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 3 nights at Jim’s Farm Villas, 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! 

Day 3: Cultural Triangle
You will have a full day in this wonderful part of Sri Lanka! There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Jim’s Farm – 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. Or 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! 

Day 4: Cultural Triangle 
This morning you will be collected after breakfast and head approx. 1 1/4 hrs into the heart of the Cultural Triangle to enjoy a day exploring the main sights. Firstly, head 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. 

In the afternoon, 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. Perfect timing for your summer holiday! Want to pick up the pace? Talk to us about shortening your stay in the Cultural Triangle. 

Day 5: 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 6&7: 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. There’s plenty to keep you all entertained! Interested in some more activities? Call us on 01273 923 100 to discuss what else you could do in Gal Oya.

Day 8: Gal Oya to Kandy
Today you will be collected and transferred approx. 3 1/2 hrs to Kandy, where for the next 2 nights you will stay at Villa Rosa. This is a real Sundowner favourite, with stylish rooms and one of the best views in Kandy! The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore under your own steam. There are plenty of activities on offer at Villa Rosa if you want to get out and explore, or you could instead head to the pool to enjoy a refreshing dip to cool off. 

Day 9: Kandy
You will visit the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth and Royal Palace today. The Buddhist Temple is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, and is a great piece of Sri Lankan culture. For the foodies in the family, you could also head out on a street food tour, or take in the sights of the city on an Old Kandy walking tour. You will also go on a Udawattekelle Sanctuary Walk – Udawattekelle is home to a variety of flora and fauna and is a beautiful place for a family walk. Like the sound of the food tour? Talk to us about making sure you get this booked into your trip!

Day 10: Sri Lanka to the Maldives 
Today you will head approx. 4 hrs in land to Colombo Airport to catch your flight to Male. On arrival into Male, you will be met and transferred by speedboat to the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives where you will spend your next 4 nights on an All Inclusive basis. Settle in this afternoon to your new surroundings – this idyllic resort is surrounded by beautiful beaches and abundant sandbanks, and is the perfect place for a few nights of utter relaxation. 

Days 11-13: The Maldives
Three full days to relax and enjoy some family time by the beach! Olhuveli is complete with an array of recreational activities, both on and off the island. While the vast crystal-clear lagoon is perfect for a host of water-based activities and the house-reef is fantastic for snorkelling, back on shore a wide range of activities will tempt you off the deck chair. Flood-lit tennis, beach volley, billiards, badminton, or take on the island team with a football match. There’s also a playground for kids, access to Maakana Kids’ Club for children between 3 to 12 years and an evening entertainment programme for all ages.

The Sun Diving School is located at the end of the jetty, with easy access to the house reef. The SSI Instructor Training Centre has a multilingual team of experienced and friendly instructors who will guide you through the many courses available. You can also enjoy Manta Point! In the evening you can watch the neighbouring mantas enjoy their plankton dinner! There is something for all members of the family, and you are sure to all be entertained. 

Day 14: The Maldives to UK
Early this morning you will be transferred approx. 45 mins by speedboat to Male International Airport to check in for your flight back to the UK. Welcome Home!