Witness the beauty and variety of the island’s flourishing birdlife, as you embark on an exciting wildlife safari. Sri Lanka has over 433 recorded species of birds making it a bird lover’s paradise. Enjoy the glory of these feathered friends as they add vibrant colours to their natural habitat.
day | Location/Route | duration | Overnight |
---|---|---|---|
Day 01 | Airport to Colombo | One night in Colombo | Value: Ramada Colombo Signature: Tintagel |
Day 02 | Colombo to Mannar | Two nights in Mannar | Palmyrah House |
Day 03 | Mannar | Last night in Mannar | Palmyrah House |
Day 04 | Mannar to Wilpattu | One night in Wilpattu | Value: Wilpattu Safari Camp Signature: Leopard Trails |
Day 05 | Wilpattu to Sigiriya | One night in Sigiriya | Value: Heritance Kandalama Signature: Wild Grass |
Day 06 | Sigiriya to Kegalle | Two nights in Kegalle | Rosyth Estate |
Day 07 | Kegalle | Last night in Kegalle | Rosyth Estate |
Day 08 | Departure |
Sri Lanka is an island that is teeming with flora and fauna with a large number of endemic species. This island will truly delight nature lovers. There are currently 61 sanctuaries which include Maduganga, Wilpattu North, Yala, Minneriya, Udawatta Kele and Rummassala.
The Kandy Esela Perahera, which is also known as The Festival of the Tooth is a unique religious and cultural event that takes place every year in July. The procession features many dancers, drummers and elephants, who parade through the streets paying homage to the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha which is housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa is in the sacred city of Kandy. It houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is an important shrine of Buddhist worship. The annual procession known as the Kandy Esala Perahera marks an important day in the Sri Lankan calendar.
Built by King Kasyapa (477 to 495 CE), the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress stands as a testament to the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s glorious past. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it features stunning boulder and water gardens and world-famous frescoes. At the summit, you’ll find the ruins of the king’s palace and a breath-taking view of the surroundings.
Discover the rich architectural heritage of Kandy, the last Sri Lankan Kingdom to fall to the invading British. Today, it is one of the island’s major cities and home to an array of renowned attractions such as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Royal Palace and National Museum.
Begin your tour at the lively town centre, and observe the diverse mix of neo-colonial and colonial-style buildings. Enjoy quality time with celebrated architect Ruchira Wickremasinghe, a recipient of the Geoffrey Bawa Travel Award, as she walks you through the intricacies of Kandy’s architectural landscape. The 2.5 hour tour can begin at any time; however, the late hours of the afternoon are ideal.
Spend half a day exploring four of Kandy’s famed medieval temples. Join your personal archaeologist on an informative, 3.5 hour coach tour of the Degaldoruwa, Embekka, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya Buddhist temples. Feast your eyes on the magnificent Kandyan murals on the ceiling of Degaldoruwa Temple. Witness the wonderful fusion of Buddhist and Hindu culture at Gadaladeniya Temple.
Take in the exquisite craftsmanship of the woodwork at Embekka Temple. Observe the traditional Sinhalese design of the Lankatilaka Temple, and discover the inscriptions carved into the rocks. Setting off in the morning is ideal, as the tour involves approximately 1.5 hours of travel to / from your hotel.
Create lasting memories with a truly magical hot-air ballooning experience. Set off into the skies in the cool of the day and enjoy an exhilarating hour in the air. Take in famed sights such as the iconic Sigiriya Rock and enjoy the beauty of the verdant landscapes that blanket Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.
Your flight starts bright and early at 06:00am, after a briefing on safety regulations. Upon landing, a range of mouth-watering refreshments awaits you. You will then head back to the launch site. The entire activity takes three hours and you will receive a certificate of completion. This experience is available from locations such as Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandalama.
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Ayubowan!
A warm welcome to Sri Lanka! Your chauffeur from Holidays by Design will be present at the arrivals hall to greet and assist you to your vehicle.
You could change your currency before departing the airport as this may come handy during your holiday.
A short drive from the airport will take you to your hotel in Colombo (45 mins).
This morning you will be setting off for the Anawilundawa Wetlands on a bird-watching expedition. Breakfast could either be arranged at the main restaurant or alternatively a picnic breakfast could be organized en route to the wetlands.
This morning you will set off to the Mannar lagoon for bird watching, another haven for migratory birds and local species, set in a beautiful and unspoilt rural landscape.
Head back to your hotel for a break from the heat of the sun.
This evening you will set off on a cycling expedition from the Mannar Fort to the Doric and Old Christ Church. We recommend a refreshing cup of ginger-infused tea and local savouries at the end of this experience.
Breakfast and dinner will be served at the hotel
After Breakfast, you will head to Wilpattu (two hours).
An authentic Sri Lankan lunch will be served at the camp on arrival. Rest and relax this afternoon.
An early start today with light snacks and tea before you head back into the park. If you have been lucky with your sightings the previous day, you may choose to discuss with your naturalist how you would like to spend your morning.
You will return to the camp by noon for a quick refresh before you drive to your next stop, Sigiriya (2.5 hours)
Rest and relax from your journey.
This afternoon, you will set off on a safari to the Minneriya National Park. Meals on a Half Board basis.
No experience in Sri Lanka is complete without an early morning exhilarating climb up Sigiriya rock dating back to the 5th Century. Coconut water and cold towels will be arranged on your return.
Breakfast will be served in the dining area.
This morning you will proceed to the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary.
We will take you to the airport, to arrive two-three hours before your flight home.