Give in to your wild side
Want to explore Sri Lanka’s wild side? Plus, dip your toes into some ancient history, get a glimpse of how tea is made and soak up the sun on an idyllic beach? Then this is the trip for you!
*Depending on your travel plans, we’d suggest a beach getaway on the east coast between May and October and the south coast between November and April, just so you have the most amazing experience available.
Speak to us and we’ll create a magical experience for you based on your needs.
Day 01 – Airport | Negombo
We’ll be at the airport to welcome you and drive you the short distance to Negombo, home to an amazing beachside atmosphere with plenty of shops and cafes to explore, and an amazing beach to walk along.
*Overnight stay in Negombo
Day 02 – Habarana | Minneriya National Park
After breakfast, you’ll be whisked off, through woodlands and rice paddies, to Habarana in the rural heartland of Sri Lanka. Located on major crossroads, this is a great base for excursions to Minneriya National Park and Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle sites.
Later in the day, you’ll go on safari into the Park where you’ll be able to witness herds of elephants and numerous birds and other animals.
*Overnight in Habarana
Day 03 – Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Be ready to dip your toes in history and look back over a thousand years. You’ll be visiting the world-famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress; 8th wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see the famous frescoes dating back over a thousand years, an ancient water garden and a pleasure palace built on top of a rock fortress for one of Sri Lanka’s most famous kings.
*Overnight Stay in Habarana
Day 04 – Dambulla | Kandy
On your way to the hill capital of Kandy, you’ll visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is an amazing experience as the temple is built into a cave at the top of a rock. The ornate artwork covers the walls and ceilings and it isn’t difficult to imagine monks peacefully meditating there through the ages.
You’ll also stop at a spice garden in Matale on your way, where you’ll be taken on an enchanting garden tour of the locally grown spices and learn how these spices come together to create the magical flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine and about their use in ayurvedic medicine.
That evening, in Kandy, you will be treated to an entertaining cultural dance performance in the traditional Kandyan style, which is unique and not found anywhere else in the world.
You’ll round off the day with an evening visit to the world-famous Temple of the Tooth, which houses a tooth relic collected from the Buddha’s funeral pyre.
*Overnight stay in Kandy
Day 05 – Kandy
It’s going to be an interesting day out in nature. You’ll first head up to the Udawattakele Sanctuary, once a Royal Forest Park, located on the hill behind the Temple of the Tooth. The sanctuary is a haven for a variety of wildlife and is a serene place to explore and stroll around.
Then, you’ll drive down to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. Once a pleasure garden for Kandyan Royalty, today it’s home to a collection of over 300 varieties of orchids, possibly the largest collection in Asia, along with a plethora of other plant species.
*Overnight stay in Kandy
Day 06 – Nuwara Eliya
Have a hearty breakfast because today it’s your turn to enjoy one of the best railroad experiences in the world. You’ll be driven to the station to catch the train to Nanu Oya. Prepare to have your breath taken away by the cascading waterfalls, verdant green hills, misty mountains and carpet-like tea plantations.
In Nanu Oya, we’ll be there to meet you at the station and drive you the short distance to Sri Lanka’s “Little England”, Nuwara Eliya. Home to arguably the best tea in the world, this hill station is one of the highest towns in Sri Lanka by elevation at 6,129 feet above sea level.
That afternoon, you’ll visit a tea factory to witness the labour of love that is Ceylon Tea. Along the way you’ll also see plenty of fields, plantations and other scenic treats.
*Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Day 07 – Horton Plains
Carrying a packed breakfast to enjoy in the wilderness, you’ll be driving up to Horton Plains today. Get ready for the adventure of the outdoors, you’re heading to the Horton Plains National Park, located on a plateau in the hills and home to the famous World’s End precipice. The scenery is simply indescribable and the 9km trek through the wilderness will take about 3 hours to complete.
*Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Day 08 – Yala
After breakfast, you’ll take a leisurely drive down to Yala, passing through lush countryside and picturesque agricultural villages. Once you arrive in Yala, you’ll have a chance to rest and unwind before the safari excitement to come the next day.
*Overnight stay in Yala
Day 09 – Yala
Today you’ll go out on an early morning safari, return for lunch and then head out again for an afternoon trip into the park.
Get ready to head over to the wild side! The Yala National Park is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Sri Lanka. So, get your cameras out and be on the lookout. The park is home to leopards, elephants, wild buffaloes, musk deer, mongoose, pangolins, macaques, jackals and a host of other animals, not to mention a plethora of birds. If you want that awesome shot of natural wildlife to take home with you, this is your chance!
The park is home to 44 species of mammals and 215 species of birds. The Yala experience is a dream for any wildlife enthusiast.
*Overnight stay in Yala
Day 10 – Mirissa**
Your beach holiday begins! It’s time to soak up the sun and enjoy Sri Lanka’s amazing beaches. Mirissa, on Sri Lanka’s south coast, is home to vibrant beaches full of good vibes and quirky seaside restaurants. It’s also a great place for whale watching, surfing and water sports.
**If you’re travelling between May and October, we suggest an east coast destination for the best experience.
*Overnight stay in Mirissa
Days 11 to 12 – Leisure
Whichever beach destination you choose in Sri Lanka, you’ll not be disappointed. Spend glorious days relaxing by the beach, do something more adventurous on the water or explore the area and immerse yourself in the local culture.
*Overnight stay in Mirissa
Day 13 – Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
Today you’ll take a leisurely drive to the bustling commercial capital of Colombo and, on the way, stop at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery which is engaged in the conservation of sea turtles in Sri Lanka. The beaches of Sri Lanka are their nesting grounds and these conservationists are helping to ensure the survival of the species. You’ll get to see some turtles and, if you’re lucky, even release some hatchlings into the sea.
*Overnight stay in Colombo
Day 14 – Airport
You’ve seen Sri Lanka’s wild side and enjoyed some of the best experiences that Sri Lanka has to offer. Now we’ll get you to the airport and bid you farewell as you carry back memories to treasure for life.