Enjoy everything this country has to offer, as you stay in a range of incredible, luxury properties along the way!

This family holiday plan will take you to some of the highlights of this incredible country, whilst offering plenty of down time and staying in some truly beautiful properties along the way. Visit local villages for a taste of life in Sri Lanka, enjoy dishes from this fantastic cuisine, hike the famous Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, also known as the ‘Fortress of the Sky’, head out on safari in Minneriya National Park for sightings of the incredible elephants, enjoy some quality family time relaxing on the beautiful Kalkudah beach, before heading to Kandy and Negombo for a slice of Sri Lankan culture before you head home.

3 Nights Kandanagedara - 3 Nights Sigiriya – 5 Nights Kalkudah – 3 Nights Kandy – 1 Night Negombo

A team of real experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Sri Lanka holiday today.

Jo IND kerela beach
"I’ve canoed the Lower Zambezi, wild camped in the Okavango Delta, and driven from the UK to Cape Town. I love getting under the skin of a place and its landscapes, wildlife, and culture."
Jo Shuttleworth, Director
view of Sigiriya rock over a wetland grassland in the distance

Hike to Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Ascend the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress for breathtaking panoramic views and to explore ancient frescoes.

Kids watching Sri Lankan elephants at riverbed drinking water

Private Safari in Minneriya National Park

Embark on a thrilling private safari to witness the majestic elephants and diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.

beach view from Karpaha Sands

Relaxation at Karpaha Sands

Unwind on the stunning shores of Kalkudah, enjoying pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and a private beach cinema under the stars.

Kandy white temple with a red elephant masque standing in front of it

Explore the Temple of the Tooth

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site in Kandy, home to the sacred relic of the tooth of Buddha and immerse yourself in local culture.

traditional food at Karpaha Sands

Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class

Learn to prepare authentic Sri Lankan dishes and bring the vibrant flavors of the island back home with you.

Sri Lanka is a truly amazing country. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious. We enjoyed all the experiences we had.

Angie Newman, Sri Lanka

We have just returned from a holiday in Sri Lanka. It was the best holiday that we have ever had… The itinerary was well thought out and we had a good mixture of culture, wildlife and experience of the lovely country and people. I congratulate Sundowners and their in country partners who arranged a superb holiday.

Clive Newell, Sri Lanka

It was the holiday of a lifetime! Our trip to Sri Lanka was totally effort free allowing us to experience the best of this amazing country and exceptionally friendly people.

Karen Farnfield, Sri Lanka

Our experience with Lucy and the Sundowner team in Sri Lanka was nothing short of exceptional. Their meticulous attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our trip catered perfectly to our family's needs, making our visit truly memorable.

Sobana, Sri Lanka

From the most amazing food and walking tour in Galle Fort, to glamping and safari in Yala, to a treetop jungle hideaway, waterfall swimming and train through the tea hills in Ella, to climbing Monkey Mountain in Gal Oya, to a Sri Lankan cookery class, private cinema for 2 under the stars and helping local fishermen bring in their catch at a pristine beach on the east coast, we can honestly say we truly experienced Sri Lanka and completely fell in love with it.

Victoria, Sri Lanka
Read more reviews on Trustpilot

Tour itinerary

Days 1 & 2 :

Fly overnight to Sri Lanka, , relax and settle into the estate!

Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

On arrival into Colombo airport, you will be met and transferred approx. 1 1/2 hrs into the countryside, where you will head to the beautiful Horathapola Estate for 3 nights. Enjoy staying in a room with touches of modern luxury and colonial architecture as you settle in to your new surroundings.

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

 

 

Horathapola Estate aerial view
Days 3 & 4:

Head out on bikes for an adventure fix and enjoy a walk around the local village

You will have two full days at leisure – you could relax by the pool, or there are activities available if you want to get out and explore! Head out on bikes for the active members of the family to burn off some energy and enjoy a walk around the local village. Or, Sri Lankan cuisine is fantastic, so you could join in with a traditional cooking experience. Learn how to make a famous Sri Lankan dish so that you can cook it at home!

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

a lady cycling in Sri lankan countryside with a dog running next to her at Ellerton Sri Lanka
Day 5 :

Goodbye Kandanagedara, hello to Sigiriya

This morning you will be collected to head to the UNESCO Dambulla Cave Temples. Offering a brilliant insight into Buddhism, the Caves are cut out of an enormous granite outcrop that rises more than 160m above the surrounding countryside – offering majestic views across the plains as far as Sigiriya. After your visit, you will then head to the Cultural Triangle for 3 nights. You will stay at the beautiful Water Garden Sigiriya where luxury meets nature, surrounded by lakes and water streams. Enjoy spending the rest of the day at this stunning new location!

individual bungalows with two floors and top to ceiling windows overlooking rice paddies in sri lanka
Day 6:

Hiking the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Enjoy breakfast this morning before your driver will collect you for a guided hike of the iconic UNESCO Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. A hike of this fascinating ‘Fortress in the Sky’ awaits – enjoy the stunning scenery once you reach the top! After your hike, head back to the hotel for an afternoon at your leisure. There are games the kids can play, such as croquet and a variety of board games, or you could even have a go at Archery!

