Explore the highlights of this incredible country, go wildlife spotting on safari, wander through tea plantations and relax on the beach!

A captivating family adventure in Sri Lanka, beginning with the stunning landscapes of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, where you’ll explore ancient ruins and go on a thrilling elephant safari. Continue your journey through the lush tea country of Ella, experiencing scenic train rides and outdoor activities, before heading to Yala National Park for unforgettable wildlife encounters. Finally, unwind on the beautiful beaches of Tangalle and Galle, enjoying whale watching, cultural explorations, and relaxing moments by the sea.

3 Nights Sigiriya – 2 Nights Kandy – 2 Nights Tea Hills – 2 Nights Yala – 3 Nights Tangalle – 2 Nights Galle Fort

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

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

Rhianna IND Bromo
"Scooting across remote islands, hiking mountain summits, spotting Komodo dragons and diving into coral seas, I’m always chasing wild and authentic experiences."
Rhianna, Projects Co-ordinator & Operations
Polonnaruwa Ruins in Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka

Explore the ancient capital

Cycle through the UNESCO-listed city of Polonnaruwa, discovering its rich history and impressive Buddha statues.

view of Sigiriya rock over a wetland grassland in the distance

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Hike to the top of this iconic UNESCO site for breathtaking views and a glimpse into ancient Sri Lankan architecture.

a girl looking at elephants from jeep in Yala National Park

Private safari in Yala National Park

Experience an exhilarating jeep safari in one of the world's top wildlife parks, home to leopards, elephants, and diverse ecosystems.

whale jumping in the ocean - whale watching in Sri Lanka

Whale watching adventure

Enjoy a catamaran trip off the coast of Tangalle, searching for majestic whales and playful dolphins in their natural habitat..

baby turtles in the sand at Rekawa beach in Sri Lanka

Turtle conservation experience

Visit the turtle conservation project at Rekawa Beach to learn about efforts to protect these magnificent creatures and witness nesting activities.

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

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

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 from the UK to Colombo and start relaxing by the pool with views of Sigiriya Rock

Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

On arrival you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred approx. 3 1/2 hrs to Sigiriya to spend 3 nights in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle at Roo Mansala. Relax by the pool after your journey and enjoy views of the Sigiriya Rock as you settle in to this incredible country.

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Pool tucked in the green area wtih loungers at Roo Mansala
Day 3:

Cycling through the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and spotting elephants in Minneriya

This morning you will be driven approx. 90 mins to the UNESCO capital of Polonnaruwa to enjoy a cycling tour of the ancient capital. Keep an eye out for all of the different Buddha statues as you cycle around! Next, you’ll stop for lunch and a well earned rest, before you head off for your exciting safari in Minneriya National Park. As well as a wide range of animals, Minneriya National Park is most famous for elephants – July is the best time to go to catch the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

Polonnaruwa Ruins in Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka
Day 4:

Hiking to the top of the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Today you’ll enjoy an early breakfast before you are collected by your driver and taken to the UNESCO Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Burn off your delicious breakfast with a hike to the top – an incredible view of the surrounding scenery awaits! Head back to Roo Mansala this afternoon to enjoy some down time by the pool after your hike today.

Sigiriya Rock view
Day 5:

Discover the rich culture of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill capital

Today you will be driven approx. 2 1/2 hours to Kandy, where for the next 2 nights you will stay at Villa Rosa. This is a real Sundowner favourite, with stylish rooms and one of the best views in Kandy! The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax by the pool or explore under your own steam. You could take part in cooking classes at Villa Rosa so you can recreate a Sri Lankan dish at home, or if you want to get out and explore, the hotel can help you to arrange market tours and hikes.

The next day you will enjoy a visit to the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth and Royal Palace today. The Buddhist Temple is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, and the Temple is a great part of Sri Lankan culture. For the foodies in the family, you could also head out on a street food tour, or take in the sights of the city on an Old Kandy walking tour.

Like the sound of the food tour? Talk to us about making sure you get this booked into your trip!

