Nature and Wildlife

As soon as our feet touch the ground, our driver warmly welcomes us at Bandaranaike International Airport. We have truly arrived in Sri Lanka.

With our luggage in the car, he immediately takes us to the first destination of our thrilling journey: Negombo.

We let ourselves be swept up by the relaxed atmosphere of this beach resort, located just a stone's throw from the airport.

We could, for example, relax by strolling through its streets and admiring its magnificent setting. We would pass by its colonial churches and its canal.

We can start this day with an optional boat trip to the south of the city, in the Muthurajawela Wetlands.

It is a haven of life for nearly a hundred bird species. Our morning excursion between the reeds will allow us to observe them better.

We then stop at the famous Negombo fish market. Located on the beach, we will be able to observe the bustling activity of fishermen and merchants going about their tasks.

Subsequently, we take the road leading to the far northern part of the Cultural Triangle, to the holy city of Anuradhapura, inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage.

Anuradhapura stands out for its royal ruins extending over 50 km². In addition to its royal remains, there are also several Buddhist temples and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. This city remains a very frequently visited pilgrimage site.

Under the guidance and directions of our driver-guide, we enjoy exploring its dagobas (stupa in Laos and chörten in Tibet). We are given some glimpses of its past: a prosperous city for 10 centuries and more.

At sunrise, we set off for a jeep safari through the Wilpattu National Park.

This excursion allows us to admire from a distance a large number of wild animals: leopards, buffalo, monitor lizards and crocodiles, cormorants, pelicans, deer, etc.

Your guide will take you near the water points where it is often easier to spot them.

We continue on the road towards the Cultural Triangle.

On the way we make a stop at the natural reserve of Ritigala on foot. The places are enhanced by the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery hidden within lush jungle. The walk in the shade of the trees is very pleasant.

We then head to our ecolodge in Sigiriya.

In the morning, we set off to discover the Golden Temple of Dambulla, nestled at the top of a hill. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It stands out for its eighty colorful caves and its incredible viewpoint.

What else there is to see in this pagoda: its five caverns with their murals, their small Buddhist statues and their dagobas.

If we wish, we can make a stop at the Dambulla market where we can discover a wide variety of uncommon fruits and vegetables.

After lunch, we board a jeep again for a safari in the Minneriya National Park.

Renowned for its large elephant population, we may have the chance to observe them by the dozens.

Return to Sigiriya.

At dawn, we undertake the climb and discovery of the "Lion's Rock". It is a huge block of stone topped with an old dilapidated castle at Sigirîya. At a height of 200 meters, the view of the surroundings is breathtaking.

Our guide shows us the best spots on the site: natural caves, the Ladies' frescoes, the ruins of Kasyapa's palace and its bucolic gardens.

We then head to the village of Hiriwaduna. At this place, a picturesque countryside reveals itself to us in its finest attractions.

We enjoy this rural atmosphere through a ride on an ox cart and a typically local lunch.

We continue on the road towards Polonnaruwa.

This ancient city has a charm of its own despite its small size of only a few square kilometers.

Between the 11th and 12th centuries, it held the status of royal capital of the island.

Our itinerary for the day passes through a mountainous region. We set out to discover the city of Kandy. The last monarchical capital of Sri Lanka, it is currently a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrims.

Visit of the famous Tooth Temple. This beautiful temple, an important pilgrimage site, is said to house a relic of one of Buddha's canine teeth.

Let us then set off for a walk around Lake Victoria (approximately 4 km) before stopping at the vegetable market located nearby. Very lively, the market immerses us in a friendly and colorful atmosphere.

Next, we make our way to the "Millennium Elephant Foundation".

After lunch, we meet the center's volunteers who accompany us for the elephant bathing.

We then set off for a walk at their side (elephant rides are not recommended for animal welfare reasons).

Early in the morning, we head out on the road to the Yala Park for a nature safari by jeep.

The Yala National Park is a vast wild territory where it is possible to observe many species near water points: leopard, crocodile, bear, elephant, mongoose, doe, monkey and various types of birds.

For bird enthusiasts, we will find nearby the Bundala National Park classified by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.

It is the ideal place for a bird safari and to enjoy nature away from the crowds. More than 197 species have been recorded there.

This protected area is inhabited by pink flamingos, peacocks, the marabou stork, the plover, the Brown-capped Babbler, the Curlew, etc.

We're completely changing scenery with a trip along the South Coast to reach Mirissa Beach.

Along the way, we can make a few stops to discover the Dondra lighthouse, the Kirinda Temple and the Hambantota Port.

We arrive safely in the evening. We are taken to our beachfront hotel.

For this last day, we discover the Koggala sea turtle hatchery.

We then head to the fort of Galle. Drawing its architecture from various colonial styles, the fort built in the 17th century, is located in an isolated part of the city.

With the appearance of a small village, it is a place where a calm and peaceful atmosphere prevails. We will walk around its ramparts, its lighthouse, one of its churches and its many souvenir shops.

We will end our little trip as well as our adventure on this beautiful Asian island by taking our flight at the international airport of Colombo.