Connected to the Wild, Private Tour

Day 1 ARRIVAL COLOMBO - NEGOMBO (8 km - 30 minutes) You will be arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, where a representative will meet you. Transfer to the city of Negombo. Check in at the hotel and rest by the gorgeous sea while preparing for your exciting adventure! Negombo is a city that is tinged with the charm of diverse ethnicity. You will find many beautiful churches across its territories. The beach here is also immensely famous. A delicious seafood dinner by the ocean will be served at a hotel in Negombo. Please note alcohol will not be served in public areas in hotels and restaurants during religious holidays. Overnight in Negombo. Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations: Hotel J Negombo Jetwing Sea Hotel

Day 2 NEGOMBO – WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK (180 km – 4.5hrs) Have breakfast at your hotel and visit the famous fishing market in Negombo, which is very active in the morning. You will then leave the hotel and go to the world-famous Wilpattu National Park. Witness the magical beauty of the ‘willus,’ which are sand-rimmed basins that naturally collect groundwater and provide refreshing habitats for reptiles and birds in the region. Many species of animals can be witnessed within the territories of Wilpattu National Park and among these, the Sri Lankan sloth bear takes a prominent place. You will also come across many archaeological sites of interest here, including the ruins of what is known as the Palace of Kuweni. When the evening comes, take a safari tour to see the white sands of the national park. You may witness leopards lazing upon the dazzling sands so come prepared with your cameras! Return to your campsite and enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner and an overnight stay at a campsite. Overnight near Wilpattu National Park. Accommodation Big Game Camp Wilpattu

Day 3 WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK – ANURADHAPURA (65km – 2hrs) Witness the ethereal charm of the Wilpattu National Park in the golden light of the morning sun. Many herds of deer are quite commonly spotted in the early hours of the day. You will also see flocks of birds flying in the brilliant blue skies, welcoming the new day with their songs of joy. You can spend a few hours in the park looking out for sloth bears and leopards. Return to the campsite to have your breakfast. Take a shower and prepare to leave for Anuradhapura. You will be enjoying an idyllic cycling tour through this city, passing paddy fields and manmade reservoirs to reach the ancient city (2/3 hours). Here you will find the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, which originated from a branch of the sacred bo tree in India under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. A few pagodas, ancient ruins, as well as a local village will be included in the tour. Despite the direct rays of the sun, you will find yourself thoroughly enjoying this bike tour as you will be riding along a shaded tarmac road. You can cool off with a refreshing drink of king coconut too! Return to the hotel in Anuradhapura and enjoy your dinner in a large garden amidst serenity and old-world charm. Overnight in Anuradhapura. Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations: Rajarata Hotel Forest Rock Garden

Day 4 ANURADHAPURA - HIRIWADUNNA VILLAGE - MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK - HABARANA (113 km - 2.5 hours) Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations: Oak Ray Elephant Lake Habarana Village by Cinnamon

Day 5 HABARANA – MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK – KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK – HABARANA (60km – 1hr) Start the day with a jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park. Spend the early morning hours with the beautiful wildlife of this stunning destination. You may come across endemic mammals like the purple-faced langur, Sri Lankan sambar deer, and grey slender loris during the tour. Enjoy a packed breakfast within the park and return to the hotel for a shower and lunch. In the afternoon you will visit Kaudulla National Park for your second safari trip of the day. This enchanting national park nurtures 24 species of mammals, out of which the most prominent one is the Sri Lankan elephant. It is estimated that close to 200 elephants occupy the lush green territories of the park. 435 species of birds have also been recorded in the Kaudulla National Park, which is recognized as an Important Bird Area in the country. Return to your hotel at the end of your safari tour and tempt your taste buds with exquisite Sri Lankan fare. Overnight in Habarana. Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations: Oak Ray Elephant Lake Habarana Village by Cinnamon

Day 6 HABARANA – GAL OYA NATIONAL PARK (185km – 4hrs) Feast on a good breakfast at your hotel and set off to explore the beautiful Gal Oya National Park. En route, you can relish a good local meal for lunch too. You can enjoy boat safaris and jeep safaris at the Gal Oya National Park. If you take the boat ride, you will be able to visit the beautiful Bird Island, where large flocks of gorgeous birds abound. You will also get the opportunity to witness the enchanting spectacle of swimming elephants in the glistening reservoir known as the Senanayake Samudra! Return to the hotel after the safari and relax and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Gal Oya. Accommodation Gal Oya Lodge

Day 7 GAL OYA NATIONAL PARK Leave your hotel with your packed breakfast and lunch to visit the Gal Oya National Park. Embark on an enchanting boat safari in the park and visit Bird Island. Morning hours are perfect to observe the breathtaking beauty of the many flocks of birds here. Keep your cameras ready to capture sensational shots! Have your breakfast onboard and go to the Nilgala entrance of the Gal Oya National Park. You will be taking an exciting jeep safari through the rugged terrain of this region that is teeming with birds and butterflies. You could also visit the Makara place where an underground river starts. You can enjoy your lunch during the safari and return to the hotel on completion of the tour. Overnight in Gal Oya. Accommodation Gal Oya Lodge

Day 8 GAL OYA NATIONAL PARK – YALA NATIONAL PARK (145km – 4hrs) Have your breakfast and enjoy a relaxing time exploring the beauty of the environs of the hotel and the village. Today you will be driving to Yala via Monaragala. En route, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Savor dinner at the hotel. Overnight near Yala National Park (Tissamaharama). Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations: Oak Ray Wild Ekho Safari

Day 9 YALA NATIONAL PARK Leave your hotel with a packed breakfast for the world-renowned Yala National Park. This mesmerizing destination has one of the highest leopard densities in the world, so your chances of spotting these apex predators roaming stealthily in their natural habitats will remain quite high. The area has rich biodiversity so you will see many species of flora and fauna during your safari tour. There is also a remarkable array of archaeological sites of interest, wrapped in thick foliage within the territories of the national park. You can relish your lunch at the beach inside the park. Spend the warm hours of the afternoon witnessing the raw, unspoiled beauty of this enchanting destination and the wildlife that call it home. Return to the campsite after your tour for dinner. Overnight near Yala National Park (Tissamaharama). Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations: Oak Ray Wild Ekho Safari

Day 10 YALA NATIONAL PARK – GALLE – COLOMBO (300km – 5hrs) Enjoy your breakfast at the campsite and prepare to leave for Galle. In-route you will visit the quaint town of Ahangama. Here you will see stilt fishermen, patiently waiting for a catch while the brutal sun relentlessly browns their bare backs. It’s an age-old method of fishing that generations of fishermen in the region have been using. Continue on your journey to reach the iconic city of Galle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see remnants of a rich colonial past scattered lavishly within its borders. Take time to visit the Galle Fort, which was built by the Portuguese back in the year 1588. Other prominent attractions in the city include the Dutch Museum and the Dutch Reformed Church. Upon completion, proceed to the city of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Witness the amazing beauty of this place that fosters a richly diverse population. Visit the Old Parliament, Independence Memorial Hall, Colombo City Hall, National Museum, Khan Clock Tower, Gangaramaya Temple, Red Mosque and the Pettah Bazaar while you are here. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, renowned for its authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Following that, you can look forward to a blissful night’s sleep at your hotel. Overnight in Colombo. Accommodation You will stay in one of the following accommodations:

Day 11 DEPARTURE COLOMBO (40km – 1hr) It’s time to say goodbye to the glorious paradise island until you visit again for yet another fascinating tour! Check out from your hotel and proceed from Colombo to the Bandaranaike International Airport.