DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: UK to Colombo
Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo to Negombo
On arrival into Colombo airport, you will be met by your private driver and transferred approx. 20mins to Negombo to spend your first night in Sri Lanka at Villa Hundira – enjoy views of the Negombo Lagoon as you settle in this afternoon. Take a dip in the pool, enjoy a delicious dish of Sri Lankan cuisine, or discover the ‘Thimble Workshop’ where the empowered local women handcraft the tapestries that decorate Villa Hundira! Welcome to Sri Lanka! 

Day 3: Negombo to Thalpe
Enjoy a visit to the local fish market this morning to experience the hustle and bustle of local fishermen bringing in their catch – a true flavour of local life to give you a feel of this wonderful country! Afterwards, you will continue on your journey approx. 2 hrs south to Thalpe, where you will spend the next 5 nights at JH Villa. This former Portuguese colonial estate, turned into a boutique villa in Galle, is nestled atop a picturesque hill, just a short five-minute stroll away from the captivating Indian Ocean, and delivering a personalized boutique hotel experience. Enjoy a dip in the pool this afternoon.

Days 4-7: Thalpe
You will have four full days to enjoy some family time by the beach – head out exploring in the morning and then spend your afternoons relaxing by the pool (or the beach!) You are in one of the best whale and dolphin watching regions in Sri Lanka, so you could head out on a catermaran trip – the perfect opportunity to make some life time memories. Talk to us about booking the catermaran trip into your itinerary to go dolphin watching! 

Tea is Sri Lanka’s most famous export, so you will also get to enjoy a visit to Virgin White Tea Factory. Learn about how the famous tea is plucked, and then made into one of the best teas in the world. Enjoy a tasting session and a slice of cake at the end!

You also have the chance to pay a visit to Galle Fort for a guided tour – wander down delightful lanes filled with boutique shops and eateries, admire colonial buildings, and head to the Old Dutch Hospital to enjoy a sundowner by the sea. This is also the perfect spot to pick up some souvenirs to take home with you! 

You will also get to enjoy a cycling tour of Rural Galle – child bikes and child seats are available, depending on how old the kids are. The ride takes you through the paddy fields, and is suitable for all ages as you stick to local paths and quiet lanes, and includes a stop halfway for a refreshing king coconut in an exclusive jungle garden! This is a great way to see the local area, and burn off some energy at the same time! 

Day 8: Thalpe to Yala National Park (via Udawalawe) 
This morning you will head to the outskirts of Udawalawe National Park for a visit to the Elephant Transit Home. This elephant home is a refuge for baby elephants, providing them with food, medical care, and rehabilitation until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild. Afterwards, continue on to the Udawalawe National Park to head out on an exciting private 4×4 jeep safari.

After a wildlife packed day you will continue to the outskirts of Yala National Park to spend 2 nights at Tribe Yala – a haven of natural splendor hidden among the forests of Yala, Tribe Yala is a jungle retreat where you will be pampered in luxury and surrounded by incredible wildlife. Settle in this afternoon!

Day 9: Udawalawe National Park
This morning you will head into Yala National Park for a private jeep safari. Home to one of the highest densities of leopard in the world, Yala offers a great opportunity to see this magnificent big cat! Following your safari you will return to Tribe Yala for a relaxing afternoon. There are activities on offer at the Lodge, such as nature walks, boat trips on Kandiya Lake, and excursions to explore the local villages. Want some more safari time before heading to the beach? Talk to us about adding in a night or two in Yala.

Day 10: Yala to Mawella Beach 
Today you will be driven approx. 1 1/2 hrs to the stunning south east coast of Sri Lanka to end your adventure with 6 nights on the beach at Halcyon Mawella! Settle into this gorgeous beach house or head straight out to the beach. Halcyon Mawella is located in the perfect place – you are close enough to the hubbub of many areas to dip into them, but not so close you will be disturbed by it all! 

Days 11-15: Mawella Beach
You will have five full days to enjoy some family beach time! Stretch the legs and feel the sand between your toes as you head out for a walk along the beach, hire a body-board to see if anyone can catch a wave in the Indian Ocean, or for a slice of culture, head to the ancient cave temples of Mulgirigala. Rekawa village isn’t far away, and it’s home to one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka – there is also a Conservation Project there that you can visit. Other places to explore in the area include Hummanaya Blow Hole (the second largest in the world), go beach hopping whilst you’re down by the coast, or Mawella Lagoon is nearby which is the perfect spot for a family kayaking expedition. 

Day 16: Mawella Beach to the UK
Early this morning you will be transferred approx. 3 hrs to Colombo International Airport to check in for your flight back to the UK. Welcome Home!