Sri Lanka ~ Walking and Wildlife

Sri Lanka ~ Serendipitous Strolls …

The tropical island of Sri Lanka offers travellers a wealth of ‘happy discoveries’, including walks on the scenic highland plateau, ambles through spice gardens and forests rich in endemic species of orchids and birds, and exploratory strolls amidst the magnificent Buddhist temples, fortresses and palaces of World Heritage sites at Kandy, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Raj era plantation houses give a taste of colonial life on tea estates in the hill country; we search for leopards and elephants on safari in Yala National Park; take a river boat trip; explore the 17C Dutch walled town of Galle; search for blue whales; and enjoy marvellously varied birdlife, particularly in the gardens of some exceptional hotels.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting at Colombo airport in the afternoon, a brief road transfer north brings us to our award-winning eco hotel, set back from the beach and with a pool and gardens in which to relax and enjoy the tropical warmth.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

A day in which to enjoy the coastal surroundings, swimming, walking along the coconut palm-backed beach, taking a boat trip along a quiet canal to observe egrets, kingfishers and herons, or possibly choosing a bicycle ride. Sri Lanka’s intriguing cuisine and its use of exotic spices and unusual vegetables and fruit is explained to us in an informal demonstration before dinner.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

Travelling by airconditioned vehicle, we head inland to our 5 star hotel for the next three nights, which has won numerous international awards for design, service and responsible tourism and is set in beautiful grounds with unique infinity pools beside the lake. After lunch we climb the fortress rock of Sigiriya, ascending past the famous frescoes of elegant women, then passing the enormous lion’s paws which guard the palace entrance to emerge to splendid views over the surrounding jungle. The complex also contains a series of beautiful water gardens, resembling, but predating by a thousand years, the pleasure gardens of the Persians and Moghuls.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

We drive to the World Heritage site of Anuradhapura, a great Buddhist monastic city and capital of the island for over a thousand years, then explore on foot. This vast, peaceful site, peppered with shady ornamental gardens and ‘tanks’ (ancient reservoirs), contains such marvels as a huge dagoba (the Sri Lankan stupa or pagoda) surrounded by a wall of full-size elephant statues, and the Sacred Bo Tree (descended from the tree under which Buddha received enlightenment in India 23 centuries ago and considered the oldest recorded tree in the world). We return to our hotel to relax, then a bird watching stroll introduces the ubiquitous green barbets, parakeets, bulbuls and mynahs.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

We drive to the nearby site of Polonnaruwa where the impressive remains of the Royal Palaces (dating from between the 11C and 13C AD when the city was the island's capital) are dominated by a mighty recumbent carved Buddha. After visiting the museum, we have lunch overlooking a large reservoir with omnipresent Brahminy kites and fish eagles, then return to our hotel - the remainder of the day is left free for swimming or taking an optional elephant-back ride. At dinner we can sample a fragrant banana flower curry with coconut milk, accompanied by delicious chilled local beers.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

This morning we visit Dambulla, the most impressive cave temple on the island, with hundreds of painted and gilded statues and every inch of the walls and ceilings richly decorated Heading on up into the hill country, paddy fields are replaced by increasingly thick jungle and some magnificent tropical trees, such as the ‘rain tree’ (samanea saman). We visit the unusual small temple of Nalanda; then a profusion of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and vanilla orchids announces the ‘Spice Gardens’, the area where spices are grown for export. Lunch today will be a traditional Sri Lankan banquet, cooked on open fires. Our 4 star hotel has magnificent views, a good pool and gardens, and the opportunity to try a traditional Ayurvedic treatment in the health centre.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

The hill country conservation area offers superb walking with extensive views. Accompanied by a specialist local guide, we hope to find the many butterflies for which the forest is noted and to observe endemic birds such as the dusky blue flycatcher. We continue by road to Kandy, capital of the Highlands and historically the last bastion of Buddhist political power against the colonial forces. Our 4 star hotel for the next two nights is just outside the town, set by the Mahaweli river, with a huge pool and orchids cascading from the surrounding trees. We visit the celebrated Temple of the Sacred Tooth, one of the most important Buddhist shrines in the world, witnessing the drumming and chanting amidst clouds of incense - an unforgettable experience.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

We spend the morning in the delightful Peradeniya Botanic Gardens near Kandy, whose 150 acres contain a complete flora of Sri Lanka, a tropical orchid house, birds such as Sri Lanka Hanging parrot and Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher and a large number of giant fruit bats (looking like untidy umbrellas roosting in the trees). During the Second World War the house here was S.E. Asia Command H.Q. under Lord Mountbatten. A short drive takes us to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage to watch the young elephants being fed and bathing in the river. After a light lunch we return to Kandy for a relaxing afternoon.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

