Family Sri Lanka and Maldives Adventure

Our tour starts today in a coastal resort on the beach outside of Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, situated on the Indian Ocean.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, enjoy dinner together. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a 30-to-45-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, feel free to relax at the hotel which features a swimming pool and gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean.

After breakfast, we'll depart for Pidurangala, driving north along the old coastal road, passing small fishing communities and the old Dutch canal in Negombo and making a brief stop at the fish market. We'll then head inland to Sigiriya (a total drive of around four hours). Our destination is the Back of Beyond resort, a jungle lodge set amongst four acres of forest at the base of Pidurangala Rock, just five minutes from the famous Lion Rock of Sigiriya.

The Back of Beyond resort comprises of tree houses, bungalows and cottages. Founded with an energy-saving philosophy, the lodge utilises solar power as much as possible. Treehouses have secluded open-air showers, with hot and cold water, so you can enjoy showering under the open skies. Please refer to the accommodation section for more details. All meals are included during our stay here and they will be made using fresh produce sourced from the surrounding villages and you'll have a choice of local and western dishes with a Sri Lankan touch.

We'll aim to arrive in the early afternoon, giving us plenty of time to check in and unpack. Later in the afternoon, there will be a cooking demonstration to see how local sweets are made.

After dinner, for those that wish, there is the opportunity to head out on a guided walking night safari, following a path under the tree canopy. It's the perfect opportunity to spot one of the world's rarest nocturnal primates, the Grey Slender Loris.

We'll have an early start this morning as we drive the short distance to climb Sigiriya ahead of the crowds and while it's still relatively cool. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the UNESCO-protected ruins of this 5th-century 'Sky Fortress' are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions and an impressive feat of engineering skill. The fortress was built in just seven years as a fortified palace atop the granite peak, to protect the reign of merciless King Kassapa who had assassinated his father and deposed his brother.

Before our final ascent to the summit, we'll pass between a set of enormous lion paws carved out of the rock - all that remains of an ancient gateway that gave Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', its name. From here a series of switchback steel stairways ascend to the top. Once at the 200-metre/656-foot summit, we can take in the magnificent views of the surrounding jungle and countryside. After descending, we'll drive the short distance back to the lodge in time for breakfast.

Timings for the rest of today's activities at the Back of Beyond Lodge are flexible. We'll visit a local 'weva', also known as a tank, a body of water that can vary in size from a small pond to a large reservoir. Not only do these offer prolific wildlife viewing opportunities but you can also take a refreshing dip. There's also time to relax in a hammock or enjoy the numerous nature trails to explore the habitats in and around the surrounding area. One trail identifies the different species of trees and plants along the pathway and looks in more depth at the overall concept and landscaping in the area. In the late afternoon, we'll head out for a sunset boat cruise on a nearby lake led by a naturalist. The lake opens us up to views of the mighty Sigiriya and Pidurangala volcanic hills.

Dinner tonight is served at a secret location under the jungle canopy and the stars.

Kicking off before breakfast for those interested, we'll start with an early morning nature walk where you can enjoy some bird watching - a large number of migratory and endemic birds can be spotted in the area. After breakfast and some free time this morning, we'll bid farewell to our jungle retreat just before midday and drive to Habarana. We then visit a local village taking three different types of transport (tuk-tuk, tractor-drawn cart and canoe across a small lake) to visit a local farm. Walking a short distance to a nearby village, we'll have a cooking demonstration followed by a typical rice and curry lunch, all produced using local ingredients.

In the afternoon, we'll visit nearby Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park (depending on recent sightings). Minneriya is known for its large lake, the source of water for a host of animals including elephants, deer and monkeys. The small national park is best known for its abundance of elephants and the months of July to September are the best to visit. We'll take a jeep safari on the lookout for wild elephants in their natural habitat.

Afterwards, we'll continue the short distance to Giritale by bus, where we'll spend the next two nights.

This morning, we'll once again use the most common and versatile mode of transport used by the villagers of nearby farming communities, a 'Land Master' (a two-wheeled tractor with a trailer). We'll visit a nearby village to experience the day-to-day life of a typical rural Sri Lankan.

The rest of the morning is free. Relax on the deck of our hotel, overlooking Giritale Wewa (lake), take a dip in the pool, or visit the spa and wellness centre.

