Sri Lanka in summer family holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Galle 
• 2 nights Ella 
• 1 night Kandy 
• 2 nights Sigirya 
• 2 nights Wilpattu National Park 
• 4 nights Trincomalee 
• 1 night Negombo 

Day 1: Depart UK 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Sri Lanka, travel to Galle 

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you'll be met at the airport and driven south to your hotel in the fort city of Galle. Settle in for a relaxed evening after your long journey, 

Included: Car and driver, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Travel to Ella 

This morning you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the Galle Fort. Explore the striking bastions and grass-covered ramparts while wander along small cobbled streets. This remarkable fort sits right next to the Indian Ocean – with 150 acres to explore, this tour will give you the chance to learn all about Sri Lanka’s religious and architectural history.

Leaving Galle behind, you'll head into the highlands to Ella, surrounded by high mountains and breath-taking vistas in the central hills of Sri Lanka. On arrival you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 4: Ella 

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a short tour of Ella. Visit the Nine Arches Bridge, feel the spray from Ravana Falls and explore the green tea plantations. The rest of your time in Ella is yours to enjoy how you wish – whether you hike the gentle trail to the summit of Little Adam’s peak for endless views of lush countryside, wander through the local tea fields or simply relax at your hotel, high in the tea hills of Ella.

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 5: Train to Kandy 

This morning you’ll leave Ella behind as you hop on the train that rattles its way to Kandy. With a cool breeze through the window and people selling local snacks on the train it’s a delightful journey through the mountains. Keep an eye out for birds along your journey – you might spot woolly necked storks, buzzards and peacocks.

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, train tickets, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 6: Kandy, travel to Sigiriya

After breakfast, you’ll head out to explore Kandy. Starting with a drive up the hill for a spectacular view over the town. Next, you’ll go back to the city centre, taking a walk around the famous shopping streets and visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. They have a rare orchid house, - founded in 1824, the gardens still hold one of the world largest collections of plants and trees, including palms, mahogany and tamarind. 

In the afternoon you’ll discover the sacred Temple of the Tooth – this is the prime edifice of Buddhists all over the world. The relic is housed in the magnificent temple and you'll have time to admire the whole complex before being driven north to your next destination - the Cultural Triangle. You'll be staying in Sigiriya, where you'll check in for two nights. 

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 7: Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park 

After breakfast you’ll set off to visit the ruins of Polonnaruwa, the capital of Sri Lanka during the 12th Century. The city is made up of shrines, monasteries, pavilions and ponds culminating at the “Gal Vihara”, statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha that have been carved from a single wall of granite – a true masterpiece of Sri Lankan art. After a few ours exploring you’ll head to Minneriya National Park in the afternoon where kids will love looking for elephants in the lush grasslands surrounding the lake.

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Climb Lion Rock, travel to Wilpattu National Park 

Today you’ll travel to the rock fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky”. The ‘Lion rock’ of Sigirya is a citadel of immense beauty rising out of the jungle. At the base of the rock you’ll find a moat and extensive water gardens before climbing the steep stairs to the top, for unparalleled views over the surrounding forests. The majestic lion’s paw guards the stairway to the palace on the summit next to the frescoes of maidens that have survived in a sheltered area of the rock. 

After spending the morning at Sigiriya, you'll be driven north to your next hotel near Wilpattu National Park, checking in for two nights. 

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, touring, dinner, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Wilpattu National Park

An early start today will get you out to look for wildlife at dawn. Enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive through Wilpattu National Park, which re-opened the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka and offers its visitors a great experience that you have to share with far fewer people than in Yala National Park. The wildlife is returning more and more each year – so look out for leopards lazing on the tree branches, elephants roaming through the grasses and sloth bears quietly snuffling for snacks. Crocodiles and buffalos enjoy the cool river and herons fly overhead – this truly is a wildlife wonderland.

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, touring, dinner, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Travel to Trincomalee 

Leaving Wilpattu behind, you're now heading to the beach! In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at Trincomalee, lovingly known as Trinco, set on a peninsula on the east coast. This region has the best weather during the summer time, and is the best location to relax and enjoy the beach at the end of your Sri Lankan family adventure. You'll find inviting turquoise waters, white sand beaches and a wealth of activities to get stuck into, including fishing, scuba diving and whale watching. Check into your hotel for four nights and get ready to chill!

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, 4* hotel 

Days 11 - 13: Trincomalee 

Today is yours to relax on the beaches of Trincomalee. We’d recommend you take a whale watching tour – the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka are full of blue whales. You’ll head out early and look for these mighty creatures, as well as leaping dolphins. You can also enjoy some local snorkelling spots – look for blacktip reef sharks, green turtles and napoleon wrasse. If you want to add a whale watching tour, just ask!  

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, 4* hotel 

Day 14: Travel to Negombo 

After breakfast, you'll be driven back to Negombo near the main airport, where you can spend a final night relaxing by the pool and reliving the memories of your epic trip through Sri Lanka.

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Sri Lanka to UK 

This morning, you'll be driven to the airport in time for your flight home, arriving back later the same day. 

Included: Breakfast, car and driver, international flights