Proceed to Yala via Ella.

YALA West (Ruhuna) National Park is now well recognised as one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards. The park covers an area of over 100,000 hectares and is divided into five blocks. Block one is easily the most visited part of the sanctuary as it contains the highest density of leopards in the park. However other areas of Yala such as Yala East are only now just re-opening and it will take some time to research leopard numbers in these less visited areas. Yala West consists of scrub jungle, brackish lagoons and stunning rock monoliths scattered throughout the park.

SCHEDULE
• Guests will leave Nuwara Eliya to Yala via Ella after breakfast at the hotel.
• Lunch on the way.
• Sight seaing all the way to Yala.
• Evening at leisure.
• Dinner & night stay at Yala / Tissamaharama. Value – Chandrika or similar / Standard – Tissamaharama Resort or similar / Deluxe – Yala Village Hotel or similar.

TANGALLE
These bays are 195 km from Colombo on the south-west coast with road and rail access. It is an area to relax and enjoy the sun and sea. The coastline is endowed with many beautiful beaches featuring palm trees, gold sands and blue waters.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast at the hotel, morning safari in the park.
• Lunch back at the hotel
• After lunch proceed to Tangalle.
• Evening at leisure.
• Dinner & night stay in Tangalle. Value – Manahara Beach Cottage & Cabanas or similar/ Standard – Tangalla Bay Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Eva Lanka Hotel or similar.

Visit the Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project.

RAKAWA TURTLE WATCH
Five out of 7 species of marine turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. The turtle Watch programme is a nature tourism initiative developed by the TCP (Turtle Conservation Project). “Rekawa” which is one of Sri Lanka’s most important marine turtle nesting where all 5 species come to nest throughout the year. The peak season takes place between February and July. Even though there isn’t any guarantee that marine turtles come to nest every night, you will be guaranteed an exiting nighttime adventure on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

You will be taken to the Turtle site around 7.00 pm and will return to the hotel at 1 am in the morning.

SCHEDULE – DAY 9 & 10
• At leisure
• Guests can decide on a day for the Rekawa visit.
• Dinner & night stay in Tangalle. Value – Manahara Beach Cottage & Cabanas or similar/ Standard – Tangalla Bay Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Eva Lanka Hotel or similar.

SINHARAJA RAINFOREST is a world heritage site, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Whatever its ‘technical’ name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic species found no where else in the world. Bird watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word ‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!

KUDAWA’ ECO TEAM CAMP is located on a peninsula in the forest and surrounded by two rivers (deep enough for swimming) and just beyond a tea plantation (where you will see the traditional tea pluckers in action). Even without leaving the camp itself, so much can be seen – so let the nature come to you! The peaceful camp is an ideal location for early morning bird watching before a fascinating nature trail through the forest. Forget any ideas about cramped tents and sitting on the ground for mealtimes – this is camping in style! The site is set up prior to your arrival, with everything from the kitchen sink, chairs and tables, toilets, showers and cold beer being transported in. On your return from the afternoon nature trail, you will be welcomed with a hearty barbecue meal in a magical setting – the whole area is lit up with traditional flame torches and a roaring campfire. So sit back, relax and let our experienced staff cater to your every need.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast proceed to Singharaja Rain Forest.
• Lunch on the way
• Guests will arrive at the Sinharaja Gate Office in the evening.
• From there the clients can walk to the Kudawa camp (10 minute walk) or travel in their own vehicles for 200m which is very close to the camp.
• After the welcome drink is served, guests will be briefed on the campsite rules and what to expect in a rainforest.
• Then leave for forest exploration if time permits or you can do it the next day early morning.
• Dinner & night stay at Singharaja. Value – Singharaja Lodge or similar / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – Boulder Gardens or similar.

WAULAPANE CAVE
This cave is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana range. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites and is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old. You will journey Approx. 300mt underground to discover this prehistoric world. While there are few fossils visible in the caverns wall, the main building process is still continuing. The stream, which runs through this cave, becomes a beautiful waterfall at the center, giving you a mysterious and a thrilling experience. You may encounter few water monitors, Amphibians and thousands of Bats in this fully dark cave.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city. The 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an average temperature of 29.40C. It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults and young – feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts. A 4WD open-top safari is the only way to see all the wonders that this protected reserve has to offer, and our experienced and knowledgeable nature guides will make this an unforgettable experience.

