Ultimate Leopard Safari & All Inclusive Beach Stay, Sri Lanka

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Ultimate Leopard Safari & ALL-INCLUSIVE BEACH STAY

FROM

£999 per person

Sri Lanka

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is a rare gem sparkling in the tropical sun, which has enthralled visitors for centuries. Discover for yourself why the famous 13th-century explorer Marco Polo called this ‘the finest island of its size in all the world’ and experience why, 800 years later, it’s still a unique region of serene beaches, vast tea plantations, exotic animals and stunning natural sights.

Sri Lanka is home to a plethora of places to visit. From the ancient Buddhist shrines and palaces of Kataragama and Sigiriya, to the Dutch colonial ramparts of Galle Fort, as well as the lush tea plantations and magnificent national parks, this is an island that offers unique experiences around every corner. Herds of elephants pace through the sunburnt greenery of the Udawalawe National Park, and guided tours will take you up

close to these majestic, but sadly endangered creatures. Sri Lanka is home to a great variety of wildlife and you can catch a glimpse of crocodiles basking on the muddy banks of a river in Udawalawe, flocks of flamingos in Bundala National Park, and wild leopards, monkeys and exotic birds in Yala National Park.

What’s INCLUDED - Return flights with Emirates - Hand luggage and hold luggage (30kg) - Transfers throughout the stay - 4 night Leopard Safari on half-board basis (breakfast and dinner) staying 2 nights at the Grand Udawalawe in a Deluxe room and 2 nights at the Chandrika Hotel in a Deluxe room - English speaking guide - Excursions to elephant transit home, Udawalawe walk, Kataragama Sacred City, Handungoda Tea Plantation and Galle Fort - Udewalawe National Park safari on day 3 (1 morning game drive) departing at either 5.30am or 2pm - Yala National Park safari on day 4 (1 evening game drive) departing at either 5.30am or 2pm - 3 nights at the luxury Citrus Waskaduwa hotel on all-inclusive board basis Please note: The entrance fees to the Udewalawe and Yala National Parks are not included and payable locally, each entry costs $25 per person

ITINERARY DAY 1

Airport – Udawalawe

Accommodation - Grand Udawalawe (Deluxe Room) Included meals - Dinner DAY 2

Udawalawe

Accommodation - Grand Udawalawe (Deluxe Room) Included meals - Breakfast and dinner DAY 3

Udawalawe + Tissamaharama Accommodation - Chandrika Hotel (Deluxe Room) Included meals - Breakfast and dinner DAY 4

Tissamaharama – Yala Tissamaharma

Accommodation - Chandrika Hotel (Deluxe Room) Included meals - Breakfast and dinner DAY 5

Tissamaharama – Yala Galle - Wadduwa

Accommodation - Citrus Waskaduwa (Superior Room) Included meals - All inclusive DAY 6

Wadduwa

Accommodation - Citrus Waskaduwa (Superior Room) Included meals - All inclusive DAY 7

Wadduwa

Accommodation - Citrus Waskaduwa (Superior Room) Included meals - All inclusive DAY 8

Wadduwa - Airport

Included meals - Breakfast

DAY 1

Airport – Udawalawe Arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you’ll be met by your Akorn Airport Representative and will be introduced to your guide. (The drive to the hotel takes approximately 4 hours.)

After checking in, you can spend the rest of the evening relaxing and enjoying the hotel’s many facilities, Dinner & overnight stay at the Grand Udawalawe

DAY 2

Udawalawe Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Udawalawe.

(Approximately – 4 ½ hours) Included excursion: Visit to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home - The main focus of this sanctuary is the rehabilitation of orphaned baby elephants and to ultimately release them back into their natural habitat. Up to three elephants are killed every week in Sri Lanka, due to coming into conflict with humans, and this tragically often leaves behind orphan calves. The elephants are kept at a part of the Udawalawe National Park to maintain familiarity with their habitat, but have access to both food and medical care. Trained staff look after the well-being of these magnificent creatures, and efforts are made to minimize contact between elephants and humans in order to keep the elephants from becoming acclimated to humans. Although visitors can watch these amazing creatures being fed, they are not allowed

to touch or otherwise interact with them. In the evening you can go on an included nature walk near the border of the Udawalawe National Park which takes approximately 90 minutes.

Nature Walk – Walk along the Udawalawe Reservoir Dam and witness many species of birds nesting on the trees and feeding on the fish below.

You will get some amazing photo opportunities here. Watch a shepherd bring its flock of water buffaloes into the reservoir for an evening bath.

The highlight of the walk is the lone elephant who wanders around the reservoir. He is called “Rambo” since he is a very adventurous one. He swims across the reservoir, climbs the dam and sometimes squeezes through the gaps in wired poles as well. The elephant is used to being fed by the locals and that’s why this harmless animal comes over to the dam. On your walk, you might also spot a herd of elephant in the distance.

Dinner & overnight stay at the Grand Udawalawe

DAY 3

Udawalawe – Kataragama Tissamaharama Go on an early morning (included) game drive at Udawalawe National Park, with a packed breakfast or proceed to Tissamaharama.

Morning included excursion – Afternoon Game drive at Udawalawe National Park Get up close and personal with the Sri Lankan elephant in the third most visited park in the country. Its vast, rolling country, open grasslands and reservoir, make it a picturesque drive and the elephant relatively easy to spot.

An important habitat for birds, both endemic and rare migrants, including a variety of water birds and birds of prey, visit the area. Another attraction in Udawalawe is its felines, including the Sri Lankan leopard, the rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat and the rare golden palm cat.

