Sri Lanka Family Holiday
Tour Description
Day 1: Negombo
Naturally gorgeous, culturally captivating and steeped in mysticism, Sri Lanka makes for a wonderful introduction to the Indian subcontinent for both kids and adults. Embark on a 12-day family adventure and discover temples carved from cliffs, fortresses built on boulders and wildlife-rich parks. Expose your family to different ways of life while cycling through peaceful villages and touring working tea plantations. Search for the local wildlife when you go safari, looking out for wild elephants, deer and crocodiles, and chill out by the beach in Mirissa with the other families. Educational, active and leisurely paced, this trip is everything you could want in a family getaway.
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, the island offers travellers palm-studded beaches, rolling plantations and sacred sites steeped in spirituality. Your adventure begins in Negombo with a welcome meeting at 5 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and the other families travelling with you. If you arrive early, why not go out an explore at your own pace or book yourselves into the Urban Adventures day tour. After the meeting, maybe join your group for dinner and get to know the delicious local cuisine.
Day 2: Dambulla
Today you’ll officially start your adventure by heading to Dambulla – this town plays home to some of the world’s most spectacularly decorated cave temples. When you arrive, you can choose whether to join an optional excursion to the vegetable wholesale market – a labyrinth of shops and stalls that offers a look at the vast range of produce grown in Sri Lanka. Later, explore the Dambulla cave temples, where prehistoric Sri Lankans lived thousands of years ago and thousands of ancient murals and statues depicting the Buddha are on display.
Day 3: Dambulla
Today’s adventure takes you from Dambulla to Sigiriya – a colossal stone monument hosting a ruined fortress and an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site. Let the kids burn off some energy with a climb to the top of the enormous rock, checking out the murals and caves along the way. If the weather is playing alone, you should be able to take in sweeping views of the thick forests from the summit before descending. Once you return to Dambulla, take the family for a bike ride around the countryside. After a day full of activity everyone should be nice and tuckered out by the time night falls.
Day 4: Kandy
Say farewell to Dambulla this morning and drive to Kandy, often called the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. The hills surrounding the city, along with the lake in the centre, creates the perfect scenery for family phots, and the old shops and restaurants will keep you busy for hours. Spend the afternoon soaking in the rows of flowers and towering palm trees in the Royal Botanical Gardens – home to more than 4000 species of plants including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and various trees. After, continue to the Spice Gardens to learn about Sri Lankan spice plants and herbs.
Day 5: Kandy
This morning, visit Dalada Maligawa (the Temple of the Tooth), which houses the country’s most sacred relic – a tooth said to belong to the Gautama Buddha. Pilgrims have been coming to pay homage at this site since the 16th century and they still come in droves today, making it a fascinating place to teach kids about one of the world’s oldest religions still being widely practiced. This evening, join a local family for dinner and learn the steps to a traditional Kandayan dance during some lessons from local performers.
Day 6: Bandarawela
After breakfast, hit the road to Nuwara Eliya – a former hill station built entirely during the 19th century. The old world architecture reflects what you might expect to find in an English village and the town is a fascinating mix of water buffalo and brick Victorian buildings, golf courses and tea plantations. From here, you’ll all board a train to Bandarawela. Soak up the views across the hills and tea plantations from your accommodation this evening.
Day 7: Bandarawela
After a few busy days on the road, today will be at a slower pace. Bandarawela is a quiet hill town that exists to supply the needs of the tea plantation workers and their families. Another distinctive feature of Bandarawela is the preservation of the many old buildings, including the Bandarawela Hotel and the old supermarket. Enjoy a leisurely morning walk through the countryside, past tea workers plucking the tips of the plants and throwing them into the baskets on their backs, before settling in for a local home-cooked lunch. The afternoon is free for you to relax, go for another walk or explore at your own pace.
Day 8: Udawalawe
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll drive to Udawalawe National Park. This park has an amazing array of animal and birdlife, with more herds of wild elephants than anywhere else in Sri Lanka! Following lunch, hop in a jeep for a safari inside the park. Other wildlife regularly spotted here includes macaques and larger monkeys, spotted deer, crocodiles and sometimes even leopards. This is a real safari experience, nothing like a zoo or safari park. Check into the campsite at around 6 pm after a full day of adventure.
Day 9: Mirissa
After breakfast this morning it’s time to farewell the camp and head west towards the coast and the town of Galle Fort. The kids will be able to learn about the interesting history of the town and see the remains of the walled fortress – now one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. After lunch, they’ll love getting hands-on and making their very own kites to fly. Kite flying is a fun and popular pastime activity for local families and if you’re visiting in summer, you’re likely to see skies filled with colour along the coastline. After, it’s time to head to the chilled-out beach town of Mirissa, where you will spend the next 2 nights.
Day 10: Mirissa
Mirissa is one of the best spots in Sri Lanka and you and your family will enjoy a full free day to explore it your way. Wander around the scenic waterfront or consider gathering the family together to head to the nearby Weligama by tuk-tuk or bicycle to see colourful fishing boats bringing in the daily catch to sell along the shore. Enjoy some fresh fish for lunch and perhaps go for a splash in the clear waters of the Laccadive Sea or relax on the sandy beaches.
Day 11: Colombo
Check out of the hotel and head towards Colombo. When you arrive, take a bit of time to wander through the bazaar and take in the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling market. After, enjoy a bit of free time. You’re in the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, so there’s more than enough things to occupy the whole family. The waterfront is full of life and makes for an excellent starting point. Regroup in the afternoon and head to Galle Face Green – five hectares of ocean-side park bliss – with your fellow families.
Day 12: Colombo
Your Sri Lankan family holiday ends this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned for today and you can depart the hotel at any time after check out at 12 pm. If you are departing later in the day, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel. IF you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2025 | Jan 1, 2026 | $3,130.00 | |
| Dec 23, 2025 | Jan 3, 2026 | $3,100.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2025 | Jan 8, 2026 | $3,795.00 | |
| Dec 30, 2025 | Jan 10, 2026 | $3,740.00 | |
| Jan 2, 2026 | Jan 13, 2026 | $3,545.00 | |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Jan 17, 2026 | $3,770.00 | |
| Jan 9, 2026 | Jan 20, 2026 | $3,325.00 | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Apr 8, 2026 | $3,450.00 | |
| Mar 29, 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 | $3,290.00 | |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Apr 11, 2026 | $3,290.00 | |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Apr 12, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Apr 13, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Apr 14, 2026 | $3,340.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 | $3,340.00 | |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Apr 16, 2026 | $3,340.00 | |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Apr 18, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Apr 19, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Apr 21, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Jul 8, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jun 28, 2026 | Jul 9, 2026 | $3,500.00 | |
| Jun 30, 2026 | Jul 11, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Jul 13, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 4, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 6, 2026 | Jul 17, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Jul 18, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 9, 2026 | Jul 20, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Aug 2, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Aug 5, 2026 | $3,325.00 | |
| Aug 1, 2026 | Aug 12, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Aug 4, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Aug 8, 2026 | Aug 19, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Aug 11, 2026 | Aug 22, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Aug 26, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Sep 22, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | $3,325.00 | |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Dec 23, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Dec 20, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | $3,285.00 | |
| Dec 22, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | $3,415.00 | |
| Dec 27, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | $3,415.00 | |
| Dec 29, 2026 | Jan 9, 2027 | $3,415.00 | |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 12, 2027 | $3,585.00 | |
| Jan 5, 2027 | Jan 16, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jan 8, 2027 | Jan 19, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 7, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Mar 28, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Mar 30, 2027 | Apr 10, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Mar 31, 2027 | Apr 11, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 1, 2027 | Apr 12, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 2, 2027 | Apr 13, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 3, 2027 | Apr 14, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 4, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 6, 2027 | Apr 17, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 7, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Apr 9, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jun 26, 2027 | Jul 7, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jun 27, 2027 | Jul 8, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jun 29, 2027 | Jul 10, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 1, 2027 | Jul 12, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 3, 2027 | Jul 14, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 5, 2027 | Jul 16, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 6, 2027 | Jul 17, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 8, 2027 | Jul 19, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 21, 2027 | Aug 1, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 24, 2027 | Aug 4, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Jul 31, 2027 | Aug 11, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Aug 3, 2027 | Aug 14, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Aug 7, 2027 | Aug 18, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Aug 10, 2027 | Aug 21, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Aug 25, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Sep 18, 2027 | Sep 29, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Sep 21, 2027 | Oct 2, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Sep 24, 2027 | Oct 5, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Sep 30, 2027 | Oct 11, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Dec 11, 2027 | Dec 22, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Dec 17, 2027 | Dec 28, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Dec 19, 2027 | Dec 30, 2027 | $3,450.00 | |
| Dec 21, 2027 | Jan 1, 2028 | $3,585.00 | |
| Dec 26, 2027 | Jan 6, 2028 | $3,585.00 | |
| Dec 28, 2027 | Jan 8, 2028 | $3,585.00 |