Sigiriya and Pasikudah in 5 days

Sigiriya and Pasikudah sit on a single road east from the Cultural Triangle, with Polonnaruwa in between. That geometry is what makes the route work: the second ancient site is on the way to the beach, so day three combines culture and travel without a detour.

Pasikudah's bay is protected by a reef, and the water stays waist-deep for a long way out. In the east coast season it is calm, clear and warm, with a string of resort hotels along a wide crescent of sand.

The trade-off is the last day: Pasikudah is roughly 6 to 7 hours from the airport. Choose a late flight, or consider Trincomalee, which is a little closer.

Day one is the drive from the airport to Sigiriya, roughly 4 to 5 hours, with a quiet afternoon by the pool. Day two is Sigiriya Rock at opening, roughly 1,200 steps and two to three hours, a rest at midday, then a jeep safari at Minneriya or Kaudulla in the afternoon. In the gathering season, roughly July to October, the herds can number in the dozens or more.

Day three drives to Polonnaruwa, roughly an hour to an hour and a half, to cycle the ancient city in the morning, then continues to Pasikudah, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, for a late-afternoon swim. Day four is a full beach day, with snorkelling, a boat trip or a visit to Batticaloa's Dutch fort and lagoon.

Day five is a last swim, then roughly 6 to 7 hours to the airport for an evening flight.

Pasikudah is a resort beach rather than a village, and most hotels sit directly on the sand. The bay is the main attraction: shallow, sheltered and ideal for long, easy swims. Kalkudah, just to the south, is quieter and wilder.

Batticaloa, roughly 45 minutes south, is a lagoon town with a small Dutch fort, churches, Hindu temples and a strong Tamil culture. An afternoon there adds variety to the beach days and shows how different the east is from the south and west.

The coast here was badly hit by the 2004 tsunami and later by the civil war, and has been rebuilding for years. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and spending in local businesses helps.

The route is built for May to September, when the south-west monsoon brings rain to the west and south and the east coast lies in a dry rain shadow. Pasikudah is at its calmest in these months.

From roughly November to January the north-east monsoon brings heavy rain to the east coast and rough seas to Pasikudah. In those months, choose a route with the beach on the west or south coast.

April and October can work, with some uncertainty. Check the forecast close to your dates and keep a flexible plan.

Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu Eco Park all lie within roughly 30 to 60 minutes of Sigiriya, and the herds move between them following water and grass. Your driver or a local tracker will know which park is best that week.

The gathering, when large numbers of elephants come to the shrinking reservoirs, is usually at its height roughly July to October, making this route especially good in late summer. Keep a respectful distance and ask your driver not to crowd the herd.

Families with young children are the route's natural audience, because Pasikudah's shallow water is ideal for small swimmers and the drives on days two to four are short. Couples and older travellers who want a calm summer beach also enjoy it.

Travellers who dislike long drives should note day five, and those who want surfing should look at Arugam Bay instead. Lankan Stays & Trails can arrange the safari, the Polonnaruwa bicycle guide and a driver for the long last day.