Welcome to Sri Lanka! The land like no other! 

On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be met by your English-Speaking chauffeur guide and transferred to Galle. 

Transfer time: approximately 3 hours

Galle said to be the famous Tarshish of the Old Testament, where King Solomon obtained gems and spices, this “living” UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fortification first built by the Portuguese on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka.  Thereafter the fort went under extensive modifications during the Dutch & British rule, making it one of the most important archaeological and historic monuments to illustrate the European influence in Southeast Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Old Dutch churches and monuments with armorial bearings, well preserved fort and ramparts, old Dutch houses and narrow alleys bearing Dutch names are all sites to look out for. Take a stroll around the Fort, where the streets laid in a rectangular grid and the low gabled houses and terraces in the Dutch colonial style, the entire town gives a feeling of quaint but beautiful nostalgia. If you are a lover of history and archaeology, or looking for a peaceful and fun holiday, the Fort of Galle has much to offer you with its ruins and monuments, boutique hotels, art galleries, eateries and pretty little shops. 

Overnight at Radisson Blu Resort (or similar) - Deluxe Sea View Room on Half Board Basis 

This morning you will take a walking tour of the Galle fort. 

Afterwards, leave behind Dutch architecture and drive towards Udawalawe. It is regarded as one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see elephants.  It is famous for large herds of wild elephants and deer. Crocodiles, wild buffalo, peacock, and a large variety of bird life could also be seen. 

Transfer time: Approximately 3 hours

This afternoon you will go on a safari to the Udawalawe National Park – It 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 has an annual rainfall of 1,520 mm and an average temperature of 29.4 C. 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 Udawalawe Reservoir and the Walawe 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.  

Overnight at Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (or similar) – Super Deluxe Room on Half Board Basis

This morning you will visit the Elephant Transit Home (10.30 AM) 

The home caters for juvenile elephants that have been orphaned and raises them until they are four years old before releasing them back into the wild at Udawalawe National Park. 

Check out of the hotel and continue your journey to the safari capital of Yala.  

Transfer time: Approximately 2 hours

Overnight at Chaarya Resort (or similar) - Deluxe Room on Half Board Basis 

Enjoy an early morning game drive around Yala National Park. You will be picked up early at the hotel and proceed in your jeep to the park entrance to collect tickets prior to the park opening. In busy periods this process may take up to 45 minutes. You may see boar, crocodiles, deer and wild elephants roaming free as well as the magnificent Leopard. 

Yala National Park is one of the largest national parks in the country with a varied terrain of dry woodland and grassy plains which supports an abundance of wildlife.  It is home to a large number of elephants, spotted deer, sambar, wild buffalo, jackals, mongoose and crocodiles. The park boasts one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, but they are elusive creatures, so any sighting is sure to be a highlight.  Yala National Park is also home to ancient ruins and this mixture of natural beauty, wildlife and ancient culture makes this park a national treasure. 

This afternoon, visit the three largest lakes of Ruhuna — the ancient Kingdom of the South, created in the times of the kings and queens. Stop at Debarawewa and meet the farmers and fisherman who sustain themselves with all that surrounds them. Next, move on to Tissa, where the water spreads for miles, bringing in a number of birds. Finally, arrive at Weerawila and hope for an encounter with a village boatman. This journey promises to be filled with a glimpse into rural village life, traditional cultivations and even a visit to the local pottery manufacturer — where you might try your hand at shaping some clay. 

• The main block at Yala National Park is generally closed from 1st September till 30th October (Annually) but only confirmed by the authorities in August. The closure is to allow the animals some peace during the drought period and to allow regeneration. However, all the hotels will remain open. During the Yala Closure period, Game drives are possible in Yala blocks 3, 5 & nearby Lunungamvehera National Park and Bundala National Park. 

Overnight at Chaarya Resort (or similar) - Deluxe Room on Half Board Basis 

Today you have the option of either transferring to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport for your onwards journey, or you can drive down south/west coast (Tangalle/Mirissa/Galle/Bentota/Kalutara hotels) or to Negombo for your beach extension. 

Transfer time: to Airport- approximately 4 hours

Transfer time: to Negombo- approximately 4 ½ Hours

Transfer time: to West coast [Bentota/Kalutara]- approximately 3 ½ Hours

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*During Yala National Park Closure from September to mid-October, clients can choose to do safaris at Bundala National Park or Yala Bloc 3 or 5.

To book this tour, call 020 3925 1272 or enquire online, one of our Sri Lanka Experts is waiting to take your call.