The island of Sri Lanka is shaped like an enormous teardrop falling from the southern tip of India, separated by a series of stepping-stone coral islets. This lovely island has known Portuguese, Dutch and English colonisation, and today still displays a fascinating blend of local and old colonial cultures in a landscape of upland tea plantations, jungles and a coastline of palm-fringed beaches.
Easily accessible, it offers great diversity and value for money for a family holiday! We offer the best family holidays in Sri Lanka, as they are designed to be fun with plenty to interest the whole family and are relaxing for both parents and children alike!
Highlights of a family holiday to Sri Lanka:
The Mudhouse, a private and seductive retreat, far away from the beaten track. Flanked by historic rock temples and extensive lily-strewn lakes populated by buffalo and many birds, The Mudhouse offers complete tranquility in elegantly designed wattle and daub dwellings with traditionally thatched roofs.
The Cultural Triangle
The Cultural Triangle is the area is found on Sri Lanka’s central plains and encompasses the towns of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla. Ruins include a large number of sacred Buddhist sites, including dagobas (gigantic dome-like structures), monasteries, palaces and the ancient bo tree, grown from the original tree in Buddha Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Dambulla’s ancient cave temple is a fascinating complex of Buddhist image houses. Its rock ceiling, one large sweep of colourful frescoes, some of which date back over 2,000 years, depicts Buddhist mythology and the tales of the Buddha’s previous births.
Sigiriya, located close to Dambulla, is one of the most dramatic and inspiring historical sites in the world and great to climb with amazing views! It is also the ‘eighth wonder of the world’.
Kandy
Kandy, where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined, dating back to the 16th century. In August each year, the spectacular Kandy Perehara winds its way through the city streets.
For ten nights under the moonlit sky, Kandy dazzles. Musicians, dancers, local chieftains and hundreds of elephants dressed in glittering royal finery move to the rhythm of the Kandyan drums.
Reels of white carpet are laid on the roads for one special elephant, the temple tusker that bears the tooth relic of Lord Buddha encased in a golden casket. This historic ritual is one of the finest festivals in Asia.
Highlands tea plantations
The tea plantations are wonderful and there is a handful of beautiful bungalows where one may take exclusive use – some have swimmi
ng pools and may well be the most entrancing place you will have ever stayed. Learn about harvesting, making and tasting tea, or simply have a relaxed time around the swimming pool. The bungalows come with staff and a cook.
Horton Plains is an undulating 2,000m high plateau interspersed with small patches of forest, home to leopard, sambur, deer, bear, monkeys and a rich array of birds.
The most dramatic feature of the national park is ‘World’s End’, where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops nearly 1,000m. The best way to explore the park is on foot, or the plains can also be explored by Jeep.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park, where one can camp inside the pristine forest. Spending the night in the heart of the park gives you the opportunity to listen to the sound of elephants and nocturnal creatures. Yala is great for seeing leopards. A great safari experience that really can make the best family holiday in Sri Lanka!
Galle
Galle, whose main attraction is the 17th century Dutch Fort. Much of the old Fort and the township within still remain, with its well-preserved bastions, public buildings, churches, lighthouse and a maze of narrow streets.
Exquisite refurbished colonial bungalows, beach villas, boutique hotels and characterful guest houses provide for a range of comfortable accommodation along the Galle coast and inland for your family holiday to Sri Lanka. One of our favourites for a family resort hotel is The Fortress resort and spa.
Sinharaja rainforest
Trekking, walking and rafting can be fun whilst on a luxury family holiday in Sri Lanka. Located in the south-west corner of Sri Lanka, 40km inland from the historic city of Galle, the Sinharaja rainforest straddles a series of mountains and ridges in the country’s wet zone.
Trek through magnificent jungle, the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island. The Kelani River is famous for its rafting on Grade 3 and 4 rapids. The breathtaking scenery here was used for the filming of the Oscar-winning classic The Bridge over the River Kwai.
Whale-watching in Mirissa –
Children will love watching for blue and sperm whales, and long-snouted and spinner dolphins between December and end April.
Find more ideas for Sri Lanka family holidays >
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By Marcela Kunova - 20th April 2017
Nicola Shepherd, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, organises unusual trips for HNW and UHNW clients ranging from birthday parties at an Indian Maharajah's palace to reliving Sir Vivian Fuchs's 1950s expedition to the South Pole. Citywealth caught ...
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