How to spend 5 days on the best tropical island in the Indian Ocean – Marvel at the shimmering jewels of Emerald Isle

Few cities across the paradise isle of Sri Lanka offer as much cultural insights as the charming region of Kandy which is fondly called the ‘citadel in the hills.’ With a proud history that chronicles life as it was under the rule of kings and the influences of the British colonists, the city has etched its presence as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that must be explored when on holiday. While trips to the local marketplaces will give you a feel of the bustle that envelops such places, a walk around the Kandy Lake which is in the heart of town will prove to be a journey where you will come into contact with vendors eager to sell you their products. However, Kandy’s crown jewel is undoubtedly, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which doubles as both a pilgrimage site and tourist hotspot. Located within the former royal palace compound, visitors will be awed by the traditions and daily practices that are conducted here which will serve as a wonderful prelude to feasting one’s eyes on the golden casket which bears the tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

Mirroring the cool climes and jaw-dropping scenery of Kandy is a town the locals refer to as ‘Little England.’ Perfectly positioned for venturing out to learn the intricacies associated with the production of tea, Nuwara Eliya is delightful as it is easy on the eye. Scattered with a slew of landmarks such as Lake Gregory where you can while away the hours going boating and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens where you will discover a wide spectrum of blooms and plant life, Nuwara Eliya deserves to be included in your 5-day travel itinerary. Having settled down, you will see yourself waking up to mist-shrouded mountains where an ambience of a traditional English village will be yours to indulge in.

Devote time for the eastern shoreline of the country where the laidback town of Trincomalee is situated. Boasting the 4th biggest natural harbour in the world, intrepid vacationers can make the most of their time here by wading off Marble Beach which is conducive for snorkelling before journeying in the direction of local temples that look out across the Trincomalee Bay. Next up is a trip to Jaffna which plays host to its own unique charms which hug the northern portion of Sri Lanka. From the 17th century Jaffna Fort which was constructed in the shape of a star by the Portuguese, the Jaffna Public Library to the stunningly positioned Nallur Kandaswamy Temple; Jaffna is a side to Sri Lanka which is seldom explored yet is a custodian of a nation’s rich legacy.

Converging on Colombo which functions as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka will see to it that you move through a unique blend of cultural sites and upscale malls that will have you lingering on for as long as time permits. Enter the National Museum and be captivated by exhibits that transport you back to ancient civilisations and periods of the country which are still looked on favourably or head straight for Pettah which is the nucleus of public transportation. You may also pause by the Gangaramaya Temple, meander across the Galle Face Green and conclude your time with a shopping spree within One Galle Face.

No holiday to Sri Lanka will ever be complete without venturing towards the southern coastal belt. En route, you will be able to tick off a multitude of sites ranging from the aesthetically alluring Brief Garden in Beruwala and the Ambalangoda Mask Museum which are located a short distance from many a Beruwala beach hotel the likes of Cinnamon Bey Beruwala. However, leave plenty of room on your itinerary for the historic town of Galle which is home to cobblestone streets and the imposing structure of the Dutch Fort and its complementing ramparts which offer mesmeric views of the town below and the dancing waves of the Indian Ocean afar.