Begin your adventure with an overnight flight to Colombo.
Most suited for
Families
Ideal time to visit
May - September
This immersive and unusual itinerary is a brilliant option for adventurous families seeking something different in Sri Lanka.
Avoiding the typical loop, it carves a path through verdant tea hills, remote beaches, and wildlife-rich landscapes, offering a vibrant mix of activity, culture, and relaxation.
Trek a scenic section of the Pekoe Trail, surf Sri Lanka’s east coast, and spot elephants in the wild before winding down in Galle’s historic fort. Each stay has been handpicked for comfort, charm, and a sense of place – this is a real adventure with no compromise on ease.
Family Safari, Surf and Turf
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Depart the UK
Days 2–3
Negombo
Meet your private chauffeur-guide on arrival and transfer to Jetwing Lagoon. Rest and reset by the water, then explore the fish markets and canals of Negombo the next day.
Days 4–5
Kandy
Travel inland to Kandy, once a royal capital. Stay in a riverside boutique hotel and whizz around the city by tuk-tuk, sampling “short eats” and soaking in hill country views.
Days - 7
Pekoe Trail
Head up into the cooler hills and check in to an elegant planter’s bungalow. Trek a quiet stretch of the Pekoe Trail through tea fields and villages, then enjoy a hands-on tea experience at the estate.
Days 8 - 9
Ella
Take the scenic train from Nanu Oya to Ella, passing through lush plantations and peaks. Arrive at Jetwing Kaduruketha, an eco-luxury hideaway. Cycle to a waterfall, relax with mountain views, and absorb rural life.
Days 10 - 12
Arugam Bay
Journey east to surf and safari territory. Learn to ride the waves at Arugam Bay or visit ancient temples. On your final day, venture into Kumana National Park in search of elephants, monkeys, and exotic birds.
Days 13–14
Galle
Wrap up your trip on the south coast with a stay near Galle Fort. Discover its cobbled streets and colonial architecture with a local guide, then enjoy tea in a family-run Dutch-era home.
Day 15
Fly home
Your guide will take you to Colombo airport. Bid farewell to Sri Lanka as you catch your flight, taking home memories of an unforgettable family adventure.
Travelled with teenage kids to experience a taste of Sri Lanka
Stayed in beautiful boutique hotels and enjoyed everything from snorkelling among the coral reefs of Trincomalee to riding in tuk tuks through Colombo.
The Moore Family
Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Sri Lanka Experts
Lynsey’s love for Sri Lanka began during her travels across the island, where she was captivated by its warm people, diverse landscapes, and mouthwatering food. Her expertise lies in creating itineraries that balance relaxation and adventure, with a special focus on ethical travel and supporting local communities.
“This is for you if you have teens who crave more than just beach days and hotel pools. It’s a brilliant mix of wildlife adventures, cultural fun, and adrenaline-pumping activities, made for families who want to get stuck into Sri Lanka, not just scratch the surface.“
Lynsey
Sri Lanka Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Sri Lanka. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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Colombo, Negombo & around, Sri Lanka
Jetwing Lagoon
This is a great first or last stop on your trip to Sri Lanka: relax and enjoy life on the lagoon.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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East Coast, Sri Lanka
Jetwing Kottukal Beach House
A lovely boutique hotel on a quiet stretch of beach with a relaxed, homely feel.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Families,
Couples,
Friends
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Why House
A beautiful boutique hotel. Attentive, friendly, relaxed comfort that feels more home away from home, than high life.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Friends
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The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Sri Lanka
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
The Pekoe Trail
The Pekoe Trail is a 300km network of walking routes designed to open up Sri Lanka’s hill country to responsible travellers. Spanning seven valleys and weaving through remote communities, the trail champions sustainable tourism, cultural preservation and local livelihoods.
Gallery
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Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Learn to Surf
Set on Sri Lanka’s sunny east coast, Arugam Bay has earned a global reputation among surfers for its smooth breaks and beautiful setting. It’s ideal for beginners thanks to consistent waves, warm waters, and fewer crowds than more famous surf destinations.
Gallery
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Market, Cooking and Galle Fort
Begin your day at a lively local fish market, where the catch of the day arrives fresh and flapping. With the help of your host, you’ll choose fish, vegetables and spices before heading to a nearby home kitchen for a hands-on cooking class.
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Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka
Kumana National Park
Located about an hour from Arugam Bay, Kumana National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s best-kept secrets. Often overshadowed by its neighbour Yala, this coastal park sees far fewer visitors but rewards those who make the journey with rich wildlife sightings and a peaceful, undisturbed atmosphere.
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Negombo, Sri Lanka
Lagoon Safari
The Negombo Lagoon is one of Sri Lanka’s largest coastal inlets and a key player in the country’s fishing industry. Surrounded by mangrove forests and rich in aquatic biodiversity, it’s also a scenic and quietly captivating place to explore by water.
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Kandy, Sri Lanka
Contrasts of Kandy
Experience the historic city of Kandy with your very own expert guide.
The city is a real cultural gem to explore, it served as the Sinhalese Capital – defying Portuguese and Dutch rule for three centuries before being taken by the British in 1818. Kandy has a very unique character, maintaining its sense of tradition whilst incorporating a distinct colonial footprint.
Important FAQs about Sri Lanka
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been curating immersive Sri Lanka holidays since 2006 long before the island became a mainstream destination. Our deep-rooted local knowledge, trusted partnerships, and passion for meaningful travel make us the ideal choice for discovering Sri Lanka beyond the ordinary.
Over nearly two decades, we’ve developed unique experiences that blend cultural depth, comfort, and flexibility. Whether it’s staying in boutique hotels hidden in tea country, meeting local artisans, or exploring UNESCO heritage sites with expert guides, we design every journey to reveal the real heart of Sri Lanka, not just the tourist highlights.
With our thoughtful planning and in-country support, you’ll have peace of mind while enjoying a tailored adventure that suits your interests and travel style. We don’t do off-the-shelf holidays — we create personalised journeys that capture what’s truly special about Sri Lanka.
Let us show you the Sri Lanka we know and love.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, but the best time depends on where you’re going. One of the best times to visit is between December and March. The summer month and September is also a great all-round option, with good weather and fewer crowds.
Every ETG holiday to Sri Lanka is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), chauffeur guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Sri Lanka specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Download Your Complimentary Guide to Family Travel
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