Sri Lanka Family Tour
Sri Lanka Family Tour
- 7 Days
- 4 Pax
- Photo Friendly
- Private Tour
- All weather
- Terms & Conditions Apply
The Sri Lanka Family Tour is one of the oldest and most well-travelled itineraries, yet it continues to be a favourite among travellers visiting the island. This carefully curated 6-night, 7-day journey follows less-trodden paths while capturing the true essence of Sri Lanka’s diverse attractions.
Designed to offer more than the ordinary, this experience takes you beyond conventional routes to reveal hidden gems alongside iconic highlights. From ancient cities and cultural landmarks to scenic landscapes, golden beaches, and abundant wildlife, this journey showcases the very best of Sri Lanka.
Offering excellent value, the programme includes many of the country’s key attractions while ensuring a comfortable and enriching travel experience.
Enquire now to personalise this journey to suit your family’s interests.
Amazing Views
Family Friendly
Professional Guide
Transport Included
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: AIRPORT – NEGOMBO/WAIKKAL
Travel Time: 30 minutes / 20 km
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where your personal guide will greet you and introduce the journey ahead. A short coastal transfer brings you to Negombo, a laid-back seaside town known for its charm and easy-going atmosphere.
Check into your hotel and take time to relax after your journey.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Pegasus Reef Hotel or similar
Superior Hotel: Sooriya Resort or similar
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where your personal guide will greet you and introduce the journey ahead. A short coastal transfer brings you to Negombo, a laid-back seaside town known for its charm and easy-going atmosphere.
Check into your hotel and take time to relax after your journey.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Pegasus Reef Hotel or similar
Superior Hotel: Sooriya Resort or similar
DAY 2: NEGOMBO – SIGIRIYA
Travel Time: 3 hours / 149 km
After breakfast at the hotel, travel inland towards Sigiriya, passing through lush countryside and rural landscapes. Check into your hotel.
In the afternoon, embark on an optional jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. During the dry season (July to September), hundreds of elephants gather around the reservoir, drawn by its rich grazing grounds. This remarkable natural event, known as “the Gathering”, offers a rare opportunity to witness large herds socialising, bathing, and feeding in their natural habitat—a truly memorable experience for all ages.
The safari location will be selected based on elephant movements, taking you to Minneriya, Eco Park, or Kaudulla National Park for the best viewing opportunities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Kassapa Lions Rock or similar
Superior Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or similar
After breakfast at the hotel, travel inland towards Sigiriya, passing through lush countryside and rural landscapes. Check into your hotel.
In the afternoon, embark on an optional jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. During the dry season (July to September), hundreds of elephants gather around the reservoir, drawn by its rich grazing grounds. This remarkable natural event, known as “the Gathering”, offers a rare opportunity to witness large herds socialising, bathing, and feeding in their natural habitat—a truly memorable experience for all ages.
The safari location will be selected based on elephant movements, taking you to Minneriya, Eco Park, or Kaudulla National Park for the best viewing opportunities.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Kassapa Lions Rock or similar
Superior Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or similar
DAY 3: SIGIRIYA
After breakfast at the hotel, explore the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rising dramatically above the surrounding plains. Discover its ancient frescoes, landscaped gardens, and fascinating history as a royal citadel.
Return to the hotel for an interactive cooking demonstration, where the family can learn to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes, followed by a delicious rice and curry lunch.
In the afternoon, proceed to Polonnaruwa and explore the medieval capital by bicycle. The architect of this lovely city is known to be King Parakrama Bahu the Great. The remains of the Royal Citadel—including the council chamber, the prince’s bathing pool, and the Gal Vihare, a stone temple with its colossal sculptures of the Buddha set in a quiet grove of trees—are all within easy distance of one another. The still-functioning Parakrama Samudra, a man-made reservoir larger than the Colombo harbor, is also nearby. The new museum features an excellent scale model of the ancient city as it once was.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Standard Hotel: Kassapa Lions Rock or similar
Superior Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or similar
Return to the hotel for an interactive cooking demonstration, where the family can learn to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes, followed by a delicious rice and curry lunch.
In the afternoon, proceed to Polonnaruwa and explore the medieval capital by bicycle. The architect of this lovely city is known to be King Parakrama Bahu the Great. The remains of the Royal Citadel—including the council chamber, the prince’s bathing pool, and the Gal Vihare, a stone temple with its colossal sculptures of the Buddha set in a quiet grove of trees—are all within easy distance of one another. The still-functioning Parakrama Samudra, a man-made reservoir larger than the Colombo harbor, is also nearby. The new museum features an excellent scale model of the ancient city as it once was.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Standard Hotel: Kassapa Lions Rock or similar
Superior Hotel: SigiriyaJungles or similar
DAY 4: SIGIRIYA - KANDY
Travel Time: 2.5 hours / 91 km
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, an impressive UNESCO-listed complex adorned with ancient murals and statues. This temple was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex consists of five caves, featuring over 2,000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings—the largest continuous area of paintings found in the world.
