Distance: ~150 km | Time: ~3.5 hours

Early morning, journey down the palm-lined southern coast to Ahangama, stopping at Mirissa for a magical experience—whale watching in the deep blue Indian Ocean (seasonal: November–April). This is one of the world’s best spots to see blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, and spinner dolphins, often seen leaping playfully beside the boat.

Overnight: Ahangama

Distance: ~160 km | Time: ~4.5 hours

Travel inland to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. This rich biodiversity hotspot teems with endemics, such as the Sri Lanka blue magpie, green-billed coucal, and purple-faced langur. The lush forest is draped in ferns, epiphytes, and towering dipterocarps, offering a complete immersion into a prehistoric ecosystem.

In the evening, head toward the dry zone landscapes of Udawalawe.

Overnight: Udawalawe

Distance: ~80 km | Time: ~2 hours

Begin the day with a morning safari in Udawalawe National Park, famous for its large herds of Asian elephants freely roaming the open grasslands. Other sightings may include jackals, sambar deer, crocodiles, and a wealth of birdlife, including the majestic changeable hawk-eagle and peafowl.

In the afternoon, head to Bundala National Park, a designated Ramsar wetland and birding paradise. Here, look for greater flamingos, painted storks, spot-billed pelicans, and migratory waders among saltpans and lagoons.

Overnight: Hambantota

Distance: ~35 km | Time: ~1 hour (to park entrance)

Today is all about Yala, Sri Lanka's flagship national park, known for its high density of leopards, especially in Block 1. Embark on a full-day game drive through varied habitats—from dense scrub forests and rocky outcrops to brackish lagoons and grasslands.

Besides leopards, Yala is home to sloth bears, elephants, mugger crocodiles, spotted deer, and an impressive variety of birds, including the Malabar pied hornbill and black-necked stork.

Overnight: Hambantota

Distance: ~110 km | Time: ~3 hours

Ascend into Sri Lanka’s central highlands and reach the cool, misty town of Ella. In the afternoon, trek to Little Adam’s Peak, a relatively easy climb offering panoramic views over tea plantations, valleys, and forested hills. Keep an eye out for layard’s parakeets and giant squirrels darting through the foliage.

Overnight: Ella

Distance: ~30 km to park entrance | Time: ~2 hours (winding roads)

A very early start takes you to Horton Plains National Park, a montane cloud forest plateau known for its unique pygmy forest, moss-covered trees, and alpine meadows. The 9.5 km trek leads to World’s End, a sheer cliff with a dramatic 870-meter drop.

You might encounter sambar deer, stripe-necked mongooses, and endemic birds like the Sri Lanka whistling thrush and dull-blue flycatcher. The rare flora includes rhododendrons, tree ferns, and lichen-covered montane trees.

Overnight: Ella

Distance: ~150 km | Time: ~4.5 hours

Head northeast toward Gal Oya National Park, a rarely visited gem centered around the scenic Senanayake Samudraya reservoir. In the afternoon, take a unique boat safari, the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka. Watch elephants swim between islets, and spot aquatic birds like grey-headed fish eagles, Indian cormorants, and darters. Gal Oya also hosts the Vedda indigenous community, known for their deep knowledge of the forest.

Overnight: Gal Oya

Distance: ~120 km | Time: ~3.5 hours

Journey through the Eastern Province to reach Maduru Oya National Park. This lesser-explored sanctuary shelters a mix of dry evergreen forest and grassland. On your afternoon safari, expect to see elephants, water buffalo, and axis deer, with possible glimpses of elusive sloth bears or leopards.

Continue to Wasgamuwa, another biodiversity hotspot nestled between rivers and forested hills.

Overnight: Wasgamuwa

Start the day with a morning safari in Wasgamuwa, renowned for its ecological richness and elephant populations. Birders will love the sightings of red-faced malkohas, black-headed ibis, and blue-faced malkohas. The park also supports purple-faced langurs and even fishing cats in its wetlands.

After the safari, proceed to the serene forested area of Giritale.

Overnight: Giritale

Distance: ~120 km | Time: ~3 hours

Enjoy a morning game drive in Minneriya National Park, best known for the “Gathering” of elephants (May–October), where up to 300 elephants congregate around the reservoir. Throughout the year, the park offers chances to see toque macaques, grey langurs, and numerous birds like openbill storks and Indian rollers.

Then head north to the sacred city of Anuradhapura, blending cultural heritage with natural beauty.

Overnight: Anuradhapura

Distance: ~170 km | Time: ~4 hours

Travel to Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka’s largest and one of the oldest, known for its unique "villus" (natural lakes). A full-day safari reveals an untouched wilderness where you might see leopards, sloth bears, muntjac, and a wide variety of raptors. The blend of forest and wetland ecosystems make it a birder’s paradise too.

After the safari, continue to the seaside village of Kalpitiya.

Overnight: Kalpitiya

Distance: ~170 km | Time: ~3.5 hours

Rise early for a dolphin watching excursion in Kalpitiya’s coastal waters. The calm seas here attract large pods of spinner, bottlenose, and Risso’s dolphins, with occasional sightings of sperm whales (seasonal: November–April).

Later, drive south along the coast to Negombo, a historic fishing town close to the airport.

Overnight: Negombo

Distance: ~10 km | Time: ~30 mins

Enjoy a relaxing morning by the beach or take a stroll through Negombo’s Dutch canals and fish markets before your transfer to the airport. Alternatively, extend your stay along Sri Lanka’s golden coastline to unwind after your nature-filled adventure.

End of Tour / Beach Extension