itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND RELAXING OVERNIGHT IN KOTUGODA (30MINS DRIVE)
On arrival at the airport you will be met by a chauffeur and make the brief 20-30 minute transfer to your hotel in Kotugoda. Spend a night in the luxurious family suite at the Wallawwa hotel, a delightful property with well-manicured gardens and a lovely pool to keep the family entertained.
Accommodation: Wallawwa Hotel
DAY 2: CULTURAL TRIANGLE (4HRS DRIVE) - SIGIRIYA
Enjoy the scenic 4 ½ hour transfer through meandering roads and villages to the Cultural Triangle. Steeped in ancient history, this area is home to the remnants of powerful ancient cities established thousands of years ago by Sri Lanka’s many kings, with plenty of temples and holy sites to observe en route. In the cool of the evening, enjoy an informative, privately-guided excursion to the impressive Sigiriya. Note that it’s a steep 1 ½ – 2 ½ hour climb to the top (depending on walking speed), but there are plenty of gardens for children to explore at the base. Light clothing, sun cream, and a hat are recommended.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
DAY 3: CULTURAL TRIANGLE - POLONNARUWA & ELEPHANTS
Spend the morning enjoying a privately-guided tour around Polonnaruwa. This once thriving religious and commercial centre boasts ruins, statues and stupas rising majestically out of the dense jungle, and houses an informative archaeological museum. Explore the site by vehicle or on foot, and do come prepared for the heat. While young children might not follow the guide’s commentary, there is plenty of space for them to run around in. Enjoy lunch at the historical Lake House on the shores of Pakarama Reservoir, followed by a 1 ½ to 2 hour game drive through either Minneriya, Eco, or Kaudulla National Park, depending on the season of your visit. If you are lucky there is a chance to see the massive gathering of elephants in Minneriya.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
DAY 4: CULTURAL TRIANGLE - OPTIONAL VILLAGE VISIT OR RELAXING DAY BY POOL
We often find slowing down the pace and interspering a day or two by the pool between cultural sights works brilliantly for kids and parents. If you prefer to be more active we would recommend a cultural morning in Hiriwadunna, a traditional village framed by a stunning mountainous setting. Here you can enjoy a trek or scenic tractor ride through paddy fields and fruit plantations, followed by an authentic Sri Lankan village lunch.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
DAY 5: KANDY (3HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast transfer from Habarana to Kandy. Afternoon at leisure
Accommodation: Elephant Stables
DAY 6: KANDY - BOTANICAL GARDENS & TEMPLE
This morning, enjoy a private, leisurely 1 ½ hour guided walk around the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, accompanied by a botanist. Sri Lanka’s largest botanical gardens have acres of open spaces for children to explore. Do remember to bring a hat and sun cream, as well as a camera! Lunch is at the Empire Café, followed by a 1 hour walking tour of the bustling markets and streets of vibrant Kandy town, a UNESCO world heritage site and gateway to the ‘Tea Country’. Afterwards, enjoy a refreshing cup of tea at the historic Queens Hotel. Before dinner, visit the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth, renowned for housing the relic of the tooth of Buddha, and as such a sacred destination for pilgrims for thousands of years.
Accommodation: Elephant Stables
DAY 7: SCENIC TRAIN TO TEA COUNTRY
After breakfast, depart from Kandy and embark on a scenic 3 hour train ride into Sri Lanka’s ‘Tea Country’. Climbing to 2,000 metres above sea level, this atmospheric journey reveals majestic mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls, lush, emerald tea plantations, and aromatic cyprus and eucalyptus woodlands. The climate here is cooler and more temperate, so dress accordingly, and bring a camera and money for a drink or snack as the train does not have a restaurant carriage. Arrive for a two night stay in nearby Dickoya, in a spacious suite at Mandira Dickoya Bungalow, a colonial guesthouse set on a tea plantation, with superb mountain views. After a welcome lunch, spend the afternoon at leisure getting to know the surrounding area. Explore the numerous hiking trails around the property, and perhaps take an excursion to the nearby Hindu temple at Kovil or to the beautiful old church at Warleigh. Enjoy a rest and dinner back at the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Mandira Dickoya
DAY 8: TEA ESTATE & FACTORY
After a tranquil, alfresco breakfast, head for a private excursion to the Norwood Tea Estate and Factory, which has been growing and manufacturing tea for over a century. Guided by a tea planter, witness tea plucking first hand, and learn about the production methods that go into our daily 'cuppa'. Children will love seeing the original machines in action, many of which are still going strong after a hundred years. Finally, enjoy the experience of a traditional tea tasting session, where use of the time honoured spittoon is optional! Lunch will be served back at the guesthouse, after which you are free to spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the local surroundings and wonderful scenery.
Accommodation: Mandira Dickoya
DAY 9: GALLE (5HRS DRIVE)
Sri Lanka’s oldest city, Galle has played host to Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian traders over the centuries, along with Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonialists. Today it is a thriving hub of European and Arabic culture, boasting art galleries, literary events and a host of shops and restaurants within its atmospheric, cobblestoned alleyways. Beyond Galle – largely south of the town where Galle's influence is at its strongest – is a glorious collection of beaches.
Accommodation: Why House
DAY 10: GALLE - FREE DAY
For this itinerary we have suggested a relaxing rural base set within 3 acres of beautiful gardens. You could happily enjoy a day by the pool here. A short walk away is the spectacular Dalawella Beach, a beautiful lagoon created by a protective reef means safe swimming throughout the year. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle Fort is 15 minutes drive away and we storngly recommend a short guided walking tour to learn about its fascinating history.
Accommodation: Why House
DAY 11: GALLE - BOATS & BIKES
Galle’s inner landscape is covered in patches of jungle, rice paddies, cinnamon plantations, lowland tea fields and quaint mud roads joining small villages, and is home to beautiful tropical plants and lots of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. Begin your journey with a peaceful boat ride down the Kapu Ela (river), accompanied by a light-hearted, entertaining local naturalist who is very knowledgeable about the area’s bird and reptile life. Float slowly along canals, passing local village hamlets, rubber and cinnamon plantations and tea fields, and watch as grey fish eagles soar through the air and water monitor lizards haul themselves out of the river and cling to the low branches along the bank. Disembark from the boat and mount your bikes for a 9km cycle along the narrow mud lanes between the villages, passing picturesque paddy fields and small villages with markets selling vibrant local fruits and vegetables. Stop along the way in a wattle-and-daub hut for a cup of herbal tea and traditional hoppers cooked over a fire, before getting back on your bike and cycling to the pick-up point. If you are tired, you can be driven from here.
Accommodation: Why House
DAY 12: GALLE - FREE DAY
Enjoy a final day to relax or explore before heading home. There are a host of fantastic guided experiences available in the Galle area, from rainforest treks in Kanneliya to mask making workshops and cinnamon plantations. Please let us know if you would like us to include these.
Accommodation: Why House
DAY 13: DEPART (2-3HRS DRIVE)
It is a two to three hour journey back to Colombo for your flight home
