Sri Lanka Family Adventure
Package 14 Special Interest Tours 10 Nights / 11 Days

Sri Lanka Family Adventure

Easy hikes, safaris, train rides and beach days at a pace kids love, with pool time built in.

See the day-by-day plan
Duration
10 Nights / 11 Days
Best for
Travellers from Australia
Pace
Moderate (kid-friendly)
Best time to travel
Dec – Jan and April school holidays (Nov – Apr)
Starts & ends
Bandaranaike International Airport

The journey at a glance

Overview

Eleven days of family adventure with short drives, pool breaks and easy hikes: a rock fortress, village rides, tea country, the famous train, a jeep safari and beach days in Mirissa.

  1. Negombo1 night
  2. Sigiriya2 nights
  3. Kandy2 nights
  4. Nuwara Eliya1 night
  5. Ella1 night
  6. Yala1 night
  7. Mirissa2 nights
  8. DepartFly home

Who this journey suits

Easy hikes, safaris, trains and beaches at a kid-friendly pace, timed for Australian school holidays (best Dec–Jan).

Tour highlights

  • Pinnawala Open Zoo
  • Climbing Sigiriya Rock Fortress with the kids
  • Bullock-cart ride, catamaran and village lunch
  • Kandyan dance and the Temple of the Tooth
  • Tea factory visit and Gregory Lake
  • Scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella
  • Little Adam's Peak (easy hike) and Nine Arch Bridge
  • Yala jeep safari, Mirissa beach days and optional whale watching
  • Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home: orphaned calves at feeding time

11 days, paced for real travel

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Arrive BIA → Negombo
    Negombo

    Day 1: Day 1

    Arrive BIA → Negombo

    Travel
    ~30 min
    Free time
    Whole afternoon
    Overnight
    Negombo
    • MorningWarm welcome at the airport and a short drive to Negombo.
    • AfternoonRelax after the flight by the beach or hotel pool.
    • EveningEarly family dinner.

    Sample hotels: Jetwing Beach · Heritance Negombo (or similar)

  2. Negombo → Pinnawala → Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 2: Day 2

    Negombo → Pinnawala → Sigiriya

    Travel
    ~2 hrs + ~3 hrs drive
    Free time
    Short (pool time on arrival)
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningPinnawala Open Zoo. Optional Elephant Orphanage.
    • AfternoonDrive to Sigiriya in the Cultural Triangle.
    • EveningOptional Pidurangala sunset climb, or pool time.

    Sample hotels: Aliya Resort & Spa · Habarana Village by Cinnamon (or similar)

  3. Sigiriya
    Sigiriya

    Day 3: Day 3

    Sigiriya

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Midday pool break
    Overnight
    Sigiriya
    • MorningEarly climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
    • AfternoonBullock-cart ride, catamaran ride and village lunch.
    • EveningOptional Ayurvedic head massage for the grown-ups.

    Sample hotels: Aliya Resort & Spa · Habarana Village by Cinnamon (same hotel)

  4. Sigiriya → Kandy
    Kandy

    Day 4: Day 4

    Sigiriya → Kandy

    Travel
    ~3 hrs with stops
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Kandy
    • MorningShort visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple (colourful Buddha statues, manageable walk).
    • AfternoonMatale spice garden, then check in at Kandy.
    • EveningKandyan dance performance.

    Sample hotels: Cinnamon Citadel · Earl's Regency (or similar)

  5. Kandy
    Kandy

    Day 5: Day 5

    Kandy

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Afternoon
    Overnight
    Kandy
    • MorningPeradeniya Botanical Gardens.
    • AfternoonWalk around Kandy Lake.
    • EveningShort visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

    Sample hotels: Cinnamon Citadel · Earl's Regency (same hotel)

  6. Kandy → Nuwara Eliya
    Nuwara Eliya

    Day 6: Day 6

    Kandy → Nuwara Eliya

    Travel
    ~3 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late afternoon
    Overnight
    Nuwara Eliya
    • MorningTea-country drive with a stop at Ramboda Falls.
    • AfternoonVisit a tea factory.
    • EveningExplore Gregory Lake.

    Sample hotels: Araliya Green Hills · The Grand Hotel (or similar)

  7. Nanu Oya → Ella (train)
    Ella

    Day 7: Day 7

    Nanu Oya → Ella (train)

    Travel
    ~3 hrs train
    Free time
    Evening
    Overnight
    Ella
    • MorningBoard the scenic train at Nanu Oya.
    • AfternoonNine Arch Bridge and Little Adam's Peak (easy hike).
    • EveningRelax at a lodge with mountain views.

    Sample hotels: 98 Acres Resort & Spa · Newburgh Ella (or similar)

  8. Ella → Udawalawe → Yala
    Yala

    Day 8: Day 8

    Ella → Udawalawe → Yala

    Travel
    ~2.5 hrs + ~2 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late afternoon pool time
    Overnight
    Yala
    • MorningDrive south to Udawalawe for the noon feeding at the Elephant Transit Home. Kids love watching the orphaned calves race in for their milk.
    • AfternoonContinue to Yala and relax at the lodge pool.
    • EveningOvernight near Yala National Park.

