Family Classic: our Sri Lanka family itinerary

Drive inland with fruit stops, three nights in Habarana, ox cart and village cooking.

We drive inland past paddies and fruit stalls to Habarana, our base for three nights. In the evening an ox cart takes us to a village where a family cooks rice and curry over a wood fire – the children grate coconut and grind spices before we all eat from banana leaves.

Sigiriya at sunrise (or Pidurangala for little ones), pool, then a jeep safari in Minneriya.

Before the heat we climb Sigiriya past the frescoes and the lion paws; for younger children the gentler Pidurangala Rock is the better choice. After a long pool break an open jeep takes us into Minneriya, where wild elephants gather with their calves by the reservoir.

Cycle through the ruins of Polonnaruwa, lunch in a village restaurant, free afternoon.

We explore the medieval royal city of Polonnaruwa by bike on flat, shady paths – child seats or kids’ bikes on request. Between the palace, the round Vatadage and the Buddhas of Gal Vihara there are monkeys and monitor lizards to spot. Lunch is rice and curry in a village restaurant, then the afternoon is free.

Spice garden on the way, two nights in Kandy, Temple of the Tooth in the evening.

On the way we stop at a spice garden near Matale, where the children smell cinnamon and find pepper and cardamom on the bush. In Kandy, our base for two nights, we visit the Temple of the Tooth during the evening ceremony with drums and flowers.

Peradeniya gardens with fruit bats, free midday, Kandyan dance show.

In the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya the children walk through giant bamboo groves and spot hundreds of fruit bats hanging in the trees. After a free midday we watch the Kandyan dancers with drums, masks and fire walkers.

Waterfalls and a tea factory on the way to Nuwara Eliya, pedal boats on Lake Gregory.

Winding roads lead up into the tea country, with stops at waterfalls and a traditional tea factory. In Nuwara Eliya, almost 1,900 metres up, you can hire a pedal boat on Lake Gregory. Evenings are cool, and the hotel lights the fire.

Hill-country train on reserved seats, two nights in Ella.

At Nanu Oya we board the train on reserved seats. For about three hours it winds through tunnels and over bridges down to Ella – the children count the tunnels and wave at every station. Your luggage travels by car.

Nine Arches Bridge, an easy hike up Little Adam’s Peak and the Ravana Falls.

In the morning we watch the blue train cross the Nine Arches Bridge, then take the easy path up Little Adam’s Peak – about 45 minutes, fine for primary-school children. After lunch we visit the Ravana Falls; the late afternoon is free.

Short drive to Yala, afternoon jeep safari for leopards, elephants and crocodiles.

About two hours down to Tissamaharama on the edge of Yala. After lunch an open jeep takes you into the park, home to leopards, elephants, buffalo and crocodiles. Your naturalist hands the children binoculars and shows them how to read tracks.

Three nights in Tangalle, turtle watching at Rekawa in the evening.

An hour and a half from Yala, Tangalle is one of the quietest beach towns in the south – our base for three nights. In the evening we visit Rekawa, where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, watched with care by a conservation project.

Free beach day, optional fish market or mangrove boat trip.

A whole day without a plan: swim, build sandcastles or rest in the shade. If you like, take a tuk-tuk to the fish market or a boat into the mangroves to spot kingfishers – your guide is a phone call away.

Stay on the beach, or see whales off Mirissa (Dec–Apr), stilt fishermen and Galle Fort.

Your choice: another beach day, or a trip along the coast – whale watching from Mirissa between December and April (best with older children), the stilt fishermen at Koggala and an afternoon in Galle Fort with its lanes, lighthouse and ice-cream shops.

Last swim, then the expressway to Colombo airport (about three hours).

After a last breakfast by the sea there may be time for a final swim or some tea and spices to take home. Your driver then takes you to Colombo airport, about three hours along the expressway.