Sri Lankan Nature Trail Tailor-made

Itinerary View Map

Day 1: To Colombo

Fly from London on direct schedule airlines to Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo - Kotugoda

Met on arrival and transfer to the Wallawwa for two nights.

Day 3: Excursion to Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary

After breakfast visit the Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary. Quietly glide through the waters of the marsh and lagoon area in a boat. Look out for little cormorants, pond/purple herons and ungainly spot-billed pelicans. Monitor lizards cruise through the waters fringed by a wonderful variety of trees and wetland plants.

Day 4: To Kalawana & Sinharaja Rain Forest

After breakfast drive to Kalawana. Stop at Atweltota near the pool and waterfall frequented by a plethora of birds. Afternoon visit the pristine ecosystem of the Sinharaja Rain Forest with guide and tracker. The rain forest has been designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Overnight at the Boulder Garden Resort.

Day 5: To Yala via Maduwanwala Walauwa

Early morning look for noisy jungle fowl, scaly thrush, spot-winged thrush and other birds feeding in the jungle around the hotel. Notice in the trees, on the forest edge, the blue magpie and red-faced malkoha. After breakfast leave for Yala. Enroute at Kolonna visit ‘Maduwanwala Walauwa’- a 17th C. Sinhala Chieftains House. Afternoon safari to Yala National Park to seek out the elusive leopard. Three nights at Cinnamon Wild.

Day 6: Safari to Bundala National Park & Nature Walk

Dawn safari to Bundala National Park to see elephants, crocodiles, jackals, wild boar and buffalo. Afternoon nature walk with the Resident Naturalist.

Day 7: Yala National Park Safari

Dawn jeep safari to Yala National Park. The Park was declared a Game Park in 1938 and covers 377 sq. miles. Mammals to spot include elephants, leopards, mongoose, spotted deer and monitor lizards. Multitudes of birds live here including brown-capped babbler, lesser adjutant and painted stork. Drive to the remote parts of the reserve seeking out large herds of elephants led by wise old females. Then, camera at the ready, trail leopard - visiting places where they are regularly found in caves and on rocky outcrops including – ‘Koti-gala’ and ‘Pandi-Kema’. Afternoon return to the Park.

Day 8: To Nuwara Eliya via Hakgala Gardens & Ella

After breakfast a delightful day journeying to Nuwara Eliya. At Nugeyaya junction turn off to Buduruwagala to see the impressive 51’ high rock-cut Buddha statue. The lake here is a good place to spot aquatic and birds of prey. En route see Ravana Falls and stop at the Ella Rest House for a good cup of tea. The view from here is truly spectacular. Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens, founded in 1861, as a Cinchona plantation to extract quinine for malaria sufferers. It boasts 100-year-old Monterey cypress trees from California, Japanese cedars and English oak. The Tree Fern section should not be missed. Two nights at the Heritance Tea Factory.

Day 9: Excursion to Horton Plains

Early start for Horton Plains. Walk to ‘World’s End' and ‘Little World's End’ for the fantastic view. The vegetation in Horton Plains is defined as a montane rain forest or cloud forest with gnarled and stunted growth not exceeding 15 metres in height. In season rhododendrons are a riot of colour complemented by dwarf marsh bamboo, giant tree ferns and black fern. Orchids, mosses and numerous flower species grow in profusion. Mouse deer, rusty spotted cat and sambhur live along side numerous endemic lizards and birds, including the Sri Lankan hill white eye and blackbird.

Day 10: To Gal Oya National Park

From Nuwara Eliya it’s a 3.5 hour drive to Gal Oya National Park on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast. The huge reservoir here is a very special place for wildlife, and the only national park in Sri Lanka where safaris are done by boat. Here you can see wild elephants swimming across the lake, and various other animals coming to the shore to drink. You can enjoy an evening safari on the reservoir. Stay two nights at the Gal Oya Lodge.

Day 11: Gal Oya National Park

Spend the day enjoying the serenity and beauty of the Gal Oya Lodge and surrounding areas. There are plenty of activities organised by the hotel, including bird walks of various lengths, a morning walk up Monkey Mountain, and setting up camera traps in the evening as part of the lodge’s animal monitoring program.

Day 12: To Kandy - Madukelle Eco Lodge

Morning leave for Kandy stopping enroute at the Ramboda Waterfalls. Remainder of day at leisure. Three nights at the Madukelle Eco Lodge.

Day 13: Peradeniya Gardens – Kandy Temple of Tooth

Morning visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with more than 5,000 species of trees and plants. Of particular interest are the Orchid House and the Palm Garden with more than 150 species. The largest tree (Ficus Benjamina) in the garden covers more than 600 sq meters. Later explore Kandy visiting the bazaar and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Day 14: Madukelle Eco Lodge - Hike in the Knuckles Range

Today is a day at leisure but there are plenty of optional activities. Choose to rise at dawn for a full day's trek through the forest surrounded by the breath-taking Knuckles mountains. Choose between an intensive or easy-paced trek. After a picnic breakfast en route, continue to discover the fascinating fauna and flora, some of which is endemic to this island. Stop at a natural rock pool and cool off in the crystal clear waters Alternatively, take a relaxed stroll around the colonial property with plenty of shorter walking trails to explore on your own.

Day 15: To Kotugoda

After breakfast leave for Kotugoda. Overnight at the Wallawwa.

Day 16: To London

Transfer back to the airport for direct scheduled return flight to London.

Looking to extend your holiday ? Contact our consultants today for your options.

Itinerary map

Prices

Price per person (Double/Twin share)
£3,215.00

Cost includes:

International flights in economy class.
Accommodation with en-suite facilities.
Daily breakfast throughout. Dinner at Cinnamon Wild & Gal Oya Lodge.
Services of English speaking guide during sightseeing.
Transfers as per the itinerary by air-conditioned vehicles.
Excursions, sightseeing, game drives and entrance fees as per the itinerary.
Full ATOL Bonding.

Cost does not include:

Visa Fee.
Any optional Excursions.
Any expenses of a personal nature.
Travel Insurance.

020 8901 7320 holidays@indusexperiences.co.uk

Sri Lankan Nature Trail Tailor-made