    Sample hotels: Cinnamon Wild Yala · Jetwing Yala (or similar)

  9. Yala → Mirissa
    Mirissa

    Day 9: Day 9

    Yala → Mirissa

    Travel
    ~2.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Late afternoon
    Overnight
    Mirissa
    • MorningMorning jeep safari: elephants, buffaloes, crocs and maybe a leopard!
    • AfternoonAfter lunch, drive to Mirissa Beach.
    • EveningBeach time.

    Sample hotels: Mandara Resort · Weligama Bay Marriott (or similar)

  10. Mirissa
    Mirissa

    Day 10: Day 10

    Mirissa

    Travel
    Local only
    Free time
    Full day
    Overnight
    Mirissa
    • MorningOptional whale watching cruise (Nov–Apr).
    • AfternoonChill beach day, or a trip to Galle Fort (colonial charm, ice cream, lighthouse).
    • EveningEvening at leisure.

    Sample hotels: Mandara Resort · Weligama Bay Marriott (same hotel)

  11. Mirissa → BIA → Depart
    Departure day

    Day 11: Day 11

    Mirissa → BIA → Depart

    Travel
    ~3–3.5 hrs drive
    Free time
    Morning
    Overnight
    Departure
    • MorningBreakfast at leisure.
    • AfternoonOptional short stop at the Kosgoda turtle hatchery, then the Southern Expressway.
    • EveningTransfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure.

    No overnight: departure day

Chosen for character and comfort

Hotels at a glance

LocationNightsDaysSample hotels (or similar)
Negombo1Day 01Jetwing Beach · Heritance Negombo
Sigiriya2Days 02–03Aliya Resort & Spa · Habarana Village by Cinnamon
Kandy2Days 04–05Cinnamon Citadel · Earl's Regency
Nuwara Eliya1Day 06Araliya Green Hills · The Grand Hotel
Ella1Day 0798 Acres Resort & Spa · Newburgh Ella
Yala1Day 08Cinnamon Wild Yala · Jetwing Yala
Mirissa2Days 09–10Mandara Resort · Weligama Bay Marriott
Total1010 nights / 11 days

Hotels are samples of the style and level. Final hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability.

What's included

Included

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole journey
  • English-speaking chauffeur guide (other languages on request)
  • Accommodation as listed, or similar, with daily breakfast
  • Airport meet & greet and private transfers
  • Fuel, parking, highway tolls and your guide's meals and lodging
  • Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
  • Hotel taxes and service charges
  • 24/7 local support throughout your journey

Not included

  • International flights
  • Sri Lanka visa / Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Entrance tickets, safari jeeps and train tickets, unless your quote includes them
  • Lunches, dinners and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Camera and video permits at some sites
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, early check-in, late check-out and personal expenses

Good to know

  • Yala usually closes for part of Sept–Oct (Australian spring school holidays). Use Udawalawe then.
  • Day 02 is a long first day; keep the Pidurangala climb optional for younger children.
  • Day 08 stops at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home for the noon feeding, which adds about 2 hours to the drive to Yala.
  • Reserved and observation seats on the hill-country train sell out. Book as soon as dates are confirmed.
  • Temple visits: shoulders and knees covered; shoes and hats off at shrines.
  • Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and photo stops.
  • Hotels are samples of the style and level. Final hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability.

Day tours on this route

Each of these days is also available on its own.

Dambulla and Sigiriya Day TourGalle Fort and Southern Coast Heritage TourNegombo Lagoon, Canal and Fishing Village TourYala National Park Day TourMadu River Safari and Turtle ConservationKandy TourWhale and Dolphin Watching in MirissaElla Highlights Day Tour

You may also like

More journeys

All Round Tours
Ceylon Flavours, Tea & Living Heritage Special Interest 13 10 Nights / 11 Days

Ceylon Flavours, Tea & Living Heritage

Negombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Hatton · Ella · Galle

Sri Lanka through its kitchens, spice gardens and tea estates, with cooking classes, artisans and a night in a planter's bungalow.

Price on requestModerate pace
Ceylon North Coast Discovery Special Interest 15 6 Nights / 7 Days

Ceylon North Coast Discovery

Chilaw · Mannar · Jaffna · Anuradhapura

A pilgrimage to the great Hindu temples of the north, with Tamil culture, Jaffna cuisine and a ferry to Nainativu island.

Price on requestModerate pace
Lanka Legacy Luxe Premium 01 11 Nights / 12 Days

Lanka Legacy Luxe

Colombo · Sigiriya · Kandy · Nuwara Eliya · Ella · Galle

Colonial Colombo, ancient kingdoms, slow tea-country days and two nights in Galle Fort, all in boutique stays. A classic loop of Sri Lanka at an elegant pace.

Price on requestModerate pace

10N / 11D · Price on requestSpecial Interest Tours

Chat with us