Our Epic Sri Lanka Adventure: A Family Journey To Remember

A Gentle Start: Colombo & The Wallawwa

We landed in Colombo after our direct flight with SriLankan Airlines and were whisked off by our wonderful driver, Chanaka, to an absolute stunner of a hotel just a short drive from the airport: The Wallawwa Hotel by Teardrop Group.

Wallawwa is a boutique hotel with just 18 rooms, set in lush tropical gardens. The food and service were incredible, as was the relaxing pool area and discreet butler service. It felt like we’d stepped straight into a tranquil oasis, exactly what we needed after a long flight.

We only spent one night here to recuperate, but I would highly recommend it at either the beginning or end of a Sri Lanka tour. It is the perfect soft landing (or final exhale) to frame your adventure.

Kandy & Adigar’s Manor: Warmth, Heritage & Esala Perahera

From Colombo, we travelled roughly three hours by car to our next stop: Adigar’s Manor in Kandy. Before I go into detail about this very special place, it is worth mentioning how we chose to travel around Sri Lanka.

Although you can fly between some destinations, we decided to tour entirely by road. Our chauffeur, Chanaka, stayed with us throughout and doubled as an extremely knowledgeable tour guide and a genuinely beautiful human being. We built the most wonderful relationship with him, laughing, sharing jokes and listening to his stories. Through him, we gained a much deeper understanding of Sri Lankan culture, history and its people.

Adigar’s Manor itself felt like stepping into another era. The property has been passed down through generations, and we were lucky enough to meet the owner, who shared his family history with us and made us feel like royalty. I had visions of the late Princess Diana holidaying there, although sadly I was told she never got to visit Sri Lanka.

We had two suites, each with its own butler. The décor was colonial yet warm and homely, with such attention to detail. The food was absolutely incredible, and we left with so many precious memories.

We were also fortunate to be there as preparations were beginning for The Kandy Esala Perahera, one of Sri Lanka’s most important festivals, which typically runs over 10 nights in July and August. The streets are cleaned with turmeric water and filled with dancers, drummers, acrobats and musicians. Elephants parade through the city, carrying a replica of the golden casket that represents the Sacred Tooth Relic. Locals come from all over Sri Lanka to witness this.

Our guide took us around the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and we queued to get a glimpse of the golden casket when the doors opened (this happens twice a day). It felt like such a blessing to be part of this. Dressed respectfully in white, with shoulders and knees covered, we joined locals in offering flowers and making our wishes. The warm greeting of “ayubowan” and the sense of shared reverence made this a truly special moment for our family.

Sigiriya, Dambulla & Jetwing Vil Uyana: Rock Fortresses & Sunrise Magic

Our next stop was Sigiriya. On the 2.5‑hour drive we stopped at a spice garden and then at the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my personal favourites of the entire trip.

The caves are extraordinary: five separate chambers carved out of the rock, filled with intricate statues and vivid paintings. Even the ceilings are painted. I absolutely loved it here and would recommend it to anyone visiting Sri Lanka. It was a real highlight.

After checking in to another stunning hotel, JetwingVil Uyana in Sigiriya, we set our alarms for an early wake‑up and a sunrise hike up Sigiriya Rock, often called the eighth wonder of the world. It was worth every second.

My daughter said what made it truly special was the sense of togetherness: people from all over the world, including many locals, all climbing in the half‑light to watch the new day unfold. There was something very powerful about that shared moment. After the sunrise, Chanaka guided us around the site, bringing its history to life.

If you plan to visit, I would definitely recommend climbing at dawn. The temperature rises quickly and it gets much busier later in the morning. We were back in time for a very well‑deserved four‑course breakfast.

Jetwing Vil Uyana was unforgettable. Langurs played outside our room, we spotted a crocodile in the lake, and there were birds everywhere. The whole place felt alive.

That afternoon we headed into Minneriya National Park for a late‑afternoon safari, hoping to see elephants. Minneriya is known for having the largest gathering of wild elephants on the island, and some even joined us on the roadside as we drove towards the park. Do not worry: this is a designated safe crossing zone that connects two national parks, allowing elephants to move freely.

