Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival in Colombo a travel-to-nature Asia Tour guide/leader, who will accompany us throughout the tour, will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel which is about 15 km away and takes approximately 30 mins from the airport. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

Before heading north, we will have the opportunity to freshen up a bit at the airport hotel and have the first of many cups of tea in Sri Lanka!

Then we drive to Habarana, stopping en route for birding.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
Meal: Dinner

After breakfast we will set off on a tour of Polonnaruwa. The city was built in the 11th-12th century AD. It is considered the second capital of Sri Lanka and is now a World Heritage Site. You can see the ruins of the royal palace as well as the “Gal Viharaya”, where four famous stone statues of Buddha can be seen in different positions (standing upright, sitting, lying down). There is also a reception hall, the Lotus Bath, a statue of King Parakramabahu and the Parakrama Samudraya Lake – the latter was created by King Parakramabahu the Great. Other well-known places of worship include the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of the former Tooth Relic temple.

After the visits we return to the hotel and the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Habarana.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning we visit Anuradhapura. This was the first capital of Sri Lanka and without doubt the greatest in the island’s history. It is now home to two World Heritage Sites. We will explore many sites of historical and archaeological interest.

Sri Maha Bodhi (sacred Bo Tree) is a tree planted by monks from an offshoot/sapling of the Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment in 528 BC.
Sri Maha Bodhi is over 2,200 years old, making it the oldest documented tree in the world.

Only 1,600 stone pillars/columns remain of Brazen Palace (2nd century BC), a magnificent multi-storey former residence of the monks. The most famous of all the Dagobas (stupas; religious site) is Ruwanweliseya (2nd century BC). The original perfectly designed bubble shape could not be recreated so accurately even by modern restoration measures. One of the most famous Buddha statues is the Samadhi statue (4th century AD), which shows Buddha in deep meditation (Samadhi). The Isurumuniya Stone Temple (3rd century BC) is famous for its rock image “the Lovers”.

Kuttam Pokuna – two identical bathing pools (6th century AD), were used by monks for swimming. The oldest dogoba on the island, Thuparama Dagoba (3rd century BC), houses the Buddha’s right collarbone. We will also visit Mihintale, where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. It is a rocky outcrop with many shrines and shelters originally used by the monks. A huge staircase with 1,840 steps consisting of 4.5m wide granite slabs leads up to the top, from where you have a fantastic view over the vast landscape.

Between the structures and bathing pools we will be able to observe many bird species. These include Pond Herons, White-breasted Waterhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana,Brahminy Kite, Crested Tree Swifts, Indian Blue Roller, Rose-ringed Parakeets, Black-rumped Woodpecker and many more. The Palm Squirrels, which we will see regularly during the tour. Two other mammals we will probably encounter for the first time this morning: the agile Hanuman or Grey Langur or also called Hulman and the Toque Macaque.

Furthermore, we may encounter a wide range of lizards, possibly even a big banded Water Monitor, up to one metre long.

After sightseeing we return to the hotel and the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Habarana.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Our next destination is Sigiriya Fortress, built in the 5th century (477-495 AD) by King Kashyapa and now a World Heritage Site.

Visitors can climb the steps carved into the stone, but it is a steep climb and not suitable for people with a fear of heights. World-famous frescoes of the Heavenly Maidens can be reached and viewed during the climb up a spiral stone staircase in sheltered corners of the rock. The frescoes were painted with earth colour pigments on plaster/mortar. Birding is equally rewarding as we climb up. Shahin Falcons nesting on the rock is regularly seen and the surrounding primary forest is optimal habitat for many other bird species.
Lion Rock is an incredibly beautiful citadel rising 200m out of the jungle undergrowth. The rock was the protective bulwark of the 70ha fortified city. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens – including the renowned water gardens – lie at the base of the rock and encircle it.

