Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

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10 Days From

$2205

$1544

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

10 Days Starting and ending in Colombo

Visiting: Colombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Weligama & Mirissa

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1622/WASL

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Age range:

over 16 if accompanied by an adult

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Interests:

Wildlife Tours

From: $2205 $1544 Operator discount: -$662 -30%

NB: Prices correct on 07-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

WILDLIFE TOUR: Go wild in Sri Lanka as you head on safari in Yala, Udawalawe and Bundala national parks, searching for elephants and leopards. Go whale watching in Mirissa, tour the captivating capital of Colombo and take in the country's cultural highlights, from hilltop Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa and the Dambulla Cave Temple. Throw in a scenic train ride to Nuwara Eliya and you've got the best of Sri Lanka in 10 incredible days!

Highlights

  • Udawalawe National Park - Go in search of wildlife on a game drive in Udawalawe, home to the nation's largest herd of Asian Elephants

  • Yala National Park - Safari in search of Asian Elephants, Sri Lankan krait, crocodiles and elusive leopards

  • Bundala National Park - Spot colourful birds and Asian elephants in this picturesque coastal National Park

  • Mirissa/Galle - Go whale and dolphin watching off the coast of Mirissa (01 Nov - 30 Apr) or visit Galle with its impressive fortress (01 May - 31 Oct)

  • Colombo – Enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Old Fort area and impressive Gangaramaya Temple

  • Polonnaruwa - Explore the remarkable ruins of the ancient capital city of Ceylon

  • Sigiriya - Climb to the top of the iconic 5th century Lion Rock fortress and see the Heavenly Maidens

  • Dambulla - Discover over 150 images of Buddha in the incredible complex of caves at Dambulla Rock Temple

  • Kayanwala Village - Canoe to the village and help cook a delicious traditional lunch with a Sri Lankan family

  • Matale - Learn all about Sri Lanka's herbs and spices at the spice gardens in Matale

Show all

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Colombo

Location: Colombo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: OZO Colombo

Saturday. Welcome to Sri Lanka! Airport arrival transfer and the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Our start hotel is located on the seafront and a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.

Day 2: Dambulla

Location: Dambulla

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Jetwing Lake

Meals Included: Breakfast

Colombo - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla. Bidding farewell to Colombo this morning we drive inland to Dambulla, stopping en route at a fruit and vegetable market in Naramwela Town. Dambulla Rock Temple is an incredible ancient complex of caves which dates back to the 1st Century BC. The five caves contain over 150 images of Buddha including an impressive 14 metre carved statue.





After exploring this ancient site, we continue to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening, we return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.

Day 3: Polonnaruwa

Location: Polonnaruwa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: OZO Kandy Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy. This morning we explore Sigiriya and the famous ‘Lion Rock’ fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. You’ll be able to view the world famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens which stand in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.





From Sigiriya, we take a local hand tractor ride and short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here, at Kayanwala Village we take part in a cookery demonstration in a mud brick home of a local woman and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of curry, dahl, spiced rice, pickle and more. En route to Kandy, we stop off a spice garden in Matale, to see the different herbs and spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.





Day 4: Kandy

Location: Kandy

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: OZO Kandy Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Kandy - the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Our first stop will be the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that one of Buddha's teeth was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was then smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313AD. It now attracts daily pilgrims who come bearing lotus flowers and frangipani. After driving around the Kandy Lake - built by the last Sinhala king, we visit the local bazaar and a gem museum, we then take a Tuk Tuk ride up into the surrounding hills. This afternoon we stop at a working tea factory at Geragama. Geragama Tea Factory is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy and was established in the year 1903, manufacturing 'Low Grown' and 'Long Leaf' tea. This evening, we watch a cultural performance of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance.

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya

Location: Nuwara Eliya

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Jetwing St Andrew

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morning offers free time before transferring to the railway station for a scenic train trip. Passing kilometre upon kilometre of verdant tea plantations that hug the winding mountain passes, we'll see waterfalls, suspension bridges and tea pickers on our journey up to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea.



This afternoon we take a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya on a beautiful drive through 'Little England'.

Day 6: Udawalawe National Park

Location: Udawalawe National Park

Accommodation: Resort

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Udawalawe National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast

Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. This national park is probably one of the best places to spot the famous Sri Lankan elephant, the biggest of all the Asian elephants. It is thought that there are around 400 elephants here. The park is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan sloth bear and varies types of deer. We enjoy an afternoon game drive here before returning to our hotel.

