Sri Lanka & Undiscovered Maldives Family Holiday
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

This is an unusual family adventure to Sri Lanka and The Maldives, perfect for those wanting something truly unique and authentic. Begin with exploring the 'pearl of the Indian Ocean,' Sri Lanka, combining some of the main sights with experiences off 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 way 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 sunset 
• 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 of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive 'Journey Planner' here. 

• International Flights
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more information on our pricing policy read here.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Colombo.

DAY 2 – 3 RURAL GAMPAHA RELAX IN A COLONIAL ESTATE

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 EXPERIENCE SIGIRIYA AND BEYOND

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 & 8 TEA PLANTATIONS EXPERIENCE HILL COUNTRY LIFE

Visit the beautiful emerald hill country, famous for its tea. Have a guided tour of a tea factory and have a taste of some deliciously brewed leaves with a well-earned cake too. 

DAY 9 KANDY TRAIN RIDES AND TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH

 Experience the contrasts of Kandy on a tour that includes the famous Temple of the Tooth. You'll also visit Kandy's Garrison cemetery before enjoying a train ride through the spectacular hill country to Polgahawela. 

DAY 10 – 11 MALE & LOCAL ISLAND MEET MALDIVIANS

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 RESORT MALDIVES INDULGE AND RELAX

Transfer back to Male and onward to your resort to indulge in some true luxury. 

DAY 15 DEPART FOR THE UK

Return home from Male.