Safari Tour
( 14 days/13 nights )
Day
1: Arrive Colombo
Upon arrival at Colombo Airport, you will be met our representative
and then transferred to hotel. Ending the day by visiting the city of
Colombo - like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing
itself. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old building
once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. As an
example there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built
colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazzar where
one cam shop for a bargains, the old Parliament in Fort, a Hindu and
a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes
of the affluent and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference
Hall BMICH, and outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic
of China.
Day
2: Singharaja
After breakfast, we depart for Singharaja Rain Forest with an extent
of 11,250 ha. is the only patch of virgin rainforest left in Sri Lanka.
This forest was declared a world heritage site in 1989, having the highest
number of endemic flora and fauna species in the island and a very high
biodiversity. Apart from these sites, you would be visiting the village
of Kudawa, experience yourself with staying overnight at the forestry-dormitory
with all services provided or in an Eco-Lodge, which is built and operated
by a person in the forest.
Day
3: Udawalawe
After breakfast, we keep moving to Udawalawe with en-route visit Waulpanna
Cave - this cave is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slope
of the Rakwana rage. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmite
and is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old. You will
journey approximate 300mtres underground to discover this prehistoric
world at the same time as the few fossils visible in the caverns wall.
The stream running through the cave becomes a beautiful waterfall at
the center. With its stunning background, you will gain a mysterious
and a thrilling experience.
Upon arrival Udawalawe, 30,821 hectares dry zone Game Park, was declared as a protected national park in 1972 and is world famous for its elephants. You will see in all their playfulness - whole herds of them, adults and babies and playing in the water of feeding. Apart from the elephants, you will probably observe deer species such as spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer and lanhur, wild boar, water buffalo, jackal and leopard are some of prominent wild animals found in the park. Beside "Udawalawe" is one of the best parks for bird watching; the endemic species of bird called Red Faced Maloha has its favorite habitat in the 192 square km parkland, Serpent Eagles, Black Capped Bulduls, Racket Tailed Drongos, Malabar Pied Horn Bills, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Malabar Pied Horn Bills, White Necked Storks, Open Bills, Shama - The Forest Nightingale Stork Billed King Fishers and peacocks are found in fair numbers. Dinner and stay overnight.
Day
4: Bundala - Yala National Park
After breakfast, we depart to Yala Safari Game Lodge. The trip includes
en-route visit of Bundala - the high species richness of birds in the
Bundala National Park resulted in it being declared as Sri Lanka's first
Ramsar site in 1990. A wetland of international important for migratory
waterfowl, the par consists mainly of dry thorny scrubland and lagoons.
The highlight Bundala is the migratory Greater Flamingo, which visits
in large flocks of over 1,000 individuals, from Rann of Kutch - India.
In particular, you may find Indian Cormorant, Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned
Night and Purple Herons. The area is also famous for crocodiles.
Day
5: Yala National Park
After breakfast, we travel overland to Yala National Park, lies 24km
northeast of Tissamaharama and 290km from Colombo on the southeast coast
of Sri Lanka and spans Southern and Uva provinces. The park consists
of 97,878 ha. The attitude is 90m from sea level. The vegetation in
this park comprises secondary forest, possibly a few hundred years old
at the most. It is predominantly semi-arid thorny-scrub, interspersed
with pockets of fairly den forest and small patches of mangrove vegetation
occur along the costal lagoons. Yala is renowned for the variety of
its wildlife and its fine coastline and associated coral reefs. A large
number of important ruins bear testimony to earlier civilizations and
indicate that, much of the area was populated and well developed. We
return to Yala Safari Lodge for dinner and stay overnight.
Day
6: Belihul Oya
After breakfast, we depart for Belihuloya - the unique place where two
streams namely "Belihuloya" and "Galagamaoya" meet
together creating a natural bathing area with clear unpolluted water
that flows down from "Horton Plains", 2200 metres above the
sea level.
Dinner and stay overnight in a campsite or cottage.
Day
7: Horton Plains
After breakfast we begin trekking to Horton Plains, the most certainly
one of the world's best nature reserves, which consist of famous "World's
End", "Bakers Fall", Chiminini Pool" etc. Beside
Elk, Deer, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Hair, Percupine, and a variety
of Migratory birds haunt Horton Plains nature Reserve, which is only
one of its kind to this region. As said by counting, there are 16 Leopards
in Horton Plains. If you are lucky you may get a glimpse of a Leopard
during your break in the Horton Plains. A sheer drop of 3,700ft, World's
End offers one a fantastic and awesome view. Down below, one is greeted,
by the beautiful view of sprawing tea estate laved with gravel roads
and line rooms, and if one looks beyond, by breathtaking panoramic view
of the southern part of the island down to the coast. We will be passing
the evening to see Elk coming out before return to Belihouloya. The
dinner will be served in late evening today. Dinner and stay overnight
at Belihuloya River garden Resort (cottage/campsite/Eco lodge).
Day
8: Belihuloya
After breakfast, we hit the road to Pahanthudu Ella - a fascinating
waterfall takes about 5 hours trekking up and down, lighten up yourself
with its spectacular waterfall backup before leading you for luncheon
at the resort. It is an experience not to be missed on canoe ridding
at sunset. Dinner and stay overnight in a campsite or cottages.
Day
9: Kandy
After breakfast, we continue driving to Kandy, Sri Lanka's hill capital
stronghold of the Sinhala kings, repository of culture, religious center
is Sri Lanka's most beautiful town. You are free in the evening at your
own activities. Dinner and stay overnight at Queens Hotel or similar.
Day
10: Kandy
Breakfast at hotel and you have half day leisure before lunch serving.
Up next, we start exploring the last kingdom of Sri Lanka "Kandy"
- where the famous Dalada Maligawa another world heritage site - is,
is a very important place to visit. The Dalada Maligawa also called
the Temple of the Tooth and known to house the Tooth Relic of the Lord
Buddha. In the evening, you are welcomed to witness Kandy Culture and
the Kandyan Home garden system, which is the emphasis of the day. Dinner
and stay overnight at Queens Hotel or similar.
Day
11: Sigiriya
Breakfast at hotel, today we head north to Sigiriya - a world heritage
site, which is considered as the 8th wonder of the world, this massive
rock outcrop has held the palace complex of the king Kassapa completed
with moasts, walls, terraces water gardens on its summit. Sigiriya sanctuary
with extent of 51,099 ha, is in the Polonnaruwa District, also has a
large population of migratory elephants, apart from the presence of
many other large mammals. Another important factor is the presence of
Loris is this sanctuary. The bird life is very reach in this sanctuary.
More than 150 species of birds can be seen, saying that; Oriental Sharma,
Pompadour Green Pigeon, Shahin Falcon, Crested Hawk Wagle, Rufus bellied
Hawk Eagle and Greater Racket Tailed Drongo is very common. You will
return to hotel later than the afternoon. Dinner and stay overnight
at Sigiriya Holiday Village.
Day
12: Sigiriya - Negombo
After breakfast, we go down the road to Negambo's beach, the southern
town with its bustling and historically interesting, the lagoon islands
to its south and the many canals make for good exploring. On arriving,
the rest of the day you may be spent at leisure. Dinner and stay overnight
at Hotel Sea Spray.
Day
13: Negombo
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely day at your own. Dinner and stay
overnight at Hotel Sea Spray.
Day
14: Negombo - Airport
After breakfast, we depart for airport. Take off.
