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Explore the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka with a dedicated driver-guide, visiting five premier national parks -Wilpattu, Minneriya, Horton Plains, Gal Oya, and Yala - while staying in a range of unique wildlife lodges. Possible wildlife sightings include Leopard, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Water Buffalo, crocodile, cobra, and over 200 bird species, from sea eagles to hornbills. Highlights include a stay at jungle-fringed Gal Oya Lodge.
Discover Sri Lanka’s wildlife and culture with a knowledgeable driver-guide. Enjoy a seamless journey with local insight, comfort, and expert wildlife spotting.
Join an evening tour to spot the elusive slender loris. Proceeds support vital conservation and research, protecting these nocturnal primates from threats.
Walk to stunning World’s End through Horton Plains' scenic highlands, home to rare mammals, birds and reptiles. Endemic highlights include the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey & Rhinoceros Lizard, but it’s the dramatic World’s End view that steals the show.
Why we love Adventure World
Adventure World are a trusted, Australian-based tour operator with nearly 50 years’ experience crafting tailor-made journeys to some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Their expert-designed itineraries focus on authentic cultural immersion, meaningful wildlife encounters, and handpicked accommodation that connects you with each destination.
Authentic
Are you yearning for enrichment? Adventure World wants you to experience the lifeblood of your destination and go beyond the typical. Sample the region's delicacies, partake in activities with the local people who are more than happy to share their knowledge and culture.
Custom
They trial, then select a collection of extraordinary experiences and stays, creating a custom experience for each and every traveller. Adventure World itineraries presented are crafted best for you to fully experience each destination and are a starting point to create your own perfect itinerary.
Trusted
You have peace of mind to explore. For nearly 50 years Adventure World has sent travellers to the far reaches of the world and are of the worldwide brands of The Travel Corporation.
This itinerary departs daily and can be customised for you
Inclusions
Meals: 10 breakfasts
Accommodation: 10 nights hotel or wildlife lodge accommodation
Transportation: Private vehicle with driver-guide throughout.
Sightseeing
Jeep safaris at Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura tour, Sigiriya Rock tour, Jeep safari at Minneriya National Park.
Slender Loris night tour
Dambulla Caves tour
Kandy tour
Peradeniya Botanic Gardens tour
Hortons Plains National Park walk
Boat ride and jeep safari at Gal Oya National Park
Jeep safaris at Yala National Park
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel near the airport in Negombo.
Day 2: Negombo - Wilpattu National Park
This morning, depart by road with your driver-guide, heading north through beautiful rural scenery to your first wildlife destination, Wilpattu National Park.
Once closed during Sri Lanka’s civil unrest, Wilpattu is steadily reclaiming its reputation as a biodiversity hotspot. It’s not known for large herds, but for rewarding sightings to those with patience. Look out for Leopard, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, and smaller species such as otters, crocodiles, deer, turtles, and various reptiles. The park also offers superb birdwatching, with its picturesque wetlands attracting sea eagles, pelicans, migratory and endemic ducks, and many more.
You will then check into your lodge accommodation located near the national park. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Wilpattu - Sigiriya
Rise early for another safari in Wilpattu, exploring the park’s rich wildlife in the soft morning light.
Afterwards, travel into rural central Sri Lanka to visit the historic city of Anuradhapura. Explore the ancient capital and marvel at the towering white dome of the Ruwanweliseya Stupa, one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world, dating back to the 2nd century BC. Also visit the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, a revered banyan tree grown from a cutting of the original tree in India under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Continue on to your hotel near Sigiriya and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Sigiriya and Minneriya
This morning, visit Sri Lanka’s most celebrated attraction, the incredible rock fortress of Sigiriya. Built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century, it was later abandoned and used as a monastery. From lush tropical gardens filled with birds and monkeys, climb up the cliff-face steps to reach the summit, where the ancient ruins and sweeping views of jungle and village are truly spectacular.
In the afternoon, drive to nearby Minneriya National Park, famous for its massive gatherings of Asian Elephants during certain seasons. Here, you’ll search for these majestic giants as well as other wildlife in the park’s grasslands, lakes, and forests.
This evening, join a local naturalist for a guided night walk in search of the remarkable Slender Loris. These primitive nocturnal primates are found only in India and Sri Lanka and have vanished from much of their former range. You may also spot other nocturnal creatures such as frogs, geckos, and nightjars.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Sigiriya - Kandy
This morning depart your hotel and stop at Dambulla to visit the incredible Rock Temple galleries. The hillside caves here provide a spectacular gallery of religious art, with statues, sculptures and frescoes dating over several centuries filling each cave. Continue on to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city, situated across a series of hills still well forested in parts. Tour the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic and the adjoining lake, which is home to a rich variety of waterfowl and some large monitors who forage the lake shores and waters.
This evening you may wish to further explore Kandy and perhaps try a local meal or a biryani in the town centre. Alternatively, most of our Kandy hotels feature lovely gardens and often an open air dining option for a relaxing al fresco meal.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
This morning, depart Kandy with a visit to the lush Peradeniya Botanic Gardens. Continue along scenic hill country roads, passing tea estates and small villages, to Nuwara Eliya, the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. Retaining its colonial-era charm and distinct highland atmosphere, the rest of the day is free to explore the town. You might enjoy a stroll through Victoria Park, renowned among birdwatchers for rare species like the Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher.
Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Hortons Plains National Park
Set off early this morning for the high forests and heathlands of Horton Plains National Park. Enjoy a beautiful, easy walk lasting a few hours to the spectacular lookout at World’s End, where sheer cliffs plunge thousands of feet into tropical valleys below. Watch for Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, Sambar Deer, and otters in nearby streams, along with many of Sri Lanka’s endemic highland bird species.
In the evening, relax back at your hotel in town.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya - Gal Oya
This morning, drive down from the highlands to the eastern lowlands, arriving at the special location of Gal Oya. Our charming lodge here is nestled among forests and farmlands, rich in birdlife. In the afternoon, enjoy a cruise on the Gal Oya National Park reservoir. Here, local elephants have learned to swim from shore to the islands in search of seasonal food, one of the few reliable places to witness elephants swimming, if luck is on your side.
This evening is at leisure to relax at your hotel or lodge.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Gal Oya - Yala National Park
Early this morning, take a jeep safari in Gal Oya, venturing beyond the reservoir to seek out more wildlife – look out for deer, crocodile. mongoose, wild boar and a fantastic array of birdlife.
After breakfast at the lodge, depart for the three-hour drive to Yala National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Yala National Park
Today, explore the scrub jungles, dry forests, and lagoons of Yala National Park. Renowned for having one of the highest leopard population densities in Asia, Yala offers excellent chances to spot these magnificent cats on safari. But there’s much more to discover, Asian Elephants, Water Buffalo, herds of Sambar and Spotted Deer, sunbathing Mugger Crocodiles, Wild Boar, mongoose, jackals, and a vast array of water birds and raptors. Though rare and elusive, Sloth Bears are also possible sightings here.
You’ll enjoy both morning and afternoon safaris, with the hottest part of the day spent relaxing back at your lodge.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Yala National Park - Colombo
This morning is free until your departure transfer to Colombo Airport, approximately three and a half hours away, for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
