SRI LANKA FOR 7 DAYS (Complete Itinerary and Guide)

DAY 0 Arrival at Colombo Airport

bought Dialog sim card for LKR 1,300

Uber to Hostel LKR 2,500

Stayed at a hostel in Colombo (near Colombo Fort/train station)

Day 1 Kandy

Kandy became the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom in Sri Lanka after the coastal regions had been conquered by the Portuguese but it was conquered in 1815 by the British. As the capital, Kandy had become home to the relic of the tooth of the Buddha and continued to be its home even after being colonized until the present.

Time	Activity	Cost (in LKR)
8:30am	Train Colombo Fort to Kandy (takes 2.5hrs ride)  Breakfast on the train	250
12nn	Check in at hostel Lunch
1pm	Kandy Walking Tour Kataragama Devalaya, Red Mosque, Queens Hotel, Lake Kandy, Kandy Viewpoint, St Paul's Cathedral, Temple of the tooth (insider tip: visit during the ‘pooja’ prayer time at 5am 9am or 6pm to witness the ceremony) If you have more time:  Royal Botanical Garden Udawattakele Forest Reserve Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha statue	1,500 Temple of the Tooth entrance fee
7pm	Dinner, Rest

Day 2 Sigiriya/Dambulla

Sigiriya known as the “the Lions rock” is the tourist spot. But according to reviews and some recommendations, Pidurangala rock is better and way way cheaper (Sigiriya costs 1500 rupees) 

8am	Air con Bus to Dambulla (Walked to the bus station)  Breakfast on travel	220
10:30am	Arrived Dambulla Took a tuktuk due to limited time.  (Bus to Sigiriya only costs 50 rupees but you have to wait.)	1000
11am	Start of hike to Pidurangala Rock (took me only 30 mins to reach the top)  Lunch at the top (brought with me food)	500 Entrance fee
1pm	Started to climb down Plus a 2km hike from foot of pidurangala to the bus stop
2pm	I was lucky to have hitched a ride to Dambulla and back to Kandy.  But commuting is like this: Bus to Dambulla Caves - 50 rupees Walk from bus station to Dambulla Caves Dambulla to Kandy by bus If you have time: Minneriya National Park (to see elephants, but please don’t ride on them!)	1500 (Dambulla caves entrance fee)  Dambulla caves closes at 6pm
8pm	Dinner at hostel in Kandy, Rest

Day 3 Nuwara Eliya

8:47am	Train Kandy to Nanuoya (4 hours) Train tip: sit on the right facing the direction of the train If you want to avoid the crowd and without seats, book in advance but 2nd class and 3rd class is more exciting (and cheaper too)	120 fare
1pm	Bus to hostel / Check in at hostel	15
3pm	Lovers Leap Falls and Pedro's Estate Bus from Nanuoya to N eliya. bus N eliya to Buralanda (takes about 1 hour) stop at the bus station and walk 2km to falls or ride a tuktuk (LKR 500-1000)	25 20
4pm	Buralanda to N Eliya Walking tour at town: Old Post office Hatton National bank The Grand hotel Victoria Park (didn't enter this. Entrance fee is 300 for tourists)  Central Market	20
6pm	Bus to N. Eliya to Nanuoya Dinner ℅ hostel in Nanuoya of Rice and Curry	25

Day 4 N.Eliya to Ella Train

8am	Breakfast at hostel Bus to N. Eliya Bust N. Eliya to Labukalle	25 35
9am	Arrive at Damro tea factory Free tour with free one cuppa tea!
11am	Bus Labukalle to N. Eliya	35
12nn	Souvenir shopping at market. Ref magnets and key chains at 150-200 Lunch
1pm	Bus N. Eliya to Nanuoya Wash up say goodbye	25
3pm	Bus hostel to Nanuoya station	15
3:50pm	Train Nanuoya to Ella 3rd class	80
7:30pm	Arrival (train was late by an hour)  Check in at hostel in Ella Dinner Rest

Day 5 Ella

7am	Wake up Breakfast Reserved 2nd class sleeper train	750 fare
8am	Start hike to Nine Arch Bridge (follow the train track from Nanuoya. Walk for 40 Mins) Little Adam's Peak (an hour hike from nine Arch and another 40 mins hike upward) Tip: use Maps.Me app to avoid being lost
1pm	Late lunch. Highly recommend the buffet for 350 rupees
2pm	Roam around town
6pm	Dinner
6:50pm	Sleeper train to Colombo Fort

Day 6 Galle

6:30am	Arrived in Colombo Fort Pickme tuktuk to hostel	55
9am	a/c Bus to Galle (3 hours) Breakfast on the way	330
12nn	Walking tour in Galle fort (it’s just 5 min walk from bus station) Museums have entrance fees (i didnt go in them) Lunch	Free
4pm	a/c bus to Colombo Bus station	330
7:30pm	arrived , Dinner, rest at hostel in Colombo

Day 7 Colombo City

7am	Wake up call, breakfast
8am	Start DIY city tour (on foot) Wimaladharma Clock Tower  Red Mosque Pettah Market - Souvenir shopping
10am	Bus to Cinnamon Gardens Viharamaha Buddha Statue Gangaramaya Temple Seema Malakaya	10
12nn	Lunch Tea shopping at Kheells supermarket More shopping
6pm	Bus 187 to Colombo airport (real fare is only LKR 120, but they overcharged me because of my bags (?/#$%^)	300
11pm	Flight to KL then to PH

GRAND TOTAL (excluding Airfare, Food and Accommodation): LKR 10,985 (php 3,175)

* i actually splurged on food and souvenirs, and i skipped the elephant safari because I didn't have time :(

* but technically, Sri Lanka has a low cost of living, and public transport is very cheap!

ACCOMMODATION

Where I stayed: I used booking.com app 

Kandy: MLSC City View hostel (mixed type dorm room) LKR 1,076 per night (1,000 only if you book directly to the hostel)

Nuwara Eliya: The Crystal Castle - LKR 1,200

Ella: Remo’s Restaurant & Hostel - LKR 1,254 (not highly recommended, too noisy)

Colombo: (i tried 3 hostels here)

My Little Island hostel (mixed type dorm) - LKR 2,000

Colombo Dowtown Monkey Backpackers Hostel - LKR 1,076

55 Fort Train Hostel - LKR 1,615 (NOT RECOMMENDED!!!)

TRAVEL TIPS:

1. Never use the tuktuk without meter. Use PickMe app or uber. Or walk
   
2. Choose hostels near the train/bus station. Much easier to drop your things if you’re in a hurry.
   
3. Bring rubber shoes and insect repellant.
   
4. Exchange money at the airport, they have higher rates than in the cities.
   
5. Buy a local sim at the airport. Mobile data can be very useful when navigating or booking hostels. I bought Dialog sim with a local plan of 6gb (2gb morning + 4 gb evening) for only 1,300 rupees.
   
6. Train schedule here (all times currently correct) https://www.seat61.com/SriLanka.htm
   

FOOD TO TRY:

1. Rice and curry. They’re everywhere!
   
2. Kotthu
   
3. Egg hoppers! My favorite! Only 50 rupees at markets and stalls
   
4. String hoppers
   
5. Milk rice (kiribath with Lunu miris)
   
6. Fish and egg rolls
   
7. Samosas
8. Isso Vadei
9. Rotti
   
10. P&S for desserts and cakes

4-DAY BACKPACKING TRIP IN SURIGAO (itinerary)

*this is the ACTUAL itinerary with total cost per person in a group of 6

Guyam Island

Magpupungko Lagoon

Boardwalk at Cloud Nine

Bucas Grande

Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

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Day 0 MAASIN-SURIGAO-SIARGAO BOAT RIDE

2pm       departure bus to Liloan, So.Leyte

6pm       arrival at Liloan port, buy boat ticket then quick dinner at the port

8pm       departure to Lipata, Surigao City

2am       arrival at Lipata pier

2:15       tricycle ride to McDonalds at the 'poblacion' (city center), dined in

3:55       on the way to pier 2

4am       arrival at pier 2

6am       departure

Total for Day 0: Php841 (772.6 student)

php120 (100 for student) - Bus ticket    

php 300 (255 for student) -Boat ticket

php 16 (12.60 for student)- Terminal fee

php 30 for cup noodles - Dinner           

php 30 per person (but if you ride late in the evening or early in the morning, you have to pay the 7-seater tricycle = php210)Tricycle          

php 87 for chicken and rice, french fries - McDonald's Breakfast  
php 8 - Tricycle to Pier 

php 250 - LQP-1 boat fare

Tips:

1. Don't sit in economy class right side. So hoooot!

2. Bring your valid ID to avail of student's discount! :)

3. First trip to Dapa, Siargao is at 6am at pier 2. Drop by earlier espe during peak season coz you might run out of tickets. The RoRo boat is cheaper but slower (arrives at dapa port at 10am). Check the boat schedules here.

