Sri Lanka: Family Adventure

Sri Lanka: Family Adventure

Sri Lanka is definitly suitable for a combined holiday together with the whole family. It offers an ideal mixture of nature, culture and beach, something for everyone!  The island is no bigger than the Netherlands and Belgium combined and travelling within is really easy.
During this tour which is based on travelling by car with a private driver as well as a journey by train, you will visit the most beautiful places. The country has a range of exciting wild animals such as monkeys, buffalos, crocodiles, elephants and it has the largest population of leopards in the world. The sea is always close by and during the different seasons you will be able to spot many different types of dolphins and whales. Along the coast there are wonderful hotels with shady palm trees and swimming pools on the beach. The hinterlands are recomended for adventure activities and visits to spectacular nature reserves. We have a choice of middle-class and/or luxurious boutique hotels and it is possible to make a 16-day tour starting from approximately  € 2,500 per person. There are a (limited) number of family rooms and interconnecting rooms available for which we recommended booking early!

Highlights:
– Short driving distances and relaxing trips by train
– Impressive UNESCO monuments
– Five National Parks with wild animals
– A time difference of 3 to 4 hours
– Malaria free
– Visit to an elephant orphanage, cycling and climbing temples
– Dolphin and whale watching
– English-speaking population

Itinerary:
Day 1 & 2: Amsterdam – Colombo
Upon arrival transfer to a beach to recover from the flight.

Day 3: Galle – Yala (167km)
On the way to Yala a visit to the city of Galle, where the Dutch influence can still be seen. The city museum and the Dutch church are great places to visit and tell the story of the first Dutch immigrants. In Ambalangoda a visit to a factory where are handmade colorful masks are produced. Then to Yala National Park for an overnight stay by the sea in the Jetwing Yala hotel with wonderful 76m pool.

Day 4: Yala
As early start today for an exciting jeep safari in the Yala National Park! You will see elephants, buffalo and with a bit of luck also the leopards. It is also possible participate in an exciting night safari with infrared binoculars during the evening.

Day 5: Buduruwagala – Nuwara Eliya (180km)
Via Buduruwagala, with the spectacular 15m high statue of Buddha you will travel to the interior of mountains which are over 2000m high. En route a visit to a shelter for elephants in Uda Walawe National Park. Here young elephants, mostly orphans, are well cared for. Towards the end of the day you will reach Nuwara Eliya, also known as Little England because the typical  English atmosphere found here. This area produces the best tea in the world and during a visit to the tea plantation you will see how tea is made.
Overnight in a former tea factory which has now been converted into a design hotel.

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya- Kandy (75km)
A chance to meet the locals today starting with a slow train ride through the tea plantations to Kandy. Kandy, a World Heritage site, is an important pilgrimage site because of the Temple of the Tooth. In this magical sanctuary you may light candles and give flower offerings to Buddha. Your hotel is on a lake and a great place for a walk and to visit the local market. At the end of the day you will have the opportunity to attend a performance of the famous Kandy dancers if you wish.

Day 7: Kandy- Kandalama (85km)
Today the journey continues north to Kandalama. Along the way,  a visit to a spice garden and a crash course on the use of various herbs and how to grow them. The hotel in Kandalama has three swimming pools and is surrounded by a jungle full of inquisitive monkeys.

Day 8: Kandalama (95km)
This morning you will climb the stairs of the Sigiriya Lion Rock and arrive at the ruins of the palace where the king once thought to find shelter. After a climb of 1,800 steps you will be rewarded with beautiful murals and stunning views.

Day 9: Kandalama – Polonnaruwa – Trincomalee (180km)
Departure to the royal city of Polonnaruwa, where, in the jungle, you will ride a bicycle along ancient ruins and temples. Then on to the east coast, where in summer the sun shines and the sea is suitable for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and dolphin and whale watching.

Day 10 & 11: Trincomalee
Just north of Trincomalee lies the Uga Jungle Beach hotel on a surprisingly beautiful sandy bay. The hotel has its own diving school, but there are also opportunities many other watersport activities. During the day watch the fishermen bringing in their nets full of a days catch, up on the beach. A boat trip to Pigeon Island will bring you to a desert paradise and where you can snorkel amongst the tropical fish.

Day 12: Trincomalee – Anuradhapura (125km)
The journey continues to Anuradhapura, the ancient capital full of stupas, Buddhist temples with relics of Buddhist saints. Visit Mihintale, perched up on a hill and one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Overnight in Cinnamanon Lodge.

Day 13 & 14: Anuradhapura-Kalpitiya 120km
After breakfast departure from Anuradhapura to Kalpitiya, known for its beautiful coastline. The peninsula is a nature reserve with dunes, mangroves, swamps and vast beaches. Here the overnights will be in a colorful Indian tent with 2 bedrooms and situated on Dolphin Beach.

Day 15 Kalpitiya – Colombo
After this extraordinary journey today you will fly back to Amsterdam.

 

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