At Nature Tour of Sri Lanka we offer the opportunity to journey on a nature trail through Sri Lanka's rich and diverse natural environment with a special focus on the four key areas of the country's natural environment.

These areas include the animal community, plant community, man-made habitats and scenery of Sri Lanka.

Let our experienced and knowledgeable guides enlighten you with fascinating information about the environment so that you can develop a real understanding of everything you see, hear and smell-a true multi-sensory experience!

On arrival, you will be met by a TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS representative and be transferred to Kithulgala, the film location of David Lean’s masterpiece “The Bridge on the River Kwai”. Kithulgala is a great site for many adventure-based activities and boasts a fertile landscape.

You can choose one of the options given below for an activity for the rest of the day.

Option 1: Take a 01 – 02 hour white water rafting excursion. The short but exhilarating excursion is level 03 rafting and is suitable for most people between the ages of 08 – 65 years. Kitulgala is a great site for many adventure-based activities and boasts a fertile landscape.

Option 2: Cross the Kelani River in a dugout canoe and take a walk through the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. The rainforest like vegetation in this area is home to many endemic bird species.

If the flight arrived later during the day, the clients can choose one of the options to be done on the following morning.

After a leisurely breakfast or after having done one of the above options for the late arrivals, the clients will take off to Udawalawe!

In the afternoon, set out for a Jeep Safari of Udawlawe National Park – prime elephant time…

Udawalewe National Park is an area of 31,800 hectares, which was declared a protected sanctuary with full national park status in 1972. The park area which falls within two provinces of Sri Lanka is surrounded by mountain ranges. The terrain of the park is a mixture of grassland, which of all Sri Lanka’s wildlife reserves, best rivals the Savanna of Africa and shrub jungle. Teak plantations, water holes and two important factors make this park special - the large Udawalewe Reservoir and the Walewe River, which ensure a supply of water for the fauna within.

Internationally renowned for its large herd of elephants, the park is also known for several species of Deer, Wild Boar, the dangerous Wild Buffalo, Jackal and very rare sightings of Leopard.

After breakfast you will visit the Elephant Transit Home to witness the feeding of baby elephants.

Proceed to Yala.

In the evening set out for your leopard experience for a jeep safari of The Yala National Park.……..

The biggest of the wildcats in Sri Lanka – Though shy by nature the Leopards of Yala have an air of confidence and nonchalance – if you have the privilege of meeting them.

Yala
Sri Lanka’s best known national park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. More than three times larger than Udawalawe at 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels, which focused on a leopard research/conservation and identification project. Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometer. This park is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and fresh water lagoons. The areas popular with leopard are rock strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide.

(This is a chalet style hotel located at the border of the Yala National Park. As the national park has no boundary, guests can literally enjoy the wildlife of the park from the sanctuary of their rooms).

After breakfast take off on an Optional morning jeep safari at Yala National Park or join the nature trail which leads you around the hotel vicinity and paves way to witness the beauty of the unique environment which surrounds the property.

Afterwards you will be transferred to Tangalle!

Leave after an early dinner at approximately 2000 hrs for the Rakawa Turtle sanctuary which is located 20 minutes away. This is a 02 km stretch of protected coastline which is a nesting haven for 05 species or marine turtles. You will be taken around a rough information center which is located in a hut on the beach. The tour and briefing is conducted in torchlight as the hut has no power line! Later, sit of the beach and wait for word of nesting turtles. It is possible to approach the nesting turtles only once they have dug their pit and begun the process of laying between 100 – 200 eggs! Sit by the turtle and share an unforgettable experience…!

After a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to Colombo en route visiting the Dutch Fort in Galle where the 17th century ramparts still stand proudly facing the ocean and the Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda!

Galle, said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible is the Port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka. Fortified by the Dutch who ruled maritime Sri Lanka in the 17th and 18th centuries, the city still retains the air of old Holland. Old Dutch Churches and monuments with armorial bearings, well preserved Fort and ramparts, imposing crested and monogrammed gateway dated 1669, many well preserved Old Dutch houses and narrow alleys still bearing Dutch names.

In the evening explore the city of Colombo visiting the commercial and residential areas.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure transfer.

Starts in: Colombo
Ends in: Colombo
Grade: Adventure

• 05 Nights accommodation. Half board basis at all hotels except while in Colombo where accommodation will be on bed and breakfast basis
• All transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with the services of an English speaking chauffeur guide
• All entrance fees to national parks and places of interest as per the itinerary
• Special trekking guide for treks
• Hotel Service Charges and VAT

• Departs daily
• Itinerary can be customised to suit your requirements
• Order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions
• Ask for pre and post accommodation

• Any meals other than specified, drinks, laundry, Mineral water, telephone calls or other expenses of a personal nature.
• Camera fees (Video or still) at the monuments
• Tips/gratuity

For Comfort and Deluxe options, up to date pricing and bookings please contact TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS or ask your travel agent. Please refer to our Booking Conditions for further information

 

Private Tours Departs Daily Per person NZ$ (from Colombo) Deluxe (Twin/Single) 01 Oct 08 - 30 Nov 08 1699 / 2149 01 Dec 08 - 15 Jan 09 1875 / 2299 16 Jan 09 - 30 Sep 09 1699 / 2149