Family freindly holidays in Sri Lanka, Family Holidays in Sri Lanka



	Day 1
	Colombo Arrival and transfer to a Hotel in Colombo to settle for the Tour. Schedule • Arrival & transfer to a Hotel in Colombo • Dinner and Overnight stay in Colombo

	Day 2
	Kitulgala and Belilena Caves Kitulgala Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rainforest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. Nevertheless, it comes alive in the first three months of the year, especially in February, the driest month. Large numbers of people make the excursion from Colombo at weekends to enjoy the beautiful scenery, play in the river, and have an excellent rice and curry lunch at the local restaurants.The Kelani river is wide at Kitulgala, but it is shallow apart from a deep channel near the opposite bank, so in the drier months it provides a safe and attractive place to swim, wash and play.Crossing the riverThe river can be crossed by walking out across the shallows and crossing the deep channel in a dugout canoe, which is stabilised with an outrigger. The Academy Award-winning "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed on the Kelani near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge (and, supposedly, the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene). Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometres upstream. The agriculture around Kitulgala is typical of the hilly wet zone. The Sago Palm, Caryota urens, which is called Kitul in Sri Lanka, gives rise to the town's name. Its sap is concentrated into a delicious syrup, not dissimilar to maple syrup, and crystallised as jaggery. It is also fermented to make toddy. The pith is used to make sago, and the fibres to make rope. Red Bananas in Kitulgala forestBananas of both red and yellow varieties are grown. The yellow bananas are only some 8 cm long, but are sweeter and tastier than the commercial strains available in the West. Rubber trees are also grown on the higher areas. Many birders stay at Kitulgala. This area has most of the rainforest bird species that are found at the World Biosphere Reserve at Sinharaja, although in lower numbers. However, the secondary forest and cultivation at Kitulgala is more open than the pristine woodlands of Sinharaja, and elusive endemic species like Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal and Spot-winged Thrush may be easier to see.In the jungleSri Lanka's most recently discovered bird, the Serendib Scops Owl was originally heard calling by Deepal Warakagoda in these forests. Belilena Belilena is a very large cave, in which the 12,000 year old skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda man’ (Homesepiens Balangodensis) have been found. In order to reach the cave you have to walk through the jungle, close to the Inoya estate. Located 2000 feet above sea level, the Belilena Cave lies amidst picturesque environs close to Kitulagala. Recent archaeological excavations conducted at the cave have unearthed several fossils believed to be more than 32,000 years old. Schedule • After breakfast transfer to Kitulgala • Belilena Cave Exploration in Mountain Bikes or 4WD Jeep • Evening in leisure. • Dinner and overnight stay in Kitulgala

	Day 3
	Kitulgala Schedule • After breakfast Rafting in Kitulgala • Lunch • Trekking trail in Kitulgala Forest Patch • BBQ Dinner and overnight stay in Kitulgala

	Day 4
	Belhuloya A very picturesque little hamlet renowned for its eco tourism opportunities, is situated in the “Sabaragamuwa” province of Sri Lanka , approximately 160 km from Colombo . This beautiful hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country at an altitude of less than 1500m. As a result, the vegetation consists of moist semi-evergreen forests, tropical savanna forests, dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests, making it one of the richest bio-diversity spots in Sri Lanka – a perfect location for nature lovers. The River Garden Nature & Adventure Related Activity Centre Sri Lanka provides an ideal base for a wide range of nature and adventure related activities. Try anything from trekking across the Horton Plains (the Horton Plains mountain range is visible from the River Garden restaurant itself) to canoeing in the ‘Samanalawewa' reservoir. Whatever it is you want to do, we can help you do it! Schedule • After breakfast leave Kitulgala • Arrive at Sri Lankan Expeditions Camp in Belihuloya • Lunch at Sri Lankan Expeditions Camp in Belihuloya • Canoeing in Samanalawewa Reservoir • Dinner and overnight stay in Sri Lankan Expeditions Camp in Belihuloya

	Day 5
	Belihuloya and Horton Plains Horton Plains HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK , Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the world's best nature reserves and eco tourism venues. It is characterised by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland. In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka ) and 24 species of mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds. The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as ‘Bakers Falls', ‘Chimmini Pool' and the famous ‘World's End' (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline) Schedule • Brekafast in Sri Lankan Expeditions Camp in Belihuloya • Trekk to Worlds End and Bakers Falls in Horton Plains National Park • Picninc Lunch • BBQ Dinner and overnight stay in Sri Lankan Expeditions Camp in Belihuloya

	Day 6
	Udawalawe National Park UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city and is a major eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka . The 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an average temperature of 29.4°C. It is most famous for the many Elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults and young elephants – feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many Water Buffalo, Water Monitor, Lizards, Sambar Deer, Monkeys and the occasional Leopard, as well as being an exciting location for Bird enthusiasts. A 4WD open-top safari is the only way to see all the wonders that this protected reserve has to offer and our experienced and knowledgeable nature guides will make this an unforgettable experience. Schedule • Breakfast in Sri Lankan Expeditions Camp in Belihuloya • Full day Safari in Udwalawe National Park • River Bath if you like inside Udawalawe National Park • Picninc Lunch • Dinner and overnight stay in Udawalawe

	Day 7
	Schedule • After breakfast leave Udawalawe to Negombo • Arrival in Negombo. • Evening in leisure at Negombo beach • Dinner & overnight stay in a Hotel in Negombo

	Day 8
	Departure to the Airport Schedule • After breakfast in Negombo hotel departure to Airport. Price includes. • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary. • Activity fees for Rafting & Canoeing and entrance fees for Safari tour at Udawalawe National Park • 2 WD Jeep service with a Safari guide / Naturalist for Belilena Cave visit and for Udawalawe Safari tour. • Transport through out the tour in an air conditioned car / micro van with a chauffeur / guide. Price not includes. • Air fare. • Tips. • Any expenses on personal nature. P.S. – Prices are subjected to change without prior notice.

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