Joanna James
Crafting an itinerary for a 5-day trip to suit your kids' needs is a challenge for parents. Since Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise with sunny weather, good food, a child-friendly environment and plenty of attractions for children, you have nothing to worry about. If you come to Sri Lanka between April and September, it is ideal to visit Trincomalee on the east coast as other coastal regions would be experiencing the monsoon season. Along the route to this coastal gem with its glistening beaches, a host of other attractions are sure to entertain you. Here's a suggested itinerary.
Leave Colombo early in the morning and head straight to Dambulla. After checking into your accommodation and relaxing a little, head out to the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple in the evening. This cave temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five caves containing 157 Buddha statues and mural art. You can also see the Sigiriya Fortress from the distance, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the Sigiriya Fortress is a world-famous tourist attraction, it is better to avoid it when you are travelling with kids, particularly if they are not in their teens since it involves steep climbing in hot weather.
A 20 to 30-minute drive from Dambulla will take you to your next spot, the Minneriya National Park. Start the day early to get the best out of the safari experience. The Minneriya National Park is famous for its large elephant gatherings at the Minneriya tank during the dry season (May to September). This is the best way for your kids to see wildlife in their natural habitat. You can also visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see elephants up close. Your kids can have a memorable experience observing a herd of elephants bathing in a river and if you visit during feeding times, you have the chance to hand-feed baby elephants too.
It's time to move on to the final destination, Trincomalee. After the long journey, take some well-deserved rest at your place of accommodation. Consider spending the evening at the hotel itself since many trincomalee hotels feature private beach areas where you can relax and enjoy quality time with your family. At Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, you can wrap up the day with a delightful beachside barbeque dinner. Beaches in Trincomalee are known for their turquoise waters and cleanliness. Watching the shimmering waves at night would be an enchanting experience.
The most popular whale-watching spots in Trincomalee are the Nilaveli and Uppuveli beaches. Whale watching is in season from May to October and a variety of species including bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, bryde's whales and if you are lucky, you may spot a mighty blue whale or a scary orca. While there is less of a chance to spot whales during a 3 to 4-hour tour, pods of dolphins are sure to awe your children. After a break, if your children are up for it, you can take a boat ride to Pigeon Island, a marine national park in Sri Lanka. This island is home to shallow coral reefs, reef fish and turtles. Your kids can enjoy snorkeling here since the waters are shallow.
Spend your last day in Trincomalee by exploring Fort Frederick which was built by the Portuguese in 1623 and the sacred Koneswaram Temple located on the Swami rock. Not only are both landmarks historically significant, but they offer panoramic views of the scenic beachside and the Trincomalee harbour. Fort Frederick, with its spacious grounds, is an excellent place for kids to fly kites too. Visiting the Koneswaram Temple is a great way to expose your kids to different cultures and religions. Afterwards, refresh and have lunch before departing for Colombo.
Travelling with kids in an unfamiliar environment comes with a certain level of responsibility. To enjoy a stress-free trip, make sure to introduce the travelling destinations to your children beforehand and get their input too. The best option to travel with kids in Sri Lanka is to hire a rental service since public transport does not offer the same level of flexibility. Additionally, don't forget to check into kid-friendly hotels. Pack plenty of sunscreens, umbrellas, hats, light clothing and emergency requirements like seasickness medication and allergy medication. If you don't get to explore every item on your itinerary, try not to be too disheartened. Not every detail of life can be planned meticulously. Relax and don't forget to enjoy with your kids. The spontaneity will make your trip all the more adventurous and it will be a good learning experience for your kids too.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
