Big Five of Ceylon
Wild Life in Sri Lanka is known to be one of the most exciting and experiential kind of holidays that any nature lover would dream of. Sri Lanka is the only nation outside of Africa that can boast of “The Big Five” that includes the Sri Lanka Elephant, the Leopard, Sloth Bear, The great Blue Whale and Sperm Whale. This specialized travel program will not only set your mood for an extravaganza of wild life experiences that will make your stay not only memorable and a journey of a life time.
Thereafter you will be assisted with a transfer to Kotugoda, check in at the hotel, overnight stay at the hotel.
Continue the journey towards Anuradhapura, check in at the hotel, and relax the evening at leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel close to Anuradhapura
In the evening enjoy a relaxed swim at the hotel pool, spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel close to Anuradhapura.
Continue the journey to Dambulla.
Check in at the hotel in Dambulla, overnight stay at the hotel.
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel enjoy a quick visit to the Dambulla Rock Cave temples; that consists of five different caves dedicated for many Gods and Goddesses. The cave is said to be one of the only remaining cave temples in the Island and has identical painting on the cave walls and ceiling that are identical to the Ajanta Caves of India.
Continue the journey to Kandy; you have the option to enjoy a quick visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Kandy, believed to be the house of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Tooth Relic was found and the temple was built by King Wimaladharmasuriya the first and ever since the pre-historic pageant of “Esala Perahera” takes place every year in July/August for ten days. You also have the option of enjoying a cultural dance show in the evening.
Spend the evening at leisure, overnight stay at the hotel
After a mouthwatering breakfast at the hotel (would suggest Sri Lankan breakfast) proceed to Dambana, learn and experience the way of life of “Veddha” the aboriginal tribe of ancient Ceylon!!! You will get to sit and talk to the Chief Veddha how ancient Ceylon has evolved over time and how commercialization has threatened the continuation of the “Veddha”, visit the museum, experience and enjoy some of the daily activities of “Veddhas”.
In the evening relax by the hotel, spend the evening at leisure, alternatively you have the option to enjoy a relaxed walk in the vibrant markets of Kandy, stop at a Batik or Antiques shop. Gem shops are famous in Kandy selling the best of Sri Lankan gems, spices, cuisine stops are some of the best in Kandy region. Overnight stay will be in Kandy.
Enjoy the cold climate of Nuwara Eliya; relax the afternoon at leisure, overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy a morning visit to Horton Plains National Park; known to Sri Lankans as Mahaeliya, it became Horton Plains after Sir Robert Horton, British Governor from 1831- 1837. Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and upgraded as a National Park in 1988 due to its unique watershed and bio-diversity values. Its flora has high level of endemism. The hills are covered with diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees grown flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. Horton Plains harbors 52 species of resident birds and 11 species of migrant birds. More than 2,000 to 3,000 Sambar, Bear Monkey, Leopard, Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar and Hares roam in the forests and grasslands but only seldom they could be seen other than the Sambar in the evening and morning. Check out at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya and proceed to Yala; check in at the hotel, relax the evening at leisure, overnight stay at the hotel.
With packed breakfast at the hotel proceed to Yala National Park for a safari at the park. Yala – Sri Lanka’s most known National Park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. 97,800 hectares in extent, 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. Vegetation is primarily grassland and shrub jungle with patches of dense growth while several salt and fresh water lagoons are a haven for a large variety of resident and migrant birds. Areas popular with leopard are rock strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide. Enjoy an evening safari at the Yala National Park as well to increase your chances of spotting a Leopard. Overnight stay at the luxury resort.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Tangalle, en-route stop at Tissamaharama Temple and Kataragama Shrine, two most powerful worship places in Sri Lanka. Arrive at the resort in Tangalle, Anantara Peace Heaven Bun is an appealing and inviting peace of charm with modern amenities and facilities to create the perfect atmosphere for a beach stay. Spend your time at the resort, relax by the pool and visit the beach of Tangalle as well.
Overnight stay in Tangalle.
Sri Lanka being the only country outside of Africa that can boast of five charismatic mammals provides the Big Five Experience for wild life lovers and nature lovers that include Sloth Bear, Leopard, Elephant, Sperm Whale and Blue Whale.
Overnight stay in Tangalle.
After breakfast at the resort, as all good things come to an end, your chauffer guide will safely drive you back to the Bandaranaike International Airport for your flight home. Departure.