A Family-Friendly 7-Day Tour of Sri Lanka's Vegetarian Food and Scuba Diving

• Day 1: Visit Elephant Freedom Project
  3 hours and 58 minutes (179 km) from Colombo

  Get up close and personal with one of Sri Lanka's most beloved animals by spending a day at the Elephant Freedom Project. The project is an authentic sanctuary for elephants that have been rescued from the tourism trade or retired from logging. Enjoy watching elephants roam free and learn about their care and history.

• Day 2: Scuba Diving at Hikkaduwa Coral Reef
  2 hours (100 km) from the Elephant Freedom Project

  For the adventurous family members, take your family to one of the most beautiful reefs in Sri Lanka for some scuba diving. Get ready to observe and enjoy the beauty of the corals and sea creatures of the Indian Ocean.

• Day 3: Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  6 hours and 30 minutes (247 km) from Hikkaduwa Coral Reef

  For the history buffs and adventurers, walking up to the top of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a must! It's one of the most imposing and mystical historical sites, and is also known as the 8th wonder of the world. Take in the breathtaking views and the ancient rock paintings, which add to the unique and awe-inspiring history of Sri Lanka.

• Day 4: Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
  2 hours and 20 minutes (79 km) from Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  Spend the day watching baby elephants bottle-feed and play in rivers interspersed with adult elephants who are learning how to rejoin their wild herds., It's a special experience to see the rehabilitating process in full swing with a backdrop of stunning natural landscapes.

• Day 5: Learn to Cook Sri Lankan Vegetarian Food
  1 hour and 12 minutes (38.9 km) from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

  Want to take a break from exploration? Attend a cooking class and learn to cook classic Sri Lankan vegetarian dishes while enjoying the local culture. Sri Lankan cuisine is a must-try for all vegetarians!

• Day 6 : Visit Galle Fort
  2 hours and 22 minutes (121 km) from the cooking class

  Visit one of the most beautiful, intact fortified cities in the world: the Galle Fort. Enjoy its classic European architecture, winding old streets, and art museums in this lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Day 7: Relax and enjoy the beach
  1 hour and 29 minutes (62 km) from Galle Fort

  Finally, after all that exploration, take a break and enjoy the beautiful blue waters and sandy beaches of Sri Lanka.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Elephant Freedom Project (3 hours, price varies with activities)
• Scuba Diving at Hikkaduwa Coral Reef (2-3 hours, price varies with the package)
• Sigiriya Rock Fortress (3-4 hours, entrance fee of 30 USD per adult)
• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (2-4 hours, entrance fee of 30 USD per adult)
• Learn to Cook Sri Lankan Vegetarian Food (4-5 hours, price starts at 50 USD per person)
• Galle Fort (2-3 hours, entrance fee is not required)
• Beach activities (1-3 hours, prices vary with activities)
• Total Estimated Costs: 300 USD per person

Transportation

Sri Lanka has many options for transportation: Taxis can be booked through mobile apps; buses are a budget-friendly option that can take you across cities; trains offer one of the most scenic travel experiences in Sri Lanka; and lastly, renting a car is the most comfortable option. The cost of all transportation combined will be around 200 USD.

Useful Tips

If you have an extra day, consider visiting Kandy City - the last ancient capital city of Sri Lanka, located in the heart of the hill country; or, take an early morning hike to Adam's peak – it's one of the most scenic and challenging hikes on the island.

Airports

Sri Lanka's main international airport is the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) which is located in Colombo, about 30 km from the city center.