Experience a wonderful family holiday in Sri Lanka that promises to create lifetime memories with your loved ones. Sri Lanka is a sanctuary filled with natural beauty and scenery that sets the stage for an amazing family tour. The country is surrounded by the Indian Ocean in which you can see amazing marine life such as sea turtles, mischievous dolphins,
and giant whales playing around through the rushing waves. You can explore the breathtaking waterfalls hidden in the majestic towering mountains and the lush green forests on our thrilling trekking adventures. The unique flavors of Sri Lankan cuisine, spices up your whole family holiday to SriLanka
A hot spot of Srilanka is the friendliness and sincere hospitality of Sri Lankans, who will welcome your family with open arms and make sure that your stay is nothing short of heartwarming. In Sri Lanka, each day holds the promise of new experiences making priceless family memories under some of the most stunning natural beauty on earth.
You have the chance to walk through this beautiful paradise with your family, if you book the unique travel Family tour which is great value for money. You could also tailor make your own personal family holiday as you wish with Unique travels,as we understand family holidays very well as this is our specialality.
Whether you want to explore Sri Lanka’s fascinating history by visiting amazing historical sites or doing thrilling activities like biking or white-water rafting, go on wildlife adventures, find out about hidden and mysterious locations, trek through lush rainforests, or simply unwind on a peaceful beach, we make your dream family tour into a reality. Hence, do not think twice to book your family tour to Sri Lanka with us.
Sri Lanka, is home for a lot of mammals, Birds, reptiles and amphibians. The bio- diversity of this little Island is amazing and is truly a paradise for wild life lovers.
The elephant gatherings at Minneriya National park where hundreds of Elephants are seen is a truly unique experience. The Yala National park has the highest
concentration of Leopards in the World. The Wilpatthu National park is known for its high concentration of Sloth bear. The Gal oya National park is the only park in the World to see swimming Asian Elephants. There is guarantee of seeing crocodiles, Wild boa, Deer, different types of monkeys and a variety of birds.
However, wild life is been threatened by various factors some within control and some being natural causes. Some elephants go the bordering villages and destroy the farmer’s crops and homes. They get to the villages through the sugar cane, pineapple and banana plantations. The Leopards too get to the villages to catch animals in farms. This animal human conflict sometimes results in the death of Animals.
The wildlife conservation department is making an attempt to stop the animals from coming in to villages by building electric fences and
digging holes to obstruct the animal corridors. The farmers have been educated not to grow crops that are edible to Elephants and build steel pens for their Animals.
Though the numbers of the Elephants and the Leopards are stable, It is been recognized as a top priority to manage the conflicts. The Red Slender Loris is a rare and endangered animal found in Sri Lanka. Deforestation and habitat destruction have posed significant threats to these small, wide-eyed mammals. Sri Lanka has taken measures to preserve the native habitats of these rare species and raise awareness about the importance of conservation. The Toque Macaque, also known as “Rilawa” is one of the fascinating animals in Sri Lanka that you can frequently spot in the country’s lush forests. These monkeys
live in troops and they are called temple monkeys as they commonly live in the surroundings of temples and other cultural sites in addition to the forests. These
monkeys are in danger due to habitat loss and human activity. Sri Lanka is actively working on conservation initiatives to safeguard these monkeys as they are endemic to Sri Lanka.
The Black-Necked Stork is a beautiful bird in Sri Lanka that is struggling with endangerment. The loss of wetland habitat and other human activities has put these magnificent stork in danger. The country has established, protected and preserved wetland areas in order to safeguard these large bird.
Visit Sri Lanka to see these lovely specimens and have a memorable holiday while helping to preserve nature’s wonders!
Sri Lanka known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and the Wonder of Asia has so much to offer for tourists. The golden sandy beaches are good for Water sports, the hill country with amazing scenery, The National parks with unique wildlife, The ancient cities and cultural sites, and fun activities such as white water rafting, Zip-lining make Srilanka a very special holiday destination that offers something for everyone. The friendly, gentle, helpful ever smiling locals are a huge asset to the tourism industry. Srilankans are very resilient people. After having been through a series of unfortunate events, they have come back strongly with that familiar smile on their faces. Kandy
Kandy is the most popular city among travelers. This was the last indigenous Capital of the Country tucked in the hills of Central Srilanka. The Lake in the heart of the city is a highlight with so much happening around it. The most sacred temple of the Buddhists called the Temple of the Tooth is located in Kandy and houses a tooth of Buddha. This is the most visited temple in the country and the locals make an effort to visit the temple at least once a year. The best time to visit the temple is during the ceremony which is held every day. The Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy is the best in Srilanka. This is in an area of over 63 hectares and you can easily spend a day here if you are keen on trees and flowers. The vibrant town, the colorful fruit and vegetable market, the spice market, and the little restaurants and bars should not be missed in this wonderful city.
