10-day Sri Lanka itinerary for families with kids

The family version of the 10-day Sri Lanka itinerary keeps the same regions and night counts, but shortens the longest sitting days and swaps in more reliable, child-friendly experiences. It also leaves every midday free for the pool, which children need even more than adults in the dry-zone heat.

Night counts: Sigiriya three, Kandy one, Ella two, Udawalawe one, and two nights at Unawatuna or Mirissa.

Sigiriya Rock is a genuine adventure for children from about six or seven, with a lion's paw gateway, spiral staircases and a palace on top. Go at opening, carry plenty of water and snacks, and hold small hands on the upper staircases. Younger children and toddlers often do better exploring the water gardens at the base with one parent while the other climbs.

The elephant safari on day 3 is usually the highlight for children, and a shorter loop of Polonnaruwa by car, with the Gal Vihara's giant Buddhas, is more manageable than cycling the whole site. Many Sigiriya hotels have big gardens, pools and resident monkeys and birds.

In Kandy, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic's evening puja, with drums and crowds of worshippers, fascinates most children for half an hour; a Kandyan dance show with fire-walking is often an even bigger hit. The next day, drive through tea country to Nanu Oya with a stop at a tea factory, then take the most scenic part of the train to Ella.

Ella is a relaxed, walkable town for families. Little Adam's Peak is manageable for most children over about five, and Nine Arch Bridge is exciting when a train crosses. Keep children well away from the open train doors and off the tracks at Nine Arch Bridge.

Udawalawe National Park is the best safari for families on the 10-day route. Elephants are seen on almost every drive, the open grassland makes them easy to spot, and the drive from Ella is roughly two to two and a half hours. The Elephant Transit Home beside the park, where orphaned calves are fed at set times before release, is a favourite with children.

Yala is more exciting for older children who want leopards, but it involves longer, bumpier drives, more waiting and more crowds, and sightings are never guaranteed. For families with children under about ten, Udawalawe is the easier and more reliable choice.

Unawatuna, close to Galle, has a sheltered, crescent-shaped bay that is one of the calmest places to swim on the south coast from roughly December to April. Mirissa is also good, with shallow areas at the western end, but can have stronger currents in places. Always swim where others swim and watch young children closely.

Galle Fort, a short drive from Unawatuna, is an easy half-day for families, with ramparts to walk, a lighthouse and plenty of ice cream. Whale watching suits older children who are not prone to seasickness; the long trip can be hard for younger ones.

Sri Lanka is warm and welcoming to children, and families rarely have trouble with food: rice, dhal, roti, hoppers, fresh fruit and mild curries are easy to find, and hotels will cook plainer meals on request. Carry rehydration salts, high-factor sunscreen, hats and insect repellent suitable for children.

A private driver makes family travel far easier, with room for luggage, stops whenever needed and child seats arranged in advance if you request them. Lankan Stays & Trails plans many family trips and arranges child seats, family rooms and quieter safari jeeps on request.