SRI LANKA CALLING: A ONE-WEEK TRAVEL PLAN FROM INDIA
COLOMBO | NGTV NEWS TRAVEL DESK
Sri Lanka is emerging as an attractive short-haul international destination for Indian travellers, offering beaches, hill stations, heritage sites and wildlife within a compact geographical area. With India among the countries eligible for Sri Lanka’s 30-day tourist ETA free of charge under the current scheme, planning a week-long holiday has become relatively straightforward. Travellers are still required to obtain the necessary ETA before arrival.
For a seven-day itinerary, Colombo can serve as the starting point. Day 1 can cover Colombo’s waterfront, markets and major city landmarks. On Day 2, travellers can move towards Kandy, visiting the Temple of the Tooth and enjoying the city’s cultural atmosphere. Day 3 can be devoted to Nuwara Eliya, with tea estates, waterfalls and the cool mountain climate.
Day 4 takes the journey to Ella, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular hill destinations, known for its dramatic landscapes and railway views. Day 5 can include Ella’s surrounding attractions, followed by a journey towards the southern coast. Day 6 can be spent around Galle, including the historic Galle Fort and nearby beaches. Day 7 can return travellers to Colombo for shopping and departure.
For travellers departing from Kolkata, current flight listings show one-way fares to Colombo fluctuating considerably, with recent August listings ranging from roughly ₹17,000 to ₹22,000 and above.
A practical per-person budget for seven days is approximately ₹55,000–₹75,000, including return airfare, mid-range accommodation, food, local transport, sightseeing and a modest shopping allowance. Budget travellers could target around ₹45,000–₹55,000 by choosing economical hotels and shared transport, while premium stays can push the cost significantly higher.
With careful planning, Sri Lanka offers Indian travellers a diverse international holiday without requiring an excessively long itinerary.
NGTV NEWS — TRAVEL DESK
Travel planning report
