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Sri Lanka is a perfect island for parents seeking a little adventure with their children.

You can visit tea country, striking beaches and historic towns with only short drives between them, and there is a wide choice of calm bays ideal for novice snorkellers.

This itinerary focuses on the wildlife and will take you to hotspots for turtles, elephants and whales and includes an authentic safari as well – which can be removed for very young children who might not have the patience for it. It also offers lots of opportunities for the whole family to get a taste of Sri Lankan culture and history.

This tour has been carefully designed to ensure a well paced holiday and only short car journeys. We can tailor the tour to suit you and your family so get in touch with our Sri Lanka specialists Carly and Steffi at srilanka@fleewinter.com  or by calling 0207 112 0019 to discuss.

For more inspiration, take a look at our other Toddler Tour of Sri Lanka for an alternative ten day tour visiting the cultural city of Kandy and staying on a working tea estate!

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Sri Lanka

Land at Colombo International Airport where you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to Wattura Resort & Spa. Just 45 minutes from the airport this  hotel is an oasis, sandwiched between the ocean and the Gin Oya river. Settle in to your 2 storey villa with private garden and plunge pool set just back from the beach, and relax after your flight.

 

About Wattura Resort & Spa

Day 2 - Safari

Have a gentle start to the day, and head off for the afternoon safari to Wilpattu National Park, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. You can hope to see crocodiles, countless birds, elephants as well as being in with a chance to see the more elusive sloth bear and leopards. The safaris allow an unhurried opportunity to view the animals in their natural habitat.

For younger children, a shorter trip to one of the closer elephant protection projects would be a good alternative.

Day 3 - Day at leisure

Enjoy the beach, the main pool and the separate children’s water park and games room today.

Your villa butler will be able to help you plan any local excursions and provide food service in the villa if you would like.

Day 4 - Move to the south coast

Transfer to your new home on the south coast today, stopping in Bentota to break the journey, have some lunch – and you could even head out for some watersports. Bentota is the best spot for watersports in Sri Lanka, and a glass-bottomed boat trip is a great way to spot sea turtles.

From Bentota, you could ride the scenic rail for around 1 hour into Galle and your driver will follow with your luggage and collect you at the other end.

Arrive in time for dinner in the garden at Why House, your home for the rest of the holiday.

About Why House

Day 5 - Enjoy the South Coast

Why House is a tranquil, family-friendly hideaway and just a short distance from the beach. A pair of small friendly dogs live here.

There is a large pool and dining area clustered around the main house with other rooms nestled around the garden. You have the option to sit out in the evening while the children sleep.

Day 6 - Daytrip to Galle

Journey into Galle today to visit the UNESCO Heritage protected fort town.

Enjoy lunch at one of the historic hotels such as Galle Fort Hotel and take a guided or self guided walk of the key sights including the famous lighthouse.

Day 7 - Koggala Lake, Cinnamon Plantation & Birdwatching

Visit Koggala Lake today and take a boat safari to see the birds and have lunch on the island in the middle. There is also a temple you can visit here and an interesting cinnamon plantation you can tour.

Day 8 - Turtle Hatchery and Tea plantation

Have a restful day today with a short trip out to the nearby turtle hatchery and hospital.

You could also or alternatively visit a tea plantation and learn about the fascinating process that takes tea leaves from bush to cup. Sri Lanka remains one of the largest exporters of tea in the world despite the relatively small size of the island.

 

Day 9 - Whale watching tour

Head along the coast today to see the famous stilt fishermen and then hop on a group or private whale watching tour. This is available December – April.

Day 10 - Beach day

Head to the beach today for snorkelling and a calm last day in Sri Lanka before you head home tomorrow.

What's included?

All prices correct at the time of writing and based on a family of four (2 adults and 2 children under 16 years) sharing a 2 bedroom family room/villa. The price excludes peak season (15th Dec – 10th Jan). Please call us or email us at srilanka@fleewinter.com to discuss prices for your exact dates and occupancy requirements.

