850 ReviewsOBLU Nature Helengeli blends vibrant house reef adventures with relaxed, all-inclusive comfort—ideal for families, couples and ocean lovers.
Depart your home country for your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Families
Ideal time to visit
December- September
This two-week itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to include memorable family experiences in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Along the way, you’ll stay in unique, boutique, family-friendly accommodation where you’re ensured not only comfort and a great location but also an adventure.
You’ll travel in Sri Lanka with your own private chauffeur-guide. The route has been planned to minimise travel but ensure you can take in national parks, ancient cities, villages and hill country. The Sri Lanka tour can be as adventurous or relaxed as you wish. For the last part of the holiday, kick back in a villa on a beautiful, white sandy island in The Maldives.
Family Sri Lanka & The Maldives
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
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 3
The Hills around Kandy
On arrival at Colombo Airport, you will be welcomed by your local chauffeur-guide and then transferred to a family-run estate in the scenic rolling hills near Kandy. Spend the first two nights here, it’s an ideal location for discovering the tea plantations, rural life and the town of Kandy itself. Your time can be spent exploring, chilling by the pool, learning about Sri Lankan cookery or even venturing out on bike trails to a nearby waterfall.
Days 4 - 8
The Cultural Triangle with a Twist
Journey to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle with your chauffeur guide. You’ll spend five nights split between two contrasting properties in different corners of the region. This combination is a great way to explore the region’s ancient sites and get a feel for rural life.
Relax on a family-friendly eco-farm an hour north of Kandy, where you can wander through spice gardens, learn about sustainable farming, or relax and enjoy the pool or spa. Then, head to a lovely property near Habarana, from which you can easily explore Sigiriya and Dambulla. Experiences include cycling along the quiet backroads to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, marvelling at Sigiriya Rock Fortress at sunrise and embarking on a kayaking trip, where you may be lucky enough to see elephants in their natural habitat. We also include our signature Dambulla experience, where you meet locals and discover their traditions.
Days 9 - 10
Wilpattu National Park
Your driver will transport you to Wilpattu National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most important conservation areas. During your two-night stay, enjoy an authentic wilderness adventure, spotting leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of beautiful birdlife. Wilpattu is a lot less busy than other parks in the country, making for a much more peaceful location to explore on safari.
Days 11 - 14
The Maldives
Your driver will transfer you to the airport, where you’ll board a short flight from Colombo to the Maldives. On arrival, it’s a straightforward transfer to the boat jetty. Board a speedboat to the beautiful Oblu By Atmosphere resort, set on the white sands of Helengeli Island and fringed by turquoise waters. Your four-night all-inclusive stay will include plenty of relaxation time by the pool, in the ocean, or in your comfortable villa. The resort’s Family Beach Villas offer spacious two-bedroom accommodations with private pools, outdoor showers, and direct beach access. Amenities such as snorkelling gear, life jackets, and beach towels make exploring the stunning house reef easy and accessible for all ages, and families can bond over snorkelling adventures along the reef.
Day 15
Return home
Transfer to Male airport by speedboat for your flight back.
We have just returned from a two-week trip to Sri Lanka
Best family holiday ever. A mixture of beach, temples, wildlife, quiet and fun. [ETG] understands us and we won't be using anyone else for our holidays to Asia.
The Reynolds-Maclean Family
Excellent
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
Holly is a true Sri Lanka enthusiast, with a talent for designing holidays that blend the must-see highlights with the hidden corners of the country. Whether it’s a family-friendly wildlife encounter, a romantic retreat in the tea hills, or an off-the-beaten-track adventure, Holly loves curating trips that surprise and delight ETG travellers.
“This holiday is ideal for families looking for adventure and comfort. From cycling through Sri Lanka’s countryside and spotting leopards on safari to relaxing in a villa with direct beach access in the Maldives, every moment is designed to be memorable and family-friendly“
Holly
Regional Expert
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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Kandy and around, Sri Lanka
Rosyth Estate House
A beautifully converted planter’s bungalow within easy reach of Kandy.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
Friends
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Taru Villas Maia
Explore the Unesco sites and abundant wildlife of the Cultural Triangle from this modern, comfortable resort.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Gallery
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Puttalam & the North West, Sri Lanka
Thamaravila Wilpattu
A private and peaceful hideaway with just five chalets spread over 9 acres of land, a 10-minute drive from Wilpattu National Park.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Wildlife lovers
Gallery
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North Male Atoll, The Maldives
OBLU Nature Helengeli
Highlights
Highlights
House Reef,
Water villas.
All-Inclusive
Best for
Families,
Couples,
Gallery
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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Cultural Triangle, Sigirya
Sigiriya and Village Farm Experience
Travel by tuk tuk and tractor as you explore a few local farms. Learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, who grow a variety of crops including sweet potato, manioc and finger millet. Meet the farmers and their families, and try your hand at some of the agricultural techniques they use each day.
Finally, sit down to a home-cooked lunch made entirely from ingredients grown on the land. As this experience sits well off the beaten tourist trail, you’ll likely attract as much curiosity from the locals as you feel yourself – expect a warm welcome and a truly authentic taste of rural life.
Gallery
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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Pidurangala Rock
Located just north of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Pidurangala Rock is a site of spiritual and historical significance in its own right. The small temple at the base is thought to date back to the 6th century AD, and legend suggests King Kassapa used this forested hillside as both a place of worship and a strategic retreat while under threat from his brothers.
Gallery
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka, from the 11th – 13th Century. Unlike in the first capital, Anuradhapura which is mainly composed of Buddhist religious sites, here you’ll find the remains of multi-storey palaces, royal pavilions and bathing ponds complete with changing rooms – all standing testament to the luxurious lifestyle of the royalty – alongside Buddhist and Hindu temples with flawless craftsmanship and artistry.
Half a day cycling through Polonnaruwa will bring the splendours of the city closer to you, transporting you to another time.
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Ella, Sri Lanka
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Located just outside Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were once the private grounds of Sri Lankan royalty before becoming one of the most celebrated gardens in the British Empire. Today, they remain the largest botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, covering 60 hectares and bordered by the Mahaweli River on three sides.
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Cultural Triangle, Sri Lanka
Kayaking & Elephant Watching in Kalawewa National Park
Set within Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, Kalawewa National Park is centred around a manmade reservoir built in the 5th century by King Dathusena. Now a protected area, this peaceful park remains one of the country’s lesser-known gems, perfect for eco-tourists seeking space and silence.
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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.
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Sri Lanka, Cultural Triangle
Climbing Sigiriya and Cycling Tour
Visitors to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle visit or climb Sigiriya Rock. This trip will give you an alternative perspective on the region as you explore the rock itself followed by a cycle ride around the surrounding countryside that lies in its shadow.
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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.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka
Wondering when to visit Sri Lanka? Our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Sri Lanka will give you a more detailed breakdown of the best time of year to book a holiday, as well as tips on the best beaches, unmissable sites, and much more.