After sightseeing, we return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Habarana.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we leave Sigiriya and drive south towards Kandy. In between we will stop and climb the Dambulla Stone Temple, which was given to the Buddhist monks by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC. This temple is also a World Heritage Site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The collection of five caves with over 2,000sqm of painted walls and ceiling areas is the largest cave painting in the world in terms of area. Over 150 images of Buddha can be admired here, the largest being a 14m Buddha carved in stone.

Our journey continues to the spice cultivation areas around Matale. We will visit one of these spice gardens, learn about the different types of spices Sri Lanka is famous for and get an insight into their cultivation and processing. Of course, the spices can also be bought here, although they are often cheaper in German supermarkets than locally in Sri Lanka.

Further towards Kandy, the vegetation becomes denser and greener – a clear sign that we are leaving the dry zone and entering hilly, rainier landscape areas.

Kandy is a city steeped in history, having been the headquarters of a succession of Kandyan kings until it was taken by the British in 1815. The famous Temple of the Tooth, situated on Lake Kandy, is one of the most famous Buddha temples in the area and attracts thousands of visitors every year. The town is traditionally a centre for music and dance and performances of both art forms can be attended and viewed almost every night (see programme notices at the hotel). For fellow travellers who would like to go to a dance performance, we would recommend this for the first evening. They should then leave Peradeniya Gardens a little earlier than the rest of the group to arrive at the theatre in time.
In Kandy we stay for two nights at the Chaaya Citadel.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel
Meals: Breakfast, Breakfast

After breakfast we visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. This was built as a pure pleasure garden by a Sinhala king, but later expanded by the British. An amazing number of tree, plant and flower species grow here in an area of 59.5 ha.

We continue with a city tour of Kandy. The city was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is now a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures up images of grandeur, splendor and glory. This is also reflected in the tradition, folklore and legends that are lovingly kept alive. We drive around Lake Kandy, created in 1798 by the last Sinhala King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, visit the town and bazaar, the handicraft centre, a gemstone museum and a gemstone cutter.

Later in the day, we drive to a hilltop tea estate about 10 km from town, where very attractive birds such as Blue-tailed or Layard’s and Plum-headed Parakeets, Black Eagles and Bar-winged Flycather-Shrike can be seen, among others.

In the evening we visit the famous Temple Tooth Relic and afterwards – for those who are interested – there is a cultural show with traditional Sri Lankan dance. At the end of the evening we return to our hotel for overnight stay.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we drive about 70+ km from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. The drive takes us deeper into the hill country and past a number of tea estates en route. We will visit one of them and during the guided tour we will get an overview of the different production processes of top quality Ceylon tea – of course we will have the opportunity to taste the finished products.

Nuwara Eliya is the capital of the hill country and a delightful place. A golf course and a horse racing track are reminders of the popularity this resort had for the British during the Raj period. And the sounds of the bygone era also resonate in the quaint Hill Club as well as the Victorian style of architecture. Pine trees are a feature of the area and it seems noticeably cooler than one would normally expect at an altitude of 1,890 metres. After lunch at our hotel, we stroll around town a bit and visit Victoria Park, a small public garden very reminiscent of similar grounds in British cities.

Upon arrival we check into the Grand Hotel 4* for couple of night stay. In the evening, a city tour – visit to “Little England” – is on the programme, then return to the hotel and overnight.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We should leave Nuwara Eliya early in the morning to increase our chances of seeing some attractive wildlife that are endemic to Sri Lanka. We will spend full day on the Horton Plains, Sri Lanka’s highest plateau. Although it is only 28 km from Nuwara Eliya, the road to get there is in poor condition with sloping grades and steep inclines. But the drive is worth it because the plateau is a fascinating place, a mixture of open grasslands and patches of forest, the trees overgrown with epiphytes. The scenery is spectacular and on a clear day you can see the top of Adam’s Peak far west in the distance. At the end of the world, where the plateau drops 1,000 m steeply, a cauldron of air turbulence and clouds forms during the day.