Want some more time in Sigiriya? Contact us to extend your stay here.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

view from the top of the Sigiriya6 Rock in SRi Lanka overlooking the scenery
Day 7:

Enjoy a private safari in Minneriya National Park – look out for elephants!

Today you will have a free morning to enjoy more time by the pool or some family game time. You will then be collected this afternoon and taken on a private safari in Minneriya National Park – the Park is home to a huge range of wildlife, including monkeys, spotted deer and macaques, but it is most famous for elephants! Watch the elephants play and drink – a real sundowner moment and a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

a girl looking at elephants from jeep in Yala National Park
Day 8:

Explore ancient Polonnaruwa's ruins before heading off to the coast!

After breakfast, your driver will collect you for your guided Polonnaruwa tour. Although nearly 1,000 years old, the hundreds of ancient monuments, tombs, temples and stupas are arranged in a reasonably compact area. You will then continue on approx. 1 1/2 hrs to the east coast where you will head to Karpaha Sands for 5 nights by one of Sri Lanka’s most stunning beaches.

monkey sitting Polonnaruwa Ruins in Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka
Days 9 - 12:

Beach Time - dipping in the pool, tasting locally-caught fresh seafood, and water sports!

You will have 4 full days to relax and enjoy this beautiful area! With endless fine sand, a beautifully curved bay and turquoise waters, you can unwind under an ocean of swaying palm trees. Enjoy dipping in the pool, tasting locally-caught fresh seafood, treating yourself to a treatment in the spa and having a Sundowner listening to the sounds of the ocean! You could spend a morning or a late afternoon out on the water on kayaks or SUP paddle boards (available through your hotel), enjoy riding a horse on the beach, or grab some bicycles and head out exploring as a family. For a truly unique experience, Karapaha Sands offers a private beach cinema, so that you can enjoy a film screening under the stars with your feet buried in the sand.

Or if you fancy heading out and exploring but not sure how far you’d get on two wheels, your driver is available to you – Pasikuda Bay isn’t far away if you want a different beach. Family time spent together in true paradise!

 

Thinking of cutting your time on the beach to add in a stop? Talk to us about adding in another location.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

private tent on the beach Karpaha Sands
Day 13 :

Head from the beach to Kandy

You will be collected early this morning and transferred approx. 6 hours (stopping for lunch and sightseeing en-route) to Villa Rosa where you will spend your next 3 nights. Settle in this afternoon – perhaps you could enjoy a sundowner as you take in the surrounding views of the spectacular tea-wrapped hills, or grab your towel and head to the pool.

Outdoor dining table set for dinner on a terrace overlooking misty mountains at sunset, with wicker chairs under a dark umbrella and lush tropical forest in the background
Days 14 & 15:

Explore Kandy and the surrounding area

Two full days to enjoy this stunning area. You could ask your driver to take you to the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth, or head to the Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens for a peaceful walk through an avenue of palms and a fine collection of orchids. Enjoy a street food tour to sample some more of this amazing cuisine, or a guided tea factory tour to learn more about how tea is made and to taste some of the tea varieties. For the adrenaline seekers in the family, there is the chance to go white water rafting, or hike up Adam’s Peak. You could even enjoy a late-night wilderness walk for a chance to spot some of the local wildlife, such as porcupines, fishing cats or possibly a leopard!

group of people in a blue raft, rafting on a river at kitulgala eco-lodge Sri Lanka
Day 16 & 17 :

Farewell Kandy, hello to Negombo – savour your last day before heading home!

Today you will be collected by your driver and driven approx. 3 1/2 hours to Negombo. On arrival, you will enjoy your last night in Sri Lanka at the Wallawwa – set in 200-year old gardens, this is the perfect spot to relax before you make the journey home. If you want to see some more of Sri Lanka on your last night, then you could head out to explore Negombo and soak up the local life, or you could enjoy a last swim or spa treatment at the hotel.

On your final morning you will be transferred approx. 2 hrs to Colombo International Airport to check in for your flight back to the UK.

Welcome home!

large bedroom opening into the garden at Wallawwa
wildebeest

Talk to us about your perfect trip to Sri Lanka

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Sri Lanka Holiday today.

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