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14 Night Sri Lankan Family Adventure – Winter

Highlights

  • Enjoy an exciting safari in search of leopards, elephants and more
  • Get off the beaten path discovering paddy farms, forests and villages
  • Visit the temple of the tooth
  • Travel on the famous blue train
  • Relax with a beach stay in Unawatuna
from £2045 pp
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Children
2 -11
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14 Nights/ 15 Days

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What you'll do

Overview

On this once in a lifetime holiday explore Sri Lanka's diverse nature and culture with a packed itinerary featuring rainforests, beaches, wildlife, and history. It has a great mix of adventure, culture and relaxing at the beach - perfect for families! This itinerary has been designed to make the best of the weather in Sri Lanka between the months of November to March , when the west, south and central parts of Sri Lanka generally have less rain and enjoy blue skies.This itinerary is available during the months of September to April during the change over of seasons the weather can be a little mixed, but the temperature is still very pleasant.

Summary :

Day 1 Negombo

Day 2 & 3 Wilpattu National Park

Day 4 & 5 Sigiriya

Day 6 & 7 Kandy

Day 8 & 9 Nuwara Eliya

Day 10 Ella

Day 11 Udawalawe

Day 12 -14  Unawatuna

Day 15 Departure

Day 14 Departure

Sri Lanka is popular holiday destination because it has so much to offer in a relatively small country, so the travelling time is comparatively short between the amazing cultural, historical, scenic and wildlife attractions. Amidst all the amazing historical sites (including eight Unesco sites) the diverse unique landscapes and the relaxed culture, it is the friendliness of the people you meet that will be your stand out memory.

The weather in Sri lanka is seasonal, and this itinerary has been chosen to make the most of the climate during the Winter months between November and March. You will start with a visit to a coconut plantation and then embark on a big game safari staying in traditional safari tents and taking game drives to spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears and others, you’ll kayak in a lagoon and even take a night walk!   You will visit the most famous historical sites in the cultural triangle climbing spectacular Lion rock, meeting the monkeys that live and play in Dambulla, you’ll visit a local village and meet artisan craftsmen and have a hands on cooking lesson, then take a safari in Minneriya National Park where the largest herds of elephants live. In Kandy you will take an exciting food walk and visit the temple of the tooth, and in  Nuwara Eliya you will visit a tea plantation. You’ll go trekking in Horton plains and then embark  the blue train to Ella. Here you can take the zip line and soar over the treetops before a leisurely hike to mini Adam’s peak with its spectacular views. Next, in Udawalawe you will visit the transit home for orphaned elephants and take a safari in the National Park to see elephants, water buffalo and leopards. After packing in so much, but at a leisurely pace, the whole family will be ready for a relaxing time at the beach as you spend your final three nights on the south coast near Galle enjoying the white sand beach and turquoise waters. You will be left in awe of this spectacular small island; its wildlife, history, food, culture, and of course, its people.

*Please note*
All accommodation will be reserved at time of booking. Depending on availability there may be changes to similar accommodation.
This is a private itinerary but on some experiences throughout the tour you may join a small group.

*from price is based on 4 people in a family room travelling in October

Arrival Day

Arrive into Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will be met by your driver/ guide and transferred to you hotel in Negombo for your first night in Sri Lanka.

Villa Hundira is a lovely hotel featuring two swimming pools, on site restaurant and is surrounded by lush greenery

Just 30 minutes from the airport it is perfect for your first stop after a long flight!

Accommodation: Villa Hundira Deluxe Room 

Meals: none

Wilpattu National Park Safari

Today you will explore a Coconut Plantation and take a safari at Wilpattu National Park,
embarking on an exciting day filled with adventure and exploration.  You will start your morning with a hearty breakfast, followed by check-out from your hotel. The day’s highlight includes a visit to a Coconut Plantation, where you’ll learn about the life-cycle of a coconut plant and enjoy a delightful lunch amidst lush greenery. In the afternoon, you will embark on a scenic transfer to Wilpattu. Get ready for an exhilarating Evening Safari at Wilpattu National Park, where wildlife encounters await. As the day winds down, you will check-in at the hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner,  and then in the evening you will enjoy a safari through Wilpattu National Park, famous for its unique wildlife, particularly the presence of leopards, its diverse ecosystems, scenic landscapes, and the positive economic impact it has on local communities.

