Safari Wild Life – 09 Nights

Having breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Dambulla to visit Minneriya National Park and wild elephant safari and finally overnight stay at the hotel.

This National Park 8889 hectares in extent is famous for its 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. The office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild Elephants, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sāmbhar, 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.

Breakfast at the hotel and start to hike Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Afternoon transfer to Nuwara Eliya by visiting Spice Garden at Matale with scenic hill country drive. Evening visit Tea Factory and Tea Garden and overnight stay at the hotel.

SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS

Sigiriya is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot-high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.

SPICE GARDEN SRI LANKA

You will see many spice gardens at Matale and in Mawanella on the Colombo-Kandy Road where Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper Creepers and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted for visitors to see them. Spice products are also available for those who would like to buy them. At all Spice Gardens visitors are taken round explaining each tree and plant and at the end explaining the use of them in food preparations.

TEA PRODUCTION IN SRI LANKA

Formerly Ceylon, is of high importance to the Sri Lankan economy and the world market. The country is the world’s fourth largest producer of tea and the industry is one of the country’s main sources of foreign exchange and a significant source of income for laborers, with tea accounting for 15% of the GDP, generating roughly $700 million annually. In 1995, Sri Lanka was the world’s leading exporter of tea, (rather than producer) with 23% of the total world export, but it has since been surpassed by Kenya. The tea sector employs, directly or indirectly over 1 million people in Sri Lanka and in 1995 directly employed 215,338 on tea plantations and estates. The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall in the country’s central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high-quality tea. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, the British planter who arrived in 1852

HILL COUNTRY

impelled the first planters to clear the forests. However, in 1869, the coffee industry began to decline when the first case of a fungal leaf disease was diagnosed. Within a few years, this disease attacked almost all of the country’s plantations, sealing the fate of its coffee production and the island’s most lucrative export. Financially ruined, the planters turned their aspirations to tea with even more determination. The abundant rainfall combined with the sunshine, cold nights and mists offered the perfect climate for producing high grown, aromatic teas.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yala for the afternoon leopard safari at the Yala National Park and overnight stay at the hotel

LEOPARD SAFARI

Lacking natural predators other than humans, the leopards of Sri Lanka have evolved to be bigger and less nocturnal than those in Africa, making them easily spotted drinking during the day or hanging around on tree branches.

Morning breakfast at the hotel and start journey with Bundala National Park and evening Yala National Park Safari, finally overnight stay at the hotel.

BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK

Bundala National Park is situated in the southern province of Sri Lanka, about 245km from Colombo. Bundala national park is a perfect trip for bird watchers & nature lovers. It harbors 197 bird species and is declared both a Ramsar wetland site and a UNESCO biosphere reserve with diverse wildlife. Bundala is located in a low country dry zone climate area which results in a tropical monsoonal climate. It contains five shallow brackish lagoons of which three contains salt pans used for salt production.

YALA NATIONAL PARK

The Ruhunu National Park covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and these blocks were established in 1938. Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors. There are 7 Bungalows inside the Park with few Camp Sites.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Udawalawa for evening elephant safari at Udawalawa National Park and overnight stay at the hotel.

ELEPHANT SAFARI AT UDAWALAWA NATIONAL PARK

Udawalawe National Park is a natural park in Sri Lanka, which lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. The national park was created as a nature reserve and to provide a sanctuary for wild animals. Covering over 30,000 hectares of land area, the Udawalawe National Park was established on 30th of June 1972. It is a famous nature reserve in Sri Lanka. Udawalawe is one of protected areas where Sri Lankan Elephants are free to roam, and seen in large herds. It is an important habitat for wildlife and is well known for its large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. Udawalawe National Park exhibits one of the highest biodiversity among the protected areas in Sri Lanka. It is a very popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, visit Udawalawa Elephant Transit Centre and transfer to Sinharaja and trek in the Sinharaja Rain Forest, overnight stay at the hotel.

UDAWALAWA ELEPHANT TRANSIT CENTRE

The Elephant Transit Centre is an orphanage that is home to over 20 baby elephants. The aim of the simple but effective project is to rehabilitate the young orphaned elephants and release them back into the wild – Udawalawa National Park. Please note that the orphaned elephants can only be seen at feeding times, which is 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. At these times they can be watched from the viewing platform for about twenty minutes while they are given milk. The elephants spend the rest of their time in the park and out of view of people. This is to prepare them for their return to the wild when they are about four years old.

SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST

Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the last viable remnant of Sri Lanka’s tropical lowland rainforest spanning an area of 18900 acres is located within Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces of the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. Sinharaja is bounded by rivers on three sides. On the north, Sinharaja is bounded by the Napola Dola and Koskulana Ganga. On the south and south-west are the rivers Maha Dola and Gin Ganga. On the west are the river Kalukandawa Ela and river Kudawa Ganga. To the east of Sinharaja is an ancient footpath near Beverley Tea Estate and by the Denuwa Kanda.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, Transfer to Galle and discover the Dutch fort Galle and overnight stay at the hotel

DUTCH FORT OF GALLE

The Galle Fort, or Dutch Fort as it is also known, is a fortification first built by the Portuguese on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The initial fortifications, which were built in the late 16th century, were quite basic. However, the fort underwent extensive modifications in the 17th century by the Dutch, making it one of the most important archeological, architectural and historic monuments to illustrate the European influence in South East Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. According to a statement by UNESCO, the site was recognized as a World Heritage Site for its unique exposition of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries which is criterion number four for such recognition.

Morning packed breakfast from the hotel, excursion to Mirissa for Whale and Dolphin watching activity and transfer to Galle and overnight stay at the hotel.

WHALE WATCHING AND DOLPHIN WATCHING

Mirissa would be an ideal location for whale watching with an abundance of dolphins in Sri Lanka. Mirissa Whale Warriors is a sightseeing crew for Southern Coast Whales. The crew provides the view of live blow holes and massive aquatic mammal creatures. It is the most satisfactory Whale Watching Company giving you the most glamorous and surprisingly live views of whales in Sri Lanka. When you are with Mirissa whale warriors, you can see blue whales, Bride’s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, Common dolphins and turtles in the water.

Morning breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport for the departure