Magical Ceylon - A Family Adventure
12 Days / 11 Nights
12 Days / 11 Nights
Sri Lanka has over 20 wild-life national parks and few of them are very popular around the world including Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Kawdulla National Park, Galoya National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Minneriya National Park, etc. Sri Lanka is blessed with variety of animals including elephants, water buffaloes, leopards, sloth bears, herds of deer, sambar, crocodiles and 452 species of birds which are resident of which 33 are endemic.
On arrival, you will be met by an WonderScapes Travels representative, following which,
begin your journey to Kandalama via Pinnawala.
En route, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Founded in 1975, the orphanage was
initially created to care for seven orphaned elephants. While it also attracted tourism
interest, its primary focus gradually shifted toward elephant conservation and education,
Developing into an important centre dedicated to the care, protection, and study of
elephants.
The free movement of the herd allowed natural interactions between male and female
elephants. The nearby river also played an important role, and in 1984, the first elephant
was born at Pinnawala. It is significant that some of the orphan elephants have even seen
their “grandchildren” being born here! The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the
attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research
articles on the orphanage have been published in several languages.
Visitors today have the chance to get up close to these majestic creatures be it during
feeding time or when they all head to the nearby river for a cooling and sometimes playful
bath.
Following your visit, transfer to your hotel in Kandalama.
Overnight stay in Kandalama.
After a scrumptious breakfast, head to Sigiriya, the fifth-century rock citadel built during
the reign of King Kasyapa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magnificent fortress showcases
the ingenuity of ancient Sri Lankan engineering and planning, and is one of the island’s
most remarkable monuments, rich in art and culture.
Climb to the summit and pass through the remains of the colossal Lion’s Paws, enjoying
sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and serene lake vistas. Admire the iconic
frescoes of the “Cloud Maidens”, stroll along the famed Mirror Wall, and explore the ancient
inscriptions and poems left by past visitors.
Finish your visit at the museum near the entrance, which offers a deeper understanding of
the citadel’s historical significance and the advanced irrigation system incorporated into
its design.
In the evening, proceed to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple,
The Dambulla Cave Temple, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the most visited
tourist attractions on the island. The complex which consists of five caverns which
showcases various paintings, sculptures and over 150 statues of Buddha among a host of other
relics which dates back to the first century BC.
Return back to your hotel to unwind and look back at the day’s adventures.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Kandalama.
Say ayubowan – used for both greetings and farewells – to the verdant plains of Sigiriya and travel to Anuradhapura where you’ll discover some of the best-preserved ancient ruins in the country. Take a guided bike tour around Anuradhapura City, an impressive World-Heritage listed site, soaking up the splendour of the ruins as you gain an appreciation of what this area must have looked like during its heyday hundreds of years ago. If you would prefer to skip the bicycle, a tuk tuk is available to take you on the tour. Anuradhapura is also home to a sacred, ancient Bo tree, which originally came from a branch of the famous Bo tree in Budda Gaya.
Special Information
Included activities
Overnight stay in Kandalama.
Embark on a 12-day family adventure with Magical Ceylon, where every moment is filled with excitement and discovery.
Wear modest, light-colored clothing with shoulders and knees covered when visiting temples and religious sites.
No hats or footwear allowed inside temples. Bring flip-flops (easy to remove) and socks for hot ground surfaces.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent. The tropical sun can be intense, especially during outdoor excursions.
Photography restrictions apply at certain religious sites. Always ask permission before taking photos of people or sacred areas.
Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress Visit
Anuradhapura - Bodhi Tree Temple
Polonnaruwa - Bike Tour & Gal Vihara
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth & Home-cooked lunch
Nuwara Eliya - Tea factory tour
Yala/Bundala National Park - Wildlife safari
Mirissa - Fisherman's Cooking Demo
Galle Dutch Fort visit
After breakfast, journey to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka and another UNESCO World
Heritage Site. This well-preserved city offers a fascinating window into the island's medieval
splendour. Visit the Royal Palace complex of King Parakramabahu, the spectacular Gal Vihara - a
breathtaking series of colossal Buddha figures carved directly from a single granite face - and
other magnificent ruins scattered across this ancient urban landscape.
Continue to Medirigiriya and the Mandalagiri Vatadage - a beautifully preserved circular relic house
dating back to the 7th century AD. Supported by three concentric rings of pillars totalling 68
columns, this extraordinary structure is considered one of the finest examples of ancient Sinhalese
architecture in the country.
Overnight stay in Kandalama.
After breakfast, depart for Kandy, with a stop en route at a spice garden in Matale, famous for its
wide variety of spices. During your visit, explore the different spices and learn about how they are
cultivated and processed. You will also have the opportunity to witness a cookery demonstration,
showcasing the use of these spices in traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.
Proceed from Matale to your hotel in Kandy and check in. You can leisurely spend the afternoon
however you please.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Kandy.
After breakfast, take a private transfer to the lush, rainforest-rimmed Kandy, where you’ll enjoy a
delicious home-cooked lunch on arrival. Refresh with a homegrown juice welcome drink, then feast on
traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, concluding with a slice of sweet Kithul Thalapa for dessert.
After lunch, check in to your hotel, then visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a sacred tooth
relic of the Lord Buddha. Regardless of your spiritual inclination, the temple’s serene atmosphere
and sense of reverence are truly powerful. If time permits this afternoon, you may also visit the
Peradeniya Botanic Gardens, once the private playground of Kandyan royalty. In the evening, join
your group for a traditional Kandyan dance performance, accompanied by rhythmic music and percussive
beats.
Included activities
Optional activities
Overnight stay in Kandy.
After breakfast, the gorgeous highlands await you today, so rise and shine for a scenic train
journey to Nuwara Eliya. The evergreen hills and cool climate made this town a popular retreat for
British colonialists in the 19th century, and many buildings from that period still remain.
En route, visit a tea plantation and tea factory in the region, renowned for producing some of the
finest tea in the world. Here, you will learn about the tea manufacturing process and observe how
the tea is graded. As part of the visit, enjoy a freshly brewed cup of pure Ceylon tea at the
factory.
Thereafter, continue to Nuwara Eliya, a charming town known for its refreshing mountain climate and
scenic beauty. It is one of the island’s most popular hill resorts and the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea
country, renowned for producing high-quality Ceylon tea. On arrival, you may also ask your tour
leader where you can try a delicious kottu roti, a popular Sri Lankan dish made from chopped roti,
vegetables, and spices.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
After breakfast, proceed to Yala National Park. Today, you’ll enjoy another safari in Sri Lanka’s
second-largest national park, which offers a wealth of wildlife and natural beauty to explore.
Take the opportunity to do some birdwatching—Yala is home to around 215 bird species, including the
Sri Lanka wood pigeon, painted stork, and Crimson-fronted Barbet. Keep an eye out for prideful
peacocks strutting across the park. If Yala is closed today, the group will visit the fantastic
Bundala National Park instead. Enjoy an included dinner at your resort this evening.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Yala.
After breakfast, proceed to Mirissa, start the day by discovering one of Sri Lanka's favourite
ingredients. Try buffalo curd, served in bright terracotta pots with golden treacle, which is often
eaten as a snack or as an accompaniment to meals or as a dessert. Spend the day relaxing or
exploring the golden sands of Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. You may like to take a bicycle ride or
tuk-tuk to watch colourful fishing boats bring back their loads of fresh fish to sell along the
shore.
You will gain a unique insight into local life this afternoon when you meet with a local fisherman
and learn about the craft, and how the lives of fisherman have changed since the tsunami. Enjoy the
freshest seafood lunch with a fisherman's family – likely, a crab curry.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Mirissa.
After breakfast, Today you'll visit to the wonderfully preserved township of Galle, with a blend of
European architecture and South Asian traditions.
In the evening, take a tour of the Royal Dutch Fort, exploring the winding maze of gallery-filled
narrow streets and 400 years of rich history. Spend the evening at leisure on the beach, enjoying
the sunset, gentle sea breeze, and the relaxing atmosphere of the coast.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Mirissa.
After breakfast, watch the world go by on the drive to Colombo and take in some of the city's main sights on a bus tour including Independence Square, Parliament and the National Museum, exploring Pettah Market on foot, and finishing with a shopping opportunity for a good cause at the Barefoot Fairtrade Store. Here you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. If you are lucky enough to be in Colombo on a Saturday, visit Good Market – a local market full of stalls showcasing social enterprises and responsible businesses. Tonight, there's the chance to have a group dinner with your travel crew to celebrate your Sri Lankan journey together.
Included activities
Overnight stay in Colombo.
After breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight. Ayubowan, and we wish you a pleasant journey home.
Your accommodation, meal plan and transfers are tailored to your preferences & budget
Bring cool & comfortable clothing!
Sunscreen, flip flops, shoes and insect repellent will always come in handy
At all religious sites in Sri Lanka everyone is expected to dress respectfully in modest light coloured clothing with shoulders & knees covered
NO hats or footwear are allowed inside temples, so flip flops (which you would have to leave at the entrance) and an extra pair of socks are a good idea so you do not have to walk barefoot on the hot ground.
