Sri Lanka Summer Tour
This example itinerary takes you to Sri Lanka’s most famous cultural sites and also includes a safari and plenty of activities. You will end up on the east coast beaches which are ideal for a visit during the European summer holidays when there should be plenty of sunshine. You explore the country with a driver/guide and a wide range of different accommodation types are available. We can adapt any aspect of this itinerary to ensure that it is suitable for the ages of your children and your travel dates.
Highlights
Climb the lion fortress of Sigiriya
Go on safari to spot leopard
See elephant at Minneriya
Visit ancient ruins at Polonnaruwa
Relax on the beach in the east
15 days from £2,875 pp
Plus international flights from £800.
A two-week holiday in Sri Lanka for a family of four usually costs from £11,500 plus flights.
Sri Lanka Summer Tour day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 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.
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.
Try a delicious King Coconut
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 Wilpattu National Park
This morning drive north to Wilpattu National Park where you will stay the night in an African-style safari camp. In the afternoon take a safari in the park in search of wildlife. Wilpattu is the largest park in Sri Lanka and is spread across a huge area that is home to more than 50 natural lakes. These lakes are a magnet for wildlife and the park is home to a significant leopard population. Many of our travellers have been very lucky and have spotted leopards, sloth bears and more.
Later return to camp for dinner around the campfire.
Spot leopards in Wilpattu National Park
Day 4 Wilpattu National Park – Dambulla Caves
If you didn’t get to spot a leopard or a sloth bear on your first safari, there is the opportunity to return to Wilpattu this morning.
Later, 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!
Cycling is a great way to explore the countryside
In the late afternoon if you’re feeling active you have the option to visit Pidurangala, a hill located opposite Sigiriya. You can climb to the top for sunset for sensational views over the Lion’s Rock. The top part of the climb involves a bit of scrambling up a couple of boulders but the views from the top are stunning.
Day 5 Minneriya National Park
Your morning today is free to relax by the pool or explore your immediate surroundings.
Minneriya National Park
In the afternoon you will take a safari in Minneriya National Park. The park is famous for its large herds of wild elephants as well as deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackals. This is one of the best places in Asia to see wild elephants and you can get remarkably close to large numbers of the animals; the herds are sometimes 150-200 strong.
Read More Day 6 Sigiriya Sigiriya 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 ruins, gardens and caves 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 and enjoy your surroundings. In the early evening, head out for a night-time nature walk in search of the huge-eyed (and some would say very cute!) nocturnal grey slender loris. Day 7 Polonnaruwa ancient city – Passikudah Polonnaruwa Later you will travel to Passikudah on the East Coast for some relaxation time. The coastal village of Passikudah is deservedly well-known for its scenic, golden beach, gently sloping out to meet warm, sparkling water – perfect for paddling! Days 8-10 Passikudah Beach Perhaps take a morning boat trip including snorkelling – we can book an excursion in advance for you if you would like, or you can decide once you arrive what you would like to do. Sunset on the East Coast Day 11 Northern Hill Country Day 12 Northern Hill Country If you prefer, you can keep the days free to laze by the pool, take part in a cookery demonstration or wander down to the local village, explore the temple and meet the locals. Day 13 Day trip to Kandy Day 14 Northern Hill Country – Negombo Fish drying, Negombo Day 15 Departure
Rise early to climb Sigiriya, a huge rock fortress 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.
This morning you visit the fascinating site of Polonnaruwa where you can explore the magnificent remains of Sri Lanka’s medieval capital. 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 your children are old enough we can arrange for you to cycle around the site; younger children will love a game of hide and seek amongst the extensive ruins.
Three full free days to enjoy the beach. There are a number of activities available in Passikudah, including windsurfing, water skiing, sailing, snorkelling and diving. Clear waters mean that visibility is superb, and the reef and wreck sites here are home to masses of vibrant tropical fish, rays, sea slugs and gorgeous coral formations, making it perfect for families to discover the underwater world.
After breakfast drive to the heart of some of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque tea plantation scenery, where you will base yourselves for three nights as you explore the area. If you are feeling active you can follow peaceful trails through the tea fields or just relax by the pool.
A full day to enjoy the area. If you are interested, we can arrange a local guide to accompany you on a hike into the countryside. The duration can be tailored to your energy levels on the day but whichever direction you head in the views are gorgeous.
After breakfast this morning head into Kandy where you visit The Temple of the Tooth, which 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 bid the hills goodbye and head west, back to Negombo for your final night.
After checking out of your hotel, transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.
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Sri Lanka in pictures
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