Curious Slow Travel Summer Family Holiday to Sri Lanka
Image© : Brian Harrisberg
Slow Down and Reconnect with Your Kids This Summer
A summer family holiday where time and Wi-Fi need to be forgotten - at least for a few days, and curious slow travel takes over.
Sounds appealing?
Expect to be inspired. Discover new ways of exploring Sri Lanka with kids. The island of Sri Lanka is one of the most captivating summer family holiday destinations close to south east Asia and the Maldives. The art of curious slow travel for families with Ayu in the Wild includes private family holidays under canvas, walking safaris, exciting jeep safaris, discovering friends among locals and giving back to communities, art and craft, learning local lifestyles and tuning in to nature’s noises – curated just for your family.
Family Holidays Under Canvas in Sri Lanka for Older Kids
Our rewilding holidays under canvas are our favourite add on to any private family holiday to Sri Lanka with kids.
From Tented Camping by the beach to beautiful under canvas boltholes up in the remote mountains bordering the Knuckles to private campsites set up just for you deep in the Kumana National Park; the accommodation is an exciting part of this curious slow travel experience! Then you get breakfast on the sand dunes, lunch by the river, soft treks on mountains learning about Ceylon Tea and walks with Naturalists to learn about exciting little wildlife that hardly anyone bothers to write about. Safari drives include wildlife monitoring and predator profiling of the more famous wildlife; learning about alarm calls, spoor identification. Wildlife treks and safaris to see elephants, birds, crocodiles and leopards are with wonderful friendly Naturalists trained on African styled safaris who make learning about wildlife behaviour and ecology in Sri Lanka’s wildlife reserves as exciting as spotting your first elephant. Nothing is as exciting as exploring the bush and learning how it all connects. Each experience can be curated to suit family holidays with younger children and teenagers during the summer months of July and August.
This slow travel holiday is also wonderful for budding photographers to explore stunning landscapes and practice the art of shutter speeds on smaller and bigger wildlife of Sri Lanka.
You will soon forget time and technology.
WHEN: July and August Summer family holidays
WHERE: Yala, Kumana, Knuckles, Buttala
HOW MANY DAYS: We recommend 3 nights in Kumana for the most perfect wildlife experience and 2-3 night stays in Yala and Buttala.
PERFECT BEACH ADD-ON: Arugam Bay and Pasikuda
Rewilding on Family Holidays with Small Children
We understand that family holidays with smaller children can’t be too structured.
Your Ayu in the Wild Naturalist will help you explore Sri Lanka’s beautiful outdoors or give you space when you want to be left alone. Create your own ‘Jungle Book’ of stories on this curious slow travel holiday perfect for families with smaller kids where experienced Naturalists teach kids about ‘paper GPS’, jungle navigation on bush walks, bird watching tips and tricks and much more.
Each learning family holiday itinerary will include lovely accommodation. Some will be unique Eco lodges, others will have the most gorgeous pools. Driving times are kept to a minimum, train rides can be kept short for smaller kids or longer if the children are up to it and relaxed days are mixed with learning, adventure and quiet moments. The immersive ‘edu-tainment’ summer family holiday experiences are geared to nurture a love of nature and local lifestyles among kids and to introduce them to Sri Lanka’s wildlife, history and culture through art, craft and soft adventures. Meet rural locals who will welcome you into their homes, learn how trees provide food and shelter to animals in Sri Lanka through on-safari insights; and spend quiet moments tuning out man-made sounds and listen to ‘Nature’s Noises’ on gentle canoe rides.
WHEN: Ideal in the July and August Summer family holiday months
WHERE: Kandy, Tangalle, Hatton, Sigiriya, Wellawaya, Anuradhapura
HOW MANY DAYS: Minimum 2-3 nights in each location
PERFECT BEACH ADD-ON: Trincomalee and Pasikuda
Curious Slow Travel for Family Holidays in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka
The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka is not just about temples. At least, not on these slow travel family holidays with Ayu in the Wild.
From learning bushcraft while exploring the wildlife of Wilpattu to the use of medicinal plants among rural village folk and cooking lessons on farm visits where you pluck your own vegetables, you will discover a different side to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka on this curious slow travel holidays perfect for kids of all ages. You can opt to stay in small villas or in handpicked cottages, in tree-huts perfect to learn about ecotourism or in beautiful luxury hotels.
Meet some wonderful Sri Lankans living in Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Kandy who’s love of their land is infectious. Walk through local markets rarely visited by tourists, take slow cycle rides along lakes, learn about spices and the art of making delicious food using coconut. Teach your kids the value of giving back. Make a difference in the lives of rural school kids on our famous Classrooms in the Wild project and give back to nature on our Trees For A Purpose’ project. To explore the beautiful world heritage sites and learn unique insights into life centuries ago you will meet our handpicked, licensed community based guides who have an infectious enthusiasm to bring the ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to life; or explore the stories of Kings and kingdoms in Kandy and Sigiriya. There’s also lots of time spent in pools, soaking up the sun and doing nothing.
WHEN: July and August Summer family holidays
WHERE: Sigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura
HOW MANY DAYS: Ideally 3 nights in Sigiriya or Anuradhapura and 2 nights in Kandy
PERFECT BEACH ADD-ON: Trincomalee and Pasikuda
10 Responsible Travel Tips for your Family Holiday in Sri Lanka
Image© : Brian Harrisberg
Please #SayNo to elephant back safari rides.
Do not pay for locals to display captive wild animals like monkeys and snakes.
Do not feed elephants that wander onto the road or search for food near fences.
Do not visit any elephant orphanages in Sri Lanka which keep elephants chained up and encourage tourists to bathe and feed them.
Ask questions before visiting a Turtle Hatchery to ascertain if they adopt irresponsible practices and disturb the nesting process in the guise of conservation.
Encourage your children to learn about the biodiversity in Sri Lanka.
Bring your own refillable water bottles, for each family member.
Educate your children about respecting different lifestyles and encourage them to mingle with locals.
Welcome the opportunity to give back to people and nature through Classrooms in the Wild and Trees For A Purpose.
Ask the right questions before booking a Whale Watching tour.
Is it Safe to visit Sri Lanka and other Sri Lanka Travel Advice
Ayu in the Wild Holidays are specialists in curating curious slow travel holidays to Sri Lanka using the knowledge of the widely traveled Sri Lanka owners, and are experts in luxury private tours for couples and small groups, family holidays to Sri Lanka, low carbon footprint travel, wildlife, ayurveda, and ecotourism holidays that respect people and places.
Whatsapp Us on +94 77 248 1100
or email info@ayuinthewild.com