This afternoon, we'll explore the nearby ancient city of Polonnaruwa on a simple local bike (with the option to travel by bus instead). The site has many interesting and spectacular buildings and monuments including the Royal Palace Group with its audience hall, bathing pool and quadrangle which form a very compact collection of ruins. Close by is the Circular Relic House, a curious round structure with a beautifully preserved 'moonstone' carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of the deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha known as Galvihara. Here there are four colossal figures, each of which are hewn out of solid granite. The Reclining Buddha is no less than 14 metres/50 feet long!

Leaving Giritale behind us this morning, we'll drive for around three hours to Kandy via Peradeniya, which is located just outside the city. We'll wander through Peradeniya's lush Royal Botanical Gardens, which boast more than 4,000 species of plants, including orchids, medicinal plants and palm trees. Afterwards, we'll travel by tuk-tuk to the university complex for a quick visit before our walking tour of Kandy.

Kandy was captured by the British in 1815 and is known for its cultural and spiritual importance. Buddhists from all over the world come to this old highland town specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa.

Our walking tour will lead us along the town's narrow streets, lined with old buildings and colourful markets. You might like to pick up some souvenirs at the Kandyan Art Association's workshops, which sell brassware, batik, lacquer work and other craft items.

In the late afternoon, we'll transfer to our hotel located 4 kilometres/2.4 miles from the centre of Kandy overlooking the Mahaweli River (Sri Lanka's longest river), allowing easy access to Kandy without the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The hotel has beautiful gardens, an open-air restaurant and a swimming pool.

This morning, we'll head off across the highlands to visit a working tea factory en route to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. We'll take a look around this little town, known as 'Little England', which is famous for its lake, golf, racecourse and well-manicured gardens.

Boarding our train, we'll have more opportunity to soak up the verdant views as we journey through the mountains and around the green rolling hills covered in tea plantations and forest, arriving at the tourist hub hill town of Ella in the late afternoon.

Train tickets are in very high demand and the process of securing tickets is affected by corruption. We always try our best to get our reservation confirmed, but on the rare occasion that this is not possible, you will continue the journey in our private vehicle.

Please note that the train lines were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025 and trains are unable to run. It is anticipated that it will take 6 months or more to repair this damage. Please ask the Tour Leader on arrival for the latest update or contact us if you want more information.

Today, we'll descend from the highlands and drive through the lowlands to Belihuloya - a picturesque hamlet situated about 160 kilometres/100 miles east of Colombo - with fantastic views of the plains and the mountains along the way. The area experiences a specific climate linking the wet and dry zones with the hill country and the low country, all combining to make this an area of the country with a wide range of biodiversity.

We'll explore the surrounding villages on foot (a very easy walk), picking our way through paddy fields and down to the nearby lake. On return to Belihuloya, we might have time to bathe in the natural rock pool before our included lunch. This is a unique place where the Belihuloya and Galagamaoya streams meet to create a natural swimming area with clear unpolluted water. We'll leave in the early afternoon and drive to our camp on the eastern border of Udawalawe National Park, stopping on the way to visit the orphaned elephants at the Elephant Transit Home.

Designated as a national park in 1972, Udawalawe covers 31,800 hectares and is surrounded by mountains, a mix of rolling grasslands, teak plantations, rainforest, and scrub. Renowned for its large herd of elephants (the park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see them), it's also home to deer, wild boar, buffalo and jackal. The birding here is also impressive, including a magnificent collection of birds of prey, chief amongst them being the impressive, white-bellied sea eagle. This afternoon we'll head out in jeeps on a game drive. While sightings can't be guaranteed, we hope to spot some of the animals that call the park home, including elephants.

Tonight, we'll sleep in a fixed-tented camp close to the banks of the Rakwana River. The camp is comfortable with twin beds housed in a canvas tent, simple ensuite bathrooms, fans and mosquito nets. We'll finish our day off with a BBQ.

Today we'll drive along the southern coastal road to our hotel in Hikkaduwa - a journey of around 3 hours. The rest of the afternoon has been left free to enjoy the pool and relax.

