Sri Lanka family tour - The Eastern explorer trail

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. Sri Lanka offers visa on arrival: you need to have a valid passport, two passport -size photos with a light background and electronic travel authorization from Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

After completing immigration and custom formalities, you will exit the airport and meet with your tour representative at the arrival area. After the greetings, assisted transfer to the hotel in Negombo. On arrival, check in for your stay. (2 days at leisure)

Spend your day relaxing on the sun kissed beaches. Take a ride on a catamaran with a local fisherman. These large traditional fishing boats with their bellowing sails are only found in this region of the island.

After an early breakfast, travel to Wilpattu and spend the next two days in a rustic eco-retreat immersed in nature and situated just 20 minutes away from the Wilpattu National Park. Relax under the shade of a tall tamarind tree surrounded by bird call; take a walk into the village where guests can share a cup of tea in a village home.

Have a cooling river bath or go on a guided bird watching trail. Explore the jungles of Wilpattu, home to the elusive leopard, sloth bear, elephant, and numerous species of birds.

Travel east to the coastal town of Trincomalee for your beach stay in Nilaveli. Sri Lanka’s equivalent of the Maldives, with never- ending white sandy beaches, coral islands and shimmering blue seas, the North East coast is distinctly different from the coastal areas of the rest of the island.

Trincomalee has a long season that extends from March to October when the seas are at their best. Bask in the sun or go snorkelling and discover the magnificent marine life around the coral reefs of Pigeon Island.

Visit Fort Frederick, first used by the Portuguese in 1624, followed by the Dutch and later by the Brits. On the northern tip of Fort Frederick is a cliff known as Swami Rock which drops around 110 metres into the sea below. On its top-most pinnacle is the Tirukonesvaram Hindu Kovil, where religious services are held at dusk. The view of Trincomalee's harbor, the world's largest natural harbor, is breathtaking.

Head west to the Cultural Triangle where you will stay three nights in Dambulla. The kids will enjoy playing in the swimming pool or running around in the acres of gardens frequented by monkeys, mongoose and rock squirrels.

Go on an elephant safari in Habarana where you'll be taken on an elephant back through a jungle trek and across shallow waters. Go on a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, best known for the biggest gathering of Asian elephants, This 900 sq kms park of dry evergreen forest, scrub jungle, grassy plains, is dominated by the Minneriya Tank.

During the dry season, herds of up to 150 elephants can be seen here. Sanbar deer, toque monkeys, as well as plenty of birdlife, including cormorants and painted storks, can be seen.

For your final night stay in Sri Lanka we recommed you travel towards Colombo's international airport and check-in to your luxurious boutique hotel just 15 minutes away from the airport.

En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a remarkable project that protects the island's abandoned or orphaned wild elephants that would otherwise have surely died. It has grown into one of Sri Lanka's most famous attractions. Pinnawala enthralls adults and children alike.

Roaming free within the sanctuary, excepts when occasionally shepherded by Mahouts (keepers), the elephants' highlight is their regular bathing. The sight of herds of elephants splashing and playing in a river has charmed countless visitors.

While at Pinnawala visit Maximus project, a pioneering project producing beautiful paper out of recycled elephant dung. Once at your hotel, relax and unwind by the poolside.