Continue to Kandy, stopping en route at a spice garden in Matale to discover Sri Lanka’s rich spice heritage.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Later, explore Kandy’s lively streets and markets by tuk-tuk (optional), followed by a visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth that houses a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre. End the evening with a vibrant Kandyan cultural performance.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Hotel Topaz or similar
Superior Hotel: Hotel Tourmaline or similar
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, an impressive UNESCO-listed complex adorned with ancient murals and statues. This temple was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex consists of five caves, featuring over 2,000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings—the largest continuous area of paintings found in the world.
Continue to Kandy, stopping en route at a spice garden in Matale to discover Sri Lanka’s rich spice heritage.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Later, explore Kandy’s lively streets and markets by tuk-tuk (optional), followed by a visit to the sacred Temple of the Tooth that houses a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre. End the evening with a vibrant Kandyan cultural performance.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Hotel Topaz or similar
Superior Hotel: Hotel Tourmaline or similar
DAY 5: KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA
Travel Time: 2.5 hours / 77 km
After breakfast at the hotel, journey into the cool hill country, Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a scenic train ride from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya, one of the most picturesque rail journeys in Sri Lanka.
En route, set off on a sightseeing tour as the road to the hill country winds through lush tea plantations. If you are in the mood, you can stop along the way to mingle with the locals, participate in tea plucking, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Visit a tea plantation and factory to discover how tea leaves make their way into a steaming hot cup. Don’t forget to pick up a few fresh tea packets on your way out.
Check into your hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax in the refreshing mountain climate.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Heaven Seven Hotel or similar
Superior Hotel: Galway Heights or similar
After breakfast at the hotel, journey into the cool hill country, Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a scenic train ride from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya, one of the most picturesque rail journeys in Sri Lanka.
En route, set off on a sightseeing tour as the road to the hill country winds through lush tea plantations. If you are in the mood, you can stop along the way to mingle with the locals, participate in tea plucking, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Visit a tea plantation and factory to discover how tea leaves make their way into a steaming hot cup. Don’t forget to pick up a few fresh tea packets on your way out.
Check into your hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax in the refreshing mountain climate.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Heaven Seven Hotel or similar
Superior Hotel: Galway Heights or similar
DAY 6: NUWARA ELIYA - YALA
Travel Time: 2.5 hours / 77 km
After breakfast at the hotel, journey into the cool hill country, Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a scenic train ride from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya, one of the most picturesque rail journeys in Sri Lanka.
En route, set off on a sightseeing tour as the road to the hill country winds through lush tea plantations. If you are in the mood, you can stop along the way to mingle with the locals, participate in tea plucking, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Visit a tea plantation and factory to discover how tea leaves make their way into a steaming hot cup. Don’t forget to pick up a few fresh tea packets on your way out.
Check into your hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax in the refreshing mountain climate.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Heaven Seven Hotel or similar
Superior Hotel: Galway Heights or similar
After breakfast at the hotel, journey into the cool hill country, Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a scenic train ride from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya, one of the most picturesque rail journeys in Sri Lanka.
En route, set off on a sightseeing tour as the road to the hill country winds through lush tea plantations. If you are in the mood, you can stop along the way to mingle with the locals, participate in tea plucking, or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery. Visit a tea plantation and factory to discover how tea leaves make their way into a steaming hot cup. Don’t forget to pick up a few fresh tea packets on your way out.
Check into your hotel in Nuwara Eliya and relax in the refreshing mountain climate.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Standard Hotel: Heaven Seven Hotel or similar
Superior Hotel: Galway Heights or similar
DAY 7: TISSAMAHARAMA - AIRPORT OR BEACH STAY
Travel Time: 3.5 hours / 278 km
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the airport or your chosen beach extension.
En route, visit Galle Fort and the Dutch town. Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later modified by the Dutch in the 17th century. During this period, the fort became Sri Lanka’s main port and a center of trade and commerce among Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays, and Indians. Galle Fort is one of the best-preserved examples of 17th-century colonial fortifications in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue to your final destination, bringing your Sri Lankan family adventure to a memorable close.
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the airport or your chosen beach extension.
En route, visit Galle Fort and the Dutch town. Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later modified by the Dutch in the 17th century. During this period, the fort became Sri Lanka’s main port and a center of trade and commerce among Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays, and Indians. Galle Fort is one of the best-preserved examples of 17th-century colonial fortifications in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue to your final destination, bringing your Sri Lankan family adventure to a memorable close.
Our Pricing Guide
What’s Included
- Accommodation at the listed hotels with the specified meal plans
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking naturalist guide
- Entrance fees for all excursions and sightseeing activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Two bottles of mineral water per person per day
- Highway tolls, where applicable
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses such as laundry, spa treatments, and porterage
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Optional excursions or activities
- Camera and video permits
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Any additional beverages or incidental costs
See What Our Customers Say
- Susanne K
We cannot thank our tour co-ordinator Nilushki and our tour guide Dewa enough for our fantastic holiday. There was such attention to detail around our trip – ranging from a... read more 
September 13, 2023soaddictiveJust wow! - I booked a private 14 day tour with car and guide with Nilukshi. This was my honeymoon and when researching companies to assist with out trip, I wanted the local... read more
September 6, 2023smarine222Very good trip ! - I had the opportunity to discover Sri Lanka in August. I booked my tour through the country with Journey Scales travel. The guide/driver was good, nice and show us many... read more
August 22, 2023
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