Description
A stunning safari for all the family exploring a number of beautiful regions of Sri Lanka. Spend your days in search for wildlife and venturing through cultural sites, watch as your children learn about the area and the fauna which resides here.
Overview
This remarkable trip takes you and your family across Sri Lanka beginning at the Horathapola Estate; a striking area where coconut, mango, pineapple and spices are grown. You will all then venture into the Wilpattu National Park (the biggest national park in Sri Lanka) where you can search for Asian elephants, birds and a whole range of other fauna and flora.
You will be able to speak to your personal guide to design your days specifically to your requirements, so if your son or daughter has a particular interest in birds or insects make sure you tell the guide who will then be able to keep an extra special eye out to keep both you and your children entertained.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY:
- Discover ancient civilizations – visit the awe-inspiring Sigiriya Rock Fortress and explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa by bicycle.
- Experience the landscape – wander around verdant tea plantations, drive through arid landscapes dotted with hydrating wewas.
- Unique opportunity – visit rural villages and learn from the locals.
- Wildlife spotting – explore the incredible Wilpattu National Park in search of the Sri Lankan sloth bears, Asian elephants and leopards.
- Relax – spend some quality time in the shallower waters of the east coast.
Inclusion
Exclusion
Itinerary
You will be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your local guide who will take you to your hotel in rural Wadumunnegedara village. The Horathapola Estate is the perfect base for your first night or two, with gentle walks through the estate or relaxing by the pool followed by a delicious Sri Lankan curry, easing you in to the Sri Lankan pace of life.
Overnight: Horathapola Estate
Today you have the day at leisure where you will be able to explore your stunning surroundings. Coconut, fruits, spices and rice are all cultivated on the Horathapola Estate. Take a stroll, a bullock cart ride or cycle to the nearby rural village where you can watch the production of kadju nuts, wire ropes or visit a kopra factory. Estate staff can help you discover village life unfolding at its own pace, away from tourist areas. You may want to visit the village temple and the local market where fresh produce grown in village home gardens can be purchased.
Overnight: Horathapola Estate
(B)
Today you will be transferred to Wilpattu (approximately two and a half hours away from Horathapola). You will all check into the Leopard Trails safari campsite where you will stay for the next two nights. Leopard Trails is a respected wildlife company that has a thorough understanding and appreciation of the wilderness. Discuss your wildlife interests beforehand and whether it is birds, leopards or elephants the Leopard Trails team will personalize your game drives and take you on routes where you are more likely to see your favorite animals.
Today you will explore Wilpattu National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is home to many diverse forest types. There are over 30 recorded mammalian species inside Wilpattu. Apart from leopards and sloth bear there are also Sri Lankan elephants and spotted deer. Wetland bird species such as the spoonbill, whistling teal and the white ibis can also be found here. The park retains its status as a preferred safari destination due to a strong prevalence of the elusive leopard. Another highlight is the dense population of Sri Lankan sloth bears - a highly threatened subspecies of the sloth bear - that only exist in Sri Lanka. A typical day begins at sunrise, heading into the park for your morning game drive before returning to camp for a late breakfast. In the mid-afternoon you will head out into the park once more for more exploration, returning to camp at sundown.
Today, after your morning game drive, you will be transferred east to the coastal port town of Trincomalee, a former British Naval Base from WWII. Your hotel for the next few days is located just up the coast in a wonderfully wild area.
You will have three days to enjoy Jungle Beach; the landscape and cultural heritage of this region are very different to other parts of the island. During your time here you will have plenty of time to relax on the beach and enjoy swimming in the sea as well as explore the old naval base of Trincomalee with its fort and hot springs.
This morning you will transfer inland to the famed Cultural Triangle. The journey will take around 3 hours and on arrival you will have time to settle into your eco-lodge. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to visit a local village and speak with the residents, learning about their way of life in this rural and arid location.
An early start this morning as you climb the Sigiriya Lion’s Rock Fortress in the cool of the day. The views from the top of this granite monolith are breath-taking, and the sheer skill, might and level of engineering that was required to build the fort is mind-blowing. After lunch and some time back at hotel to relax in the heat of the day, head to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa to explore this vast site of stupas, Buddha statues and Apsara figures. This was Sri Lanka’s second capital city and it dates back thousands of years. If you wish, you can even hire bicycles and explore the site on two wheels!
This morning visit the cave temple complex of Dambulla, the site of exile for the ousted King Kassapa after his short reign atop the Sigiriya Rock. The site has over 80 caves dotted into the hillside, but only five are open to the public today. The caves are filled to the rafters with colourful frescoes and statues of the Buddha. This is also a good site for observing the cheeky antics of the endemic toque macaque monkeys, as they play havoc and test the patience of the cave guards. Afterwards, make the short journey to the Sam Popham Arboretum, a local conservation success story. Here, the land has been reinvigorated from degraded agricultural land to a thriving forest filled with local species, and is home to a healthy population of the grey slender loris. You'll spend the evening exploring the arboretum by torchlight with your local guide, in search of these charismatic nocturnal primates.
Journey south this morning to Sri Lanka’s second-largest city, Kandy, where you'll have the opportunity to visit the iconic Temple of the Tooth - so called as it holds a relic of the Buddha’s tooth - and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, best known for its world-leading orchid collection. The garden is not only a botanist's paradise, but also makes an excellent spot for taking a stroll and people-watching, as local families and lovers young and old come to embrace the beauty of the calm surroundings in the heart of the city. After your visit, you will be transferred to the train station to catch your steam train into the hill country. Old British steam trains are relics of the colonial period in Sri Lanka, and a journey on one as it weaves through the hills and tea plantations is a must do in Sri Lanka. Keep an eye out for birds or monkeys in the trees as you pass by. After an hour or two on board, you will arrive into your destination, at the Hatton Train Station, from where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your plantation hotel nearby. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the plantations as you wish.
Spend the day exploring the hills on foot or by bike. You will be taken on a tour of a local tea factory, learning how it goes from bush to brew. Here you will gain insight into the manufacturing process as well as an opportunity to taste the different grades of hill country tea.
Today you will transfer to Kotugoda for your final night at The Wallawwa. Located 15 minutes away from the international airport, The Wallawwa is an old manor house with architectural features including columns, courtyards and verandas. It has a history which dates back to the mid-17th century when it was owned by the head chieftain of Galle. This manor house has been restored retaining its old world charm with a lovely blend of luxurious comforts and styles.
Overnight: The Wallawwa
(B)
Today you will be driven back to the airport in time for your onward flight.
Accommodation
- SUGGESTED SAFARI ACCOMMODATION:
- Horathapole Estate
- Elephant Stables
- The Wallawwa
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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