The Butterfly Mountain – Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak, often referred to as “Sri Pada,” is the most climbed Mountain in Sri Lanka. The Buddhists believe that Buddha has planted his footprint on the top of the Mountain and the pilgrims climb the mountain to get to the footprint of Buddha. As far as the tourists are concerned, the highlight here is watching the Sunrise. Going up the lit-up Mountain with the locals through the night is a unique experience. The pilgrim season starts on the full moon day of December and finishes on the full moon day of May. The mountain standing at 2,243 meters is by far the most popular Mountain in the Country.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage has mixed reviews and people have different views about the place. The elephants here have lost their herds and have become orphans in the Wild. They were then rescued from being lonely by the Wildlife conservation department and brought to Pinnawala orphanage. If they were not rescued they would have died as they are sociable animals and cannot live on their own. All the elephants you see at the orphanage would have been dead if the Pinnawala orphanage did not exist. There are nearly a hundred Elephants here and feeding them is no easy task. Hence, The Pinnawala orphanage has no choice, but to expose the elephants to tourists to make some money to feed the Elephants. If you can see both sides of the story, then The Pinnacle Orphanage is a good place to visit.
Nature’s Playground – Kitulgala
Kitulgala is the one and only base for white water rafting in Sri Lanka. The Keleni River which flows through the little village, and starts up in Adam`s peak. You have the opportunity to do grade three or grade one rafting. You get to see the location of the film “Bridge over the River Kwai` from your raft. The wet evergreen vegetation gives you the feeling of an isolated rainforest. Abseiling, cannoning, and kayaking too can be done at Kithulgala. Kithulgala is home to a lot of rear birds making it a paradise for bird watchers. There are a lot of walks and treks that go through the little villages where you get to experience the real local walk of life
The Mountains in Isolation – Knuckles Range
If you like peace and quiet, The Knuckles range is the best. Known as the mountains in the mist, these isolated Mountain range has so much bio-diversity and different climatic zones. The climb to the Manigala Rock is an amazing experience through the rice paddy and the authentic vegetation native to the Knuckles range. The breathtaking views and the sound of the jungle in the middle of nowhere make this trek mystical and magical.
Bridge in the Sky – Nine Arch Bridge
The Nine arch bridge was built by the British, connecting two mountains in 1921. This bridge is seen as a railway wander as the firm nine arches are still standing tall in the wilderness. The bridge is between the famous Ella and Demodara train stations and you can easily walk to the bridge from Ella along the train track. The best time to visit the bridge is to see the train going over it around 3.30 pm. If you are in the train from Ella to Demodara, the best view of the bridge is on the left.
The Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was the first ancient Capital of Sri Lanka from the 1 century BC till the 10th century AD. This is claimed to be the longest-lived capital in the World which was 1500 years. The City that was flourishing at that time showcases the glory of the Srilankan civilization. Abayagiriya the tallest relic temple, Srimahabodhiya the oldest tree with recorded history, Ruwanweli Saya the temple with Jewells and the twin ponds with detailed stone sculptures are living proofs of that advanced and innovative civilization.
Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination for travelers looking for adventure, culture, and relaxation. A journey to this lovely country can be both memorable and unforgettable.
We can help you to create beautiful memories in Sri Lanka with careful planning.
The British first introduced Coffee to Srilanka and turned the nation into one of the world’s top producers of coffee. But due to a fungus disease, Coffee production in Sri Lanka started to dip and the British very quickly swathed on to Tea in 1865. The key figure in making this move was James Tailor who had extensive knowledge about flora in this part of the World. Even today Srilanka is one of the major Tea exporters in the World and Srilanka produces some of the best Tea in the World
Visits the Iconic Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka
When you get to the hills of Srilanka, you get to see thousands of acres of Tea that looks like a green carpet over the hills. There is a popular trail called Peako trails through the Tea plantations, which covers a distance of 300 KM in 22 stages which is the longest walking trail in Sri Lanka. If you are not into trekking, there are a lot of shorter walks to get the feel of the Tea plantations.
