Nature & Wildlife Explorer Suggested Holiday Itinerary

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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 whilst getting a feel for day-to-day rural life and enjoying a relaxing time too.

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 whilst 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.
All accommodation carefully selected to beautifully complement the surrounding environment.
Services of our in-country support team and your own expertly trained chauffeur-guide.

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 own holiday, fill in the form below.

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 just 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. This is a great place for birdwatching, there is even a telescope on the balcony for detailed viewing. A trek deep into the Knuckles Mountains is recommended too, your efforts will be rewarded 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 really 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 4 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 very busy. 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 can all be enjoyed.

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 £2,500 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,300. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

Fill in our Quote Request form to get your quick, no-obligations proposal.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 or use the quote request form below for your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation 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)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own 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, Sri Lanka

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

KK Beach, Habaraduwa

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

Kumbukgaha Villa, Sigiriya

Close to Sigiriya; a collection of comfortable villas surrounded by wilderness with outdoor bathrooms and a veranda to relax on at the end of a long day.

Mudhouse, Anamaduwa

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

Rangala House, Kandy

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

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, 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, Inland from Galle

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

Pidurangula Rock, Sigiriya

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

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

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

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

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Customer Protection

The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.