2 weeks in Sri Lanka with young kids
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival and transfer to Sigiriya
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, we’ll transfer you and your family directly to Sigiriya, in the heart of the island’s cultural triangle. It’s a journey of around 4 hours, but once you’re there you can unpack and relax whilst your kids splash in the pool. Your family-friendly hotel is close to the famous Sigiriya Rock and within easy reach of the ancient kingdoms of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura – it’s a great base from which to explore.
If you’d rather start with a shorter journey, we can arrange for you to spend a night in Negombo, close to the airport. Just let us know what works best for you.
Days 2 & 3 – Discover the Cultural Triangle
You’ll have two full days here – with your driver on hand – to explore Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.
Climbing to the top of Sigiriya Rock takes some effort, but it’s a fun walk past cheeky monkeys, ancient frescoes and Buddha images. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible jungle views. If you’d prefer something a little easier, nearby Pidurangala Rock is a great alternative. Most of the path is shaded, it’s shorter and there are fewer people. From the top you get a panoramic view of Sigiriya rising from the jungle.
Step back in time at the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, where you can explore a maze of crumbling temples and age-old ruins. We can arrange bikes for the whole family – with seats for young children too. It’s an easy way to cover more ground without too much walking, and kids love the sense of adventure. Let us know if this is of interest and we’ll book your bikes so they are ready for you.
Optional: elephant spotting in Minneriya National Park
If your family love elephants we can arrange a jeep safari into nearby Minneriya National Park. The park is home to large herds of wild elephants, which are easy to spot and observe, due to the wide, open landscape. Between the drier months of June and September in particular, hundreds of elephants can be seen gathering around the park’s lakes in search of water. Ask your Travel Specialist to add this into your travel plan.
The safari is great for children of all ages
Days 4 & 5 – Kandy’s cultural treasures
It’s time to move on and the next stop on your family holiday is nestled in Sri Lanka’s lush green ‘hill country’. It’s a 3 hour drive to the historical city of Kandy where you’ll be staying for the next two nights in a family friendly hotel with a pool, a short tuk tuk ride from town.
There is so much to discover here and your driver is on hand if you want to explore the local sites. We recommend visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places as it is houses a relic of the Buddha’s tooth. The temple is full of atmosphere – incense, ceremonies and daily rituals create a real sense of living history. During your stay we’ll arrange for you to attend an evening cultural show here. There is drumming, acrobatics, fire-eaters and even walking over hot coals to marvel at, which should amaze all ages!
The cultural show is great for children of all ages
Day 6 – Into the tea hills of Ella
It’s time to head into the hills. The journey from Kandy to Ella takes around four hours, winding through lush green countryside. Ella is a popular small town known for its breathtaking mountain views and endless rolling hills covered with tea plantations. You’ll be staying in a hotel in the hills with a pool – perfect for cooling off after a day’s exploring while the kids have a splash.
Days 7 & 8 – Explore by train & on foot
During your stay we’ll arrange a short train journey from Ella to Haputale. Grab a seat on the left-hand side for the best views, including Ravana Falls along the way. The one-hour ride through rolling tea fields is just long enough to give you a taste of Sri Lanka’s rail journeys, without being too much for the kids.
The rest of your time in Ella is yours to spend as you like. We recommend venturing out on foot to explore. You can take the small hike to Little Adam’s Peak. The walk can be quite hot and there are many steps, but it’s easy to do with children. You’ll determine your own pace but the walk will take around 2 hours with impressive views of tea fields and valleys on both sides. We’ll also arrange for you to take a packed lunch, so you can enjoy a picnic with a view.
These experiences are great for children of all ages
Days 9 – 12 – Beach time on the south coast
Time to hit the beach! Your family adventure is nearly at an end, but a few days by the sea are the perfect way to round things off. Your destination for the next four nights is the popular beach resort of Mirissa. You’ll be staying in a small-scale, family friendly hotel with easy access to the palm-fringed beach and places to eat. The sea here can be rough at times, but the hotel has a swimming pool and there’s plenty of space for the kids to play in the gardens. Time to crack open a coconut and relax!
Optional excursions in Mirissa
Between the months of November and April, Mirissa is one of the best spots in Sri Lanka to see whales. We can arrange a half-day boat trip with a small group, giving you a good chance of spotting these giants as they feed just off the coast. Keep an eye out for dolphins too.
For water babies we can also arrange snorkelling near Mirissa (between November and April). The seas around Mirissa are home to a variety of fish and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot a turtle.
If either of these excursions sound perfect for your family, ask your Travel Specialist to include them in your travel plan.
The whale watching trip and the snorkelling are suitable for children aged 7 years+
Day 13 – Time to head home
One final dip in the pool and then your driver will take you onto the next stop on your Sri Lanka family adventure. If you’d like to spend a little longer relaxing in Mirissa (who wouldn’t?!), ask your Travel Specialist to add an extra night or two to your travel plan.
Accommodation
