Family highlights of Sri Lanka (East Coast)

Our tour starts today in Negombo, a coastal town that's famous for its fishing industry and golden sands. The perfect introduction to Sri Lankan life, Negombo is a busy coastal town with a lively fish market, and traditional ketti-maran (catamaran) fishing boats scudding across the waters - the capital, Colombo, is a short distance away, too. Head down to the water to catch the sunset and spot locals bringing in the day's catch.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Negombo at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a 30-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head to the beach or make use of the hotel facilities which include a swimming pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. Stay: Earls Regent Hotel (Comfortable)

This morning, we'll set out and drive to Kitulgala (a three-hour journey). Set amongst the fertile and lush western highlands, with towering cliffs and wild water, the Kelani River offers some of the best white-water rafting in the country with grade 2-3 rapids. We'll make the most of them with an afternoon rafting session down the river towards our accommodation outside Kitulgala.

We cover a section of the river through several rapids. It will usually take approximately one hour to cover the section, but this depends on water levels so may be a bit shorter or longer. Taking lunch en route, we should arrive at our simple hotel late this afternoon. This evening, if time allows, there will be a chance to join an optional trek across the river and through the jungle to a hidden waterfall. In dry season the falls may be smaller or dried up according to recent climate conditions.

This evening, if time allows, there will be a chance to join an optional trek across the river and through the jungle to a hidden waterfall. In dry season the falls may be smaller or dried up according to recent climate conditions.

Our night spent at Kitulgala is in a simple graded resthouse. The Kitulgala Resthouse Hotel has around 20 simply appointed en suite rooms with a fan in each room. It is located on the Kelani River front and surrounded by nature (ear plugs can come in handy!). Stay: Kitulgala Resthouse Hotel (Simple) (B/D)

We'll wake up to the sounds of birds in the jungle this morning and enjoy breakfast before heading off across the highlands to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. This is the heart of the island's tea industry, and we'll visit one of the many estates to learn more about the production processes and sample the finished product, of course.

As we work our way into the rolling green hills, you'll notice the air is cooler. We'll continue our journey through the central highlands, arriving at our hotel in the busy tourist town of Ella in the late afternoon. Stay: Oak Ray Ella Gap Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

This morning, we'll enjoy a leisurely start to the day, leaving Ella mid-morning and driving to the east coast resort on Passikudah Beach.

The next day and a half are free for you to make the most of this slice of paradise. Combining colonial history with local beaches, the local area offers plenty of options to keep busy or unwind. Soak up the laid-back ambience and dip into the turquoise waters of Sri Lanka's east coast.

Our hotel has a swimming pool as well as easy access to the beach. Stay: Marina Passikudah (Comfortable) (B)

Passikudah has one of the finest beaches on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The protected reef runs the length of the resort and is ideal for snorkelling - you can easily wade out 50 metres from the shore in the shallow waters.

For active families, there is a wide choice of water sports on offer. Alternatively, you can sit back and relax on the golden sands or take a dip in the hotel swimming pool.

Day 6 - Canoe and tuk tuk to Habarana for lunch with locals, cycling tour of ancient Polonnaruwa

Heading inland, we'll drive for two hours to Habarana, the cultural hub of Sri Lanka. We'll swap bus for tuk-tuks to ride to the community's vegetable garden, where we'll help select a choice of homegrown vegetables. Our harvest will go into our traditional Sri Lankan lunch. You can watch or join in the cooking, as the locals cook up delicious curries and rice are prepared. After sharing the meal, we'll have the chance to take a serene canoe ride on the village lake.

Afterwards, we'll make our way back to our bus and journey on to Polonnaruwa (a journey of just under one hour).

This afternoon, we'll explore the ancient city by bicycle and on foot, taking in the spectacular ruins of the Royal Palace and its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle - a wonderfully compact collection of ruins. We'll stay overnight close to Polonnaruwa. Stay: Marina Passikudah (Comfortable) (B)

Heading inland we drive two hours to Habarana, the cultural hub of Sri Lanka. Tuk tuks are the transport of choice here, and we'll switch out the bus for a tuk tuk ride to the community's vegetable garden. Walk around and help the villagers select a choice of homegrown vegetables, which will all go into preparing our traditional Sri Lankan lunch. Watch and join in if you like as delicious curries and rice are prepared. After sharing the meal, we have the chance to take a serene canoe ride on the village lake. After spending time in the village we make our way back to our bus and onto Polonnaruwa, just under an hour's drive.

This afternoon we visit the ancient city by bicycle and on foot, taking in the spectacular ruins of the Royal Palace and its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle - a wonderfully compact collection of ruins. We stay overnight close to Polonnaruwa. Stay: Acme Hotel (Comfortable) (B/L)

We'll have an early start this morning as we plan to climb Sigiriya ahead of the crowds and while it's still relatively cool. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the UNESCO-protected ruins of this 5th-century 'Sky Fortress' are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions and an impressive feat of engineering skill. The fortress was built in just seven years as a fortified palace atop the granite peak, to protect the reign of merciless King Kassapa who had assassinated his father and deposed his brother.

Before our final ascent to the summit, we'll pass between a set of enormous lion paws carved out of the rock - all that remains of an ancient gateway that gave Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', its name. From here a series of switchback steel stairways ascend to the top. Once at the 200-metre/656-foot summit, we can take in the magnificent views of the surrounding jungle and countryside. We return to our hotel in time for a late breakfast.

Leaving Sigiriya, we'll drive to Wilpattu National Park. Here, we'll swap bus for jeeps as we head off for an afternoon safari through the park, hoping to spot Sri Lanka's most elusive resident, the leopard. Despite Wilpattu National Park's location in Sri Lanka's dry zone, it boasts nearly 60 lakes and is renowned for leopard, elephant, and sambar deer sightings.

Tonight, we'll stay in a large camp with fixed tents, located close to the southern boundary, on the boundary of a lake surrounded by bush forest. Each tent is well appointed with raised beds and comfortable mattresses; en-suite private bathrooms are located in adjoining individual tents. Pillows, bed linen, towels, a flashlight, and an umbrella are also provided.

In the evening, guests are invited to retire to the campfire after dinner. Stay: Big Game Safari Camp Wilpattu (Comfortable) (B/D)

We'll have an early start today as we head out for another game drive in Wilpattu National Park and further opportunity for wildlife viewing, returning to our camp for breakfast.

Afterwards, we'll return to the small town of Negombo (a four-hour journey) for our final night in Sri Lanka. The afternoon is free to enjoy a dip in the Indian Ocean or relax by the pool. Stay: Earls Regent Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Negombo.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Negombo at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. (B)