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13-Day Sri Lanka with Nature and Wildlife

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Overview

National parks, nature reserves, bird sanctuaries, rolling hills and pristine beaches: Sri Lanka is a nature-lovers wonderland!

Two weeks in Sri Lanka takes you to the ancient cities, deep into national parks and up the tallest mountain range in the country. Your trip will bring you up close with the countries wildlife where elephants roam, and birds are in abundance.

Your trip finished on the coast, with the chance to relax on the beach and learn a little about Sri Lanka's maritime heritage, not forgetting the turtle conservation project!
Outdoors & Nature
Hiking & Trekking
Sightseeing
Beach & Sea
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Negombo and Sigiriya

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Arrive in Negombo and Sigiriya

Ayubowan, welcome to Sri Lanka! Your driver will pick you up at the airport and drive you to your first destination, Negombo. Enjoy a free day in Negombo. Why not go for a boat trip in the mangrove of Muthurajawela or on the Dutch canal? As you slide along the water in the channels lined with lush vegetation, you are accompanied by birds, monkeys and monitor lizards. Sometimes even a crocodile might surprise you! Late afternoon, you'll travel to Sigiriya where you'll stay for the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Back of Beyond Jungle Hideaway Pidurangala2 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in NegomboOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bandaranaike International Airport to Sigiriya

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    Destinations

    Negombo

    Sigiriya

Day 2

Minneriya National Park Half-Day Safari

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Minneriya National Park Half-Day Safari

From Sigiriya, you'll head out on a wild experience with half-day entry to Minneriya National Park. Exploring on the back of a 4WD in Minneriya National Park, you'll soon discover that it is home to many elephants that feed and bathe at the Minneriya Reservoir. Set off for a half-day safari to admire the reservoirs and myriads of birds - try to spot some elephants and the eminent Sri Lankan sloth bear!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Back of Beyond Jungle Hideaway Pidurangala2 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Minneriya National Park Safari

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    Destinations

    Sigiriya

    North Central Province

Day 3

Knuckles Mountain Range

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Knuckles Mountain Range

Walk through the Pidurangala Rock Temple and climb the Pidurangala Rock from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This is a great way to see another side of the famous Lion's Rock, away from the crowds. In the afternoon, you'll head up high into the mountains, arriving in Knuckles.

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    Accommodation

    Simpson's Forest Hotel 4 star

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    Activities

    Pidurangala Rock

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sigiriya to Knuckles

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    Destinations

    Sigiriya

    Kandy

Day 4

A Day in Knuckles

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A Day in Knuckles

Enjoy a free day in Knuckles. If you're feeling adventurous, why not visit the imposing Knuckle Massif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which peaks at 1500m - the perfect place to go hiking. Some of the trails here are the most difficult in Sri Lanka, however, with 34 trails to choose from, you're guaranteed to find one to suit you.

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    Accommodation

    Simpson's Forest Hotel 4 star

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    Activities

    Knuckles

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kandy

    Central Province

Day 5

Knuckles to Kandy

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Knuckles to Kandy

In the morning, you'll hit the road to Kandy, the gateway to Sri Lanka's Hill Country. Explore Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. Why not stroll around the scenic Kandy Lake or visit the market and explore the streets of the city? The Temple of the Tooth Relic is an essential site that you cannot leave the city without visiting. In the afternoon, take to the road to Gal Oya National Park.


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    Accommodation

    Gal Oya Lodge4 star

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    Activities

    Free Time in Kandy

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Knuckles to Kandy

    Private Driver from Kandy to Gal Oya

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    Destinations

    Kandy

    Monaragala

Day 6

Gal Oya Boat Safari

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Gal Oya Boat Safari

A day in Gal Oya and its surroundings. Visit the Gal Oya National Park on a boat safari for a unique experience on the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. If you are lucky, you will see elephants swimming among the islands in search of food!

