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Discover exotic wildlife, ancient forts and captivating culture as a family

Naturally gorgeous, culturally captivating and steeped in mysticism, Sri Lanka makes for a wonderful introduction to both travel and the Indian subcontinent for children and adults alike. Embark on a 12-day family tour and discover temples carved from cliffs, fortresses built on boulders and wildlife-rich parks. Expose your family to different ways of life while cycling through peaceful villages and touring working tea plantations. Wonder at wildlife when you go safari in search of wild elephants, deer and crocodiles. Chill out by the beach in Mirissa while the kids are playing with other young travellers on the tour. Educational, active and leisurely paced, this trip is everything you could want in a family getaway.

Start
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Finish
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Destination
Sri Lanka
Style
Original
Theme
Family
Code
HHFL
Physical rating
Ages
Min 5
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • The whole family will be impressed by the ancient rock fortress Sigiriya, from the massive stone lion paws at the entrance to the 200-metre climb to the top.

  • Spotting elephants in their natural habitat during a jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park is something your kids – and you – will never forget.

  • Share dinner with a Sri Lankan family before sealing the friendship with an informal lesson in a traditional Kandyan dance.

  • Explore the Dambulla cave temples, where prehistoric Sri Lankans lived thousands of years ago and ancient murals and statues depicting the Buddha are on display.

  • Soak up some sun during a strategically scheduled beach break along the palm-fringed sands of Mirissa, where the kids can splash, and you can relax.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Though its equatorial position means fairly constant year-round temperatures, the summer months in Sri Lanka are very hot with short, sharp monsoons in the south-west of the country. Please consider your family’s suitability to the season you wish to travel in.

  • Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We visit a number of temples on this trip and all members of your family will need to have clothes that cover from wrist to below the knee in order to access them. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

Map of Sri Lanka Family Holiday including Sri Lanka
sri lanka dambulla buddish cave temple
Buddha shrine with embellished gold features inside the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Traveller on from the outside of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka on an Intrepid Travel tour.
Local employee of a tea processing centre in Sri Lanka.
sri lanka women farm tea pickers
Intrepid travellers walking towards Sigiriya Rock to commence the climb in Sri Lanka
sri lanka sigiriya lion rock fortress

Itinerary
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Welcome to Sri Lanka! Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, the island offers travellers palm-studded beaches, rolling plantations, and sacred sights steeped in spirituality. There are no activities planned today until your group welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you arrive with time to spare before the meeting, maybe spend some time relaxing poolside at the hotel or (if the family is keen to start exploring) head out on an Urban Adventure Spirit of Negombo day tour. This optional locally-led tour introduces your family to life in the seaside town.
Accommodation
  • Lavinia Hotel or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Negombo - Spirit of Negombo Urban Adventure - USD60
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

For more information on the Spirit of Negombo day tour, speak to your booking agent or visit urbanadventures.com/Colombo-tour-spirit-of-negombo.

Begin the adventure by heading to Dambulla by private vehicle, located at the end of a moderate 4-hour drive from Negombo. This town plays home to some of the world’s most spectacularly decorated cave temples. Upon arrival, choose whether to join an optional excursion to the vegetable wholesale market, a labyrinth of shops and stalls that offers a fascinating look at the vast range of produce grown in Sri Lanka. Later, explore the Dambulla cave temples, where prehistoric Sri Lankans lived thousands of years ago and thousands of ancient murals and statues depicting the Buddha are on display.
Accommodation
  • Pelvehara Village Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dambulla - Cave Temples
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today’s adventure takes you from Dambulla to Sigiriya, a colossal stone monument hosting a ruined fortress. Let the kids burn off some energy with a climb to the top of enormous rock, checking out the murals and caves along the way. If the weather is playing nicely, you should be able to take in sweeping views of the thick forests from the summit before descending. Once you return to Dambulla, take the family for a pleasant bike ride around the countryside. After a day full of activity everyone should be nice and tuckered out by the time night falls.
Accommodation
  • Pelvehara Village Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sigiriya - Bike ride
  • Sigiriya - Lion Rock
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Say farewell to Dambulla in the morning and make a 3-hour drive to beautiful Kandy, often called the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. The verdant hills surrounding the city, along with the tranquil lake in the centre, creates the perfect scenery for family photo opportunities, and the old shops and restaurants will keep you busy for hours. Spend the afternoon basking amongst rows of flowers and towering palm trees in the Royal Botanical Gardens, home to more than 4000 species of plants including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and various trees. It’s a leisurely walk full of colour. Continue to the Spice Gardens to learn about Sri Lankan spice plants and herbs.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Senani or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kandy - Botanical Gardens
Optional Activities
  • Kandy - Cultural performance - LKR1000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast


This morning, visit Dalada Maligawa (the Temple of the Tooth), which houses the country's most sacred relic: a tooth said to belong to the Gautama Buddha. Pilgrims have been coming to pay homage at this site since the 16th century and they still come in droves today, making it a fascinating place to teach kids about one of the world’s oldest religions still being widely practiced. This evening join a local family for dinner and learn the steps to a traditional Kandayan dance during some lessons from local performers.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Senani or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Family tip – When visiting the Temple of the Tooth you must remove your hats and shoes. Store them with the ‘shoe keepers’ for a small charge or put them in your rucksack, as if you leave belongings outside monkeys will run off with them.

