Summary 11 Days Land of Serendipity ; Sri Lanka

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Airport - Belihuloya (Approx. 155 kms / 4 hrs)

Schedule

• Arrival  Colombo Airport and transfer to Belihuloya  (transfer by a Car/van)

• Check in at your private cottage in Belihuloya (hotel check in time 2.00p.m.)

• Evening at leisure.

• Overnight stay at your private cottage in Belihuloya. 

Nestled amidst the beautiful hill country, Belihuloya is a picturesque little town located in the Sabaragamuwa Province, 616 metres above sea level. The beautiful hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country - making it one of the richest biodiversity spots in Sri Lanka. Perfectly in tune with nature, Belihuloya provides a gorgeous setting for all sorts of adventures from climbing to canoeing and trekking. Here, you can enjoy the scenic waterfalls, historic sites and nature trails.

 

Day 2 – Belihuloya [B/L]

Experience the Village life at its best - Village Trail Belihuloya

Schedule

• Breakfast at your cottage

• Go for a Village/Nature Trail in Belihuloya

• Enjoy a hearty Sri Lankan meal at an authentic local village house.

• Return to the resort.

• Visit village temple in the evening and witness the spiritual life of the villagers.

• Overnight stay at your private cottage overlooking Belihuloya River.

The nature trail leads to a village called Kinchigune, which has engaged in the ancient steel industry where people have made steel weapons for the Army of the Great Sinhala King Dutugemunu (2nd Century BC). During this diverse nature trail, we will walk through paddy fields, cross rivers and past local village houses with their extensive vegetable plots. It is an ideal opportunity to learn a bit about the local agricultural systems and simple way of village living. Witness some beautiful birds, butterflies and a couple of small but charming waterfalls along the way.

 

Day 3 – Belihuloya [B/L]

An Adventurous Day in the hills; Cycling Trail in Belihuloya and Canoeing in Samanalawewa Reservoir

Schedule

• Enjoy breakfast at your cottage.

• Go for a Cycling Trail along Kosgama Village in Belihuloya.

• Lunch at a village house in Kosgama.

• Go for a Canoe ride in Samanalawewa Reservoir. 

• Overnight stay at your private cottage overlooking Belihuloya River.

Today, you will take an early departure to a 33 km cycling trail which will take you through small towns and villages, paddy fields and forest patches. The first section is rather an easy 9 km ride from your private cottage to Ambalanthenna along the main road and past the Sabaragamuwa University. From Ambalanthenna onwards, the trail continues on smaller and rougher roads in the forests before entering the village of Kosgama, surrounded by beautiful scenery over the paddy fields. And then comes the real challenge - the 6 km steep uphill ride from Kosgama to Marangahawela. Here, the lush forests will provide you with a cool shade and, after the tiring climb, you will get to enjoy an easy 12 km downhill ride from Marangahawela back to your private cottage along the main road.

The Samanalawewa reservoir is named after the Sinhalese word ‘samanala’, meaning ‘butterfly’, hinting not only at the terrific number of butterflies in the area but also the actual shape of the reservoir. The word ‘wewa’ literally means ‘tank’ .The still and calm waters of the reservoir offer a great location for canoeing. You can take your time and go for a leisurely paddle for a couple of hours.

 

Day 4 – Belihuloya – Udawalawe (Approx. 90 km / 2 hrs) [B/D]

Witness the Nocturnal life in the Wilderness; Night Walk in Udawalawe

Schedule

• Breakfast at your cottage.

• Leave for Udawalawe after breakfast.  (transfer by a 4 x 4 Safari Jeep)

• Stop at a local gem mine and witness the traditional method of extracting the precious gift from Mother Nature.

• Check in at Big Game Tented Safari Camp in Udawalawe.

• Evening at Leisure.

• Enjoy the dinner at the Campsite. 

• Night Drive on the border of Udawalawe National Park.

Night Drive in Udawalawe

Due to the strategic positioning of our Camp next to an Elephant Corridor, we have arranged an exciting night drive for you mainly to observe the behavior of the Elephants in the night as well as to monitor the electric fence of the bordering village. We will start the drive from our campsite following dinner. After passing the first 500 metres, you will see the signboard ‘Elephant Crossing’, the starting point of the Elephant Corridor ( Wetahira Kanda Elephant Corridor). We will take you roughly 2 km along the Elephant Corridor. In this drive, we have recorded: Elephants, Water Buffalo, nocturnal Birds, Spotted Deers, Jackals, Civet Cats (formerly called the Ring-tailed civet), Golden Palm Civet Cats, Wild Boars, lizards, etc.

 

Day 5 – Udawalawe [B/L/D]

Chef in the Wild; Cooking experience in Udawalawe Campsite

Schedule

• Breakfast at the Campsite.

• Start a cooking lesson with the Chef of the Campsite.

• Enjoy what you have prepared for lunch.

• Go for an evening safari in Udawalawe National Park.

• Dinner and overnight stay at Big Game Tented Safari Campsite on the border of Udawalawe National Park.

Udawalawe National Park - The Udawalawe National Park is situated covering areas in two Districts of Sri Lanka; namely Ratnapura and Moneragala. This is the largest conservation area in both districts and is home to the Walawe reservoir. Situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, the predominant vegetation type in the Park is scattered grasslands and thorny shrubs. The soil and climatic conditions are key factors for determining the major vegetation type in the Park. The period between May and September are special for Park visitors as they get the opportunity to come across herds of elephants even at midday. While the bird population in the Park is significant, their observation can be difficult due to the landscape’s tall grass. In contrast, the 20+ species of mammals and numerous reptile species can be sighted in the Park.

