21 Days / 20 Nights
Safari
Hiking
Elephant Bathing
Relaxation
Day 1 Arrival and relax in Negombo
Start your tour of Sri Lanka in Negombo, located a short 30 minutes’ drive from the international airport. Relax, rejuvenate and prepare for your trip in the comforts of a friendly and vibrant coastal city. Negombo is a popular destination with the city accommodating a wide array of actives that range from beach sports to inbound exploration tours which navigate through Negombo’s colonial churches and narrow streets. Negombo is also home to a number of luxury hotels, boutique retail outlets and spas making it the perfect location to help you ease into your Sri Lankan itinerary.
Overnight stay in Negombo
Day 2 Transfer to Kalpitiya via Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary
Officially commence your trip by heading north, your first stop; The Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary. This Sanctuary/wetland is home to hundreds of species of birds, especially water birds with the abundance of lakes, man-made tanks, and luscious mangrove forestation. Otters, monkeys and over 20 mammals can also be spotted at this reserve. From here, head further North towards Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka’s premier kite surfing destination and one of Sri Lanka’s best beach holiday locations. Kalpitiya is the island’s premier kite surfing destination and one of the best locations for whale watching, kayaking, surfing, and swimming.
Overnight stay in Kalpitiya
Day 3 Explore Kalpitiya, Dolphin and Whale watching tours
Prepare for an early start as your trip will commence at dawn, the best time to spot dolphins and whales. A wide variety of animals including; Humpback and Bottlenose and Spinner Dolphins are a common sight in Kalpitiya. Following this, choose to either explore Kalpitiya town or enjoy the rest of your day at the Kalpitiya beach.
Overnight stay in Kalpitiya
Day 4 Relaxing in Kalpitiya
Jump on board for some kitesurfing fun, a must-try activity in Kalpitiya. With the natural lagoon in Kalpitiya truncating winds, this sport is perfect for both beginners and freestyle riders. The relative time for this activity remains seasonal with respect to changes in the wind. To pass your time, explore the Kalpitiya Dutch Fort and discover the town’s rich colonial past. Alternatively, take a dive in Sri Lanka’s largest bar reef with activities such as snorkeling and scuba on offer.
Overnight in Kalpitiya
Day 5 Transfer to Wilpattu National Park, afternoon safari tour
From the Kalpitiya, Wilpattu National Park is about 2 and a half hours by car. Wilpattu is the largest and oldest national park in the country and is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited holiday destinations. The park is home to herds of Sri Lankan elephants, gracefully roaming sambar deer and many varieties of birds and reptiles. For those fortunate, the ever-elusive Sri Lankan leopard and the sloth bear also roam the park. Private tours, with guides, can be arranged for the ultimate Sri Lankan Holiday Safari with these tours generally splitting between the morning and afternoon. The park is open throughout the year but the recommend period to visit is between February and October, with the highest Leopard sightings happening around the August to October period.
Overnight stay in Wilpattu
Day 6 Full day safari in Wilpattu
Fully explore the Wilpattu National Park in this whole day inclusive tour. Visit secluded areas of the national park and give yourself the best chance of spotting the Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bear.
Overnight stay in Wilpattu
Day 7 Transfer to Habarana, safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park
A few hours away is Habarana. Situated inside the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Habarana serves as an acquainted base for exploring national parks and temples in the surrounding areas. Beautiful lodges, nestled among natural vegetation and resorts equipped with the latest conveniences entice travelers to seek rest in this beautiful city. Prior to arriving at your accommodation, spend your day at either Minneriya or The Kaudulla National Park. Both these parks are home to a variety of mammals and birds of which elephants are both park’s most sought-after attraction. For this adventure, be sure to let us know to arrange a safari jeep for the ultimate Sri Lankan safari and private tour.
Overnight stay in Habarana
Day 8 Visit Sigiriya, then village tour
Start your day by visiting Sigiriya. Its most famous landmark, the rock fortress has been recognized by UNESCO as the 8th wonder of the world. Make sure to pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes as climbing this fortress is not for the faint of heart with its steps often cascading into the crevices of the rock. Exploring this rock fortress and marvelling at the nearby gardens and lakes, carved into the very stone is an absolute must for any trip to Sri Lanka. Don’t forget to bring your camera as the Lion Gate Paw (entrance doorway) and the artworks prescribed onto the rock, provide some great photo opportunities. Following this, explore the outskirts of town in a private-guided authentic village tour. Interact with some locals, ride aboard an ox-cart, learn some traditional mud hut cooking and take a canoeing trip in Sigiriya as part of this discovery into Sri Lanka’s traditional past.
Overnight stay in Habarana
Day 9 Transfer to Wasgamuwa National Park
Wasgamuwa National park is a thick dense forest that is home to Sri Lanka’s apex predators, including the Sri Lankan Leopard and Sloth Bear. Wasgamuwa is not as busy as Wilpattu and Yala hence are more of a relaxed adventure and safari tour. Elephants, water buffalo, black eagles, and mugger crocodiles are a some of the park’s most photographed species.
