Tour overview

This 9-day family holiday explores Sri Lanka in premium hotels, with adventures for children aged five and over. A local leader looks after the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, in a private air-conditioned vehicle. You stay eight nights in Jetwing and boutique hotels, with breakfast daily and most lunches.

From Colombo you travel to Dambulla to climb the Lion Rock of Sigiriya and join a jeep safari in Minneriya to see elephants.

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In Kandy the family can try crafts and visit a village, then you head to the tea country of Nuwara Eliya and ride the scenic train to Ella, before finishing at the Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle with time on the beach.

The physical rating is medium. This holiday suits families who want Sri Lanka in comfort.

Trip highlights

  • Sigiriya (Day 3)
  • A Minneriya elephant safari (Day 3)
  • Kandy (Day 4)
  • Nuwara Eliya (Day 6)
  • The train to Ella (Day 7)
  • Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle (Days 7–8)

Your route

11 stops from Colombo to Galle

9-day route: Colombo – Dambulla – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Galle
  1. Colombo Day 1
  2. Dambulla Days 2–3
  3. Sigiriya Day 3
  4. Minneriya National Park Day 3
  5. Kandy Days 4–5
  6. Nuwara Eliya Day 6
  7. Ambewela Day 7
  8. Ella Day 7
  9. Galle Days 7–8
  10. Ambalangoda Day 8
  11. Galle Day 9

Why choose this tour

Sri Lanka in premium hotels. Elephants, trains and beaches for families.

Best suited to

  • Families with children aged 5 and over
  • Families who value comfort
  • Wildlife lovers
  • First-time visitors to Sri Lanka
The Nine Arches Bridge near Ella

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Galle, Sri Lanka

  1. Day 1 · Colombo Colombo

    A welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Jetwing Colombo 7
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Dambulla Dambulla

    Cave temples.

    Hotel
    Jetwing Lake
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Sigiriya, Minneriya Sigiriya

    Elephants.

    Hotel
    Jetwing Lake
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Kandy Kandy

    Crafts.

    Hotel
    The Golden Crown
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Heeloya, Kandy Kandy

    A village visit.

    Hotel
    The Golden Crown
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya

    Tea country.

    Hotel
    Jetwing St. Andrews
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Ambewela, Ella, Galle Galle

    A scenic train.

    Hotel
    Jetwing Lighthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Galle Galle

    Beach time.

    Hotel
    Jetwing Lighthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Galle Galle

    The holiday ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The clock tower at Galle Fort, Sri Lanka

Where you stay

  • Colombo (1 night) Jetwing Colombo 7
  • Dambulla (2 nights) Jetwing Lake
  • Kandy (2 nights) The Golden Crown
  • Nuwara Eliya (1 night) Jetwing St. Andrews
  • Galle (2 nights) Jetwing Lighthouse

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in premium hotels
  • Meals 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Sigiriya and a Minneriya jeep safari
  • Scenic train to Ella
  • Family rooms where available
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 2 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Sri Lanka travel authorisation
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You have children under 5
  • You want a budget trip
  • You want a beach-only holiday
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–9 · Lunch: Days 2 and 4–7 · Dinner: Days 1, 3 and 8
Sigiriya from the air

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,290 per person, twin share, tour only. 29 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What ages is this holiday for?

Families with children aged 5 and over.

Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Yes, UK citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for online before travel.

Will we see elephants?

Very likely on the Minneriya jeep safari, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast daily, most lunches and two dinners.

How are families roomed?

In twin or family-configured rooms where available.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £2,290
See dates & prices