1st Night : Negombo

15 January 2024

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your first destination - Negombo. This will take about 25 minutes and depending on your arrival time, you can decide how you want to spend the rest of the day.  

This coastal city is a bustling place, with historical buildings and churches reflecting colonial influences. Negombo has a canal system that weaves an interesting route around the city and a lively fisherfolk community with a daily bustling fish market that attracts people from near and far. And of course it's an enchanting beach that will always beckon you. 

The start of your adventurous holiday in Sri Lanka, just ease into it. Depending on what time you arrive, it really is up to you to decide what you would like to do on your brief stop here. You may fancy a boat ride on Negombo’s Dutch Canal which weaves an interesting route around the city, or you may just like to linger on the beach. If you choose to venture out, Hotel Road teems with bars and seafood restaurants to check out.

2nd, 3rd & 4th Nights  : Wilpattu

16 January 2024

We want you to have as much time as possible in the jungles, so we’ll whisk you away to the largest National Park in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu, early as possible. 

We will spend the next 3 nights in a Tented  Safari Camp very close to the park and do 1 half day safari, 2 full day safaris to explore what this amazing park offers. It is quite a unique experience to stay very close to the  national park in a mini nature reserve. You will see quite a few birds and animals without even leaving the camp premises, and the night skies, undisturbed by light pollution, are quite a sight to behold too!

An early morning start will see you heading to the fish market to watch the day’s catch coming in, experience the process of wholesale fish trading and also to learn about the process of drying fish. Afterwards you’ll be heading to Wilpattu.

Among things to do in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu National Park is a multi-faceted treasure: on your afternoon jeep safari, you will get a sense of this sprawling landscape: from low scrub forests, wetlands to tall ebony and milla trees, and its iconic lakes - getting its vernacular name which means ten lakes. “The Land of Lakes” is the biggest and 2nd oldest Wildlife Park of Sri Lanka. Look out for its wildlife, especially the elusive Sri Lankan leopard and numerous birds.

17 January 2024

An early morning start on your wildlife tour of Sri Lanka will see you set off on a full-day safari with packed breakfasts, lunches, and refreshments. This excursion is focussed on visiting the numerous lakes in this Park, as they afford the best sightings of Leopards, Sloth Bears and other inhabitants of the jungle. At the end of the safari, a delicious BBQ dinner under the stars awaits you at the campsite. After dinner, you will set off on an exciting night walk where you will get to know the nocturnal wildlife and even possibly catch sight of the elusive Slender Loris!

18 January 2024

The early start today will see you taking a different direction, quite literally, this time in pursuit of the gentle giants of the forest. The North-Western regions of Wilpattu, where you will be headed today, tend to feature open plains and thinner jungles, offering easier sightings of elephants. Your safari will also take you to Kudiramalai Point, an ancient port famed for horse trading. Kudiramalai is also attributed to being the location of the capital city of several legendary rulers such as the Amazon-like queen Alli Rani; the Tamil Chief Korran who traded with ancient Phoenicia, Rome, Serica and Egypt; and Vijaya & Kuveni - Sri Lanka’s first recorded King and Queen!

5th Night: Sigiriya

19 January 2024

Next on your Sri Lankan cultural holiday is the drive to Sigiriya, which is quite scenic. Along the way you are likely to spot many birds and animals, including the iconic Sri Lankan wild elephant. Your destination is the home of the famed Sigiriya Rock Fortress with its water features, landscaped gardens and amazing 360 degree views. The marvels continue at the ancient city of Polonnaruwa which is dotted with palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes.

After breakfast, you will drive down to Sigiriya, a treasure of the island. Welcome to the once luxurious hideout of King Kasyapa, of 5BC! The remains of gigantic sculptured lion paws will greet you at the start of the climb. You will ascend 600 metres to reach the zenith of the Lion Rock where you will be struck by the panoramic view and vantage point for a king. Looking at the frescoes, you will marvel at the Mirror wall, depicting women of the time. On descending, you will enjoy walking by once landscaped gardens with their own irrigation systems, an engineering feat to see on your holiday in Sri Lanka.

6th Night: Kandy

20 January 2024

On the way to Kandy, a short distance from Sigiriya, is the town of Dambulla. Although it is an innocuous looking town, it has enormous economic and religious significance, so there is much to see here. The 2,000 year-old Dambulla Cave Temple, and the massive fresh produce trading hub, are a couple of the major highlights in this area. Kandy, the hill country capital city of the last Sri Lankan King, is full of legends, mediaeval palaces, and sacred temples. The famous 650-year-old Royal Botanical Gardens, which features more than 4,000 species of plants, is located adjacent to this city.

