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Nature & Wildlife Explorer

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Experience Travel Group

Nature & Wildlife Explorer

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Sri Lanka is extraordinary with wildlife and nature all around. This holiday is ideal for casual nature and wildlife enthusiasts, who want to see the islands varied landscapes while getting a feel for day-to-day rural life and enjoying a relaxing time too.

The hotels selected here are all small and intimate places where you might enjoy discussing wildlife with other guests, away from any of the principle tourists trails.

Highlights include:

  • Enjoy one of the best wildlife experiences in the country. Join an expert guide to track elephants, leopards, and more
  • Spot rare birds while sipping local tea in the comfort of your villa near the Knuckles Mountains
  • Choose between early morning bird-watching walks, kayaking on the lake, learning to cook local food, or relaxing in a hammock at The Mudhouse
  • Enjoy relaxation time in a lovely hotel on the palm-fringed beaches of the southern coast

The support of our in-country team and one of our exclusively trained chauffeur-guide comes only with ETG holidays. 

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace, and style. To find out more about how this suggested itinerary could inspire your holiday, talk to us today.

DAY 1  DEPART UK

 Depart the UK on your flight to Colombo.

DAYS 2 & 3  THE NOTARY'S HOUSE      

You’ll be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your private chauffeur-guide who will transfer you straight to the Notary's House.  The residence is a fantastic spot in which to relax after the flight, take a swim, explore the grounds or sit back and enjoy the hospitality.

DAYS 4 - 5  the mudhouse

Your guide will transport your north to The Mudhouse, an enchanting jungle lodge surrounded by lakes and forest, and at the foot of the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple. You can make the experience as adventurous or as relaxing as you please, enjoy early morning birdwatching walks, kayak in lakes, climb the ancient rock, cycle on jungle trails, and learn to cook Sri Lanka food or relax in the comfort of a hammock.

DAYS 6 - 8   the CULTURAL TRIANGLE       

Head east with your chauffeur-guide towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Visit the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress from unique vantage points and also learn firsthand about the history of the area and the life and work of villagers. 

Days 9 & 10  the Knuckles Mountain Range

Next stop is the Knuckles Mountain Range where you’ll stay in a hillside villa surrounded by tea plantations. The Knuckles is an incredible spot for birdwatching, and there is a telescope on the balcony for detailed viewing. We recommend a trek deep into the hills around too; your efforts will be rewarded as the range contains almost 75% of Sri Lanka's endemic bird species.

Days 11 – 13  Gal Oya Lodge

 As you journey towards Gal Oya National Park, you’ll feel that you’re getting away from the typical tourist trail. Here you’ll stay in a beautifully designed eco-lodge from which you’ll have the chance to enjoy both a cultural experience and a range of wildlife. The country’s largest lake is in the vicinity so keep watch for crocs, and if you’re lucky you might witness herds of elephants bathing.

Day 14 & 15     TREE TOPS JUNGLE LODGE

 You’ll travel with your chauffeur-guide south to Treetops Jungle Lodge. This is a different experience to Gal Oya; the accommodation is more comfortable camp than lodge style and the wildlife experience changes too.  Discover the jungle trails with an expert guide; you’ll keep watch for elephants and other wildlife as you explore.

 During your stay, there will be a full day four-wheel-drive safari to Yala National Park included. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most famous park on account of the high density of leopards, but it gets hectic. Your trackers will aim to scope out clear leopard sightings throughout your day without the typical jeep-jams.

DAYS 16-18  the GALLE Coast

 Your final stop is the Galle Coast, where you’ll stay at a contemporary beachfront hotel with fantastic service. A short distance from the historic town of Galle, days can be spent lazing by the beach or exploring the ramparts of the Dutch Fort with an expert historian. There is also the opportunity to explore inland should you wish, a picnic lunch next to a waterfall, a leisurely boat tour along the river, cycle tours or local cookery experiences.

DAY 19  FLY HOME

 Your driver will drop you at Colombo airport to depart on your flight back to the UK.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, two-week holidays range from roughly £3,000 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,500. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers 
  • Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

For more on our pricing policy read here.  

 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge, Sri Lanka

Surrounded by a stunning national park, Gal Oya is an environmentally responsible all-natural lodge experience.

KK Beach

KK Beach, Habaraduwa

A contemporary beachfront hotel on a quiet beach with stylish interiors and fantastic service.

Kumbukgaha Villa

Kumbukgaha Villa, Sigiriya

A collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.

Mudhouse

Mudhouse, Anamaduwa

Stunning jungle lodge and hideaway with unique accommodation, superb service and off-the-beaten-track excursions.

Rangala House

Rangala House, Kandy

Three-bedroom hillside villa with stunning views on the outskirts of Kandy.

The Notary's House

The Notary's House, Pannala

A charming six-bedroom hotel set amidst manicured gardens, offering a calm and serene space to relax into your Sri Lankan holiday.

Treetops Jungle Lodge

Treetops Jungle Lodge, Buttala

A wilderness luxury camping safari experience in one of the remotest corners of Sri Lanka.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Market, cooking and Galle Fort

Market, cooking and Galle Fort, Inland from Galle

A morning market visit and cooking class, followed by a guided walk of Galle Fort.

Pidurangula Rock

Pidurangula Rock, Sigiriya

Just beside Sigiriya Rock Fortress lies another granite rock jutting out of the surrounding lowland, Pidurangala Rock.

Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour

Polonnaruwa Cycling Tour, Polonnaruwa

Cycle around the relatively compact and well preserved ruins of Sri Lanka's second great historical capital.

Sigiriya and Village Farm experience

Sigiriya and Village Farm experience, Sigiriya

Visit local farms and learn firsthand about the life and work of the villagers, enjoy a home-cooked lunch and visit the stunning Sigiriya rock fortress

Yala National Park

Yala National Park, Yala

Sri Lanka's Yala National Park has the world's highest density of leopards - so this is your best chance to see them.

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Nature & Wildlife Explorer'

Ready to enquire about this holiday?

Each journey with ETG is different. Let us know your needs, hopes and fears, and our friendly travel team will help you discover your ideal holiday.

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

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