Overview
Sri Lanka is a perfect family holiday destination; there’s something for everyone! Nature with so many different landscapes, beautiful wildlife, history etched into so many ancient ruins, beaches stretching forever, mesmerizing mountains, and multicultural people with their spicy and colorful cuisine. And we haven’t even mentioned the adventures you can have in water sports, and much more.
In your 07 day tour, some of the highlights will be meeting the local fisher folk in Negombo; adventures in lesser travelled Belihuloya; wildlife encounters in Yala; and additionally, children will enjoy experiencing Sri Lankan traditional village lifestyle and many more memories for your family!
We have handpicked a variety of hotels with family or interconnected rooms mostly with swimming pools. You will spend minimum time to get to them from the city & attractions, giving children even more time to enjoy their stay in the hotels as well.
Highlights at a glance
- First you will get to visit colourful fish markets, vegetable & fruit markets… interact with the locals & learn a few “trade secrets”.
- Drive through the City of Gems, Ratnapura to Belihuloya.
- Mingle with village folks and engage in thrilling adventures.
- Visit elephant transit home and go wild at Yala National park.
- Evening pooja at Katharagama.
- Experience regional culinary specialities and engage in culinary lessons with specialist chefs.
- Explore the eclectic streets of the Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage site.
- Go on a Boat Safari to see the largest mammal on earth, the Blue Whale* or experience the Ceylon Cinnamon Trail.
Itinerary
Welcome to Sri Lanka! This is a private tour to enjoy at your own pace. On your arrival you will be picked up by your chauffeur who will be with you throughout the tour. The drive to Negombo will take about 25 minutes. On arrival you and your family can either spend the day at the hotel or go for a walk on the beach.
Morning Star
After breakfast, drive to Belihuloya via Ratnapura which is famous for gem mining. The gem mining industry in Ratnapura dates back to ancient times, with evidence of gemstone mining activities dating back over 2,500 years. The region’s geology, particularly its alluvial deposits, contributes to the concentration of gemstones. Ratnapura sits on the path of the “Highland-Vijayan Complex,” which is a geological belt known for its gem-rich deposits. Then proceed to Belihuloya.
Kinchigune Camp Site
Today you will experience a truly village setup with a local and village trail. Go canoeing at Samanalawewa in the evening. Kinchigune campsite offers a tranquil and picturesque setting, surrounded by lush greenery, rolling hills and the cascading waters of the BelihulOya river. Village life in Belihuloya reflects a slower pace, close community ties and a strong connection to nature.
Kinchigune Camp Site
Your first stop today will be the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. Here you’ll get to see baby elephants taken care of before they are let out to the wild. After reaching Yala you will be visiting the Sithulpawwa Temple. Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya, commonly known as Sithulpawwa Temple, is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. It is situated near the town of Kataragama and holds great historical and religious significance. A wonderful dinner under the stars and a guided night walk are awaiting for you at the campsite.
Children can enjoy a treasure hunt in the campsite. A cooking experience can also be arranged either for your breakfast or lunch. After lunch you will be doing a half day jeep safari inside the Yala National Park. Although it is most famous for Leopard sightings, Yala has a fantastically diverse population of animals. During your Private Safari in the Park you will encounter Elephants, Crocodiles, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Eagles, Cobras, Peacocks and more. With rocky coasts, mountains, vast lakes and plains, the landscape of Yala is a treat for the eyes and is the perfect backdrop for exciting sightings!
The next stop will be Galle. Galle is a picture book UNESCO heritage city that will mesmerize you with its many charms. Depending on what time you reach your hotel, you can relax here with the sea breeze, or venture on a walk into the city. Galle Fort itself spans 90 acres overlooking the ocean. Your chauffeur will be happy to accompany you and show you the Meeran Mosque, the Fort Lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, restaurants, live music bars and quaint houses on cobblestone streets. Galle boasts of a museum you may like to visit, that offers an interesting historical insight of its past. There is also the Dutch Market and numerous spice shops to see.
