Sri Lanka Safari
9 night tour visiting Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy & Udawalawe National Park
from £995
Day 1 to 2: London/Colombo
Depart London to Colombo arriving the following day. Meet your representative and transfer (90 mins) to the Mount Lavina Hotel, a colonial style hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean. Overnight at Mount Lavinia Hotel
Day 3: Colombo/Galle
After breakfast head south along the stunning west coast. Pass through towns and villages dotted along the golden sand beaches. Look out for fisherman balancing high above the waves on their wooden stilts. Finally arrive at the historic fort town of Galle and the Ladyhill Hotel, perched on a hillside overlooking the picturesque town. Stay 2 nights including breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: Galle
After breakfast enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Galle including a visit to the fascinating Dutch fort and the nearby Kataluwa Temple, renowned for its beautiful frescoes from the Kandyan period.
Day 5: Galle/Embilipitiya
After breakfast proceed to Embilipitiya via Deniyaya - Suriyakanda. Lunch at your own expense at the Safari Village. Proceed to Udawalawe National Park to enjoy a jeep safari. Dinner and overnight at the Centuria hotel, Embilipitiya.
Day 6: Embilipitiya/Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya via Pallebadda - Balangoda - Belihul Oya. Lunch at your own expense enroute. Dinner and overnight at St Andrews - Nuwara Eliya.
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
Early Morning leave for Horton Plains with a picnic breakfast. Enter the national park & take a guided walk (approx 3 hours) up to "world's end" to admire the beautiful view and the chance of spotting Sambhur. Also found here are butterflies, bear, monkeys, birds, orchids and many rare trees & plants. Lunch at own arrangements. PM city tour of Nuwara Eliya. Dinner & Overnight at St.Andrews - Nuwara Eliya.
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya/Kandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy visiting a tea plantation & factory. Lunch at own arrangments. PM at leisure or enjoy a city tour of Kandy around the Lake. Dinner and overnight at Chaaya Citadel.
Day 9: Kandy
After breakfast, visit Udawatte Kelle renowned for its bird life. Lunch at own arrangements. In the afternoon visit the Botanical gardens where you will see tropical plants from all over the world. Dinner and overnight at Chaaya Citadel.
Day 10: Kandy/Mount Lavinia
Depart for the Mount Lavina Hotel visiting Pinnawela orphange en route. If extending your holiday, transfer to the Ranweli Hotel without an overnight at the Mount Lavinia.
Day 11: Colombo/London
Return flight home or continue your extension at the Ranweli Hotel.
Alternative itinerary if Yala National Park is to re-open
Day 1 to 2: London/Colombo
Depart London to Colombo arriving the following day. Meet your representative and transfer (90 mins) to the Mount Lavina Hotel, a colonial style hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean. Overnight at Mount Lavinia Hotel
Day 3: Colombo/Galle
After breakfast head south along the stunning west coast. Pass through towns and villages dotted along the golden sand beaches. Look out for fisherman balancing high above the waves on their wooden stilts. Finally arrive at the historic fort town of Galle and the Ladyhill Hotel, perched on a hillside overlooking the picturesque town. Stay 2 nights including breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: Galle
After breakfast enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Galle including a visit to the fascinating Dutch fort and the nearby Kataluwa Temple, renowned for its beautiful frescoes from the Kandyan period.
Day 5: Galle/Yala
Morning transfer after breakfast continuing Eastwards along the South coast to Yala. Arrive at Yala National park for a 5 night stay at the Yala Village.
Day 6: Yala
A morning walk, with your naturalist through a mixture of habitats: sea, lagoon, mud flats and scrub jungle, resulting in a great diversity of birds. Many species of birds including King Fishers, Herons, Waders, Raptors, Parrots and Hornbills are also common in the Village. You can observe them from your own chalet or from the observation decks. Take an afternoon jeep safari into Yala National Park. Evening trip into the park to look for nightjars.
Day 7: Yala
As the sun rises, set off into the park in search of the shy and elusive leopards. Occasionally spot a leopard quietly resting on a rocky outcrop overlooking the watering hole. In the afternoon take a visit to Sithulpahuwa, a hermitage still occupied by monks. See ancient stupas set amidst a rock strewn scrub jungle landscape, a truly beautiful setting (and good bird watching).
Day 8: Yala
In the morning enjoy a relaxed paced walk on a footpath around the wetlands of nearby Debarawewa, full of water lilies of different shades and many species of birds. Return back to the village for an afternoon jeep safari in the National Park in our continuing search for leopards.
Day 9: Yala
Visit the Palatupana Saltpans with their strange moonscape scenery. The Saltpans offer excellent birdwatching opportunities to spot waders, storks and herons.
Day 10: Yala/Mount Lavinia
After breakfast return to the West coast and stay overnight at Mount Lavina Hotel. If extending you will transfer to the Ranweli Hotel.
Day 11: Colombo/London
Return flight home or continue your extension at the Ranweli Hotel.
» Accommodation
IN BRIEF...
Day 1: London to Colombo
Day 2: Colombo
Day 3: Galle
Day 4: Galle
Day 5: Galle/Embilipitiya
Day 6: Embilipitiya/Nuwara Eliya
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya/Kandy
Day 9: Kandy
Day 10: Kandy/Mount Lavinia
Day 11: Colombo/London
