Sri Lanka is an ideal place to journey with kids. There’s a lot to see and do for kids that one wants at the least a month to get pleasure from it. With 8 days in hand, we marked the locations on the map of Sri Lanka that may be visited with a kid in tow and off we went.
This is our final 8 Days better of Sri Lanka itinerary for you!
Colombo – Kandy/Sigiriya/Dambulla – Nuwara Eliya/Horton Plains/Udawalawe Nationwide Park – Galle (en route Mirissa) – Negombo (en route Bentota)
Day 1: Delhi to Colombo (Sri Lankan Airways) / Colombo to Kandy (Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route) / Discover Kandy / In a single day at Kandy
We determined to skip Colombo and head straight to the Sacred metropolis of Kandy. Squeezing in Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on our option to Kandy served as a much-needed break from the journey. Mini-me could not maintain her pleasure. It is cute how kids do not get bored doing or seeing the identical factor repeatedly slightly they get pleasure from it analogously each time. Having fun with the predictability is exclusive to youngsters I assume. Having seen elephants within the untamed and wild in Nationwide Parks in India, I and hubby have been not likely fascinated about Pinnawala. Nevertheless, we have been positively fascinated about cherishing the happiness and pleasure of our daughter whereas feeding a child elephant. Pinnawala is a stunning nature protect the place kids can have enjoyable whereas spending time with one of the crucial large and clever but humble creatures.
Kandy seemed lovely and serene, drenched in rain. Our driver stopped the automobile for us to admire the chicken’s eye view of Kandy from Arthur’s seat (Kandy viewpoint) earlier than dropping us on the lodge. We spent some fantastic time respiration within the mesmerizing views from our room balcony whereas sipping tea (One among my favourite a part of journey) whereas mini-me clicked tons of of images airily (One among her favourite a part of journey.)
Our night was adorned with a stupendous efficiency at Kandy Sri Lankan Cultural Present. It is energetic and coloration extravaganza. Performers with their energetic performances, vivid apparels, compelling folklore tales, perpetual twirling, whirling, and open-air grand finale act make you skip a blink. The kids and adults equally get pleasure from this sleek spectacle.
We ended our day with a go to to the Tooth Relic Temple. Night ceremony on the temple is actually price witnessing. Although we could not see the Buddha’s sacred tooth relic because it’s housed in an ornamental gold construction however the all-embracing expertise was lovely. Strolling on the streets of Kandy was the spotlight of our first day in Sri Lanka. Regardless of all of the hustle and bustle, Kandy caught my consideration due to its tasteful classical Kandyan and colonial fashion buildings. Busy and vivid markets are price a stroll. Mini-me was in love with tuk-tuks that it turned our most popular mode of transportation in Sri Lanka.
Day 2: Kandy to Sigiriya/Dambulla / In a single day at Kandy
If you wish to do Dambulla and Sigiriya in a day, you bought to get up fairly early. We began for Dambulla at 5 within the morning. However you would not remorse getting up loopy early upon getting visited Dambulla cave temple and Sigiriya Lion Rock. The hike is not as tough as we thought it could be. A visible deal with awaits as one reaches the summit. Eyes get confused whether or not to admire the ruins or to benefit from the beautiful surrounding views.
Day 3: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya / In a single day at Nuwara Eliya
Sufficient has been written in regards to the scenic prepare journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and I might like to journey by prepare however someway I choose street journeys as a result of they offer a freedom to pause wherever and everytime you need to; contact and relish the wonderful vistas; click on photos as and once you want and provides an opportunity to attach and know the native facet. It is only a matter of preferences.
The street journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya turned out to be one of the crucial dramatic street journeys I’ve ever skilled. With each flip, magic unfolds. I inhaled the recent air and savored the bewitching vistas of the magical hill nation winding alongside rolling hills blanketed by vividly coloured flowers mocking the various coloration pallet and plush tea plantations, quite a few waterfalls, and streams. Consuming within the fairly countryside makes you thirsty, longing for extra.
