Family Highlights of Sri Lanka

Arrive in Negombo, a beach resort a short distance from Sri Lanka's capital city situated on the Indian Ocean.



For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Negombo at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International airport (airport code CMB), which is 14km, 40 minutes from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day there is the option to head to the beach or make use of the hotel facilities which features a swimming pool and gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Leaving Negombo we travel north following the coastal road to Wilpattu National Park, a journey of around 4.5 hours including stops. Here we will leave our bus and change to jeeps for an afternoon safari through the park hoping to spot Sri Lanka's most elusive resident, the leopard. Despite Wilpattu National Park's location in Sri Lanka's dry zone, it boasts nearly 60 lakes and is renowned for leopard, elephant and sambar deer sightings.



Tonight we stay in a large fixed tented camp located close to the Southern boundary, on the boundary of a lake surrounded by bush forest. Each tent is well appointed with raised beds and comfortable mattresses, there is plenty of space to move around; en-suite private bathrooms are located in adjoining individual tents. Pillows, bed linen, towels, a flashlight and an umbrella are also provided. In the evening guests are invited to retire to the campfire after dinner.

Heading inland we drive two hours to Habarana, the cultural hub of Sri Lanka. Tuk tuks are the transport of choice here, and we'll switch out the bus for a tuk tuk ride to the community's vegetable garden. Walk around and help the villagers select a choice of homegrown vegetables, which will all go into preparing our traditional Sri Lankan lunch. Watch and join in if you like as delicious curries and rice are prepared. After sharing the meal, we have the chance to take a serene canoe ride on the village lake. After spending time in the village we make our way back to our bus and onto Polonnaruwa, just under an hour's drive.



This afternoon we visit the ancient city by bicycle and on foot, taking in the spectacular ruins of the Royal Palace and its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle - a wonderfully compact collection of ruins. We stay overnight close to Polonnaruwa.

An early transfer this morning takes us to the start of our ascent up the imposing Lion Rock for the climb to the redoubtable Sky Fortress, soaring dramatically up from the flat central plains. The ruins of this 5th century World Heritage site fortress are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions. A switchback series of steps (sometimes very steep and somewhat precarious) ascends to the top and half-way up, tucked beneath a sheltering overhang of rock, are the famous Sigiriya Damsels. These frescoes, their ancient colours still glowing, once covered an area of some 140 metres in length and are the only ancient non-religious paintings to have survived into modern times. On arriving at the summit (200m) we are presented with some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, as well as the remains of what is left of the palace of King Kassapa.



Leaving Sigiriya we drive to Kandy located just outside the city. We wander through the lush Royal Botanical Gardens which boasts more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, medicinal plants and palm trees. Join our tour leader for a short walking tour of Kandy which will include visiting the town's narrow streets lined with old buildings and colourful and interesting markets. Buddhists from all over the world come to this highland town specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Maligawa and there is the option to visit the temple, should you wish. You may wish to continue shopping at the Kandyan Art Association's workshops, which has plenty of brassware, batik, lacquer work and other craft items which make excellent souvenirs or presents.



Late afternoon we transfer to our hotel located 4km outside of Kandy overlooking the Mahaweli River (Sri Lanka's longest), allowing easy access to Kandy without the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The hotel has beautiful gardens, an open air restaurant and swimming pool.

Our drive this morning takes us to Kitulgala, a journey of around two hours. Set amongst the fertile and lush western highlands with towering cliffs and wild water, the Kelani Ganga provides some of the best white water rafting in the country. The grade 2-3 rapids provide us with the perfect combination of fun and excitement, as we spend the afternoon rafting down the river towards our eco lodge accommodation in the jungle outside Kitulgala.



We cover a six kilometre section of the river through several rapids. It will usually take approximately one hour to cover the section but this depends on water levels so may be a bit shorter or longer. Taking lunch en route, we should arrive at our simple hotel late this afternoon. This evening, if time allows, there will be a chance to join an optional trek across the river and through the jungle to a hidden waterfall. In dry season the falls may be smaller or dried up according to recent climate conditions.



Our night spent at Kitulgala is in a simple graded resthouse. The Kitulgala Resthouse Hotel has around 20 simply appointed en suite rooms with a fan in each room. It is located on the Kelani river front and surrounded by nature (ear plugs can come in handy!).

Wake up to the sounds of the jungle. After breakfast head to the coast to Hikkaduwa on a drive that should take about 4 hours. Our hotel is located on the beach in Hikkaduwa, which is famous for its marine sanctuary, wide palm dotted beach and coral sanctuary. If we're lucky we may get to see turtles and other marine life just off the beach.

The next day and a half is free to enjoy the laid back ambience and turquoise waters of Sri Lanka's southern coast. Rich in colonial history and golden beaches, the region offers us a wealth of options to enjoy the most of our time here.



In the morning we have a surf lesson. Hikkaduwa is one of the premier surfing destinations in Sri Lanka. Our two hour lesson can be tailored for beginners or more advanced surfers to make the most of your time on the Indian Ocean. Other activities include snorkelling trips and for those wanting pure relaxation there are plenty of spots to enjoy an Ayurvedic massage. You could also pay a visit to the city of Galle and its historic colonial fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that remains one of the best preserved examples of colonial fortification in the world.

Enjoy a free morning on the beach. This afternoon we take a local train from Hikkaduwa to Colombo with fine views of the Indian ocean as we make our way up the west coast. With many Sri Lankans using the coastal network every day it is the perfect opportunity to meet local families.



We make the final part of our journey by bus, returning to the small town of Negombo for our final night in Sri Lanka.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Negombo.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Negombo at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Colombo's Bandaranaike International airport (airport code CMB), which is 14km, 40 minutes from the hotel.