Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Christmas & Easter Tour
If you are travelling at Christmas or Easter the beaches on Sri Lanka’s south and west coasts will have the best of the weather. This itinerary combines the highlights of the country, including Lion’s Rock at Sigiriya, wildlife spotting in national parks and the gorgeous tea plantations in the central hills, with the beaches on this stretch of coast. As ever we will tailor the itinerary to your particular family and travel dates.
Highlights
Highlights of the Cultural Triangle
Searching for leopards on safari
Spot herds of elephants in the wild
Train trip through tea plantations
Explore a Dutch fort
Relax on a picturesque beach
15 days from £3,750 pp
Plus international flights from £800
A two-week holiday in Sri Lanka for a family of four usually costs from £15,000 plus flights.
Sri Lanka Christmas & Easter Tour
Day 1, Colombo – Coconut plantation / Negombo
Arrive at the airport in Colombo where you are met by a Stubborn Mule Travel representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on budget, we can either arrange for you to stay in a hotel in the beach resort of Negombo or you can upgrade to a hotel in a beautiful coconut plantation.
Day 2, Coconut plantation / Negombo
A full day to relax. If you are staying in Negombo, we can arrange a local cookery class or a morning excursion to the Muthurajawela Nature Reserve where you can take a boat ride on the canals. Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife and, if you are lucky, the occasional crocodile.
If you are staying on the coconut plantation, you may prefer to stay put and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. There is the chance to take a bullock cart ride around the coconut estate or you can join the chef in the kitchen to learn some of the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine.
Day 3, Coconut plantation / Negombo – Cultural Triangle
Head through picturesque countryside of coconut plantations and lush green paddy fields, en route to the ‘cultural triangle’. Join local pilgrims for the climb up to a series of caves that are covered in brightly-coloured frescoes that date back more than 2,000 years. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is very impressive. Along the way, the children will enjoy watching the playful monkeys that live in and around the temple, although keep a close eye on your belongings, as they are quite keen on cameras or any snacks that you might have on you!
Day 4, Sigiriya
Rise early to climb the huge rock fortress of Sigiriya before it gets too hot. Built in the 5th century on top of an enormous, sheer-sided rock it is quite a steep climb up to the top but the views are immense.
Younger children will enjoy walking between the giant lion’s paws on the way up the stairs, the last remnant of a giant lion’s head that visitors used to have to climb through to reach the fortress. There are also further caves, ruins and gardens around the base of the rock that the children can explore. Older children might then be sidetracked by the souvenir market… the perfect place to hone their haggling skills!
The afternoon is free to relax.
Day 5, Polonnaruwa & Minneriya National Park
This morning you will visit the magnificent remains of Sri Lanka’s medieval capital at Polonnaruwa. The ruins are quite extensive and include a number of exquisite temples, giant Buddhist carvings and huge lakes which formed the basis of a remarkable irrigation system. If you’re feeling active, you may wish to hire bikes and explore the site further.
In the afternoon head to Minneriya National Park for a safari. The park is famous for its large herds of wild elephants and you can get remarkably close to the huge herds. These are sometimes 150-200 strong.
Read More Day 6, Cultural Triangle – Kandy Day 7, Nuwara Eliya – Ella Once in Nuwara Eliya you can explore the town before continuing on by train to Ella. The train journey is incredibly beautiful with superb views over the tea plantations and passing through local villages. When you arrive in Ella your driver will meet you for the short drive to your hotel. Days 8-9, Ella Day 10, Ella – Yala Later return to camp for dinner around the campfire. Day 11, Yala National Park Perhaps stroll around Kocchipathana Wewa, a man-made reservoir home to an array of birdlife and reptiles, or even take kayaks out onto the water. You could also take a jeep ride to one of the nearby historic temples, head out on a guided ‘jungle walk,’ or simply take some time to relax and enjoy the views. Day 12, Yala – Beach Later, drive to a beach resort on the south coast of Sri Lanka. We will suggest one that is suitable for your family, depending on whether you would prefer a secluded and remote beach or a more lively resort with a choice of activities and restaurants.. Days 13-14, Beach Day 15, Colombo
After breakfast this morning depart for Kandy where you visit The Temple of the Tooth. This is believed to hold one of Buddha’s teeth and is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. You will also have the chance to explore the Botanical Gardens, which are beautifully laid out and provide the perfect place for younger children to let off steam.
This morning you have a beautiful drive through the hills to Nuwara Eliya. This town was founded by the British in the 19th century as a place where they could retreat to escape the heat of the plains and indulge their British pastimes of hunting, polo and golf.
You have two full days to explore the tea plantations around your hotel. Perhaps take a gentle hike up Little Adam’s Peak, marvel at Nine Arch Bridge, try out the Ravana zipline, take a tea plantation tour, or just relax and enjoy your surroundings.
This morning, drive to Yala National Park, where you will stay in an African-style safari camp. In the afternoon, take a safari in the park in search of wildlife. Yala is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest national parks, and a wonderfully scenic landscape of rocky outcrops, dense jungle and tropical forest. The park is home to a significant leopard population and the highest concentration in Sri Lanka. Many of our travellers have been very lucky and have spotted leopards, wild elephants and more.
Rise early for a freshly brewed coffee before setting off on an early morning game drive when the animals are at their most active. Keep your eyes peeled for solitary leopard or small herds of elephant as they pass through the forest. After breakfast back at camp, the rest of the day is free to enjoy some of the activities on offer.
If you didn’t get to spot a leopard or a sloth bear yet, there is the opportunity to return to Yala this morning.
Two full days to enjoy the beach. Depending on your choice of resort you might also want to visit the picturesque small town of Galle. First founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, this is one of Sri Lanka’s most charming towns and is packed with old architectural gems, historic churches and dramatic sea views.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Sri Lanka in pictures
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