Sri Lanka Nature Tour

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
15 days and 14 nights
Sri Lanka (Negombo, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Udawalawa, Sinharaja, Galle, Bentota)
Sri Lanka (Colombo)

Description

Sri Lanka being a tropical island is blessed with beautiful nature trails for its travelers to enjoy. Most of the picturesque trails in Sri Lanka are found in the hill country. Some of these memorable treks/hikes take you through tea plantations, waterfalls offering its travelers the opportunity to bask in the unmatched beauty of this beautiful tropical isle.

 


Category

 
3 Star Hotel Package (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 3 Stars
en
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4 Star Hotel Package (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 4 Stars
en
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5 Star Hotel Package (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 5 Stars
en
More info
 

Program

Day 1:

Airport to Negombo
Welcome on arrival and transfer to hotel in Negombo
Check in at the hotel
Optional: Enjoy authentic sea food experience in Negombo
Leisure at the hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel in Negombo

Day 2:

Negombo to the Cultural Triangle
Breakfast in hotel & leave for Ritigala
Optional: 02 Hrs Hike to discover an ancient monastery
“Located in the Anuradhapura district, deep within the thickness of the Ritigala Nature Reserve is the extensive, monastic Ritigala cave complex. The site comprises of some 70 caves, the ruins of the monastery lie atop the 766m hill that beholds a scenic view of the dry terrains that surround it. The architecture and the cave complex itself bear a certain mysterious nature owing to the long meditational pathways that open into the thick jungle and large stone-lined reservoirs.”
Later Proceed to hotel in Dambulla / SIgiriya
Arrive and check in at hotel
Overnight stay at the hotel in Dambulla / Sigiriya

Day 3:

Minneriya National Park
After having breakfast in hotel, leave for Sigiriya Village tour and explore the rural village of Hiriwaduna.
“villages in Sri Lanka remains largely unchanged. You can feel how people live simply in harmony with the environment, responding to the seasons as they unfold. Specially you can visit traditional village and observe villager’s day to day life pattern, domestic activities, and cultural framework. This tourist village tour includes the track winds its way on a flat terrain through the village past patches of jungle, Chena cultivations, Bull cart ride, catamaran boat ride in the village lake, visit a traditional mud house and you can see very friendly village folk going about their daily routine”

Optional: On your way back do a Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.
Return to hotel and spend the evening at leisure
Overnight stay at the hotel in Dambulla / Sigiriya

Day 4:

Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
After having breakfast in hotel, Climb the Sigiriya rock.
Later Visit the remains of the former capital city of Polonnaruwa.
“Once the site of Sri Lanka’s second medieval capital; Polonnaruwa enthralls its visitors with a timeless reflection of the country’s glorious history. The quaint landscapes studded with sites of archaeological importance are all well-preserved and lie on the east shore of the ancient man-made lake - Parakrama Samudraya (literal translation – sea of Parakrama). Peddling one’s way around the sites is the best way to observe and appreciate their antiquated glory as the sites are a little too overwhelming to explore just by foot”
Return to hotel in the evening & relax
Overnight stay at the hotel in Dambulla / Sigiriya

Day 5:

The Cultural Triangle to Kandy
Breakfast in the hotel
Thereafter leave for Kandy visiting Dambulla Cave Temples and a Spice Garden en route
“Since time immemorial, this emerald isle has remained popular for its exotic spices, world over. To those who bear an interest in these rich elements that stirred the interests of many nations, the spice gardens located in Kandy, Matale and Mawanella offer wonderful opportunities to view these spices up-close. The gardens are not only delightful spots for a stroll midst the fragrant greenery but also offer interesting perspectives into the local spices, as the visitors are educated on the diverse variety of spices available in the country as well as on how they are grown and processed”
Proceed to Kandy
Check in at hotel and evening at leisure
Optional: Witness Kandy Cultural Dance show at around 1700 hrs
Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 6:

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After having breakfast in hotel leave visit Peradeniya Botanic Gardens to see an amazing variety of trees, plants & flowers.
“Located in the hill capital of Sri Lanka, the botanical gardens of Peradeniya bear a rich history punctuated by colonialism and industrial change. Although its origins date back to the era of medieval kingdoms, it was officially awarded the status of a botanical garden during the British colonial period”
En route pay a visit to tea plantation and a factory to see the manufacturing process
Upon your arrival do a sightseeing tour in Nuwara Eliya town and free to walk around Lake Gregory
“Dubbed the ‘Little England of Sri Lanka’, Nuwaraeliya is located in the thick, misty hills of this paradise isle, 180 km away from Colombo. The summer resort of Sri Lanka, it is one of the few areas where the colonial atmosphere is preserved, still resembling a British countryside complete with rose gardens, hedges and red-roofed bungalows. Although the town-center has receded from its old-world charm, the lush tea-plantations, the racecourse, the English country house–styled Hill Club and the beautifully kept golf course instantaneously rushes its visitors back to the colonial times”
Proceed and check in at hotel
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Day 7:

Nuwara eliya to Horton Plains National park
After having breakfast in hotel, set off for Horton plains national park.
“Located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, the Horton plains are a mystical world of extraordinary beauties. The plains located over 2000m high are covered by montane grasslands, coverings of thick forests, filigree waterfalls and rocky boulders and hazy lakes. Horton Plains is the only national park in Sri Lanka where the visitors are allowed to hike on their own and it provides some excellent trails for hikes amongst the shadows of its dewy foliage and misty landscapes. The main attraction of the location is the World’ End, where the plateau reaches an abrupt end with a mysterious ridge that drops over 800m straight.The Baker’s Falls that lies along the hiking trails is also a popular spot that visitors admire owing to its serene, misty environs.”
Return to hotel in the evening & relax
Overnight stay at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Day 8:

Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama (Yala)
Breakfast in hotel & Leave for Tissamaharama (Yala )
En route pay a visit Make a visit to Ella
“Ella, which literally translates into ‘waterfall’ is a name fit for this little town located in a hilly nook, owing to its stunning vistas richly adorned with cascades that trickle down its rugged terrains.
Located some 225km away from Colombo, Ella offers some of the most scenic sights available in Sri Lanka. It is perfect for those who enjoy nature and outdoors fun as it offers ample opportunities for trekking expeditions. The unparalleled beauty of the vistas in Ella includes the Ella gap where one can enjoy the sights of the grand stone bridge that stands tall, with nine archways.”
Later Proceed to Yala
Check in at hotel and evening at leisure
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama (Yala).

Day 9:

Tissamaharama (Yala)
Breakfast in hotel & Leave for Bundala National park to see the birdlife.
“Located within the Southeastern dry zones of this Paradise Isle, Bundala National Park is an amazing labyrinth of thorny scrubs, waterways, lagoons and golden sand dunes. A one-of-a-kind location where the land, sea and wetlands meet, Bundala is particularly popular among birders as it is a wintering site for migratory birds. The park is home to a diverse variety of wildlife including the spotted deer, the rare pangolin and playful grey langur monkeys. The picturesque lagoons of the park are alive with colour as the fine-feathered creatures fly inland to rest and feed”
Return to Hotel & Relax
Thereafter leave for Yala national park to do the evening safari.
“Yala – its magnificent sights of majestic elephant herds, fine-feathered peacocks, great black bears and agile leopards that steal away into the shadows of the thick foliage are unparalleled to any of the national parks in the country. Apart from the rare sightings of varied animal species, which includes herds of elephants and leopards, the visitors can also enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach in the beautiful setting of unspoilt beaches, as the Southern park border lies along the South-eastern coastal line. The ancient monastic settlement, Sithulpawwa located midst the thick verdure of the park also makes up for an interesting place of visit”
Return to hotel in the evening & relax
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama (Yala).

Day 10:

Tissamaharama(Yala) to Uda walawe National Park
Breakfast in hotel & Leave for Uda walawe National park to see the birdlife.
“Home to scenic landscapes and rare wildlife that rival the savannah reserves of Africa, the Udawalawe National Park is a treasure of this emerald isle. Nourished by the Udawala reservoir, the park is located between the Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces, stretching over 30,000 hectares. It is most popular for elephant sightings as the verdure shelters close to 500 jumbos. The riches within the park do not end there; flocks of sambar deer, wild buffaloes, bandicoots, foxes, water-monitor lizards, crocodiles, sloth bears, the occasional leopards and a wealth of reptiles and birds can also be observed in their natural habitats”
Check in at the hotel & relax
Overnight stay in Uda walawe.

Day 11:

Uda walawe National Park to Sinharaja
Breakfast in hotel & Leave for Sinharaja forest.
En route visit the Elephant Transit Home which looks after orphan elephants.
“If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe run by the Born Free Foundation is definitely a must-visit. Located about 5 km away from the Udawalawe National Park, it is a halfway house that cares for wounded adult elephants and orphaned, baby elephants. The complex usually houses about 50 elephants during any time of the year. Apart from caring for the sick and orphaned animals, it also rehabilitates them before they are released into the wild.”
Check in at hotel & relax
Thereafter leave for set off on a guided trek into the rainforest to discover the variety of flora and fauna of this lush area.
“Dense, dark and mysterious - the Sinharaja is a picturesque rainforest ideal for meditation, relaxation and scientific exploration. Located at the heart of the island’s wet-zone, it is the last standing rainforest within Sri Lanka. Midst the thick evergreens that stretch over 18900 acres reside some of the rarest wildlife treasures of this paradise isle. Upon entering the forest, its visitors become one with nature, embracing the serenity of the lush surroundings. Sinharaja’s ‘mixed-species feeding bird flocks’ is a unique wildlife spectacle and is popular amongst birders who visit to observe the feathered creatures in their natural habitats.”
Return to hotel in the evening & relax
Overnight stay in Sinharaja

Day 12:

Sinharaja to Galle
After having breakfast in hotel leave for Galle.
Check in at the hotel & Leisure
Overnight stay at the hotel in Galle.

Day 13:

Galle to Bentota
After having breakfast in hotel leave for Galle Fort & enjoy a walking tour of Galle fort then head north to Bentota.
“Located in the Southern province, the city of Galle is a living time capsule. Home to the largest occupied Fort in Asia, its quaint beauty extends beyond its golden beaches and cerulean waters.
The main attraction of Galle no doubt is its ancient Fort, which instantaneously takes the visitors back to the Dutch Colonial era. One can bask in the picturesque views and the rich history while walking through the narrow, cobbled streets, relish a meal from one of the interesting restaurants within the Fort or enjoy the cool sea-breeze beneath the landmark lighthouse”
En route stop at a turtles hatchery where local fishermen help to protect turtles from extinction.
“Located in the Southern coastal line some 60km away from Colombo, the pride of this small town is its beautiful beaches – renowned to be the best on the West Coast. The town’s perfect location has made it a popular diving spot where visitors can relish the warm waters and the magnificent under-water sceneries of vibrant coral formations and tropical fish while scuba diving/snorkelling. You can even benefit from the gusty seas (December – March) and windsurf or opt for a jet-ski/ water-ski ride in the Bentota lagoon. Bentota also offers safe swimming beaches, along with several other interesting locations to visit including the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and the tranquil sights of the Japanese Brief Garden owned by landscape artist, late Bewis Bawa.”
Check in at the hotel & relax
Overnight stay at the hotel in Bentota

Day 14:

Bentota
Breakfast in the hotel
All day at leisure by the beach.
Optional: Do the Madu River boat safari / Water sports
Return to hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Bentota

Day 15:

Bentota to Airport
After having breakfast in hotel leave for Colombo – the Sri Lanka’s commercial capital
En route visit Colombo city and do some sightseeing and last minutes shopping.
“Colombo, is a fine amalgamation of all the hues and cultures within this paradise isle. This chic metropolitan that accommodates skyscrapers, sandy beaches and a collage of markets and gardens, brings together the many facets of this island nation”
Proceed and drop off at BIA for departure

End of a memorable tour to Sri Lanka…!!!

Price includes

Welcome and assistance at Colombo airport.
Visits according to the program.
Services of an English specking driver/guide.
14 nights’ accommodation on double room sharing basis at designated hotels or similar
Meals: All hotels will be booked on BB basis except the hotel in Sinharaja will be booked on HB (with breakfast & dinner). Meal plan starting from Breakfast on Day 02 and ending with Breakfast on Day 15.
01 Water Bottle per person per day.
Transfers as per the itinerary
All applicable taxes.
Toll Charges.

Price does not include

Additional meals
Entrance fees to sites mentioned.
Jeep safaris in National Parks
Any optional activity mentioned above.
Tips & porterage.
Video and camera permits.
Early Check in/Late checkout costs.
Expenses of personal nature.
Porte rage & Tips.
Visa & other charges (Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application).
Anything not mentioned under “Package Includes”.

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 Negombo   Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) - Airport
2 Dambulla
3 Dambulla
4 Dambulla
5 Kandy
6 Nuwara Eliya
7 Nuwara Eliya
8 Yala
9 Yala
10 Udawalawa
11 Sinharaja
12 Galle
13 Bentota
14 Bentota
15   Colombo

Accommodations provided in each place

Place3 Star Hotel Package4 Star Hotel Package5 Star Hotel Package
Negombo3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Dambulla3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Kandy3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Nuwara Eliya3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Yala3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Udawalawa3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Sinharaja3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Galle3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Bentota3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars