Sri Lanka Wilderness & Coast

23 Nov – 4 Dec, 2024

Negombo – Wilpattu – Habarana – Udawalawe – Tangalle – Galle – Colombo

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Negombo ( Jetwing blue – beach resort hotel – Deluxe room )
• Wilpattu ( Big Game Camp by Eco team – Wilderness camp – Standard tent )
• Habarana ( Cinnamon Lodge – lakeside hotel – Superior room )
• Udawalawe ( Big Game Camp by Eco Team – Wilderness camp – Standard tent )
• Tangalle ( Buckingham Place – Lagoon View room )
• Galle ( Jetwing Lighthouse – Beach resort & Spa – Luxury room )

POST TOUR EXTENSION
• Arugam Bay ( Bay Vista – beach resort – Beach side room )

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Colombo  Arrive Colombo international airport.  VIP Silk route service included for smooth processing at airport upon arrival. You will be met by your National Guide who will accompany you throughout your stay in Sri Lanka. Transfer to your hotel and check-in. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight at the Jetwing Blue Beach Resort.

Day 2

Colombo / Wilpattu Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy an orientation city tour before proceeding to Wilpattu National Park, the oldest and largest National Wildlife reserve in Sri Lanka and one of the most popular safari destinations to observe not only the leopards but also a diverse range of wildlife and birdlife. Upon arrival, check in and lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari into Wilpattu National Park. Overnight at the Big Game Camp by Eco Team.

Day 3

Wilpattu After an early snack, depart for morning game drive in Wilpattu National Park. Stop at a scenic place for breakfast. Return to camp site for lunch. Afternoon, enjoy another game drive at Wilpattu National Park. This evening after dinner set off on a guided night walk around the campsite. Overnight at the Big Game Camp by Eco Team.

Day 4

Wilpattu / Habarana  Early this morning, go on the birding trail in camp vicinity and walk to the lake or take another optional game drive at Wilpattu National Park. Return to campsite for breakfast. Check-out and drive to Habarana. Upon arrival, check-in to hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Cinnamon Lodge.

Day 5

Habarana After breakfast, depart for Polonnaruwa for a fascinating Monkey excursion with Primate Research Experts. Experience and witness the behaviours of primates with the research experts in the home of Disney’s Monkey Kingdom: Polonnaruwa. The research experts will explain how monkeys differ as individuals, their family and friendship relations and their often-dramatic social histories. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local family run restaurant and return to hotel. Leisure time before an early evening sunset visit to the UNESCO world heritage site of Sigiriya Rock fortress. Overnight at the Cinnamon Lodge.

Day 6

Habarana / Udawalawe After breakfast, check-out and begin journey to Udawalawe National Park, one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants and big herds gathering to feed and bathe by the waterholes. For the bird enthusiasts, this is paradise with a diverse range and large quantity of bird species in the park. Lunch enroute. Upon arrival check-in at Big Game campsite. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight at the Big Game Camp by Eco Team.

Day 7

Udawalawe After an early snack, depart for morning game drive at Udawalawe. Return to camp site. Lunch and leisure time. Afternoon enjoy another game drive at Udawalawe National Park. This evening, post dinner, enjoy a night drive in the nearby buffer zone. Overnight at the Big Game Camp by Eco Team.

Day 8

Udawalawe / Tangalle After breakfast, check-out and enjoy a special visit to the Elephant transit home, a place where approx. 52 baby elephants are being taken care of, with minimum human interaction. When the elephants are big and strong enough, they are released into the wilderness to start living a ‘normal’ elephant life. Afterwards, drive to the coastal palm-fringed town of Tangalle, a small fishing port with reminders of the Dutch days of the 18th century, overlooking the ocean and one of the largest protected bays on the island. Upon arrival, check-in to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure and dinner at hotel. After dinner, set off on a turtle watching expedition to nearby Rekawa Beach, where it may be possible to see the the laying of eggs by turtles on the beach. Overnight at Buckingham Place hotel.

Day 9

Tangalle Breakfast time. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to completely relax and enjoy this Luxury beach resort. Read by the pool or adventure to experience an optional 2nd visit to Rekawa beach for more turtle watching. Dinner and overnight at Buckingham Place hotel.

Day 10

Tangalle / Galle After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for the historic town of Galle, the ancient port city and UNESCO world heritage site. The ancient trading port of Galle was an essential port of call for Chinese, Persian, Arab, Indian and Portuguese traders and Marco Polo arrival in 1299AD. Check in to beach resort, located minutes away from Fort town. This afternoon enjoy a Dutch fort walk with a special host guide. Return to hotel and rest of day at leisure. Overnight at the Jetwing Lighthouse Beach & Spa.

Day 11

Galle Breakfast time. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore at your own leisure and discover the historic coastal town of Galle. Narrow streets remain in use and the community within the fort is a bustle with daily life, a living breathing town, hidden within fortified walls of this ancient, maritime citadel.  Optional: Whale watching boat ride in the sea of Mirissa. The waters off the southern coast of Sri Lanka are considered to be one of the best places in the world to spot Blue Whales, Sperm Whales and Spinner Dolphins. From November to April, when the whales are on their annual migratory route from the Horn of Africa up to the Arabian Sea, they can be seen in the waters around Sri Lanka.  This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner at local beach restaurant. Overnight at the Jetwing Lighthouse Beach & Spa.

Day 12

Galle / Colombo / Departure Breakfast at the hotel and morning at your leisure. Afternoon transfer to Colombo airport in time for your international departure flight. VIP Silk route service for departure assistance at airport is included.

ARAGUM BAY post tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights

Aragum Bay is known as a surfers paradise and one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. It is one of those areas in the world you have to visit at least once in a lifetime. With world-famous Yala National Park as its neighbor, Arugam Bay is lucky to be surrounded by loads of wildlife like monkeys, elephants and crocodiles. The bay is trendy and a great place to spend at least 3 days.

Day 1

Arrival / Aragum Bay Pickup from hotel in Galle and transfer to Arugam bay. Upon arrival check-in to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Bay Vista Hotel.

Day 2

Aragum Bay Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore, relax and unwind. Overnight at the Bay Vista Hotel.

Day 3

Aragum Bay / Colombo Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Colombo airport in time for your international departure flight. VIP Silk route service for departure assistance at airport is included.

Prepare for your trip

 Sri Lanka’s aromatic past

Sri Lanka is the capital of a rich variety of spices that determined its history, being the cause of many an invasion. Fragrant Clove, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Mace, Pepper, Cocoa and Vanilla amongst others account for a diversity of cooking styles and applications.  

Given that it's such a lush country, it's no surprise that Sri Lanka grows many of its best goods. Tea is an obvious purchase; all manner of spices are another. In addition there are various handicrafts and a growing range of designer items.

Colombo is full of stylish designer boutiques, galleries and markets galore sell just about anything, with plenty of surprises on offer.

The island may be small, but the animals are big, especially the herds of Asian elephants that live inside and outside the national parks. Leopards and water buffaloes are just some of the other creatures you might spot.

‘Ayubowan’ is the word used in Sri Lanka to greet someone. It means ‘Long Life’. One is Generally greeted by joining two hands in prayer-like manner and saying ‘Ayubowan’. This phrase can be used any time of the day. However, in the city it is more common to be greeted with a hand shake, while the village folks still greet you in the traditional way. Thank you very much is ‘Bohoma Istuti’ and Please is ‘Karunakara’.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include accommodation, transport, air-conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides, most meals and tipping (including national guide). Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges. Sri Lanka visa required.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.

TOUR PRICE

12 Days /11 Nights
$8,399 ( twin share per person )
$2,107 ( single supplement )
Private Tour
( Based on min 2 passengers )

ARUGAM BAY post tour EXTENSION
4 Days /3 Nights
On Request ( twin share per person )
On Request ( single supplement )
Private tour
( Based on min 2 passengers )