With so much varied and stunning scenery in a country smaller than Ireland, you will soon understand why Sri Lanka is one of our favourite destinations. If you want to explore the country’s highlights on a family activity holiday like no other, then Active Sri Lanka is perfect.
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Cycle through villages & Sri Lankan countryside
- Take a jeep safari in search of elephants
- Go whitewater rafting
- Snorkel with turtles in the Indian Ocean
- Catch some of the world's best surfing waves
Explore Sri Lanka’s highlights on this active family holiday. Cycle a coastal road towards the famous Cultural Triangle where you explore caves, climb the Sigirya Rock Fortress, spot elephants and learn to cook your favourite Sri Lankan dish. Enjoy sacred Kandy and the beautiful tea country before an exhilarating whitewater rafting experience and ending our trip on the best beaches of the Indian Ocean.
This is an exciting holiday for adventurous families who have a desire to travel in an active manner. It's a full and varied itinerary, and the comfortable hotels will be a welcome place to rest at the end of each day. A reasonable fitness level is required.
For those families wanting to spend longer in Sri Lanka, we offer an option to extend your trip with a beach stay in Mirissa, or a wildlife safari in Yala National Park or a beach stay in the Maldives. Please contact us for more details.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Colombo.
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Day 2: Arrive Colombo; relax on Negombo beach
Arrive Colombo airport and transfer to hotel in Negombo. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore on the beach.
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Day 3: Cycle to Kurunegala, drive to Dambulla
Cycle from Negombo towards the Cultural Triangle, past Dammalasuriya. Transfer to Kurunegala for lunch and visit the Dambulla caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Day 4: Visit Sigiriya, safari in Minneriya
Drive to Sigiriya, another World Heritage Site known as the ‘Fortress in the Sky’ to climb the Lion Rock Fortress and enjoy panoramic views.
Afterwards, transfer to Minneriya and enjoy a cycle ride where you’ll make stops to visit a children’s nursery, meet local villagers and watch the local people prepare a delicious Sri Lankan lunch for you. Visit Minneriya National Park for an evening safari adventure to enjoy spectacular sights of elephant herds.
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Day 5: Cycle, village trek, cooking demonstration
Take a gentle cycle ride along the beautiful countryside around the giant Minneriya Tank reservoir. Then trek through typical Sri Lankan villages, enjoy a catamaran ride, a tractor ride and a tasty Sri Lankan meal.
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Day 6: Kandy: Botanical Gardens, city tour & dance show
Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. The afternoon is free at leisure to relax or continue exploring Kandy – such as a visit to one of the most sacred sites – The Temple of the Tooth Relic. This evening, you can choose to watch a Kandyan dance show.
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Day 7: Train to Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a beautifully scenic train journey through the lush hills of the highland region devoted to the cultivation of tea. Your destination is Nuwara Eliya, known as the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka.
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Day 8: Whitewater rafting
Drive to Kitulgala and enjoy a whitewater rafting adventure on the Kelani River, or alternatively walk a nature trail in the area with a guide. After lunch, drive to Ahangama on Sri Lanka's tropical southern coast.
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Day 9: Morning surfing or snorkelling excursion (seasonal)
Choose between a surfing lesson or a snorkelling excursion for the morning (seasonal), or relax on the beach. In the afternoon visit a heritage villa for a cool refreshing coconut drink in the gardens. -
Day 10: Blue whale watching trip (seasonal) and turtle hatchery visit
Take an early morning whale watching trip to look for the mighty blue whale (seasonal). In the late morning we drive back to Colombo via a turtle hatchery. -
Day 11: Fly back to the UK
You are free to depart at any time for your return flight.
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Days 11-14 : OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS: Mirissa, Yala National Park or the Maldives
Alternatively, why not extend your stay in Sri Lanka with a beach or wildlife extension, or have some extra nights in the Maldives? Find out more below, or contact us for details.
Mirissa is a beautiful crescent of beach on Sri Lanka’s south coast, where you can do as much or as little as you like. Relax on the palm fringed beach or for those craving more activity, take an optional whale watching trip (seasonal), surfing lesson or go snorkelling. However you decide to spend your time, Mirissa is the perfect way to round off your holiday seeing the sights of this wonderful country.
