Family Adventure

A Round Tour

Visit UNESCO world heritage sites in the Cultural Triangle, learn to cook a Sri Lankan meal in a rural village, spot exotic wildlife in their natural habitat on 3 separate safaris, sleep in the jungle, visit a spice garden and elephant sanctuary, all before enjoying a few relaxing beach days on the stunning West Coast. This 14-night fun packed holiday in Sri Lanka will give you a true feel for this delightful country, its culture and local traditions, Sri Lankan Wildlife and its idyllic tropical beaches. With something for everyone, this trip is sure to become your best family holiday ever with magical memories made together whilst experiencing the very best of this paradise island. A luxury family holiday designed especially for a holiday with kids, this package can be taken during Easter and Christmas breaks as well as during quieter holiday periods and is suitable all year round.

Itinerary Highlights:

3 Wildlife Jeep Safaris
Wild Glamping experience
Culture, history and local traditions
Palm lined beach relaxation

15 Days

4+ Age

Best Deals

Culture and History

Family

Destination

Day 1: International Flight

Depart from the UK on an international flight to Colombo, travelling overnight.

Day 2: Beach Hotel

Upon arrival in Colombo, you will be met by your driver and escorted to a nearby beach hotel in Negombo (approx. 20-30 minutes’ drive) for you to enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll along the picturesque sandy beach or to relax by the pool with a cocktail before dinner and your overnight comfort stop.

Day 3: Head into the Wilderness

After approx. 3-hour drive time north, you will arrive on the edge of Wilpattu National Park and your exotic home for the next 2 nights. Staying in a luxury Tented Camp for a genuine jungle, glamping experience, complete with an evening campfire, you will appreciate nature at its absolute best. This fascinating safari adventure is sure to delight the adults as well as the children. Wilpattu means ‘natural lakes’ in Sinhala and ’10 lakes’ in Tamil and so you will not be surprised that amongst the wilderness of the dense forest, you will indeed see plenty of lakes which help sustain the flora and fauna in this dry. The 1st of your 3 Safari Game Drives into the reserve commences in the afternoon, after a delicious lunch at the camp.

Day 4: Searching for Exotic Wildlife

Walpattu is the largest national park in Sri Lanka covering an area of more than 1,300 square kilometres. Comprising of mostly dense scrub forest and grass-covered clearings, the park is home to more than 30 species of mammal including the leopard, sloth bear and Asian elephant as well as water buffalo, mongoose, mouse deer, sambar and spotted deer. There are several reptile and amphibian species residing here too, including crocodiles, snakes, monitors, turtles and lizards as well as prolific birdlife. As is the case with all wildlife safaris, exotic sightings are not guaranteed, but on this tour with not 1 but 3 separate drives, your chances are significantly increased. So, keep your camera poised ‘at the ready’ as you never know you’ll glimpse next! Today you will enjoy both a morning and late afternoon drive with plenty of time either side to relax and enjoy the hospitality of the camp hosts.

Day 5: Ancient City & Cultural Triangle

Heading inland today to Sigiriya (total drive time approx. 2.5 hours) to the lush green centre of Sri Lanka, known as the Cultural Triangle. Calling en-route to the Sacred City, Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 5th century BC. Here you will see many memorable sightseeing highlights including Buddhist Shrines and monasteries, splendid palaces, pavilions, parks, ponds and reservoirs, with some fascinating examples of architecture, art, sculpture and engineering. Once at your hotel in Sigiriya, the rest of the day is leisure time - why not relax beside the pool sipping a local cocktail whilst the children enjoy some splash time.

Day 6: The Lions Rock & Local Village Experience

Today is a local day and we recommend an early start to avoid the midday heat. The remarkable rock citadel of Sigiriya, known as Lions Rock, is one of the most famous landmarks in Sri Lanka and dates back to the 5th Century. Passing through the carved lion’s feet and bravely climbing the 1200 steps to the summit of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will be rewarded with sensational 360-degree panoramic views for miles around as well as the beautiful gardens below. Return to the hotel for hearty breakfast and refresh. Around midday, you are invited to experience traditional Sri Lankan village life including a cookery lesson from a local villager, during which you will make your own lunch, followed by an oxen cart ride through streets of this rustic rural community.

