Sri Lanka for Teenagers

This truly unique itinerary explores a hidden and more active side of Sri Lanka, which is perfect for active families or even couples. With time spent in remote rural areas ripe for exploring by bicycle or in undiscovered national parks home to lake swimming elephants and indigenous tribes, this journey is incredibly exciting and diverse. This, combined with historic Kandy and pristine beaches, results in a perfect itinerary for all the family. Enjoy snorkelling, scuba diving, trekking, game drives and simply relaxing on the beach. A truly magical itinerary that gets you off-the-beaten-track and under the skin of this tiny island.

Day 1 - 2 : Kotugoda (near Colombo), Sri Lanka

Stay at The Wallawwa for 1 night

Arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport where you will be collected from the airport by your private chauffeur. From the airport you will be driven to the nearby Wallawwa for a leisurely afternoon after your longhaul flight. Only 15 minutes from the airport, this old plantation house is beautifully set in five acres of tropically landscaped gardens. The Wallawwa offers 17 tastefully furnished bedrooms and suites, a lovely terrace perfect for afternoon tea and a restaurant serving asian fusion cuisine overlooking the beautiful gardens. This hotel is the perfect choice for the start or end of a trip to Sri Lanka.

Days 2 - 4 : Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka

Stay at The Mudhouse for 2 nights

Drive north to Anamaduwa and to your next accommodation, The Mud House. This unique property consists of a collection of huts made out of mud in Sri Lanka's countryside. This retreat is perfect for families looking for an adventure. Spend your afternoon at leisure and explore the beautiful local area. For the more active guests you can take part in activities such as cycling, kayaking and walks along the many beautiful nature trails. It is also highly recommended to visit the nearby small intimate temples (such as the rock temple at Muligama). You can also take part in authentic cookery lessons and enjoy a lakeside picnic.

Days 4 - 7 : Pallepolla, Sri Lanka

Stay at Jim's Farm Villas for 3 nights

From The Mudhouse you will have a few hours drive to Pallepolla, to Jim's Farm Villa where you will stay for the next three nights. Located between the 'Cultural Triangle' and Kandy, Jims Farm is a beautiful boutique property on an organic farm. Enjoy exploring the surrounding area by foot, eating traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, relaxing by the pool or discovering the local spice plantation. During your time at Jim's Farm guests will also have the opportunity to visit Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress that soars nearly 200 metres high. Once also a buddhist monastery this site is a great example of Sri Lanka's entralling and diverse history.

Days 7 - 10 : Pasikudah, Sri Lanka

Stay at Uga Bay for 3 nights

From Jims Farm travel to Uga Bay with your private driver. Sitting on Sri Lanka's picturesque East Coast, Uga Bay is a beautiful hotel located on Pasikudah Bay, an area still relatively untouched. All Studios, Suites and Villas offer stunning views from the privacy of your very own balcony or private outdoor terrace. On your way to Pasikudah stop by Polannaruwa, one of Sri Lanka's finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once a royal ancient city with a thriving commercial and religious centre, Polannaruwa now showcases many archaeolgical treasures indicating what the area would have looked like 800 years ago. It's one of our favourite historical sites.

Days 10 - 12 : Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka

Stay at Gal Oya Lodge for 2 nights

From Pasikudah you will drive to Gal Oya National Park. Explore this untouched area, home to lake swimming elephants and Sri Lanka's remote indigenous population, the Vedda. Guests have the opportunity to visit a Vedda village and meet the local chief. Throughout your time in the area guests will stay at Gal Oya Lodge. This lodge specialises in good quality environmentally responsible tourism. The intimate and comfortable nine rooms are all constructed from natural and locally sourced materials, truly symapthetic to the surroundings.

Days 12 - 14 : Kegalle (near Kandy), Sri Lanka

Stay at Rosyth Estate for 2 nights

This morning you will travel inland to Kandy and have some time to relax. On day 2 in Kandy guests are taken to visit The Temple Of The Tooth, located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, housing the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. For two nights you will stay at Rosyth Estate. The Estate House is an old colonial planter's bungalow set in a 62 acre private working tea and rubber estate. Discover how a rubber and tea plantation is run and all processes involved.

When to go

Sri Lanka is considered a sunny year round destination; there is always somewhere experiencing good weather on the island. However, there are huge regional differences. The Southwest ‘Yala’ Monsoons brings rain to the west and southwest coast, as well as the hill country, from April/May to September. During this time the north and east coasts are good. The northeast ‘Mahe’ monsoon is less extreme and brings rain to the east and north during October and November. This monsoon can bring a bit of rain to the south as well. Put simply; head to the south, central, hill country and western areas between December and March and ideally head to the north and eastern areas between April and September. We can never guarantee good weather but believe this is a good guide to follow.