Sri Lanka Family Holiday (13 nights / 14 days)

Overview

Sri Lanka Family Holiday is recommended for families with young children whose priority is to enjoy lots of fun-filled activities within a safe and friendly environment. We have designed an easy-paced holiday which brings a gentle and engrossing introduction to a different culture. The tour combines Sri Lanka’s spectacular southern beaches, close-up views of elephants and marine turtles and brings history alive. Alternative requests are always catered for.

Tour Highlights

Learn about elephants at the Millennium Elephant Orphanage
Golf, ride horses and play tennis in the Victoria Golf & Country Resort
Camp by the riverside in the rafting town of Kitulgala
Cycle the rural lanes inland from the Galle Coast
Go water-skiing, banana boating or wind surfing on Bentota Lagoon
Observe the endangered marine turtles in Kosgoda

Following are recommended optional activities

Millenium Elephant Foundation

Kegalle, Kandy

Learn about the key role elephants play in Sri Lankan culture and issues which arise from this. Accompanied by an expert, walk with, bathe and feed the elephants that are looked after here.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring and stunning historical locations in the world, built in the 5th century AD by ‘mad’ King Kasyapa.
Ritigala

Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle

Ritigala is nestled deep inside a jungle-covered nature reserve, the ruins of an extensive Buddhist monasty which was abandoned during the invasions of the 10th and 11th centuries.
The Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle

Quite apart from the incredible ruins of this medieval city, Polonnaruwa is home to a large monkey population who were famously featured in Disney’s engaging documentary film ‘Monkey Kingdom’.
Minneriya National Park

Habarana, Cultural Triangle

Minneriya National Park is a small but popular wildlife park home to a wide range of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. It is also the site of the world-renowned wildlife event ‘The Elephant Gathering’.4
Temple of the Tooth

Kandy

Tradition relates that a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka in 4th century A.D. and has been enshrined in the Dalanda Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, since the late 1500s.
Victoria Golf and Country Resort

Victoria, Kandy

There are golf courses that are scenic, but the Victoria Golf and Country Resort is simply spectacular. Even non-golfers will love it here, as a range of other activities are on offer.
White-Water Rafting and Canoeing

Kitulgala, Sinharaja & Kitulgala

Enjoy an exciting rafting adventure in a jungle paradise. The Kelani River is famous for its white-water rafting and boasts rapids suitable for beginners and those with more experience.
Galle Restaurant Guide

Galle, Galle Coast

Galle offers a range of charming cafes, bars and restaurants within the ancient Dutch Fort: choice ranges from simple snacks and Sri Lankan rice and curries to five-star fusion cuisine.
Galle Guided Bicycle Trails

Galle, Galle Coast

Cycle through Galle’s beautiful countryside, passing paddy fields dotted with iconic white egrets and water buffalo, quiet villages, tea and rice fields. Choose from a range of routes.
6 Best Water-Sport Activities in Sri Lanka

Island-wide

Discover the 6 best water-sport activities in Sri Lanka, from athletic surfing, kite-surfing and windsurfing to laidback snorkelling and sailing trips.
Galle Dutch Fort

Galle Fort, Galle Coast

Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built by the Portuguese before it was further developed by the Dutch and British, covers nearly 4sqkm and houses a range of old colonial buildings.
Windsurfing in Sri Lanka

Negombo, North-West Coast

Windsurfing in Sri Lanka was first started in Negombo, which continues to be a popular spot for windsurfing during the season from December to April, as is Kalpitiya, another north-west coastal town.
Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Kosgoda, West Coast

Of the seven species of marine turtles, five come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka and the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery which primary operates as a hatchery, is a great place to observe collected and rescued eggs hatch.
Sri Lankan Puppets

Balapitiya, West Coast

The traditional folk theatre of Sri Lankan puppetry was a major form of entertainment in old Ceylon.

Included/Excluded

Accommodation in a shared double / twin room
Chauffeur-guide and vehicle for the duration of the tour (including leisure days)
Both airport transfers
Expert advice and support prior to and during the tour

Cost of personal spending (tips, laundry, mini bar, telephone, fax etc.)
Cost of Extra Meals & Beverages
Entrance Tickets
Meal (Lunch) arrangement outside hotels
Rights to use cameras / video (in most places it’s free)

Tour Plan

Day 1 & 2 Negombo, North-West Coast

Negombo

Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, transfer to a convenient hotel close to the international airport. Relax and unwind after your flight, preparing yourself for the adventure ahead.

Day 3 Habarana, Cultural Triangle

Habarana

After an early breakfast, travel to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle via the Millennium Elephant Orphanage in Kegalle, a remarkable project where animal rights workers and elephant experts provide captive elephants with a retirement home. A guided tour around the centre will explain the good work being done at the Foundation and is the perfect way for the family to appreciate the wonder of the elephant. Travel on to the Cultural Triangle and your family-friendly hotel where the chance to splash around in a swimming pool is a must.

Day 4 & 5 Habarana, Cultural Triangle

Habarana

Consider a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park best known for the biggest gathering of Asian Elephants. The Cultural Triangle sites can tax the patience of some children, but a clamber to the summit of Sigiriya Rock will delight many and Ritilgala Forest Monastery also has a touch of Indiana Jones about it as you climb up the partially-concealed steps. And a discovery of the ruined city of Polonnaruwa can be enlivened by a story of Polonnaruwa’s warring monkeys.

Day 6 & 7 Victoria, Kandy

Victoria alla sri lanka

Travel on to Kandy which is steeped in history and culture. Visit the ancient Temple of the Tooth where a tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. Continue on to the Victoria Golf and Country Resort 20 kms east of Kandy. Check into the Victoria Golf Chalets set within the magnificent 500 acre estate surrounded by the scenic Kandyan Hills and the Victoria Reservoir. Facilities include an 18-hole golf course, putting green and practice range, floodlit tennis court, swimming pool, Saddle club, riding lesson for adults and kids, horse safaris, bird watching, and bike trails.

Day 8 Kitulgala, Sinharaja & Kitulgala

Kitulgala

A night’s camping in Kitulgala is a great place for a bit of under-the-stars adventure. There is an opportunity to go trekking, canoeing or white-water rafting if that suits the family’s disposition, or simply enjoy the camping experience. We have only scheduled one night here, but you can stay longer or chose instead to head straight to Galle in search of more time on the beach.

Day 9 & 10 Galle, Galle Coast

Galle

Journey down to the Galle Coast and spend two days in a beach hotel conveniently placed for a yomp around the famous Galle Fort. The fort’s well-preserved ramparts, overlooking the cricket stadium and the Indian Ocean, are a great excuse to use up any pent-up energy and there are a collection of characterful craft and art shops, boutiques and cafes alongside the beautiful boutique hotels and villas that now adorn the streets. The most energetic families might also consider a guided cycle ride around Galle’s rural inland lanes.

Day 11, 12 & 13 Bentota, West Coast

Bentota

A short journey north takes you to the family-orientated coastal town of Bentota where you can relax and enjoy the broad sandy beaches and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Children will be kept entertained with the numerous water-sports on offer on the calm Bentota lagoon, alongside the sea including banana-boating, water-skiing, jet-skiing, windsurfing and wave boarding. They will also love seeing the baby turtles at the Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Project and can enjoy their own Sri Lanka puppet show in Balapitiya.

Tour Map

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