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Best Wild Life Destination in Asia
| Cultural Tours | Sri Lanka
Experience the essence of Sri Lanka on this fully escorted journey that combines ancient heritage, untamed wilderness, and misty highlands. Travel from tranquil coastal towns and sacred cities to the vast plains of Wilpattu and Kumana, where leopards roam freely. Climb the majestic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore the storied ruins of Anuradhapura by bicycle, and take a scenic train ride through lush tea country to the emerald hills of Ella. Unwind in boutique retreats and luxury camps, dine under the stars, and discover a country where timeless culture meets natural beauty at every turn. This immersive itinerary offers a seamless balance of adventure, exploration, and indulgent relaxation.
What We Love
- Wildlife Encounters across Wilpattu, Kumana & Yala National Parks
- UNESCO Heritage Sites: Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, and Galle Fort
- Scenic Train Journey Through
- Hands-on Culinary Experience in Ella
- Peaceful Stays in Boutique Lodges & Wilderness Camps
Holiday Types ByDesign
Hayley
Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Caroline
Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
At a Glance
Duration:
16 Nights
Tour Type:
Private Tour
Star Rating:
5*
Board Basis:
Combination B&B, Full Board + All Inclusive
Departures:
All Year
Start / Finish:
Colombo – Colombo
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What's Included
Exclusions
Other
Board Basis
Why we like it
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Sri Lanka
On arrival in Colombo, guests are met at the aircraft with CIP fast track service. An airport representative holding a personalised sign escorts travellers to the Silk Route lounge, where a chauffeur-guide is waiting. Luggage is collected and brought through customs by airport staff while guests relax with tea, coffee, and light refreshments. Wi-Fi, restrooms, and currency exchange assistance are available. Transfer to a boutique hotel in Negombo (approximately 35 minutes) and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to relax after the flight.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 2 | Wilpattu National Park
After breakfast, depart for Wilpattu National Park (approx. 4.5 hours), Sri Lanka’s largest and one of its most tranquil reserves. Check in to a luxury wilderness campsite and enjoy lunch before heading out on an afternoon safari. The park’s landscapes of forest and natural lakes provide a peaceful setting for sightings of leopards, sloth bears, elephants, water buffalo, and a rich variety of birdlife. Unlike Yala, Wilpattu offers a calm, authentic wildlife experience far from the crowds. Return to camp for dinner under the stars.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3 | Wilpattu National Park
Begin the day with an early morning safari, when wildlife is most active, before returning to camp for breakfast and relaxation. In the afternoon, head out again on another game drive in search of the park’s elusive residents. With its quiet atmosphere and untouched terrain, Wilpattu offers a rare opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s wild heart in peace and comfort.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4 | Anuradhapura
After breakfast, travel inland to Anuradhapura (approx. 1.5 hours), the first great capital of ancient Sri Lanka and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Check in to the hotel mid-afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5 | Anuradhapura
Early this morning, take a guided drive through the rural backroads to Nachchaduwa Lake, a serene reservoir surrounded by rice paddies, forest, and distant hills. The area is frequented by birds, buffalo, and sometimes elephants, making it a wonderful glimpse into Sri Lanka’s countryside. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided cycling tour through Anuradhapura’s sacred ruins with a local historian. Discover the city’s vast stupas, ancient monasteries, and sacred Bodhi tree, believed to be the oldest recorded tree in the world. Visit the great temples of Mirisaveti, Jetavana, and Ruvanweli, whose alignment mirrors the stars of Orion’s Belt.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6 | Kandy
Following breakfast, travel to the hill capital of Kandy (approx. 4 hours). En route, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Rising 180 metres above the jungle, this ancient citadel features frescoes, water gardens, and a gateway carved in the form of a giant lion. Continue to Matale for lunch at a spice garden, where aromatic herbs and spices are cultivated using traditional methods (payment direct). Arrive in Kandy and check in to a tranquil hillside retreat surrounded by lush greenery. Spend the evening at leisure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7 | Kandy
A full day at leisure to unwind at the hotel, take in the surrounding mountain scenery, or enjoy spa and wellness treatments. Kandy’s misty hills and serene atmosphere offer the perfect setting for rest and reflection.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 8 | Nuwara Eliya - Ella
After breakfast, drive through the misty tea country to Nuwara Eliya (approx. 3 hours) and board a scenic local train to Ella, a journey reminiscent of colonial times. Reserved seats offer sweeping views of rolling hills, waterfalls, and lush tea estates as the train winds through the central highlands (journey approx. 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Ella, a charming mountain village surrounded by forests and cascading falls. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the town.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 9 | Ella
Today, enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking experience led by the hotel’s chef. Visit the local market and pick fresh vegetables before joining the chef for a hands-on cooking demonstration of classic rice and curry dishes. Learn about the island’s unique spices and preparation methods, then savour the meal prepared together.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10 | Kumana National Park
After breakfast, travel southeast to Kumana National Park (approx. 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, check into a luxury campsite set amid the wilderness and enjoy some time at leisure.
In the afternoon, embark on a shared safari in Kumana, a park known for its tranquillity and abundance of wildlife. Once home to an ancient civilisation, the park now shelters leopards, sloth bears, elephants, and countless bird species. Return to camp for dinner and stargazing by the fire.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 11 | Kumana National Park
Morning and afternoon safaris in Kumana National Park provide more opportunities to explore its remote landscapes and observe wildlife in peaceful surroundings. The park’s mix of coastal lagoons, scrubland, and ancient ruins creates a unique and memorable safari experience.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 12 | Kumana National Park
Continue exploring the untouched wilderness of Kumana with another day of game drives and relaxation at the camp. The quiet atmosphere and pristine environment offer the perfect contrast to the busier parks further south.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 13 | Kataragama
After breakfast, journey south toward the Yala region (approx. 3 hours) and check into a boutique safari lodge near Kataragama. Spend the afternoon relaxing amidst the sounds of the jungle.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 14 | Yala National Park
Embark on morning and afternoon safaris in Yala National Park (Block 5), renowned for its rich biodiversity. Spot peacocks, elephants, crocodiles, and perhaps the park’s elusive leopards. The mix of forest, scrubland, and lagoons provides ideal terrain for wildlife viewing.
Return to the lodge to unwind and enjoy the final night in the wild.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 15 | Mirissa
After a relaxed breakfast, depart for the southern coast (approx. 3.5 hours) and check in at a beachside resort in Mirissa. Spend the afternoon at leisure, enjoying the tropical ambience and golden sands.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 16 | Galle Fort
In the late afternoon, meet a local historian within the walls of UNESCO-listed Galle Fort for a guided walk through this living heritage city. Wander its cobbled streets and learn about the centuries of Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence that still shape life within the fort today.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 17 | Depart Sri Lanka
At the appropriate time, transfer to Colombo International Airport for the departure flight (approx. 4 hours). Depart Sri Lanka filled with memories of ancient cities, mountain landscapes, and wild encounters.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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