Sri Lanka Family Adventure

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

The beautiful island of Sri Lanka is blessed with a wealth of scenic and cultural highlights. Home to the Sinhalese since the 6th century BC and steeped in the myths and legends of the Ramayana and the Buddha, the island is a stunning fusion of ancient traditions and staggering natural beauty. Little wonder then that Marco Polo called it the finest island in the world. But there is more to Sri Lanka than just Buddhist monuments and tea plantations. Its tropical wetlands, mountains and rainforest ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE COLOMBO - NEGOMBO

Day 1 ARRIVE COLOMBO - NEGOMBO

Welcome to Sri Lanka. On arrival in Colombo, after clearing Customs and Immigration, you will be met by a representative and transferred to the Negombo coast. The drive north will take approximately 1 hour, depending on road and traffic conditions. The afternoon is yours to recover from your flight on the beach.

Jetwing Beach

Day 2 NEGOMBO - SALGALA MONASTERY - MAWANELLA - KITULGALA

Day 2 NEGOMBO - SALGALA MONASTERY - MAWANELLA - KITULGALA

After breakfast this morning we pay a visit to the Salgala Monastery Complex where you'll be able to watch, but not disturb, the meditating monks, before enjoying a locally prepared lunch. Continuing on to Mawanella this afternoon, we then take a trek up to the 'Saradiel Rock', to enjoy the views across the surrounding countryside and look for the monument to Saradiel, Sri Lanka's very own Robin Hood. Continuing on to Kitulgala we then enter a landscape made famous by the 'Bridge on the River Kwai', which was filmed on the nearby River Kelani.

The Plantation Hotel
Breakfast

Day 3 KITULGALA

Day 3 KITULGALA

Kitugala is best known for being the location of the award-winning film Bridge on the River Kwai, featuring the Kelani River, the second longest in Sri Lanka which flows into the Indian Ocean from the City of Colombo. You will see the suspension bridge that connects the villages and forest on today’s tour. Also walk 2 km through rubber plantation to the prehistoric cave of Belilena, where evidence of human settlement dating back over 30,000 years was discovered. Later you will transfer by catamaran to the other side of the river, to take part in a fascinating 7 km hike through the rice fields, jungles and villages around Kitulgala. The walk will take you through the shaded footpaths of Makandawa Rain Forest, where you can hopefully hear the calls of different bird species, and across a suspension bridge. There should be time to stop at a natural pool for a quick dip. You also may be welcomed into a villager’s home to enjoy a cup of tea with local sweets. Return via catamaran to your vehicle to travel back to the hotel.

The Plantation Hotel
Breakfast

Day 4 KITULGALA - LAXAPANA - DALHOUSIE

Day 4 KITULGALA - LAXAPANA - DALHOUSIE

Following breakfast this morning you'll depart for Dalhousie at the base if Adam's peak. Relax in the hotel before embarking on a mid-afternoon hike to Laxapana. After stopping off to view the Laxapana Falls, you'll then continue on to a local village, where you can watch the jaggery making process. One of Sri Lanka's most important cottage industries, you'll be able to join the villagers in producing the concentrated palm sap.

Breakfast

Day 5 DALHOUSIE - ADAM'S PEAK - BANDARAWELA

Day 5 DALHOUSIE - ADAM'S PEAK - BANDARAWELA

Your day will begin very early this morning, with a climb to the top of Adam's Peak, a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims for over a thousand years. This tall, conical shaped mountain gets its name from the sacred 'footprint' found near the summit, which is believed to be that Lord Buddha by the majority Buddhists. As the sun rises over this stunning setting the views from the top are simply breathtaking, as the conical peak casts its shadow across the landscape below. Returning to the hotel for a late breakfast and a short rest, we then continue on to Bandarawela.

Bandarawela Hotel
Breakfast

Day 6 BANDARAWELA - BELIHULOYA

Day 6 BANDARAWELA - BELIHULOYA

Transferring to the railway station this morning, you'll board the train on to Idalgashinna, where you will alight and begin a hike through tea plantations, rainforest and across the grasslands towards the main Colombo-Badulla Highway. Here you will meet your vehicle, to continue the rest of the journey to Belihuloya by road. After a chance to settle in, later this afternoon you'll enjoy a cookery demonstration arranged by the hotel, a wonderful introduction to Sri Lanka's rich and diverse cuisine.

Belihuloya Rest House
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 BELIHULOYA - UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Day 7 BELIHULOYA - UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK

Driving on to the Udawalawe National Park this morning, you'll take a jeep safari through the reserve. A mix of grasslands, teak plantations, rainforest and scrub, the park is home to large herds of wild elephants, buffalo, jackal and leopard. It is also the headquarters of the Elephant Transit Home, a conservation project which has worked to reintroduce orphaned baby elephants back into the wild since 1995. It has been so successful that it now has a programme whereby interested enthusiasts can foster one of these animals to keep funding the project. Transfer to the hotel in Udawalawe.

Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort
Breakfast

Day 8 UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK - BENTOTA

Day 8 UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK - BENTOTA

After breakfast this morning you'll transfer to the start of your canoeing trip down the Kalu Ganga, one of Sri Lanka's four major rivers. After an orientation and briefing session you'll then begin the journey, gently paddling your way through a timeless landscape of lush forest and riverside villages. Along the way you might even spot the odd sand miner, or come across some illicit toddy brewing, before eventually reaching Bentota. Our day then ends at Bentota, beside the beautiful azure waters of the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka's south-western coast.

Centara Ceysands Resort and Spa
Breakfast

Day 9 BENTOTA

Day 9 BENTOTA

Swapping our canoes for bikes this morning, we continue our journey today through a landscape of small towns and villages, cycling past plantation of tea, rubber and cinnamon as we make our way through the surroundings of Bentota. A stop along the way provides an opportunity to visit the Buddhist shrine of Galapatha Rajamaha Viharaya, dedicated to Arahant Maha Kassapa Thera, one of Buddha's most respected and revered disciples.

Centara Ceysands Resort and Spa
Breakfast

Day 10 BENTOTA

Day 10 BENTOTA

Today has been left free for you to enjoy Bentota at your leisure, perhaps indulging in one of the resort's numerous choice of watersport activities. Other options include trips along the Bentota River, relaxing beneath the palms or a chance to explore the surrounding countryside by bike.

Centara Ceysands Resort and Spa
Breakfast

Day 11 BENTOTA - DEPART COLOMBO

Day 11 BENTOTA - DEPART COLOMBO

Drive back to Colombo today in time to catch your onward flight.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT'S INCLUDED

11 days from £1,430

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 10828 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on a family of four (children 12 years or younger), travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Shalmali

Shalmali is our Indian Subcontinent expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Shalmali by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Early morning hike to Sigiriya rock, train journey from Kandy to Ella, walk with the Vedda in Gal Oya, visit a working tea factory, food walk in Colombo, leopard tracking in Wilpattu, visit Anuradhapura at night, best beach stay in Tangalla

OTHER ITINERARIES IN SRI LANKA