To kickstart documenting my trips, i figured i would share my itinerary for the trip and maybe it would be useful to those who intend to visit this beautiful country.

COLOMBO - SIGIRIYA - NUWARA ELIYA - ELLA - HATTON (ADAM'S PEAK) - WELIGAMA - COLOMBO

Upon landing at Colombo airport,  we checked into BED HOSTEL and get a quick fix of lunch. The hostel provides free food delivery and after lunch we took bus 103 to Pettah Market. The hostel has a huge map to help you navigate your way around Colombo. From Pettah Market we made our way to Galle Face Green to capture one of the most amazing sunset and as soon as the sunsets, the area turns into a night bazaar where having a meal there is a must! 

Next day, we had to wake up super early to catch the morning train to Sigiriya. Norisha had pre-booked the the ticket since she came a day earlier and it would be advisable to purchase the ticket as soon as you arrived in colombo to avoid it being out. The nearest station to Sigiriya is Habarana station and from the station we took a tuk2 to Queen Rest Guesthouse. The guesthouse is located very near to both Pidurangala rock and Lions rock. The guesthouse has a unique treehouse accommodation, provides tuktuk services and serve amazing dinner buffets. After checking in, we head over to climb Pidurangala rock.

While your there, be sure to stay till sunset! 

Next day, we proceed to climb the famous Lion's rock. The Lions rock is slightly crowded and hence i would choose the Pidurangala rock over the Lions rock anytime. While we're at Lions rock we had the chance to interact with a local teacher who was a volunteer to educate the kids about the history of the Lion's Rock and it was very insightful. I think the best way to learn is to learn from the locals themselves.

After a good two hour climb, we head back to our guesthouse and prepare to move to the next destination - Nuwara Eliya.

We took a tuk2 back to Habarana and book a train to Nuwara Eliya. The train journey to Nuwara Eliya has to be my favourite. Sri Lanka train rides are one of the most scenic train rides around the world and we couldn't agree any lesser. 

Nuwara Eliya is located on the hillside of the island and is famous for its tea plantation and amazing weather! We checked into Rasak & Sons guesthouse and enjoyed a nice hot shower before heading out to hunt for good dinner! From the guesthouse, it would take about 10 mins to walk into the city area and there we can find many restaurants.

Next day we woke up super early to enjoy the morning dews and booked our tea plantation trip with the guesthouse reception.

A visit to the tea plantation is a must do in Sri Lanka but deciding on which tea plantation to visit is a real headache. We visited Bluefield Tea Garden and it was rather disappointing as we arrived late, most of the tea pickers are off duty and we had to tip to get a picture with them. 

Disappointment turn into devastation when i learnt that despite being one of the world's biggest tea exporters, the tea pluckers in Sri Lanka lives in poverty. Tea pluckers have to work long hours and pick at least 16-18kg of tea leaves only to receive less than $10 a day. After this experience, i learnt to appreciate my tea better and hope that if anyone ever visit these tea pluckers, do consider giving them a good tip. It would go a long way for them.

After a meaningful stop at Nuwara Eliya, we continued our journey to one of the most unique eco experience in Sri Lanka - Ella Jungle Resort

Ella Jungle Resort is located in the deep forest of Ella city. To get to the resort, we had to take a 4WD and trek by foot for about 30mins before reaching the reception. Ella jungle resort does not have wifi or any network connection and it also only serves vegetarian food but still offers the most unique eco experience.

Ella Jungle Resort provides activity for free.

We went trekking for a hour to be welcome by a beautiful waterfall and had a freshing splashing good time! 

Up next on our itinerary - the ultimatum, Adam's Peak.

From Ella Jungle Resort, we took the 4WD and trek back to main city area and took a tuk2 to the train station. We took the train to Hatton station and then a tuk2 again to Wathsala Inn. 

Wathsala Inn is about 15mins away from the start point to climb Adams Peak. We had a good dinner before waking up at about 12am to start our climb up.

Shilah was having a bad tummy ache but never fail to inspire me with her strength and determination to make it to the top. It was a tough but do-able climb and there at the top we were welcome by the most spectacular sunrise I've ever witness. 

It took us about 3 hours to the top and another 3 hours back down.

By the time we reached back to our inn, we could barely feel our knees and we still had to rush down to Weligama since we're running out of time. The host at the Inn hook us up with a van service and off to Weligama we go! 

We checked into The Green Room at Weligama and prepare ourself for some sand and sea action. Sri Lanka is also famous for its surf spot and we're super excited to rest our knee and get paddling the next day.

The host at The Green Room provide surf lesson and we had a good time surfing.

We spent our remaining days in Sri Lanka here and explored more of the city.

One of our favourite restaurant is AVM Cream house. Anyone who visit this city must find its way to this restaurants as it serves the freshest and widest range of juices at very reasonable price.

As nightfall arrives, we take a tuk2 to Mirissa to enjoy a different vibe and splendid dinner by the beach before heading back home the next day. 

I would like to really thank Hirman, Norisha, Shilah and Hadi Tom for making this trip possible and amazing.