Story behind the itinerary (you can skip this part if not interested)
Most of this section talks about my personal experiences and how I came up with this itinerary, if you don't want to waste time and interested in itinerary only then skip this whole section and go to next section of actual itinerary.
This itinerary is comprised of 4 days where each day is dedicated to a new city or a place in Sri Lanka. This was my first ever itinerary that I prepared after tons of research to find out best possible activities for a solo traveller in Sri Lanka. I started travelling alone on my abroad trips due to multiple disappointments from my friends ditching travel plans last moment. Once I went on to this 1st solo trip; I had the realisation that you can travel alone and still have best of times!
Though I must admit that I had hired a full-time driver cum guide with me who was there with me all the time during the trip and that made it a lasting experience! Since, this was my first trip as a solo traveller outside India, my parents were quite worried and funny part was the driver in Sri Lanka was also worried when he got to know that a young 25 year old Indian guy is coming alone for a 4 day trip to Sri Lanka! His travel agency I have been speaking to for few weeks prior to the trip was also double-checking with me few times that it's not something of a prank but someone has actually came up with an itinerary of his own and asking them to fulfil it.
For this 4 day trip to Sri Lanka, I had travelled on actual dates - 17, 18, 19 and 20 September 2015 (Thursday till Sunday); I had taken two days leave from work that time. Driver was supposed to pick me up from airport on 1st day and drop me at my hotel and then he was only planning to join me from 2nd day onwards for full trip. Basically, my first day after landing in Colombo was entirely on my own since I wanted to have that flexibility too in the trip. How crazy I was while planning this first trip!
By the way, this trip I took way back in 2015 and in total I spent around 1000 - 1200 USD including flights, accommodations, driver with a car, food and most of the attractions too. Only catch here was that I had to pre-pay the travel agency for some of the travel arrangements they were planing to make prior to my departure. Flights and hotels I booked myself and drivers job was to take me to all the attractions that I had listed in my detailed itinerary and also getting me to 4 cities in 4 days! couple of nights we travelled between the cities to save time. Later, I realised that I was being too greedy about covering so much in less time. I could have either added 2-3 days more or reduced couple of cities for 4 days itinerary. That's something you learn once you start travelling more often.
Also, while choosing the cities I had few thoughts in my mind. First thing was I have to be in the capital city of Sri Lanka, i.e. Colombo city. Secondly, I wanted to visit one of the national sanctuaries since I found on internet that Sri Lanka is known for its wildlife sanctuaries; hence I chose Yala National park. Then, I wanted to visit a city where they had a proper cricket stadium (being Indian cricket has been my favourite sport to watch since being a teenager); hence I added Galle city in my itinerary. After that, I wanted to get a glimpse of Sri Lankan culture so I got to know about this ancient village that goes by the name 'Polonnaruwa Village' which is famous for its ancient ruins. It was amazing to get a spiritual feeling while visiting old temple ruins in that village. Last but not the least I wanted to do some hiking too so I chose the famous Sigiriya Fortress for it.
Since it was my first trip, I had done some niche research on what could be the coolest things to do in Lanka and somehow came up with this list of weird but interesting things to do before finalising the plan for each of the 4 days;
Visit a Turtle hatchery and help a baby turtle start its first journey getting inside sea water
Visit a wildlife sanctuary and stay in a lodge right next to it (spot a Leopard)
Visit the Sigiriya mountain that has linkages to Indian mythological stories!
Go on a Sri Lankan beach; take a boat ride
Eat lots of local Lankan food
Detailed 4 Days Itinerary for Sri Lanka
Day 1 - Colombo City Tour
Airport pick-up at Colombo International Airport at 5:30 am in the morning and check-in at your hotel (I stayed at VJ City Hotel) in Colombo city.
1. Colombo Lighthouse, Chaithya Rd
2. Gangaramaya Temple, 61 Sri Jinarathana Rd
3. Independence Memorial Hall
4. Vihara Maha Devi Park
5. White House
Day 2 - Galle City Tour
Check-out from hotel in Colombo and start driving to Galle city early morning.
6. Have a early morning Sri Lankan breakfast
7. Boat Ride at Captains Boat house
8. Visit Cinnamon Island
9. Get a fish foot massage
10. Visit a Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda
11. Visit Galle International Cricket Stadium
12. Visit Galle Dutch Fort
13. Visit Galle Lighthouse, Fort Galle
14. Visit Jungle beach in Unawatuna
15. Visit Japanese Peace Pagoda, Rumassala, Unawatuna
Travel to a hotel near Yala National Park for overnight stay.
(I stayed in Hotel Ceylon Heritage, Nidangala wella road, kirinda, Tissamaharama. Yala Tissamaharama Yala, Sri Lanka 82600)
Day 3 - Yala National Park & Polonnaruwa Village Visit
Leave the hotel early morning around 4:30 am and drive to the Yala National Park to catch morning safari.
19. Yala National Park, Hambantota
20. Visit Polonnaruwa ancient village
Day 4 - Sigiriya Rock Tour & Negombo Beach
21. Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock
While on the way back to Colombo International airport, visit Negombo beach around evening time before reaching the airport.
Hope this 4 day detailed itinerary was useful to you and gave you some insights on what to keep and drop for your own trip. Let me know your thoughts if you already been there or planning to visit soon. Happy travelling!
Good Itinerary... Very well listed it out