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Build some magical memories with your loved ones on this luxury family holiday to Sri Lanka. Encounter playful elephants at the orphanage, visit Buddhas most sacred temple, experience a scenic train journey through the tea plantations and mountains, spot exotic wildlife in their natural habitat, explore the wilderness of a Rain Forest and enjoy quality fun time together on the golden sandy beach beside the calm Indian Ocean. This 15-night fun packed tour of Sri Lanka is sure to be one of the best family holidays to treasure with something to satisfy every family member – a wonderful culture with local traditions, Sri Lankan wildlife and stunnng tropical beaches. Designed especially for a holiday with kids, this package can be taken during half term breaks as well as during quieter holiday periods and is suitable all year round.

Itinerary Highlights:

Experience Local Culture and Traditions
Scenic Train Journey
Wildlife Adventures
Beach Relaxation, snorkelling and water sports

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: City Stay

Upon arrival in Colombo, you will be met by your driver and escorted to a nearby city hotel in Colombo (approx. 1-hour drive time). You will be staying near the Colombo fort area, the perfect location from which to enjoy a relaxing stroll beside the sea along the Galle Face Green promenade. You might even wish to visit the Colombo Dutch Hospital, the oldest building in Colombo and now a heritage building, shopping and dining precinct before returning to your hotel to enjoy a local dinner and a refreshing overnight comfort stop.

Day 3: Hill Capital via Elephant Orphanage

Heading inland to Kandy today (total drive time approx. 3 hours) to the charming hill capital of Sri Lanka and its second largest city. 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, perfect for those precious ‘family selfie’ moments. Upon arrival in Kandy, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax as you choose, perhaps by the hotel pool with cocktail in hand whilst the children splash away any remaining energy.

Day 4: 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 Kandylan 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 5: Scenic Train Journey & Tea Tasting

Today is ‘all board’ for 3 hours on one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world to Nanu Oya. You will travel through stunning landscapes of lush tea plantations, mountains and small villages, passing lovely old bridges, beautiful waterfalls and grazing cattle – you’re likely to be greeted by local kids running along the train tracks too! Once you arrive at Nanu Oya station, it is only a short 25-minute drive to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. You will call via a tea plantation en-route to your hotel for you to experience the history of British Ceylon and taste the freshest cup of tea imaginable. Known as ‘The land of tea estates and waterfalls’, Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of Sri Lanka’s tea industry from the early 19 th century – in all directions you will see rolling hills decked up with green tea leaves.

Day 6: Trek through National Park

A day to stretch the legs and for the children to burn off any excess enery! An early start is highly recommended today to avoid the clouds as you trek a leisurely (approx. 3-hour) 10km trail through the wilderness of Horton Plains National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty and of conservation importance. Recognised for its rich biodiversity, you are sure to see plenty of flora and fauna during your trek as well as some endemic birds and butterflies. The Horton Plains plateau comes to a sudden end at World’s End, a sheer drop that plunges 880m down whilst overlooking the southern plains towards the sea 60km away. Looping back round by the famous Baker’s Fall waterfall which gives stunning views at different angles before arriving back at the entrance. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities, whilst the children will no doubt head straight to the refreshing pool.

Day 7: Afternoon Wildlife Safari

As you travel today to Yala National Park in the Southern Coast Region of Sri Lanka you will see that landscape starting to flatten out once more (total drive time approx. 4-hours). Breaking the journey up, you will visit Ella Gap and marvel at the stunning views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka from the towns elevated position. You will also stop off to see the impressive Ravana Falls where the more adventurous can climb over some of the rocks to get a closer look at the falls and even take a refreshing swim. Yala National Park is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and renowned for its huge variety of wild animals as well as its conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards (for which Yala has the highest density in the world) and aquatic birds. You will get to explore some of this huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons in the afternoon from the comfort of a 4 x 4 – be sure to have your camera at the ready!

Day 8: Morning Safari and Temple City Tour

Capture those magical safari camera moments again, this time with an early morning safari to spot more exotic wildlife before returning to enjoy a few refreshing hours in your jungle style hotel. In the evening, as part of a city tour, you will visit Kataragama Temple, an important temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama Deviyo and Hindu War God Murugan. It is one of the few sites in Sri Lanaka that is respected by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people showing that many religions can coexist in harmony in close proximity to each other.

Day 9: Rainforest Reserve

Today you are heading west inland to a UNESCO World Heritage site covering an area of over 11000 hectares, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, one of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity hotspots and primary tropical rainforest. Home to over 150 bird species, 33 of which are endemic to Sri Lanka, a rich reptile and insect population, rare endemic trees, purple faced langur monkeys, the giant squirrel and also the elusive leopard. (Approx 4-hour drive time). Once you arrive at your hotel, slap on the sun lotion and head for a relaxing afternoon soaking up the rays by the hotel pool.

Day 10: Rainforest Trek

The best way to see and appreciate Sinharaja Forest Reserve, its amazing flora and wildlife, endemic trees and a plethora of birds is by trekking the picturesque paths and shimmering streams through this jungle. Your knowledgeable guide will escort you on your 3-hour trek, answer any questions and point out things you would otherwise miss, ensuring that you get to experience Mother Nature at her absolute best. This is a great opportunity for the children to learn something about their tropical surroundings and the wildlife that live here! After a leisurely lunch, it’s time to travel to the west coast to the picturesque town of Bentota (approx. 2.5-hour drive time) to begin your few days of leisurely beach stay. Nestled between the ocean and the lagoon, it has a long, broad belt pristine beach set against a gorgeous green backdrop, dotted with coconut palm – an idyllic location to completely relax.

Day 11-14: 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, living, enjoying a variety of water sports or exploring the natural beauty of this stunning area. Your time is your own to do as you please. 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. 2.5-hour drive) for your return flight to the UK.

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