DAYS AMONG THE ANIMALS

08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS

DAY 01 - AIR PORT / PINNAWALA / SIGIRIYA

Pick up from the Airport or from the Beach hotel in Negombo

Thereafter transfer to Pinnawala.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage established in 1975 as place for shelter and care the wounded elephants and abandoned baby elephants found in jungle. This is covered a area over 24 acre land. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was under the department of Department of Wildlife but now under the National Zoological Garden.This area is not a jungle, just a garden with coconut trees.
Up to date, over 20 calves have been born here, and it is surprising to hear that some of its inmates have even seen their grand children during the past few decades!
As you enterd the property Don't be suprised by seen baby elephants being bottle fed or moving around freely causing absolutely no harm to anyone.
Elephants were taken for bath in nearby Ma-Oya( a river) Elephants lie down on riverbeds and allow the the people who look after them to scrub and clean their body. In the bathing time, visitors can see elephants walk one followed by other, then cross the road and go down to the river.

Thereafter transfer to hotel near by Sigiriya.

Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel (EKHO Sigiriya / Sigiriya Village / Fresco Water Villa / Sigiriya Jungles)
Hotel will be selected according to the availability

DAY 02 - SIGIRIYA / DAMBULLA / KANDY

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Sigiriya lion rock

The 5th century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and World Heritage Site. Sigiriya - doesn't only boasts of ancient Sri Lankan engineering & urban planning supremacy but also acclaims to be one of the finest monuments of art & culture. Step through the gigantic 'Lion Paws' - overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below - to comprehend the absolute splendor that once dominated this rock fortress. Surrounded by ramparts & moats the Lion Rock - resembling the mythological 'City of Gods' - is coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in Ajanta caves of India. Walk in the shade of an eminent 'mirror wall' embracing the Western face of Sigiriya representing an artistic hundred meters laminated with graffiti. Wander into the well-fabricated museum downstairs for an epic journey of yesteryears to realize how the citadel floated above citizens with the castle, ponds and irrigation systems that pumped water right onto its summit with an ingenious hydraulic system describing a colossal masterpiece of the great king which remained a wonder in Asia for centuries.

Thereafter transfer to Dambulla

Visit Dambulla rock temple. A hub which has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. Today, an icon in the face of Sri Lanka Dambulla Rock Temple houses some of the most unique drawings in magnificently constructed 5 cave temples flanking the golden temple of Dambulla. Observe how exquisitely cave paintings are done along walls that shelter 150 statues of Lord Buddha. As you enter the retreat look straight up to the gigantic Buddha statue glittering in gold over a land which today houses an important junction in the country's economic and cultural uplifting.

Thereafter transfer to Kandy

overnight stay at Kandy. (OZO kandy / Queen's hoetl / Hotel Topaz / Mahaweli reach )

Hotel will be selected according the availability.

DAY 03 - KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA

Breakfast at Kandy Hotel

Thereafter transfer to Nuwara Eliya.

Misty steep roads, twisting through lush green blankets of tea bushes in a cool climate, remind visitors that they are within the range of the renowned British colonial retreat, Nuwara Eliya. Augmented by an English countryside atmosphere, the city of light - once governed by English & Scottish planters - is still studded with colonial bungalows, hedgerows & one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in the world. A hike through the green grass and red-brick walls should present breathtaking views of a buzzing countryside hamlet. Hop into a rattling train smoking and hissing its way through green valleys of the hill country pierced by endless waterfalls & dotted by tea pluckers draped in bright-colored saris. Or rent a bike for a gentle ride along the banks splashed by the waters of Lake Gregory.

Dinner and overnight stay at Nuwara eliya hotel (The Queenbury Hotel / Oak Ray Summer hiil)
Hotel will be selected according to the availability.

DAY 04 - NUWARA ELIYA / HORTAN PLAIN / NUWARA ELIYA

Breakfast at Nuwara eliya Hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Horton Plains.

Horton Plains, UNESCO World Heritage Site & Eco-tourism hideout in the heart of the isle, painted with unending stretches of green pastures marks one of the healthiest wet montane evergreen forests in Sri Lanka. With an altitude above 7000ft, the plateau sweeps to a robust 3169 hectares sheltering flora and fauna varieties that may be found no where else on earth. As the tributary of Belihul Oya - Bakers Falls - thunders down rocks head off the beaten track - across frost-covered grass - to feel the icy-cold wind against your face. You may even gaze down World's End, a head-spinning 3700ft drop towards the Southern end or drive carefully through herds of sambar deer, shy to human touch & birdlife chirping across the plains. If you're cautious enough you may be greeted by the sights of a grunting wild boar, a pouncing fishing cat, otters or even the 'Spotted-Ghost that haunts the plains', the Sri Lankan Leopard!

On completion transfer to Nuwara eliya

DAY 05 - NUWARA ELIYA / UDAWALAWE

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Udawalawe.

Udawalawe National Park lies on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, in Sri Lanka. The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) of land area and was established on 30 June 1972. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.

overnight stay at hotel in Udawalawe. (Elephant Trail / Kalu's Hideaway)
Hotel will be selected according to the availability.

DAY 06 - UDAWALAWE / SINHARAJA

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Sinharaja.

Conservation Value Sinharaja is the last extensive primary lowland tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka. It holds a large number of endemic species of plants and animals, and a variety of plants of known benefit to man.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare.

The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. The reserve's name translates as Lion Kingdom.

The reserve is only 21 km (13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south, but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

overnight stay at hotel in Sinharaja.(Sinharaja Forest Edge / Owinrich Resort)
Hotel will be selected according to the availability.

DAY 07 - SINHARAJA / HIKKADUWA

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Hikkaduwa.

Leisure at Hikka beach - The coral sanctuary found along the coast of Hikkaduwa is a large shallow body of water enclosed by a reef, decorated with layers of multi coloured corals, and is home to countless numbers of vibrantly coloured fish. Off the beach there is a collection of small islets surrounded by beautiful coral formations.

overnight stay at Hotel in Hikkaduwa (Coral Rock / Coral Sands hotel)
Hotel will be selected according to the availability

DAY 08 - HIKKADUWA / COLOMBO / AIR PORT

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Colombo

Colombo city tour - You will drive through the commercial area of Fort, so named because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a fort at this point. Drive past Pettah, a noisy Oriental bazaar with a mix of humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples. You will visit a Hindu and Buddhist Temple and the Jumi Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque. You will continue with the tour through the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, Hulftsdorp Law Courts, through the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, and on to the Independence Square, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall

On completion, transfer to Ari port or Negambo Hotel.