DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: UK to Colombo
Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo to Cultural Triangle
On arrival you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred approx. 3 hrs inland to rural Matale to spend 4 nights at Jim’s Farm Villa, an independently owned eco-retreat on a large coconut and spice plantation that offers beautiful surroundings, friendly service and a great selection of activities – we particularly love the cooking classes with the farm chef and cycling to the nearby local temples. Welcome to Sri Lanka! 

Days 3-4: Cultural Triangle
You will have three full days in this wonderful part of Sri Lanka! Matale is the spice capital of Sri Lanka so you could head to a local Spice Garden, or to experience Sri Lankan village life, you could ask Jim’s Farm to arrange a tuk-tuk tour of the local village. If you’re feeling active, there is table tennis, volleyball and badminton available to you, or borrow some bikes to go off exploring on your own! 

During your time at Jim’s Farm, you’ll enjoy a trip to the iconic Rock Fortress of Sigiriya for a guided tour of this fascinating UNESCO complex and a hike to the top to marvel at the stunning scenery. After, you could choose to head to a fruit and vegetable market for an incredible local experience and to fully immerse yourself into the hustle and bustle of traders selling their goods, or head back to Jim’s Farm for some down time by the pool after your hike. 

Day 5: Cultural Triangle 
Today you will be collected and taken on a private safari in Minneriya National Park – the Park is home to a huge range of wildlife, including monkeys, spotted deer and macaques, but it is most famous for elephants! July is the peak season for the ‘elephant gathering’ – the largest gathering of Asian elephants on earth. Interested in seeing the elephant gathering? Talk to us about arranging your trip to try and catch it! 

Day 6: Cultural Triangle to Gal Oya
This morning you will hit the road and head approx. 4 hrs to the remote Gal Oya National Park. En route, you will head to the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa to enjoy a guided cycling tour. This UNESCO World Heritage site was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 and contains some incredible well-preserved stupas, temples and Buddha statues. You will then continue on to Gal Oya Lodge where you will spend your next 3 nights – a true hidden gem and a nature lovers paradise! Enjoy the rest of your afternoon relaxing by the pool. 

Day 7&8: Gal Oya
Two full days to enjoy this exceptional part of Sri Lanka! There are a wide range of unique activities on offer that you could take part in, all perfect for the whole family. You have one boat safari included in your stay, or for the active members of the family, head out on guided hikes and bicycle tours. You could go on a tour of the Vedda village to meet the Vedda Tribe, the last indigenous tribe still in existence in Sri Lanka, or take a hike up ‘Monkey Mountain’ for spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Want to pick up the pace? Talk to us about shortening your stay in Gal Oya.

Day 9: Gal Oya to the beach 
Today you will be collected and transferred approx. 2 hrs to Maalu Maalu where you will spend the next 5 nights enjoying some family time on the beach! Nestled on the island’s east coast, Maalu Maalu is built in the charming style of the ‘wadiya’ or Sri Lankan fishing village. Retire to a spacious seaside chalet this afternoon, or head out for a swim in the sea. 

Day 10-13: Passikuda – beach time
Four full days to enjoy time by the sea! Complimentary sunrise yoga sessions are available if you want a slice of calm before the kids wake up, or head out on a fishing trip before joining in on a cooking demo to do justice to your catch! Head out on a boat ride along the lagoon, or for an adrenaline rush, sign up for motorised water sports and race across the ocean on a jet ski or banana boat! For any divers in the family, you could scuba dive to sunken World War 2 ships, or stay closer to the shore and grab a snorkelling mask to explore marine life. Or, maybe you’d prefer to stay on dry land and enjoy a bicycle/tuk-tuk tour of a traditional Sri Lankan fishing village. There is so much for all the family to enjoy and experience! 

Day 14: Pasikuda to Matale 
Today you will be collected and transferred approx. 4 1/2 hours to the beautiful Knuckles Mountains, where you will spend the next 3 nights at Ashburnham Estate. A working tea estate, Ashburnham offers total relaxation in the beautiful surroundings in the foothills of the mountains. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon relaxing by the pool. Want to end your trip relaxing on the beach instead? Talk to us about rearranging the order. 

Days 15&16: Ashburnham Estate 
Two full days at leisure to explore and enjoy the estate! You can visit waterfalls, or go walking through the tea estate with the estate manager – for a unique experience, you could even help with tea-plucking if you fancy! Join the resident naturalist and head off on fascinating walks and treks through the surrounding villages and mountains. The estate is the ideal place for a picnic – you could enjoy a High Tea on top of One Tree Hill, or enjoy a lunch and a swim in the plunge pool of the Cascade Pool. Or, for an adrenaline rush, head out on a down hill bike ride! 

Day 17: Matale to UK
Today you will be transferred to Colombo airport for your flight back to the UK. Welcome Home!