N.B. It is possible to use this first morning as a basic introduction to diving in shallow water, with training for beginners. The next morning would therefore be a chance to put the training into practice and experience a proper dive on the reef!

OPTION B (FOR NON-DIVERS)–VISITS OF CULTURAL/COMMUNITY/HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE:
Depart the lodge early (approx. 7am) after breakfast, in time to explore the nearby fishing village of Kandakuliya and watch the local fishermen returning from the night’s catch. Observe the unraveling of their nets to prepare the fish for exportation to other areas of the island and abroad. Guests have the option to choose from the fresh catch to cook on the evening barbecue!

Visit some/all of the following:

VISIT KUWENI'S SHRINE (need all the relevant info) and experience the local way of worshipping by lighting the top of a coconut and smashing it. Local belief is such that this ritual can also be used to bring good fortune and predict the future.

VISIT ANOTHER FISHING AREA (near entrance to town of Kalpitiya) where local fishermen are unraveling their nets from the early morning catch. Fishermen use canoe-style boats (known as ‘vallam’ in Sinhalese). The boats have a sail that is used when there is enough wind, and an outboard motor for other times. The majority of the boats fish for prawns. Option to go out into the lagoon in one of the canoes for an hour or so.

Visit to local prawn farms.

Watch a local demonstration of climbing a coconut tree in order to pick the coconuts.

VISIT THE DUTCH FORT that was constructed in 1676 on the spot where the Portuguese had a stockade and a Jesuit chapel. The Fort is located approx. 1 km from town’s entrance, at the extreme tip of the peninsular. Roofless, but otherwise in reasonable condition, the fort is four-sided with two whole and two half bastions. The walls are about 4 meters high and inside are the remnants of the chapel, a commander's house, barrack rooms, a prison and several god-owns.

VISIT THE LOCAL DUTCH CHURCH (connected to the ort by an underground tunnel). The church, called St. Peter’s Kerk lies about a half-mile west of the fort. Although the church is Dutch in origin, it now displays the architecture of the British who rebuilt the church in 1840.

EXPLORE THE TOWN OF KALPITIYA (known as Calpenteyn or Calpetty by the Dutch). The town is predominantly a Muslim fishing community, strategically located at the mouth of the Puttalam Lagoon. This community is as yet completely untouched by tourism so visitors can enjoy a real insight
into the local way of life.

OPTIONS A & B:
Return to the lodge at about 1 pm for lunch and a rest of 3-4 hours, perhaps having a siesta in the shady covered cabana by the lodge or taking a dip in the ocean. Option A (divers/snorkelers) could use this time to do a selection of the optional activities (done in the morning by Option B group) if they should so wish.

Depart the lodge at around 5 pm in the 4WD for an incredible drive along the sand dunes on the beach between the Indian Ocean and the Puttalam lagoon. The empty beach offers breathtaking views of the area, and apart from the wild donkeys, prolific birdlife and fishermen in the distance, guests will be the only visitors! Driving through the mangrove trees offers a chance for bird enthusiasts to spot a wide variety of birds before turning back to the empty beach and relaxing with a cold drink in time to watch the sun set.

A stay at Turtle Point Lodge wouldn’t be complete without a night walk along the beach to look for turtles. Turtles are very nervous when they are looking for a place to nest and can be easily scared. The turtle can only be approached when she starts laying the eggs. By then the turtle is engaged in a very mechanical, almost trance-like behavior and it is unlikely for her to be frightened by spectators. Turtle watching can include some waiting and some walking on the beach as this is nature and it is the female turtle, which sets the time and place of the event. Of course there is no guarantee that the turtles come to nest every night, but sitting on a deserted beach under the open starry sky is an incredible experience in itself.

SCHEDULE
• Divers will dive in the morning after breakfast.
• None divers will visit the cultural, community & historical sites.
• Lunch – at the lodge.
• In the evening around 5pm a 4WD along the Sand Dunes.
• Return to the Lodge by 7.00pm.
• Dinner & Night stay at Kalpitiya. Standard – Turtle Point Lodge.

Depart at 7 am for a second morning of diving or snorkeling (breakfast to be eaten en route). Guests can choose to return to the same reef as the previous day (even a full week of diving at the reef would not be sufficient time to explore all that it has to offer!) or to go to a ridge only 30 minutes from the shore (approx. 4 nautical miles). The ridge is 2 km in length and offers dives at a depth of 20 – 30 meters. At this location, as well as observing the numerous fish, it is also possible to explore underwater caves.

Option B (for non-divers) –

Morning and afternoon at leisure - seabathing/any other optional activity not previously done (see list for day one)/or simply relaxing at the lodge.

SCHEDULE
• For divers & snorkelers - Morning diving/snorkeling. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
• None divers - Morning and afternoon at leisure.
• Lunch – at the lodge.
• Dinner & Night stay at Kalpitiya. Standard – Turtle Point Lodge.

Leave the lodge at 7:30 am after an early breakfast to the Kalpitiya harbour from where you will go on a boat ride up the Puttalam lagoon and the river channel off the lagoon (“Malwatu Oya”). If the water levels are very low we will be doing a canoe ride from the river mouth to our disembarking point. There will be an early picnic lunch at 11:30/12 noon, served on the sandy beach area next to the river where guests can enjoy freshwater bathing.

At about 12:30pm, guests will do a small trekking trail of about 2km and then get picked up by a jeep and driven to the coach / car (bags will be brought from the lodge). It is then just under a 2 hour drive to Wilpattu National Park where guests will be in time for an afternoon/evening safari – a fascinating guided tour of the national park.

WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK is located 26 km north of Puttalam (approx. 180 km north of Colombo) spanning from the northwest coast inland towards the ancient capital of Anuradhapura (50 km to the east of the park). Covering an impressive 425 sq miles, the park is Sri Lanka’s largest, and having reopened in 2003 after a period of ethnic violence, it is now an increasingly popular eco-tourism destination. The camp boasts an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest, and wildlife, including deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and leopards.

OVERNIGHT CAMPING IN PARK… but this is no ordinary camp! The camp is set up that morning or previous day just for you, with everything from the kitchen sink and toilets to a full wine list and extensive menu of food, transported in to make guests as comfortable as possible. A fantastic barbecue supper will be served in the camp area, lit only by the stars, a roaring campfire and traditional flame torches.
There are guards keeping watch all night, and a total of ten staff with two vehicles will ensure you will have the most unforgettable camping experience ever!

SCHEDULE
• A boat ride to Puttalam from the Kalpitiya harbour along the lagoon after breakfast. (if the water level is very low we will be doing a canoe ride)
• There will be an early picnic lunch at 11:30/12 noon
• Guests will engage in a short trekking trail for 2 km.
• Guests will be picked up by jeeps & driven to Wilpattu National Park
• Dinner & Night stay at Wilpattu National Park. Standard – luxury camping. (Super luxury camping can be provided for this day on request)