Hotel: Wild Wadi | Deluxe Jungle Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner

Morning Game drive, Kayaking, Bird watching and a Night Walk

This morning you will have the opportunity to return to the park in search of leopard, elephant, crocodile and sloth bears to name just a few of the animals calling this park home.

In the afternoon there will be the opportunity to go kayaking in a nearby lake, and then in the evening as darkness descends, cap off your experience with an exhilarating night walk. Armed with flashlights, you will explore the park after dark, encountering nocturnal creatures and witnessing the mesmerizing transformation of Sri Lanka’s largest national park under the stars.

You will return to the camp for dinner and  sit on your terrace listening to the sounds of the jungle and the occasional hoot of an owl.

Accommodation:  Wild Wadi Camp- Deluxe Jungle Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lion Rock and Dambulla Caves

After breakfast you will head to Dambulla and its Cave Complex, the largest and best-preserved cave temples in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site. There are more than 80 documented caves on this impressive site. You will  spend the morning exploring the cave complex, and its many statues and brightly coloured frescoes, watching the playful monkeys that live in and around the temple. Watch out for them as they will have an eye on your snacks and other belongings !

Though you may have see many pictures of ‘Lion Rock’, nothing can quite prepare you for the real thing. In the afternoon you will visit this iconic ancient fort.

Sigiriya, the 5th century “Fortress in the Sky” is perhaps the most jaw-dropping single wonder on the island. It’s known as Lion Rock because it was said there was a huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace, on the summit of the 600-foot high rock.

The walk to the summit leads you on paths and staircases through some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, past pools, statues, carvings and caves with ornate frescoes. There are plenty of stopping places on the ascent where you can admire the stunning panoramic views.

Once you reach the summit you can still find the foundations of the Royal Palace, which you will explore with your guide and learn the many fascinating stories about what took place in this incredible location.

 

Accommodation : Hotel Sigiriya Superior Room 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Village Cycle Experience & Afternoon Safari

Discover village life on a cycling tour through picturesque hamlets. Witness small home industries, from a local fisherman offering fresh catch to families crafting brooms from coconut trees. Experience the rhythm of local culture at a village dance school and observe the laborious art of brick-making. Meet a village elder skilled in traditional Ayurvedic oil preparation. The tour culminates with a hands-on cooking lesson at your guide’s home, followed by a sumptuous lunch. This journey offers a window into the everyday lives and customs of village residents, providing an authentic glimpse into their world.

In the afternoon you’ll take a safari at Minneriya National Park,  where there is the opportunity to see herds of elephants throughout the year; the park has the largest concentration of elephants in Asia. The park is also home to monkeys, deer, leopard and sloth bear so keep your eyes open as you try to catch glimpses of these magnificent animals.

 

Accommodation : Hotel Sigiriya – Superior Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

 

Food walk and Temple of the tooth in Kandy

 

Today you will set off on your drive to Kandy, when you arrive you will take an exciting walk around Kandy town with your guide, trying several different local delicacies. Your guide will take you first to taste some unusual and exotic fruits in Kandy market, you  will walk around the market and learn about the various regional vegetables and their uses. Then you will head to the women’s co-operative for some authentic Sri Lankan snacks that you’d only get to try if you knew someone’s grandmother. As you walk the trading street of Kandy you will taste more snacks and a refreshing king coconut, before moving on to the main course. You will end the walk with a sweet desert of  ”curd and treacle” to cool you down.

In the evening your guide will walk with you to the Temple of the Tooth. The temple is one of the most revered temples amongst Buddhists, it was originally built by the Kandyan Kings between 1687 and 1707, to house and honour the sacred tooth relic. The temple itself was badly damaged during the 18th century colonial wars against the Portuguese and Dutch, and the original wooden structures were rebuilt using more robust stone. In more recent years, the temple was damaged by Hindu Tamil separatists in 1998, although once again, the tooth relic remained unharmed.

