Group 11 Day Wild Life Safari Itinerary
DAY 1
COLOMBO - NEGOMBO
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport where you will be welcomed by your experienced Sri Lanka Escapes Chauffeur who will be with you for the duration of your trip. He is a local with exceptional years of experience and knowledge and is very excited to show his beautiful country. Let your adventure and journey begin. Acclimatise yourself with Sri Lanka as we drive to the coastal town of Negombo a unique picturesque fishing village and transfer to your hotel to relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Colombo
DAY 2
COLOMBO – UDAWALAWE
After breakfast we start our journey and arrive early in the afternoon and time to see The Baby Elephant orphanage refuge is a refuge where we will see baby elephants being bottle fed and cared for until they grow stronger. This Orphanage is a baby Elephant refuge home where they gather strength and then release into protected sanctuaries. Many are orphaned or sick and this is a home to help them secure their strength and keep the population thriving. It is such a unique touching experience as we watch the more mature baby elephants shuffle the younger baby elephants into order. Arrive your hotel and relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Feeding Baby Elephants at Orphanage
DAY 3
UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK – ELLA
This morning we will join our exciting safari in the Udawalawe National Park with lots of photo opportunities of local wildlife. We then continue on and see the beautiful Ravana Waterfall as we continue driving and enjoy the diversity of scenery until we reach Ella. On arrival in Ella we will walk through a beautiful path to see the Nine Arch Bridge, a connection of two mountains and also known as the ‘Bridge in the Sky’. This bridge is 300 feet in length, 25 feet in width and 80-100 feet in height. It is an amazing example of colonial era railway in Sri Lanka and this is located in Demodara and happens to be one of the best places to visit in Ella.
Little Adam's peak is an easy walk to reach the viewpoint. Climbing up the Little Adams Peak in Ella is one of the favourite activities of the tourists on their Sri Lankan holiday with majestic views and photo opportunities – it is only a leisurely 2 hour walk. Enjoy the view over the valley. Check into your hotel and relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Spotted Deer, Udawalawe National Park
Little Adams Peak
DAY 4
Kandy to Ella Train
ELLA – NUWARA EYLIA
Depart on the famous scenic train to Nuwara Eliya. The train ride to Nuwara Eliya powers down through Sri Lanka's southern hill country, crossing the tea plantations before it winds up and disappears into the clouds, weaving in and out of the many mountain tunnels as it finally descends to Nuwara Eliya, giving you the opportunity to soak in the mystic vibes and cherish the beauty of slow travel.
Arrive at Nuwara Eliya and take a city tour and experience a few view points before we go to the majestic Grand Hotel and enjoy the grand style and class of hotel dating back in time with a delicious traditional English High Tea. Relax and rejoice in a legacy of gracious hospitality; royal service and serene comfort of one of the most authentic high tea experiences, followed by an afternoon at leisure. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
High Tea at the Grand Hotel
DAY 5
Ramboda Ella Waterfall
Nuwara Eliya tea growing region
NUWARA ELIYA – KANDY
During our adventure today we will visit Ramboda known for its marvellous landscapes, comprising highlands, ridges, plains, streams and hilly mountains and see the scenic Ramboda waterfall.
Sri Lanka formerly known as Ceylon is famous for its quality tea. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s lush tea growing region, founded by the British explorer Samuel Baker in 1846 continues to give us the experience of the British colonial past with full operational tea plantations. En-route we will see local families of generation to generation working in the fields of rolling hills, picking the tea leaves manually by hand. We will visit a real time Tea processing factory to see how the tea is produced as there are many still in full operation today giving you an opportunity to taste the delights of fresh tea and opportunity to buy to take home for family and friends.
This afternoon we will visit one of the most stunning gardens, The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. In 1821 the park was under British rule and it then became known as the Botanical garden. Here exotic crops such as nutmeg, tea, rubber, coffee, cinchona are all unique and important to the country of Sri Lanka. The garden also includes a beautiful orchid house and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world.