Joe’s Resort
If your tour is from November to March, you will leave early by 6-6:30am to go whale watching from the Mirissa harbor. This is an exciting adventure when you may sight Blue whales and Bottle-nosed dolphins. If you are travelling from April to October, you will go on the Galle Cinnamon Experience; an interactive tour which gives you a sense of a cinnamon farmer’s life – visiting a beautiful, working cinnamon estate.
Your family holiday to Sri Lanka has come to an end. You will be taken to the Colombo airport to catch your departure flight.
Includes / Excludes
Includes
- Accommodation in mentioned Hotels or of similar standard, with Dinner & Breakfast.
- Transportation throughout the tour in an Air Conditioned vehicle with a top notch Driver Guide.
- All the experiences and activities mentioned above with experienced naturalists.
- Private jeep safaris.
- Service charges and all Government taxes.
- All fuel, toll, insurance.
- Driver guide's meals and accommodation.
- Replacement of vehicle in case of breakdown or emergency.
Excludes
- Optional Activities. not mentioned in the program [if any additional service is required please inform us we will arrange the service accordingly].
- Early check-in / late check-outs (in Sri Lanka the check-in is offered at 1400 hrs and the check-out is at 12 noon).
- Christmas & New Year Eve dinner supplement. (24th & 31st December)
- Any Airfare, any insurance fee.
- Any Visa fee, Electronic Travel Authority could be obtained by following the below link (https://eta.gov.lk/etaslvisa/etaNavServ).
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
- Any optional tours or transfers.
- Any expenditure of personal nature like drinks, laundry, tip, telephone calls, soft/ hard drinks, still/video camera fee (if any) etc.
- Tipping to the local Driver Guide.
When it comes to the accommodation, all the reservations are subject to availability at the time of confirmation, and as soon as we have received the payment, our Tour Operations Team will take in charge of your tour and proceed with the reservations. In case a hotel mentioned in your itinerary has no availability, we will find you an alternative. No changes will be done without your approval!
We will make a rough day-by-day schedule for your tour, but won’t set you exact timings for each and every activity – unless there is a an activity which start at a specific time. Since you will be traveling by private vehicle, with a knowledgeable driver-guide, we want you to have your part in decision making. With the help from him, you may tune the schedule to your rhythm.
Along the destinations included in your itinerary, you are free to take as many stops as you want to. When it comes to additional visits and destinations that are located out of the original route, the extra kilometers will be taken in consideration. For your journey, we will calculate a total mileage that is sufficient for the whole tour and mentioned in your itinerary. If this limit is exceeded, we will charge a supplement according the extra mileage.
We’ll do our best to accommodate the programme in your needs and wishes, if something urgent occurs during your tour. In a situation that requires changing the accommodation, the cancellation policies of the hotels concerned are to be taken on account.
Since the 1st of January 2012, all travelers must be in possession of a visa when arriving in Sri Lanka. Citizens from Singapore and The Maldives are the only exempt. Visitors can apply for the official Electronic Travel Authorization (visa) via www.eta.gov.lk, or upon arrival at the airport. There is a small fee to pay, and you must have at least six months left on your passport at the time of travel to obtain one.
MasterCard and Visa are widely used and accepted by many local shops, restaurants and hotels, but it’s always better to double check. Other major cards such as AmEx and DinersClub are accepted often also.
The Important Stuff
Sri Lanka is a nation where religion and culture occupy an important place in the day-to-day lives of the local people. It is important to be aware of the customs and practices that are particular to the location you are visiting, so here are a few general tips to keep in mind during your travels. Your chauffeur will assist you with more detailed information.
- If you plan on visiting any temples, ancient or current, you should wear clothing that covers your body from your shoulders down to your knees. Head coverings such as caps or helmets should be removed and shoes must be taken off at the entrance. White coloured clothing is generally a good choice to go with here.
- Some religious places do not allow photography or videography without prior permission and some may not allow it at all. Refer to signage or ask your chauffeur guide about the policy or protocol. Don’t try to photograph or take videos without permission.
- If you have any tattoos associated with Buddhism, Hinduism or Islamism, it’s best that you cover them completely in public places.
- Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places, workplaces and on public transport.
Write a Review