 

Day 6 – Udawalawe – Yala (Approx. 90 km / 2 hrs) [B/D]

Cultural Safari; Visit Situlpawwa Ancient Temple in Yala

Schedule

• Breakfast at the Campsite. (You have the option of going on a Morning Jeep Safari in Udawalawe National Park before breakfast)

• Leave for Yala after breakfast (transfer by a 4 x 4 Safari Jeep)

• Stop by the Lunugamwehera Reservoir for photographing opportunities. 

• Check in at Big Game Tented Safari Camp in Yala.

• Go for a Cultural Safari to Situlpawwa Ancient Temple located inside Yala National Park.

• Back at the Campsite for dinner.

• Go for a Night Walk in the vicinity for nocturnal animals.

• Overnight stay at Big Game Tented Safari Campsite on the border of Yala National Park.

Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya - Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya has also been called Chiththala Pabbatha “the hill of the quiet mind” in ancient times. Sithulpawwa  is known as a location where thousands of Arhats lived at one time. According to folklore it is said that a novice monk called Thissa who has reached the state of Arhath lived here and later a stupa was built encasing his remains - thus this also is known as Tissa Thera Chetiya.

Sithulpawwa is located deep in the jungles of the Yala National Park, and is no stranger to wildlife such as elephants and leopards frequenting the area. Surrounded by only the sounds of wilderness and temple chants, a journey to Sithulpawwa is a peaceful escape that is befitting to its name.

We leave very early on this excursion as there is a very high probability of encountering leopards and elephants on the way.

Night Walk in Yala - A daytime safari in Yala National Park might allow you to see a variety of animals that dwell in the Park, but for an incomparable adventure in wildlife viewing, nothing beats the thrills and excitement of a night walk. Our experts at the camp will lead you through a walk, that will bring you surprises in the shape of the Loris or reptiles on the lookout for prey, sounds and just the unique experience of seeing nature in the dark.

 

Day 7 – Yala [B/L/D]

“Panthera Pardus Kotiya” - Safari Drive for the Sri Lankan Leopard

Schedule

• Go for an early morning Jeep Safari in Yala National Park.

• Back at the Campsite.

• Evening at leisure at the Campsite.

• Enjoy a hearty BBQ meal at the camp for dinner.

• Visit Skanda Temple in Kataragama after dinner to witness the night pooja ceremony.

• Overnight stay at Big Game Tented Safari Campsite on the border of Yala National Park.

Yala National Park - Yala National Park is situated in the south-east region of Sri Lanka and is the second largest National Park in the island, situated some 300 kms away from Colombo. It was in the early 1890s that it was established as a game sanctuary. The Park is located in a dry- zone area where the drought season is very long while the daytime average temperature can go  over 30 degrees - not unusual for this part of the island. The Park land makes up most of the reserve but it also includes lakes, beaches, jungle area, rivers and scrubland. This variety in terrain provides an excellent range of habitat for wildlife. The largest concentration of leopards - an endangered species - are in this region although the chances of sighting are very low. About 32 species of mammals, 125 species of birds and many reptiles and lagoon fauna species

have been recorded in this Park. The Yala National Park is famous among visitors as the best

place to view large mammals within one territory.

 

Day 8 – Yala – Tangalle (Approx. 80 kms /1 ¾ hrs)  [B]

From Wilderness to the Beach

Schedule

• Breakfast at the Campsite. (Optional: Check out from the Campsite early in the morning and leave for a morning safari at Bundala National Park with packed breakfast).

• Leave for Tangalle. (transfer by a Car/van)

• Stop at a Farm in Tissamaharama to witness the making of curd.

• Continue to Tangalle and check in at Ceu Ceylon Villa in Tangalle.

• Evening at leisure. 

• Overnight stay at Ceu Ceylon Villa in Tangalle.

Tangalle is a small fishing port with gentle reminders of the Dutch days and beautiful villas looking out over the shimmering beach of Seenimodera, one of the finest and largest bays on the island. Protected from the ocean by an enclosing reef, the palm-fringed bay and pristine coves are a real natural treasure. 

 

Day 9 & 10  – Tangalle (Beach stay)  [B]

Experience the Pristine of Sandy Beach - Beach Stay in Tangalle

Schedule

• Breakfast at the Villa.

• Rest of the day at leisure. You have the freedom of bringing your own provisions and help your chef to cook your meals.

• Evening at leisure. 

• Overnight stay at Ceu Ceylon Villa in Tangalle. (On one of the nights you will be taken to Rekawa beach to witness Turtle Nesting on the beach).

TURTLE WATCHING IN REKAWA - 5 out of 7 species of marine turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka, and all five of them can be observed in Rekawa throughout the year in their natural habitat. Unlike the turtle hatcheries on the western coast, the eggs here are left undisturbed in the sand and protected in site. Even though, there is no guarantee that the marine turtles would come ashore every night, you can be sure to have an exciting night time adventure on one of the world's most beautiful beaches.

 

Day 11 – Tangalle – Airport (Approx. 238 kms / 4 hrs)

Time to bid farewell. Take Many Unforgettable and Special Memories with You!

Schedule

• Breakfast at the Villa

• Check out from the villa based on your flight schedule and transfer back to the Bandaranaike International Airport.  (transfer by a Car/ van).