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    Accommodation

    Gal Oya Lodge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gal Oya Valley National Park Boat Safari

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    Destinations

    Monaragala

    Uva Province

Day 7

Gal Oya to Tissa

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Gal Oya to Tissa

In the morning, you'll travel from Gal Oya to Tissamaharama. Nicknamed ‘Tissa’ by the locals, this is a small town located between the well-known Yala National Park and Bundala National Park. This is the perfect stop for wildlife lovers and safari fans. With a history dating back 2,300 years, there is little left of ancient Tissa as tourism in the national park increased, Tissa became the gateway to a wildlife adventure of a lifetime.

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    Accommodation

    Thaulle Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    TissamaharamaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Gal Oya to Tissamaharama

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    Destinations

    Monaragala

    Tissamaharama

Day 8

Bundala National Park

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Bundala National Park

A day in Yala and its surroundings will take you on a half-day safari trip in Bundala National Park. This national park is best known for its large number of birds and lagoons. Bundala is known across the world for its winter migration of nearly 200 species of water birds. With brackish waters, this wetlands site is an animal lovers paradise.

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    Accommodation

    Thaulle Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bundala National Park

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    Destinations

    Tissamaharama

    Southern Province

Day 9

Free Day in Tissa

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Free Day in Tissa

You can start your day at Kataragama Temple - the architecture isn’t the most impressive but it is the best place to truly experience Sri Lankan religious fervour. Bird-lovers should not miss the chance to explore the Wirawila Sanctuary. More than 400 species live in this park, and you can observe flamingos, herons, pelicans and more. In the afternoon why not visit Yatala Dagoba? You can enjoy the sunset from the promenade or a speedboat. Later travel to Udawalawe.

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    Accommodation

    Big Game Camp3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    KataragamaOptional Activity

    Wirawila Tissa SanctuaryOptional Activity

    Yatala DagobaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Yala to Udawalawa

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    Destinations

    Tissamaharama

    Moneragala

    Southern Province

    Agunukolapelessa

Day 10

Galle and Bentota

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Galle and Bentota

Travel to Galle in the morning for a free day. Take this opportunity to visit the Dutch Fort and take time to stroll through the alleys of the old town, reminiscent of a medieval European city. Cafes, restaurants, craft shops, and artists' studios contribute to the liveliness and charm of the old city. You can also go cycling around Galle and explore its villages amidst the rice fields. A great opportunity to witness rural Sri Lanka! Go from Galle to Bentota at the end of the day.

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    Accommodation

    Avani Bentota Resort4 star

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    Activities

    GalleOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Udawalawa to Galle

    Private Driver from Galle to Bentota

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Agunukolapelessa

    Galle

    Bentota

Day 11

Free Day in Bentota

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Free Day in Bentota

A free day in Bentota and its surroundings. Bentota, one of the oldest seaside resorts in Sri Lanka, sits on an estuary where the river meets the ocean and is the ideal place for watersports. You can also visit the Turtle Research Project and learn about conservation efforts here. You'll have the day to relax on the beach, at the hotel or head out on an adventure on your own arrangement.

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    Accommodation

    Avani Bentota Resort4 star

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    Activities

    Bentota BeachOptional Activity

    Lunuganga Geoffrey Bawa’s Country EstateOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bentota

    Southern Province

Day 12

Free Day in Bentota

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Free Day in Bentota

Enjoy a day of ultimate relaxation at the beach. Lounge under the palm trees and read a book, sip on a tropical fruit shake and swim in the clear waters. In the evening, take the opportunity to watch the sunset with your toes in the sand. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can set off and visit the inspiring Brief Garden and the Lunuganga Estate about 10 kilometres from Bentota or the majestic Kande Viharaya Temple.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Avani Bentota Resort4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Watersports at BentotaOptional Activity

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bentota

    Beruwala

Day 13

Bentota to Colombo Airport

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Bentota to Colombo Airport

This concludes your beautiful two weeks in Sri Lanka. You'll have a private transfer from Bentota to Colombo International Airport. Your driver will drop you at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bentota to Bandaranaike International Airport

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    Destinations

    Bentota

Included in Price

  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 5 activities
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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