The ECO TEAM SAFARI CAMP is situated about 16 km inside the park next to the Walawe Ganga river (which feeds the nearby Udawalawe reservoir). The concept similar to Singharaja camp.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast proceed to Waulapane cave.
• Finishing the cave exploration lunch at a suitable location.
• After lunch proceed to Udawalawe National Park.
• Guests will arrive at the Udawalawe Gate Office in the evening.
• From there the clients will be driven in a open top 4WD jeep for the evening safari & then reach the camp inside the park.
• After the welcome drink is served, guests will be briefed on the campsite rules and what to expect at Udawalawe.
• Enjoy your dinner around the camp fire.
• Dinner & night stay at Udawalawe / Embilipitiya. Value – Centauria or similar / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – supper luxury camping.

BELIHULOYA is a very picturesque and romantic hamlet situated about 160km from Colombo in the historical “Sabaragamuwa” province. This zone is a climatically transitional area linking the wet & dry zones and the hill country & the low country. This very important location has made it one of the places in the country with the highest bio-diversity. River Garden Resort is built in this little hamlet.

SCHEDULE
• Guests will proceed to Belihuloya after breakfast.
• You will reach the Resort in time for lunch & taken a village house. (lunch will be provided)
• After lunch evening at leisure or optional activities like canoeing & nature trails are available.
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

HORTON PLAINS
Most certainly one of the world’s best nature reserves, which consist of famous “World’s End”, “Bakers Falls”, “Chiminini Pool” etc.

Horton Plains Nature Reserve, which is approx. 10,000 Hectares in extent. A sheer drop of 3700ft, World’s End offers one a fantastic and awesome view. A remote, high (2000m) plateau supports grassland fringed and interspersed with patches of dense montane cloud forest. This locality is very famous among the bird watchers to record The SL Whistling Thrush.

SATAN’S STEPS TRAIL STARTING FROM THE HORTON PLAINS ENTRANCE.
You have two options where you can travel in the vehicle for about 6 km up to “Udaweriya” estate junction & then start trekking or start the trek from the gate entrance itself. Distance to the Bambarakanda Falls from the junction is 14km. Along this trail you will cover Kingslyn estate, West Haputale estate then Bambarakanda Falls. From the falls you can either trek for another 6km & get in to your vehicle at Kalupahana to be driven to River Garden or get in to the vehicle near the falls itself.

BAMBARAKANDA FALLS
Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep rocks and dark green forests of pines and tropic trees the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka [240.8m] plunges with two silver ropes over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 500m walking distance from the trail.

SCHEDULE
• After an early breakfast or packed breakfast leaving to Horton Plains via Bambarakanda at 6.30 am.
• Packed lunch could be consumed at a suitable location while trekking.
• 26km without Horton Plains trek. This could be reduced to 21km if required.
• Total distance of trekking in side the Horton Plains park would be 6km.[ Graded as a soft trail]
• Finishing the trekking at Horton Plains coming down to Belihuloya in the vehicle. [Your vehicle will be there to pick you up]
• Dinner – on your own.
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

Please note: the activity on this day can be done vice versa.

“An interesting affair between currents & rapids”…………

WHITE WATER RAFTING.
This thrilling adventure on the white water sections of Kelani River is suitable for amateurs as well as professionals alike. During the run you will experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria of making it through. The river’s clear water is born in the heart of the peak wilderness reserve and tumbles through a rocky gorge just above Kithulgala.

SCHEDULE
• You will start rafting at 10.00 am & finish around 12.00noon.
• Srilankan lunch at the rafting centre.
• After lunch proceed to Colombo
• Evening at leisure.
• Dinner & night stay over in Colombo. Value – Grand Oriental Hotel or similar / Standard – Galle Face Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Trans Asia Hotel or similar.