*Sri Lanka Family Travel
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Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism Program Includes the Following:
- One on one consultation with our travel experts
- Private registration and trip page
- Pretrip Packet
- Handpicked accommodations
- Experienced Private Guide
- Artisan shopping opportunities
- Our favorite tour activities
- Donation to one of TVE’s community partners
Known as The Pearl of The Indian Ocean, this tiny island nation boasts incredible beauty on its coastlines, within it’s tea plantations, among its mountain ranges, and inside its national parks. Sri Lanka lies just to the southwest of the continent of india, between the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The warm, crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean surround this island nation.
A trip to Sri Lanka should include visits to the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered across the country including the Dambulla Cave Temple, the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy, the hilltop city of Sigiriya, and the colonial fortress town of Galle. You will marvel at the preservation of these stunning historical, religious, and cultural sites.
Safari in Sri Lanka is not to be missed. The expansive Yala National Park is unique in being located on the coast…meaning you can safari in the morning and enjoy the beach in the afternoon. This park offers incredible views and dense wildlife including Leopard, Sloth Beer, Spotted Deer, crocodiles, mongoose, and more. We also love looking for Asian Elephants in Hurulu Eco Park, Minneriya National Park, and Kaudulla National Park.
A trip to Sri Lanka would not be complete without a traditional cooking class to learn about the local cuisine. Sri Lankan food is incredibly flavorful and colorful making this cooking class with a local family so much fun! Save some time to shop fair trade products that reflect the local culture and customs of this beautiful island nation. We suggest a stop at retail shop, BareFoot, in Galle or Colombo.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive to Colombo International Airport. Transfer to hotel on the beach in Negombo.
Day 2 – Free day to adjust to new time zone and enjoy the pool and beach.
Day 3 – Morning drive to Dambulla Cave Temple. These incredible temples were built into the side of a mountain over 1,000 years ago. Stop for lunch after visiting the cave temples. Continue on to hotel in Sigiriya for check in.
Day 4 – Visit to Polonnawura (1 hour drive) to see the Second Sri Lankan Kingdom. The ruins of this ancient city are a UNESCO World Heritage site. For lunch, try traditional Sri Lankan food at a family owned restaurant overlooking the rice paddies. Return to hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 5 – Morning safari in Habarana to go in search of elephants. Then drive to Kandy to see the remains of the Third Sri Lankan Kingdom and sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Check into hotel for free afternoon.
Day 6 – Morning drive to Ella. Stop for lunch. Check out 9 arches bridge via Tuktuk. Check into hotel for the evening with spectacular views of the mountains.
Day 7 – Drive to Yala National Park this morning. Check in and relax and enjoy the pool and beach. This unique national park borders the ocean so the kids can run wild on the beach between game drives.
Day 8 – Free morning to enjoy beach and pool. Afternoon safari to go in search of leopard, sloth bear, spotted deer, monitor lizards, crocodiles and more.
Day 9 – Morning safari in Yala National Park. Free afternoon to enjoy the beach and pool.
Day 10 – Morning drive to Galle – the UNESCO World Heritage walled city. Stop at coconut tree hill in Mirissa for a great view. Check into hotel in Galle.
Day 11 – Enjoy a tuktuk tour of Galle in the morning stopping at all the main sights including the lighthouse, bastions, peddlar’s street, and Dutch reform church. Sri Lankan cooking class for lunch in the afternoon.
Day 12 – Morning drive to Colombo. Lunch and fair trade shopping at Barefoot. Visit the Red Mosque and then check into hotel in Negombo.
Day 13 – Transfer to airport for flight home.