Nuwara Eliya or Little England is home to the best Srilankan tea that grows above 5000 feet from sea level. There are several Tea factories you could visit to see the journey from leaf to cup. You will not realize, how much hard work goes into your cup of tea until you see it. You can learn about the different types of tea such as BOPF[ Broken orange Peako finings], POB [Broken orange Peako] OP [ Orange Peako] FP [Flowery Peako], and white Tea. The Damro Tea factory is the most popular spot among visitors as they do a very clear demonstration and offer you different types of tea to try.
Ella- This is the border between the Hill Country and the mid-country. The tea grown around Ella is a bit on the stronger side and most of his Tea is exported to the Far- East.
The Halpewattha Tea Factory– is the best place to visit around Ella.
The low country tea – We grow tea in the low country as well, but this is not that known in your part of the World as you need to drink this tea with milk and sugar as it is very strong our main market is in the middle and Far East. The best area to explore low-country tea is around Deniyaya, closer to the Singharaja rain forest.
Indulge in Different Types of Ceylon Tea
Green Tea – Green tea is made from freshly processed tea leaves. They are not going through an oxidation process. Most of the time, the flavors of green tea can be changed from region to region and may frequently give distinct tastes.
Black Tea – Black tea is the most popular tea in the world going through a process of heating the leaves for several hours after being plucked. The outcome is a strong and delightful tea and the majority of tea lovers are more interested in black tea.
Purer Tea – This tea is slightly wet and stored underground to obtain a fantastic flavor with a strong taste. The amazing thing about Pu-erh tea is that it tastes similar to wine and gets even better as it gets older. In addition to these teas, you can also experiment with the exquisite flavors of White Tea and Oolong Tea, as well as a variety of other alluring types of tea.
“Come to Sri Lanka to Taste a Cup Full of Tea Bliss”
Sri Lanka is very much focused on Eco- friendly Tourism. 25% of the country’s land is protected forest and there are strict laws to ensure that it remains as it is. There are some hotels and resorts that are very keen to preserve the environment and run the hotels with a minimum negative impact. As a responsible and sustainable travel company, we take the initiative to promote these hotels. There are a lot of Eco-friendly hotels, but we cannot list all of them for obvious reasons. We have listed some of the best Eco- friendly resorts below. We work with these hotels closely and know that they truly are trying to make a difference.
Polwattha Eco- Lodges- Digana- Kandy
Polwaththa Eco Lodges consists of 15 lodges spread out in a pristine environment, giving you a ‘Living-in-the-Jungle’ experience. Situated 19km east of Kandy each lodge offers basic comfort with great views and privacy. Activities include Yoga, local cooking lessons, a wide choice of treks through nature, quaint villages, rice fields, tea plantations, waterfalls, rivers, and the famous Knuckles Mountains. The community interactions and school projects provide a rewarding experience to the visitors. The environment and the local community are at the heart of our operations. The Hotel practices the 3Rs. They make all our purchases from within 5km. They operate a very successful re-forestation project where you can plant a tree. On a larger scale, they purchase land for reforestation. Polwaththa offers a pristine environment with average day temperatures of 26C and night temperatures of 22C with hardly any mosquitoes. We are pet friendly with 7 dogs and 5 cats, living in harmony with wild boar, deer, porcupines, giant squirrels, monkeys, butterflies, bats, fireflies, and insects. Over 60 species of birds including 15 endemic species can be seen within the hotel premises. Authentic Sri Lankan meals are cooked in clay pots using firewood to give you a taste of real Sri Lankan village culture.
