Sri Lanka Family Tour
This wide range of activities, stunning landscapes and spectacular destinations ought to keep families of any age, shape and size happy, enthralled and fascinated
An exciting, 2-week, escorted Sri Lanka Family
Sri Lanka Family Tour
A 2-week, escorted Sri Lanka Family Tour. Explore the World Heritage ancient city of Polonnaruwa by bicycle, scale the dramatic rock fortress of Sigiriya, raft down the jungle-lined Kelani River, hike across Horton Plains National Park to the spectacular ‘World’s End’, go on jeep safaris through Minneriya and Wilpattu national parks and take boat trips snorkelling or whale watching in the Indian Ocean.
This wide range of activities, stunning landscapes and spectacular destinations includes no less than 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, highlighting the Island’s rich culture and history and, we reckon, ought to keep families of any age, shape and size happy, enthralled and fascinated.
Accommodation includes a mix of colonial-style, heritage hotels and low-key, comfortable resorts plus overnight ‘glamping’ in a big game camp while the tour offers plenty of opportunities to sample the delicious Sri Lankan curries as well as meeting the super-friendly island inhabitants.
We offer two seasonal variations of our Sri Lanka family tour, depending upon the western or eastern monsoon, meaning the tour is suitable for any time of the year. The below itinerary is recommended for May to October, and includes a beach stay at Nilaveli in the northeast. from November and April, we switch our beach stay to Tangalle on the sheltered south coast. If you’re planning to travel at that time of year, please ask for our seasonal alternative. (Apart from the beach stays, the remainder of the two itineraries are similar, although while the below follows an anticlockwise circuit of the island, the November to April version takes you in a clockwise direction to keep the beach section near the end.)
Beach extensions can also be arranged after the tour with our suggestions being either Unawatanu (Owl and the Pussycat) or Goldi Sands Resort in Negombo.
Includes meals: B x 13, L x 2, D x 3
Itinerary
Here's an idea of what you can expect to do and see day-to-day.
Day 1 - Arrival and transfer to Galle
Arrival in Colombo and transfer to Unawatuna Beach near Galle with an introductory walk to stretch your legs before a local-style welcome dinner introduces you to the Island’s justifiably famous cuisine. (The precise itinerary depends upon arrival time.)
Overnight: Unawatuna Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: D,
Day 2 - Explore World Heritage Galle
Morning walking tour of the picturesque walled city of Galle and the ramparts of the old Dutch fortress built on a rock jutting into the Indian Ocean with some free time in the afternoon to explore the UNESCO World Heritage town at your leisure and check out the narrow lanes of the old Moorish Quarter.
Overnight: Unawatuna Transport: Walk, Meals: B,
Day 3 - Elephant orphanage and on to Ella
Departure upcountry for Udawalawe and a visit to the famous Transit Home, (an elephant rehabilitation centre established in cooperation with the Born Free Foundation), before continuing into the hill country and the mountain town of Ella. We’ll take a tuk-tuk ride to visit the mountain railway’s famous Nine Arch Bridge before continuing to nearby Bandarawela for our night’s accommodation.
Overnight: Bandarawela Transport: Minibus, Tuk Tuk, Meals: B,
Day 4 - World's End and Horton Plains National Park
An early start for a hike across the Horton Plains National Park to the famous, and aptly named, World’s End where the plains abruptly drop over 1,000 metres to lush forests below. Opportunities to discover the region’s fantastic flora and fauna and take in the beautiful Baker’s Falls with a short afternoon drive to Nuwara Eliya for traditional high tea at the Grand Hotel.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, L,
Day 5 - Kelanivally rainforest
Morning drive to Kitulgala’s lush Kelanivally rainforest area for a jungle hike as well as a visit to a local village. Depending upon water levels, a white water rafting or canoeing trip down the picturesque Kelani River, (the actual filming location for the classic Bridge on the River Kwai movie), is on the afternoon programme.
Overnight: Kitulgala Transport: Minibus, Boat, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 6 - Train journey through the Hill Country
Back into the hill country for a departure by local train on a picturesque ride through the hills to Kandy, the country’s second city and capital of the hill country. Afternoon arrival in Kandy where you’ll have the chance to learn some local-style, traditional dance and drumming with one of Kandy’s celebrated dance troops!