Kandy white temple with a red elephant masque standing in front of it
Day 7:

Enjoy a scenic train ride through lush tea plantations

This morning you will be transferred to the train station to board your train for a scenic journey to Ella through dramatic scenery up into the tea plantations. On arrival, you will spend 2 nights at the elegant 98 Acres, surrounded by a beautiful landscape, you’ll experience true serenity. Spend the rest of the day enjoying this part of Sri Lanka – take a tour of the 98 Acres tea estate and enjoy a tea tasting session, hire bikes to explore the area on two wheels, or enjoy an archery lesson – a fun activity for the kids to try!

aerial view of a stunning property with a pool located in the tea hills of Sri Lanka surrounded by wilderness
Day 8:

Climb Little Adam’s Peak for stunning panoramic views

A full day to enjoy this beautiful region of Sri Lanka! Rise early for a morning climb of Little Adam’s Peak – it is over 1,000 metres tall, but has a fairly easy route to the top (taking approx. 2-3 hours up and down). For the adventurous members of the family, there is a thrilling Flying Ravana Zip Line to enjoy. This exciting experience offers a bird’s eye view of the beautiful hills as you fly over iconic tea estates.

 

two men zilining over a valley
Day 9:

Experience the thrill of a private safari in Yala

You’ll be collected by your driver this morning and head approx. 3 1/2 hours to the border of Yala National Park where you will spend 2 nights on safari at Cinnamon Wild – enjoy spectacular views from your chalet and you might get lucky enough to catch an elephant drinking from the pool! This afternoon you will head out into Yala National Park for your first private safari – home to a variety of environments, Yala National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Sri Lanka and has a diverse range of animals to spot!

a girl looking at elephants from jeep in Yala National Park
Days 10 :

Spot wildlife during a full day of safari adventures

A day of private safari awaits – keep an eye out for elephants, monkeys and maybe even a leopard! After a busy day wildlife spotting, you’ll head back to Cinnamon Wild to rest and enjoy a dip in the pool.

Want to visit an elephant orphanage? Call us to discuss adding this into your stay in Yala.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

pool surrounded by lush green forest at Cinnamon Wild Yala
Day 11:

Say farewell to Yala, hello, to the tranquil beaches of Tangalle

This morning you will be driven approx. 1 1/2 hours along the coast to Tangalle where you will spend the next 3 nights relaxing on the beach at Buckingham Place – this unique beachside property offers stylish accommodation and spectacular views as far as the eye can see!

You’ll have two full days to enjoy some time on the beach as a family. The breathtaking Rekawa Beach is just a short stroll away from the hotel – whilst sea bathing is not advised, a nearby rock pool and safer beaches are easily accessible! Rekawa Beach also has a great turtle conservation project to learn more about turtle conservation in Sri Lanka. Do the kids want to see some more wildlife?

Talk to us about adding in day trips from Buckingham Place, including trips to Udawalawe National Park and Bundala Reserve.

surfing at Buckingham Place Hotel & Spa
Day 14 :

Go whale watching before exploring historic Galle Fort

Early this morning you will head out on a whale-watching catamaran trip. A light breakfast will be served on the boat as you search for whales and dolphins – an incredible way to make memories as a family! Later, you will be taken to spend your last 2 nights in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Galle at the elegant Yara Galle Fort. This is a great base for exploring the city if you want to head out this evening, or stay in and rest after your busy day.

Whale watching in Sri Lanka with 3 tails splashing the ocean
Day 15 & 49:

Head to Galle Fort, the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Head Home.

Today you’ll head out with your driver for a walking tour of the city. Head to Galle Fort, the city’s centrepiece and a hive of activity with a bustling population. If the kids are keen to take something home with them from Sri Lanka, then you could also go souvenir shopping – soak up the atmosphere of the market as you look around!

The following day you will be transferred approx. 2 hrs to Colombo airport for your flight back to the UK.

Welcome Home!

white lighthouse at Galle Forth, Sri Lanka
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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