The mistake most family itineraries make is treating children as small adults. Four hours in a car is bearable for you and miserable for an eight year old, so this route caps every driving day at three hours and builds in afternoons that do nothing at all.
The order matters too. Culture first while everyone is fresh, wildlife in the middle when attention starts to go, and five nights at the beach at the end so the flight home is not a battle.
Duration
12 days
Best months
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Pace
Relaxed
Regions
4
A short transfer and a pool before bed.
Broken with a stop and a proper lunch rather than driven straight through.
Early climb. Most children manage it more easily than their parents. Afternoon in the pool.
A bullock cart, a catamaran across the tank and a cookery lesson. The day most families remember.
Spice gardens on the way, then the temple at dusk.
We will explain the difference between the two and let you choose.
The longest driving day, broken in the middle.
Almost guaranteed elephants, which matters when you have promised them.
Four nights, calm water, nothing scheduled.
Free. River safari or turtle hatchery if anyone is restless.
Also free.
Expressway to the airport.
Jetwing Lagoon
Big pool, ten minutes from the airport.
Water Garden
Individual villas, which matters with children.
Cinnamon Citadel
On the river, away from the town noise.
Kalus Hideaway
Simple and well run, right by the park gate.
Avani Bentota
Calm lagoon side water and a kids club that is actually staffed.
Included
Not included
Payment schedule
Twenty per cent deposit to confirm. Balance due sixty days before arrival. Card or bank transfer, in GBP or USD.
Cancellation
Free up to sixty days out. Fifty per cent between sixty and thirty days. Non refundable inside thirty days, though we will move your dates once at no charge.
Roughly four upwards. Below that the driving is the limiting factor and we would shorten the route rather than the days.
Rarely. Rice, noodles, eggs, fruit and plain grilled fish are everywhere, and every hotel on this route does familiar food alongside Sri Lankan.
Yes at every property listed. Tell us ages at the enquiry stage and we will confirm it in writing before you pay anything.
From
Based on two people sharing, comfort tier. Excludes international flights.
Dinesha Perera
Senior travel specialist, 9 years
We reply within one working day. Sri Lanka is GMT+5:30, so we work UK afternoons.