Family Highlights of Sri Lanka (East Coast) - Private Tour

Arrive in Negombo, the famous coastal town famous for its fishing industry and golden sands. This relaxing beach resort is a short distance from Sri Lanka's capital city, and is the perfect place to spot locals bringing in the day's catch and watch the sunset.

You will be met on arrival at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) by a local driver-guide, and taken to your hotel, approximately a 45 minute drive away. There are no activities planned today, so feel free to arrive in Colombo at any time. For those booking their own flights, you will just need to let us know your flight details no later than three weeks prior to departure, in order to be met on arrival.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day there is the option to head to the beach or make use of the hotel facilities which features a swimming pool and gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean. Stay: Hotel J (Comfortable)

Drive to Kitulgala, a journey of around three hours. Set amongst the fertile and lush western highlands with towering cliffs and wild water, the Kelani Ganga provides some of the best white water rafting in the country. The grade 2-3 rapids are the perfect combination of fun and excitement, as you spend the afternoon rafting down the river towards the eco lodge accommodation in the jungle outside Kitulgala.

The rafting covers a seven kilometre stretch of river, through eight rapids. It will usually take approximately one to two hours to cover the section but this depends on water levels. This evening there will be a chance to join an optional hike across the river and through the jungle to a hidden waterfall.

The night spent at Kitulgala is more basic with ten eco lodge tree houses roofed with palm leaves set two meters above ground level. Huts are open to the forest, providing a close to nature feeling, and the sounds of the river running close by only adds to the feeling of being in the wilderness. All beds are fitted with mosquito nets. Stay: Rafters Retreat (Comfortable) (B/D)

Wake up to the sounds of birds in the jungle. After breakfast head off across the highlands to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. The area around Nuwara Eliya is the heart of the island's tea industry and you will visit one of the many estates to witness the production processes and sample the finished product.

The air is noticeably cooler as the terrain moves into a world of round green rolling hills covered in tea plantations. Continue the journey into the heart of the central highlands, arriving in the late afternoon at a hotel in the town of Ella, perched on the hillside amongst the lush green scenery. Stay: Heaven's Edge (Comfortable) (B)

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day. Leave mid-morning, driving to the east coast resort on Passikudah beach.

The next day and a half is free to enjoy the laid back ambience and turquoise waters of Sri Lanka's east coast. Rich in colonial history and golden beaches, the region offers a wealth of options to enjoy the most of your time here. The hotel has a swimming pool and has easy access to the beach. Stay: Marina Passikudah (Comfortable) (B)

Passikudah has one of the finest beaches on the east coast of the island. The protected reef runs the length of the way making it an ideal resort for snorkelling and the shallow waters enable wading out 50 meters from the shore. For active families, there is a wide choice of water sports on offer, alternatively sit back and relax on the golden sandy beach or take a dip in the hotel swimming pool. Stay: Marina Passikudah (Comfortable) (B)

Heading inland, drive two hours to Habarana, the cultural hub of Sri Lanka. Tuk tuks are the transport of choice here, and you'll switch out your car for a tuk tuk ride to the community's vegetable garden. Walk around and help the villagers select a choice of homegrown vegetables, which will all go into preparing your traditional Sri Lankan lunch. Watch as delicious curries and fluffy rice are prepared and try out creating a traditional spicy sambar. After sharing the meal, there is a chance to take a serene canoe ride on the village lake. After sharing the meal and spending time in the village, continue onto Polonnaruwa, just under an hour's drive.

This afternoon, visit the ancient city by bicycle and on foot, taking in the spectacular ruins of the Royal Palace and its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle - a wonderfully compact collection of ruins. Drive on to Sigiriya for your overnight stay. Stay: Giritale Hotel (Comfortable) (B/L)

It's an early transfer this morning to the imposing Lion Rock for the climb to the redoubtable Sky Fortress, soaring dramatically up from the flat central plains. The ruins of this 5th century World Heritage site fortress are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions. A switchback series of steps (sometimes very steep and somewhat precarious) ascends to the top and half-way up, tucked beneath a sheltering overhang of rock, are the famous Sigiriya Damsels. These frescoes, their ancient colours still glowing, once covered an area of some 140 metres in length and are the only ancient non-religious paintings to have survived into modern times. On arriving at the summit (200m) there are some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside, as well as the remains of what is left of the palace of King Kassapa.

Leaving Sigiriya, drive to Wilpattu National Park. Leave the car and change to jeeps for an afternoon safari through the park hoping to spot Sri Lanka's most elusive resident, the leopard. Despite Wilpattu National Park's location in Sri Lanka's dry zone, it boasts nearly 60 lakes and is renowned for leopard, elephant and sambar deer sightings.

Stay in a large fixed tented camp located close to the Southern boundary, on the boundary of a lake surrounded by bush forest. Each tent is well appointed with raised beds and comfortable mattresses, there is plenty of space to move around; en-suite private bathrooms are located in adjoining individual tents. Pillows, bed linen, towels, a flashlight and an umbrella are also provided. In the evening guests are invited to retire to the campfire after dinner. Stay: Big Game Safari Camp Wilpattu (Comfortable) (B/D)

Rise early for a game drive in Wilpattu National Park and a further opportunity for wildlife viewing, returning to camp for breakfast. Make the final part of our journey by bus, returning to the small town of Negombo for the final night in Sri Lanka. The afternoon is free to enjoy a dip in the Indian Ocean or relax by the pool. Stay: Hotel J (Comfortable) (B)

Your trip ends today, and you will be taken to the airport to meet your international flight. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at any time - it's approximately 45 minutes from the hotel. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. (B)