Golden Sands & Natural Wonders
Itinerary
- Itinerary:Negombo - Polonnaruwa - Kandy - Ella - Yala National Park - Unawatuna
- Duration:14 days/ 13 nights (flexible)
- Price:From £ 1,810.- per adult (excluding flights)
- :From £ 1,099, - per child (up to 11 years)
Days 1-3 – Fishing boats in Negombo
Negombo is the perfect starting point for your family trip to Sri Lanka. Just up the road from Colombo, it has a lot to offer, and you’ll get to experience the fisherman’s way of life. Whilst you’re here, you’ll join a local fisherman and try to catch your own dinner with a traditional bamboo fishing rod. You’ll then end the day relaxing on the beach, where a local restaurant will cook up your catch on the BBQ – the ideal end to the day!
Days 3-5 – Cycle through the ancient kingdom
This morning, your driver will take you from the seaside Negombo to the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa. The journey to your next destination will take around 5 hours. Feel like a real time-traveller during your adventures in Sri Lanka’s ancient capital. You will explore Polonnaruwa by bike, racing through the maze of temples, relics and ruins and if local food is your thing, then Polonnaruwa is the place for you, with countless local restaurants serving delicious food. You will have plenty of free time to wander around the stone town at your own pace or simply chill by the pool at your lakeside hotel. To make your trip a bit more action-packed, venture off to one of the neighbouring national parks to watch wild elephants roaming in the jungle – a very special experience!
Days 5-6 – Experience local life in Kandy
Next, its time to head inland to experience the rural living not far from colourful Kandy. The journey will take about 4 hours by private transfer. Over the next few days, you’ll stay in a local home in a village on the outskirts of Kandy. Learn about local life, cook up a storm in the kitchen with a curry cooking class, take a city tour to see the highlights and marvel at a cultural show at the Temple of the Tooth. You and your family will have lots of activities to keep you busy and plenty of time to learn about local Sri Lankan life from your hosts.
Days 6-9 – Hike through the hills of Ella
Your driver will then take you to the emerald green fields of Ella, the trip will take around 4 hours. Ella is a small laid-back village located in-between tea plantations amidst the mountains. You and your family will spend a few days here taking in the beauty of the area, with stunning green landscapes with lush hilltop views all around you. Your hotel is located high in the hills, with a swimming pool offering a stunning view for you all to look out on. Whilst you’re here you have the chance to explore the hill-country at your own pace; take a walk around the countryside, have a picnic with a view or take the Little Adam’s Peak hike.
Days 9-10 – Wildlife encounters in Yala
Next, you’ll drive towards Yala National Park stopping off en route at the Elephant Transit Home where injured babies and orphans are cared for. You’ll visit around feeding time and watch as the young elephants wait patiently at the gate and jostle for position for the first sip of milk. The driving time today is around 2.5 hours.
Elephants, monkeys, crocodiles and maybe even a leopard or black bear – this the part of Sri Lanka which the kids will be most excited about. Welcome to Yala National Park! You’ll spend the night sleeping in a safari tent on the edge of the park, with delicious freshly cooked food included and the noise of nature all around you. You’ll set off on a jeep safari with a local guide to seek out some of the country’s most famous residents. It’s an experience the whole family will remember forever.
Days 10-14 – Sand castles and sunsets
You’ll jump back into your private car and head West to the beach at Unawatuna, it’s about 4 hours drive. It’s time for you and your family to take some tropical time out and Unawatuna is just the place to end your adventure. You’ll stay in a cosy hotel close to the beach and with a pool for you all to take a splash in and cool off. Grab a good book and relax on the golden sands as you soak up the sun and the kids jump into the waves, make castles or snooze on the beach.
At the end of your trip we’ll arrange for a transfer to take you to Colombo airport, around 2 hours away for your international flight back home.