Overnight: Kandy Transport: Minibus, Train, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 7 - Kandy - Temple of the Tooth and Botanical Gardens
In the morning, experience the Buddhist puja (blessing ceremony) at the highly prestigious Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka’s most revered religious relic – one of Buddha’s teeth. A stop at the scenic Arthur’s Seat viewpoint and a tour of the town’s lively market are followed in the afternoon by a visit to the beautiful Peradeniya Botanic Gardens and a guided tour of a local tea factory.
Overnight: Kandy Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 8 - World Heritage Dambulla and the Elephant Gathering
Time to head north to discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dambulla – whose spectacular cave temples date to the 1st century BCE. On the way, we’ll stop at one of the area’s famous spice gardens while the afternoon programme includes an exciting jeep safari in Minneriya National Park where, during the July to October period, we may be lucky enough to see the ‘Gathering’, where herds of hundreds of elephants congregate around Minneriya Lake.
Overnight: Sigiriya Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 9 - Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
Early morning ascent of the dramatic rock fortress of Sigiriya. This ancient site is built atop a sheer-sided rock outcrop, and we’ll take in the amazing Maidens of the Clouds on our way up the summit for some equally amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Return to our resort for breakfast and relaxation time before a boat trip across a nearby lake takes us to a family home where you’ll help prepare a local-style lunch. Another World Heritage Site is on the afternoon’s menu with a cycling tour of ancient Polonnaruwa.
Overnight: Sigiriya Transport: Minibus, Boat, Bike, Walk, Meals: B, L,
Day 10 - North to Trincomalee
Today we’ll travel northeast to the coastal town and ancient port of Trincomalee. Our tour will include China Bay, the old Dutch Fort Frederik, Koneswaram Temple and the town’s lively bazaar, before continuing a short distance up the coast to the beach-side town of Nilaveli for accommodation in a small beachside resort looking onto the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Nilaveli Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 12 - West to Wilpattu National Park
Late morning departure west to Wilpattu National Park – Sri Lanka’s largest, yet one of its least visited, national parks for an overnight stay in a comfortable, tented, jungle camp. An optional evening night walk completes the day.
Overnight: Safari Camp, Wilpattu Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, D,
Day 13 - Wildlife safari and on to Negombo
Up early for a morning jeep safari in the park where common sightings include leopards, buffalo, boar and crocodiles as well as an array of the park’s myriad bird species. Late morning transfer down the coast to Negombo, with some free time in the afternoon before our farewell dinner
Overnight: Negombo Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, D,
Details
Further details, background info and answers to your burning questions.
-
Highlights
-
Map
Departures
-
Hotels
-
Visa Info & Notes
Just a few of the many highlights
Explore World Heritage ancient Polonnaruwa by bicycle, scale the dramatic rock fortress of Sigiriya, raft down the jungle-lined Kelani River and hike across Horton Plains National Park to the spectacular 'World's End'.
- Escorted, private tour with open departure dates
- Tour includes no less than 6 of Sri Lanka's World Heritage Sites
- Travel by train, minibus, tuk-tuk, boat and jeep
- Great mix of accommodation includes colonial chic and low-key resorts
- Highly varied and flexible itinerary and activities
- Spectacular landscapes and rich flora and fauna abound
Air Departures (UK) *From
Land Departures
Guaranteed Places Left Special Price Contact Us Closed
*As fares are fluctuating wildly at present all ‘with flight’ prices are approximate.
*Air departures are from the UK. Land departures start from Galle.
*Land departure dates correspond to the FIRST day of the itinerary.
We choose our hotels based on a combination of location, comfort and convenience. Here is a *selection of the types of hotel/rooms you can expect to stay at on this tour...