In the evening visit the Kataragama Kovil for a Pooja ceremony (travel time approximately 1 ½ hours).

Kataragama Kovil - The Kataragama is a jungle shrine dedicated to god Skanda and is a popular pilgrim centre for Buddhists and Hindus where devotees flock throughout the year. Kataragama has a great history linked with many myths and beliefs. According to Saranathissa Thera, Kataragama dates back to the time of Buddha's third visit to Sri Lanka, in the sixth century BC. Buddha is said to have visited Kataragama with 500 other arahat Theras. The present Kiri Vehera is said to have been built at the spot where Buddha sat. The location had been Mahasena's garden of Kihir trees. Buddha had given the king a hair relic and the king had built a chetiya at the place, enshrining the relic. Since the chetiya was built in a forest of Kihir trees, it was known as Kihir Vehera.

Later, for easy pronunciation, it had been changed to Kiri Vehera.

Transfer to Tissamaharama (Travel time approximately 1 ½ hours).

Dinner & overnight stay at the Chandrika Hotel

DAY 4

Tissamaharama – Yala – Tissamaharama

Go on an early morning (optional) game drive at Bundala National Park, with a packed breakfast.

Early morning optional excursion – Morning game drive at Bundala National Park A spectacular panorama awaits you - the landing and takeoff of a flock of greater flamingos, a breathtaking scene, a birdwatchers’ dream and one which can be witnessed at this national park, home to 197 species of birds. Bundala is an internationally significant wintering ground for migratory aquatic birds in Sri Lanka. It was therefore the first wetland to be declared a Ramsar site in the island and designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2005. After this excursion, you’ll return to the hotel.

Included excursion – Afternoon game drive at Yala National Park (approximately 5 hours) A dream destination for all wildlife enthusiasts.

Here you can see leopard cubs seeking refuge in a tree, or an adult leopard quenching its thirst at a water hole. The park boasts the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Located on the coast in the South East of the country, set in a stunning landscape of rocky outcrops and beautiful beaches, beside its abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora, it’s also home to elephants, sloth bear, sambar deer, wild boar and jackals, a few of the 32 species of mammals found in the park. The reserve is also a bird watcher’s paradise, where the elusive blue faced malkoha, the rare sirkeer malkoha or the endangered black-necked stork can be seen.

Dinner & overnight stay at the Chandrika Hotel

DAY 5

Tissamaharama – Handungoda – Galle – Wadduwa Go on an early morning (optional) game drive at Yala National Park, with a packed breakfast Optional Excursion – Morning Game drive at Yala National Park (approximately 5 hours) After breakfast proceed to Mirissa via Handungoda, visit the Virgin Tea plantation Handungoda (travel time approxiamately 3 hours).

Handunugoda produces Virgin White Tea, the only tea untouched by hand. This tea possesses over 10% antioxidants and is considered the purest tea in the world. Visitors are guided around the estate by the resident manager. The process of plucking the Virgin white tea is demonstrated and a comprehensive introduction is given to the culture of tea. After being shown around the whole plantation, guests can see the tea manufacturing process taking place at the factory, and also sample some of over 20 different teas produced at the estate.

Transfer to Galle (travel time approximately 45 minutes).

Evening visit of the Dutch Fort, for sightseeing including walk around the Rampart (excursion time approximately 2 ½ hours including visits).

Galle Fort - The Galle Dutch Fort is a rare historical jewel protected by dark, thick stone walls perched right on the coast. The roads inside the Galle Fort have hardly changed over time. Straight and narrow lanes branch in and out inviting the visitor to a delightful walk across the 17th century. Wander through the old streets and learn about their fascinating history, and try to imagine what it was like when it was filled with vendors, trading in cinnamon, lace, elephants, tortoise and turtle shell ornaments as well as the famous sweetmeats like “bondi aluwa” hanging in garlands from the shoulders of vendors.

Transfer to Wadduwa (travel time approximately 4 ½ hours).

Check-in at the hotel. Spend the evening relaxing at leisure.

Dinner & overnight stay at the Citrus Waskaduwa Hotel

DAY 6

Wadduwa Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a day off. Stay and relax on the beach enjoying hotel facilities.

Dinner & overnight stay at the Citrus Waskaduwa Hotel

DAY 7

Wadduwa After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you can enjoy the beach, the swimming pool or any of other delightful facilities onsite.

Dinner & overnight stay at the Citrus Waskaduwa Hotel

DAY 8

Wadduwa – Airport Have breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, transfer to the airport in time for the connecting ight (travel time approximately 2 hours).

All-inclusive CONCEPT at the Citrus Wiskaduwa Breakfast

7.00am – 10.00am Lemon Sun Buffet breakfast

Lunch

12.30pm – 2.00pm Lemon sun International buffet lunch or three course set menu Drinks included: mineral water, soft drinks and cordials, local larger beers, red wine or white wine by the glass

Dinner

7.30 pm – 10.00pm Lemon Sun International buffet dinner or four course set menu Drinks included: mineral water, soft drinks and cordials, local larger beers, red wine or white wine by the glass

DRINKS Mineral Water Soft drinks and Cordials, Local larger Beers, Local Spirits, Selected Cocktails and Mocktails, Red wine or White wine by the Glass

Open Bar Service 10.00am – 11.00pm 10.00am – 7.00pm at Pomelo Hi (main bar) at Aqua Peel (pool bar)

Tea / Coffee 10.00am – 11.00pm Pips & Sips Pomelo Hi Bar

Freshly brewed Ceylon Tea/ Coffee with Cookies

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