An Escape to the Wilds of Udawalawe and Minneriya - 7 Days

Pick-up from the hotel in Ahangama, transfer to Udawalawe and then proceed to Ella via Udawalawe. Enroute, we will visit Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, a facility within Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka that was established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. Its primary objective is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for ultimate release back into the wild. Afterwards, there we will join a Jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park, the home for many elephants and one of the best locations in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. You will also spot wild buffalos, crocodiles, deer and a variety of bird species. Transfer to Ella, and check in to the hotel.

Optional: Enroute visit to Ussangoda National Park or Blowhole (not included).

Overnight stay at Morning Dew Boutique Hotel Ella - Deluxe Room with Mountain View Room

After breakfast, you can explore Ella. A short walk to Little Adams Peak viewpoint offers a great view of the Ella Gap. Visit the beautiful Ravana Falls and the Nine Arch Bridge.

9 Arch Bridge
Built during the British Colonial period, located almost 3100 feet above the sea level with 99.6ft high When one stands underneath it and looks up there is a beautiful sight of ‘nine skies’ through the nine arches. This massive bridge is built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. The bridge was finally commissioned in 1921.

Visit Ella Gap
No entrance fees, but there are Trekker charges (USD 23 net - not included).

The Ella Gap offers a stunning view and on a clear night you can see the subtle glow of the Great Basses light house in the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

Little Adam’s Peak
Little Adam’s Peak has become an attraction to local and foreign tourist. Many people visit the area to admire its scenic beauty. It is located about 2 km from the Ella town. From this location Kataragama and the Hambantota beach which are hundreds of kilometers away can also be seen. The Namunukula, Poonagala and Narangala mountain ranges also located on near this place.

Optional: In the afternoon, you can participate in a simple but inspiring cooking class (not included).

Overnight stay at Morning Dew Boutique Hotel Ella - Deluxe Room with Mountain View Room

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Ella railway station. Train ride from Ella to Nanu Oya**, where you will be met at the statioin for the pickup and transfer to Kandy. En route, visit a tea factory and tea plantation where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you can witness the process of manufacturing tea and can also see how tea is graded. You can also experience a session of tea plucking and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Afterwards, continue to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, which is now a World Heritage Site. We will drive around Kandy Lake, built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

**We always strive to secure the best seats in the train, but if these are not available 2nd or 3rd Class tickets will be booked instead. The train ride will be subjected to availability. If the train tickets are not available, you will be transferred to the destination by the vehicle used to do the tour. Please be aware that train tickets in Sri Lanka can only be booked 30 days before train departure and are therefore subject to availability. Should the tickets be sold out or unavailable you will of course be driven by your chauffeur / guide instead between your destinations.

Overnight stay at Hotel Topaz Kandy - Deluxe Room

After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to Giritale. Enroute, visit a spice garden in Matale where you can enjoy a complementary head massage. Afterwards, proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit the ancient city by bicycle. Polonnaruwa was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Optional: Enjoy a lunch with a local family in Angammadilla (not included).

Overnight stay at Girithale Hotel - Standard Room

Early breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya. The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned ponds form the base of the rock. Also visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

In the afternoon visit to Minneriya National Park. (Herds of elephants can be spotted where the water is abundant inside the parks. Depending on that, you will visit either Minneriya , Kaudulla or Eco park). The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population. Sri Lankan Leopard and Sloth bear, which are rare and endangered species, also inhabit this area. The park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in order to protect the watershed of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is historically important for the country as it was built by King Mahasen in the 3rd century AD.

Overnight stay at Girithale Hotel - Standard Room

Breakfast at the hotel. The day is free for you to explore the area. Why not try out a nature walk near the Giritale Tank?

Overnight stay at Girithale Hotel - Standard Room

Accommodation at specified hotels or similar standard hotels on BB basis.
Services of an English-speaking driver
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
One bottle of mineral water (500ml) per person per day
Entrance fees to:
- Elephant transit home
- Udawalawa National Park + Jeep
- Train tickets from Ella to Nanu Oya
- Tea factory
- Temple of Tooth Relic
- Polonnaruwa by bicycles
- Sigiriya
- Minneriya National Park + Jeep