A leisurely paced holiday in Sri Lanka for families with young children. The itinerary features a mix of the country’s best sights and leisure time, optional activities so that you can dictate the pace of travel, and accommodation with swimming pools to enjoy time relaxing with your family.
Families with young children
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation in nearby Makandura, a snapshot of an idyllic rural Sri Lanka.
Discover Makandura today with several optional local activities. Start the day with a guided morning bike ride, travelling through nearby paddy fields and orchards and observing daily life in rural Sri Lanka. There’salso the option to take a guided village walk and visit the local temple. For a more leisurely day, simply relax by the pool.
Depart today for Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Drive to Sigiriya, with the option to stop en route and visit Ritigala Archeological Monastery. This lesser-visited archeological site features long pathways that wind through the jungle and remains of an ancient monastery. The site is less crowded than the popular Sigiriya, cooler with its tree canopy and involves less climbing
Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This magnificent site, also known as Lion Rock, is one of Sri Lanka’s main highlights. Climb about 1,200 steps to the top of the rock, taking in the beautiful Sigiriya cave frescoes along the way and enjoying the views of the surrounding area from the summit – or climb just part of the way to see the famous lion-footed rock. Afternoon at leisure.
Depart for Kandy. Stop along the way at an organic farm, where coconut, pepper and coffee grow, for lunch and a farm walk. Later, visit the much-revered Buddhist Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy, or see the city on a guided tuk tuk tour. Explore Kandy by the popular local transport: the three-wheeler tuk tuk.
Travel to your next destination of either Ella or Hatton, completing part of the trip on a scenic rail journey. Pass tea plantations, small railway stations and lush green mountains as the train makes its way to Sri Lanka’s central highlands. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to either Ella, a small hillside town or, for a truly indulgent experience, stay at the luxury tea plantation resort Tea Trails near Hatton
Staying in Ella, discover life on a working tea plantation. Your accommodation will offer local activities such as a walk through the tea estate or a visit to a nearby tea factory. Those indulging at Tea Trails can swim in the bungalow’s pool, learn about tea production with a tea tour and tasting, enjoy High Tea on the lawn and generally luxuriate with unbeaten Relais & Chateaux-standard food and service
After breakfast, depart for Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park with one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Take an evening jeep safari into the park, which is also home to elephants, deer, wild buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles and peacocks. With a bit of luck there will be the chance to spot the elusive leopard as it sneaks through the undergrowth!
Start the day with a pre-dawn jeep safari. An early safari is the best time to spot game when they are most active in the morning light. The park at Yala is semi-arid, so there’s a better chance to see wildlife with less jungle hindering your view. Afterwards, head towards the coast and a three-night beach stay at Tangalle.
Two full days at leisure to relax at the beach.
Drive to Galle, one of the best-preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia, and a popular and pleasant place to visit in Sri Lanka. It is a UNESCO World HeritageCity, known for its fort walls and relaxed pace. Galle’s almost-car-free streets, inviting cafes and restaurants and modern boutiques draw many visitors. In the afternoon, discover Galle with a gentle guided walk by a resident local, which includes a type of treasure hunt for children.
A full day of leisure to enjoy Galle, before transferring to the airport in the evening for your international departing flight. For those wishing to extend their Sri Lankan holiday, ask us about adding an extra beach stay after Galle.
Thank you so much Chamin, Savanthi, Hashanthi for your wonderful advice and assistance to provide a wonderful itinerary and unforgettable holiday for us. Highly recommend to others. Dr. Craig & Helen Underhill - Jan/ Feb 20
Prices are indicative only & subject to change.
Prices are indicative only & subject to change.
Prices are indicative only & subject to change.
Additional inclusions may vary from private tour to private tour. A full list of inclusions and exclusions will be provided with each individual enquiry/quote. For a detailed quote on specific travel dates with full inclusions/exclusions please enquire at mail@srillankaunbound.com.au