Luxurious tour in Sri Lanka to discover its wildlife

Welcome in Sri Lanka! After completing immigration and custom formalities at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you will exit the airport and meet our representative at the arrival area. After the customary greeting, assisted transfer to the hotel in Kotugoda.

You'll move to Sigiriya. En route, you'll take a break in Ritigala to climb through the Nature Reserve till arriving to ancient monastic complex. Here you can appreciate both local nature and history. In fact, on the hillside it is possible to admire the ruins of the ancient monastery as well as many decorated caves boasting pre-Christian inscriptions. Furthermore, Ritigala Nature Reserve also boasts several species of birds and endemic plants.

Of course, during your stay in Sigiriya you'll visit its famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also declared Unesco World Heritage Site. This complex was built in the 5^th century by King Kasyapa at the top of a table mountain, and is also characterized by colourful and gaudy frescos and symmetrical royal gardens. The natural environment surrounding the Fortress is a real animal sanctuary, home to different species of birds, the three types of primates, which are: Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and the Grey Langur.

Today in the morning you'll leave to travel to the central highlands till reaching Nuwara Eliya. Nearby lies the wild sweep of Horton Plains National Park. It is located more than 7,000 feet above the sea level and is the perfect starting point for different excursions.

Enjoy the walk to "World's End" and "Little World's End", which offer unforgettable views of Sri Lanka landscapes. The scenario is mainly characterized by a mixture of grasslands and forests, as the last montainous forest in the country, Horton Plains, and different species of birds. Just 20 km from Nuwara Eliya, the park gives you the opportunity to also admire the five endemic bird species that are visible only at this altitude. They are: Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Dull-Blue flycatcher, Yellow-eared Bulbul, the elusive Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon. The park also includes some mammals, such as sambar, slender loris, bear monkey and leopard.

Finally, in Nuwara Eliya you can also have a glimpse of the old Victorian-style 19^th century houses, bungalows, guesthouses and hotels showing saddle roof and large open fireplaces, and of wonderful gardens with neatly-clipped lawns and colourful flower beds. Don't miss a visit to Victoria Park situated in the centre of the city where it is possible to spot many species of multi-coloured birds, including the Himalayan migrants such as the Kashmir Flycatcher, Pied Thrush Indian Pitta, and the Indian Blue Robin.

Today you'll go head to Uda Walawe National Park, located in the south-central region. According to the Wildlife reports, the park hosts about 500 elephants, but also leopards, buffalo, deer, sloth bears, mongooses, bandicoots, monitor lizards and crocodiles. Don't miss a visit to the Elephant Transit Camp at Uda Walawe. Here you can admire about 22 young elephants, many of them are babies, who have been orphaned or recovering from injuries, and are now being rehabilitated before release into the wild, the rehabilitation takes about 4 years for each baby elephant.

One time Sri Lanka counted 20,000 elephants, now the population has come down to 3,500; this is why the conservation efforts are fundamental. Moreover, the Wild Life Department has initiated a Baby Elephant Adoption Programme, according to this project, people can provide funding on a monthly basis and become a foster parent to a baby elephant of their choice. Support this valiant effort at conserving the dwindling elephant population of Sri Lanka.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Yala National Park to enjoy an unforgettable and adventurous camping experience. Yala offers the broadest cross-section of the country’s flora and fauna. It is probably the best place to admire elephants, leopard and water buffalo as well as many other mammals, birds and reptiles.

Travel southwards up to Galle and then inland to Deniyaya, located about 3,500 feet above the sea level. This little town is located near the Sinharaja Rain Forest, a Unesco International Man and Biosphere Reserve, where you can enjoy amazing treks. Trekking through this stunning virgin rainforest, you can enjoy exotic colours, perfumes and wonderful sounds. This jungle is also characterized by the presence of rushing waterfalls, gurgling streams and crickets creaking. Sinharaja is renowned to be a perfect spot where to watch birdlife. Here you can distinguish around 140 bird species. The Blue Magpie and the Sri Lankan Yellow fronted Barbet as well as the fascinating "mixed species feeding flocks" can be spotted here. This rainforest is also home to some mammals, as the Purple Faced Leaf monkey and the giant squirrel.

Today in the morning you'll head back to Galle. From this colonial city you can easy reach the calm turquoise seas of Unawatuna, Thalpe and Habaraduwa where it is possible to swim, surf, snorkel and practice many other watersports. Enjoy a boat cruise on Koggala Lake scattered with islands including Fish Eagle Island where hundreds eagles come to nest at dusk; and Cinnamon Island where four village families do processing of cinnamon into essential oils.

Of course, while staying at Galle, you have to visit the historic 17 century Dutch Fort, declared Unesco World Heritage Site. Here you can admire the narrow alleys and buildings belonging to the Dutch and British period.