Sri Lanka is a hub for culture and heritage enthusiasts as well as wildlife lovers alike; a perfect blend of what the island has to offer. We take you through the wilds, and into the rich history, through the many ruins and architectural marvels.
During the expedition, the focus will be to observe and spot a plethora of wildlife, engage with the locals, and to understand the history behind the culture, way of life and hospitality in its true grandeur.
On arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be welcomed and assisted and you will be then transferred to your hotel in Wilpattu.
En route visit Munneshwaram & Manavari Temples – [Optional]
Munneshwaram Temple – After his victorious battle, Lord Rama left for Ayodhya, in one of King Ravana’s vimana (carriages).He felt he was being followed by bramhaasthi dosham as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. Legend has it that when he came to this place he felt bramhaasthi dosham was not following him and he stopped the vimana and asked God Shiva for remedy. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install four lingams there and pray to get rid of the dosham. Since then many Hindu devotees flock to the Temple.
Manavari Temple – Manavari temple is one of the important Hindu Temples located in Chilaw, Puttalam District of North Western province. There is a direct link between this Manavari Temple and the Ramayana Yatra Sri Lanka. According to the Ramayana story Sri Lanka proofs, Manavari is the first place where the lord Rama installed and prayed the Shiva lingam after the end of the war with king Ravana to liberate Sita. It is said to be the only lingam which has named after him other than the one in Rameshwaram, India. Considering these facts, Manavari Temple chilaw is one of the significant hindu temple which linked to the Ramayana Sri Lanka Yatra and lot of local & Indian tourists visit this temple annually. Check into the Hotel & Rest.
Proceed to Evening safari at Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is situated along the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka. It comprises of a unique complex of lakes called Villus, which are natural basins that are filled up with rainwater and are surrounded by open grassy plains set within dense scrub jungle. A multitude of sandy paths wind around the entire park and open up into these large natural lakes. The unspoilt and beautiful Wilpattu National Park is one of the largest and oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. It is ideal for those wanting to escape the flurry of activity of Yala and instead offers the opportunity for a tranquil, peaceful and undisturbed drive. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards and Sloth bears. Alongside these, it is possible to see Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Asiatic Buffalo and Mugger Crocodiles. Endemic birds include the Ceylon Junglefowl, Brown-capped Babbler, Ceylon Woodshrike and Black-capped Bulbul in riverine habitats. Muntjac or Barking Deer are more easily seen in Wilpattu than any other national park. Butterflies recorded include the Great Eggfly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bushbrown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and Crimson Rose.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Wilpattu
With Packed Breakfast proceed to Dolphin & Whale Watching at Kalpitiya – Experience Lagoon Ride by Boat
Dolphin & Whale Watching – The seas off the Kalpitiya Peninsula, situated on the West coast of the island, are rife with exceptional wildlife. Whales are regularly seen around the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Boat trips are regularly taken off the beach at Alankuda and head out to sea to see them. Sperm whales, the largest toothed whale in the world, can be seen off-shore of the reef. The deep seas off the Kalpitiya Peninsula where the continental shelf lies, provide an ideal habitat for these giant oceanic predators, which need to dive several hundred meters to hunt prey such as the Giant Squid. It is also possible to see the occasional Blue whale here. It is only from around February 2010 that Kalpitiya has been finally considered as an excellent spot to catch sight of the majestic whale.
The season for seeing these fantastic creatures is between December and mid-April. Dolphins are regularly reported from Alankuda outside of the South-west Monsoon, even daily! It is the best place in Sri Lanka to observe large pods of Spinner Dolphins, an oceanic species, and it is possible to see up to six hundred in a day just a few kilometres off the shore. Puttalam Lagoon is home to the Indo- Pacific Humpback Dolphin, also known as the Pink Dolphin. These Pink Dolphins frequent where the far-reaching Puttalam Lagoon enters the sea and are the only cetacean known to come into lagoons in Sri Lanka. Fishermen claim it is easy to see them early in the morning when they head out to sea at dawn.
Proceed to Habarana & check into the Hotel…Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Habarana
Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to Nuwara Eliya
Visit Minneriya National Park & Kaudulla National Park
Minneriya National Park – This National Park with 8889 hectares in extent is famous for it large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road. Office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park.
Proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Kandy…Check into the Hotel & Rest, Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the Hotel,
Visit Tea Factory, Tea Gardens, Sitha Amman Temple, Gregory Lake, Victoria Park & Nuwara Eliya City tour
The Tea Factory – The tea factories found on most tea estates play a vital role in the final value of the manufactured tea. Regardless of how carefully the leaf has been grown and plucked, if the processes at the factory are not carried out properly the end result will be of a poor quality. A tea factory is a multi-storied building, almost always sited on the tea estates to ensure that the time between plucking and processing tea is kept to a minimum. Once the tea leaves arrive at the factory they are spread across the upper floors of the building in troughs – a process known as withering. Withering removes all excess moisture in the leaf to make it pliable.
Nuwara Eliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to Bentota, Via Kithulgala…
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Bentota
Breakfast at the Hotel,
BENTOTA
Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river Bentota offers water Sports possibilities nowhere else to be found. Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon. Safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions are providing for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka. Being one of the most established beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Bentota is known for its professional touristic infrastructure.
Visit turtle farm hatchery & River Boat Ride
Evening city tour of Bentota & Leisure at the Bentota Beach. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Bentota
After your breakfast at the hotel, we will then proceed to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
Colombo – is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, which is only a few miles away. The remains of the buildings during the period and the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the old smith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kaymans Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, Davatagaha Mosque. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. PM shopping…Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Colombo
Breakfast at the Hotel; thereafter transfer to airport to connect with the departure flight.