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DAY 1 SIARGAO, Surigao del Norte

9am         arrival in Dapa port, welcomed by our contact (van) "Kuya Lito"

9:15am    arrival at Jadestar Lodge, freshen up, change outfit

10:30am  start of ISLAND HOPPING

11:15am  Lunch at Dako Island

1:15pm    arrive at the port, transfer to van for Magpupungko

 2:30pm   arrival at MAGPUPUNGKO LAGOON

4pm         on the way to Cloud 9

5:10pm    arrival at CLOUD 9 - meet kuya lino and kuya joel, our surfing trainers

5:30pm    teaching basics

5:45pm    SURFING <3

6:45pm    otw to jadestar lodge wash up
7pm        arrival at the lodge

9pm        dinner at General Luna boulevard

Total for day 1: Php1,651.50

php 126.5 -  (759/6) - Lunch: 7 Cups rice, 7 pcs pork steak, pancit, 4Lwater, 1L coke, 2 C2, juice

php 283.33 - (1700/6) 1500 island hopping + 200 tip 

php 616.66 - (3700/6) 3500 kuya ariel van + 200 tip 

php 10  entrance fee for Guyom Island

php 50  entrance fee for Magpupungko

php 500 surfing with board and trainer for an hour

php 65  Dinner: 50 chicken 15 rice

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DAY 2 BUCAS GRANDE, Surigao del Norte

6am         wake-up call

7am         otw to dapa port

7:30am    arrival at dapa port

8:20am    departure for socorro port

9:30am    arrival in socorro, pick-up boat by "Kuya Tate"

10:15am  arrival at  Balanghay Kanlunes, leave things

10:40am  on the way to CRYSTAL, BOLITAS, TUNDAN CAVES

11:15am  otw to sohoton

12:05am  SOHOTON COVE TOUR

1:50pm    otw to Balanghay Kanlunes

2:10 pm   LUNCH at  BALANGHAI KANLUNES

3:50pm    otw to Hayanggabon via bachelor bus

3:55pm    arrival at Hayanggabon port, wait for bus

4:30pm    otw to Tandag City

7:30pm    arrival at Tandag terminal

8:30pm    otw to Mangagoy, Bislig City

11:30pm  arrival in Mangagoy

12mn       late dinner at Yoyo's Barbecue

1am         early check in at Pensionne La Salle

Total cost for DAY 2: Php1,884.64

php 100 (95 for student) - boat fare dapa to socorro

php 40 - (20 flashlight + 20 headgear) - Crystal, Bolitas, Tundan caves

php 16.66 - (100/6) tourguide

php 238.33 - (1470/6) Sohoton tour

php 166.66 - (1000/6) Lunch at Balanghai Kanlunes

php 150 (120 student) - bus fare, hayanggabon to tandag

php 616.66 - (3700/6) 3500 tour + 200 tip 

php 533.33 - (3200/6) van

php 15 dinner (10 per chicken stick 5 per puso)

php 8 fare from barbecue house to Pensionne

SOHOTON TOUR PAYMENT
Environmental Fee: 50 locals, 150 foreigners
Rental (vest and helmet): 40
Docking fee: 100
Pumpboat: 500
Boat guides: 165 each x 2 (for our trip)
Paddlers: 100 (but we didn't go to the Jellyfish Sanctuary)

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DAY 3 BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur

7am         wake up call

9:30am    otw to Hinatuan
11am       ENCHANTED RIVER

3:30pm    travel from highway to tinuy-an falls

4:10pm    TINUY-AN FALLS

5:30pm    otw to Pension house

6:30pm    arrival, freshen up 

7:30pm    Dinner sponsored by Jakosalem Family

9:30pm     rest

TOTAL FOR DAY 3: Php411.99

php 4 - for hotwater (brought oatmeal for breakfast)
php 50 - Entrance at Enchanted River

php 50 - (300/6) - Rafting in Tinuy-an falls (only 150, but we did it 2 times) 

php 75 (450/6) - waterproof camera at Tinuy-an falls

php 8.33 (50/6) - tip at Tinuy-an Falls

php 8 - fare from Pension house to Jakosalem residence

php 216.66 - (1300/6) one night at Pensionne la salle 

* Lunch and Dinner were sponsored by Jakosalem Family (A BIG THANKS to RJ and his parents!)
Thank you for introducing this unique dish:

Mutya ng Bislig

 and letting me eat Durian for the first time (yes, milestone! Haha)

Durian

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DAY 4 Surigao City

6am         wake up call

7:30am    otw to Butuan via van

10:30am  arrival at crossing, van transfer to Surigao City

1pm        arrival at surigao city terminal, lunch at Jollibee
6pm        arrival at Surigao port

TOTAL FOR DAY 4: Php733

php 8      fare from pension to Bislig van terminal

php 220  van fare from Bislig city to butuan

php 110  van fare from Butuan to surigao city

php 50    Lunch at Jollibee

php 325  Boat ticket Maasin to Surigao

php 20 - Terminal fee
* Dinner was sponsored by my friend's aunt


TOTAL EXPENSES (4 DAYS):  PHP5,522.13

Travels that satisfy the heart 

and fill the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

BALANGHAI KANLUNES

A very budget friendly place for honeymooners and silent retreaters. The surroundings are very peaceful with a fascinating white beachfront. One could only reach this resort through boat..

