Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure

14 days from £2750 per person

Path surrounded by dense forest with the mountain fortress of Sigiriya in the background

With its friendly people, good hotels and manageable size, Sri Lanka is the perfect family destination. From national parks and misty hills stations to exquisite cultural sites and glorious sandy beaches, this beautiful island is the essence of Asia. Start in Colombo before heading on safari to spot elephants in Udawalawe National Park before continuing to capital of the highlands, Kandy and the Udawattekele Sanctuary. Finish this unforgettable journey by spending four nights relaxing on the beach at Passikudah before returning, via the ‘cultural triangle’ to Colombo.

Route: Colombo – Udawalawe National Park – Kandapola – Kandy – Passikudah – Habarana – Kotugoda – Colombo

Itinerary Highlights

Designed as a sanctuary for displaced animals during the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir, the Udawalawe National Park is an important habitat for water birds and the Sri Lankan elephant.

Nuwara Eliya is located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. During your stay visit Horton Plains National Park with the part-paved circular walk leading to ‘World’s End’ providing fabulous views.

The beaches of Passikudah are some of the finest on the island. Set on Sri Lanka’s under-developed north east coastline, the turquoise waters and abundant marine life are perfect for snorkelling.

Itinerary: Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today fly direct from the UK to Colombo on SriLankan Airlines. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Colombo

On arrival in Colombo you will be met and taken to your hotel for an overnight stay. The Sri Lankan capital, Colombo began as a Portuguese trading outpost. Over the centuries the city developed under both the Dutch and British to become Sri Lanka’s main commercial hub and today is home to numerous colonial buildings, bazaars and museums. Later today enjoy an afternoon tour of the city. (N)

Accommodation in Colombo: Galle Face Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Colombo to Udawalawe National Park via Kitulgala – 210kms

Today leave Colombo and travel south to Udawalawe National Park, a large reserve made up of 119 square miles of grassland, scrub jungle and riverine forest. The main attraction of the park is the large concentration of Asian elephants found here, Udawalawe is home to over 400 of these gentle giants and it is almost guaranteed to see them whilst on safari. (B)

Accommodation in Udawalawe National Park: Kalu's Hideaway (or similar)

Day 4 Udawalawe National Park

Today explore Udawalawe on safari accompanied by a naturalist. Mainly open parkland, the park is famous for its elephants which can be seen in herds of over one hundred. Udawalawe is also home to spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackal whilst the birding is excellent with nearly 200 species recorded. In the afternoon visit the Elephant Transit Home which has helped care for dozens of injured, sick, or orphaned baby elephants from all over Sri Lanka. (B)

Accommodation in Udawalawe National Park: Kalu's Hideaway (or similar)

Day 5 Udawalawe National Park to Kandapola – 150kms

Early this morning enjoy one further jeep safari before leaving Udawalawe for the scenic drive up into the hills to Kandapola, the heart of the island's tea growing region. Kandapola is located close to the historic British-era hill-station of Nuwara Eliya, with its English country-style homes and well-tended gardens. In the afternoon visit the town and tea plantation with your driver-guide. En route to Kandapola stop at the Elephant Transit Home which houses injured and vunreable elephants from the area to look after them before releasing back into the wild. (B)

Accommodation in Kandapola: Tea Factory Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Kandapola

Early this morning travel to Horton Plains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can enjoy gentle hikes and search for some of Sri Lanka’s most diverse wildife. Hike to the famous ‘World’s End’ which offers incredible views over the rolling highlands, and search for beautiful Bakers Falls. Return to your hotel to spend the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Accommodation in Kandapola: Tea Factory Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Kandapola to Kandy – 150kms via Horton Plains National Park

After breakfast, depart Kandapola and travel towards Kitugala for a morning of exciting white water rafting. Afterwards drive to Kandy for a two night stay. Kandy is the capital of the highlands and best known for being the location of the Temple of Tooth. Later visit the temple where Buddha's tooth relic is housed then see the bustling town. (B)
Accommodation in Kandy: Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 Kandy

After breakfast visit the Udawattekele Sanctuary - once the reserve of the kings of Kandy and today home to several endemic species of flora and fauna and over 150 different species of birds. End the afternoon at the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, one of the finest botanical gardens in the subcontinent and a wonderful place to explore. (B)
Accommodation in Kandy: Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Kandy to Passikudah – 195kms

Leaving Kandy, today drive to Sri Lanka's beautiful east coast. Located to the north of the city of Batticaloa, first landing point of the Dutch in 1602, Passikudah has one of the island's finest beaches of golden sand and gentle crystal clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. (B)
Accommodation in Passikudah: Anantaya Passikudah
Alternative option: Uga Bay Resort

Days 10 to 12 Passikudah

Over the next three days relax and enjoy Passikudah. The Maalu Maalu Resort is located directly on the beach and has a large, welcoming swimming pool and its own Ayurvedic spa. For the more active, cycle or walk to some of the small neighbouring fishing villages, dive or snorkel the virgin coral reefs or visit the Portuguese fort in Batticaloa. (B)
Accommodation in Passikudah: Anantaya Passikudah
Alternative option: Uga Bay Resort

