Rest of the day at leisure on the beach.

Accommodation: Goldi Sands Hotel
Meal: Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Wilpattu. Check in at the Big Game Camping site (Deluxe Tent accommodation with attached WC & shower facilities) for two nights.

Late afternoon proceed on an evening game drive to Wilpattu National Park by jee. Wilpattu is Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national park, famous for watching Leopard and Sloth Bear.

The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes). Natural sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world renowned for its Sri Lanka Leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sloth Bears population. Alongside these, it is possible to see Asian elephants, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Wild boar, Asiatic buffalo and Mugger crocodiles. On completion, return to the campsite. Remainder of the evening at leisure. BBQ Dinner with a bonfire at the campsite,

Accommodation: Big Game Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at Campsite. Morning we leave for a safari game drive at the Wilpattu National Park. On completion return to the campsite.

Afternoon proceed to the sacred city of Anuradahapura to explore. Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, 5th century BC – 9th century AD and the centre of the island’s Buddhist civilization. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient ‘buried city’. The island’s oldest Buddhist shrines – some dating back to 3rd century BC are found here. Impressive white ‘dagabas’ (relic chambers) and monuments, embellished with handsome stone carvings and sculpture, the oldest documented tree on earth – The Sri Maha Bodhi (over 2000 years old), pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds, a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the attractions of Anuradhapura. Check in at Hotel in Anuradhapura.

Accommodation: Rajarata Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the Campsite. Leave to the Northern capital of the country, Jaffna, a city famous for its rich history and exotic spices. Notice the subtle but definite change in the terrain as the otherwise dominant coconut palms all but disappear and the landscape is taken over by the mysteriously beautiful Palmyra Palms which are iconic of Sri Lanka’s north and east. If early enough you may be lucky to see wild elephants crossing the A9 road. As you travel further north, time seems to slowdown as you see fewer and fewer vehicles on the road. The landscape seems to stretch to impossibly distant horizons on either side of the road. Upon arrival check in at Jetwing Jaffna 4* for two night stay.

Afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour of Jaffna, one of the oldest human settlements in the peninsular region of Northern Sri Lanka. The city was the epicenter of a decade’s long conflict that has now ended.

Jaffna has it all, friendly people, a rich culture, salubrious climate and a picturesque environment go to make it a veritable traveler’s paradise. Now that the guns have fallen silent and peace is in sight, domestic tourism in this long forgotten northern retreat is gradually catching on. After almost 20 years, travelers now can reach Jaffna either by land or air.
You will explore the town of Jaffna including visits to the 15th century Nallur Kovil also known as the Kandaswamy Temple, the Jaffna library, a building known for its elegant neo-Mughal design and museum the bustling main street which is a hive of economic activity and the grand Old Dutch Fort of Jaffna. On completion return to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Jetwing Jaffna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit the northern utmost point in land of Sri Lanka – Point Pedro.

Point Pedro is a town, located in Jaffna District at the northernmost point of the island. Cotton is produced around Point Pedro in the fertile calcic red latosol soils. The eastern coast of Point Pedro forms a 5 km wide, 32 km  long beach with sand dunes up to 100 feet high, extending to Thalayady.

The porous soil has a water table deep underground with an estimated one billion liters of fresh water. During pre-colonial and even in colonial times, Point Pedro was a bustling hub of export/import activities. The people, whose descendants involved in the import/export business, continue to form the majority of the population of Point Pedro.

Then travel towards the shimmering sands of Manalkadu to take a short walk. The bright afternoon sky hangs heavy upon the pale golden sands that reflects its wild luminescent light and the heat of the sun. Spreading across acres before your eyes will be what resembles a semi-desert heightened by the presence of a few hefty dunes. They loom up like giants, standing out against the otherwise bare landscape. The spectacle that unfolds before you though, is mysteriously breathtaking. On completion return to the hotel – rest of the day at leisure .

Accommodation: Jetwing Jaffna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel leave for Trincomalee.

Leave the very north of the country today and head to the beaches of the east coast. En route we will stop at the hot springs of Kanniyai, where there are seven hot wells of varying temperatures, commonly referred to as ‘the Seven Wonders of Sri Lanka’. Check in at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon 4*. Rest of the day at leisure on the beach.  Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure on the beach.

Today is free for you to relax by the hotel pool or do some optional activities such as whale watching (March – August) or snorkeling. The tropical conditions of the Indian Ocean mean it is the habitat to hundreds of thousands of varied species. Your leader will give you further information, and costs, for the optional activities before you arrive in Trincomalee.

Accommodation: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Optional Activities: Whale watching excursion in Trincomalee which is the best place for dolphin and whale watching or snorkeling.

Breakfast at the hotel leave for Habarana. Check in at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana 5* for two nights stay.

