Elephant and Nature of Sri Lanka

Day 1: Pinnawala

You’ll be met by representatives on your arrival and then transferred from the airport to Pinnawala.  Pinnawala is home to an Elephant Orphanage established in 1975, when it was home to just seven orphaned elephants.  The original objective of establishing the orphanage was tourism, but the focus has since shifted towards more conservational and educational aims.  With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawala started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants.  The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate.  The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawala was born.  The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world.  A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. [Overnight stay at Amaya Hills, Kandy – superior room]

Day 2: Udawatta Kele Sanctuary/Peradeniya Botanical Garden

The first stop of the day is Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, a primeval forest located above the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth).  Also known as the Forbidden Forest of the Kings of Kandy, it’s home to a large variety of trees, such as talipot, cinnamon, olive, rattan cane, betel, botrees, kitul palms, jak, mara, betelnut and arecanut. The tour then moves on to Peradeniya’s Royal Botanical Garden, built as a ‘pleasure garden’ by the King Wickramabahu III in the 14th century, and later expanded by the British.  Its 147 acres offers an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.  [Overnight stay at Amaya Hills, Kandy – superior room]

Day 3: Train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast at the Amaya Hills the tour heads to the nearest station to board a train bound for Nuwara Eliya.  [Overnight stay at Grand Hotel – Golf Wing]

Day 4: Hakgagla Botanical Gardens/Bundala National Park/Tissamaharama

The first stop on day 4 is Hakgala Botanical Gardens.  These were the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya.  The garden was expanded during British colonialism and has a wide variety of flowers, including an excellent collection of orchids. Then it’s off to Bundala National Park, 250kms from Colombo, which attracts both native water birds and migratory species.  From Bundala the tour then heads to Tissamaharama for the night. [Overnight stay at The Safari – superior room]

Day 5: Yala National Park

Today’s excursion is to Yala National Park by jeep.  Yala is the largest National Park in Sri Lanka and home to wild elephants, boar, buffalo, leopard, bears and crocodiles.  Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds can also be found here. [Overnight stay at The Safari – superior room]

 Day 6: Udawalawe National Park

Day 6 sees another jeep safari, this time to Udawalawe National Park, which occupies 30,821 hectares.  This park falls within Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces, between Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River.  It’s surrounded by the mountain range that connects the Balangoda, Kalthota and Haputale escarpments.  It has an annual rainfall of 1,524 mm and an average year-round temperature of 29.4°C.  This park is world famous for its elephants, but there are deer species, water buffalo and jackal to be seen too.  [Overnight stay at Eco Lodge, Sinharaja – standard room]

Day 7: Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is Sri Lanka's only remaining primeval rain forest.  A single path cuts through the heart of its 50 sq. miles, where rare orchids blossom and cicadas click.  With 200 inches of rainfall a year, be sure to bring you waterproofs. [Overnight stay at Eco Lodge, Sinharaja – standard room]

Day 8: Galle

After breakfast the tour moves to Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon and well known for its hand-made lace.  You can also visit Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres), originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch.  This is yet another designated World Heritage Site! [Overnight stay at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel & Spa – standard Room]

Day 9: Balapitiya/Kosgoda

Day 9 sees the tour leave Galle for Balapitiya for a boat-tour of the surrounding islands.  After returning to Balapitiya you will be transferred to a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda, operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka.  Several species of turtles – in particular the endangered hawksbill turtle – are bred here.  Most vulnerable are their eggs, which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast.  The goodwill of the local fishermen, who bring these eggs to the hatchery, has led to a marked increase in the survival rates of newborn turtles. From Kosgoda you will then be transferred to Bentota for the penultimate night of the tour.  [Overnight stay is at The Surf – superior room]

Day 10: Bentota

Your day in Bentota is left free for you to do as you please. [Overnight stay is at The Surf – superior room]

Day 11: Tour ends

After breakfast you will be transferred from Bentota to the airport, a journey of approximately three hours.

The above prices include:

• Accommodation in standard rooms on BB basis for 10 nights from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 11 at hotels specified or of similar standard
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary.
• Entrance fees to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Botanical Garden, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Yala National Park, Udawalawa National Park, Elephant Transfit Home (Ath Athuru Sevana), Galle Museum, Sinharaja Forest, Turtle Hatchary.
• Special Service fees to Balapitiya Boat Trip, Yala Safari Jeep, Udawalawe Safari Jeep .
• Services of a English Speaking Chauffeur Guide

Above prices does not include :

• Video Camera permits at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
• Video Camera and Still Camera permits at the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
• Lunch & dinner throughout the tour.
• Entrance fees  & fares to sites not specified above.
• Christmas and New Year’s eve supplements at hotels.
• Supplement for accommodation in Kandy during Kandy Esala Perahera period. (July or August)
• Cost of ticket to view the Kandy Esala Perahera which will be held in Kandy.
• Cost of beverage throughout the tour.
• Anything in relevant to Air Ticketing.
• Additional running other than above specified program.
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Tips and Porterage
• Any other services not specified above.

• Accommodation in selected hotels as specified.
• Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
• English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees for specified visits.
• Tours and transfers as specified by private air conditioned vehicle.
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Services not mentioned in the itinerary

• International and domestic flights not mentioned
• Laundry, phone calls, tips and any expenditure of a personal nature
• Travel insurance