A short drive after breakfast will bring you to the Dambulla fruit & vegetable market which is a massive hub for fresh produce trading. After touring the market and sampling various produce, you will head over to the Dambulla Cave Temple. You can explore the 5 sacred caves of this World Heritage Site and also climb Dambulla Rock to enjoy the panoramic views. After a delicious lunch you will resume your journey and arrive in Kandy, in time to visit the Temple of the Tooth (the Sri Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred relic of a tooth belonging to Lord Buddha is kept) and also witness a daily sacred ritual known as Thewawa.

After breakfast, we will set off for Udawalawe, with a stop in Ratnapura. Here you will first visit a gem mine to learn about mining techniques and how the precious stones are processed; thereafter you will visit a gem market to learn how gems are graded, valued and traded. Then we will head to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe where over 50 elephants are being cared for, before being released to the wild. You will head out for your Private Safari in the Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon, which will last approximately 3 hours. After dinner under the stars, you will be taken on a night drive to observe the nocturnal behaviour of elephants.

After breakfast, we will set off for Udawalawe, with a stop in Ratnapura. Here you will first visit a gem mine to learn about mining techniques and how the precious stones are processed; thereafter you will visit a gem market to learn how gems are graded, valued and traded. Then we will head to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe where over 50 elephants are being cared for, before being released to the wild. You will head out for your Private Safari in the Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon, which will last approximately 3 hours. After dinner under the stars, you will be taken on a night drive to observe the nocturnal behaviour of elephants.

7th Night: Udawalawe

21 January 2024

Your wildlife holiday in Sri Lanka continues as we head down to elephant country! The journey to Udawalawe winds its way down through picturesque, tea estate draped hills and also involves a stop in the city of gems, Ratnapura. Famed for producing precious rubies, sapphires and other gemstones for thousands of years, this city is steeped in history and culture. Despite its diverse population of animals and birds, Udawalawe National Park’s reputation is dominated by the giants, as it is home to over 400 elephants. The Elephant Transit Home, which nurses injured elephants back to health and cares for orphaned baby elephants, is also found on the outskirts of this National Park.  This rescue centre is ethical and supported by Born Free USA and others alike. 

8th & 9th Nights: Yala

22 January 2024

It’s time to head off to the land of the leopards, Yala National Park! Although it is most famous for Leopard sightings, Yala has a fantastically diverse population of animals. During your Private Safari in the Park you will encounter Elephants, Crocodiles, Sambar, Wild Buffalo, Eagles, Cobras, Peacocks and more. With rocky coasts, mountains, vast lakes and plains, the landscape of Yala is a treat for the eyes and is the perfect backdrop for exciting sightings! Your comfortable glamping accommodation will also offer up some great sightings, as it is situated right on the border of the Park.

Bird watching in Sri Lanka is quite a rewarding experience and the camp’s resident naturalist will take you on a morning birding trail, which will culminate just in time for breakfast. The drive to Yala is quite short, so after a brief exploration of the campgrounds, followed by a delicious authentic Sri Lankan lunch, you will be taken on your evening safari of Yala National Park. A delicious dinner by a roaring campfire awaits your return from the safari, and your adventures on this day are capped off with a night walk along the borders of the Park, to meet some of the nocturnal residents of the jungle.

23 January 2024

Bird watching in Sri Lanka is quite a rewarding experience and the camp’s resident naturalist will take you on a morning birding trail, which will culminate just in time for breakfast. The drive to Yala is quite short, so after a brief exploration of the campgrounds, followed by a delicious authentic Sri Lankan lunch, you will be taken on your evening safari of Yala National Park. A delicious dinner by a roaring campfire awaits your return from the safari, and your adventures on this day are capped off with a night walk along the borders of the Park, to meet some of the nocturnal residents of the jungle.

10th Night : Galle 

24 January 2024

It’s time to continue your cultural holiday, and journey to the coastal town of Galle. Undoubtedly, the most prominent feature of this town is the culture-rich Galle Fort which was built by the Portuguese colonists, and modified by the Dutch and British, during their respective colonisations. Today, it is a beautifully eclectic mix of cosy homes, cafes with fusion cuisines, intriguing stores, quirky hotels, and art galleries frequented by travellers, artists, writers, photographers and designers. The best way to experience this UNESCO World Heritage site would be to stay within the Fort, and that is precisely what you will be doing! Evening you can have a Galle Fort walking tour. 

The Galle Fort spanning 90 acres, is a living historical site first built in 1587 by the Portuguese, then extended by the Dutch in 1633 and lastly modified by the British. Within the ramparts, is a myriad of wonder to be seen. You will reach Galle, the coastal UNESCO Heritage Site.

25 January 2024:

Departure to Bandaranaike International Airport

We’ve reached the end of your 10-night holiday to Sri Lanka and it is time to depart. Your chauffeur  will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to Colombo Airport in time to catch your departure flight.