Late afternoon proceed to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a world heritage site, built by king Kashyapa (473 “491 A.D). The Lion rock is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the plains overlooking the surrounding countryside giving far-reaching views. Used as a safe haven from invaders, the route to the top is up a series of steep steps and gangways. From the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens, you ascend 200m, passing an overhanging rock under which superb portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall, ‘the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway . Crowning the flat-topped summit of the rock are extensive remains of the King’s Summer Palace from where there are breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside. The descent is much easier and you can cool off in the hotel pool at dusk.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Polonnaruwa to explore Primate Research Center (Subject to prior approval) and watch different species of monkeys and their behaviors with Prof. Dr. Dittes or his Colleagues.

Primate Research Center is known locally as the “Monkey Camp”. Primate research center is the Association for the Conservation of Primate Diversity, under the umbrella of the Smithsonian Institution Primate Biology Program, based in Sri Lanka and the USA. The studies on the monkeys have been highlighted recently in the movie theater film “Monkey Kingdom” (produced with Disney Nature). The work also has been featured in many documentary films for TV on the BBC, Discovery, Animal Planet and others).

On completion proceed on a Jeep Safari at the Minneriya National Park – 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favorites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3 rd century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters. On completion return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel and leave for Kandy. Check in at Cinnamon Citadel 4*. Afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour of Kandy, the last capital stronghold of the Singhalese Kings.

Kandy is located on a small lake surrounded by verdant hills and you spend the afternoon in and around the town. The most must visit attraction is the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in 543 BC and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. Rich in history and traditions the Temple of the Tooth attracts devotees and pilgrims worldwide who visit the temple each day and is also the focal point during the magnificent Procession or Perahera during the month of August. Some of our trips in August should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until 5 months prior to the event.

Kandy’s other attractions are its traditional arts and crafts, the folk dances as well as its busy and colorful streets shops and eateries. An iconic colonial monument, the Queens Hotel sitting close to the lake of Kandy, still retains its old colonial charm. A Tuk Tuk Ride Will Be Included as a part of the Sightseeing Tour of Kandy.

In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing and fire eating. Return to the hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

Recommended Optional sites and activities:
The Magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

Kandy Perahera – Held annually in August for 01 week the Kandy perahera is perhaps the most important and the most colorful of all pageants held in the island. Kandy’s 4 devalas – natha, Vishnu, skanda and pathini lead the procession each followed by a train of colorfully caparisoned elephants. The golden karanduwa – a replica of the dagoba shaped casket in which the sacred tooth is enshrined is carried by the magnificent tusked temple elephant adorned with colorful drapes, lined with tiny electric bulbs. The perahera or procession consists of approximately 100 elephants.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel and leave for Gal Oya. Check in at the Gal Oya Lodge “Eco Concept” for two nights. Rest of the day relax by the pool with breathtaking view of the surrounding rocky mountains.

The Gal Oya National Park – History and Geography
Gal Oya national park Sri Lanka located in the Uva Province which is situated in the south-east of Sri Lanka; the Gal Oya National Park was established in 1954 by the Gal Oya Development Board, primarily to protect the catchment area of the vast ‘Senanayake Samudra’ Reservoir which is the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. It was subsequently handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1965.

The Gal Oya National Park is rich in both fauna and flora and about 45 percent of the Park is covered by evergreen forest while a further 33 percent is taken up by savanna areas. The Park spans over 25,000 hectares in total and has three mountains within its boundaries vis-à-vis Danigala, Nilgala and Ulpotha with the highest peak reaching 900 metres.

The Buddhangala Sanctuary, one of the four protected areas which make up the Gal Oya National Park, has ruins of a Stupa and other buildings dating back to the 2nd Century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha visited here during his last time in Sri Lanka. In the hilly country to the West of the Park was one of the last strongholds of Sri Lanka’s indigenous tribes, the Vedda.The Vedda are the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of central Sri Lanka. They have inhabited the island for hundreds of years, living off the land and being at one with nature.

Despite this, Gal Oya is also one of the least visited national parks as it is remote and largely undeveloped for tourism, making it a hidden gem for nature lovers.

Accommodation: Gal Oya Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Early Morning take a boat safari on Sri Lanka’s largest lake and discover wildlife from a whole new perspective. We may be lucky enough to see the elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge. Birdlife is exceptional on the lake, and migratory birds swell their ranks during the months of December to April. On completion return to the hotel. Have breakfast at the hotel and relax until the afternoon.

Late afternoon proceed on a Jeep Safari to explore the magnificent habitats and wildlife at the Gal Oya National Park. Wild elephants herds that can be seen here throughout the year, so keep your eyes open. Crocodiles can also be spotted lazing along the banks and more. On completion return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Gal Oya Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After our leisurely breakfast, driving southwards we head towards Yala National Park but en route will make various stops to break the journey. We should finally reach Yala in the afternoon for lunch and check-in at the splendid hotel Jetwing Yala 4* where we stay for two nights. The afternoon will be free for relaxation at the hotel and to enjoy the hotel pool, the private beach and the surrounding.