We had lunch at a restaurant in Ramboda Falls Lodge. It was really a lunch with a view. Consuming genuine Sri Lankan delicacies whereas chugging within the lovely views of Ramboda falls which have shadowy mountains within the background enveloped by luxurious tea gardens. Is not it inviting? Absolute soulful and tummyful expertise.
There are lots of tea factories on the way in which to Nuwara Eliya and in Nuwara Eliya. You possibly can go to any one among them to see the whole tea manufacturing course of from plucking to withering to drying. The tour of the tea manufacturing unit lead by a sleek woman employees is a studying expertise for kids. Mini-me was shocked to know that six to seven sorts of tea like inexperienced tea, black tea, white tea and lots of extra will be obtained from the identical tea plant simply by altering the mixture of various leaves of the identical plant. On the finish of the tour, they make you style all of the styles of tea so you should purchase the one you preferred probably the most. My expertise says that the worth of tea on the manufacturing unit is comparatively larger than it is at exterior retailers. So, simply expertise the tea making course of and purchase it from exterior.
It was wonderful to take a night stroll on the streets of Nuwara Eliya. Meandering by Victoria Park, Golf membership and stroll away surrounding Gregory lake; it was dinner time. Araliya Inexperienced Metropolis meals court docket was an ideal option to dine whereas listening to the stay band.
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains / In a single day at Nuwara Eliya
Precisely at 5 a.m., we began 1-hour journey to Horton Plains. It is higher to succeed in earlier than 6 within the morning and begin the hike as quickly because it opens as a result of it will get fairly crowded particularly on weekends and likewise will get misty and hazy principally after 10. It takes round 3-4 hours to World’s Finish and again and is sort of a simple hike. We stood on the cliff staring down the valley in sheer amazement upon reaching the World’s Finish. Deep ravine showcases little villages with lovely tea plantation gardens and so they say you possibly can see the south coast on a transparent day. That is uncommon, although. It was an superior expertise. If time permits, you possibly can benefit from the longer hikes to Mt Kirigalpoththa and Mt Thotupola.
On our means again to Nuwara Eliya, our driver recommended visiting Moon Plains which is few km from Nuwara Eliya as a result of we nonetheless had a half day to go. Although apprehensive, we requested him to take us to the Moon Plains. As quickly as we reached Potato seed farm which is the beginning of the Moon Plains, our apprehensions melted away within the mist. The experience alongside the bending and turning paths turned enchanting because the breathtaking terrains unfolded earlier than us. View from the Second World’s Finish was seductive. Sure! Mountains fading into the gap, forests lined within the dancing mist, absolute quietness vanquished by the sound of birds every so often, and the views that give new definition to the wonder sum up Moon Plains. One can see the colossal mountains of Sri Lanka viz. Pidurutalaga (tallest), Single Tree Mountain, Kikiliyamana Mountain, Nice Western Mountain, Konical Hill Mountain, Kirigalpoththa Mountain, Thotupola Mountain, Hakgala Mountain and Namunukula Mountain from the Bomuruella Plains. One phrase. Spellbinding.
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe Nationwide Park / In a single day at Udawalwe Resort
We choose getting up as early as doable once we journey. It is at all times simple and hassle-free to succeed in and get entry at main points of interest that are in any other case crowded at peak hours. As at all times, following our technique, we began for Udawalwe Nationwide Park at 4 within the morning and reached there at 8 a.m. The most effective time to go to Udawalwe for safari is at daybreak (gate opens at 6 a.m.) when you possibly can witness the mesmerizing dawn too. We missed that, nevertheless, the park was comparatively much less crowded and mini-me reveled within the 4-hour safari with an skilled information organized by our resort at Udawalwe. We noticed a herd of elephants with a cute few months previous child elephant, crocodiles, water buffalos, monitor lizards, noticed deer, monkeys, and completely different species of birds. Recognizing the gorgeous vibrant toucan was the spotlight of safari. We ended our day with a gorgeous sundown at Udawalwe which washed away my remorse of lacking the dawn credit card offers in sri lanka.
