Excursions

Kandy is a large city in central Sri Lanka. It’s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. The city’s heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine, celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera annual procession.

Places to be covered

• Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where you can see river bathing elephants and milk-feeding to
  baby elephants.
• Peradeniya Botanical Garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids,
  spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees.
• The Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic is the most sacred and venerated temple in Sri Lanka and is a must when visiting Sri Lanka
• A Tea Factory where you can see the process of making world-famous Ceylon Tea

Galle is a city on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip.

Places to be covered

• A Boat Safari at Bentara River which is a large river with a mangrove forest and its surrounding
  islands that boast of hundreds of birds, plants, fish, and animals.
• Turtle Hatchery near Galle to see various species of Sea Turtles. Can release a baby Turtle to Ocean
  if you wish.
• Moonstone Mine at Meetiyagoda where you can see mining of moonstones.
• The Galle Fort is a magnificent piece of architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site was initiated by the Portuguese in the 16th century, seeing some of its best days during Dutch rule in the 18th Century, until the British took over in 1796

Bentota River Safari is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Bentota. It is the best way to explore nature while enjoying a Boat Trip. This is ideal for all age groups. Bentara River also referred to as Bentota River is a well-known tourist destination and serves as an amazing experience where you can explore the area along the inland waters of the island rather than the beach which is more common. As you glide along the calm river with your boatman, you will witness the beautiful ecosystems with the mangroves on either side, with traditional fishing villages going about with their daily routines. During the journey you will witness Bentota Lagoon, exotic bird species, water monitors, lizards, crocodiles, and even monkeys and other amphibians will be harboring about.

Places to be covered

• Turtle hatchery near Galle to see various species of Sea Turtles, if you wish you could even release a Baby Turtle into the Ocean.
• A Boat Safari at Bentara River which is a large river with a mangrove forest and its surrounding islands that boast hundreds of birds, plants, fish, and animals.
• Thudugala Water Fall is a natural small waterfall in a Jungle.
• A visit to a Buddhist Temple called ‘Kande Viharaya’ which is with a large statue of Buddha.

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka. The naturally landscaped Hakgala Botanical Gardens displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. Nearby Seetha Amman Temple, a colorful Hindu shrine, is decorated with religious figures.

The town’s attractions include the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Victoria Park is an attractive and well-used oasis. It is popular with birdwatchers at quieter times because of the good opportunities for seeing species, particularly the Indian blue
robin, pied thrush, or scaly thrush lurking in the denser undergrowth. Galway’s Land Bird Sanctuary, close to Lake Gregory, within the montane forest is a sanctuary for endemic and migratory bird species, including bulbuls and flycatchers &home to many bird and mammal species endemic to Sri Lanka, including wild boar and barking deer.

The city is a base for visits to Horton Plains National Park which is a key wildlife area of an open grassy woodland. Species found here include the leopard, sambar, and the endemic purple-faced langur. Endemic highland birds include the dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, and yellow-eared bulbul. The plains have a well-visited tourist attraction at World’s End — a sheer precipice with a 1050 m drop. The return walk passes the scenic Baker’s Falls. Early morning visits are best, both to see the wildlife and to view World’s End before mists close in during the later part of the morning.

The slow-growing tea bushes of this Highland region produce some of the world’s finest orange pekoe tea.

‘Lovers Leap’ is a spectacular waterfall set among tea plantations a short walk from the town of Nuwara Eliya. It falls a height of 30m in a long cascading sheet of water. It is said that it is named after a young couple who decided to be bound together forever by jumping off the cliff to their demise.

One of the distinctive features of Nuwara Eliya’s countryside is the widespread growing of vegetables,
fruit, and flowers usually associated with temperate Europe. This “Little England” is covered with terraces growing potatoes, carrots, leeks, and roses interspersed with tea bushes on the steeper slopes.

A gravestone of Major Thomas William Rogers is in the corner of the golf grounds. He is infamous for having shot, at a minimum of 1,400 wild elephants. Folklore in Nuwara Eliya says that every year his gravestone is struck by lightning for his great sin.

Ella is a popular destination amongst tourists due to its scenic beauty, lush green forests, and stunning waterfalls. The town is located amidst the mountains surrounded by tea plantations which provide a soothing and peaceful environment. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Nine Arches Bridge, Demodara also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.

Little Adam’s Peak, is a 1,141 m (3,743 ft) pyramidal-shaped hill, located to the southeast of the
town. Named after the larger Adam’s Peak. Ravana Ella Falls, a 25 m (82 ft) waterfall, cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana, who is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana.

Ella Rock, a lookout point – Ella Rock is the highest point in Ella and looks out over the Ella Gap, a deep valley connecting the city of Ella with Wellawaya. Ella Rock is a magical hike that follows a rugged trail through tea plantations and forests. The views from the summit are hard to beat. Tourists can also indulge in some adventurous activities such as trekking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Ella is also known for its delicious local cuisine and traditional tea-making methods which tourists can witness through tea factory tours.

Dhowa temple, is a 2,000-year-old rock temple. An unfinished Buddha statue carved into the surrounding rock which is 12 meters (39 ft) can be seen. It is a heritage-listed rock temple in
Sri Lanka. Overall, Ella is a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts who want to enjoy the local culture and experience the beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya Lion Rock is an ancient rock fortress known for its massive column of rock that reaches nearly 200 meters high. The site dates back to the reign of King Kashyapa (477-495 AD), who chose this site as his new capital. He decorated the walls with frescoes, and built an impressive palace right on top of the rock column, accessible only through the mouth of an enormous carved lion.

According to inscriptions found in the caves which honeycomb the base of the rock fortress, Sigiriya
served as a place of religious retreat as far back as the third century BC, when Buddhist monks
established refuge in the locale.

The Sinharaja Rain Forest is one of the most magnificent natural wonders of Sri Lanka. This tropical rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a true paradise for nature lovers and those seeking adventurous experiences.

The lush greenery of the forest is breathtaking, and it creates a serene and tranquil atmosphere that will leave you refreshed, relaxed, and reinvigorated. The forest is densely packed with trees and plants that bring out a distinctly vibrant green colour composition, which is truly a feast to the eyes. It is in fact one of the few virgin forests left in the world. The Sinharaja Rain Forest is a natural wonder that is rich in biodiversity and eco-tourism.

The forest covers a series of mountains and ridges rising abruptly from 90m to 1170m above mean sea level. The altitude change within 01 km of the area has contributed to the amazing variety of species of fauna and flora including endangered species such as the purple-faced langur, Indian elephant, and the Scaled Antpitta. The largest mammal inhabiting the Sinharaja forest is the Leopard, which is very rarely spotted
along with rusty spotted and wild fishing cats. Sambhur, Deer, Wild Boar, and Langur Monkeys are much more commonly seen at the Sinharaja forest with 20 species of birds and 45 species of reptiles The forest also boasts a large number of trees that date back to millions of years, making it a living witness to the evolution of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.

By visiting Sinharaja Rain Forest, you will have the opportunity to explore a place of immense beauty, wonder, and ecological significance. You can hike through the dense jungle, observe the rare birds and other wildlife, and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. You can also gain knowledge on the critical work being done to protect this precious natural environment.

Sinharaja Rain Forest is a must-visit destination for those who seek natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance. Let us plan an unforgettable trip to this paradise that will take you on a journey into the heart of the island of Sri Lanka. Visiting the Sinharaja Rain Forest is a unique experience that you shouldn’t miss.

The Yala National Park is the most visited park in Sri Lanka. It is 979 square kilometers of protected wildlife reserve and home to an incredible range of animal species. Imagine a beautiful dry-zone landscape with huge rock formations, like the famous Elephant Rock, rising from the thick green shrub.

The wildlife is very rich in Sri Lanka. Therefore, in the grassy plains, and along the lagoons you can spot a lot of wildlife. The main attraction of the Yala National Park is its apex predator – the Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera Pardus Kotiya). Yala National Park is famous for having the highest density of leopards anywhere else on this planet. These menacing predators prowl majestically in Yala, while elephants roam in their numbers with cautious deer scampering by their side. It is not an uncommon sight to see elephants, buffalo, sloth bears, and even leopards crossing the road in front of you, giving you an opportunity to see these big mammals up close.

Yala East is a real birdwatcher’s paradise with large areas of swampy wetland that attracts many amazing migratory waterfowl and birds from April to July. Rare and spectacular birds include the yellow-footed green pigeon, greater racket-tailed drongo, Malabar trogon, and red-faced malkoha.

Udawalawe National Park is home to 184 species of birds (33 of which are migratory), 94 kinds of plants, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 43 mammals, and 135 species of butterflies, in addition to its amazing population of Asian elephants which is one of the best national parks.

The Udawalawe Transit home was established to take care of abandoned elephant calves and has been integrating the rescued calves into the wild since 1995. Many other animals such as the rusty-spotted cat, Sri Lankan sloth bear, different species of deer, boars, etc. It is not unusual to see whole herds of adults &
young elephants – feeding or bathing.

Udawalawe also hosts many endemic bird species such as Sri Lankan super fowl, red-faced malkoha, Sri Lankan grey hornbill, brown-capped babbler, and Sri Lankan jungle fowl with a variety of visiting water birds which create Uda Walawe as a hotspot for wildlife photography tours.

Experience the thrill of whale watching in Mirissa off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Blue Whale, Sperm Whales and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do during your holiday in Sri Lanka. Often spotted blue whales are the biggest animals in the world and Mirissa is one of the best places in the world to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

At Mirissa, you’ll have the chance to observe several species of
whales including Blue Whales, Fin Whales, and Humpback Whales, as well as pods of playful dolphins that will
surely leave you in awe. Imagine being able to witness these gentle giants glide through the azure waters of the Indian Ocean: it truly is a life-changing experience.

Boat guides are experts in their field and will ensure your safety at all times. You’ll be equipped with life jackets and we follow strict guidelines to ensure the well-being of these creatures. The best times to venture out are early morning or late in the afternoon when the sun’s rays create stunning visuals. So what are you waiting for Grab your camera and let us take you on an unforgettable journey, as we embark towards the depths of the ocean to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Get ready to witness a world-class spectacle – the sight of a Blue Whale breaching out of the water!