After breakfast hit the road by private bus past lush green hills to Nuwara Eliya (3 hours), a former colonial hill station built entirely during the 19th century. The old world architecture reflects what you might expect to find in an English village and the town is a fascinating mix of water buffalo and brick Victorian buildings, golf courses and tea plantations. From here board a train to Bandarawela (2 hours). Enjoy views across the hills and tea plantations from your accommodation this evening.
Accommodation
  • Orient Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If the local train is full the group will continue by private transport to Bandarawela.

After a few busy days on the road, today unfolds at a slower pace. Bandarawela is an unhurried, unpretentious hill town that exists to supply the needs of the tea plantation workers and their families. Another distinctive feature of Bandarawela is the colonial flavour still preserved in the many old buildings, including the Bandarawela Hotel and the old supermarket. Enjoy a leisurely morning walk through the countryside, past tea workers plucking the tips of the plants and throwing them into the baskets on their backs. The afternoon is free for your enjoyment – you could always get the family together and challenge some of the locals to a friendly game of cricket.
Accommodation
  • Orient Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bandarawela - Country side trek
  • Bandarawela - Tea Plucking Experience
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After a hearty breakfast and 8.30 am checkout, drive to Udawalawe National Park (approximately 3 hours). This park has an amazing array of animal and birdlife, with more herds of wild elephants than anywhere else in Sri Lanka. Following lunch, hop in a jeep for a safari inside the park. Other wildlife regularly spotted here includes macaques and larger monkeys, spotted deer, crocodiles and sometimes even leopards. This is a real safari experience, nothing like a zoo or safari park – truly an adventure for all ages! Check into the campsite at around 6 pm after a full day of adventure.
Accommodation
  • Udewalawe Camping (with basic facilities) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Udewalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Camping - Tents are fitted with a bedroom and an en suite bathroom with hot & cold water. The beds are raised and fitted with comfortable mattresses. Pillows, bed linen, towels, a flashlight, and basic bathroom amenities are provided.

Join your leader for an early morning, four-kilometre walk to a nearby lake which is home to lots of local birds. Head back to camp and fill up on a hearty meal before travelling to the chilled-out beach town of Mirissa. This is one of the best spots in Sri Lanka and you and your family will have some free time to explore it your way. Check out the stunning beach and splash around in the waves or ask your leader for a delicious dinner recommendation.
Accommodation
  • Paradise Beach Club – Mirissa or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take free time today to relax around Mirissa’s lovely waterfront or take in some of the local sights. The waters are clear and inviting if you’d like to go for a splash in the Laccadive Sea, or you could grab a bite of fresh fish to share with the family. If you’re interested I the local fishing industry, consider gathering the family heading to nearby Weligama by tuk-tuk or bicycle to see colourful fishing boats bring the day’s catch to sell along the shore. The local cottage industry of lace products is also well worth a look. In the evening, visit the Dutch Fort in Galle for a spot of kite flying. If the colours of the kites don’t get you excited, the kaleidoscopic hues of the sunset surely will.
Accommodation
  • Paradise Beach Club – Mirissa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mirissa - Kite Flying
Optional Activities
  • Mirissa - Whale Watching (Nov to Mar) - USD55
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Family tip – Mirissa is a great place to go whale and dolphin watching during the months from November to April. Ask your leader for details.

Check out of the hotel and head towards Colombo. Once you arrive, take a bit of time to wander through the bazaar and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling market. Afterwards, enjoy a bit of free time. You’re in the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, so there’s more than enough things to occupy the whole family. The waterfront is full of life and makes for an excellent starting point. Regroup in the afternoon and head to Galle Face Green – five hectares of ocean-side park bliss – with your fellow families.
Accommodation
  • Fairway Colombo or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your Sri Lankan family holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the hotel at any time after check out at 12 pm. If you are departing later in the day, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. Additional accommodation is available through your agent at the time of booking, subject to availability.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private Bus, Train, Bicycle

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Camping (1 night)

Included activities

  • Dambulla - Cave Temples
  • Sigiriya - Bike ride
  • Sigiriya - Lion Rock
  • Kandy - Botanical Gardens
  • Kandy - Temple of the Tooth
  • Bandarawela - Country side trek
  • Bandarawela - Tea Plucking Experience
  • Udewalawe National Park - Wildlife safari
  • Mirissa - Kite Flying

Dates & availability

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you in order to book.

Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.

A discount of 10 per cent applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.

A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.

PASSPORT DETAILS: Full passport details are required for the train trip on Day 6: Nuwara Eliya to Bandarawela. Without them we cannot purchase train tickets. Please provide at the time of booking.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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