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Family Sri Lanka & Undiscovered Maldives

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Experience Travel Group

Family Sri Lanka & Undiscovered Maldives

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This is an unusual family adventure to Sri Lanka and The Maldives, perfect for those wanting something truly unique and authentic. Spend the first half of the holiday in Sri Lanka, combining some of the main sights with experiences that take you away from the usual tourist route.  Ride tuk-tuks through sleepy rural roads, cycle through ancient cities dating back to the 11th Century, drive past families of wild elephants and sample delicious fresh curries.

For the second stage of your adventure, travel around The Maldives in a style overlooked by the vast majority of tourists - stay on a local island, meet Dhivehi (Maldivian) people and experience the country at its most authentic (later moving to a resort for some pure indulgence.) 

Highlights include –

  • Scaling UNESCO heritage Sigiriya Rock Fortress and watching the sun set 
  • Eating lunch on a local farm in the Sri Lankan countryside and learning about rural life
  • Watching families of elephants go about their life in Minneriya National Park
  • Wandering through pastel coloured Moroccan-style architecture that typify Maldivian towns on a guided tour
  • Taste delicious tapas-style hedikaa with Maldivians and learn to beat boduberu drums
  • Relax totally in a beautiful resort on a private island in The Maldives

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style.To find out more about how this suggested itinerary could inspire your own holiday, fill in the form below.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Colombo.

DAY 2 – 3 RURAL GAMPAHA 

Upon arrival at Colombo airport, be greeted by your private chauffeur guide and get in your air-conditioned vehicle to your first hotel.  Situated North-East of Colombo, this rural area known as Gampaha is incredibly beautiful and is home to countless coconut farms and pineapple plantations. 

After settling in, enjoy a number of optional activities including a tour of a coconut estate, exploring local nearby villages or take a ride on the leisurely bullock cart. You may rather swim in the idyllic pool or relax with cool drinks, the choice is yours. 

DAY 4 - 6 CULTURAL TRIANGLE 

Explore the Cultural Triangle, roughly the area between Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. With the world famous rock fortress of Sigiriya and the cave temples of Dambulla in the centre, we've especially designed our experiences in this region to get you away from the crowds where possible. This region is also famous for its abundance of artificial tanks that were built by civilisations over 1000 years old. How's that for ingenuity?

Cycle past majestic elephants of Minneriya National Park, and if you're on holiday between August and September - you'll be able to experience the biggest gathering of wild elephants in the world – appropriately named 'The Gathering.'

Visit local farms and learn about the life of villagers. Have a go at traditional farming practices and enjoy a home-cooked lunch made nearly entirely from the home-grown produce you've seen earlier. Ride on a tuk-tuks, tractors and explore the rural paths with your guide on foot. 

DAY 7 - 9 hill country/kandy

Spend three-nights at a family-run estate house in the lush tea plantations. Spend your time exploring the beautiful countryside on bike trails and splashing around in the pool. You’re not too far from Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city, so there will be a chance to visit for the day with your guide and taking a scenic train ride en route.

DAY 10 – 11  the maldives - LOCAL ISLAND 

Transfer back to Colombo where you'll hop on a one hour flight to the extraordinary city of Male, capital of The Maldives. Enjoy a quick tour of this high-rise city erupting out of the ocean. Gain a better insight into the unique heritage of Maldivians and see the Moroccan design Mosques that date back to King Charles I. 

Hop on a speedboat to Guraidhoo Island where you'll experience Maldivian everyday life on this local island. Have time to settle in, have a swim in the idyllic waters and enjoy dinner with a local family. 

After breakfast with the locals, enjoy a coral reef trip and a spot of snorkelling. With local Maldivians joining you, they'll be able to let you know about the various fish that call the coral their home and you'll be in with a good chance of spotting turtles. 

After lunch, have a short tour of the local island including the Mosque and a boat yard where they make the iconic curved fronted Dhoni boats. Stop by a local cafe to sample traditional 'hedikaa' served with black tea or non-alcoholic beer. In the evening, enjoy a performance of boduberu drumming and join in if you're feeling brave.

