Family Trip to Sri Lanka

Ayubowan!  Your Sri Lanka family holiday begins now! Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be welcomed by your personal driver at the airport. He will take you to your beachside hotel where you can check in and settle down. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax and spend the rest of your day exploring the hotel grounds, exploring the seaside, lounging by the pool or pampering yourself with a spa treatment. Another option is to visit Negombo, nicknamed “Little Rome” because of the numerous Roman Catholic churches built during the Portuguese-era.

After breakfast, you meet your driver who will bring you to Kandy. This three-hour journey into central Sri Lanka takes you through lush greenery, beautiful villages and unbeatable landscapes into the heart of the island. On the way, you stop at the Millenium Elephant Foundation, where you take a stroll on the property right next to one of the magnificent mammals sheltered by the association. After this amazing encounter you continue towards Kandy where you settle down for the night.

Today, enjoy a relaxing day in Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka. After breakfast why don’t you head into the city to explore the local market? In the afternoon you enjoy a traditional Kandyan dance show before joining the locals at the Temple of the Tooth for the evening ceremony. The Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, believed to house the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. This temple is not to be missed!

In the morning after breakfast your driver will meet you at your hotel to drive you north to Sigiriya. On the way to Sigiriya you can stop visit the Dambulla caves. Sheltered under a huge rocky ledge, the site of Dambulla and its 5 caves contain countless Buddha statues lined against the walls and sublime murals. Continue onwards to your countryside hotel in Sigiriya where you will spend the next few nights.

Begin your morning with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Your driver will meet you late in the morning to take you to Sigiriya Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sigiriya Rock, also known as the ‘Lion Rock’, is an ancient rock fortress and palace, built by King Kassapa during the 5^th century. Here you can explore the grounds of the ancient palace complex and see some of the most beautiful and celebrated relics that Sri Lanka has to offer. Climb the steps to the top of the Rock Fortress and enjoy the breathtaking view of the surrounding landscapes. A highlight of you Sri Lanka family holiday!

Enjoy a peaceful morning relaxing at your hotel or exploring the surrounding countryside. After lunch, it’s time for some family adventure. Hop on a jeep and start looking for elephants in Mineriya National Park. Summer is the season to witness the elephant gathering in this national park, a very unique sight to behold! Try to spot some of the wild animals such as leopards, sloth bears and porcupines that inhabit this park. Feel at one with nature, discovering beautiful sites and creating wonderful memories with your family.

After breakfast your driver will take you to city of Polonnaruwa. Here, you will begin a tour of the ancient capital and step back in time to Sri Lanka’s medieval history. Polonnaruwa was declared the second capital of Sri Lanka by King Vijayabahu I after defeating the Chola invaders. Take your time discovering the ruins of ancient palaces, temples and Buddhist statues. Next, refuel with a delicious local lunch in the paddy fields, before continuing to Trincomalee on the east coast of Sri Lanka, where you will spend the next few days. Check in to your hotel and admire the sunset, lighting up the sky in beautiful colors before enjoying a beachside dinner.

After an early breakfast you jump aboard a speed boat and set off towards Pigeon Island National Park. After meeting with the elephants, the biggest animals in Sri Lanka on the ground, you now explore the underwater world with your snorkeling gear. This national park is home to colorful schools of fish, corals, turtles and reef sharks. After a morning spent snorkeling you return to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon relaxing.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, taking advantage of the hotel facilities or relaxing by the beach. After lunch, you meet your driver and go to Koneswaram Temple, a beautiful and intricate temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The paintings here bring color to this striking Hindu temple which also offers a spectacular view on the surrounding bay. Return to your hotel in the evening or, if you prefer, enjoy dinner in one of the best restaurants in the town center of Trincomalee.

If you are an early riser, enjoy a walk on the beach before breakfast and meet the local fishermen bringing in their daily catch. There are many activities available in Trincomalee such as boat tours, scuba diving, snorkeling or dolphin- and whale-watching excursions which can be arranged. Otherwise, spend the day relaxing on the beach, listening to the sound of the gentle waves and playing in the sea. You can even enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan massage whilst on the beach! Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning after a leisurely breakfast, your driver will meet you to take you to Anuradhapura, the capital city of North Central Province. Anuradhapura is famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization, which was the first capital of the island, established in the 4^th century during the reign of King Pandukhabaya. The ancient city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and today you can discover and explore the beautiful ruins, transporting yourself back in time.

After breakfast at the hotel, you hit the road and drive south to Negombo where you can enjoy lunch on the seaside. In the afternoon, you set off for an exotic boat trip through the Muthurajawela Wetlands, nicknamed the "Supreme Field of Pearls", inhabited by 75 species of birds, crocodiles, monkeys and otters. The last excursion of your family trip to Sri Lanka, this cruise will allow you to discover the wonderful fauna and flora that this country has to offer.

Depending on your departure time, you may have the chance to go for one last dip in the sea or spend a leisurely morning relaxing at your hotel. If you prefer, your driver can take you to Negombo city centre earlier in the day to explore and buy some last-minute souvenirs.  Your driver will then pick you up and bring you to Bandaranaike International Airport to board your international flight home. We bid you farewell and look forward to welcoming you to Asia again soon!