Family Sri Lanka Trip independently

[Travel25]

Family of four, two older teens, big trip needed this summer as DS off to Uni. Very tempted to do our own thing rather than pay huge prices to tour operator. Flights still available for late August, thinking Sri Lankan air which is the only direct airline but gets terrible reviews. We have two weeks and would like to stay on the south east/central east side potentially for better weather. Would be good to go inland for some cultural sights too if doable. Trains would probably be the best way to travel around I think, not sure about hiring a car, roads are reportedly slow and a bit hair raising. I know private drivers are a popular option too although feels a bit odd being chauffeured about. Perhaps that would work for the odd day trip and could be booked through hotel?
Any suggestions/reassurance/do’s and dont’s would be really appreciated. Late 50’s parents here and feeling a bit daunted but know we still have it in us!

This was our route was Habarana, Nilavelli, Arugum Bay, Ella, Kandy over 2.5 weeks in July/August.
We used public transport - train colombo to Habarana and train Ella to Kandy. Buses everywhere else. No nights in Colombo.
Fantastic holiday.
Super easy to travel independently (the above was single mum and 3 kids).

The 'great gathering' of elephants is near Habarana (Minerya ? National park) so we saw elephants while doing the cultural triangle from there. We stayed at Disna Homestay, amazing food, lovely family, more guest house than homestay really.
You can access Yala national park from Arugum Bay. Great for surfing - really cheap lessons and board hire.
Turtles we saw while snorkeling off pigeon island from Nilaveli/Trincomalee area. Boats go from Nilavelli beach.
The Perahera in Kandy was quite an experience if it can fit in with your plans.
Ella is beautiful and the train journey from there to Kandy is long but spectacular.

P.s. think we flew with Etihad with a short layover in the middle east.

Our route for next year is Colombo-Sigiriya-Kandy-Nuwara Eliya-Colombo and doing a mix of trains and shared shuttles. Have booked it all independently.

This is really impressive! How old were your kids? You travelled around a lot! From Trincomalee down to Yala and all the inbetween! Amazing. Were the buses slow going? I’m currently thinking train to Kandy from Colombo and a few days there to do day trips within cultural triangle, then can’t decide whether to go north to Minneriya and east coast Pasikudah maybe, with sea plane back to Colombo, or south to Nuwara Eliyah and Ella, then down to Yala and south coast. We only have two weeks so want to see the best bits but not be travelling all the time either. What were your highlights?

@Travel25 Kandy itself was my least favourite. Not bad, but the others were fab.
Kids were 10, 12 and 15.
Yes buses were slow but a fun way to travel and lots of space (apart from the last one back to the airport from Kandy which was packed). It's a small country so never more than a half day journey and always loads to see.
We visited Polannaruwa, Sigirya and Minerya from Habarana rather than from Kandy.
Ella and the coast aren't really comparable.
Both were great. Ella in the hills, walks, 9 mile bridge, tea plantations, train to Kandy.
East coast for beach time - depends what you like!
Arugum Bay might be a hit with the teens - surfing and backpacker vibe (plenty of upmarket accomodation too). You can access Yala from there - might be worth looking in to.
Check the weather on the south coast too - it's monsoon season for south and west.

We were in Sri Lanka for 6 weeks so had plenty of time, but if I were going back for 2 weeks I would do a trip to Ella/tea plantations, maybe Sirigaya Rock, and the rest of the time in Galle/Ahangama for the beach.

Yes this is why we are going to stick to the east coast for any beach time, sea is too rough on the south with red flags a common occurrence. Maybe we will skip Kandy and base in Habarana for two or three days then. Good tip thanks. Ella has been recommended a lot, and the Adrenalin stuff like zip wires/ bungee will be popular with 18 year old. Thanks for your input.

I travelled with my 4 teenagers - we just got taxis/minibus place to place - about $1/km - as didnt want a guide or driver. I was very easy. Would skip Kandy town - but train journey from Kandy to Ella or from Ella back to Nureliya is wonderful. As is the train journey from Colombo to Kandy.

There are so many things to do and see - we did less of the monuments and focussed on animals. But dont miss Sigria - it is magnificent and can be done en-route from one place to another. Make sure you see the elphants at Mineria.

We also went to Kalpitia to see the dolphins - there were hundreds. This is only 3hrs north of Colombo. We then did a day trip to Waikptu safari and did Sigria on route to Knuckles Range were we went on some guided hikes - absolutely magical - kids favourite experience. Havent been to East Coast yet. Also went to a baby elephant sanctury and another safari in Yala. Also camped on some island on a lake somewhere.

Food is incredible when you stay at smaller guest houses rather than hotels where they just dish up western food. They would do a buffet banquet and we got to try loads of stuff. Ella is very touristy but buzzy and traveler cool - so my teens loved it. Plan to go again for the East coast and more trekking in knuckes range.

I'm just looking at Sri Lanka for a big birthday holiday with teens in tow.

I cans we some organised packages for less than £2k per person and am wondering how much cheaper you can get it by booking independently given that flights seem pricey?