A Gentle Family Journey in Sri Lanka
Tour Introduction
This relaxed yet absorbing itinerary affords plenty of pleasurable time by the sea, while offering much of cultural and interior interest – and while not at the seaside, you will enjoy the benefit of having a private guide and vehicle in the interior. Boating along jungle waterways, marvelling at the Buddhist splendour of the Tooth Temple in Kandy, learning about tropical plants, climbing an ancient rock fortress, watching a herd of wild elephants and swimming in warm seas and clear pools – all await you on this charming journey, perfect for families with younger children.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Colombo. Met by your private chauffeur /guide and drive to Ranweli, reaching the hotel via a pontoon ferry. Just 45 minutes from the airport Ranweli is a haven of peace and relaxation with a small beach, freshwater lagoon and a checklist of 120 species of bird.
Staying at Ranweli Holiday Village. Includes Breakfast.
Enjoy a morning’s wildlife watching by boat in the fresh water lagoon and waterways. Free afternoon to relax and explore.
Staying at Ranweli Holiday Village. Includes Breakfast.
Free day to relax and enjoy on-site activities.
Staying at Ranweli Holiday Village. Includes Breakfast.
After breakfast, pick-up by your chauffeur/guide and drive to Habarana, located in the heart of the famous Sri Lankan Cultural Triangle, containing many ancient and important UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Staying at Cinnamon Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Spend the morning at one of Sri Lanka’s top cultural sites: Polonnaruwa, the country’s second Buddhist capital and home to four massive figures of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite. In the afternoon, you will visit the Minneriya National Park home to the famous ‘gathering’ of hundreds of elephants that come here to find water during the dry season months (especially August and September). Other sightings can include deer, two species of monkey, pelicans, leopards and sloth bears. Out of season (when Minneriya is flooded) you will visit Hurulu Eco Park, where wild elephants also congregate and other wildlife can be seen.
Staying at Cinnamon Lodge. Includes All Meals.
In the morning visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to climb the iron ladders to the top (not for the very young or unfit) and explore the Water Gardens, frescoes of beautiful maidens and the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti. In the afternoon, enjoy the beautiful grounds of the hotel or discuss with your guide other options.
Staying at Cinnamon Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Drive south into the foothills of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Arrive at your hotel by the Mahaweli River, a short distance outside Kandy. Free afternoon to relax and explore the hotel facilities: large swimming pool, games including table tennis and pool, awe-inspiring scenery.
Staying at Cinnamon Citadel. Includes All Meals.
Visit the historic town of Kandy including the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, where the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. Free afternoon.
Staying at Cinnamon Citadel. Includes All Meals.
After breakfast, visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the premier gardens in Sri Lanka, where one can see well over 5000 varieties of tropical and sub tropical plants. The orchid house here is supposed to be the best in Asia. In the afternoon, enjoy leisurely walks along the trails leading from the hotel into the surrounding forests and countryside.
Staying at Cinnamon Citadel. Includes All Meals.
Drive to Wadduwa on the coast south of Colombo. Transfer to the hotel and afternoon at leisure to relax (your private guide will return to Colombo).
Staying at Blue Water Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Three days to relax by the beach and enjoy the facilities of this excellent hotel.
Staying at Blue Water Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Drive back to Colombo and check in for your flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Ranweli Resort
Overview
Ranweli Resort is situated 18km from the International Airport on an almost-private beach accessible by pontoon ferry. A balance of western comforts and indigenous aesthetics in the furnishing and interior decor of the hotel create an ambiance reminiscent of this ancient land. There are 84 small chalets nestled in 20 acres of lush tropical foliage. All rooms are air-conditioned and solar power is used for hot water. Each has a telephone, safety deposit box, comfortable beds and a small seating area.
The hotel’s checklist of birds exceeds 120 species and it is recognised as a ‘bird-friendly’ hotel by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. Birdwatching walks and boat trips explore the local mangroves where impressive numbers of water and forest-edge birds can be observed, and the large water monitor lizard is also frequently spotted. The resort offers a good range of other leisure activities including tennis, table tennis, squash, volleyball, bicycle rental, canoeing and safe swimming in pool or sea.
