Classic Family Tour Of Sri Lanka

A Relaxing Tour Of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers everything that is required for a great family holiday. A lovely mix of culture, nature and fantastic beaches help to provide an ideal setting for a two week holiday.

Some of the finest family-friendly hotels in South Asia are featured here, all featuring a choice of Adjoining, Interconnecting or Family Rooms.

The holiday begins with a day to recover from your flight on the beach at Negombo or Marawila. Then journey to the Cultural Triangle, with lots of elephant-related activities on the way. Follow the route south to the ancient capital city of Kandy and board a train to view the magnificent tea covered Hill Country before reaching the island’s famed tropical beaches for the remainder of your holiday.

This tour is particularly recommended during late July and early August to experience ‘The Gathering Of Elephants’ at Minneriya National Park and the spectacular Kandy Perahera Festival at Kandy.

Recommended For: Families with kids of all ages

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

 

Day 02

Marawila

Club Palm Bay  

Relax On Arrival At Marawila
Arrive at Colombo Airport and drive a short distance to relax under coconut groves on the beach at the resort of Marawila.

Day 03

Dambulla

Kandalama Hotel

The Golden Cave Temples Of Dambulla
Hidden caves inside a huge boulder that overlook the town of Dambulla contain thousands of images of the Buddha that are more than 2000 years old.

Day 04

Dambulla

Kandalama Hotel

By Private Jeep To See ‘The Gathering’ Of Wild Elephants At Minneriya National Park
One of the Great Sights Of The Natural World happens each year when huge herds of Asian Elephants gather by the large lakes of the Cultural Triangle during the Dry Season. Sometimes up to 300 elephants can be seen together – the largest number of wild elephants gathering in one place on the entire planet!

Best Time To Visit: Late July-September

Day 05

Kandy

The Citadel

The Magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress
A climb to see this famed Fortress In The Sky and gaze at amazing views from the top is a must for all families visiting the island. Mornings are best before the beating sun heats up the rock. Half way up is a pair of huge Lions Paws that once served as the gateway to the summit.

Day 06

Kandy

The Citadel

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Without doubt the highlight of any family holiday to Sri Lanka. There are over 70 orphaned elephants including young calves only a few weeks old. Children thrill at the sight of seeing them bottle fed and then bathed in the adjoining river.

Bathing And Riding With Elephants At The Millennium Elephant Foundation
A charitable foundation next to the elephant orphanage that looks after the welfare of domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka. You have a chance to try an Elephant Ride and even bathe with one of their elephants!

Kandy And The Temple Of The Tooth
Kandy is one of Asia’s prettiest towns with its exquisite lake and the Temple Of The Buddha’s Tooth. An evening visit is ideal and children can help light hundreds of oil lamps on the outside terrace during the ‘pooja’ ceremony – a magical experience.

The Kandy Perahera Festival – Grandstand Seats
One of the Great Festivals Of The World occurs at Kandy each year when the sacred tooth of the Buddha is paraded through the streets of Kandy on successive nights, accompanied by over a hundred caparisoned elephants, and thousands of temple dancers and drummers.

Dates For 2009: 27 July – 05 August

You may also if you like, spend an evening watching a colourful Kandyan Dance And Cultural Performance to the sound of rhythmic temple drums.

Day 07

Nuwara Eliya

The Grand Hotel  

Journey By Train Through The Hill Country
Experience the thrill of travelling in the Observation Car of the Hill Country Express as it passes through tea estates and spectacular mountain scenery.

Waterfalls, Cloud Forests And Tea Estates
The old British Hill Station of Nuwara Eliya lies at 6000 ft above sea level among pine forests and surrounded by estates with tea bushes of emerald green stretching into the far distance.

Day 08

Sri Lanka’s Beaches

Devon And St Clair’s Falls
The spectacular descent of the Hill Country towards Sri Lanka’s beaches passes two of the island’s most famous waterfalls, Devon and St Clair’s Falls, which are easily viewed from the roadside.

The Mlesna Tea Centre overlooking St Clair’s Tea Estate has a nice viewing platform and a Tea Museum. A great place to stop for a cup of tea.

Beach Stay In Sri Lanka
The world famous tropical beaches of Sri Lanka provide an idyllic backdrop for a family holiday. Kids can stay occupied with Boat Trips, Visits To Coral Reefs and first class Watersports in shallow lagoons.

The beach resort of Bentota is highly recommended for a family beach stay because some parts of the famous ‘Golden Mile’ beach is reef protected so children can swim safely in the sea (always seek local advice).

Depart Sri Lanka

Depart Sri Lanka – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.

NOTE: You can choose as many beach nights as you require.

* We will send you a detailed quote with flight options, descriptions of hotels used and daily schedules.