Founders Notes…
“What does Sri Lanka offer for the curious family that doesn’t want to compromise on style? Here’s a sample Sri Lanka family holiday that is different. It’s the people you meet and stories your hear that will excite the young, old or just in between. We call it 'Tea, Trains and Elephants' and can be tailor made as a short family break or a multi generational holiday, for 7 days or 17! There’s inspiration for all ages and a good dose of rest and relaxation. You will meet local Guides who keep kids enthralled with tales from our century’s old cultural sites and teach you about biodiversity on soft treks. Understand the quirky world of wild elephants, monkeys and leopards on Junior Ranger styled safaris. Spend time with inquisitive rural village kids taking lessons and playing cricket or football and do nothing by a beach in lovely family friendly boutique hotels or even in a tree house eco lodge.”
Chamintha, Co-Founder
a FAMILY adventure holiday to sri lanka at a glance
Days 1 and 2: Unwind in vibrant Colombo or Galle
Days 3 and 4: Elephants in remote Buttala or in Udawalawe National Park
Days 5 and 6: Wellawaya - a great base for soft treks, Yala National Park and Ella
Days 7 and 8: Ceylon Tea Experiences - Nuwera Eliya, Dickoya or Hatton
Days 9 and 10: Exciting Kandy
Days 11, 12 and 13: Intriguing Sigiriya
Days 14, 15 and 16: Relax in Pasikuda beach
Day 17: Ceylon’s first Royal Kingdom of Anuradhapura
- Duration: 17 days or tailor-made
Map
Click here to view a map of exciting locations to choose for this Family Adventure.
POSITIVE IMPACT TRAVEL
We curate bespoke private travel experiences that are meaningful and support our initiatives with a positive impact.
Pricing
All trips are tailor-made, age appropriate, private and based on individual client needs and are priced accordingly.
TRAVEL TIPS
We recommend the above route for travel between April – September to enjoy the east coast beach of Pasikuda towards the end of the holiday or to explore the undiscovered north and Jaffna. For travel between December to March the itinerary will start with the Cultural Triangle and end by the southern beaches around Galle, Tangalle or Mirissa. Don’t miss a fun foodie tour in vibrant Colombo at the start or end. Private chauffeur and fun local guides who keep kids engaged are included throughout.
Read here for more travel advice to enjoy a hassle free family holiday in Sri Lanka.
“Fabulous trip for 2 mums and 3 kids! We cannot recommend Chamintha and the team at Ayu in the Wild high enough. We had the most exceptional trip which was soulful and life enriching for our children and for us as mothers. At all times we felt safe, cared for, spoilt and in the best hands.”
Suzanne Bayly-Coupe, South Africa
What you can experience on this tour:
Culture
Learn about Kings who built a Palace on top of a 600-foot rock in Sigiriya, be awed by animated guides in Ceylon’s first Royal Kingdom of Anuradhapura and walk through the cave temple in Dambulla. Cycle through the film location of Disney’s Monkey Kingdom at the ancient ruins in Polonnaruwa and fly some kites at sunset after a street food or heritage tour of the other-side-of-Colombo where you walk amidst big trucks on tiny streets.
Wildlife
On this island which is just three times the size of Kruger National Park our inspiring Guides will take the young and young at heart on Junior Ranger styled private jeep safaris inside Minneriya and Yala National Parks to learn about elephant moms and babies, how leopards hunt and what bears love to eat. On our wilderness walks you will tune in to nature’s noises and learn how people and animals crave for water, food and space within fast shrinking wilderness habitats. As always, we strongly advocate against elephant back rides and the display of captive wild animals, including turtles.
Beach
The spectacular East coast beaches in Pasikuda are perfect for July and August family holidays with great dining, luxurious pools and perfect soft sand to while away your days. For a bit of adventure on a summer family holiday try snorkeling, take a banana boat ride, scuba dive, cruise on a yacht or swim from sunrise to sunset.
Ceylon Tea and the Hills
Enjoy a total Ceylon Tea experience learning the art of tea plucking, rolling, and withering and ride a train with fantastic views of tea laden hills.
Wow Moments
Enjoy our top family experience, Classrooms in the Wild where those few hours of outdoor games with local kids and lessons in their tech-free classrooms will make memories that last a lifetime. Got rhythm? Find the Sri Lankan dancer and drummer in you at a one-on-one session with a famous dancer. Kids of all ages love our foodie experiences - whether it’s a sugar-cane experience, the sambol experience or al-fresco cooking with a Jungle Farmer’s family. Paint your way through Sri Lanka’s mask heritage in gorgeous outdoor settings. Our unique stays in Tree Huts and Eco Lodges are a perfect digital detox for families and made extra special with an Ayu in the Wild Guide who will take you deep into sleepy rural villages you would otherwise never explore.
Stylish Accommodation that works well with this itinerary:
This itinerary can include the most family friendly accommodation in Sri Lanka whether you are traveling with toddlers or older kids and need interconnecting rooms, extra beds, baby-sitting services, baby cots and special meals. Residence by Uga Escapes, Kalundewa Retreat, Galle Fort Hotel, Fairway Colombo, Galle Face Hotel, The Wallawwa Colombo Airport Boutique Hotel, Amanwella, Fort Bazaar, Ulagalla Resort by Uga Escapes, The Dutch House, Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo, Wild Coast Tented Lodge Yala Hotel, Palmstone Retreat, The Frangipani Tree, Jetwing Beach, Bamboo House, Back of Beyond Pidurangala and Dehigaha Ela, Era Beach, Dune Camp, Uga Bay, Maalu Maalu, Jetwing Kaduruketha, Ambalama Villa, Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, Secret Ella, The Why House, Jetwing Colombo 7, Chena Huts, 98 Acres Resort and Spa, Camellia Hills, Secret Kandy, Nine Skies, Ranna Beach Villa, Sri Sharavi, Kings Pavilion, Taru Villas, Ferncliff, Littlemore Bungalow, Villa 46, Fort Printers, Apa Villa, The Last House.
We work closely with a range of luxury family resorts, private villas ideal for families and eco lodges across the island. All recommendations are independent of any affiliations and are based on the finer details to make your Sri Lanka holiday with kids, just right.
CEYLON CONCIERGE BY AYU
We are redefining the concept of exceptional private travel.
HOW TO BOOK
To start planning a different kind of Sri Lanka Family Holiday with Ayu in the Wild, complete the contact form and we’ll respond within 24-48 hours