Arrive at your hotel relax and unwind. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
The Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya
DAY 6
Matale Spice Garden
Cave Temples of Dambulla
KANDY- SIGIRIYA
As we drive to Sigiriya we will stop at Matale and visit the unique Spice garden growing a large variety of spices such as nutmeg, cardamon, ginger, cinnamon, petter and more. Enjoy an informative talk about all the spices by a local qualified educational guide who explains all the natural remedies and benefits to enhance your health and palate in the kitchen with an opportunity to try and take spices and remedies home to enhance your health and wellness regime.
Dambulla, named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. An added bonus is the beautiful panoramic view that you get of the surrounding area. Visiting the stunning Cave Temples of Dambulla, built by King Valagamba back in the 1st century BC. Dambulla is named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Buddhist caves perched at the top of a hill. It is worth the climb to see the 5 caves and stunning temples filled with over 150 colourful religious statues and paintings while experiencing the beautiful panoramic views. The monastic ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia. Then we can take a stroll through Dambulla Market and discover new fruits and vegetables. Afternoon arrive at your hotel and time to relax. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 7
Bullock ride Sigiriya rice plantations
SIGIRIYA
Adventures begin as we visit a local village and enjoy a bullock ride through the rice plantation making our way by boat as we enjoy the live lily pads. We exit the boat and walk a little way to see a local farm and rice fields. Learn the secrets from the locals how to cook delicious Sri Lankan green curry and coconut roti. We also have the opportunity to experience how you can hull the rice as it has been done for generations and enjoy a local traditional lunch curry, roti and fruits.
After lunch, we will join our Adventure Safari to see the wild elephants. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and an opportunity to take photos up close and personal to send home and share with family and friends. Relax and enjoy a beautiful Ayurvedic massage. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Wild elephants on Safari
DAY 8
Fortress Sigiriya 'Lion Rock'
Leopards Wilpattu National Park
SIGIRIYA – WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK
Sigiriya is nominated among travel enthusiasts as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ancient rock fortress with awe inspiring architecture. This morning you will have the option to climb the famous rock fortress of Sigiriya ‘ Lion Rock’ built by King Kayapa in the 5th century if you feel fit. It is a spectacular 200 metres high natural formation of granite some 750 steps up and at the top, preserves the ruins of an ancient fortified palace. This archaeological site loved by tourists was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and is considered by locals as the "eighth wonder of the world". This palace in the sky was envisioned to be a recreation of the mythological city. Travelers spend an afternoon walking among the ruins
This afternoon we go on Safari in Wilpattu National Park where there is a chance to see Leopards and Sloth bears. Apart from those two mammals are elephants, spotted deer, barking deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer wild pig, water buffalo and mugger crocodiles. This is one of the most exciting safari experiences in Sri Lanka and a highlight. An opportunity to take photos up close and personal photographs to share with family and friends. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 9
Koneswaram Temple
WILPATTU – TRINCOMALEE
Visit Trincomalee town to see temples and culture and traditions of east Sri Lanka. The art and cultural activities in Trincomalee will give you an insight into the city's history, traditions and artwork.
Visit The Koneswaram Temple - a popular place of worship in Sri Lanka and is one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes) of Lord Shiva. The earliest mention of the temple goes way back to the 6th century BC.
Arrive in your hotel and relax by the beach. This afternoon you will experience a local cooking class to learn the secrets of spices to develop wonderful flavours of the world. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
DAY 10
TRINCOMALEE
Optional visit via boat to Pigeon island. The Pigeon Island National Park comprises two islands. The islands are a breeding and feeding ground for over 300 species of coral reef fish keeping the colourful underwater symphony alive. Enjoy and experience some snorkelling in the morning and afternoon and you can witness a variety of underwater life ranging from Trumper fish, angel fish, parrot fish, eels, coral gardens, and other colourful fishes, etc. There is also a high chance of seeing huge sea turtles and even blacktip sharks. Includes Breakfast/Dinner
Pigeon Island National Park
DAY 11
TRINCOMALEE – COLOMBO AIRPORT
Free time to relax.
Travel to the Airport from the east to west to connect with your International to for your homeward bound flight.
Farewell to beautiful Sri Lanka. Transfer to Colombo Airport to connect with your homeward-bound flight. Includes Breakfast
Trincomalee Beach