Day 13 Passikudah to Habarana – 120kms

Today leave Passikudah and drive to Habarana. Habarana is located at the centre of Sri Lanka's 'cultural triangle', an area noted for its exceptional UNESCO protected Buddhist sites. Later visit nearby Minneriya National Park which has a large elephant population. Unlike many of the other national parks, due to their large numbers elephants can usually be spotted at a very close range. (B)
Accommodation in Habarana: Cinnamon Lodge (or similar)

Day 14 Habarana to Kotugoda – 150kms

This morning head to the rock-fortress of Sigiriya. The views from the summit of the fortress are spectacular and there are a number of beautiful frescoes passed on the ascent. From here continue to Dambulla, a thousand year old Buddhist temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting Dambulla return by car to Kotugoda which is located close to Colombo’s international airport. (B)

Accommodation in Kotugoda: The Wallawwa (or similar)

Day 15 Colombo to the UK

Today transfer to Colombo Airport to catch the SriLankan Airlines flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Private car with English speaking driver-guide
Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

Your Holiday In Sri Lanka

Our holidays to Sri Lanka are completely tailor-made with all arrangements made to fit your exact requirements and interests. Pettitts Travel have organised bespoke tours to Sri Lanka for over 30 years so, whether a first time visitor or a return traveller, you can be assured that we can design an itinerary unique to you that can cover all four corners of the island. All of our itineraries, whether those featured on our website or quoted following an enquiry, include hotels and transport, guided sightseeing and entrance fees. When travelling in Sri Lanka you will have a private car with driver-guide at your disposal throughout your holiday. In Sri Lanka your driver is also your guide so they will accompany you on all sightseeing visits. In most national parks and wildlife reserves you will have the additional services of a naturalist. Whilst you are on holiday you will also have round the clock support and assistance from our both from our partners in Sri Lanka and our UK office.

Most clients use the tours featured on our website as inspiration – a starting point for discussion or a series of ideas to be adapted to meet specific requirements, adding or removing days, including places of interest or adjusting the accommodation. Sri Lanka: A Tropical Jewel is ideal for the first time visitor to Sri Lanka with a focus on the cultural triangle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya before ending with a few days of relaxation beside the beach in Bentota. A Journey through Ceylon builds on this journey with extra time spent in and around the cultural triangle as well as two days in historic Galle. Sri Lanka is also a fabulous summer family destination with the itinerary Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure mixing both adventure and wildlife with relaxation and snorkelling. Wild Sri Lanka is a comprehensive itinerary featuring the island’s premier national parks and wildlife reserves whilst Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka showcases the underexplored northern and eastern coasts. For those looking for culture followed by pure relaxation, our two-centre journey linking Sri Lanka with the Maldives is the perfect combination.

Ancient Sites of Sri Lanka

Despite its diminutive size, Sri Lanka is blessed with an astonishing number of cultural and historic treasures so there is plenty to see and do wherever you are on the island. Highlights include the 1,500 year-old cliff-top fortress at Sigiriya with its colourful frescoes and spectacular views, the Dambulla Cave Temple complex which has been a place of worship since the 1st century BC and the UNESCO protected ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura – the former famed for its mammoth standing and reclining Buddhas, the latter for its well-preserved ruins including the towering terracotta stupa of Abhayagiri vihara. The bustling hill capital of Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth. Located in the Royal Palace complex, the heart of the temple houses one of the most important relics in the country, the Buddha’s tooth. This temple, as well as the mountain-top shrine of Mihintale and the spectacular standing Buddha at Aukana, are significant pilgrimage sites and draw devotees from far and wide.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka harbours an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Asia. Yala, a substantial reserve in the south-east of the island, is Sri Lanka’s best known national park. Although elusive, Yala is believed to have the world’s highest concentration of leopards, whilst its range of habitats supports a range of animals from deer and monkey to bear and crocodile. The national parks of Udawalawe, Minneriya and Gal Oya are all associated with elephant – Udawalawe and Minneriya have significant populations whilst Gal Oya, which is centred on Senanayake Samudraya Lake, has the unique spectacle of ‘swimming’ elephants. Wilpattu, the country’s largest reserve, remains little-visited due to its inaccessibility and, consequently offers a truly wild wildlife experience. Wilpattu is home to leopard, crocodile and deer and has excellent birdwatching. For something completely different, the primary rainforest of the UNESCO protected biosphere reserve of Sinharaja not only has fine birdwatching but is also the best place on the island to see butterflies, insects, amphibians and reptiles.

Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure

14 days from £2750 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure

What To Do Next?

What's included

What's not included

Guide to Price

What Is A Tailor-Made Holiday?

View On The Map

When to Visit

Your Holiday In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Holiday Review

Ancient Sites of Sri Lanka

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

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19 Things to Do in Sri Lanka

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