Sri Lanka Wildlife Tour Itinerary – SRWT11
Discover Sri Lanka’s amazing wildlife like Asian Elephants, Sloth Bears, leopards, primates, whales and dolphins on this Sri Lanka Wildlife Itinerary. This country shows off nature at its best. UNESCO World Heritage sites and nature sites abound. Take some walks to explore even more of the culture and nature of this beautiful country. This 11 day tour explores the south-western part of the island of Sri Lanka. Colombo to Colombo.
Itinerary
Day 1 Colombo – Kuliyapitiya
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be met by your assigned guide who will escort you throughout your stay with us. Transfer to your overnight hotel. (Approximate duration- 1 hour). This afternoon is yours to spend at leisure enjoying the surroundings.
Accommodations: Goldi Sands Hotel
Day 2 Kuliyapitiya – Sigiriya
After breakfast, checkout and continue your journey to transfer to Sigiriya to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Approximate travel time 4 hours)
Sigiriya is an enormous rock boulder rising up 200 meters above the surrounding jungle. Incredibly, the rock fortress served as a royal citadel for more than 18 years. Pause occasionally during your ascent to admire the mirror wall, the sigiri graffiti, the famous Sigiriya frescoes (paintings) and the great lion paws. Wander through the ruins and admire the unparalleled 360 degree view of the surrounding jungle and hills.
In the evening, join a naturalist to observe the elusive Grey Slender Loris in their natural habitat. The Loris is an extremely rare nocturnal animal and considered one of most endangered primates in the world.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations: Kassapa Lions Rock
Day 3 Sigiriya -Polonnaruwa -Sigiriya
With a packed breakfast, travel to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1 hour’s drive) to discover the interesting blend of archaeological monuments. Polonnaruwa was the second kingdom of Sri Lanka. Look out for the famous Gal Viharaya or “Rock Temple” . Observe four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone. Polonnaruwa also boasts ruins of ancient palaces, intricately carved moon stones and royal baths.
Later on we join a primate expert to witness fascinating primates in lush shrubs and jungle. Catch a glimpse of three types of monkey species in their natural habitat: toque macaques, purple-faced leaf monkey (langurs) and grey langurs. They live in family troupes of about six to ten individuals.
In the afternoon embark on an exciting game drive at the Hurulu Forest Reserve to get close to the Asian Elephants. You are likely to see a whole host of other mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. The park is also an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka – the Purple-faced Langur and Toque Macaque.
*Special Notes: Depending on the time of year, weather and elephant movement patterns, we may provide the safari at a different national park. Minneriya National Park, Kaudulla National park or Eco Park are all located within the same region*. Hurulu Forest Reserve is known to host the elephant migration in the months of December and January.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Kassapa Lions Rock
Day 4 Sigiriya -Kandy -Nuwara Eliya
Continue your journey to the hill capital town of Kandy. (2 hours and 30 minutes) Discover the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most prominent Buddhist Temple in the hill capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the 16th Century, the temple houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. Become surrounded by the sound of drums and the smells of lotus and jasmine flowers, as well as incense.
Special notes: It is recommended to wear light colored clothing when visiting the temple: jeans, skirts, or dresses past knee length with long sleeved tops or a shawl to cover the shoulders if you are wearing short sleeved tops.
Continue your journey to the most scenic and picturesque drive to the central highlands, also declared as part of the UNESCO Nature Sites. (2 hours’ drive) Ready your camera and stop to admire gushing waterfalls, vast tea terraces, old tea factories and expansive vegetable fields along the way. This part of the island has become known as ‘Little England’ with Victorian-style bungalows and beautifully kept gardens.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations: Galway Heights Hotel
Day 5 Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains – Nuwara Eliya
Grab a packed breakfast and proceed on trekking expedition to Horton Plains National Park. An expert naturalist will guide you. A packed lunch will be served during this expedition. The park is often shrouded in mist, ground frost and low-lying cloud due to the altitude up to 2300m. A UNESCO nature site, the plains host many species of plant, endemic birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. On your way back to Nuwara Eliya we will visit the picturesque Haggala Botanical Gardens.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations: Galway Heights Hotel
Day 6 Nuwara Eliya -Yala
Carry on to Yala and tented campsite. Here you will spend 3 nights bordering the Yala National Park, one of the oldest and largest national parks in the island (4 hours and 30 minutes drive). The rest of the evening is leisure time until dinner is served.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations: EKHO Safari
Days 7 and 8 Yala
During the next two days, embark on morning and afternoon game drives to the Yala National Park. It is ranked by National Geographic as the sixth best national park in the world.
Search for native wildlife through the park. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot three of Sri Lanka’s wildlife “Big Five”. Endangered animals are the Sri Lankan leopard, sloth bear and elephant. They can all be found here. In fact, the park is known to have one of the highest density of leopards in a concentrated area. Herds of spotted deer, Mugger crocodiles, wild boar, wild buffaloes, langurs, and peacocks are also resident. They guarantee to provide brilliant photograph opportunities. Bird-lovers will particularly enjoy the display of over 200 different species.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations: EKHO Safari
Day 9 Yala – Bundala – Galle – Mirissa
Set off early morning with a packed breakfast. Head out to the birdwatching trail at Bundala National Park. The diversity of the park lies in its landscape, from dry thorny scrubland and dry-zone forests, to sand dunes and salt marshes, to mangroves and lagoons. Encounter many species of butterfly, fish and mammals. During the months of October to April, spot some of the thousands of migrant birds such as the Golden Plovers, Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, and Common Greenshank.
Later, make a stop in the suburbs of Galle city for a unique cinnamon tapping experience. Venture out on a guided tour of the estate. Learn about the method of growing and harvesting cinnamon. Watch a fascinating demonstration from one of the estate’s expert peelers to see how this intricate process is carried out. Enjoy a delicious cinnamon-infused lunch at the estate.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations: Paradise Beach Club
Day 10 Mirissa
Early morning (at 6.30 am) commence on a half day Whale and Dolphin watching expedition. (Approximate duration of the expedition four hours). The best time for whale and dolphin watching on the southern coast is from November to April. However, Mirissa offers whale watching all year. Blue whales, sperm whales, fin whales, spinner dolphins, dugongs and rare sea turtles can be observed in Sri Lanka’s waters.
While wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, Blue Whales are frequently seen between December and March off the South and West Coast of Sri Lanka, due to their migration patterns. When out on a boat, visitors are often accompanied by pods of spinner dolphins.
During the evening, enjoy a walking tour along the atmospheric streets of the Galle Dutch Fort. This is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive Fortress, originally built by the Portuguese and further fortified by the Dutch, remains standing today with only a few changes. Explore the Galle Fort and its panoramic views.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations: Paradise Beach Club
Day 11 Mirissa – Colombo – Airport
Transfer to the capital city of Colombo in time for a farewell lunch. (2 hour and 30 minutes drive). Check in at a Colombo Hotel for day use. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure until departure transfer. Proceed to Bandaranaike International Airport (approximate duration – 1 hour) in time to connect with your onward international departure flight.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodations: Fairway Colombo (Day Room)
