Sri Lanka

BRIEF

A family of five with three teenagers wanted to see some of Sri Lanka with the caveat the children prefer adventure to cultural experiences, particularly anything daring, sporty and outdoors. They were also keen to incorporate some beach time to recharge their batteries. They had booked their own flights.

PLAN

Waikkal - Anuradhapura - Pasikudah - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Kalutara

16 days / 15 nights

Sri Lanka has all the ingredients for a great family holiday: majestic mountain ranges, enchanting temples, a variety of wildlife including elephants and wonderful beaches.

It’s an island of contrasts with a 3000-year history and is home to a diverse range of religions, ethnicities and languages.

Accommodation was booked across six stunning resorts in Waikkal, Anuradhapura, Pasikudah, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Kalutara.

This personalised trip is an eclectic mix of luxury and privacy with a carefully-planned selection of experiences including seeing the elephants at sunset in Udawalawe National Park, visiting cultural heritage sites by bicycle and climbing the 180-metres Sigiriya Rock Fortress. 

Privately-guided safaris allow plenty of time for spotting the indigenous wildlife including leopards and elephants and this culture and activity is interspersed with five days on the beautiful beaches of the east coast.

It is peppered with pleasure pops: cooking with the locals, visiting vegetable farms, white-water rafting on the clear waters of the Kalani river and a vintage train ride to explore the Ceylon tea mountains and meet the faces of Ceylon tea and learn about faith and tradition in their communities.

Travelling responsibly was in the forefront of my mind when I planned this trip: we have avoided visiting turtle hatcheries and elephant-back safari rides.