In the forest we will certainly hear, and hopefully see, the very tame Purple-faced Leaf Monkey. This is a subspecies with longer fur that lives here in the hill country. Tennant’s Giant Squirrels and Dusky Squirrels are also seen here. In the open grasslands we may see a herd of Sambar Deer.

For birders, horton plain is equally reqarding. Pied Bush Chats are one of the most common bird inhabitants but other species to look for include Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Black Eagle, Sri Lanka Woodpigeon, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, The Ceylon Whistling Thrush and more.

Although at first glance the habitat may not seem typical for reptiles, the Horton Plains can boast some endemic reptile species, but they are very difficult to find. Time permitting, we will also visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the city. Here we would have another chance to meet the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, which often visit this attractive garden in troops. If we continue to follow a circular route around the botanical garden, we might see more species of birds such as Scimitar Babbler, Yellow-eared and Black Bulbuls, Dark-fronted Babbler, Kashmir and Grey-headed Flycatchers, Scarlet Minivet and Sri Lanka Hill White-Eye and more.

Return to the hotel on time to enjoy the dinner in style. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to the Sinharaja Rainforest. A jewel among the last untouched rainforests in the country, located in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. This continuous virgin forest is home to 8,900 hectares of breathtaking beauty. Beautiful springs, streams, rivers, waterfalls, leopards, monkeys, butterflies and moths, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs can be discovered under the green canopy.

A leisurely walk on trails through the Sinharaja Primeval Forest will be an unforgettable experience of seeing, hearing and feeling for nature lovers. Due to its high biodiversity and ecological importance, this forest has been designated as a National Wildlife Sanctuary and by UNESCO as the country’s only World Heritage Site.

For the overnight stay we continue to Kalawana. Check-in at the Boulder Garden Resor “Boutique Concept”. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Blue Magpie Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We depart early this morning for Embilipitiya. Upon arrival, we first check into a hotel.

Late in the afternoon we continue by jeep safari to Udawalawe National Park. The park was established in 1972 to protect the water catchment area of the Udawalawe reservoir, a crucial step in securing the livelihood of the farmers of the south-eastern dry zone.

Together with some land areas that have only recently been taken back from cultivation, the park offers some fascinating characteristics that definitely worth a visit. The elephant density in the park is quite high, making Udawalawe one of the most reliable places to encounter elephants in their natural habitat all year round. The population is 400-500 animals, often spotted in herd sizes of up to 50. The open steppe areas are hidden under thick manna grass that grows to the borders of the large reservoir in the centre and the Walawe River. Other park areas consist of abandoned teak plantations or dense jungle scrub. This diversity of habitats is the basis for the wide range of wildlife that lives there. Besides elephants, the park also has leopards (I think we would have to be very lucky to see one), Toque Monkeys, Grey Langur, spotted deer, wild pig and sambar. Furthermore, Uda Walawe is naturally home to numerous bird species, especially birds of prey such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle and the Serpant Eagle.

In Udawalawe there is also the “Elephant Transit Home”, a transit station for baby elephants that have been separated from their herds or have lost them somewhere in Sri Lanka. Here they find a temporary home, are cared treated for by vets, get milk and food until they are 3-4 years old enough to be released back into the wild in the park. For this they are marked beforehand and afterwards tracked and monitored until they have joined an existing herd, have been taken in by it and have been fully accepted and integrated.

At the end of the day we drive back to our hotel where we will spend the night.

Accommodation: Grand Udawalawe Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After an early breakfast we will leave to reach Yala National Park before lunch. Upon arrival we check in for two nights at the Jetwing Yala  4*, a very comfortable tourist hotel on the coast.