Optional: If you’re not tired you can head out in 4WD jeeps for afternoon game drive. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most well known national park, famous for having a higher concentration of leopard per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world. Located in Sri Lanka’s lowland dry zone in the south eastern corner of the country, Yala National Park is extensive, covering some 97,881 hectares across five ‘blocks’. Yala’s vegetation primarily consists of dense secondary forest, semi-arid thorny scrub, brackish lagoons and mangroves since the park borders the coastline. With this diverse habitat comes a huge array of wildlife, including elephant, Sloth bear, Spotted deer, Water buffalo, Sambar deer, Wild boar, langur and macaque. Bird counts are also high, with over 215 species recorded, including thousands of migrating waterfowl. Our group will be split evenly between jeeps and will be joined by the tour leader, naturalist and tracker who will each sit in a different vehicle. The drive this afternoon will last around 3 – 4 hours, before we return to the hotel to freshen up and have dinner.

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Today full day game drive is enjoyed inside the Yala National Park and we will be taking our picnic meals with us. An early start will be necessary to enter the National Park in jeeps for a morning of bird and mammal watching.

Early morning is the best time to come across a Sloth Bear or Leopard but it is also the time of peak bird activity and there will be much to see in this wonderful reserve. A network of tracks criss-cross the accessible areas of the National Park embracing open country, where herds of Spotted Deer and Sambar graze, riverine forest, secluded lakes and coastal mudflats. It is not permitted to walk inside the park except at designated areas but despite this restriction we should see many wildlife including many bird species during the morning. Peacocks are common and in the first few hours after dawn Sri Lanka Junglefowl emerge from cover to display and call. Raptors include Changeable Hawk-Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, and Grey-headed Fish-Eagle.

The Yala Leopards, like big cats everywhere, are unpredictable in their appearances but tales of obliging animals are frequent. Whether it is particular individuals becoming accustomed to human visitors, or a consequence of recent droughts, there is no doubt that diurnal sightings of Leopards in Yala have become much commoner in recent years and we will hope that good fortune is on our side as we tour the Park.

Sometimes the cats may be observed padding along the road, or disappearing into cover but the best views are obtained when one is discovered in a tree and such individuals may spend hours dozing on a convenient branch to the delight of the tourists.

Wild Boar are in general much more conspicuous than their predators and both Ruddy and Grey Mongooses occur, the former distinguished by a black tail tip. The larger Stripe-necked or ‘Badger’ Mongoose is also a Yala resident. Elephants are widespread inside Yala but surprisingly elusive and hard to see amid woodland. If you are lucky you may chance upon a family group bathing in one of the pools. To complete a dazzling array of creatures, Land and Water Monitors are numerous and large Mugger Crocodiles inhabit the bigger pools. As with all such excursions, luck will play a big part in what we see during our time in Yala but no visit is ever dull and we are certain to encounter an impressive variety of species.

It is a Park regulation that all vehicles should exit by nightfall so we are obliged to leave before the emergence of the many nocturnal inhabitants of Yala.

Back to the hotel for dinner & overnight.

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wildlife tends to be at its most active during the early morning and to take advantage of this we have a morning game drive in Yala National Park. Leopards and Sloth bears will be high priority but we will also be seeking any of the inhabitants not seen during the previous visits. Our naturalist guide will also focus on Yala’s diverse birds, with our game drive lasting around 3 hours. After completion return to our hotel for a rest and lunch afterwards.

After lunch you set off and drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates back to the 17th century, and now a UNESCO world heritage site. Upon arrival Check in at Radisson Blu 4*. Rest of the day at leisure on the beach. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel proceed on a sightseeing tour of Galle. Once the chief port of Ceylon as Sri Lanka was named by the British. It is still well known for hand-made lace, tortoise shell curios and ebony elephants. You can also visit the Galle fort (spanning 90 acres), which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. This is a world heritage site.

After Galle visit you leave for Colombo. If time permits, drive through the Colombo Commercial area of the “Fort” so named, because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a Fort at this point. Drive passed “Pettah” – a noisy Oriental bazaar with a hotchpotch of Humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques & temples. Visit Hindu temple & drive pass Jumi-UL Alfar Jumma Mosque, Continue the tour through the Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law courts, to the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens and on to the Independence Square and Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall. And also visit Gangaramaya Temple.

Upon arrival in Colombo check in at Cinnamon Grand 5*. In the evening take a city tour of Colombo by night. You will cover the main sites and also enjoy some street food and last minute shopping. On completion return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Grand
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel transfer to the airport for your homeward bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast