11 Day Trip

Day 1: Arrival in Colombo – Negombo (Dinner)

Arrive in Colombo airport, welcome and assist by your personal chauffeur guide for your transfer to hotel in Negombo.

Day 2: Negombo – Wilpattu National Park (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Drive along Sri Lanka's picturesque coast to Wilpattu. After lunch, enjoy an exhilarating Afternoon Safari in Wilpattu National Park. Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1905, Wilpattu is one of the oldest but the largest national park in Sri Lanka. It comprises of a complex of lakes which are surrounded by grassy plains, set within scrub jungle. The unique feature of this park is the existence of "Villus”(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 Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus) population. There are approximately 30 species of mammals which include elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, buffaloes, sambars and mongooses. Crocodiles, turtles and wetland bird species can also be found here. Spend your night at Big Game Camp in Wilpattu National Park.

Day 3: Wilpattu National Park (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Maximize your chances of seeing more wildlife in their natural habitats today. An early start this morning as you embark on a Morning Safari Adventure by 4WD Jeep with your picnic breakfast. Animals are at their most active during dawn and dusk, as they hide in the forest to avoid the harsh heat. Apart from the animals, you will get more opportunities to spot crocodiles and various species of birds during the morning session. A safari in Wilpattu National Park is very different from any of the other major national parks. Being less accessible than the other national parks, Wilpattu remains untouched and uncrowded. Enjoy lunch at the campsite. Free at own leisure in the afternoon. You may want to relax and read a book, or enjoy activities like fishing and bird watching. Spend your night at Big Game Camp in Wilpattu National Park.

Day 4: Wilpattu National Park – Sigiriya Village – Habarana (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Rise and shine. Get ready to proceed for Sigiriya Village Tour where you will experience the activities like a Boat Ride and a trip on a Bullock Cart. Visit the Chena Cultivation fields and be humbled by the farmer’s hospitality. Chena cultivation is a form of seasonal cultivation practiced by the locals to maximize the effects of the monsoon rains. You will later witness a Traditional Cooking Demonstration in a rural village house and enjoy the delicious authentic Sri Lankan lunch. Thereafter, head on to Habarana. Free at own leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 5: Habarana – Minneriya National Park – Sigiriya – Habarana (Breakfast, Dinner)

Start your tour to Minneriya National Park with your packed picnic breakfast. Hop on a Jeep Safari Tour to explore one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants. The national park is famous for its herds of elephants roaming in the jungle, migrating for food, water and shelter. You may also see other animals like wild buffaloes, crocodiles, leopards, wild boar, spotted deer, birds and many more. You will later explore the majestic 5th century “Fortress in the Sky”, which is the most visited historical sites in the country. Climb the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, approximately 1200 steps, rising 200 meters (660ft) high into the heaven, also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. This rock climbing activity is recommended for most tourists as you get to see some beautiful engraved frescoes of the ancient era and also the remnants of a fortress at the top of the rock, not forgetting the tremendous view from the summit.

Day 6: Habarana – Matale – Kandy (Breakfast, Dinner)

Begin your tour with a visit to Spice Garden in Matale to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. After that, head on to UNESCO World Heritage site – Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala Kings. Visit Wood Carvings & Gem Processing Centre and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic houses the tooth of Buddha that was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century and is considered the country’s most prized possession. In the evening, enjoy a Sri Lankan Cultural Dance Show.

Day 7: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, you will proceed for Nuwara Eliya City Tour. Nuwara Eliya, a city in the hill country of Sri Lanka, is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period. With its British-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tended hedgerows, old English-style lawns and gardens, Nuwara Eliya is often referred to as “Little England” of Sri Lanka. It has a cool climate throughout the year. You will later head on to Ella. Admire the wonderful scenery as the journey goes through a picturesque landscape of greenery tea plantations. Ella is a popular town in the mountains of Sri Lanka, surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The scenic beauty and cool climate have made Ella an attractive travel destination. No trip to Ella is complete without a quick hike to the top of Little Adam's Peak, or "Little Sri Pada" to locals. Begin your hike gradually with an easy walk up to the mountain of Little Adam’s Peak, where you will witness breathtaking views of mother nature as well as marvelous views of Ella Gap. The trail winds through tea plantations, where you may see locals working and picking the tea leaves. Explore the magnificent Nine Arch Bridge, also called the Bridge in the Sky, is one of the top attractions in Ella. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. You may even catch an old steam-engine train rumbling along over a century-old, arched stone bridge. After dinner, you may want to hang-out in popular pubs located in the town.

Day 8: Ella – Yala (Breakfast, Dinner)

Bid farewell to Ella and depart for Yala. Witness the gorgeous Ravana Falls along the way. Embark on an exciting Wildlife Safari through the famed Yala National Park, one of a must-visit places in Sri Lanka, well-known for the highest density of leopards in the world. It is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean, and is the most visited national park in the country. A beautiful area of lowland dry scrub sitting on a long stretch of coastline, punctuated by rocky outcrops, the wildlife sanctuary is home to over 44 kinds of mammals as well as hundreds of bird species roaming freely around the area. Enjoy the jeep safari ride through the grassy plains and along the lagoons. Watch these menacing leopards prowl majestically, while elephants roam in their numbers with cautious deer scampering by their side. Keep your eyes wide open as you might pass by different kinds of animals including sloth bears, wild boars, water buffaloes, sambars or jackals along the way.

Day 9: Yala – Mirissa (Breakfast, Dinner)

Head towards the beautiful beaches around Mirissa, located at the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is a well-known place for surfing and a great destination for the ocean lovers. Visit Coconut Tree Hill, Secret Beach and Mirissa Beach. Spend your evening relaxing at the beach or enjoy optional activities like surfing, diving or snorkeling. Stroll along the beach and admire the fabulous sunset, or spend your romantic night gazing at the millions of twinkling stars over the Indian Ocean.

Day 10: Mirissa (Breakfast, Dinner)

Another exciting tour awaits you in Mirissa today. In the early morning, depart for Whale-watching Tour with your packed picnic breakfast. Set sail to the depths of the Indian Ocean on a smooth cruise, in search of the magnificent creatures that dwell beneath the surface of the azure waters. Mirissa is one of the best places to see blue whales in the world. They are best seen between the months of December to April. Often spotted whales include sperm whales, killer whales, Bryde’s whales and fin whales. You might be able to get a chance to meet pods of friendly dolphins as they playfully somersault and dance on the ocean waves. It is also possible to spot flying fish, turtles, manta rays and even sharks. After that, free at own leisure.

Day 11: Mirissa – Kosgoda – Galle – Departure from Colombo (Breakfast)

Begin your day with a visit to Kosgoda Turtle Conservation and Research Centre. Its aim is to help to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction. You will see different kinds of turtles being rehabilitated after suffering injuries and choking on the metal, plastic that people dump in the oceans, and also learn about the effort in protecting the eggs of various sea turtles, increasing the rate of hatching and ensuring their overall survival. Thereafter, proceed to Galle. Visit the well-known Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. In 1640, the Dutch moved in and began fortifying the town by constructing an 89-acre (36-hectare) fort on the town’s promontory, surrounded on three sides by the Bay of Galle. The Dutch also developed what was then an innovative tide-based sewage-system within the Fort. A maze of narrow roads lined with small houses and shops with Dutch names still remain. Explore the Dutch Reformed Church, All Saints Church, Amangalla Hotel (formerly the New Oriental Hotel), Lighthouse and Bell Tower. The free city tour will only be possible if your onward departure flight is towards the late night.