Lanka
Stopover on the way to Sigiriya, 12 km east of Anuradhapura. Climb to the hilltop stupa and Aradhana Gala early, before the heat (about 1.5 hrs). Then on via Habarana to Sigiriya.
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
25 Nov: arrive early afternoon, rest. 26 Nov: leave around 04:45 for Pidurangala (30–45 min climb, last part is scrambling; bring a headlamp) for sunrise around 06:00. Afternoon: Sigiriya Lion Rock from ~15:00 when it's cooler — optional.
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Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Stopover: cave temple complex with five painted caves. Go early, before 10:00; about 1–1.5 hrs. Cover shoulders and knees.
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Matale, Sri Lanka
Stopover on the A9: Aluvihare Rock Temple and a spice garden — good lunch stop on the way to Kandy.
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Kandy, Sri Lanka
One night. 27 Nov: arrive late afternoon via Dambulla and Matale, walk around Kandy Lake and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja (~18:30). 28 Nov: Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya early (opens 07:30) — it's on the way out towards Nuwara Eliya. City traffic is heavy — leave the tuktuk at the hotel and take a local tuktuk in the evening.
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Ramboda, Sri Lanka
Stopover on the A5 climb into tea country: Ramboda Falls viewpoint and tea tasting at the Labookellie tea centre. Narrow, winding road — drive in daylight.
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Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
28 Nov: arrive mid-afternoon via Ramboda, stroll around Gregory Lake. 29 Nov: leave ~05:00 for Horton Plains (World's End and Baker's Falls, about 9 km / 3–4 hrs) before the clouds roll in; hire a local car with driver for the dark mountain road. Afternoon: Pedro tea factory tour.
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Nanu Oya, Sri Lanka
Stopover on 30 Nov: the station for Nuwara Eliya, 15 min away. Board the scenic train to Ella while a pre-arranged driver takes the tuktuk to Ella. Confirm the timetable and reserve seats (~30 days ahead) at seatreservation.railway.gov.lk.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
30 Nov: arrive by train, Ella town in the evening. 1 Dec: Little Adam's Peak at sunrise, then Nine Arch Bridge (check passing train times); afternoon free or Ella Rock. 2 Dec: Ravana Falls is right on the A23 on the way south.
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Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka
One night, so the safari no longer has to be squeezed into a travel day. 2 Dec: leave Ella ~08:30 (about 3 hrs), Elephant Transit Home feeding at 12:00, lunch, afternoon jeep safari ~14:30–17:30 (book locally). 3 Dec: easy drive to Hiriketiya (~2.5 hrs).
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Hiriketiya, Sri Lanka
3 Dec: arrive around midday — afternoon on the beach. 4 Dec: full beach day — surfing, swimming, cafés. Optional: the giant Buddha at Wewurukannala Vihara in Dickwella (10 min).
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Koggala, Sri Lanka
Stopover: stilt fishermen along the coast road on the way to Galle. Short photo stop — they may ask for a tip.
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Stopover: return the tuktuk here (agree the handover time in advance). Walk the Fort ramparts to the lighthouse and have lunch inside the Fort. Afternoon: private car to Colombo via the Southern Expressway (~2 hrs; tuktuks are not allowed on it).
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Colombo, Sri Lanka
Final night before the 09:05 flight from CMB. Sunset at Galle Face Green. 6 Dec: leave the hotel around 05:45 — CMB is 35–45 min via the Katunayake Expressway; be at the airport ~2.5 hrs before departure. Choose a hotel in north Colombo near the expressway and book the transfer in advance.