13-Day Sri Lanka Heritage and Nature

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After breakfast, you will start the journey to Sigiriya, which takes around 4.5 hours. Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route and spend time with the largest herd of captive elephants in the world, with most of the elephants orphaned, separated from their herd or found in the wilderness in an incapacitated state. After check-in at the hotel take an evening trek to the rural village of Hiriwaduna and experience a boat ride, bullock cart ride and a walk through paddy fields.

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After an early breakfast, you will climb Sigiriya Lions Rock fortress. The natural rock column has been inhabited by humans (as a monastery, mainly) since the 3rd Century BC and a palace was built on the rock in the 5th century. The climb to the summit takes approximately 60-90 minutes and the terraced top has breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views of the vicinity. In the late afternoon go on a Jeep safari to Minneriya National Park, spotting Asia's largest elephant gathering.

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After breakfast, you will head on a 3.5-hour journey to Kandy, which was the last Kingdom in Sri Lanka. En route, visit a spice garden for an introduction to Sri Lankan indigenous Ayurveda plants, spices and enjoy a free 15 minute Ayurveda Massage. After lunch visit a gem museum, batik factory and wood carving factory followed by viewing an entertaining Kandyan cultural dance performance. You will spend the night in Kandy.

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In the morning you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and take part in the daily morning veneration ceremony. After breakfast, you will take a 3-hour drive to Nuwara Eliya the next stop on your Sri Lanka wildlife holiday. En route stop to see the breathtaking waterfalls such as Ramboda Falls and Lover's Leap Falls. In the late afternoon you will get to know the full process of tea production at a tea factory.

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The Horton Plains National Park offers some great hiking opportunities over plateaus covered with grass, areas of thick forest, rocky landscape, waterfalls, and lakes. At Horton plains you can visit Baker's falls, Chimney falls, Mini World's End and World's End. The hike is about 9-10 Km and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Later in the afternoon walk through a lush strawberry farm and then take a scenic afternoon walk at the famous Gregory Lake.

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After an early breakfast proceed to Nanu Oya train station to embark the train to Ella. This train journey is known as one of the most scenic train rides in the world and takes around 3 hours. The train to Ella will be sweeping through lush green meadows, beautiful tea plantations and picturesque misty mountains. Head to your hotel from Ella train station and later visit Demodara Nine arch bridge and Little Adams peak.

After breakfast at your hotel embark on a trip to Yala, a journey that takes around 3 hours. Located in the deep south territory of Sri Lanka, Yala is the second largest national park in the country, home to many endemic species and it boasts one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Once you arrive in Yala you can relax at the hotel after check in for the rest of the day.

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Today you will visit Yala National Park early in the morning with a packed breakfast, home to the highest density of leopards in the world and the second-largest national park in Sri Lanka. You will go on a jeep safari at the park and get close to exotic birds and different species of animals including leopards, wild elephants, deer, wild boars, sambars, snakes and crocodiles. After the safari, you will take a 2-hour journey to Galle.

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Today you will explore Galle. Built by the Dutch in 1663, Galle's core is its fort, a walled enclave surrounded on three sides by the ocean. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic city is a delight to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions and museums. Wandering its rambling lanes you'll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels.

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In the morning you can relax at your hotel or spend some time at the beach. In the afternoon you will visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, which aims to protect sea turtle eggs and increase hatching rates. You will find many different species of turtles here including rare albino turtles. You will also have the unique experience of being part of releasing the fit young turtles back to the ocean during sun down.

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Today you will explore the enchanting coastal city of Bentota. Begin the day with a boat ride on the Madu River which is dotted with small islands and the banks which are covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species. In addition, you will also visit a traditional mask factory and the Meetiyagoda Moonstone mines.