Sri Lanka family holiday
Ancient cities, tea hills by train, leopard, and a long beach to finish.
Photo: Adbar · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why go
Private Sri Lanka holidays: the cultural triangle, tea country by train, Yala for leopard, and the south coast, with a private driver-guide throughout.
Sri Lanka packs a lot into a small island: ancient cities, cool tea hills, a national park with leopard, and a coast with good surf and better hotels.
A private driver-guide stays with you throughout. The pace is easy, the distances are short, and families do very well here.
Sri Lanka packs a great deal into a small island: the cultural triangle, tea country, leopard in Yala or Wilpattu, and a long southern coast with villas and small hotels. Two weeks lets you see most of it at a gentle pace with a private driver.
The two monsoons mean there is a dry coast at almost any time of year. We plan the route around them so the beach days fall where the sea is calm.
- Best time
- December to April for the south and west coasts and the hills. May to September for the east coast.
- Journeys
- Designed on request
What to see and do
The Sri Lanka we would show you
- Sigiriya and the cultural triangle
- The hill train through the tea estates
- Leopard in Yala or Wilpattu
- Villas and small hotels on the south coast
Ways to travel here
Sri Lanka by the kind of trip
Sri Lanka for couples
Tea country, ancient cities, leopards and a quiet beach, with a private driver and short days on the road.
Sri Lanka private journeys
Ancient cities, tea country, a leopard safari and the coast in a fortnight, with a private driver throughout.
Sri Lanka villas
A staffed villa on the south coast with a pool, a cook and the sea at the end of the garden.
From the journal
Planning notes
Choosing an Indian Ocean island for a family
The Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the Seychelles each suit a different kind of family week.
Good to know
Questions about Sri Lanka
How long do we need?
Ten to fourteen nights to do the triangle, the hills, a safari, and the coast.
Is it good for younger children?
Yes. Short drives, pools everywhere, and a very warm welcome.
When is the best time to visit?
The west and south coasts and the cultural triangle are driest from December to March; the east coast comes into its own from May to September. Year-round travel is possible with the right route.
How much driving is involved?
More than you might expect: roads are slow. We keep legs under three hours, use the scenic train where it suits, and add a private helicopter for longer hops when asked.
Plan a private journey to Sri Lanka
A specialist replies personally with a first private proposal: stays, pacing, and a guide price. No obligation for the first conversation.