Discover Sri Lanka's amazing history of early Buddhism, lush green jungle, cool highlands, ornate temples and wonderful food on this family adventure.
- Learn a Sri Lankan dance
- Learn to cook a local dish
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Go on safaris & watch elephants
- Explore temple caves
- Relax by the Indian Ocean
This family activity holiday in Sri Lanka allows for plenty of interaction with the local people, enabling you to learn about their culture, dance, clothes, customs, religion and food. Your children will love looking for wildlife on a jeep safari in Uduwalawe National Park and seeing Asian elephants at a nearby sanctuary.
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 the beach
Arrive Colombo and meet at the group hotel. Enjoy free time to relax after the flight in the hotel or on the beach.
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Day 3: Dambulla Caves
Delve into Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle – an area defined by the former capitals of Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, where the island’s major historical and cultural monuments are found.
Your journey today will take you past the the ancient city of Kurunegala, picturesquely set against the backdrop of Aetha Gala (Elephant Rock). Further on you will stop to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now an important place of pilgrimage for those who come to see the modern giant gold Buddha - said to be one of the biggest in the world.
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Day 4: Visit a local village & Pollonaruwa
This morning you'll visit a typical Sri Lankan village, an incredible opportunity to be immersed in the local culture. The journey includes a walk, catamaran tour and ride on a tractor.
In the afternoon, visit Pollonaruwa, another World Heritage Site and residence of the Sinhalese kings who ruled from Anuradhapura. Here you can explore the ancient walled city and see a 14-metre long reclining Buddha.
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Day 5: Cycling tour & cookery demonstration
Morning cycling tour through the countryside around the giant Minneriya reservoir, stopping along the way to visit local villagers who will prepare a delicious Sri Lankan lunch for you. This is a great way to meet local people and see how they live.
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Day 6: Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya and see the ruins of the Summer Palace on the summit. Then visit a spice garden in Matale and learn about the culinary and medicinal uses of the common spices before transferring to Kandy.
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Day 7: Explore Kandy, Temple of the Tooth
Visit Kandy’s Botanical Gardens, renowned for a collection of a variety of orchids. Have the afternoon at your leisure before an early evening city tour of Kandy and a visit to the Temple of the Tooth.
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Day 8: Visit tea plantation factory
Take a gentle train ride with incredible views through the hills to Nanuoya and onwards to Nuwara Eliya. In the afternoon there will be a visit to a tea plantation to visit the fields, see a factory and try tea plucking with some experts.
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Day 9: Drive to Udawalawe National Park, jeep safari
Visit the characterful village of Ella and enjoy superb views as far as the south coast. See the spectacular Rawena Ella Waterfall and then transfer by vehicle down from the hills to Udawalawe National Park.
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Day 10: Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
Today, set off on a wildlife safari to spot elephant, buffalo and fantastic birdlife. In the afternoon, visit an elephant sanctuary where orphaned baby elephants are cared for before being released back into the wild. -
Day 11: Visit Galle, optional visit to a Turtle Hatchery
Transfer to Ahangama via the old Dutch Fort in Galle and learn about the colourful history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, there's the option to visit a turtle hatchery and help release baby turtles into the Indian Ocean. -
Day 12: Relax by the beach, optional whale watching and lunch at a Heritage Villa
Relax on the beach by the Indian Ocean, or you can choose to take an early morning whale watching trip (seasonal). You enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch at a Heritage Villa. -
Day 13: Return to the UK
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Days 13-16 : OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS: Mirissa, Yala National Park or the Maldives
If you have more time, why not extend your holiday? We recommend a beach stay in Mirissa or the Maldives, or a wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: During the summer months, this itinerary visits the East Coast for better weather. Please speak to a travel consultant for an alternative itinerary.
Duration and Guide Prices
- Age Guide: 8+
- 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
- Boat trip
- City tour
- Cycling
- Safari
- Scenic train
- Whale watching
- Wildlife watching
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Accommodation
Hotel x 9 nights, tented camp x 2 nights -
Meals
11 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 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 11 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 | 19 Jul | 30 Jul | 12 days | £1,495 | £1,225 | 13 days | £2,725 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 2 Aug | 13 Aug | 12 days | £1,495 | £1,225 | 13 days | £2,725 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 16 Aug | 27 Aug | 12 days | £1,525 | £1,255 | 13 days | £2,755 | £2,225 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2026 | 20 Dec | 31 Dec | 12 days | £1,575 | £1,225 | 14 days | £2,995 | £2,495 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 28 Mar | 8 Apr | 12 days | £1,525 | £1,175 | 14 days | £2,595 | £1,975 | Fully Booked*** | Enquire |
| 2027 | 4 Apr | 15 Apr | 12 days | £1,525 | £1,175 | 14 days | £2,595 | £1,975 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 11 Jul | 22 Jul | 12 days | £1,625 | £1,355 | 13 days | £2,695 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 25 Jul | 5 Aug | 12 days | £1,625 | £1,355 | 13 days | £2,695 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 8 Aug | 19 Aug | 12 days | £1,625 | £1,355 | 13 days | £2,695 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 15 Aug | 26 Aug | 12 days | £1,625 | £1,355 | 13 days | £2,695 | £2,195 | Available | Book or Enquire |
| 2027 | 20 Dec | 31 Dec | 12 days | £1,895 | £1,395 | 14 days | £3,195 | £2,595 | Guaranteed* | 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.
