SRI LANKA: WILDLIFE AND SOUTHERN BEACH EXPLORER  

Day 01  LEAVE LONDON TO COLOMBO / FLIGHT

Day 02  ARRIVAL- NEGOMBO

Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, transfer to Negombo (15-20 minutes drive from Airport). If the time permits, visit Negombo Dutch Canals and Fort and fishing village. Hotel check in time is after 12.00 p.m. Subject to availability. Early check in can be arranged.

Day 03  NEGOMBO- WILLPATTU- ANURADHAPURA

After breakfast at the hotel, transfers to Willpattu (4-5hrs drive). The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Willus" (Natural lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast, low land, dry zone of Sri Lanka.

En route collect the pick nick lunch packets and transfer directly to Willpattu. At 12.30 p.m. reach the park entrance and enjoy with the safari at Willpattu National Park by a separate jeep. Inside the park you can have your lunch by the river. Return to the park entrance and exit at 6.00 p.m. and transfer to

Anuradhapura (1hr drive). Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Day 04  ANURADHAPURA –RITIGALA-HABARANA

After breakfast at the hotel, transfers to Habarana (3hrs drive). En route, nature trail at Ritigala mountain range which consists of four peaks of which the main and the highest peak at the south of the range is named Ritigala Kanda. Ritigala mountain range, a 3776-acre (1582 ha) Strict Nature Reserve, in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, is managed by the Department of Wildlife of Sri Lanka together with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka.

Your arrival time to Habarana will be at 5.00 p.m. and you can have a rest at the hotel 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. At 8.30 p.m. After dinner enjoy with the night safari in Habarana area (jungle track). From this safari you will be able see wild elephants, deer, wild boar etc. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 05  HABARANA- SIGIRIYA- HABARANA

Nothing can be do related to wild life in the morning time. So we propose you to proceed to climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress , the spectacular ‘Lion rock’ fortress, stands majestically overlooking the luscious green jungle surroundings, and is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. Listed as a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site, Sigiriya is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. Later visit at Pidurangala which remains a large cave centred ancient meditation chambers in gigantic rock, huge 48 feet long reclining Buddha statue made out of bricks, clay and lime and one of the Asia’s oldest and remaining of Dagoba with a Bodhigaraya. Passing through the ancient site can climb up to the top of the rock to witness the fantastic view around the dry zone forests around Sigiriya. Later proceed to safari in Kaudulla or Minneriya National Park where the faunal species recorded in the park include 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 160 species of bird. In the drought period Sri Lankan elephants move to the Minneriya tank to drink and feed. Around the month of September the elephants move to the Kaudulla tank in search of more water and food. Return to hotel and have a dinner. After dinner proceed for a night nature trail by foot in Habarana area. From this nature trail you will be able see wild elephants, deer, wild boar etc. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 06  HABARANA-NUWARA ELIYA

Your next destination is Nuwara Eliya; after breakfast transfer to Nuwara Eliya via Polonnaruwa (4-5hrs drive). On this drive you can witness the beauty of green environment, amazing ancient constructions, reservoirs etc. Nuwara Eliya is a mountain station at 1,868 m (6,128 ft) of altitude, in a splendid landscape. The city pretends to be particularly well-kept and neat, and the always green grass gives to the locality an aspect of “colonial British style". Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 07  NUWARA ELIYA-HORTON PLAINS-TISSAMAHARAMA

At 4.30 a.m. proceeds for a nature trail in Horton Plains (World Heritage site declared by UNESCO) which is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau is rich in bio diversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. This is a 7kms nature trail by foot and you can observe the vertebrate fauna of the region includes 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians. The Sri Lankan elephant disappeared from the region in the 1940s at the latest. At present, the largest and the most commonly seen mammal is the sambar deer. Back to hotel and check out. Transfer directly to Tissamaharama (3-4hrs drive). Have a rest and before or after dinner proceeds for a night safari in Sithul Pauwa, where you will get the chances to see, wild elephants, deer, wild boar etc.

Day 08  TISSAMAHARAMA-YALA-TISSAMAHARAMA

At 5.30 a.m. be ready at the hotel lobby for full day safari in Yala National park (6.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.). Pick nick breakfast and lunch will be provided on this day. At noon time you can enjoy with the river bath. Yala National park is famously known for its highest concentration of leopard in the world. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 09  TISSAMAHARAMA-YALA-TISSAMAHARAMA

At 5.30 a.m. be ready at the hotel lobby for full day safari in Yala National park. Pick nick breakfast and lunch will be provided on this day. On this day we will enter to the park from different block. The park consists of five blocks, two of them only are now open to the public.

Day 10  TISSAMAHARAMA- BUNDALA- UDAWALAWA

At 5.30 a.m. be ready at the hotel lobby for morning safari in Bundala. This is an internationally important wintering ground in Sri Lanka for migratory water birds. Bundala harbours 197 species, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo, which migrates in large flocks. Back to the hotel and check out from the hotel. Transfer to Udawalawa (1 1/2hrs drive). Visit Ath Athuru Sewana (Baby Elephant Transit Home) and witness the baby elephants’ feeding programme. Overnight stay in Udawalawa.

Day 11  UDAWALAWA- MIRISSA

At 5.30 a.m. be ready at the hotel lobby for morning safari in Udawalawa. This is an important habitat for Sri Lankan Elephants, which are relatively easy to see in its open habitats. Many elephants are attracted to the park because of the Udawalawe reservoir, with a herd of about 250 believed to be permanently resident. At 11.00 a.m. exit from the national park and proceed to hotel. Later checkout and transfer to Mirissa (4hrs drive). Overnight stay in Mirissa.

Day 12  MIRISSA

Rest and relax day on the beach.

Day 13  MIRISSA- WELIGAMA-GALLE- COLOMBO- NEGOMBO

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to visit to snake Farm in Weligama (2hrs drive both ways). This is situated in14km from Weligama along the Akuressa Road is the popular Snake Farm, which has fifteen kinds of snakes on it. Among the snakes are enormous pythons. The visitors are allowed to handle snakes with the assistance of the caretakers. Later transfer to Galle (1hr drive). En route visit Galle Dutch Fort which has a very long history and is marked in the island of Sri Lanka in Ptolemy’s world map prepared around 125 – 150 AD. During that time Galle was a busy port. Foreign traders like Greeks, Arabs, and Chinese etc have been visiting Galle for trade. Later transfer to Negombo via Colombo (3-4hrs drive). En route enjoy with Colombo city tour along with the shopping. Transfer directly to Negombo for overnight stay.

Day 14  DEPARTURE

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Inclusions

• Accommodation for 12 nights/13 days on Half Board Basis (Bed+Breakfast+Dinner)

• All transport by a vehicle with an English speaking driver

• All applicable taxes

• Entrance tickets + Jeep Charges

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Exclusions

• Air fare & travel insurance

• Site guide at Ancient cities can be arranged at a cost of £ 10.00 per day, per site.

• Compulsory peak supplements – rates vary at different hotels

• Extra meals, beverages, tips, gratuities, telephone calls, laundry, etc.

• Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay /cancellation/ hike in fare, strike or any natural calamities