Not really this one..but you can find this "shipwreck" on the east side of their beach. This is perfect for photoshoots. =))

the "shipwreck"-themed photo

another photo op at their beach front. So pretty!

We just left our stuff, went to our Sohoton Cove Tour, and went back to eat and wash up. We didn't check in this wonderful place due to lack of time (we still have to travel to Bislig) but here is a picture of their open cabanas that costs only 200php/head overnight (inclusive of pillows, mattress, mosquito net and tarp incase of rain). I think it would be exciting to stay here. (Reminds me of those cabanas in Indonesia I saw on TV)

They also have rooms for overnight use for those allergic to mosquitoes (haha!)

Balanghai Kanlunes also has a little restaurant (with a homey feel) that offers cooking of seafood according to the type of cooking you prefer. You just have to instruct well and of course, pay the dues. 

For us (group of six), we payed 1000 for 2 platters of rice, 1/2 kilo squid (stuffed and grilled), 1 kilo of fish (half grilled, 1/4 made into a soup and 1/4 into "kinilaw" or eaten raw with spices and vinegar) and 1 liter of coke. So affordable! :)

Grilled Stuffed Squid

"Tinolang Isda" Soup with fish

Grilled Fish

because a satiated stomach is essential to have an amazing adventure! 

=) #happytummy #seafood

THE ENCHANTED RIVER

HOW TO GET THERE (From Hinatuan town proper--> Enchanted River) travel time approx. 2 hours.

At the town proper, there are many motorcycles or "habal-habal" that you can ride for 100php/person (two-way), some would ask for another 100php for waiting. However, if you're travelling alone, you have to "pakyaw" or pay all seats the motorcycle could accommodate (300php total). Luckily for us, we didn't get to spend anything during our trip since a good friend of mine from Mangagoy offered to take us there by car. 

The river opens at 6am and closes at 5pm.
Fees:
Entrance fee:  php30 for adults and php 5 for children 4ft below
Life Jacket: 15php/hour
Table with umbrella: 100php
Cottages: forgot to ask

Nothing worth having comes easy. Truly, that has become the motto in this journey. As we went forth this adventure, we faced the challenge of a jarring and jolting path into the mountains with twists and turns that seemed so endless.

But we tried not to complain, because we believed everything will be worth it. Note that it wasn't an enchanting journey but the end --- THIS RIVER was truly ENCHANTING!!!


And why is it called "Enchanted"?

One, because it never runs out of fishes (despite the number of people leisurely swimming in their habitat). Don't worry these fishes don't bite.

Fish feeding at 12 nn and 4pm, and it is done with background music! :)

Two, because nobody can figure out the source of this water. "It just miraculously flows", they said. There's a cave opening, but stories tell that whoever went in there, never got out. Good thing, the river current is away from the cave, not towards it!

the clear blue waters of the Enchanted river

Three, nobody knows the exact depth of the river. People said all diving expeditions have been all in vain. There must be a secret down there. Ha-ha!

there! the schools of fish!

see how clear the water is! (photo by Epoi)

Lastly, because legend has it that this river has been taken cared of by spiritual beings locals call "engkantos" that's why it is completely squeaky clean. And that is why, nobody is allowed to swim after 5pm. 

TIPS:

1. Bring your own snorkel (or life jacket even!). It is very difficult to swim in brackish water. (I almost sank but I lost a lot of calories that time!)

2. Go there early or during non-peak seasons, and you'll have the river all by yourself! (have fun with the engkantos though. Haha kidding!)

3. Experience the water at its finest. Because we had to go to Tinuy-an falls after this attraction, we took a dip for just an hour. I suggest you put this in your itinerary as a whole day trip. Enjoy!

We had our lunch taken cared of by my friend, RJ and his dad. But if you don't have any, don't fret. Seafoods are sold there which they can cook for a minimum fee.

For breakdown of expenses and more attractions, see full itinerary.

Travels that satisfy the heart 

and fill the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

TINUY-AN FALLS (the Niagara Falls in the Philippines)

HOW TO GET THERE (From Hinatuan Terminal --> Tinuy-an Falls) travel time approx. 2 hours.