The temple buildings are perhaps not as magnificent or ornately decorated as many are in South East Asia, yet they are striking with their red roofs and white stone walls overlooking Kandy Lake. The low walls have simple carved openings that give a filigree effect, and house coconut oil lamps and candles during festivals.

Accommodation Hanthana House – Standard Room (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Village Walk and Waterfalls

 

Today after breakfast you will set off  to the start of the Heel Oya trek, you’ll take a comfortable and gentle downhill trail that takes you to the rural village of Heel Oya. Located at the foothills of the Knuckles, still relatively few tourists take this trail. Your guide will lead you through lush forests and rolling hills, tea estates, pine forests and  waterways passing several stunning viewpoints. You will have the chance to see diverse wildlife and vegetation and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Sri Lankan countryside. Along the way, you will also have the opportunity to visit local villages and learn about the culture and traditions of the area. 

 

Accommodation Hanthana House – Standard Room 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Tea Estates

Today you will you’ll take the drive into  the mountains and Nuwara Eliya.  Due to its high location and fresh climate it has the perfect environment for growing tea and there are huge tea plantations and tea houses here.The scenery is stunning, the hillsides full of the ancient knee-high tea bushes.Visiting one of the tea plantations is a great experience, you will hear first hand from a retired planter about the process of growing, harvesting, drying and fermenting the tea leaves as you walk through the plantation.

The tour ends with a brief tea tasting session at the Golf Club to learn about the different flavours of tea. 

Accommodation: Jetwing St Andrews – Superior Room

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

 

 

Horton Plains, Ambawella Farms and Frogs

Today you will have an early morning visit to Horton Plains National Park, where you can hike through misty grasslands and cloud forests, and take in the breathtaking views from World’s End.

World’s End is one of the most beautiful and varied treks in this incredible country.

Arriving in the early morning mist, with the sunlight kissing the plains, and spotting deer grazing silently in the long grass, you will feel as though you have stepped into a different country.

World’s End is the name of one section of the trek in Horton Plains, it is easily accessible due to the well-maintained paths and takes you to a stunning viewpoint named World’s End, you will see where it got its name when you reach the 4000-foot-high precipice and look out over the amazing views.

In the afternoon, you will head to Ambewella, known for its picturesque dairy farms and lush green pastures, here you can tour the farm, learn about dairy production, and enjoy some of the fresh dairy products. As night falls, you will join a naturalist for an exciting night frog walk, exploring the forest to discover the different nocturnal frog species and other wildlife on this exciting night time adventure. 

Accommodation: Jetwing St Andrews – Superior Room

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Scenic Train Ride to Ella, Ziplining and Adams Peak

Today your day starts with a scenic train ride to Ella, one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque destinations. Enjoy the breathtaking views of lush tea plantations, rolling hills, and cascading waterfalls as the train winds its way through the stunning countryside. Upon arrival, you have the option to take an exciting zip line ride, soaring over the treetops and taking in the panoramic vistas from a unique perspective.

Afterwards, you will embark on a hike to Mini Adam’s Peak, a relatively easy climb, suitable for all ages. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding valleys, tea estates, and mountains, making it a perfect spot for family photos and some well-deserved relaxation. Today you will combine  the tranquility of a scenic train journey, the excitement of zip-lining, and the natural beauty of Mini Adam’s Peak, offering a delightful day of adventure  for the whole family.

Accommodation: Waterfall Homestay – Superior Room 

 

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Elephants

This morning you will drive to Udawalawe, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.  You will begin your adventure with a visit to the Elephant Transit Home, a sanctuary dedicated to the rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. Watch these gentle giants up close as they are fed and cared for, learning about the conservation efforts to reintroduce them into the wild. In the afternoon, embark on an exciting safari through Udawalawe National Park. Traverse the park’s diverse landscapes, from grasslands to forests, in search of elephants, leopards, water buffalo, and a variety of bird species. This itinerary promises an enriching and thrilling experience and unforgettable encounters with Sri Lanka’s majestic wildlife.