In the afternoon we head to Kataragama to visit the Kataragama Temple. This is a temple complex of Hindus and Buddhists, belonging to the Skanda Murukan or also called Kataragamadevio. It is one of the few religious places in Sri Lanka that is worshipped by the majority Sinhala Buddhists, the minority Hindu Tamils, the Muslims and the indigenous Vedda people. Basically, a number of modest shrines are located there, the most important being the one dedicated to Skanda-Murukan or also better known as Kataragamadevio.

Almost all the shrines, as well as the nearby Kiri Vehera, are looked after by the Buddhists. Exceptions are the shrines of the Tevayani, Shiva (Siva) and the Muslim mosque. Until the 1940s, Hindu pilgrims from Sri Lanka and South India made the arduous pilgrimage on foot. After that, mostly Sinhala Buddhists came and the worship of Kataragamadevio became the most popular among the Sinhalese people.

After the sightseeing we return to the hotel and the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we should definitely have an early start in order to go on a bird and mammal exploration tour through the national park by jeep first thing in the morning. Early morning is the best time to see a sloth bear or a leopard. It is also the time of day when bird activity is at its highest, so we will see a lot in this beautiful reserve. A network of trails criss-crossing the national park allows visitors to see different areas such as open landscapes where Spotted deer or Sambar deer graze, riverine vegetation along river courses, secluded lakes and coastal areas. It is not allowed to walk around in the park outside the designated trails, but we will still be able to observe many birds this morning. Peacocks are common and therefore frequently seen. In the first hours after sunrise, Lafayette or Ceylon Jungle Fawl emerge from hiding places in the undergrowth to display and call. Birds of prey such as Changeable Hawk-eagles, white-bellied Sea-eagles and Grey-headed Fish eagles are common here.

We return back to our hotel for lunch. Afterwards, we go on a second jeep safari into Yala National Park, mainly to find leopards. The occurrence of the Yala Leopard is unpredictable – as with all felines in general – as the territories are quite extensive. Nevertheless, there are always stories of animals that have certain favourite spots and are said to be frequently seen there. Wild boars, on the other hand, are much more conspicuous, and Ruddy Mongooses and Grey mongooses are also more common, the latter being recognisable by their black tail tips. Elephants are also seen in Yala, but still hard to find amidst the forest. If we are lucky, we might get the chance to watch a family group bathing in one of the water pools. To complete the array of dazzling creatures: Monitor lizards are plentiful and Mugger Crocodiles usually inhabit the larger contiguous patches of water. But as with all such excursions, rare wildlife sightings in Yala ultimately depend on some luck.

At the end of the day we return to the hotel and spend the night there.

Accommodation: Yala Village
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On the way we will visit the Galle Dutch Fort. This fort was built by the Portuguese, but then modified by the Dutch in the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years, the fort still looks shiny and like new due to renovation work by the Archeological Institute of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government, as well as many Dutch people who still own some land within the fort, take great care to keep this place one of the modern wonders of the world.

After the exploration tour, we move ahead to Beruwela, where we will spend two nights in an excellent luxury hotel. Check-in at Cinnamon Bey Beruwela 5*. Rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Beruwela
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

On our last day in Beruwela we will relax completely. A whole day at leisure and relaxation on the beach.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Beruwela
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After all the free time and relaxation at Beruwela beach we will return to Colombo today.

Upon arrival we check-in at Check in at Cinnamon Grand 5* . In the afternoon take a city tour of Colombo driving through the commercial area of the “Fort”, so called because both Portuguese and Dutch had a fort at this point. We will also pass by “Petta”, a noisy oriental bazaar with a mishmash of people, ancient vehicles, traders/shops, mosques and temples. We will visit a Hindu temple and pass by the Jumi-UL Alfar Jumma Mosque before continuing our tour with the Wolvendaal Dutch Church, the Hultsdorf Court, the Cinnamon Gardens and Independence Square areas and the Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall. If time permits we will visit the Gangaramaya Temple and also continue city tour of Colombo by night. We will cover the main sites and also enjoy some street food and last minute shopping. On completion return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Grand
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast