Sri Lanka: Safari, Adventure and Beach with Teens

Enriching culture, wild elephants and sandy shores

A fun itinerary with a relaxed pace, created with families and teenagers in mind, taking you from the capital to the east coast via the island's cultural heart. This itinerary is great for a summer holiday when the weather on the east coast makes for picture-perfect beaches.

A mix of wildlife encounters and enriching moments makes this memory making Sri Lanka holiday for teenagers (and their families) who want to discover life beyond the pages of a textbook. We’ve struck the perfect balance between educational-but-make-it-fun exploration in Colombo and the Cultural Triangle and time on the east coast shores where you can pretty much just chill for a few blissful days.

Tour type Car & Driver

Visiting Colombo, Anuradhapura, Passikudah, Negombo

Recommended itinerary

Private Chauffeur Guide

Travelling across Sri Lanka

You and the family will be transported across the country from Colombo to Passikudah by a knowledgeable chauffeur guide. They're wonderfully passionate about their home country and will take you to the can't-miss-them sights as well as a host of hidden gems along the way. Topics of chat as you explore can be extensive, from history, nature, politics to sports, pop culture and where to find the best hoppers at side-of-the-road shacks. They’ll be there when you need them and can help with anything along your route.

Colombo

A day in the capital

Begin your holiday in Colombo, Sri Lanka's ever-changing and quickly modernising capital. We've packed the first full day with an immersive experience, beginning with a foodie visit by tuk tuk to Duplication Road and Marina Road. Later, visit the cultural and religious complex of Gangaramaya Temple, and get the lie of the land from the observation deck of the towering Lotus Tower, a modern landmark in the centre of Colombo. Budding Ben Stokeses and Scriver-Brunts will love catching a glimpse of R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium, the home of Sri Lanka's national sport. End the day at Galle Face Green where the adults can grab a beer or two and where everyone can try some more incredible street food.

The Cultural Triangle

The island's beating heart

Your driver guide will pick you up at your Colombo address and together you'll head east towards the Cultural Triangle area, which encompasses the World Heritage sites of Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Pollonaruwa. On the way, stop at the vast Wilpattu National Park. A safari here makes the perfect start to your journey. Three full days is enough to truly make the most of the heritage-and-wildife-packed Cultural Triangle but still enjoy some down time at your hotel. One of our top picks of places to stay is Uga Ulagalla with its dreamy and ecologically sound pool villas that are surrounded by nature. Use the hotel as a base and head out to challenge yourselves with a climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock. Or stay on-site where there are a few on-site activities to choose from, one of which is included. There's archery, kayaking, cycling or horse riding so everyone in the family is catered for.

En route eastwards

Elephant-seeking safari

The east coast resort of Passikudah is the next destination but before you set off, there's time to seek out the huge elephant herds of Minneriya National Park. This is the perfect opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat, an unforgettable and magical experience as a family.

Passikudah

Beach bound

Your private chauffeur guide will say goodbye as they drop you off at your beachfront hotel, leaving you to enjoy some much-deserved time by the sea. Four nights here means that you'll have a relaxing three full days at your resort; the Balinese-inspired Anantaya Passikudah is our pick for families due to its paradise setting, tranquil spa and plentiful activities. You can pick and choose what to do, depending on how you wish to fill your days.

Negombo

Fly back west

Grab the family and prepare for your short hop of a flight back to the west coast. You'll spend the final night of your holiday in Negombo, a city set back from a wide gold-sand beach and within easy reach of Colombo's airport.

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