Sri Lanka is a dream destination for families, packed with adventure, culture, and stunning scenery. Just southeast of India, this tropical island—known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”—has everything from golden beaches and lush jungles to ancient temples and exciting wildlife.
On this 8-day family-friendly journey, you’ll explore bustling markets, meet elephants up close, ride a scenic train through the hills, and unwind on beautiful beaches. With activities for kids and parents alike, delicious food, and plenty of chances to connect with local culture, this trip promises unforgettable memories for the whole family.
Ready for an adventure the kids will never forget? Let’s go!
Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival – Negombo (-/-/D)
- Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport.
- Explore Vacations Representative will page you by your name.
- Let your trip begin in the beautiful coastal city of Negombo. If you feel tired from your long flight, relax on the shore under the palm trees. Watch the fishing boats, see the sun go down, and let that tiredness go away.
The city is known for its great and olden trawling industry with busy fish markets, sandy beaches, hotels, and restaurants. Due to the bounty of seafood, the town restaurants are a gourmet’s delight. There are also local handicrafts, batiks and jewellery boutiques on the beaches and shops in the city. Fishing and tourism are the main economy.
- Check into a hotel
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 02: Negombo – Pinnawala – Sigiriya (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and proceed to Sigiriya.
- En route Visit the silent giants at the Pinnawala Elephant Breeding Centre.
It is known as an orphanage, nursery, and captive breeding ground for Wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala Village. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world.
- En route Visit Dambulla Cave Temple. It is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country.
- Check in to a hotel.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 03: Sigiriya – Matale – Kandy (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out from the hotel and transfer to climb the Lion Rock
- Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to beat the crowds and see one of the ancient architectural wonders and the ruins of King Kassapa’s palace perched atop a 200-meter granite rock.
- Transfer to Kandy via Matale.
- Arrive in Kandy.
KANDY is the religious as well as administrative city of Sri Lanka. It’s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests.
- Check in to a hotel
- In the evening, witness Sri Lanka’s most famous Cultural Dance show including fire walking.
- Take a walk around the Kandy lake at night
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 04: Kandy — Nuwara Eliya (B/ – /D)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Participate in the Pooja ceremony at the Temple of Tooth Relic, which safely keeps the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic venerated by Buddhists worldwide.
- Enjoy the Kandy City tour.
- Check out from the hotel and Proceed to Nuwara Eliya through mountains and lush green tea plantations.
Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, of Sri Lanka. Its name means “city on the plain (table land)” or “city of light”. Nuwara Eliya is well known as the “Little England” located at an altitude of 1868m with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate.
- Collect memories by beautiful waterfalls in the hill country (Ramboda Waterfall)
- Later, check in to your Cozzy hotel
- An evening visit to the sacred Seetha Amman Kovil
- Have a picnic at the famous Gregory Lake premises with scenic beauty
- Dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 05: Nuwara Eliya – Ella (B/ – /D)
- Breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Ella
- En route, visit the tea factory to see how tea is processed and you can enjoy a cup of world-famous Ceylon tea
- Arrival in 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.”
- Visit Nine Arch Bridge.
- Enjoy the nature views and take photos around the bridge and tea plantation.
- Check into the hotel for dinner and overnight
DAY 06: Ella – Yala – Tissamaharama (B/-/D)
- Wake up to the misty mountains in Ella
- Start your day with a fresh cup of Ceylon tea
- Take a morning walk around the Hotel
- Enjoy your breakfast buffet of local and foreign cuisine
- Check out from the hotel leave the cold weather and Transfer to Tissamaharama
- En route Witness the Ravana Waterfalls
- Arrive in Tissamaharama
- Check in to a Hotel.
- In the evening, Experience an adventurous wildlife 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. It isn’t uncommon to see elephants crossing roads or sneaking into a hotel lobby – a unique and beautiful way of living.
- Sightseeing Sri Lankan leopard, wild boar, peacock, and elephant.
- The safari may take up to 3-4 hours
- Enjoy Yala Safari
- Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 07: Tissamaharama – Galle (B/-/D)
- After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Galle
Galle is famous for its Portuguese architectural buildings and the Galle Fort which is a world heritage site and the many amazing places to visit in Galle
- Galle Dutch Fort—the old town of Galle was once a trading port for spices and other goods for over 200 years.
- The National Museum of Galle – The Galle National Museum was established in the oldest Dutch building of the Galle Fort. Galle National Museum displays various archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in the Southern region.
- Galle Lighthouse – The Galle Lighthouse (also known as the Pointe de Galle Light) is Sri Lanka’s oldest light station, dating back to the mid-19th century and situated within the walls of the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Galle Fort Clock Tower – The Clock Tower is a popular landmark and overlooks the central Moon Bastion, on the site of the former guard room
- Check in to a hotel
- Relax after the rest of the day.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 08: Galle – Colombo – Departure (B/-/-)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check out and proceed to Colombo via Airport
- En route, visit Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatchery.
- Learn about Sri Lankan turtles.
- Arrive In Colombo
- If time permits enjoy a shopping tour at Colombo.
- Goodbye from Explore Vacation.
Itinerary map