Accommodation: Jungle Paradise – Deluxe Room

Meals : Breakfast and Dinner

 

 

Relax on the Beach

This morning after breakfast you will be driven Unawatuna, where you’ll enjoy the stunning beach and its tranquil waters for the next three days, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling and building sandcastles.

You can take a take an optional trip to nearby Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can explore the historic streets, visit boutiques and restaurants or just enjoy the relaxation at the CoCo Bay luxury Beach hotel and reflect on the wonderful experiences you have shared in Si Lanka.

 

Accommodation: Coco Bay Unawatuna  – Sea Escape Room

 

Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

Departure Day

Today you will be collected for your transfer to the airport ( 2 hours) in time for your departure flight back home.

What's included

Included

  • Private airport transfers
  • Private driver guide for the duration of the tour
  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 2 Nights Wild Wadi Wilpattu
  • 2 Nights Sigiriya Hotel HB
  • 1 Night Waterfall Homestay Ella HB
  • 2 Nights Jetwing St Andrews HB
  • 2 Nights Hanthana House Kandy HB
  • 1 Night Jungle Paradise HB
  • 3 Nights Cocobay Unawatuna BB
  • Guided coconut plantation tour
  • Game drive in Wilpattu National Park
  • Guided birdwatching, kayaking and night walk at Wilpattu
  • Guided visit to Lion Rock and Dambulla Caves
  • Village cycle tour with cooking lesson and lunch
  • Game drive at Minneriya National Park
  • Guided food walk and visit to the Temple of the Tooth
  • Guided hike to Heel Oya with lunch
  • Guided tea plantation tour
  • Guided hike at Horton Plains
  • Ambawella Farms experience
  • Night frog walk with a naturalist
  • Train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella
  • Guided visit to Udawalawe Elephant transit home
  • Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
  • Please note all hotels are subject to availability at time of booking - substitutions may be made to similar hotels

Accommodation

Villa Hundira, Negombo

Featuring two outdoor pools, a children's play area, garden and free WiFi,Villa Hundira is surrounded by lush greenery, overlooking Negombo Lagoon. There is an on site restaurant, bar and wellness centre.

Each air-conditioned room includes a flat-screen TV, mini bar, tea and coffee and a balcony or terrace.The bathroom comes with a shower and free toiletries.

Wild Wadi - Deluxe Jungle Room

Wild Wadi is located close to the entrance to Wilpattu National Park.

All ensuite rooms come with private entrance and a private plunge pool overlooking the gardens.
There is an in-house restaurant, a children's playground and a 24-hour front desk.
Experience impeccable hospitality, traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, and well-organized safaris. Enjoy unique activities like evening boat trips and sunset walks.

Hotel Sigiriya Superior Room

Hotel Sigiriya is located within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Featuring the best view of the Lion’s Rock, it has an outdoor pool, a restaurant serving buffet breakfast and international dishes and there are three on site bars. Massage services can be booked at the Ayurveda Spa.

Air-conditioned and well appointed guest rooms have views of the garden. Each room is equipped with a minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and TV.

Hanthana House - Standard Room

Hanthana House is located in the natural surroundings of the beautiful Hanthana Mountain Range, with its extensive tea estates and forests. The accommodation has an elegant and simple style and provides a comfortable stay in attractive surroundings with the added benefit of tasty and authentic Sri Lankan home cooking which you can learn to prepare yourself!

Hanthana House has seven rooms, all with an attached bathroom, air conditioning, ceiling fan, mosquito net, desk & chair, recliner, bedside cabinets and a generous balcony with views over the neighbouring tea estate and beyond.

Jetwing St Andrews - Superior Room

High above the coastal plains of Sri Lanka, mountain clouds rest upon a blanket of tea plantations. A timeless favourite has always been the city of Nuwara Eliya – a city so nostalgic to the British living here that it has since earned the nickname of ‘Little England’.
A restored Georgian style country mansion, where you step back in time and indulge in all the pleasures of upcountry luxury with a contemporary Sri Lankan touch.
Fitted with fine wood furnishings, spacious air-conditioned rooms have cosy fireplaces and heating facilities. They are equipped with a safe, private bar and tea/coffee making amenities. Private bathrooms come with bathrobes.

