Summer in Sri Lanka
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 – Fishing boats in Negombo
The modest beach town of Negombo is the perfect starting point for your family trip to Sri Lanka. It’s just 20 minutes from Colombo International Airport so there’s no long transfer when you arrive. It’s the perfect spot to begin your Sri Lanka holiday in a relaxed way.
Fishing provides a livelihood for many families in Negombo, and the next day you’ll experience the fisherman’s way of life. You’ll join one of the local fisherman and try to catch your own dinner with a traditional bamboo fishing rod. It’s harder than it looks and patience is essential. You’ll then head back to the beach, where a local restaurant will cook up your catch for lunch. The erst of your day is free to relax.
Day 3 – Wildlife spotting in Wilpattu National Park
Today you’ll leave the beach behind and travel from Negombo to Wilpattu National Park by private car with an English-speaking driver. Your journey will take around 4 hours. Wilpattu is Sri Lanka’s largest national park and one of the oldest, yet it attracts fewer visitors than the country’s other protected areas such as Yala. It’s home to an abundance of wildlife including the elusive leopard, sloth bear, elephant and water buffalo. You’ll have the opportunity to spot the park’s inhabitants on a jeep safari this afternoon. Your accommodation, close to the national park, is a comfortable safari tent that comes complete with a bed and en-suite toilet and shower.
Day 4 – Discover Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
The next stop on your family adventure is Polonnaruwa – a journey time of around 3 hours from Wilpattu. After some time you’ll see Sigiriya’s mighty rock fortress come into view. In earlier times, this rock fortress was covered with hundreds of frescoes and the grand palace of King Kasyapa stood atop. If you’re feeling active you can climb to the top of the rock, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the wild green jungle. Or stretch your legs with a walk around the base of the rock. Then continue onto your hotel where you have time to relax and refresh in the swimming pool.
Day 5 – Cycle in Polonnaruwa & jeep safari in Minneriya
This morning, feel like a real time-traveller as you explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa by bike. The town was once the capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital and there are many interesting relics and ruins leftover from this period. After you’ve pedalled your way through the ancient ruins, it’s time for lunch in a small authentic restaurant.
In the afternoon, for something totally different, you’ll head into nearby Minneriya National Park on a jeep safari. The park is home to large herds of wild elephants, which are easy to spot and observe, due to the wide, open landscape. Between the drier months of June and September in particular, hundreds of elephants can be seen gathering around the park’s lakes in search of water.
Days 6-8 – Beach time on Trincomalee
Next, you’ll travel from Polonnaruwa to relax on the beach at Trincomalee. Your journey will take around 2.5 hours. The east coast is the best place weather-wise for a beach stay in Sri Lanka during the summer school holiday months. The sandy beaches are long, wide and it’s the perfect place to unwind for a few days. You’ll be staying in family friendly resort by the beach, with a swimming pool.
During your stay you’ll head out on a snorkelling trip around nearby Pigeon Island. The boat leaves from nearby Nilaveli and it’s about a 10-minute crossing to the island. It’s clearly indicated where you can and cannot snorkel – this is to protect the coral here. On the south side of the island, you’ll see colourful coral and reef sharks happily swimming around. On the north side of the island, you’ll mainly see colourful fish.
If your kids love wildlife we can also arrange a dolphin and whale spotting boat trip off the east coast. Ask your Travel Specialist for more details.
Day 9 – Kandy’s cultural treasures
Today you will journey from the beach into the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The final stop on your Sri Lanka family holiday is the historical city of Kandy. The city is set around a large lake, amongst lush green hills which are perfect for taking hikes and walks. It is also home to one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Your hotel in Kandy will be a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool, located in the hills just outside Kandy.
Day 10 – Evening cultural show
Your day is free to explore Kandy. There is so much to discover here: take a stroll along the shores of the lake, wander around the colourful markets or visit the vast Botanical Gardens. Or you can simply relax beside the pool in your hotel.
This evening you will head into the city for a cultural show at the Temple of the Tooth. This is one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world and this evening you and your family will get to see the rituals and traditional cultural practices up close. There is drumming, acrobatics, fire-eaters and even walking over hot coals to marvel at, which should amaze all ages!
Day 11 – Depart from Colombo
Sadly, your Sri Lanka holiday has come to an end and today your private driver will transfer you to Colombo International Airport in time for your international flight back to the UK.
Colombo isn’t high on everyone’s list, but the country’s capital is a real eye-opener for kids to see daily life in a big working city. If you’re after a little culture-shock then it’s a great place to spend a night and we can arrange a fun city tour by tuk-tuk. Ask your Travel Specialist to add a night in Colombo to your Travel Plan.
Accommodation