After a morning at leisure we proceed early afternoon to the Ariyapala Mask Museum in Ambalangoda - a charming town known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional mask-making industry and pristine beaches. The museum showcases a rich collection of traditional masks used in local rituals and performances. You can participate in the process to make your own mask to take home, and the museum offers a glimpse into the intricate artistry and cultural significance of these masks, highlighting their role in Sri Lankan folklore and heritage.

Later this afternoon we continue to Galle (a one-hour journey). Here, we'll explore the ancient Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, complete with its well-preserved ramparts that were built during the 1800s.

After watching sun set there is the chance to have dinner in the fort, beautifully illuminated by night. Finally we return to our hotel in Hikkaduwa for our final night in Sri Lanka.

We say goodbye to Sri Lanka today as the second part of our adventure begins. We'll spend the next four days travelling along the remote atolls of the Maldives.

We'll drive to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for an early afternoon flight to the Maldives. On arrival, we'll transfer to our traditional Dhoni boat where we'll have time to settle into our cabins before the crew will give us a safety briefing.

To kick off our adventure in the Maldives, we'll cruise for a few hours to Gulhi, an island in the South Male Atoll.

There are normally two Dhoni cruise boats that travel together on this tour with a capacity of up to ten per boat. The cabins are small and simple but adequate for sleeping and changing. Families will not be expected to share with other families outside of your booking, so any cross-rooming will be according to the wishes of guests. In most of the cabins, there will be bunk beds so the person on the top will need to be prepared to climb up to their bed, many customers choose to enjoy the tranquillity of sleeping under the stars on deck for at least some of the nights. Facilities are shared, and each boat has three or four toilets and two or three showers on board. There are plugs in each cabin with electricity available when the boat's generator is running (when the boat is moving, or the crew are cooking meals) so you can keep your essentials charged.

There will be a minimum of four or five crew on board including the captain and cook - depending on the number of people on the boat. There is a bar and dining room with a sundeck to relax and sunbathe throughout the day plus a TV and DVD player onboard. Good quality snorkelling equipment including masks, snorkel, flippers, and swim noodles are provided. You're free to bring your own equipment should you wish. Other equipment provided includes fishing equipment, various board games, life jackets and a first aid kit. No scuba diving equipment will be carried on board.

All of the Dhonis that we use are fitted with diesel engines, which are used most of the time we're travelling. Some of the boats still have sails but these aren't used very frequently.

All meals are included on the Dhoni. Menus are likely to include freshly caught fish, as well as curries and pasta. Drinking water, tea and coffee are readily available, and alcoholic and soft drinks can be purchased on-board. US Dollars are accepted on the Dhoni, and you can pay your bill for drinks at the end of your cruise in cash or by credit card.

We'll set sail early this morning and cruise for a few hours to Kudhi Boli with a traditional Maldivian breakfast being served onboard. Kudhi Boli literally means small shells and is famed for its beautiful reef with a small strip of beach emerging at low tide. We'll then take our first snorkelling lesson in the clear turquoise waters and get the chance to view the marine life of the Maldives. If you don't fancy snorkelling, you can sunbathe and relax on the white sandy beaches of the island.

The rest of the day is free to relax, and a light lunch will be served on board. We'll visit the Island of Fulidhoo this afternoon where we'll have a tour. Dinner is served on board, and we'll have entertainment tonight from locals who will perform on the Boduberu (traditional big drums).

After breakfast this morning, we'll cruise to Rihiveli and have the opportunity to take part in a cooking tutorial, preparing a traditional Maldivian dish with the boat cook.

Throughout the day, there'll be more opportunities to snorkel over the beautiful coral reefs and we'll also have time to relax on the beach, fish or become acquainted with some local board games. Lunch is served onboard our boat, and we'll finish the day with a beach barbecue (weather permitting).

During the course of our Maldives cruise, we'll also have an arranged football match with local kids from the islands.

After breakfast, we'll set sail for the South Male Atoll for snorkelling at Turtle Reef, near Rihiveli Boduveli. We'll have one last opportunity to snorkel at the Laguna sand bank (around 45 minutes away) and enjoy our final dinner aboard this evening.

The trip ends after breakfast on our Dhoni in Male.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Male at any time, however, the earliest your flight can depart is 11.00 am. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the airport for a cost of $6 per item.

If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Male International Airport (MLE).