10 days · Elephants, trains and beaches
Sri Lanka Family Adventure
Ten days designed around children’s energy levels: shorter drives, pools at every stop, elephants, a train ride, easy hikes and the beach.
Private tour · price on request
Slower family pace
Sri Lanka With Kids
Twelve days at a gentle pace for younger children: two nights in most places, lots of pool time, elephants, a short train ride and a sheltered beach.
- Duration
- 12 days / 11 nights
- Pace
- Relaxed
- Best months
- Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
- Activity level
- Easy
- Route
- Negombo – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Udawalawe – Unawatuna
- Price
- On request
This is our slower family itinerary, designed with younger children in mind. Almost every stop is two nights, drives are broken up, and there is time every day to swim and rest. The beach at the end is Unawatuna, one of the more sheltered bays on the south coast in season.
We suggest the shorter train section between Nanu Oya and Ella, which is the most scenic and a manageable length for young travellers.
Trip highlights
- Two nights at Sigiriya
- Kandy and Peradeniya gardens
- Short scenic train ride
- Udawalawe elephants and the Elephant Transit Home
- Sheltered beach at Unawatuna
At a glance
- Starts / ends
- Colombo Airport (CMB)
- Best months
- December, January, February, March, April
- Transport
- Private air-conditioned car or van
- Guiding
- Driver or licensed chauffeur guide — your choice
- Meals
- Bed and breakfast (other meal plans on request)
- Ideal for
- Families
Route
Negombo – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Udawalawe – Unawatuna
Day by day
-
Day 1 · Negombo Arrive — Negombo Short transfer and a restful afternoon.
Short transfer and a restful afternoon.
- Travel:
- 30 min
- Overnight:
- Negombo
-
Day 2 · Sigiriya To Sigiriya Drive with stops; afternoon by the pool.
Drive with stops; afternoon by the pool.
- Travel:
- 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
-
Day 3 · Sigiriya Sigiriya Early climb of Sigiriya or a village experience; elephant safari in the afternoon.
Early climb of Sigiriya or a village experience; elephant safari in the afternoon.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Sigiriya
-
Day 4 · Kandy To Kandy Travel to Kandy via a spice garden.
Travel to Kandy via a spice garden.
- Travel:
- 2 hr 30 min – 3 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Kandy
-
Day 5 · Kandy Kandy Peradeniya gardens, the Temple of the Tooth and a cultural show.
Peradeniya gardens, the Temple of the Tooth and a cultural show.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Kandy
-
Day 6 · Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya Into the hills with a tea factory stop.
Into the hills with a tea factory stop.
- Travel:
- About 3 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Nuwara Eliya
-
Day 7 · Ella Train to Ella The train to Ella and a short walk to the Nine Arch Bridge.
The train to Ella and a short walk to the Nine Arch Bridge.
- Travel:
- 3 – 4 hr by train
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Ella
-
Day 8 · Ella Ella Little Adam’s Peak and a relaxed afternoon.
Little Adam’s Peak and a relaxed afternoon.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Ella
-
Day 9 · Udawalawe National Park Udawalawe Afternoon safari and, if timings allow, feeding time at the Elephant Transit Home.
Afternoon safari and, if timings allow, feeding time at the Elephant Transit Home.
- Travel:
- About 2 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Udawalawe National Park
-
Day 10 · Unawatuna To Unawatuna Drive to the south coast and settle in by the sea.
Drive to the south coast and settle in by the sea.
- Travel:
- About 3 hr
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Unawatuna
-
Day 11 · Unawatuna Beach and Galle Beach time, with an optional afternoon in Galle Fort.
Beach time, with an optional afternoon in Galle Fort.
- Travel:
- Local
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Overnight:
- Unawatuna
-
Day 12 Depart Transfer to the airport.
Transfer to the airport.
- Travel:
- 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min
- Meals:
- Breakfast
What’s included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver or chauffeur guide
- Accommodation at your chosen level (twin/double sharing)
- Daily breakfast
- Airport meet-and-greet and transfers
- Fuel, highway tolls and parking
- Driver’s accommodation and meals
Not included
- International flights and Sri Lanka ETA/visa fees
- Entrance fees to sites and national parks (quoted separately)
- Safari jeeps, boat trips and train tickets unless stated in your proposal
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless stated
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Practical details
Accommodation
We suggest hotels at the level you choose — good-value, comfortable, boutique or premium — and explain why each one suits the route. You can swap any hotel before anything is booked.
Transport & guide
You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle sized for your group and luggage, with the same driver or chauffeur guide throughout. Licensed site guides can be added at major heritage sites.
Best time to travel
December to April.
Add-ons for this route
Availability depends on season and your dates — we confirm before adding anything. Tick the ones you like in the form below.
Ella is the heart of tea country and the classic hill-country railway.
-
Scenic Hill-Country TrainDaily services year-round
Kandy – Nanu Oya – Ella · 3 – 7 hours depending on section
-
Little Adam’s Peak Sunrise WalkYear-round, weather permitting
Ella · 2 – 3 hours
-
Tea Factory & Estate VisitYear-round; some factories close on Poya (full moon) days
Hill country · 1 – 2 hours
The Cultural Triangle pairs ancient sites with village life and elephant country.
-
Village Experience near SigiriyaYear-round
Sigiriya area · 3 – 4 hours
-
Elephant Safari (Minneriya / Kaudulla)Year-round; largest gatherings roughly July – October
Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco Park · About 3 hours
-
Pidurangala Sunrise ClimbYear-round
Sigiriya · 2 hours
Also possible on this trip
- Family room upgrades
- Private cooking class
- Galle Fort tuk-tuk tour
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lanka safe for young children?
Many families travel with young children. We plan realistic days, choose hotels with pools, and advise on sun, heat and hygiene.
Make this trip yours
Adjust anything below, or just tell us your dates. A consultant replies personally — this is not a booking and nothing is charged.
Updated . Travel conditions change — we confirm details when we plan your trip.
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Extra days before or after
Day tours that fit around this itinerary.
Half day · from Negombo
Negombo Lagoon & City
A relaxed half day near the airport: a lagoon boat ride through mangroves, the fish market, the Dutch canal and St Mary’s Church.
Half day · from Negombo
Negombo Fishing Village Experience
An early-morning look at Negombo’s fishing life: boats coming in, the auction, and a traditional outrigger on the lagoon.
Full day · from Colombo
Galle Fort & South Coast
A full-day trip from Colombo on the Southern Expressway to walk Galle Fort’s ramparts and enjoy a south-coast beach.
Half day · from Kandy
Kandy City & Temple
Kandy’s highlights in a half day: the Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the Royal Botanical Gardens and a cultural show.