Cultural Triangle Minneriya National Park Kandy Uda Walawe National Park South West Beaches
Sri Lanka is the ideal destination for a family holiday, with diverse experiences and activities to cater to adults and kids alike. Flying into Colombo, you will head to the cultural triangle for a stay at the unique mud house, where you will have plenty of time to enjoy the wide range of activities on offer before heading into the heart of the cultural Triangle! Head south through central Sri Lanka to Kandy, where you will pay a visit to Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage and enjoy a day of white water rafting before travelling to Uda Walawe National Park for a couple of days of Jeep safaris to spot elephants and other animals before ending your holiday with a few days to relax by the beach.
Itinerary Highlights
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
National Park Safaris
Explore the Southern Beaches of Sri Lanka
Whitewater rafting
Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
12
Nights
Price Guide
$2000 – $3000+ pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Colombo
Day 2
Anamaduwa
Day at leisure to enjoy the wide range of activities at the Mudhouse, including kayaking, guided nature walks, cycling, cooking classes and visits to nearby cultural sites, to name just a few!
Day 3
Minneriya National Park
Today’s drive will take you to Habarana in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural Triangle. You will experience a Jeep Safari this afternoon in nearby Minneriya National Park. You will get to see some interesting bird life, wild deer and if you’re lucky a heard of wild elephants!
Day 4
Cultural Triangle
Your private driver guide will meet you this morning for your full-day excursion to Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. Your first visit of the day will be to Sigiriya Rock, and I would highly recommend climbing to the top as the views are truly spectacular. From Sigiriya, you will head to Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, Polonnaruwa, now a Unesco World Heritage site. You will have plenty of time to explore the ruins of the Royal Palace and other highlights, including the Shiva Temple and the remains of the former Temple of The Tooth.
Day 5-6
Kandy
Today’s journey will take you south to the delightful city of Kandy. En route, visit the unique cave temples at Dambulla, which contain several statues of Buddha of varying sizes. On arrival in Kandy, enjoy an orientation tour, including the bazaar, arts and crafts centre and gem museum. You will also visit the legendary temple of the Tooth Relic and enjoy a cultural show before returning to your hotel.
Day 7
Kitulgala
Today, you will embark on an exciting whitewater rafting adventure on the Kelaniya Ganga. If this does not appeal or you are travelling with young children, plenty of other options are available.
Day 8-9
Uda Walawe National Park
Depart from Kandy this morning and transfer to Uda Walawe National Park. This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive through the park known for being home to a high population of elephants, wild buffalo, monkeys and numerous species of deer.
Day 10-12
South West Beaches
Spend the day relaxing by the beach or by the pool. Sri Lanka’s South West beaches are renowned for offering a wide range of watersports for thrill seekers and those who want to stay active!
Day 13
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $2000 – $3000+ per person
When to travel
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Travel to Sri Lanka is possible at any time of year as the rains affect different areas at different times, however some months offer more predictable good weather throughout the country than others. There are generally two annual monsoons, the North-East monsoon which brings rains to that part of the country from October to January and the South-West monsoon rains from May to July. There is also a period from October through to the first half of November, when rain and thunderstorms can occur across the island. Temperatures are constant and average around 30 degrees centigrade on a year round basis throughout the country except for the cooler Hill Country, making it perfect to visit all year round. The driest seasons in Sri Lanka are from December to March for the west coast, the south coast and the Hill Country, and from April to September for the ancient cities region and the east coast.
Weather: January is part of the northeast monsoon season (Maha). The northern and eastern regions may experience more rainfall, while the rest of the country sees relatively dry and sunny weather. The southwestern parts of Sri Lanka, including Colombo and Galle, have pleasant temperatures during this time. Average Temperature: 26°C to 30°C
The northeast monsoon continues in February, with some areas experiencing occasional rainfall. However, the overall weather remains warm and enjoyable. The southwestern beaches and coastal areas are popular during this time for their favourable conditions. Average Temperature: 26°C to 31°C
March marks the transition to the inter-monsoon period, which means more unpredictable weather. While it can still be warm, the humidity starts to rise, and short spells of rain become more frequent across the island. Average Temperature: 27°C to 32°C
The inter-monsoon season continues in April. The weather is hot and humid, and there may be sporadic showers and thunderstorms in various regions. Coastal areas, especially in the south and west, are still popular for beachgoers. Average Temperature: 27°C to 32°C
May is the beginning of the southwest monsoon (Yala) season. The southwestern regions, including Colombo and Galle, experience increased rainfall. The east and north, such as Trincomalee and Jaffna, remain relatively dry and are good options for travelers seeking better weather. Average Temperature: 27°C to 32°C
The southwest monsoon is fully established in June, bringing heavy rainfall to the southwest coast and central highlands. The east and north, however, enjoy better weather and are suitable for travelers seeking drier conditions. Average Temperature: 26°C to 31°C
July sees continued rainfall in the southwest and central regions. It's the wettest month of the year, and outdoor activities might be limited in some areas due to heavy rains. The north and east remain relatively dry and are popular tourist destinations during this time. Average Temperature: 26°C to 31°C
The southwest monsoon continues, and August is another wet month for the western and central parts of Sri Lanka. However, the rain begins to subside toward the latter half of the month. The north and east remain dry and suitable for travel. Average Temperature: 26°C to 31°C
September marks the end of the southwest monsoon season, but some regions may still experience occasional showers. The weather becomes more stable toward the latter part of the month, making it a good time to explore various parts of the country. Average Temperature: 26°C to 31°C
October is part of the inter-monsoon period when the weather is variable. Rainfall becomes less frequent, and the country generally experiences warm and humid conditions. Average Temperature: 26°C to 31°C
November brings the onset of the northeast monsoon (Maha) season. The northern and eastern regions experience increased rainfall, while the rest of the country sees pleasant and dry weather. Average Temperature: 26°C to 30°C
December is still part of the northeast monsoon season. The weather is generally cooler, with occasional showers in the north and east. The western and southern regions enjoy good weather, making it a popular time for beach vacations. Average Temperature: 26°C to 30°C
Add on’s
This Sri Lanka itinerary has many add-on holiday options; for example, you could head to TheTea Country in the mountains and learn about tea production. Or Yala National Park for a luxury safari experience.
The main flight hubs of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok also easily access Sri Lanka, making city stopovers or beach extensions on Asia’s fabulous sandy shores easy to arrange.
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