A 4 hour slow train journey, with a picnic lunch, takes us through a spectacular scenery of green tea plantations high up into the hill country. Situated at 2,000 m, Nuwara Eliya attracted British colonial settlers (initially coffee planters) whose legacy can be seen in the Victorian architecture and well-stocked trout streams. We take tea in the wonderfully old-fashioned Hill Club, visit a tea factory, hope to catch a cricket match, and walk through the town to the Anglican church. Drinks by the fireside in our hotel, a stately colonial mansion, precede a candle-lit dinner and an early night.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

We set off very early by vehicle to reach Horton Plains (a grassy upland plateau) for an extended walk, taking in both the incredible views off the escarpment edge at World’s End (cloud permitting) and Baker’s Falls. Formerly a hunting reserve for British Governors and now a Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains contain herds of sambar deer, Purple-faced Leaf monkey, Tennant's Giant Squirrel and black eagles - the open landscape is characterised by small streams and stands of scarlet rhododendron. Driving on down to the south coast, we take short stops to observe wildlife along the way - common mongooses and striped squirrels are easily seen and any open water has several kingfisher species. Our 4 star hotel for the next two nights has new, very well appointed rooms with private verandahs and a pool for a refreshing dip on arrival.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

We set off early with an expert tracker accompanying us on a jeep safari into Yala West National Park, 500 square miles of open plains, rocky outcrops (harbouring the rare leopard) and thorn scrub which is ideal Indian elephant habitat. Large herds of sambar and spotted deer are common and buffaloes, mongooses and jackals may well be seen. The brackish lagoons are home to marsh mugger crocodiles and flocks of wildfowl, including white-winged black terns, painted storks, spoonbills and pheasant-tailed jacanas. The afternoon is left free for a walk on the beach or time by the pool, though indefatigable wildlife enthusiasts may opt to return into the Park in the late afternoon.

DAY 12

B, L, D included

We travel along the south coast, pausing at Dondra where the southernmost point of the island is marked by a tall octagonal lighthouse - from here, the next land south is Antarctica. The photogenic stilt fishermen at Weligama Bay also draw our attention before we reach our luxury accommodation for the next three nights, a 5 star boutique hotel on the beach, with a spa and every facility.

DAY 13

B, L, D included

It has recently become more widely known that the whale watching off the south coast of Sri Lanka is amongst the best in the world and today we have the option of a boat trip in search of the largest mammal on earth, the blue whale, plus sperm whales and spinner dolphins. Sailing, diving, fishing, canoeing, and birdwatching walks are all available as alternatives for the energetic, or you may prefer a day of total relaxation.

DAY 14

B, L, D included

This morning we explore nearby Galle, the most historically interesting town in Sri Lanka, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Dutch Groote Kerk is the oldest Protestant church on the island and the collections of the National Maritime Museum and the Historical Mansion Museum are worth visiting. We stroll round the fort walls and bastions (partly built of fossilised coral) before lunch, then return to our hotel for a free afternoon with a good book or perhaps visiting the spa.

DAY 15

B, L, D included

Our final destination is a luxury private hideaway near the capital, Colombo, where we stay for our last night in a colonial manor house set amongst the finest private gardens in Sri Lanka. We take the opportunity to shop for silks at the exclusive ‘Barefoot’ before lunch, then settle into our hotel for some final pampering. Our farewell candle-lit dinner is a stylish tribute to Sri Lanka’s contribution to Asian fusion food.

DAY 16

B included

Our visit to Sri Lanka ends with a mid morning transfer to Colombo airport.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 16 on a double shared basis

All meals with local beer at lunch and dinner as listed (beer is far more appropriate with Sri Lankan food and the tropical climate, and we have found that wine is often spoiled by inadequate storage)

All land transportation in private airconditioned vehicles (plus train journey in the hills) as described except during free periods

Boat trip on the river/canal and whale watching trip

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Services of an expert local guide and a driver throughout (plus Kudu Travel tour leader)

Services of specialist guides in National Parks and reserves

Tips for porters, restaurant and hotel staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the UK and USA receive a 30-day tourist visa upon entry. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Sri Lanka. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required when arriving from Europe or the USA. Immunisation/boosters against Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Polio are recommended - please consult your doctor about this and also the latest situation on malaria prophylaxis. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for information on a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.