Choose Your
Family Journey

Arrive at Colombo Airport and head straight to Bentota — one of Sri Lanka's finest beach destinations (approx. 1.5 hrs south). Check into your beachfront resort, take a swim in the calm lagoon and enjoy a relaxed first evening with a sunset dinner on the beach. The perfect start for the whole family.

Morning visit to the Bentota Sea Turtle Conservation Project — a working hatchery protecting the nests of five endangered species. Children can learn about the turtles, handle hatchlings (under guidance) and understand their conservation. Afternoon beach time with fun water sports: kayaking on the Bentota lagoon, banana boat rides and gentle wave swimming in the safe bay.

Drive south to Hikkaduwa for a glass-bottom boat ride and snorkelling session on the protected coral reef — a shallow, clear-water wonderland of tropical fish, rays and sea turtles that children absolutely adore. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort — a living Dutch colonial town within ancient ramparts. Walk the fortress walls for spectacular ocean views and explore charming boutiques and cafés.

The highlight of the trip for many families. Rise early for a dawn whale watching boat trip from Mirissa — the best place on Earth for blue whale sightings. Spend 3-4 hours on the open ocean looking for the largest animal ever to have lived on our planet — blue whales reaching up to 30 metres — plus sperm whales and pods of playful spinner dolphins. An experience children will remember for the rest of their lives.

Spend a relaxed morning on the beach. Late afternoon: drive to Rekawa beach — one of Sri Lanka's most important sea turtle nesting beaches. As dusk falls, join a guided walk with the Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project along the moonlit shore to watch giant Leatherback and Green turtles emerge from the ocean to lay their eggs — one of nature's most extraordinary spectacles. A magical, peaceful experience for the whole family.

Drive to Udawalawe National Park — famous for its wild resident elephant herds. A morning jeep safari offers near-guaranteed close-up elephant sightings in open savannah landscape, making it one of the most family-friendly safari destinations in Asia. Also spot water buffalo, deer, mongooses and over 180 bird species. Afternoon visit to the Elephant Transit Home to watch the baby elephant feeding session.

Transfer north to Colombo for a morning of last-minute souvenir shopping at the vibrant Pettah Market or the elegant Dutch Hospital shopping precinct. Sri Lankan farewell breakfast before your transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, carrying home sun-kissed memories of the sea, the wildlife and the warmth of Sri Lanka's south coast.

Arrive and transfer directly to Pinnawala — home of the world-famous Elephant Orphanage. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner. Tomorrow's adventure awaits — get a good night's rest in preparation for a remarkable first full day.

Morning at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — home to over 90 rescued elephants of all ages. Watch the famous river bathing at 10am when the entire herd wades into the Maha Oya River — a breathtaking sight loved by children and adults alike. Feed baby elephants and learn about their care and conservation. Afternoon: visit a traditional spice garden to discover cinnamon, cloves, pepper and medicinal plants — a fascinating sensory experience for children.

Drive to Kandy. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens — a 147-acre wonderland of giant bamboo, orchids and enormous fruit bats hanging like lanterns from the trees. Afternoon: the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by a vibrant Kandyan cultural show featuring fire dancing, stilt walkers and traditional drumming — guaranteed to delight children of all ages.

Drive north to Minneriya National Park — scene of the legendary "Gathering" where up to 300 wild Asian elephants converge at the ancient reservoir during the dry season. A thrilling morning jeep safari to witness this phenomenon, one of Asia's greatest wildlife events. Also spot deer, buffalo, crocodiles, pelicans and eagles. Picnic lunch in the park. Drive south toward the hill country in the afternoon.

Enter the ancient Sinharaja Rainforest — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. A guided morning bird walk through lush primary rainforest tracking Sri Lanka's endemic birds including the Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha and Green-billed Coucal — made exciting for children by an enthusiastic nature guide. Spot giant squirrels, tree frogs and extraordinary insects. Afternoon transfer to the coast.

Visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Centre — one of Sri Lanka's leading turtle hatcheries. See all five species of sea turtle found in Sri Lankan waters, learn about their lifecycle and conservation challenges. The unforgettable highlight: at dusk, wade into the warm shallows to release baby hatchlings into the Indian Ocean — a deeply moving experience that children will treasure forever.

Early morning whale watching expedition from Mirissa Harbour. Sri Lanka's south coast is the best place in the world to see blue whales — the largest animals on Earth — and Mirissa offers reliable sightings of blue whales, sperm whales and large schools of spinner dolphins putting on acrobatic displays. Return to shore for a beach lunch, then relax at your beach hotel for the remainder of the day.

A full day at Yala — Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife reserve. Dawn safari for the best chance of leopard sightings in the cool morning golden light. Yala has the highest density of leopards in the world. Midday rest at the eco-lodge. Afternoon safari session tracking more wildlife: sloth bears, elephants, mugger crocodiles and the extraordinary birdlife of the coastal lagoons.

Morning at Udawalawe National Park for one final elephant encounter — wide open grasslands make this the easiest park for guaranteed elephant sightings, perfect for any family members who missed out on earlier safaris. Visit the Elephant Transit Home to say goodbye to the baby elephants. Afternoon drive to a beachside hotel for a relaxed farewell evening — sunset swimming, fresh seafood dinner and one last spectacular Sri Lankan sunset.

Transfer to Colombo for a farewell Sri Lankan breakfast and last-minute shopping. Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport with unforgettable wildlife memories — elephants at the riverside, baby turtles in the ocean, a blue whale on the horizon, and leopards in the golden dawn light.