Depart your home country for your flight to Sri Lanka.
Most suited for
Families
Ideal time to visit
December- September
This tour covers the well-known highlights of Sri Lanka with a few little twists. It’s an ideal itinerary for first-time visitors who want to feel immersed in the destination and have fun along the way.
Both the route and accommodation have been planned to suit families. Each hotel has something unique to make the trip extra special, whether it’s the view, the location, great family rooms or simply the warmest welcome in town.
Transport is with your own chauffeur guide who will remain with you for most of the tour. You can use the vehicle to go on as many day trips and excursions as you wish.
This itinerary is your starting point. We will create a completely bespoke package just for you.
Classic Family Sri Lanka
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 Notary's House
On arrival at Colombo Airport, meet your local chauffeur-guide and transfer to your boutique hotel where you will be for a two-night stay. Enjoy a relaxed start to your holiday here: splash in the pool, explore the grounds, or sit back and enjoy the hospitality as you adjust to ‘holiday’ time.
Days 4 - 6
The Cultural Triangle with a twist
Your chauffeur-guide will transfer you to the Cultural Triangle. Here you will spend three days taking in the region’s majestic ancient cities interactively. Cycle the backroads to Polonnaruwa, explore the rock fortress at Sigiriya before the crowds arrive, and discover the local life of the surrounding countryside villages on a more off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Day 7
Kandy
Travel south to Kandy. Beyond the more well-known Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the sacred Temple of the Tooth, Kandy is surrounded by lush countryside and makes an excellent base for some outdoor adventures.
Days 8 - 9
Tea Country
All aboard for one of the world’s best train journeys. Travel from Kandy through the tea-covered hills to Haputale. Your accommodation is just a stone’s throw from the train station. Here we include a pleasant stroll through the plantations to reveal, on a clear day at least, one of the country’s most exceptional views.
Days 10 - 11
Gal Oya National Park
Travel to Gal Oya National Park from the coast for a two-night stay in a beautifully designed eco-lodge. The park is home to Sri Lanka’s largest lake, and boat safaris here allow you to spot Asian elephants and vibrant birdlife in their natural habitats.
Days 12 - 13
Yala National Park
Your driver will transport you to Yala National Park for your safari adventure. Here, you’ll stay in a wonderful tented safari camp known for its conservation work. Yala is known for its leopard population, but there is a wide variety of animals and birdlife. Your camp is an excellent base to explore the park, and there will be time for both afternoon and morning safaris.
Days 14 - 17
Galle Coast
With your chauffeur-guide, you’ll head southwest towards the Galle coast. On arrival, you’ll check in to a charming boutique hotel. There are excellent interconnecting family rooms, a lovely pool and gardens, stylish decor, great food and, best of all, a very warm welcome. Plenty of time to relax and enjoy the coast or take a walking tour around Galle Fort. An adventure in the local countryside is included: travel down the river and then by tuk-tuk or cycle towards a traditional village where you’ll get to enjoy a snack of traditional egg hoppers.
Day 18
Fly home
Bid farewell to Sri Lanka as you catch your flight, taking home memories of an unforgettable family adventure.
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
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.
“Whether you’re biking through villages, touring the historic ramparts of Galle Fort, or snacking on traditional egg hoppers after a riverside tuk-tuk ride, every day strikes the perfect balance of ease and exploration. Of course, you’ll be guided the whole way by your personal chauffeur‑guide, always ready for impromptu wildlife stops or roadside treats “
Holly
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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Sri Lanka
Gal Oya Lodge
Gal Oya Lodge is located in the heart of the Gal Oya National Park, not far from Sri Lanka’s most sizable inland body of water, Senanayake Samudraya. This wonderfully serene lake is surrounded by forests teeming with colourful wildlife.
All the teak and mara wooden furnishings have been locally and lovingly handmade and the building’s open-plan architecture maximises the panoramic mountain views.
Highlights
Highlights
Scenic spot,
Sublime swimming pool,
Amazing activities
Best for
Families,
Couples
Gallery
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Colombo, Negombo & Around, Sri Lanka
The Notary’s House
The Notary’s House is a charming six-bedroom boutique hotel set amidst beautifully manicured gardens and a coconut grove. Bordering a lake, it offers a calm and serene stay, complete with wonderful facilities and scenery. Located just a 45-minute drive away from Colombo’s international airport, it is an ideal place to ease into your Sri Lankan holiday.
Highlights
Highlights
Lakeside setting
Infinity pool
Relaxed atmosphere
Best for
Couples
Families
Honeymooners
Good to know
Ideal for first or last night stays
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Kandy and around, Sri Lanka
Villa Rosa
A villa style, boutique hotel; offering personal comforts, great food and the finest views of any hotel in Kandy
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Couples
Families
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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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.
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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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Gal Oya, Sri Lanka
Jeep Safari & Park Walk at Gal Oya Lodge
While staying at Gal Oya Lodge, explore the forgotten Nilagala section of the National Park in an open-top 4×4.
The half-day tour will take you into the park’s scenic areas on the lookout for the medicinal plants, endemic birdlife, and varied animal life which make up the abundant ecosystem. Your expert guide will provide information about the surrounding wildlife as you explore the hidden corners of the park, searching for elephants, deer, and rare birds.
After exploring the park by Jeep, more intrepid guests have the option of an easy-going trek through the jungle to the Makara River mouth for a different perspective and the chance to see wildlife on foot.
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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.
