Itinerary
Day 01: Airport – Colombo
Upon arrival, you will be met by our friendly English-speaking Chauffeur Guide and transferred to a chic city hotel in Colombo.
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and the gateway to the island. It is a cosmopolitan metropolis and a cultural melting pot. Colombo’s character features contemporary values, a progressive mindset, and a suave and accepting nature. It is a great city for travelling families to find their feet in the country, as the people are friendly, hospitable and have a special affinity for children (as in the case of any other town or village in Sri Lanka).
After enjoying a delectable dinner, unwind, relax, and lay down your travel-weary heads for an early night’s sleep.
Overnight at selected city hotel in Colombo.
Day 02: Colombo – Kandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy, Sri Lanka’s iconic heritage city in the hills.
Nestled in the rugged mist laden central hills of the island; Kandy is a city with a unique personality and a proud and illustrious past. Ruins, remnants, artifacts, and reminders of its history are still present today, solemnly, and resolutely unshaken amidst the hustle and bustle and workaday throng of present-day Kandy. Despite its solemn exterior, travelling families will be surprised to find how delightful, gentle, and family friendly this grand city is!
En-route visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens is believed to be one of the most beautiful gardens in South Asia. It is home to more than 4000 species of tropical and temperate trees and flowering plants. It is a botanical wonderland for children, where they have the opportunity to wander around and admire the colourful flora whilst also appreciating the dab of wildlife that presents themselves – large troops of monkeys foraging through the canopies and hundreds of flying foxes dangling sleepily from the tree boughs above.
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, as the name suggests is an orphanage, captive breeding centre and nursery for un-weaned or injured elephants. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Elephant mealtimes and bath times are the most interesting events to observe in the daily routine – sure crowd pleasers and bound to impress visiting children and adults alike.
Overnight at a selected hotel in Kandy.
Day 03: Kandy
After breakfast visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. This iconic temple houses the sacred tooth relic of the Gauthama Buddha and is considered one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places of worship, by Buddhists. Watch many religious and cultural rituals being performed while hundreds of devotees and pilgrims flock to the sacred temple to pay homage to the sacred relic of Lord Buddha.
Visit a tea factory and plantation in Kandy thereafter. Observe and learn how the world famous “Ceylon Tea” is grown and manufactured.
Overnight at the selected hotel in Kandy.
Day 04: Kandy – Dambulla
After breakfast leave on an excursion to the predominantly agriculture-based village of Dambulla. Visit the Golden Cave Temple in Dambulla, a resplendent historic attraction and a declared UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Golden Cave Temple is housed in the recess of five caves, of the majestic 160m Dambulla Rock. It is the largest and best-preserved historic cave temple in Sri Lanka, adorned with breath taking murals and statues.
Overnight at a hotel in Dambulla.
Day 05: Dambulla – Minneriya – Habarana
After breakfast leave for the Minneriya National Park.
Minneriya is a nature lover’s paradise. Its centerpiece is the large Minneriya Tank, which is the venue for the spectacular annual congregation of large herds of elephants, during the dry season that prevails between July – October each year, when water elsewhere recedes significantly. This popular social event of the gentle giants is dubbed “The Gathering”.
Thereafter proceed to the picturesque village of Habarana.
Overnight at a hotel in Habarana.
Day 06: Habarana – Sigiriya – Habarana
After breakfast, leave for an excursion to the historic Lion Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, unofficially named the “eighth wonder of the world” by many. This “citadel in the sky” is the work of medieval Sri Lanka’s tyrant king Kashyapa – I. For centuries awe struck travellers have visited this “Lion Rock Fortress and Palace Complex” to marvel at its engineering, architectural, irrigational, and artistic feats, which are of a staggering scale, even by modern day standards.
Overnight at the hotel in Habarana.
Day 07: Habarana – Trincomalee
After breakfast leave for the eclectic east coast destination of Trincomalee. Check in at a hotel in Trincomalee and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel pool with your family.
Trincomalee is endowed with a natural harbour, idyllic beaches, colonial heritage buildings, colourful temples, and kaleidoscopic underwater landscapes.
Overnight at the hotel in Trincomalee.
Day 08: Trincomalee
Spend a leisurely day at the gorgeous Nilaveli Beach, lounging in the warm tropical sunshine. The youngsters too are bound to enjoy hours of fun and frolic on the white sandy beach or wading in the warm turquoise waters, under cheerful cobalt-blue skies.
Alternatively, opt for an excursion to the Pigeon Islands National Park. Enjoy some snorkelling or scuba diving in the reef populated with exquisite corals and colourful marine life.
Overnight at the hotel in Trincomalee.
Day 09: Trincomalee – Negombo
Leave for the lively west coast beach town of Negombo.
Situated near the airport, Negombo serves as an ideal last stop in your travel itinerary. Enjoy a leisurely evening relaxing and preparing for departure.
Enjoy a memorable family dinner on your last night in the paradise island, under the star studded Negombo sky. We know you would wish that the holiday lingers on for a few more days or perhaps weeks. All good things do not need to end. We look forward to seeing you and your lovely family returning to Sri Lanka on yet another adventure very soon.
Day 10: Negombo – Airport
Departure transfer to the airport.
Detailed/tailored itinerary and pricing provided on request.