DAY 12 – 14  the maldives - RESORT 

Transfer back to Male and onward to your resort to indulge. Your all-inclusive stay will include plenty of relaxation time by the pool or in the ocean. Kids and adults alike will particularly enjoy snorkelling and swimming, discovering the colourful array of marine life around the island as well as the variety of watersports on offer.

DAY 15 DEPART FOR THE UK

Return home from Male.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, our holidays typically cost between £4,000 and £6,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year as well as the hotels and flights involved. We offer child and seasonal discounts. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Guraidhoo Palm Inn

Guraidhoo Palm Inn, South Male Atoll

Stay at Guraidhoo Palm Inn, a homely guesthouse with a beautiful sun terrace overlooking coconut trees and the turquoise sea.

Horathapola Coconut Estate

Horathapola Coconut Estate, Pannala

Beautiful tropical mansion offering unpretentious luxury on a working Coconut Estate.

Lake Lodge Kandalama

Lake Lodge Kandalama, Dambulla

Elegant twelve-bedroom boutique hotel on the banks of the Kandalama lake in the heart of the Cultural Triangle.

Rosyth House

Rosyth House, Kegalle

A beautifully converted planter's bungalow within easy reach of Kandy.

Velassaru Maldives

Velassaru Maldives, South Male Atoll

Close to Male, you’ll find this small, contemporary and pleasant boutique resort with great food and beautiful surroundings.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Boduberu drumming lesson

Boduberu drumming lesson, North Male Atoll

With influences from Africa, brought over by Indian Ocean sailors , Boduberu is an ancient musical form you can learn.

Breakfast at a local home

Breakfast at a local home, North Male Atoll

Enjoy breakfast in a local home with traditional food like Roshi and fresh tuna cooked on open ovens.

Contrasts of Kandy

Contrasts of Kandy, Kandy

Explore the rich history of Kandy, including the Royal Botanical Garden and Queen's Hotel.

Coral Reef Snorkelling

Coral Reef Snorkelling, North Male Atoll

Enjoy a snorkel under the sea and try to spot turtles, clown fish and rays under the water with expert local swimmers.

Dambulla Cave Temples

Dambulla Cave Temples, Dambulla

Beautiful and decorative cave temples hidden into rocks and ccaves at Dambulla

Guraidhoo Island Tour

Guraidhoo Island Tour, South Male Atoll

Enjoy a tour of this typical Maldivian island including visits to the Mosque and dhoni boatyard.

Male City Tour

Male City Tour, North Male Atoll

Explore the historic city of Male, capital of the Maldives and get a sense of ordinary life for the locals.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka's third ancient captal, home to some of the finest stone carvings and monuments

Sampling Hedikaa

Sampling Hedikaa, North Male Atoll

Tuck in to some absolutely delicious tapas style dishes, from samosas, to crunchy tuna balls to coconut rice pieces.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya

One of the unofficial wonders of the world - a spectacular, must-visit ancient site full of mystery and intrigue

Tea Factory Visit

Tea Factory Visit, Nuwara Eliya

See the inner-workings of a tea factory and follow the process from plucking the bud to brewing a cup

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Family Sri Lanka & Undiscovered Maldives '

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~
Your next adventure
starts with a conversation
~

Every ETG journey is unique. Tell us your loves, your hates, your holiday ambitions, your hopes and fears, and we’ll share a suitcase so full of inspired holiday ideas you’ll need to sit on it to shut it tight.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Let us inspire you...

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

ETG - immersive holidays that give back, since 2004.
Don’t just see Asia - feel Asia.

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  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
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      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
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    • Slow Holidays
  • Guide to Sri Lanka
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  • Places in Sri Lanka
    • Regions of Sri Lanka
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      • The Cultural Triangle
      • Colombo, Negombo & Around
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      • West Coast Beaches
      • Galle and Around
      • The South Coast
      • Puttalam & the North West
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      • Jaffna & The North
    • National Parks & Sancturaries
      • Overview
      • Bundala National Park
      • Flood Plains National Park
      • Gal Oya National Park
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      • The Knuckles Range
      • The Sinharaja Rainforest
      • Udawalawe National Park
      • Wasgamuwa National Park
      • Wilpattu National Park
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