A superb itinerary which combines some of the country’s finest nationals parks for wildlife with the island’s culturally significant locations and historic temples.
Travelling on this itinerary will reveal some of the many wildlife, cultural and historical highlights that Sri Lanka has to offer. Including safaris at two national parks, Yala and Udawalawe, which are home to leopards, elephants and (in season) leatherback turtles, the itinerary will be polished with some of the country’s cultural sights to offer a fascinating and well rounded insight into the teardrop isle’s rich historical tapestry.
The island itself covers an area of just under 70,000 square kilometres and, despite its relatively small size, Sri Lanka has some of the finest wildlife and best preserved historical sights in the sub-continent. This expertly-designed itinerary allows you to enjoy all the wildlife and cultural highlights of the country at a leisurely pace in keeping with the relaxed atmosphere of this fascinating island.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Colombo & drive to Sigiriya
On arrival in Colombo, you will be met by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Sigiriya, where you are free to relax for the remainder of the day.
Accommodation: Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Visit Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya
Today you’ll visit Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes remnants of palaces, shrines, temples and dagobas built by King Parakrama Bahu the Great. Here you will see the famous reclining Buddha statue, and there is also a well-arranged museum. At Polonnaruwa you will encounter troupes of toque macaques and Hanuman langur; you may also see the dry zone race of purple-faced leaf monkeys.
You will also be able to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a staggering feat of construction consisting of an entire palace and garden complex laid out on a one and a half hectare site on top of a huge rock that rises out of the plains. This citadel is reached by climbing flights of steps hewn out of the solid rock; during the climb you can see a few frescoes - all that remain of some 500 paintings that formerly graced the rock walls.
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Day 4:
Transfer to Kandy; visit Dambulla Caves & Temple of the Tooth
Depart Sigiriya and drive to Kandy, visiting Dambulla Caves en route. The temple houses some of the most spectacular ceiling paintings found anywhere in the world, dating back to the 1st Century B.C.
In Kandy there will be a visit to the Temple of the Tooth and possibly the nearby Peradiniya Botanical Gardens.
Accommodation: Hotel Thilanka, 1-night
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Days 5-6
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Transfer to Yala; vehicle & foot safaris
You continue your journey in Sri Lanka with a drive to Yala National Park on the island’s south coast. Yala is arguably the most iconic national park in Sri Lanka and it can offer some excellent wildlife sightings. Two nights here will provide plenty of opportunities to see some of the best wildlife on the island.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala, 2-nights
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Days 7-8
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Transfer to Embilipitiya; jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park
Drive to Embilipitiya and enjoy a jeep safari in nearby Udawalawe National Park, where you will find huge herds of elephants.
Accommodation: Centauria Hotel, 2-nights
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Day 9:
Katunayaka, near Colombo
Today it’s time to head back north to the Colombo area, to a pleasant hotel close to the airport, ready for your farewell tomorrow.
Accommodation: Tamarind Tree Hotel, 1-night
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Day 10:
Fly back to the UK
You will be transferred to Colombo airport in time for a daytime flight back to the UK.
