Discover the Asian beauty of Sri Lanka! Visit the Elephant Transit Home and watch a milk feeding for the orphans from a viewing platform. Then explore the facility to understand its focus on providing essential resources to these animals. Treat yourself to a laid-back Madu River boat ride and immerse yourself in the scenic wonder of the southern coast. The tranquil river is flanked by lush mangroves abound with various species of birds and reptiles. Learn about culture and wander around Galle, the epic Southern capital.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Elephant Transit Home: supported by the Born Free Foundation, the complex is a halfway house for orphaned elephants. After rehabilitation, the elephants are released back into the wild, many into the Uda Walawe National Park.
Yala National Park: Spreading into a vast 1259 Km2 Yala, with its glory spinning around vast grasslands, shrubs, tanks and dunes, rightfully is the heartland of wildlife in Sri Lanka.
Galle: the Southern capital is the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty.
Madu River: There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a tiny speck housing, a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families, connected to the mainland via a long footbridge.
Day 1: BENTOTA/ NEGOMBO – UDAWALAWE – YALA – TISSAMAHARAMA (320km – 6.5hrs / 400km – 7.5hrs)
You will be picked up early morning from your hotel and taken to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. The Elephant Transit Home helps to care for injured elephants from all over Sri Lanka (duration 3hrs approx.). Upon completion, proceed to have lunch in Tissamaharama (included). Thereafter proceed to do a safari at the Yala National Park. As your jeep rumble through the giant gates of Yala, you are not only stepping into the most visited national park in the country but also the lands of a civilization which thrived during the reign of Sri Lankan kings. Feel the rough track as your jeep thunders over rocks and swish passing narrow bends for an exhilarating experience blended with the cries of wilderness under the tropical sun. On completion, proceed to check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Tissamaharama.
Day 2: TISSAMAHARAMA – GALLE – BALAPITIYA – GALLE (250km – 4hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Galle and enjoy a city tour of this world heritage city (duration 2 hrs approx.). Walk the Dutch-haunted streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions today flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Its original ramparts and bastions preserved up to date showcase evidence of a heritage preserved for more than 3 1/2 centuries. Walk clockwise within the fort to observe the 'old gate' carrying the British coat of arms. Flanking the old gate is the Zwart bastion and the lighthouse standing 18 feet in its glory next to the Point Utrecht Bastion. This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas. Hop into the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex to be mesmerized by an array of souvenir selections. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Dutch fort remains a working community with its usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches and Southern folks frequenting its streets bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle! Upon completion, proceed to have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Galle (included) and proceed to Balapitiya and commence a boat ride at the Madu River (duration 3hrs approx.). Madu River is a complex coastal ecosystem of mangroves and islands. A boat tour is an ideal way to experience hundreds of species of plants and animals in their natural habitat. You can visit an island with a Buddhist monastery, where the friendly young monks will show you a 150-year-old book made of palm leaves and how they cook on cinnamon wood on an open fire. On completion, check-in at the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Overnight in Galle.
Day 3: GALLE – BENTOTA/ NEGOMBO (70km – 1hr / 160km – 2.5hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to your respective beach hotel.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Sri Lanka. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
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