Family fun in Sri Lanka & the Maldives

Negombo

Day 1: Arrival in Sri Lanka

Upon arrival at Colombo International Airport, you will be welcomed for your transfer to Negombo on the coast.

Strung along the seafront, this beach city is relaxed and friendly and makes a good introduction to Sri Lanka. Settle into your accommodation and spend the rest of the day exploring your suroundings.

Negombo - Habarana

Day 2: Journey to Habarana

After breakfast today you’ll travel from Negombo to Habarana. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Relax at your hotel, enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and perhaps take a stroll around the local area.

Habarana - Minneriya National Park - Habarana

Day 3: Morning with monkeys & elephant safari

You’ll have an early start this morning for a one-hour drive to the ancient ruined kingdom city of Polonnaruwa. On this tour you will have the chance to observe several troops of monkeys as they communicate with each other, following them through the jungle and watching them in their natural habitat. An expert guide will accompany you throughout. This will be followed by a visit to the Polonnaruwa ruins.

After lunch, you'll head out by safari jeep for an afternoon of elephant-watching. Minneriya National Park is famed for its 'Elephant Gathering' - a spectacular phenomenon during the long dry seasons when hundreds of elephants can be seen feeding on the grasslands here.

Habarana

Day 4: Jeep tour & treasure hunt

Today, you’ll take an exhilarating off-road jeep ride to explore the delights of Sigiriya and Habarana. Your local guide will help you experience Sri Lankan culture at its most genuine. Trace your fingers along the stones of ancient temples and discover a traditional village. Learn about the local way of life and explore the vegetable gardens and rolling rice fields, before tucking into a lunchtime feast cooked using local ingredients.

In the afternoon, go on an exciting treasure hunt through the jungle on an ATV. Learn about nature and village life on your quest to find hidden treasure. This is the ultimate adventure for your kids, which you could also let them enjoy independently as you enjoy some free time.

Habarana - Sigiriya - Kandy

Day 5: Journey into the highlands

This morning, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century, and today you can witness the ruins of his castle on top of Sigiriya Rock, with ponds and gardens dotted around. Later, head for the highlands and arrive in the verdant hill country town of Kandy. This enigmatic place is full of traditional and colonial architecture, spiritual temples and friendly locals. Spend a free afternoon getting to know the city. 

Kandy

Day 6: Waterfall swim & cooking class

After breakfast, set off to explore rural Kandyan villages and take a waterfall bath. On this trek, you'll experience village life as well as the natural beauty of Sri Lanka. Your day will start with a 2km walk to the local school to meet the children and their teacher for a short lesson. Then, hop on a short local bus ride to a jungle path that leads to the hidden waterfall. Swimming in the natural pool is particularly refreshing after a walk in the heat.

Head back to the lodge by tuk-tuk, and in the afternoon, take part in a traditional cooking experience in a local village kitchen. This lesson offers participants the chance to learn about spices as well as cook recipes for rice, vegetable and meat curries, dhal, coconut sambal, and poppadum.

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Day 7: Train ride through the highlands

All aboard for a scenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. You’ll be travelling on a British-era railway from a charming old station that wouldn’t look out of place in rural England. As you look out the window you’ll witness the most spectacular highland countryside.

Admire the vibrant green expanse of the Ceylon tea fields before arriving at a destination abundant with emerald forests and distant misty mountains. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours. After check-in at your hotel, enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains National Park - Nuwara Eliya

Day 8: Cloud forest walk & tea tour

This morning you'll visit Horton Plains National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The park encompasses grasslands, cloud forests and vast plateaus with stunning views, and is a great place to go walking and spend time in nature. The misty landscape is breathtaking and the cool, wet climate has created a unique but fragile ecosystem. 

In the afternoon, take a tea tour and tasting session led by local women, who will teach you the tricks of the trade. Find out how the tea leaves are plucked, manufactured and processed in the factory, and at the end of the tour, enjoy tasting a delicious cup of pure tea. 

Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Colombo

Day 9: Whitewater rafting adventure

Today, travel from the highlands to Colombo. Stop along the way in Kitulgala, a town well known for its adventure activities - one of these being whitewater rafting on the picturesque Kelani River, during which you could cover five major and four minor rapids as you journey across stunning scenery. Later, continue your journey to the capital and spend the rest of the day there at leisure, relaxing at your hotel or enjoying the sights.

Colombo - Maalhos

Day 10: Journey to the Maldives

This morning, you’ll be picked up at your hotel for a transfer to the airport and your flight to the Maldives. You will be flying west across the Indian Ocean, before touching down at Velana International Airport around one hour later. From there you'll have a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport on the Baa Atoll, followed by a speedboat ride to Maalhos Island just 10 minutes away.

In the afternoon, you will be accompanied by your guide as you explore Maalhos. This is a great opportunity to learn about the local way of life on the island. You will also visit the mosque and stop by a local cafe to sample traditional 'Hedhikaa' - Maldivian sweet and savoury snacks served with black tea.

Maalhos

Day 11: Swim & explore at your leisure

Today you will have time to spend at your leisure - you can choose to relax on Bikini Beach, snorkel the house reef or explore the island and meet the friendly locals. Your accommodation can assist you with booking excursions for diving, snorkeling, and more incredible watersports.

The Baa Atoll is one of the most unique in the world, known for the rare biodiversity of its coral reefs, birds and marine life. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve includes the Hanifaru Marine Protected Area - its manta rays are a particular attraction, and can usually be seen in huge numbers from May to September.

Maalhos - Dharavandhoo - Fonimagoodhoo

Day 12: Island paradise

After breakfast, take a 10-minute speedboat transfer to Dharavandhoo Island, followed by a 35-minute, scenic slow boat ride to Reethi Beach Resort in the Baa Atoll. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in this island paradise. If you are not sunbathing or relaxing by the beach, there are plenty of interesting activities available. These include watersports such as windsurfing, kite-surfing, water-skiing, kayaking, or traditional sailing on a Maldivian dhoni sailboat.

Fonimagoodho

Day 13: Free day on the island

Make the most of another day at leisure on Fonimagoodhoo Island. Settle into the peace and tranquillity and relaxed pace of island life. Swim, sunbathe and kick back on the beach. If you haven't already, don't miss the chance to discover the atoll's underwater world and perhaps swim with manta rays if you're visiting in the right season.

Fonimagoodhoo

Day 14: Last day on the beach

This is your last day in Maldivian tropical paradise, so make the most of it! Your resort offers a great range of optional excursions and experiences: you could perhaps choose to dine on a neighbouring island, or spend time exploring the culture of the Baa Atoll in greater depth. For those who just want to unwind, make a reservation at the wellness centre with its beachfront spa.

Fonimagoodhoo

Day 15: Transfer to the airport

After breakfast, it's time to make your way to the airport for your homeward flight. This begins with a 15-minute speedboat transfer from Fonimagoodhoo to Dharavandhoo Island, followed by a 20-minute domestic flight to Velana International Airport.