Sri Lanka is home to a collection of national parks and reserves and we’ve chosen some of our favourites. Sri Lanka has one of the highest densities of leopard in the world, with both Yala and Wilpattu National Parks popular spots. For elephants lovers the best places are either Udawalawe or Minneriya whilst those looking for a rainforest experience, gazing up into the canopy in search of monkeys will want to head to Sinharaja Nature Reserve followed by a deep sea boat trip to see the amassing blue whales in Mirissa.
Nurture and Wild Life of Sri Lanka
10 Nights/ 11 Days
Day 1: Airport – Colombo
On arrival transfer to Colombo where you have some time to relax.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Colombo.
Day 2: Colombo – Nuwara Eliya
Approx. journey time 4½ hours, 124 miles.
After breakfast, Drive to Nuwara Eliya, stopping for lunch at Kitulgala where the film The Bridge Over the River Kwai was filmed. This afternoon join a tour of the city of Nuwara Eliya. Set in a mountain valley some 1800 metres above sea level, it is surrounded by rolling hills covered in vast tea plantations.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Nuwara-Eliya.
Day 3: Nuwara Eliya – Yala
Approx. journey time: 4½ hours, 118 miles.
After an early breakfast departure you’ll arrive at Horton Plains National Park. The plains are characterised by rolling hills, forest and grasslands and are undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka’s best eco-tourism venues and nature reserves. It is home to an array of wildlife and is ideal for bird watchers with over 87 species, 14 of which are endemic. A three-hour trek over relatively challenging terrain takes you to the renowned World’s End precipice where you can enjoy incredible views over the surrounding countryside.
You’ll then continue your journey south to Yala National Park. Get as close to the wildlife.
Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Yala National Park.
Day 4: Yala
After breakfast, today’s exploration of the world-famous Yala National Park is a real highlight of the tour. It is known locally as leopard country as it plays host to one of the world’s highest density of leopards. You will rise early for morning 4×4 safari into the park before returning to the hotel for some free time. Later in the afternoon there’ll be another trip into the park – hopefully you’ll get to see some of the species you didn’t get to see earlier in the day.
Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Yala National Park.
Day 5: Yala – Udawalawe
Approx. journey time: 2 hours, 56 miles.
After breakfast, depart for Udawalawe, the Elephant Transit Home, the next stop on your tour. The transit home was established by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1995 as a rehabilitation centre and here you’ll find a number of orphaned elephants being cared for before being released into the wild. There is a small museum to explore and you’ll receive a talk from one of the carers. Although you won’t get to interact with the elephants, this half-hour visit is a great opportunity to see the animals and discover the important and tireless work that’s done to get them back into the wild.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Udawalawe
Day 6: Udawalawe – Deniyaya
Approx. journey time: 1½ hours, 45 miles.
After breakfast, you’ll depart today before breakfast for an early morning safari in Udawalawe National Park. Lightly vegetated, the park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to spot a variety of wildlife species including buffalo, elephants, and occasionally a leopard or two. After the game drive you’ll transfer to the Rainforest Eco Lodge in the Sinharaja rainforest in Deniyaya. The only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, the Sinharaja rainforest offers guests the chance to walk amongst beautiful flora and fauna. This afternoon you will enjoy your first trek into the rainforest with the hotel’s naturalist (1-1½ hours).
The night will be spent at the unique Rainforest Ecolodge – a wonderful sustainable lodge which has been designed to make as minimal impact on the surroundings as possible.
Dinner and overnight stay at Rainforest Ecolodge.
Day 7: Deniyaya – Tangalle
Approx. journey time: 2 hours, 50 miles.
Following a leisurely breakfast travel south towards the coast and the beach resort of Tangalle.
The rest of the day is free to relax.
Following dinner at Tangalle hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Rekawa, one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka where, depending on the time of year, you may be lucky enough to see a turtle nesting on the beach or even watch hatchlings make their way to the ocean.
After Rekawa visit return to Hotel for overnight stay
Day 8: Tangalle
After breakfast full day leisure at Tangalle beach.
Dinner and overnight stay at Tangalle Hotel.
Day 9: Tangalle – Galle
Approx. journey time: 1½ hours; 43 miles.
Breakfast, Rise early this morning for the final wildlife-watching opportunity of the tour – an unforgettable whale-watching excursion. Join a three-and-a-half-hour cruise which departs from the town of Mirissa, on the island’s south coast. The blue whales – the earth’s largest creatures – are the real draw off the part of this Sri Lanka coast, however you may also be lucky enough to spot orca, humpback whales, turtles and dolphins.
On return to dry land continue along the coast to the walled city of Galle. Your time here is free to explore the beautiful Old Town and its fortifications.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Galle.
Day 10: Galle – Negombo
Approx. journey time 3 hours, 121 miles.
After a late breakfast you will travel back north to Negombo for your final night, following a short city tour if time allows. En route you’ll visit the Galaboda Tea Factory to discover the history of one of the island’s most important exports. If you have chosen to extend your stay on the island’s south or south west coast you will transfer straight to your chosen resort from Galle instead of returning to Negombo.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Negombo.
Day 11: Negombo – Airport
Transfer to the airport (approx. journey time: 1/2 hour, 10 miles) for your flight.
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