A Family Journey
Bring the 'brood' along!
A priceless family foray
Is it any wonder Sri Lanka has been dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ with its wealth of endemic wildlife, endless scenic beauty and no less than eight World Heritage sites? It is the ideal destination for your next family foray as it literally offers something for everyone….
Whether your family are active adventurers, water babies, culture vultures, mad ‘foodies’, wildlife warriors, budding artists or avid shoppers Sri Lanka ticks all the boxes.
Hikers can climb Lion Rock in the ancient city of Sigirya or summit sacred 2,243m Adam’s Peak whilst Sri Lanka’s 1600km of palm-fringed coastline offers some seriously impressive snorkelling and diving, and an abundance of marine life.
On land there are 26 National Parks to explore, home to an incredible variety of animals including leopard, monkeys, a vast number of elephants and an impressive array of birds. Sri Lanka’s vibrant and unique cultural heritage is celebrated throughout the year with colourful religious festivals and you will be awestruck by the country’s impressive forts and ancient temples adorned with colourful mural paintings.
You will love
- Exploring cultural sites by tuk tuk
- Tracking leopards in Yala NP
- Viewing elephants enmasse
- Travelling by rail from Kandy to Hatton
- Wandering amongst lush tea plantations
- Tasting traditional delicacies
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
15 MEMORY MAKING DAYS
DAY 1 | KOTUGODA | 1 NIGHT
Arrive in Sri Lanka and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure after your journey to this magical teaar drop island.
DAY 2 | SIGIRIYA | 3 NIGHTS
Hello Sri Lanka! Travel the backroads and villages of the Cultural Triangle to Sigiriya enjoying your first introduction to the beauty of the landscapes and people that you will call home over the coming weeks.
DAY 3 | SIGIRIYA
Climb the impressive Sigiriya Rock Fortress today. Theis massive column of rock, nearly 200 metres high, is a site of historical and archaeological significance that dominates the landscape. Enjoy the ancient frescoes in the caves aas you climb the views out across the lush landscapes from its lofty height.
DAY 4 | SIGIRIYA
This morning visit the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa by tuk tuk or bike. This city reached the height of its glory during the 12th century and is filled with a rich collection of ancient buildings and monuments including the magnificent ruins of its Royal Palace and the curious Circular Relic House. This afternoon enjoy a Jeep drive in Minneriya National Park to view elephants, 160 species of birds and, with luck, sloth bears and leopards.
DAY 5 | KANDY | 2 NIGHTS
On your journey to Kandy today visit the UNESCO caves at Dambulla. These remarkable caves are filled with images of the Buddha and sculptures of the Hindu gods that date back to the 1st Century BC. The caves are an important pilgrimage site for thousands of faithful who come to worship statues of the Buddha. Continue to Kandy where you can settle in to your hotel with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
DAY 6 | KANDY
The ancient capital of Sri Lankan kings Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s cultural jewels. Enjoy a tour of the city today and be amazed by the collection of orchids on your guided visit to the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, accompanied by a Botanist. Wander the street markets and this evening visit the world renowned Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist shrine.
DAY 7 | HATTON | 2 NIGHTS
A beautifully scenic train journey carries you from Kandy to Hatton today. On arrival you will be collected and transferred to a colonial era tea plantation bungalow where you have the afternoon at leisure to explore your lush surroundings in the heart of Sri Lanka’s verdant tea country.
DAY 8 | HATTON
Your day is at leisure to participate in any of the activities on offer from your lodge. Enjoy a scenic walk, bike ride, swim or spa treatment. Today you will also be hosted on a tour of local tea factory where you will gain a fascinating insight into Sri Lanka’s age-old tea making process.
DAY 9 | YALA | 2 NIGHTS
Swapping the green hills of tea for the green jungles of Yala National Park you will depart Hatton this morning (approx 6.5 hours stopping for lunch enroute). On arrival in Yala you will have time for an evening jeep drive in the park.
DAY 10 | YALA
Yala National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife destinations boasting one of the largest populations of leopards in the world. Enjoy jeep drives in the park today with the opportunity to hopefully also cross paths with elephants and a rich diversity of birds.
DAY 11 | GALLE | 3 NIGHTS
Rise early for a final morning jeep drive in Yala National Park, before a road transfer to the city of Galle, stopping as you wish enroute to explore the Southern Coast beaches.
DAY 12 | GALLE
A wonderful fusion of Dutch colonial architecture and traditional Sri Lankan markets Galle is fascinating to explore on foot. Set out today on a walking tour of this UNESCO site that includes a traditional cooking class where you can learn the art of combining spices before dining on your culinary creations. The afternoon is at leisure to wander, shop or simply relax in your hotel.
DAY 13 | GALLE
Venure just outside of Galle today to visit a cinnamon plantation this morning. Learn the history of one of Sri Lanka’s major exports. how it is harvested and how it is used not only in every day cooking, but also for its medicinal purposes. Your afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 14 | COLOMBO | 1 NIGHT
Road transfer from Galle to Colombo (approx 2.5 hours) and enjoy a sightseeing drive through this quintessentially cosmopolitan city. Bustling with tuk tuks you will weave your way past The Fort and through Pettah, one of the older districts, passing the green parks and canals that interject the city. Your evening is at leisure to prepare for departure.
. Enjoy a short sightseeing drive around Colombo city and check into your hotel, right on the Galle Face Green.
DAY 15 | END OF ITINERARY
Your itinerary ends today with a transfer to the airport to commence your journey home, or to undertake a new adventure!
PLEASE NOTE:
This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis
NEED TO KNOW
Please enquire for pricing based on your preferences
Start: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Finish: Colombo, Sri Lanka
This itinerary provides the perfect inspiration for an all encompassing family foray through Sri Lanka & can be tailored to suit your style, pace, preferences and budget. Elements of this trip may vary based on your chosen season & dates of travel which may also present the opportunity to see & do even more!
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd
