We love Colombo and you can get a decent feel for the place in one afternoon and one night. Our recommended three stop strategy for those on a first time whirlwind tour is the unofficial Tuk Tuk tour of Pettah Market (Tuk it Easy) in the afternoon, a walk on Galle Face Green watching the families fly kites and play cricket in the late afternoon, sundowner drinks at Cinammon Red’s roof-top bar and then dinner at Paradise Cafe. 

About 5 hours from Tekanda but broadly en route if you are coming down from the Cultural Triangle or the East Coast. We think this is the absolute pearl of Sri Lanka’s National Parks. Dramatic mountain ranges surround soft fertile valleys teeming with elephant and bidlife. Gal Oya is far less frequented than the more accessible Yala which means guests can often get a magically private experience.

About 2.5 hours from Tekanda, this is the primary National Park of Sri Lanka and the best place to spot leopard. There are a number of overnight options within the park including some very upmarket tented camps. We would suggest getting there for an afternoon drive, dinner and overnight in a tented camp followed by an early safari and then back to Tekanda in the afternoon.