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s oldest national park and renowned for being the best place in the country to watch wildlife. The children will love watching monkeys swing through the trees, peacocks parade their colourful feathers and elephants roaming around. Stay in a comfortable handpicked lodge with a swimming pool to cool off at the end of the day.
The Maldives are just a short flight from Colombo and home to some of the world's best beaches, snorkelling and diving opportunities.
Please note: During the summer we run an alternative itinerary to the east coast of Sri Lanka, so you can have the best beach available. The itinerary will follow this route: Day 1 – depart UK, Day 2 – arrive Sri Lanka & free time in Waikkal, Day 3 – white-water rafting in Kithugala & transfer to Nuwara Eliya, Day 4 – morning walk up Single Tree Hill & train ride to Kandy, Day 5 – botanical gardens & Temple of the Tooth, Day 6 – Sigiriya Rock, Giritale cycle & safari in Minneriya, Day 7 – village trek & cycle, Day 8 – Transfer to Trincomalee & snorkelling at Pigeon Island, Day 9 – whale watching, Day 10 – Transfer to Negombo & Dambulla Cave tour, Day 11 – Depart Sri Lanka
Duration and Guide Prices
- Age Guide: 12+
- Itinerary Type: Small Group Holiday Tailor-made can be arranged
When To Go
View dates and prices-
Easter
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Summer
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Xmas
What’s Included
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Activities
- City tour
- Cookery class
- Cultural show
- Cycling
- Dancing
- Hiking
- Rafting
- Safari
- Scenic train
- Wildlife watching
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Accommodation
Hotels x 9 nights -
Meals
9 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 4 dinners
Tailored for You
A private departure or tailor-made holiday can also be arranged to suit your requirements. Contact our experts today.
Next Steps
Departures
Choose your preferred departure date from the 14 options below, then make a no obligation booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.
Our small group holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate. Most of our holidays are also available on a private basis or can be tailored to meet your requirements.
| Itinerary Dates
(Exc. Flights) |
Prices Per Person From
(Exc. Flights) |
Prices Per Person From
(Inc. Flights) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Starts | Ends | Duration | Adult price, excluding flights, from | Child price, excluding flights, from | Duration | Adult price, including flights, from | Child price, including flights, from | Holiday Status | Options |
| 2026 | 12 Jul | 21 Jul | 10 days | £1,495 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,795 | £2,145 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 26 Jul | 4 Aug | 10 days | £1,495 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,895 | £2,195 | Guaranteed* | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 9 Aug | 18 Aug | 10 days | £1,495 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,795 | £2,095 | Fully Booked*** | Enquire |
| 2026 | 21 Aug | 30 Aug | 10 days | £1,545 | £1,195 | 12 days | £2,745 | £2,095 | Guaranteed* | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 23 Dec | 1 Jan | 10 days | £1,895 | £1,395 | 11 days | £3,475 | £2,695 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 28 Mar | 6 Apr | 10 days | £1,625 | £1,275 | 11 days | £2,895 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 4 Apr | 13 Apr | 10 days | £1,625 | £1,275 | 11 days | £2,895 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 4 Jul | 13 Jul | 10 days | £1,525 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,745 | £2,145 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 18 Jul | 27 Jul | 10 days | £1,525 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,745 | £2,145 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 1 Aug | 10 Aug | 10 days | £1,525 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,845 | £2,245 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 8 Aug | 17 Aug | 10 days | £1,525 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,845 | £2,245 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 15 Aug | 24 Aug | 10 days | £1,525 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,845 | £2,245 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 22 Aug | 31 Aug | 10 days | £1,525 | £1,145 | 11 days | £2,845 | £2,245 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 23 Dec | 1 Jan | 10 days | £1,845 | £1,345 | 11 days | £3,425 | £2,695 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| * Guaranteed: this holiday is available to book and has reached a minimum number of participants, so is guaranteed to run. ** On Request: we may be able to offer places on this holiday, please contact us for further information. *** Fully Booked: if your preferred holiday is full we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details. | ||||||||||
For alternative dates, please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to tailor a holiday for you according to your own requirements.
Kindly note that we prepare our prices several months ahead of travel dates, and our flight-inclusive prices are provided as a general indication, based upon flight costs at the time of publication. Your quotation may vary, based upon the prices of flights (and the availability) at the time of your enquiry.
