Think of Sri Lanka, and you picture wild elephants, jungles, tea plantations and palm-fringed beaches. Happily, all of it makes for a wonderful family adventure. Crucially, this route is designed to avoid too much driving. So it focuses on the hill country before flying down to the beach. Throughout, you have a driver-guide and a large vehicle for all the children and bags. As ever, the whole holiday is private and tailored to you.
Above all, Sri Lanka keeps children engaged without tiring them. So we choose experiences that make them smile. Few youngsters, after all, love endless archaeological sites. Instead, they meet elephants and clamber through tea fields. Meanwhile, they learn how tea and rubber are made. Because everything is private, the days bend around your family.
From a gentle first night near Colombo, drive into the hill country. You stay at Rosyth, a colonial planter’s bungalow on a tea and rubber estate. It is only about three hours from Colombo. So set off on a short estate walk. Here, children pluck their own tea and see how it is produced. They also discover how rubber is tapped from the trees. Then it is back to the pool for the afternoon.
Next, drive an hour to Kandy. On the way, stop at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. There you watch the elephants walk through the village and bathe in the river. The next morning, relax by the pool. Later, head leisurely into Kandy to see the Temple of the Tooth. Afterwards, wander the bustling markets.
Finally, fly down to Galle by seaplane for seven nights on the beach. It is a thrilling way to travel for children. Once there, the options are plenty. For example, take a fun walking tour of Galle. Equally, enjoy a short cycle through the countryside. Older children might try whale-watching at Mirissa, or watch turtles hatching.
The real joy here is shared discovery. So we weave in hands-on fun throughout. For older children, we can add white-water rafting or cycling through paddy fields. Some even try their hand at Sri Lankan cookery. First, though, we take everyone to the market to buy the produce. As a result, they sharpen those all-important haggling skills.
Naturally, every hotel is chosen with families in mind. Above all, that means a good pool to jump into each afternoon. First, the Wallawwa eases you in near Colombo. Then Rosyth Estate House brings hill-country charm. Finally, The Fortress delivers the beach. Of course, each keeps the children happily entertained.
Generally, the drier months from December to March suit this southern route best. Helpfully, they line up with the school holidays. By contrast, the south-west sees the monsoon in summer. So we usually favour the winter window. Either way, we advise on the ideal timing.
There is always more to keep children busy. For example, they might spot whales and dolphins off Mirissa. Equally, they could watch turtles hatching on the coast. Older ones often love white-water rafting. Meanwhile, a cookery lesson turns the market into an adventure. So no two days feel the same.
Above all, we want parents to relax too. So we choose hotels and meals we know and trust. Meanwhile, the short drives spare everyone long days in the car. For each stage, a large vehicle carries children and bags with ease. As a result, the practical worries simply fade away.
This holiday suits families wanting adventure and comfort in one. For example, it is ideal for a first big trip to Asia. Equally, it works for multi-generational groups. Grandparents, parents and children all find their own delights.
Finally, the trip extends as easily as it shortens. For example, add more beach days at the end. Equally, weave in extra wildlife along the way. As ever, every detail is shaped around your family.
For families new to the region, Sri Lanka is the kindest start. The short drives spare everyone long, fractious days. Meanwhile, the relaxed mood keeps tempers even. So children stay curious rather than tired. Above all, parents get to enjoy it too.
The lasting joy here is shared discovery. For example, you might pluck tea together on the estate. Equally, you could watch elephants bathe at Pinnawala. Later, the seaplane to the beach becomes its own adventure. So the holiday is built around moments you remember together.
As ever, the itinerary is only a starting point. So we shape the pace and the activities to suit your family. In the end, it is entirely your own.
No, and that is the point. The route is designed to keep drives short. Then a seaplane whisks you to the beach, which children love.
It works well across a wide range of ages. We simply adjust the activities and pace. Older children, for example, get more adventurous options.
Generally, December to March is most comfortable and fits the holidays. We will advise on timing for your dates.
Absolutely. Whether you want more adventure or more beach, it is all tailor-made. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
| £2500P.P |
|---|
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Negombo | The Wallawwa The Wallawwa |
| Days 2-4 | Hill Country | Rosyth Estate House Rosyth Estate House |
| Day 5-6 | Kandy | Bougainvillea Retreat Bougainvillea Retreat |
| Day 7-12 | Galle | The Fortress The Fortress |
Arrive in Colombo after a long flight. Since the children won’t want a long drive, we suggest staying nearby at the Wallawwa. This restored colonial mansion sits in landscaped gardens, with a great pool.
Drive into the hill country to Rosyth, a colonial planter’s bungalow on a 62-acre tea and rubber estate. Helpfully, it is only about three hours from Colombo.
Set off on a short walk around the estate. Here the children pluck their own tea and see how it is produced. They also discover how rubber is tapped from the trees. Then it is back to the pool for the afternoon.
Today brings more gentle walks into the countryside. So you might visit the local temple. Equally, try your hand at Sri Lankan cookery.
Drive about an hour to Kandy. On the way, stop at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. There you watch the elephants walk through the village and bathe in the river.
Spend the morning by the pool. Later, head leisurely into Kandy to see the Temple of the Tooth, home to the Buddha’s tooth relic. Afterwards, wander the bustling markets.
Finally, fly down to Galle by seaplane for seven nights on the beach. We can arrange a fun walking tour of Galle, which children love. There is also a short 12km cycle through the countryside. Other options include whale-watching at Mirissa and watching turtles hatch.
We can tweak and change any element of this itinerary and you can depart on any day you want, add nights here and there, and we can fully customise your day-to-day experiences depending on your interests. Here are just a few ideas of many that we can look at and discuss when we come to plan your tailor-made itinerary.
If you have older children, we can add a bit more driving to access for remote parts of Sri Lanka. Anything is possible, so whether you want to see the Ancient Cities to the north, or tie in a wildlife experience in one of the National Parks, we can tweak the itinerary accordingly.
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We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.