Day 6: Udawalawe to Galle (en route Mirrisa) / In a single day at Galle
Lastly, it was a seashore time, the primary purpose folks go to Sri Lanka for. We have been off to Galle with a much-recommended halt on the seashore city, Mirissa. It took us a bit of greater than 3 hours to succeed in Mirissa. Mirissa seashore lived as much as our expectations. A fairly and quiet seashore with laid-back aura. My little woman was a bit upset as we could not’ do whale watching tour due to the dangerous climate. I used to be unhappy too as a result of she was completely excited simply fascinated about getting a glimpse of pleasant dolphins within the ocean and I assume it is one of the best factor kids can get pleasure from in Sri Lanka. We promised to carry her again to Sri Lanka throughout whale watching season.
Day 7: Discover Galle / In a single day at Galle
Galle is a dreamy little Dutch colonial city. The dazzling combine of colours and structure bedazzled us. We explored the gorgeous city on foot however our eyes and toes by no means felt drained. The beautiful white lighthouse, energetic streets with vivid shades of flowers, weird shapes of home windows and doorways and previous Dutch Galle Fort which is the main attraction in Galle make it an ideal place to be. I might advocate holding Galle as a base for probably the most a part of Sri Lanka journey. We spent our night at Unawatuna seashore watching the solar set within the ocean abandoning the proper shades to paint our moments at Galle.
Day 8: Galle to Bandaranaike Airport (en route Bentota/ Negambo) / Midnight flight to Delhi
It was our final day and we wished to benefit from it. Our flight was at midnight, so we had sufficient time in hand. The only real purpose to indulge within the Madu Ganga River Safari in Balapitiya was to see the purpose the place the river meets the ocean however the cruise got here as a shock with its multitude experiences. Stopping by on the previous Kothduwa temple contained in the river, making means by wonderful Mangroves, tasting the genuine cinnamon tea at Cinnamon Island, having fun with fish remedy and witnessing the river ending into the ocean; Madu River has rather a lot to supply.
We visited Turtle Hatchery with sheer pleasure however left early dejected. I had imagined turtles toddling off down the seashore and It appeared like an actual visible deal with to witness these cute creatures of their pure habitat. However as we walked into the hatchery, I sensed that it isn’t what we imagined. It was shuddering and dreadful to see dozens of turtles of various sizes and ages squashed into the little ponds with soiled smelly water. “When would you launch these turtles into the ocean?” I requested. ” Some after few days and a few after few months, it relies upon.” information answered. Mini-me denied holding the infant turtle in her fingers. Harassing them only for the sake of an image is not a proper factor to do, a woman of her age may additionally perceive. What’s mistaken with us then? The entire thing appeared like a money-making venture slightly than the conservation venture. They actually torture tiny animals for their very own curiosity. I might by no means ever advocate anybody to go to Turtle Hatcheries in Sri Lanka. Animals are higher off within the wild like we’re at all times completely happy in our houses. Allow them to be. Please.
We stopped by at completely different seashores (Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Mount Lavinia, and Negombo) throughout our journey from Galle to Bandaranaike Worldwide airport. There’s nothing like an excessive amount of of seashore proper! Negombo is a fantastically excellent place when you wait in your flight again house due to its proximity to the worldwide airport (20 minutes journey)
Earlier than you permit, do not forget to indulge your self in procuring pleasure as a result of Sri Lanka has rather a lot to supply by way of native and conventional handicrafts. I too introduced again a bit of Sri Lanka in type of wonderful keepsakes.
Sri Lanka, we’ll be again quickly to benefit from the locations we missed!
Sri Lanka has all the weather that make it an A-okay vacation spot for kids. Hope our 8 days itinerary helps you get pleasure from and discover Sri Lanka higher with kids.
Are you tempted sufficient so as to add Sri Lanka to your bucket record? What would you modify in our itinerary for those who’ve already been to Sri Lanka?