Take your family on an amazing 15-day journey to Sri Lanka! From game drives and ancient temple visits to sunbathing on white sand beaches and tea leaf picking, this holiday has something for everyone. You’ll begin in Colombo for a calm night before heading to Wilpattu National Park with your driver. There, you’ll stay in a family-friendly wilderness camp. Jump into a 4×4 and go on a safari to see elephants, leopards, sloth bears and more. Then, immerse yourself in the culture of Sri Lanka with trips to Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock and Polonnaruwa. Next, let the kids enjoy themselves on the East Coast – think surfing and whale watching! Your final stay is surrounded by beautiful tea plantations. Pick your own tea leaves and taste the delicious tea while learning the tea-making process. An overnight stop in Kandy gives you a last glimpse of Sri Lankan culture before flying back to Colombo.
Board your flight to Colombo. We will work out the most efficient routing for you.
On your arrival at Colombo airport, you will be met by our authorised representative for transfer to your hotel in your private car with driver. Rest of the day is free to relax to recover from flight. Depending on your preference and budget, we can arrange for your stay in city or beach side hotel or a boutique plantation stay. Overnight stay in Colombo.
This morning you’ll make a three-hour journey north to Wilpattu National Park with your driver. Your stay here is in family friendly African style tented camp. Spend the evening on a 4×4 safari, spotting wildlife and visiting some of the park’s ancient ruins. If you have younger kids, we will recommend stay at Leopard Trails which runs a Junior Ranger program. First of two nights in Wilpattu.
Morning and afternoon safaris in the park to increase your chances of spotting wildlife and leopard sightings. Enjoy a BBQ dinner around a campfire and savor the night sky blanketed with stars. As you fall asleep to the sound of wildlife, you’ll know why Wilpattu National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved wildlife destinations.
Today a short 2 hour drive to Dambulla. There, kids can explore the incredible ancient cave temple, dating back to the first century BC. Take them down underground to discover the beautiful and vibrant frescoes and statues of Lord Buddha. After, enjoy a picnic lunch in the nearby village before heading to Sigiriya. First of three nights in Dambulla.
Sigiriya also popularly known as Lion’s rock, is an impressive feat of ingenuity and engineering, and it’s a must-visit for kids. They’ll love scaling the huge rock fortress, exploring the ancient ruins and thre frescoes, and climbing 1200 steps to admire the views from the top. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities like visiting a spice garden and butterfly farm. After a fun day out, return to your hotel for a well-earned dinner.
The ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa is home to some of the most impressive ruins in Sri Lanka. Take the kids on a guided tour of the archaeological site and its many temples, monuments, and sculptures. Our local expert will pique the children’s interest with tales of ancient battles and stories of the bygone era. If your kids are older, we can arrange for cycling around the area and even ride on an elephant for a more immersive experience.
With your history notes well written on this cultural triangle visit, its time to head to the east coast to spend idyllic or activity filled days at a family friendly beach resort.
You have two full days to fill your days with activities that would appeal to the family or simply laze around at the beach.
Optional activities: There are plenty of optional activities to do in the area as you can choose from windsurfing, dolphin watching, snorkelling, hiring a catamaran for a day. Or simply visit the vibrant town of Triconmalee.
Leisure day at the beach. Or take up optional activities which we can prearrange for you.
Leisure day at the beach. Or take up optional activities which we can prearrange for you.
Today back on the road for a drive to Kandy. You will reach Kandy in time for lunch. After lunch, take a walking tour in Kandy and explore its many sites, including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens are beautifully laid out and are perfect for youngers kids to let steam off. You will be able to take part in a traditional Kandyan dance performance and a tour of the local artisanal craftsmanship and jewelry stores. The city offers plenty of dining options so why not try a local restaurant famous for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Today a three hour drive will take you to the stunning Hill Country. This is the perfect place to spend the last few days of your family holiday in Sri Lanka. The views of misty mountains, tea plantations and dense forests are breathtaking. Add to this the family fun as there are plenty of family activities to choose from. First to two nights here.
Optional activities: Go on a hike in local countryside, be part of a cookery demo or visit local villages and towns
In the morning, visit a tea plantation and learn how tea is grown and processed. Children can see the tea pickers at work, plucking the leaves from the bushes – they can even have a go yourself if they want to. Afternoon you could do a family activity or alternatively relax by the pool at your hotel.
Drive to Colombo airport is 4 hours. Your private car and drive will take you to the airport in time for your flight back home. There is also the option to take a seaplane for a 30 minute flight from Castlereigh Lake to Colombo.