Waterfall Homestay Superior Room

Perched high upon a hill in Ella, the purpose built Waterfalls Homestay, is a large open planned guesthouse designed to provide you with the best possible views of the local waterfall, surrounding jungle and wildlife.

At Waterfalls you can relax on the sundeck and watch giant squirrels perform amazing aerodynamic feats, be entertained by the highly amusing antics of the macaque’s as they play in their jungle garden or see if you can identify one of the many colourful birds, all this while sipping on a cup of delicious Sri Lankan up country tea!

Afterwards take a stroll along one of the many spectacular trails that wind through the beautiful hill country that Ella is famous for. When you return to Waterfalls, whet your appetite the fresh mountain air has given you by feasting on the local culinary delights either with Lanka at his wonderful new restaurant/cooking class or with our local Ella Good Neighbours rice and curry buffet restaurant. Our newly introduced sunset traditional Italian pizzas served on the terrace offer you a break from the local cuisine.

Jungle Paradise Hotel - Deluxe Room

Set in Udawalawe, a short distance from Udawalawe National Park, Jungle Paradise offers stylish single storey accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and a garden.

All guest rooms have wooden floors, are fitted with air conditioning, a seating area, TV, kettle, safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet.

A continental, vegetarian or vegan breakfast can be enjoyed at the property.

Cocobay Unawatuna Hotel- Sea Escape Room

Cocobay is a boutique-style resort located on Unawatuna's beautiful sandy beach.There is a beachfront restaurant and an outdoor pool with access to 200 meters of sandy beach and views across to ocean to Galle Fort.

Furnished with artworks and wood flooring, each air-conditioned room and suite has a minibar, tea/coffee facilities, TV, telephone, safe and balcony or terrace. The ensuite bathrooms have a spa bath, rain shower, bathrobes and slippers.
CoCobay Unawatuna Hotel offers you exclusively designed deluxe rooms providing sensational views of the Indian Ocean from any part of the room and are comfortably furnished with king sized double beds and designer furniture.

The beachfront La Mer Restaurant serves a delicious variety of Sri Lankan, Chinese and International cuisine, there is also a lounge bar and gym.

Your local host

Prateeque

Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree, I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as an actual tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.

An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, even as a kid. ... Read All

Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree, I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as an actual tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.

An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, even as a kid. I would go out on my bike and get lost and then try to find my way back. I grew up in an urban setting, so any chance I could get I was out exploring. The feeling of release you get from the outdoors, is completely different to anything you can feel.

The one thing that inspired me to work in travel and pursue it as a long term career, is the feeling of pure amazement when discovering something new or seeing something spectacular for the first time. It’s an indescribable feeling, but you’re just totally immersed in this place and you just forget about everything else for a while.

And seeing this look on people’s faces and being with them when they’re doing this, is something I found out very quickly when I was tour guide I absolutely loved and just had to pursue this further.

Another thing is, you always learn in travel, there’s always something new that comes up, whether it be an experience, untapped location, or new people, you’re always learning and this pushes me to find new things to do.

It’s fair to say that Sri Lanka is oversaturated, there are plenty of companies here offering the same tours to the same places. We however, like to go off the beaten track. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see in this wonderful country away from the main sights. For example, the busy national parks e.g. Udawalawe National Park can have up to 600 jeeps a day on it’s roads. But if you go just 2 hours away at Gal Oya national park, it’s much less busy and you can get much closer to the wildlife.

Prateeque image

Location

FAQs

What ages is this tour suitable for ?

This tour is suitable for all ages from 8+. There is a fair amount of travelling involved and some moderate hiking. Your guide will be able to tailor the activities to suit the abilities of your group

Why is this a winter itinerary?

During the winter months ( November to March) the best weather is expected on the west coast and the south and central regions. This itinerary is planned to take that into consideration, avoiding the East coast where more rain is expected in this period.

What clothing should I pack ?

The temperature in Sri Lanka is fairly constant at around 28-32 degrees, but will vary around the island with the Cultural triangle being hotter and the hill country a little cooler, so it is best to bring layers. You may need light layers when walking, and a light waterproof jacket.

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