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Costa CeylonTravels
A blue train crossing an arched bridge in green hills

Big

Families on a long break · 19 days, 18 nights

The Big Family Holiday

Nineteen unhurried days across the island, with time to stay put and enjoy each place.

  1. Negombo
  2. Habarana
  3. Sigiriya
  4. Kandy
  5. Nuwara Eliya
  6. Ella
  7. Udawalawe
  8. Yala
  9. Mirissa
  10. Galle
  11. Bentota

Overview

Overview

With almost three weeks, nobody has to rush. This route spends two or three nights in most places, so children can settle in, make friends at the pool and look forward to each new adventure.

It covers the ancient cities, tea country, two safari parks and a long stretch of beach time to finish.

Highlights

Two safari parks: Udawalawe and Yala

Cycling around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa

Train journey and waterfalls in the hills

Cooking class with a local family

A full week of beaches on the south and west coasts

Day by day

Theitinerary.

  1. Day 01

    Arrival

    Airport welcome and an afternoon by the pool in Negombo.

  2. Day 02

    Negombo

    Take a gentle lagoon boat ride and visit the fish market.

  3. Day 03

    To Habarana

    Drive into the Cultural Triangle and settle into a jungle hotel.

  4. Day 04

    Polonnaruwa by bike

    Cycle between ruined palaces and giant stone Buddhas.

  5. Day 05

    Sigiriya

    Climb the rock in the cool of the morning and rest by the pool in the afternoon.

  6. Day 06

    Elephant safari

    Village tour in the morning and an elephant safari in the afternoon.

  7. Day 07

    To Kandy

    Visit the Dambulla caves and a spice garden on the way.

  8. Day 08

    Kandy

    See the botanic gardens, the temple and an evening dance show.

  9. Day 09

    Tea country

    A tea factory visit and a drive up to Nuwara Eliya.

  10. Day 10

    Nuwara Eliya

    Boating, pony rides and a stroll through Victoria Park.

  11. Day 11

    Train to Ella

    The scenic train ride through the hills.

  12. Day 12

    Ella

    Easy hikes, waterfalls and a cooking class with a local family.

  13. Day 13

    Udawalawe

    See baby elephants at the transit home and go on an afternoon safari.

  14. Day 14

    Yala

    Drive to the edge of Yala for an evening by the pool.

  15. Day 15

    Yala safari

    Spend a morning in the park looking for leopards, crocodiles and peacocks.

  16. Day 16

    Mirissa

    Down to the beach for sun, sand and fresh coconuts.

  17. Day 17

    Galle

    Explore the fort and walk the ramparts at sunset.

  18. Day 18

    Bentota

    Last days at a family resort on the west coast.

  19. Day 19

    Departure

    A short transfer to the airport.

A suggested plan. Every day can be changed, extended or swapped to suit you.

Family holidays

Compare the routes

See where this tour goes next to the other family holidays packages. Every route can be mixed and matched.

Which places each family holidays package visits
PlacesFamily Island Adventure15 days, 14 nightsThis tourThe Big Family Holiday19 days, 18 nights
NegomboIncludedIncluded
HabaranaIncludedIncluded
SigiriyaIncludedIncluded
KandyIncludedIncluded
Nuwara EliyaIncludedIncluded
EllaIncludedIncluded
UdawalaweIncludedIncluded
MirissaIncludedIncluded
BentotaIncludedIncluded
YalaNot includedIncluded
GalleNot includedIncluded

Make it your own.

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