Camping with Mahoora- Yala, Udawalawa, Wilpatthu
Mahoora is a provider of authentic, mobile-luxury adventure in the Sri Lankan wilderness. All Mahoora Elite & Premium Campsites border Sri Lanka’s most famous National Parks, such as Udawalawe, Yala (in the wetlands of southern Sri Lanka), and Wilpattu (the lowland dry zone of the northwest coast). All three locations provide premium safari experiences where you can see elephants, leopards, and hundreds of bird species. We recommend the top-of-the-line, all-inclusive Mahoora Elite. It is a carbon-neutral safari experience covering game drives in the national parks, traveling in an exclusive jeep, and being guided by an experienced naturalist. You will stay in a spacious tented (32’x10.8’) accommodation with a bedroom, a living area, an ensuite bathroom, and a veranda. Meals are freshly prepared Sri Lankan food that you can wash down with arrack, the local liquor.
Gal Oya Lodge in Ampara
This lodge is the perfect hideout if you’re looking to seek adventures in Sri Lanka. You will have the opportunity of visiting the minority indigenous group of people living in central Sri Lanka – the Veddas. Gal Oya Lodge offers a walking tour that’s accompanied by the village head, who will pass on his knowledge of how his ancestors worked in the land. The hotel is very carefully designed to blend in with nature with a minimum impact on the Environment. The boat safari to the Gal Oya National Park is the most popular excursion where you get to see Elephants swimming between Islands. Gal Oya Lodge is a paradise for Bird watchers and the many footpaths leading from the hotel give you easy access to explore the wildlife.
TRI- Ahangama
Situated on the bank of the eco-diverse Koggala Lagoon, Tri is a hideout that offers sustainable luxury. A hotel built with local materials and guided by its surroundings, Tri has green roofs, solar arrays, and edible gardens. We love the compact and comfy Water Tower Room on the cinnamon-wood-covered hilltop. It has a king-size bed, and the ensuite bathroom has slate floors, hand-cut terrazzo walls, and a rainfall shower. One of the best things about Tri is its locale. You can get on a bike to experience the countryside or take a tour of the lagoon to visit Cinnamon Island—the source of some of the best cinnamon in the world. For some city life, ride a tuk-tuk to the colonial town of Galle for some gelato. After a day of exploring, you can unwind at Tri with a massage or a quantum yoga class.
Forest Rock Garden Hotel- Anuradhapura
Forest Rock Garden is one of, if not the most beautiful settings on the soil of Sri Lanka that gives you an extraordinary experience over and beyond your expectations. Forest Rock Garden Hotel is a living masterpiece that gives its guests the once-in-a-lifetime experience to go back into the golden days of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, which was flourishing 2000 years ago, with utmost luxury and a great sense of royalty, serenity, and peace. The Hotel is in an area of 50 acres. The efforts they have made to preserve nature are very noticeable and the passion for Responsible Tourism is evident at Forest Rock Garden. Anuradhapura which carries the torch of being the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka offers a number of historical places to explore. The sacred city of Anuradhapura is home to a number of religiously significant sites which include the Ruwanwelisaya, The Sri maha bodhi tree, The Abayagiri Monastery, The Twins Pond, The Samadhi Buddha Statue, Mirisawetiya, Isurumuniya & Thuparama dagoba. The Wilpatthu National Park can be visited from the Forest Rock Garden, which is the largest National park in Sri Lanka.
The first train ran in Sri Lanka in 1864. Though we have moved from steam to Diesel, the authenticity of the old trains are still been retained and when you take a train ride in Srilanka, you will feel like you have gone back in time. The train does about 20 MPH, most of the time. The doors and windows are opened and people sit on the footplates and enjoy the fresh air and the scenery. You hear the whistles and screams when the train goes through the pinch dark tunnels and no one knows why these screams are made, but this happens every day every time, the train goes through a tunnel.
The best train ride in Srilanka is from Kandy to Badulla which takes about seven hours. You start the trip at the elevation of 1500 feet and get up to 6200 feet, before descending to 4000 feet, which is the end of the line. The train slowly winds, twists, and spirals up the hills stopping at cute, well-maintained homely looking stations. It goes through thousands of acres of tea where you will be able to spot the vibrantly dressed tea pickers moving between the tea bushes.
The scenery is stunning, going through various climatic zones and seeing tropical, Sub- montane, and cloud forest-type vegetation. The views are amazing and at some spots, you see a distance of about 80 miles and a drop of around two thousand feet. You see a series of Waterfalls and the best being Devon and St. Clair`s Falls. You stop at the highest train station in the Country [ Pattipola] and go over the World famous Nine Arch bridge which was built by the British in 1921 and is seen as a railway wonder.