Day 2: Hikkaduwa [Giant Turtles]
Very early breakfast at the hotel before we leave for the beach. Here, it is possible to swim with the giant tortoises of Sri Lanka. It will just be a fabulous and magical experience for you, because during your stay you will have the opportunity to see huge turtles. They usually appear on the southern tip of Hikkaduwa Beach as soon as day breaks. When you arrive, do not hesitate to enter the water to bathe with them. You will see that these giant tortoises are not disturbed by the presence of others. After spending some time with the turtles, we return to the hotel for lunch. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]
Day 3: Hikkaduwa, Mirissa [Blue Whales]
Mirissa is renowned in Sri Lanka for its beautiful beaches, but also because it is the starting point for excursions to observe blue whales. The morning starts early: at 6.30 am, you must be on board. The earlier you get to the boat the more. Are the chances to sit in the bow of the boat on sorts of large mattresses and have a better point of view. The adventure begins after sailing 90 minutes to go offshore, in the area where the whales are supposed to be. Along the way, observe pilot dolphins (so called because they often get in front or behind moving boats. Spend around 2 hours whale watching and wait for the time that the whale dives and goes up (about 15 minutes each time). Sail back to Mirissa arriving in time for lunch at one of the restaurants in and around the town. Spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring the beach. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]
Day 4: Mirissa, Yala National Park (Leopard & other mammals)
Today, we continue along the southern coast to reach Yala Park is the second largest and most visited park in the country. We’ll arrive in time for a short game drive and enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. In the afternoon take your second game drive to meet elephants, crocodiles, birds, leopards, wild boars ... In the park's tracks you’ll meet many animal species with many opportunities to observe and take magnificent pictures of animals in their natural environment. Perhaps you will have the chance to meet the star of the park: The leopard! After this exhilarating experience, continue to the Camp for a little rest, dinner and overnight. [B/P/D]
Day 5: Yala, Udawalawa [Bird Watching]
This morning we drive northwest, towards Udawalawa, gateway to the national park. The park is ideal for photographic safari and observing animals in a superb environment (elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, birds ...). This afternoon, take a safari ride along the Walawe River for bird watching. In all, the park has 184 different bird species some of which can only be seen in Sri Lanka. Return to the hotel and relax until dinner. Overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]
Day 6: Udawalawa [Elephants & other mammals]
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your morning safari in Udawalawa National Park. The star of the Park is the elephant! Male elephants and female elephants with their babies are essential. Today, there are approximately 250 elephants living permanently on the reserve. However, they are not always easy to observe... Other animals inhabit the park: crocodiles, hinds, mongooses, coyotes, buffaloes. The park offers 43 mammal species, 33 reptile species and even 185 butterfly species! So, keep your eyes wide open. Return to the hotel for lunch and take a second game drive in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel [B/L/D]
Day 7: Udawalawa, Horton Plains [Leopard]
We leave early, this morning, for a 4-hour drive to
Horton Plains National Park is the wildest part of the island, where leopards, bears and wild elephants reign supreme. Enjoy your picnic lunch before your game drive. The whole park is classified National Reserve for the protection of nature, and is part of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. These plains are home to a rich endemic biodiversity specific to the mountainous areas of the island, habitat for 24 mammal species. With a little luck, you will come across the rare small loris, a kind of primate in danger of extinction. Resident mammals include the Kelaart long-clawed shrew, European otter, Ruby cat, Sri Lankan leopard, wild boar, Indian spotted chevrotain, giant Ceylon squirrel, etc. Continue to the hotel for dinner and overnight. [B/P/D]
Day 9: Horton Plains, Kandy, SigiriyaThis morning you’ll have a little more time as we prepare for a 6-hour drive to Sigiriya with a stop for lunch in Kandy. a dense and chaotic ancient capital listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a big city which hosts important Buddhist sites including the famous Temple of the Tooth that we take the opportunity to visit. Then we continue to Sigiriya arriving with time to refresh and rest before dinner and overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]
Day 10: Sigiriya (Minneriya, Kaudulla) [Elephants]
Sigiriya is known for its impressive historic remains, but it’s also home to other riches, since it is a starting point for observing elephants in the parks of Minneriya and Kaudulla. Depending on the period, the elephants move from one site to another. To be sure we’ll visit both parks. Although Minneriya is normally associated with elephants, around its artificial lake you may see buffaloes, crocodiles, leopards and many types of lizards not to mention its rich bird life. Among these feathered beasts are the gray heron, the junglefowl, the cormorant, the hornbill, the spurfowl with brown cap and the black-headed bulbul. This area is also full of large raptors such as the holy milan, the Bald Eagle and the blagre type. We take a brake to freshen-up and have lunch. On the way back to Sigiriya we make a run through Kaudulla National Park, home to no less than 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish and 160 species of birds that share 16,500 acres. You may see deer, wild boars, bears, pelicans or crocodiles. At its heart, the large reservoir surrounded by meadows and forests, attracts herds of elephants who migrate from Minneriya Park each year. Continue to Sigirya for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]
Day 11: Sigiriya, Wilpattu [Leopard]
Another early start so we can get to Wilpattu National Park around 11:00 am. Your guide got a picnic lunch that you may taste when you feel hungry. The park is very famous for its leopards and it’s one of the largest national parks known in the world here you are able to observe these animals. Today there are about thirty, according to the park guides. Wilpattu is also populated by many birds like eagles, herons and many others species that we cannot see in other Sri Lanka parks! And that is, of course, without forgetting the junglefowl and the peacocks, emblems of the country. The park is also populated by 4 varieties of deer, many monkeys, buffaloes, wild pigs and above all, the famous lazy bear! (You know, Baloo in the Jungle Book!). Finally, you can also come across crocodiles, mongooses and lizards of all kinds. Arrive at the camp after your game drive to freshen up and enjoy dinner. [B/P/D]
Day 12: Wilpattu, Kalpitiya [Dolphin & Whale watching]
Leave the camp early in the morning to reach Kalpitiya as early as possible. You guide has prepared a guided boat tour to give you the best change of encountering these beautiful creatures. Your tour includes a snack and snorkeling equipment in case you want to give it a try. November through April is the perfect time to see the whales. Sperm whales are the most common. The blue whale (the largest mammal in the world), Minke, Melon-Headed and Dwarf Sperm are also visible. Recently, even killer whales have been photographed on the waters just outside Kandakuliya! Superpods (thousands) of dolphins go to Kalpitiya between November and March. Spinner dolphins are the most common dolphins that approach the boat to play. bottlenose, risso, Indo-Pacific and humpback dolphins are also regularly observed. Your excursion will be led by a local certified guide who has been trained to conduct tours in English. He will introduce you to the types of dolphins or whales you will encounter in addition to sharing valuable information about their behavior and the threats they face due to overfishing. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight. [B/S/D]
Day 13: Kalpitiya, Colombo, USA
Some free time for another trip or to just relax and joy the sea and the beach. Depending on your flight departure time you’ll be driven to Colombo to board your flight back home. [B/L]
[D] = Dinner | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner | [B/P/D] = Breakfast, Picnic lunch and Dinner | [B/S/D] = Breakfast, Snack and Dinner.
