7 Day Private Family Holiday in Sri Lanka – The Ultimate One-Week Family Holiday in Sri Lanka

7 Days

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Difficulty

Easy
Tour Type

Private Tour
Peak Period Supplements

Included
Admission Fee

All Site entrance fees and park fees are included
Best Season

Year around
Language

Guides speaking other languages are available for an additional fee
Arrival City

Negombo | Airport Pickup included
Departure City

Galle | Airport Drop included
Free Cancellation

Yes. Up to 45 Days
Mineral Water

Through all the day
Payment Method

Only 10% to confirm
Check Rates & Availability

Yes
Transportation

Car/ Van with A/C
Wifi

Available subject to the coverage
What more to add

Early Check-ins or late Checkouts could be organized upon your flight schedules.

Overview

Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for a family holiday, offering a variety of experiences that cater to all ages. During your 7 day family holiday in Sri Lanka, you’ll immerse in the country's stunning landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. From beaches to mountains, and ancient ruins to vibrant markets, there’s something for everyone. Experience unforgettable adventures, from water sports to exploring historical sites.

On this exciting journey, your 7 day family holiday in Sri Lanka will take you to charming destinations. Meet the local fishermen in Negombo, discover the hidden gem of Belihuloya, and visit the Gem City of Ratnapura. Enjoy thrilling wildlife encounters in Yala, where you'll also visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe to see orphaned elephants being cared for. Your children will have the chance to kayak, zipline, and experience the unique village lifestyle of Sri Lanka. A safari at Yala and a seasonal Blue Whale Safari will create lifelong memories for your family.

We’ve handpicked a selection of family-friendly hotels and camps, ensuring minimal travel time from the attractions to give your family more time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. This 7 day family holiday in Sri Lanka promises a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.

Highlights at a glance

Visit colorful fish markets, fruit markets, and vegetable markets in Sri Lanka. Interact with the locals and uncover a few "trade secrets."
Drive through the Gem City of Ratnapura, learning about the extraction of the world-famous blue sapphires at a working gem pit.
Mingle with village locals and enjoy thrilling adventures in Belihuloya, a lesser-traveled gem in Sri Lanka.
Experience the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe and enjoy a Yala Safari to encounter Sri Lanka's iconic wildlife.
Evoke blessings during an Evening Pooja at Katharagama, embracing local spiritual traditions.
Indulge in regional culinary specialties and take part in cooking lessons with expert chefs.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, filled with history and charm.
Embark on a Boat Safari to spot the largest mammal on earth, the Blue Whale*, or experience the Ceylon Cinnamon Trail.

Itinerary

Day
1

Arrival in Colombo, drive to Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! This is a private tour to enjoy at your own pace. On your arrival you will be picked up by your chauffeur who will be with you throughout the tour. The drive to Negombo will take about 25 minutes. On arrival you and your family can either spend the day at the hotel or go for a walk on the beach.

Dinner

Hotel Stay

Morning Star

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2482" src="https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/morning_star-hotels-in-sri-lanka-experiential-journey-300x200.jpg" alt="morning star hotels in sri lanka experiential journey" width="300" height="200" />
Day
2

Drive to Belihuloya via city of gems; Ratnapura

After breakfast, drive to Belihuloya via Ratnapura which is famous for gem mining. The gem mining industry in Ratnapura dates back to ancient times, with evidence of gemstone mining activities dating back over 2,500 years. The region's geology, particularly its alluvial deposits, contributes to the concentration of gemstones. Ratnapura sits on the path of the "Highland-Vijayan Complex," which is a geological belt known for its gem-rich deposits. Then proceed to Belihuloya.

Breakfast + Dinner

Hotel Stay

Kinchigune Camp Site

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2469" src="https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/kinchigune-adventure-camps-experiential-journeys-300x200.jpg" alt="kinchigune adventure camps experiential journeys" width="300" height="200" />
Day
3

Adventure experiences in Belihuloya

Today you will experience a truly village setup with a local and village trail. Go canoeing at Samanalawewa in the evening. Kinchigune campsite offers a tranquil and picturesque setting, surrounded by lush greenery, rolling hills and the cascading waters of the BelihulOya river. Village life in Belihuloya reflects a slower pace, close community ties and a strong connection to nature.

Breakfast + Dinner

Hotel Stay

Kinchigune Camp Site

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2469" src="https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/kinchigune-adventure-camps-experiential-journeys-300x200.jpg" alt="kinchigune adventure camps experiential journeys" width="300" height="200" />
Day
4

Drive to Yala via Elephant Transit home

Your first stop today will be the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home. Here you’ll get to see baby elephants taken care of before they are let out to the wild. After reaching Yala you will be visiting the Sithulpawwa Temple. Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya, commonly known as Sithulpawwa Temple, is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. It is situated near the town of Kataragama and holds great historical and religious significance. A wonderful dinner under the stars and a guided night walk are awaiting for you at the campsite.

Breakfast + Dinner

Glamping Tent Stay

<a href="https://www.srilankabiggamesafaris.com/big-game-camp-udawalawe-sri-lanka.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Big Game Camp Site</a>

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2465" src="https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/glamping-stay-at-udawalawe-big-game-experiential-journeys-300x200.jpg" alt="glamping stay at udawalawe big game experiential journeys" width="300" height="200" />
Day
5

It's Family Time!!

Children can enjoy a treasure hunt in the campsite. A cooking experience can also be arranged either for your breakfast or lunch. After lunch you will be doing a half day jeep safari inside the Yala National Park. Although it is most famous for Leopard sightings, Yala has a fantastically diverse population of animals. During your Private Safari in the Park you will encounter Elephants, Crocodiles, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Eagles, Cobras, Peacocks and more. With rocky coasts, mountains, vast lakes and plains, the landscape of Yala is a treat for the eyes and is the perfect backdrop for exciting sightings!

Breakfast + Dinner

Glamping Tent Stay

<a href="https://www.srilankabiggamesafaris.com/big-game-camp-yala-sri-lanka.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Big Game Camp Site</a>

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2495" src="https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/big-game-camp-yala-sri-lanka-experiential-journey-300x200.jpg" alt="big game camp yala sri lanka experiential journey" width="300" height="200" />
Day
6

Explore the ancient Dutch Colonial Galle

The next stop will be Galle. Galle is a picture book UNESCO heritage city that will mesmerize you with its many charms. Depending on what time you reach your hotel, you can relax here with the sea breeze, or venture on a walk into the city. Galle Fort itself spans 90 acres overlooking the ocean. Your chauffeur will be happy to accompany you and show you the Meeran Mosque, the Fort Lighthouse, the Dutch Reformed Church, restaurants, live music bars and quaint houses on cobblestone streets. Galle boasts of a museum you may like to visit, that offers an interesting historical insight of its past. There is also the Dutch Market and numerous spice shops to see.

Breakfast + Dinner

Hotel Stay

Joe's Resort

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3121" src="https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/joes-unawatuna-hotel-in-sri-lanka-experiential-journey-300x200.jpg" alt="joes unawatuna hotel in sri lanka experiential journey" width="300" height="200" />
Day
7

Departure to Bandaranaike International Airport

If your tour is from November to March, you will leave early by 6-6:30am to go whale watching from the Mirissa harbor. This is an exciting adventure when you may sight Blue whales and Bottle-nosed dolphins. If you are travelling from April to October, you will go on the Galle Cinnamon Experience; an interactive tour which gives you a sense of a cinnamon farmer’s life - visiting a beautiful, working cinnamon estate. Your family holiday to Sri Lanka has come to an end. You will be taken to the Colombo airport to catch your departure flight.

Breakfast

Includes

Accommodation in mentioned Hotels or of similar standard, with Dinner & Breakfast.
Transportation throughout the tour in an Air Conditioned vehicle with a top notch Driver Guide.
All the experiences and activities mentioned above with experienced naturalists.
Private jeep safaris.
Service charges and all Government taxes.
All fuel, toll, insurance.
Driver guide's meals and accommodation.
Replacement of vehicle in case of breakdown or emergency.

Excludes

Optional Activities. not mentioned in the program [if any additional service is required please inform us we will arrange the service accordingly].
Early check-in / late check-outs (in Sri Lanka the check-in is offered at 1400 hrs and the check-out is at 12 noon).
Christmas & New Year Eve dinner supplement. (24th & 31st December)
Any Airfare, any insurance fee.
Any Visa fee, Electronic Travel Authority could be obtained by following the below link (https://eta.gov.lk/etaslvisa/etaNavServ).
Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
Any optional tours or transfers.
Any expenditure of personal nature like drinks, laundry, tip, telephone calls, soft/ hard drinks, still/video camera fee (if any) etc.
Tipping to the local Driver Guide.

FAQs

What happens after I confirm the tour?

When it comes to the accommodation, all the reservations are subject to availability at the time of confirmation, and as soon as we have received the payment, our Tour Operations Team will take in charge of your tour and proceed with the reservations. In case a hotel mentioned in your itinerary has no availability, we will find you an alternative. No changes will be done without your approval!

Will I receive a schedule with exact timings for my tour?

We will make a rough day-by-day schedule for your tour, but won’t set you exact timings for each and every activity - unless there is a an activity which start at a specific time. Since you will be traveling by private vehicle, with a knowledgeable driver-guide, we want you to have your part in decision making. With the help from him, you may tune the schedule to your rhythm.

Am I allowed to do any extra stops or visits?

Along the destinations included in your itinerary, you are free to take as many stops as you want to. When it comes to additional visits and destinations that are located out of the original route, the extra kilometers will be taken in consideration. For your journey, we will calculate a total mileage that is sufficient for the whole tour and mentioned in your itinerary. If this limit is exceeded, we will charge a supplement according the extra mileage.

Am I allowed to do any changes to my itinerary during the tour?

We’ll do our best to accommodate the programme in your needs and wishes, if something urgent occurs during your tour. In a situation that requires changing the accommodation, the cancellation policies of the hotels concerned are to be taken on account.

Will I need a visa?

Since the 1st of January 2012, all travelers must be in possession of a visa when arriving in Sri Lanka. Citizens from Singapore and The Maldives are the only exempt. Visitors can apply for the official Electronic Travel Authorization (visa) via www.eta.gov.lk, or upon arrival at the airport. There is a small fee to pay, and you must have at least six months left on your passport at the time of travel to obtain one.

Are credit cards widely accepted?

MasterCard and Visa are widely used and accepted by many local shops, restaurants and hotels, but it’s always better to double check. Other major cards such as AmEx and DinersClub are accepted often also.

Experiential Journeys: Pioneering Wildlife and Experiential Travel Founded in 2000 by visionary entrepreneur Anuruddha Bandara, Experiential Journeys has grown into the leading specialist in Wildlife Tourism and Experiential Travel across Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives. With five specialised accommodation brands in Sri Lanka, we offer the country's most unique Tented Accommodations and Lodges. Our shift from mass-produced packages to personalised tour solutions reflects our deep understanding of evolving global travel trends. Committed to responsible tourism, we focus on community benefits, conservation, minimal carbon emissions, and preserving local culture. Celebrating 24 years of innovation, we proudly collaborate with over 140 national and international partners, continuing to make a positive impact worldwide.

See it online https://www.srilankaecotourism.com/trip/family-adventure-land-of-serendipity/

Overview

Highlights at a glance

Itinerary

Arrival in Colombo, drive to Negombo

Drive to Belihuloya via city of gems; Ratnapura

Adventure experiences in Belihuloya

Drive to Yala via Elephant Transit home

It's Family Time!!

Explore the ancient Dutch Colonial Galle

Departure to Bandaranaike International Airport