Sri Lanka Wildlife & Culture

Day 1 Depart UK

Fly with Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow to Colombo (2125-1535*) ** denotes arrival the next day

Day 2 Colombo

On arrival you will be met and transferred to Ceylon Continental Hotel for 1 night. If time allows you will be taken on a short city tour. (D)

Day 3 Embilipitiya

This morning you will be transferred to Embilipitiya (approx 4hrs), visiting Rathnapura Gem Mine en-route. On arrival and check in to the Centuria Hotel for two nights (B, L, D).

In the afternoon you will go on an afternoon jeep safaris in to Uda Walawe National Park.

Walawe Reservoir and Udawalawe National Park are located in the south-west of the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. The reservoir is surrounded by open plains and hills at the foot of the prominent Kaltota Escarpment and spectacular Diyawinne Falls. Udawalawe National Park has a wonderful birdlife including: Grey-Headed Fish Eagle, Black-Shouldered Kite, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Shikra, Common Kestrel, Brown Fish Owl, Western Marsh Harrier, Black-Winged Kite, Pygmy Woodpecker, Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater, Malabar-Pied Hornbill and Velvet-Fronted Blue Nutcatcher. The park is also home to many Elephants, with herds of 50 to 60 often being seen at any one time, and there are numerous deer and Wild Boar.

Day 4

Today you will be taken on a full day jeep safari in Bundala National Park. This less visited park was originally composed of a large concentration of salt pans that were then developed into a National Park designed for large densities of bird life. The National Park is an accessible expanse of scrub jungle surrounding large shallow pools. The beaches are egg-laying sites for Olive Ridley and leatherback turtles, and hawksbill and green turtles may also be seen. You may also encounter large reptiles such as water and land monitors and crocodiles. Frequent mammal species include elephant, spotted deer, grey langur and jackal. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Yala

After breakfast you will drive to Yala National Park and the Yala Village Hotel where you will stay 2 nights.

Day 6 Yala National Park

You will have both morning and afternoon game drives in Yala National Park. Here you have the opportunity to view Elephant, Wild Buffalo, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Marsh Mugger Crocodiles, Leopard and Sloth Bear as well as many migratory and resident birds. Yala National Park is one of the largest national parks in the Country with 103,883 hectares. It is situated 300 km south of Colombo on the southeast shore of Sri Lanka. This National Park has several habitat types such as forest, scrub land, grassland, lagoons, beaches and other wetlands. Most appealing is the overall 'feel' of undisturbed jungle. Big rock formations, tanks, beaches and the lagoons amplify the scenic beauty. A safari jeep ride will take you to close encounters with the wild animals and to the beauty of the park and make it an unforgettable experience. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Kandy

Today head north to Kandy visiting Nuwara Eliya en-route. Nuwara Eliya, an old colonial hill station, lies more than 6,000 feet above sea level, a town rich in tea plantations and cradled amidst misty mountains. You will have the opportunity of visiting a tea plantation and its factory.

On arrival you will check in to Amaya Hills Resort for 1 night. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Sigiriya

This morning you will visit the Royal Botanical Gardens before returning to the Amaya Hills hotel for lunch. After lunch proceed to Sigiriya visiting Dambulla Cave Temple, which houses some of the most spectacular ceiling paintings to be found , enroute. In Sigiriya you will stay at the Hotel Sigiriya for 2 nights (B, L, D)

Day 9

In the morning you will be taken to Polonnaruwa. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to climb Sigiriya Rock.

Day 10

After a very early breakfast return back to Colombo Airport in time to board your international flight back home. (1315 /2015) (B)