The short answer
- Flight Colombo to Malé
- About 1.5 hours
- Split
- 8 to 10 days Sri Lanka, 3 to 5 Maldives
- Best months for both
- December to April
- Order
- Sri Lanka first, Maldives to relax
Many travellers fly to Sri Lanka and finish with a few days of pure relaxation in the Maldives. Several flights a day connect Colombo with Malé, and Maldivian resorts arrange the seaplane or speedboat from there.
How it fits together
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Sigiriya, Dambulla and a Minneriya safari |
| 4 to 5 | Kandy, then the drive to Nanu Oya and the train to Ella |
| 6 to 7 | Ella, then Yala for a safari |
| 8 | Expressway to Colombo airport and fly to Malé |
| 8 to 12 | Maldives resort |
| 13 | Fly home from Malé |
When to go
The Maldives is driest from December to April, the same months as Sri Lanka's south and west coasts and hill country. From May to October the Maldives has more showers and wind, while Sri Lanka's east coast is at its best, so a summer trip could pair the Maldives with Trincomalee instead.
Tip: Book the Maldives resort first: its transfer times (seaplanes fly only in daylight) decide which flight from Colombo you need.
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Frequently asked questions
How far is the Maldives from Sri Lanka?
About 1.5 hours by plane from Colombo to Malé, with several flights a day.
How many days for Sri Lanka and the Maldives?
Twelve to sixteen days: eight to ten in Sri Lanka and three to five in the Maldives.
Sri Lanka month by month
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