Day 7: Cave Temple & Sri Lankan Spices

Driving south today to Kandy (total drive time approx. 2.5 hours), the charming hill capital of Sri Lanka and its second largest city. On the way you will visit the UNESCO world heritage site, Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka which is fascinatingly built into and underneath the overhanging cliff. Further into the journey, you will also visit a spice garden to gain an insight into this age-old industry of spice production which attracted many European and Asian merchants to the ports of ancient Sri Lanka. Upon arrival in Kandy, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the hotel facilities and marvel at the lush green surroundings of the hillsides.

Day 8: City, Markets, Tooth Temple & Cultural Show

Enjoy a lazy morning of leisure and some family fun time in the hotel pool before lunch. The afternoon will comprise of a city tour of Kandy with an opportunity to browse the local markets before visiting the most sacred Buddhist temples of all, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, located in the royal palace complex. This golden-roofed Temple houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of Buddha. In Kandy town, you’ll watch the Kandyan Cultural dance show, a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance and Cultural Heritage Show which encompasses various forms of traditional dancing including some ancient rituals; the children are sure to be awed by the acrobatic performances too with their leaping pirouettes, back flips and various stunts such a plate spinning and a dramatic fire walk!

Day 9: Elephants and Beach

Today, it’s time to travel to the west coast to the picturesque town of Bentota (approx. 4-hour total drive time) to begin your few days of leisurely beach stay. Calling en-route for lunch at Pinnawela village, you will also visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, home to over 90 wild Asian elephants - this orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. There will be plenty of photo opportunities here for ‘family selfies’ close to the elephants. Nestled between the ocean and the lagoon, Bentota has a long, broad belt pristine beach set against a gorgeous green backdrop, dotted with coconut palm – an idyllic location to completely relax and once you arrive here, the remaining holiday is your time to do as you please!

Day 10 - 14: Sun, Sea & Sand

Whether your family seek relaxation or adventure, this is the perfect location to spend the next few days either relaxing/playing on the beach, snorkelling, diving, enjoying a variety of water sports or exploring the natural beauty of this stunning area – the choices are unlimited and all yours. Alternatively, we can arrange additional local tours such as whale/dolphin watching, a short drive to the historic city of Galle or a visit to the turtle hatchery where you might even be offered the opportunity to release a baby turtle into the ocean yourself. An additional activity we highly recommend, popular with youngsters, teens and adults alike is the Mask-Making Workshop. Masks are an important part of Sri Lankan culture and this 3-hour hands-on session teaches you the history and their various uses, before the host then assists you to design and carve your own Kolam Mask.

Day 15: Fly back home

Sadly, all good things come to an end and today you will be driven back to Colombo (drive time approx. 4-hours) for your return flight to the UK. *note:

You will be travelling in a private airconditioned vehicle with your own chauffeur. This means that morning departure times are flexible each day, as is the amount of time you wish to spend at each site/activity. Your guide will advise on suitable travel times to avoid peak congestion and recommended the best time of day to ensure maximum enjoyment of the activity.
All travel time to/from locations are quoted in the itinerary, but please understand that these are only approximate to give a general guide. You will discover that Sri Lankan roads (and their users) are quite unique and appear somewhat chaotic – and it’s not just pedestrians, cyclists, bikers, tuk-tuks, dogs, slow moving heavy goods and agricultural vehicles that cause congestion. Don’t be surprised if you see the occasional elephant, monkey, land-lizard or cattle strolling across the road too!
Consequently, ‘we expect the unexpected’ and work on anticipate travel times based on 30-40 kms per hour.

Make Your Own Memories

- Scheduled international flights (economy travel) from most of the major airports in the United Kingdom
- 13 nights accommodation at 4*standard hotels sharing a room
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Travel in a private vehicle with your own chauffer guide
- Entrance fees to all sites and experiences as specified on the itinerary
- Sri Lanka ETA visa
- All applicable taxes with no hidden charges