Ride a bus or jeep to Mangagoy (just ask the driver to drop you off to the Tinuy-an Falls Crossing (40-50php/person) then take a habal-habal to Tinuy-an falls (200php/head). Luckily for us, we didn't get to spend anything during our trip since a good friend of mine from Mangagoy offered to take us there by car.

Entrance fee: Php 50

Opening hours: they said it is open the whole day but most tourists would arrive in the morning just in time to see the rainbow that inexplicably visits the falls between 9 to 11 am.

Accommodation: Some cottages are for rent. And there are also rooms for overnight use (forgot to inquire how much though)

wooden bridge to Tinuy-an Falls

Nature lovers would enjoy the rough ride --- passing by trees, vast fields and some little towns filled with smiling people on the road. And as soon as we set foot on the area, we heard the sound of the water splashing to the rocks as it falls and feel the moist mountain breeze on our skin.

But the best part of it is seeing it in our own eyes...

my friend told me that in the months of October or November, or in the rainy months, the rocks get hidden by the larger volume of water falling and all you see is white misty water -- making it more like the Niagara Falls!

For breakdown of expenses and more attractions, see full itinerary.

Travels that satisfy the heart 

and fill the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.

BUCAS GRANDE ISLAND

HOW TO GET THERE (Siargao --> Bucas Grande) travel time from General Luna to Socorro Port approx. 2 hrs.

From your hotel/accommodation take a tricycle/motorcab from General Luna to Dapa Port (200php/person) then board a boat to Socorro, Bucas Grande (100php/person) then from Socorro port, hire a cab or a boat to take you to Sohoton (in our case, we contacted Kuya Fredie weeks before our adventure, saving time and energy. see contact number below)

A two-hour boat ride to the south of Siargao, lies Bucas Grande island, known for its lagoons, caves luscious trees and serene resorts.

We were picked up at the Socorro port by Kuya Fredie's boat, stopped over Balanghai Kanlunes Resort to leave our bags and off we went to our journey..

we were welcomed by little stingless jellyfish along the way..

finding jellyfish

Our first stop was the station where 3 caves are situated.

Here is a very nice view from the station:

BOLITAS CAVE, bolitas in Bisaya means "small balls", and this was named so because of small pebbles seemingly embedded in the rock formations. The exciting part of the journey to the cave is the narrow opening -- yes, you have to squeeze yourself into it!

CRYSTAL CAVE, the twin of Bolitas cave because of their proximity, was so named because the stalactites and stalagmites shimmer as if they were crystals. Unlike the Bolitas cave, Crystal Cave was huge making it very effortless to be navigated.

Crystal Cave stalactites

TUNDAN CAVE, named by ancestors because it lies at the foot of a Tundan, a variety of a banana shrub. Unfortunately, we didn't enter this much further due to time constraints. And we were excited to our next stop...

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Then off we go to our next stop, the highlight of our adventure...

SOHOTON COVE

This is the station where we have to register, pay bills and transfer to a smaller pumpboat.

Why a smaller pumpboat? Because you have to navigate all the way to the nature park through a small cave opening. This is where the beautiful cove got its name as "sohoton", which in Bisaya means to stoop or get down. See a glimpse of our experience here.

HAGUKAN CAVE

Hagukan comes from the root word "Haguk" which in Bisaya means snore. The underwater cave on an islet is named so because as the sea level falls down below the cave's entrance creating a "mouth", the cave produces a snoring sound as the breeze enters and goes out the cave.

Entering the cave depends on the tide. That time, it just started to get low so the guide just let us float as we sailed through the cave's entrance. (Caution: be wary of the rough surface of the entrance due to oyster shells embedded on it).

Once inside, be dazzled by the rock formations high above, that look like clouds as you tirelessly just let yourself float on the cool water. We stayed there for about 20 minutes to enjoy the cool water (because we never had to worry about being sunburned!)

MAGKUKUOB CAVE

What's unique of this cave? You swim, rock climb and then jump to get out.

Once you decide to enter and climb, you have no other option but to let yourself fall 15m from sea level. Sometimes in life, there is really no turning back --- you just let yourself fall. :)

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This is the HORSE SHOE ROCK or "Horse Foot", a very cool rock formation that serves as landmark to the exit.

For an ease in travel, contact:

Kuya Fredie Rosillo (caretaker of Balanghai Kanlunes)

09354183244

For breakdown of expenses and more attractions, see full itinerary.

Travels that satisfy the heart 

and fill the brain with cherished memories. 

This is TRAVEL-licious.