Sri Lanka
Wildlife Wonders of Sri Lanka
The diverse natural environment of Sri Lanka is home to a rich variety of wildlife, and one can’t help but be awed by the sight of great herds of elephants, elusive leopards, schools of dolphins, hundreds of species of colorful birds and reefs teeming with fish. This 16 days/15 night journey is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who are keen to explore a few of the island’s protected reserves and spot migratory and endemic species of birds, animals, turtles and dolphins.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Colombo - Negombo
Arrive in Colombo. Upon arrival, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
If time permits, you may like to go bird watching in Muthurajawela Bird Sanctuary, one of Sri Lanka’s main biodiversity hotspots and is home to many endemic species of birds, mammals, reptiles and flora.
Meals: None
If time permits, you may like to go bird watching in Muthurajawela Bird Sanctuary, one of Sri Lanka’s main biodiversity hotspots and is home to many endemic species of birds, mammals, reptiles and flora.
Meals: None
Day 2 & 3: Wilpattu
You will drive to Wilpattu (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will be taken for three “game drives” inside Wilpattu National Park. All your game drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
You will then return to your resort.
Meals: B, L, D
During your stay, you will be taken for three “game drives” inside Wilpattu National Park. All your game drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
You will then return to your resort.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4 & 5: Kandy
You will drive to Kandy (approximately 4.5 hours, excluding stops).
On the way, you will visit the magical cave temples of Dambulla (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Protected within the caves are hundreds of statues of Buddha, many carved out of the rock itself. Note: The climb from the base is not strenuous and can be done at a leisurely pace. There are approximately 200 steps and it takes about 30 minutes. You will need to cover your knees and shoulders and remove your shoes before accessing the inner chambers.
You will then take a walking tour of a picturesque farm that offers stunning views of the Aluvihare Mountains. You will also participate in a hands-on cooking session, followed by lunch.
During your stay in Kandy, you will visit one of the most sacred places of Sri Lanka – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will also visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka.
You will also take a hike through Hanthana region which provides captivating views of the Hanthana Mountain Range are captivating and mesmerising. During your hike, you will spot birds like Rose-Ringed Parakeet, Black-Hooded Oriole, Brahminy Kite Eagle, White-Throated Kingfisher and Crimson-Fronted Barbet.
If you like, you can participate in the colonial Ceylonese tea experience at your hotel.
Meals: B
On the way, you will visit the magical cave temples of Dambulla (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Protected within the caves are hundreds of statues of Buddha, many carved out of the rock itself. Note: The climb from the base is not strenuous and can be done at a leisurely pace. There are approximately 200 steps and it takes about 30 minutes. You will need to cover your knees and shoulders and remove your shoes before accessing the inner chambers.
You will then take a walking tour of a picturesque farm that offers stunning views of the Aluvihare Mountains. You will also participate in a hands-on cooking session, followed by lunch.
During your stay in Kandy, you will visit one of the most sacred places of Sri Lanka – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will also visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka.
You will also take a hike through Hanthana region which provides captivating views of the Hanthana Mountain Range are captivating and mesmerising. During your hike, you will spot birds like Rose-Ringed Parakeet, Black-Hooded Oriole, Brahminy Kite Eagle, White-Throated Kingfisher and Crimson-Fronted Barbet.
If you like, you can participate in the colonial Ceylonese tea experience at your hotel.
Meals: B
Day 7 & 8: Pottuvil
You will drive to Pottuvil (approximately 3.5 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will be taken for a “game drive” inside Kumana National Park. Your game drive will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
You will also go surfing in the island country’s finest surfing spot, Arugam Bay.
Meals: B
During your stay, you will be taken for a “game drive” inside Kumana National Park. Your game drive will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
You will also go surfing in the island country’s finest surfing spot, Arugam Bay.
Meals: B
Day 9 & 10: Yala
You will drive to Yala (approximately 4.5 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will be taken for two “game drives” inside Yala National Park. All your game drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
If you like, you can also go for a guided bush walk with a naturalist.
Meals: B, L, D
During your stay, you will be taken for two “game drives” inside Yala National Park. All your game drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.
If you like, you can also go for a guided bush walk with a naturalist.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11 & 12: Sinharaja
You will drive to Sinharaja (approximately 5 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will explore the waterfalls in Sinharaja Forest Reserve. You will hike deep into one of the last remaining virgin rainforests in Asia and explore five cascading waterfalls of the reserve.
You can also go bird watching inside the Sinharaja Rainforest which is home to a multitude of indigenous birds and 19 out of 20 endemic bird species of Sri Lanka are found here.
You may also like to take a rejuvenating natural fish spa therapy.
Meals: B, L, D
During your stay, you will explore the waterfalls in Sinharaja Forest Reserve. You will hike deep into one of the last remaining virgin rainforests in Asia and explore five cascading waterfalls of the reserve.
You can also go bird watching inside the Sinharaja Rainforest which is home to a multitude of indigenous birds and 19 out of 20 endemic bird species of Sri Lanka are found here.
You may also like to take a rejuvenating natural fish spa therapy.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13 & 14: Weligama
You will drive to Weligama (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops).
During your stay, you will be taken to Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery which was established to conserve and protect turtles from extinction.
You will also drive to Mirissa Harbor from where you will board a boat or a private catamaran to go whale and dolphin watching.
Meals: B
During your stay, you will be taken to Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery which was established to conserve and protect turtles from extinction.
You will also drive to Mirissa Harbor from where you will board a boat or a private catamaran to go whale and dolphin watching.
Meals: B
Day 15: Weligama – Colombo
After breakfast, you will drive to Colombo (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops).
En route, you will witness Stilt Fishing which is a unique method of fishing and an old tradition practiced by around 500 fishing families in southern Sri Lanka. Afterwards, you will visit Galle Fort with a local expert (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the best-preserved colonial sea fortresses in Asia.
Thereafter, you will continue your journey to Colombo and on arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.
Meals: B
En route, you will witness Stilt Fishing which is a unique method of fishing and an old tradition practiced by around 500 fishing families in southern Sri Lanka. Afterwards, you will visit Galle Fort with a local expert (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the best-preserved colonial sea fortresses in Asia.
Thereafter, you will continue your journey to Colombo and on arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.
Meals: B
Day 16: Depart Colombo
Today, you will be met by our colleague in the lobby of your hotel, and he will escort you to the airport in time to check-in for your homeward flight (details to be advised).
Meals: B
Meals: B
Snapshots from the itinerary
