Sri Lanka is an adventure playground for families! Just southeast of India, this island—known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”—is bursting with golden beaches, lush jungles, misty mountains, and ancient wonders. It’s the perfect mix of culture, nature, and fun for all ages.
On this 12-day journey, you’ll explore bustling markets, spot elephants in the wild, ride a scenic train through the hills, and splash in the warm Indian Ocean. From ancient temples to exciting wildlife safaris, every day brings new discoveries. With delicious food, friendly locals, and plenty of family-friendly activities, this trip is packed with unforgettable moments.
Get ready for an incredible adventure the whole family will love!
Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival – Colombo
- Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport.
- Explore Vacations Representative will page you by your name.
- Thereafter you will be assisted to the Coach Park to begin your journey as per the itinerary.
- Proceed to
“Colombo is the most populous city in Sri Lanka. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings, and monuments”
- Check into the hotel
- Enjoy the Colombo City tour – Gangaramaya Temple, Viharamahadevi Park, Independence Square, and Old Parliament Building.
- Visit Galle Face Green and enjoy the beautiful sunset.
- Enjoy Night views.
- Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 02: Colombo – Bentota
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and Proceed to Bentota ( 1 ½ hours’ drive)
“Bentota is a popular stretch of beach resorts offering excellent sun sea and sand to enjoy your dream vacation. Bentota has plenty to offer apart from pure leisure”
- Start the day by Visiting Sea Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda.
“You can visit sea turtle hatching, release baby sea turtles, and listen to the introduction of natural environmental protection knowledge”
- After a Boat ride in the Madhu River.
“Madu Ganga boat safari offers exceptional service to explore the mangrove and the biodiversity of the Madu River”
- Return to the hotel.
- Relax on a beautiful beach.
- Overnight Stay at the hotel.
DAY 03: Bentota – Galle – Mirissa
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and proceed to
- En route enjoy the Galle City Tour. (Galle Fort Clock Tower, Galle Lighthouse, Galle Dutch Fort, The National Museum of Galle)
“Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century”
- Arrive in Mirissa.
- Visit Coconut Tree Hill.
Coconut Tree Hill is located on the Eastern side of Mirissa Beach, in Mirissa. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to reach by foot from the main entrance to the beach. Coconut Tree Hill is a mound of tightly packed palm trees, offering incredible views and unique photo opportunities.
- Enjoy the nature views.
- Check into the Hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 04: Mirissa – Tissamaharama
- Early morning leave for an Exciting whale-watching excursion off the coast of Mirissa with a packed breakfast
- Mirissa at 6.30 AM in search of Blue Whales and expected to return to the shore by noon.
This small sandy tropical beach boasts some of Sri Lanka’s best and most stunning sunsets and sunrises. All the Guesthouses and homes are set back from the actual beach giving you the impression that you are on a deserted palm-fringed island. Now and again the silence is broken by the sound of a coconut falling on the sand or a chilled beer being opened by someone further up the beach.
- If you interested you can Visit Drondra Lighthouse
- Thereafter Proceed to Tissamaharama
- Check into the hotel.
- Evening Visit to the Kataragama Temple
- Return to the hotel for an overnight Stay.
DAY 05: Tissamaharama – Yala – Ella
- Early morning, leave for Yala National Park with packed meals (5.30 AM)
- Witness wonderful wildlife moments on the Half-day 4 x 4 Jeep safari.
“Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park due to the presence of many leopards. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where the population lives side-by-side with free-roaming animals”
- Safari will start at 6 am and conduct up to 10.00 am.
- Return to the Hotel.
- Check out from the hotel and transfer to Ella
“Laid-back Ella draws travellers to Sri Lanka’s highlands with its mountain forests, tea plantations, and relatively cool climate. The wildlife-rich region is also home to caves, cascades, and secluded temples”
- Witness the Ravana Waterfalls.
- Arrive in Ella
- Check into the hotel for an overnight stay
DAY 06: Ella – Nuwara Eliya
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and Proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
- Visit Nine Arches Bridge
The Nine Arches Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. Enjoy a photoshoot around the bridge and tea plantation
- En route visit a working tea Factory.
- Arrive in Nuwara Eliya.
- Check in to the hotel.
- Lake leisure walk around the lake, Gregory.
- Enjoy the nature
- Return to the hotel for an overnight stay
DAY 07: Nuwara Eliya – Kandy
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and Proceed to Nanu Oya Station.
- Enjoy a scenic train ride from Nanu Oya to Kandy.
- Arrive in Kandy.
- Check in to the hotel.
- Evening Visit to the Cultural Dance Show including fire walking.
- Participate in the Pooja ceremony at the Temple of Tooth Relic which safely keeps the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic venerated by Buddhists all over the world.
- Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 08: Kandy – Dambulla – Habarana
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and Proceed to
- En route visit a Spice Garden.
Where you can get the experience of Sri Lankan lush spice and herbal garden features and many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine and Coconut.
- Visit Golden Cave Temple Dambulla.
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area.
- Arrive in Habarana
- Check in to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 09: Habarana – Polonnaruwa – Minneriya – Habarana
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Start the day by Explore the old city, Polonnaruwa Ruins ( 1 hours drive)
“Polonnaruwa is an ancient city in Sri Lanka, known for its well-preserved ruins and archaeological sites. Polonnaruwa was the 2nd capital of the country during the medieval period and offers rich historical, cultural & archaeological”
- Evening Safari at Kaudulla or Minneriya National Park (3 pm to 6 pm)
“Mostly you will be able to see Elephants. They move around these parks depending on the weather and their needs. The safari jeep driver will take you to the best national park with suggestions from previous safari jeep drivers who have seen more elephants”
- Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 10: Habarana – Sigiriya – Anuradhapura (B/-D)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check out from the hotel and Climbing Sigiriya Lions Rock in the morning
- Thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura (1-hour drive)
“One of Sri Lanka’s holy towns is Anuradhapura, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city is home to several, well-preserved ruins from the 4th-century BC Lankan civilization”
- Arrive in Anuradhapura and visit the following places
- Ruwanwelisaya
- Isurumuniya Temple
- Jethawanaramaya Stupa
- Maha Bodhi Temple
- Dagoba of Thuparama
- Ranmasu Uyana
- Check into the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 11: Anuradhapura – Chilaw – Negombo
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check out and proceed to Negombo
- Visit Munneshwaram and Mannavari temple
Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It consists of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The temples are dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha, Aiyanar, and Kali.
- Arrive in Negombo
“With a wide sandy beach, big hotels, and handy proximity to Colombo, Negombo is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular resorts. Beyond its sands lies an interesting mix: a colonial-built canal and crumbled fort; a lively fish market, traditional fishing communities, and a wildlife-rich lagoon”
- Check into the hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 12: Negombo – Departure
- Breakfast at the hotel
- If time permits Enjoy a city tour in Negombo (Visit a Fishing Village, Fishing Markets, monuments, Dutch Canal )
- Check out and proceed to the Airport.
- Goodbye from Explore Vacation.
Itinerary map