Please remember this is a sample itinerary and we are happy to modify it to suit your plans. We can add or remove days and look at different places to stay.

Price includes:

  • 3 Nights Accommodation at Wattura Resort & Spa on a bed and breakfast basis in a private beachfront villa with pool.
  • 7 Nights Accommodation at Why House on a bed and breakfast basis in one of the suitable sets of 2 bedroom family rooms.
  • Road transfers and transport for the excursions mentioned, excluding your time on the coast
  • 1/2 day Safari

Price excludes:

  • International Flights.
  • Visas (at time of writing these are free of charge from Sri Lankan Government)
  • Entrances fees to the points of interest eg turtle hatchery (must be paid on the day)
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned above.
  • Gratuities for drivers or guides.
  • Whale watching tour (can be pre booked)
  • Personal allowances.
 Make a booking
Colombo
There is only one word to describe Colombo and that is hectic! It can be fun with a handful of good shops and restaurants to explore but we wouldn't overly recommend it as the first point of call for newcomers to Sri Lanka. It isn't a must see. More
Kandy
Kandy is 3 hours from Colombo and the religious heartland of Sri Lanka. It was made a world heritage site in 1988. The city's main attraction is the Temple of the Tooth, home to Sri Lanka 's most precious Buddhist relic which becomes the focus of a fortnight long festival known as the Perahera each July. Other points of interest include the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Royal Botanical Gardens and the Commonwealth Cemetery. More
Negombo
Originally a fishing town the long beaches of Negombo are nowadays dominated by tourists who like the short transfer times from Colombo International Airport. With a few good hotels, Negombo is a popular jumping off point for visitors but it is by far the most touristy town in Sri Lanka and so may not appeal to everyone. More
Bentota
Bentota is just 2 hours from the airport and as such has a good range of facilities such as watersports and local restaurants. There are a number of larger hotels along the main beach, but your likely to have the smaller beaches to yourself. The area is ideal for families with elephant rides on the beach, banana rides year round and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery nearby. More
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is traditionally a surfer town and so has a number of laid back beachfront bars and restaurants, as well as two of the only discos on the island. We have a few accommodation options in Hikkaduwa and recommend it as a day trip from both Bentota and Galle for the glass bottom boat and chance to swim with turtles in the bay. More
Galle Fort
The Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its Dutch colonial past and makes a great day trip from a coastal villa. It has a real cosmopolitan feel due to boutique gift shops and hotel restaurants, mixed with Moorish, Portuguese, Dutch and British history. It is possible to stay in the fort and definitely fun for a few nights. It is approx 3 hours from the airport.
Adam's Peak
Adam's Peak at 7500 ft high is the most famous physical feature in Sri Lanka and a place of pilgrimage. Sri Lankans come mainly in the month of April to pay their respects to the mountains deity Sumana, while foreigners come to admire the sunrise. The climb takes several hours and is done at night, therefore only suitable for the physically fit. More
Yala National Park
Yala National Park on the southeast tip of the island is the most well known of Sri Lanka 's 15 wildlife reserves. Yala is prime leopard spotting territory, especially in August when the area is at its driest, but it is also home to a healthy population of elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, wild boar, buffalo, jackal and an abundance of bird life. More
Ella
Ella has one of the best views in Sri Lanka - through the Ella Gap to the Kirinda Lighthouse on the coast 1000m below. Ella can be reached by road or rail, 7 hours from Colombo. Home to some lovely waterfalls, working tea estates and mini Adam's Peak you can happily spend a few nights in this charming little hill town. More
Kitugala
Home to the Kelani River, Kitugala is a pretty riverside village dedicated to white water rafting, canyoning and kayaking. More
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay on the east coast of Sri Lanka is a surf paradise, popular with backpackers during the months of April - September. Best avoided in the off season when most of the local businesses close down. More

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