Owl and the Pussycat Hotel view
- Beautifully decorated, boutique style resort
- Beachside location in Thalpe, close to Galle Town
- Well-appointed with great in-house bar and restaurant
Claughton Wild Wilpattu view
- Comfortable eco-friendly chalets
- Garden setting and swimming pool
- Convenient location close to the park itself
Earl’s Regent Negombo view
- Beachside resort in Negombo
- Well appointed rooms with excellent facilities
- Great beach-side location, close to Negombo old town
Tartaruga Beach view
- Comfortable, well-appointed resort with beach front location
- Located in Unawatuna Bay a short distance from Galle Town
- Excellent in-house restaurant and well-stocked beach bar
Bandarawela Hotel Sri Lanka view
- Founded in 1893, colonial charm with modern comfort
- Delightful restaurant with garden seating and great food
- Situated in the Hill Country's Bandarawela Town
Single Tree Mount Hotel view
- Low-key hotel with particularly friendly staff
- Small independently run lodge
- Great views over Nuwara Eliya and surrounding hills
Plantation Hotel Kitulgala view
- Overlooking the scenic Kelani River, bordered by lush forest
- Set in a former coffee plantation bungalow
- Refurbished colonial period decor
Hotel Suisse Kandy view
- A restored, former British governor’s residence
- Wonderful, central, lake-side location in Kandy
- Pool, garden, spa, bar and restaurant
Safari Camp Wilpattu view
- Comfortable, 'glamping-style', tented accommodation
- Excellent location on the edge of Wilpattu National Park
- Jungle tents with en-suite bathrooms
*This list should be considered a guide only, hotels/rooms may change (without notice) depending on availability.
Visa Info & Notes
Visas: A free visa on arrival is offered to passport holders of most countries. (You can check the list as well as additional details at this Sri Lanka immigration department site which also features the electronic arrival form which you are required to complete online within 3 days of arrival.)
Passport: Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cambodia. You may be refused entry if your passport is damaged, in poor condition or does not have at least 2 blank pages remaining.
Tipping: We recommend a kitty system for smaller, daily tips such as hotel/restaurant staff and local drivers and guides but which could also include minor expenses such as group tea/coffee breaks etc. Amounts inevitably vary with group size but would generally be in the region of £25-35 total per person for the 2-week tour. For your driver and guide/tour-leader tips – both of whom will accompany you for the duration of your 2-week tour – we’d recommend approximately $25 per person total for the latter and $20 for the former though of course, this is always discretionary and performance-related. (Local currency or USD are fine.)
Meals: Breakfasts are generally hotel buffets with lunch and dinners based on local food. Typical traditional meals involve fish or chicken curry with a selection of accompanying vegetable dishes and salads. Dishes are usually only mildly spicy and both vegetarians and vegans are very easily catered for. For any other likes and dislikes, please remind your tour leader at the start of the tour. A number of meals are not included, which allows you to ‘do your own thing’ or take a break if you’re feeling ‘riced out’.
Accommodation: all choices fall into the comfortable 3-4* range and are en-suite and air-conditioned. (Our 1-night camping is en-suite but fan only.) We have posted a selection of sample accommodation on the left-hand hotel tab but please note that as we try and avoid the larger hotels, availability, in high season particularly, means we use several options in each destination.
Activities: Note that no activities are compulsory and that any featured on the itinerary can be tailored for various fitness levels or alternatives suggested.
Travel News
Blog posts related to this tour ...
Southeast Asia small group tours – worst case scenarios
Going off-the-beaten-track half way round the World with people you don't know, food you've never tried before and what might seem like extreme weather conditions. What can possibly go wrong?
28 August 2026
Optimising your Southeast Asia small group tour
A few tips on how to get the best out of your small group tour to Southeast Asia
9 August 2026
Climbing Sigiriya
A brief rundown on Sri Lanka's spectacular UNESCO World Heritage listed Sigiriya rock fortress and ancient city
26 April 2026
Private tours, family tours
Off-the-shelf or tailor-made - booking a family or private tour
24 May 2025
Minneriya National Park
The famous 'Elephant Gathering' and the pros and cons of Minneriya National Park
23 April 2025Extensions
Holidays should never end, stay a little longer. These extensions go well with this tour...
This tour doesn't have any extensions associated with it. If you wish to stay a little longer chat to our booking staff about onward accommodation and/or activities.
Reviews
Here is what out guest have to say about their experience on this tour...