Facilities include a good restaurant which offers an excellent spread of different cuisines including fresh seafood, local specialities and international favourites. There is also a bar, large swimming pool and BBQ facility, and massage treatments are available or request.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, restaurant, bar, lounge area, air-conditioning, free WiFi (public areas) room service, luggage storage, laundry service, currency exchange, gift shop, swimming pool, safety deposit box, telephone in room.
Local Wildlife
Boat tours along the local rivers and mangroves can produce great bird watching with kingfishers, bee-eaters, birds of prey and huge water monitor lizards commonly encountered.
Optional Activities
Bird watching, boat trips, canoeing, cycling, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, squash and swimming.
Cinnamon Lodge
Overview
Nestled among 27 acres of grounds containing 1700 trees and countless plants, all bordering a large lake, Cinnamon Lodge is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost hotels. The location in Habarana makes it ideal as a base for exploring the prime sites of the Cultural Triangle – Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla – as well as the wildlife sanctuary of Minneriya, where the spectacular Gathering of the Elephants occurs annually during the dry season from April to October.
Rooms come in three categories but all have minibar, tea/coffee, WiFi, air-conditioning, telephone, desk, safe, en suite bathrooms, ironing boards and complimentary bottled water. The airy dining room looks out onto the large swimming pool and gardens. The restaurant buffets are legendary, with a bewildering variety of delicious western and eastern dishes, various cooking stations and a separate, air-conditioned room just for desserts: perhaps the best buffet to be found in Sri Lanka.
All in all, a perfect option for visiting Sri Lanka’s World Heritage Cultural Triangle.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, swimming pool, air-conditioning, fan, lakeside location, massage service, laundry service, safe, free WiFi.
Local Wildlife
In the hotel’s grounds you will find many bird species and various reptiles. Nearby is Minneriya National Park where large herds of elephants can be seen during the dry season.
Optional Activities
Swimming, visiting cultural sites and national parks, early morning guided birdwatching, hot air ballooning.
Cinnamon Citadel
Overview
With a commanding position by the side of Sri Lanka’s longest river, Cinnamon Citadel is a good four-star option for families and others visiting the hill country’s charming capital, Kandy. Built in a retro fusion style combined with the best in modern architecture, Cinnamon Citadel has three categories of well-appointed rooms, each having TV, DVD, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, tea/coffee, minibar, hair dryer, bathrobes, safe, scales and various toiletries and kits. The hotel’s main restaurant, the Panorama, serves buffet meals while Café C offers fine a la carte and set menu dinners and views over the Mahaweli River.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, swimming pool, bar, air-conditioning, fan, riverfront location, massage service, laundry service, safe, WiFi.
Local Wildlife
In the hotel’s grounds there are various bird species and reptiles.
Optional Activities
Swimming, billiards, table tennis, various games, visiting cultural sites and botanical gardens. The main sites to visit are the city itself, and the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
The Blue Water Wadduwa
Overview
The Blue Water is a long established, four-star beach resort designed by Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa. There’s a 24-hour coffee shop, bar and two good restaurants. The spacious grounds host many coconut palms and reach to the beach. There’s a huge swimming pool with plenty of shallow areas, perfect for children. Baby sitting is available. On site is a nightclub, spa, beauty salon, full gym, jewellery shop and business centre. Plenty of options for activities exist on site as well as swimming, such as table tennis, squash, tennis, beach volleyball, water polo, carrom (a local board game), pool, darts and chess.
The Blue Water is a perfect family resort and the huge pool is exceptional. The beach can be dangerous for swimming so it’s best to keep to the pool and to walk down to the beach in the early morning to see the fishermen bring in their catch, as they have done for centuries.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
The rooms come in five categories, all with sea views, private balcony or terrace, fans and air-conditioning, high speed WiFi in the rooms and complimentary drinking water. Higher room grades have private Jacuzzi, living and dining areas, DVD players, large TVs and minibars.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Sri Lankan Airlines direct flight from London Heathrow to Colombo
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
If travelling from March to September, switch to Trincomalee for beach at the end. The weather will be a lot better and there is even the chance of seeing blue whales there.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
UK agents always quick to respond to queries and flexible in designing our trip. Exactly what we hoped for in a country which we already liked. Highlights – six Leopards! Nearly 100 species of birds. Many elephants including family groups, as well as plenty of monkeys, deer, Crocs etc.