Overnight stay in Wasgamuwa – Wildlife tours
Day 10 Relaxing in Wasgamuwa
Choose to either spend another day exploring the Wasgamuwa National Park or hop in for a Sri Lankan cultural adventure. Of the places to visit in Wasgamuwa, the Parakrama Samundra – a large reservoir, the Angammedilla National Park and the Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara – a large Buddhist monastery are some of the area’s most authentic culture trips.
Overnight in Wasgamuwa
Day 11 Transfer to Gal Oya
A few hours South East of Wasgamuwa is Gal Oya. Gal Oya National Park is a short drive away from Gal Oya town and offers two types of safari: one on land and another on water. It is recommended that you try both these options to experience a truly wild Sri Lankan safari tour with the boat trip covering a few isolated islands that can only be experienced through the way of water exploration.
Overnight stay in Gal Oya
Day 12 Explore Gal Oya, Elephant bathing tour
Start your day by jumping aboard a boat tour across the vast water complex surrounding Gal Oya reserve and if you’re lucky, experience a truly fascinating view of elephants bathing and crossing the narrow water-ways. In the afternoon, either take another safari or interact with some locals including indigenous members of Sri Lanka’s ‘vedda’ population. Here, take the opportunity to learn about some of Sri Lanka’s oldest cultural practices and traditions and build an appreciation for their nomadic way of life.
Overnight stay Gal Oya
Day 13 Transfer to ArugumBay
A couple hours away is ArugumBay, one of the country’s most popular beach holiday destinations. Dominated by the income of world-ranked surfers who are driven by the large breaks and worldly acclaimed waves, ArugamBay is one of the best places to holiday in Sri Lanka. There is a multitude of opportunities for leisure seekers with beaches and lagoons at the forefront of relaxation.
Overnight stay in ArugumBay
Day 14 Visit Kumana National Park
Kumana National Park is a short drive away from ArugumBay and is a paradise for bird watching enthusiasts. The Kumana Bird Sanctuary is known to have around 255 species of birds of which most survive off the park’s 200-hectare natural mangrove swamp, scattered tanks and the water holes nearby. During the period of April to July, Kumana National Park experiences mass migration with thousands of birds crowding its’ swamplands – a truly mesmerizing sight. Morning, day and or afternoon tours can be organized in conjunction with a visit to its neighboring Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s most popular national park, home to the highest density of leopards in the world. Reputable safari tour operators within the region can be organized for your convenience to make this Sri Lankan wildlife and holiday safari an unforgettable experience.
Overnight stay in ArugumBay.
Day 15 Relaxing in ArugumBay
The surfing season in ArugumBay starts in April and ends around October. During this season the wind is predominantly offshore. Average water temperatures are around twenty-eight degrees and are ideal for those looking to make a splash. For those that might want to change it up, immerse yourself in the Sri Lankan culture; visit some local cafes, kitchens and delicious street vendors and indulge yourself in some of Sri Lanka’s yummiest foods. Additionally, take a tuk-tuk to either Potuvil or Crocodile Rock, popular hangout spots in the area.
Overnight stay in ArugumBay
Day 16 Transfer to Udawalawe, via the Elephant rehabilitation center
Travel South West to reach Udawalawe National Park. En route, visit the Elephant Transit Home, a rehabilitation center that takes in vulnerable elephants (mostly calves), nurses them back to health, and returns them to the wild. Feeding times vary per day so inquire within to make this visit a very special experience. Spend the rest of your day/afternoon on a safari exploring the Udawalawe National Park. This park is home to over 5000 elephants, many species of freshwater birds, mugger crocodiles, leopards, deer and more.
Overnight stay in Udawalawe
Day 17 Leisure in Udawalawe
Choose to either relax and rejuvenate at your accommodation or spend another day on safari. At Udawalawe, experience some of Sri Lanka’s best hotels in the form of luxurious camps, bungalows and cabanas, all within the park for a truly unique stay.
Overnight stay in Udawalawe
Day 18 Transfer to Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja is located four hours west of Udawalawe. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a UNESCO heritage listed rainforest and a designated Biosphere Reserve, meaning that the forest is protected from logging and other destructive actions. This rainforest is home to many endemic plants and small wildlife, especially butterflies, many colorful and beautiful kinds of insects, reptiles and amphibians. Day trips and hikes across Sinharaja can be organized as the park accommodates exploration on foot, making this trip a truly authentic Sri Lanka wilderness exploration tour.
Overnight stay in Sinharaja
Day 19 Explore Sinharaja
Spend another day in Sinharaja, truly immersing yourself in this climate. Spend it either exploring the rainforest from a different point of entry or navigating the small township and its nearby sites of attraction. Deniyaya town, a short drive away, is home to several famous temples in the area.
Overnight stay in Sinharaja
Day 20 Relax in Negombo
Return back to Negombo to cap off your Sri Lankan holiday. Spend the afternoon visiting the town to collect some local souvenirs and products or relax in the comfort of your accommodation. Alternatively, Negombo beach, the Dutch built fish-market, and its many colonial churches are popular travel destinations in the area if you wish to keep exploring the city.
Overnight stay in Negombo