Riviera Travel Wild Sri Lanka

• Visit Jaffna in the far north, once closed off during civil war
• Explore 4 different national parks
• Get the chance to try traditional Sri Lankan cuisine with visits to a local restaurant and an organic farm
• Tour the cities of Colombo and Kandy

• Return flights and transfers
• 15nts in 4/5* accommodation
• Selected meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 12 dinners
• Welcome drink
• 16 included experiences
• Services of an Expert Tour Manager

Day 1: Departure
Head to the airport for your overnight flight to Sri Lanka

Day 2: Arrival in Colombo
On arrival in the capital of Colombo, transfer to your hotel where you have the rest of the day to relax. In the evening, meet by the pool for a welcome drink before dinner together at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 3: Colombo
This morning, take a panoramic tour of the city. Explore the streets of Pettah, known for its series of open-air markets. Next, see the colonial-era parliament building and the Red Mosque. End the tour with a trip to the top of the Lotus Tower, where you can enjoy a 360° view of the city as well as the forest and ocean beyond it. Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 4: Wilpattu National Park
Head north through tropical trees and plantations, stopping for lunch at a traditional restaurant where you’ll enjoy traditional Sri Lankan dishes. Continuing on, you’ll reach Wilpattu Natonal Park. On arrive, jump into jeeps to venture out for an afternoon safari. With local guides accompanying you, you’ll get a better chance of spotting the park’s residents, including elephants, water buffalo and sloth bears. After the safari, return to the coach and travel to Habarana where you’ll stay for the next two nights

Day 5: Sigiriya & Minneriya National Park
Start the day with a visit to one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, Sigiriya. Take some time to admire the ‘Cloud Maidens’, frescoes painted near the bottom of the cliff before viewing the lion’s paw that is the only remains of the fortress’ grand archway. If you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll have time to climb to the top. Later, travel to Minneriya National Park, home to an abundance of wildlife and an ancient reservoir which becomes a gathering place for animals during the dry season, with the elephants of the park known for gathering here. Head out on a safari drive to spot them and the park’s other inhabitants, including monkeys, crocodiles and water buffalo. After the safari, return to Habarana for dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: Jaffna
This morning, drive through the less-explored north of the country to reach Jaffna. On arrival, check into the hotel with some time to freshen up before heading out on a tour with a local guide this afternoon. During the tour, you’ll visit the Jaffna Public Library, whose original structure’s destruction in 1981 was a catalyst for the Sri Lankan civil war. Finish your tour at Jaffna Fort, original built by the Portuguese, where you’ll find a small exhibit and can enjoy views out over the lagoon. Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Day 7: Jaffna & Point Pedro
Continue exploring Jaffna today with a visit to Nallur Temple, which has become a symbol of Tamil nationalism. Next, head to an organic farm where you can choose between a guided tour to learn about the food produced or simply relax under the shaded pavilion. While here, enjoy a lunch crafted with local produce. The afternoon, head to Point Pedro, the northernmost tip of Sri Lanka. Take a short walk to Sakkotai Cape.

Day 8: Travel to Nilaveli
Leave Jaffna today, heading south to reach Nilaveli on the east coast, passing through rural villages and former army checkpoints. Arrive at your hotel in the early afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 9: Trincomalee
This morning, head to Trincomalee. Your first stop here is Koneswaram Temple, considered to be one of the Pancha Ishwarams (one of the five abodes of Lord Shiva), making it one of the most sacred sites for Hindu worshippers in Sri Lanka. Continue to Fort Frederick, where you’ll take a guided walk through the stronghold and see the lookout points which over great views of the bay. Return to the hotel with the remainder of the day free.

Day 10: Travel to Kandy
Travel inland to the city of Kandy. On arrival enjoy lunch at the hotel and some time to relax before venturing out on a short sightseeing tour. While on the tour, you’ll visit the Temple of the Tooth, believed to house a relic of Buddha’s tooth and depending on the timing, you might get to witness one of the daily ceremonies. Return to the hotel and have an evening at leisure, with dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 11: Udawattakele Forest Reserve & Kandy
Explore one of the city’s best kept secrets today as you visit the Udawattakele Forest Reserve, where you’ll walk along the peaceful trails with a local expert who will tell you about the native wildlife and plants. Return to the hotel for lunch before heading out for another short tour of Kandy.

Day 12: Travel to Yala
Today, travel south from Kandy to Yala National Park. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 13: Bundala National Park & Yala National Park
Start the day with an early morning safari in Bundala National Park, where you’ll search for elephants, crocodiles and spotted deer in the coastal wetlands. You’ll enjoy a packed breakfast during the drive. Return to the hotel for some free time before heading out into Yala National Park for an afternoon safari drive. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most iconic wildlife reserve, famous for its high density of leopards which you may spot during the drive. Return to the hotel in the early evening for dinner and a free evening.

Day 14: Bentota
Journey along the south coast today towards Bentota, making a couple of stops along the way. The first is at Dondra Point, the island’s southernmost tip. Enjoy a short walk through a local village to reach the lighthouse overlooking the ocean. Then, continue to your next stop, Galle Fort. Take a guided tour of the town, admiring the Dutch and British colonial architecture including the lighthouse and the Dutch Reformed Church. Arrive in Bentota in the late afternoon with the rest of the day free to relax at the hotel or explore the town.

Day 15: Free Day in Bentota
Enjoy a full day at leisure in and around the hotel to relax or explore.

Day 16: Return home
Return to Colombo airport for your flight home.  

Fact File

• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
• Flight time: Approx.  10 hrs 35 mins (outbound), 11 hrs 10 mins (inbound)
• Languages: Sinhala, Tamil
• Time zone: GMT+5.5 winter, Summer daylight saving GMT+4.5
• Country: Sri Lanka

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.