The safari in Minneriya National Park was one of the real stand‑out moments of the trip. We watched herds of mothers and babies grazing together and felt incredibly privileged to witness them in their natural environment.

Ancient Polonnaruwa & Time On The East Coast

Leaving Sigiriya, we visited the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. It was an incredibly hot day and the site is extensive, so I would strongly recommend going early if you plan to include this in your itinerary. The history is remarkable and the scale of the ruins truly mind‑blowing. Another absolute must‑visit if you are looking for culture and heritage in your trip.

From there we headed to the East Coast for a few days of pure beach relaxation, where we sadly said goodbye to Chanaka and switched into chill mode. The beach was stunning, the sunrises were dreamy, and we enjoyed some wonderful food and drinks as we recharged after the busy touring days.

Gal Oya: Off‑Grid In The Jungle

Rested and ready for more adventure, we met our new driver, Priyal, who drove us south into the jungle for a 24‑hour off‑grid stay in Gal Oya.

Gal Oya felt very special. Maybe it was the lack of phone signal and Wi‑Fi, maybe it was the warmth of the hospitality, or maybe it was simply the chance to be so immersed in nature. Whatever it was, it captured all of our hearts.

The main event here is the boat safari through the national park on Sri Lanka’s largest lake. If you are lucky, you can sometimes see elephants swimming between the islands. We headed out with our guide, who pointed out crocodiles, lone male elephants and a wonderful variety of birds as we glided across mirror‑calm water.

We returned just in time for sundowners by the lakeshore as the sun dipped behind us. It was one of those real “pinch me” moments that we will never forget.

Ella & 98 Acres: Train Journeys, Views & Little Adam’s Peak

From Gal Oya we travelled to Ella, which had a completely different atmosphere from anywhere else we stayed. Our base here was 98 Acres Resort & Spa, a fabulous hotel with the most insane views over the tea‑clad hills and a real vibe around the pool. It was the kind of place where you could happily linger between adventures, just soaking up the scenery.

We took the train to get that famous photo of the Nine Arches Bridge, and the journey itself was a joy. The train system in Sri Lanka is excellent, but seats do book up well in advance, so it is important to reserve in good time (or let me take care of that for you).

The following morning we set our alarms early once again for a sunrise hike up Little Adam’s Peak. It took us around 20 minutes and is a relatively easy walk, rewarded with insanely beautiful views. If you like the idea of gentle hiking with big visual pay‑offs, this is perfect.

One thing we had hoped to do was visit a tea plantation, but the timings just did not quite work on this trip. In a way, that is a good thing: it simply means I have to go back.

Yala National Park & Uga Chena Huts: The Leopard Moment

With just two more stops left on our epic tour, we found ourselves falling more and more in love with Sri Lanka.

Next up was Yala, where we unfortunately had only one night. If I were planning this again, I would definitely try to allow for at least two.

We headed out on an afternoon safari into Yala National Park with our guide, Gayan, who asked us what we most wanted to see. After already enjoying unforgettable sightings of elephants, birds, crocodiles and monkeys, there was one animal still at the top of our list: the leopard.

We were treated to the most magical sighting, and we all became unexpectedly emotional. The Sri Lankan leopard is a truly beautiful creature and, with no natural predators here, they live a remarkably protected life.

We returned to Uga Chena Huts for sundowners and an exquisite dinner before retreating to our stunningly designed huts. It was one of those days that goes straight into the “lifetime highlights” folder.

Galle & Fort Bazaar: A Stylish Finale

Our final stop was Galle, which again had an entirely different vibe. We stayed at Fort Bazaar, a gorgeous boutique hotel in the heart of the old fort.

We spent our last days in Sri Lanka wandering the cobbled streets, visiting the lighthouse, dipping in and out of little shops and cafés, and savouring our final tastes of Sri Lankan cuisine. It was the perfect way to gently come back down to earth and reflect on everything we had experienced.

A Trip To Remember

What a trip. It was incredible.

If Sri Lanka has never crossed your mind, it absolutely needs to. With so much to offer, this country truly has it all. I have never come home feeling quite so wholesome.

Thank you, Sri Lanka, for everything.
A trip to remember, for sure.