Day 7: Yala National Park

Location: Yala National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Jetwing Yala

Meals Included: Breakfast

Udawalawe National Park - Yala National Park. This morning we depart for Yala National Park - the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. This afternoon, we take a jeep safari of the park. The park also has one of the highest concentrations of Asian elephants in the world - and about 350 live here. Also present are sloth bears, golden palm civets, Sri Lankan krait, crocodiles and some of the biggest numbers of leopards. The coastline around the park is visited by leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles.

Day 8: Bundala National Park

Location: Bundala National Park

Accommodation: Resort

Accommodation Name: Overnight: Mirissa

Meals Included: Breakfast

Yala National Park - Bundala National Park - Mirissa. This morning we depart Yala for coastal Bundala National Park. This fantastic labyrinth of waterways, dunes and lagoons is the home to thousands of brightly coloured birds, over 200 species. It is also home to the magnificent greater flamingo and has a decent amount of Asian elephants that call the park home. We take a jeep safari here before transferring to the coastal town of Mirissa for the night.

Day 9: Weligama & Mirissa

Location: Weligama & Mirissa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: OZO Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Mirissa - Colombo. This morning (if travelling between 01 Nov - 30 April) its an early start as we transfer to the boat pier for our whale and dolphin watching boat cruise (cost approx $65pp paid locally, and weather dependant). Fin whales, Bryde's whales, sperm whales, blue whales - the largest creatures on earth, whale sharks, orcas and dolphins are very often seen just a few kilometres off Sri Lanka's southern coast. The round trip may last anywhere between 2-6 hours with an average of 4 hours depending on how far out at sea the mammals are located.





If travelling between 01 May - 31 Oct the morning is spent visiting UNESCO World Heritage Listed Galle fortress - first constructed by the Portuguese in 1588, then expanded and extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century.





Our final stop today, is Colombo and the bustling city centre for a guided tour. We explore the Fort area in the north of the city, famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. Taking a stroll along Galle Face Green and watching locals play cricket before heading over to stunning Gangarama Temple.

Day 10: Colombo

Location: Colombo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Monday. Our tour concludes today with an onward departure transfer to the airport.





Alternatively, consider spending some extra time exploring Sri Lanka's beautiful tropical coastline or simply relax and soak up the sun with a good book. Extend your stay by a day, a week or even two! We offer a variety of properties for you to choose from. Browse our best places to visit and [[Sri Lanka's best beaches|126428]] pages for suggestions on what to see and do on your holiday. Alternatively, head to [[India to spot more wildlife|127511]]! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know so we can accommodate your request.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    4-5 star & heritage hotels

  • Breakfast daily and 1 lunch

  • 9 nights 4-5 star hotels and heritage properties

  • Guided sightseeing - Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe, Kandy, Yala, Bandula and Colombo

  • 3 Jeep safari/game drives in Udawalawe NP, Yala NP and Bandula NP

  • Scenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, canoe and Tuk Tuk trips

  • Escorted by an English-speaking national guide for groups of 6 or more (professional chauffeur guide for groups of 5 or less)

  • Whale and dolphin watching boat cruise in Mirissa (01 Nov-30 April, approx $35pp to pay locally). Visit to the Dutch Fort at Galle (01 May-31 Oct)

  • Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 10

  • All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas

  • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$3-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: USD$260-$290pp, paid in USD

Age Policy

Over 15 if accompanied by an adult

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    4-5 star & heritage hotels

  • What is the maximum group size?

    24

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 10

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Richard Lindsay  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

26-Mar-2018

Hi Mark Just a note to say thank you for helping us organise an amazing trip to Sri Lanka, we have now been back a few weeks and have had time to reflect, and would just like to say a big thank you to our tour guide, who showed us everything that was on the itinerary, but interpreted in his own way. This made for a very interesting and fluid trip with our guide reacting from the group, rather than sticking to a rigid script, which I can speak for everyone in our group made for a great time. Thanks again Mark and will definitely recommend yourself and your company in the future.

Debbie Delahunty  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

12-May-2024

The tour was excellent. Akhthar was exceptional & I would highly recommend him.

Linda Wickman  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

11-Mar-2020

Great experience - Brilliant tour of Sri Lanka, taking in national parks, UNESCO treasures, tea plantation and packing/sorting factory, mountain climbing, ocean picnic, boat, superbly organised by guide Manoj - oh and wonderful hotels!

Dave Burke  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

19-Apr-2018

Akthar was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. He considered each guests requests and preferences personally and catered to them with no fuss. We found Akthar extremely polite, knowledgeable, interesting and also had our best interests at heart. We felt that we travelled as first class guests from start to finish. Akhtar kept us all amused during the coach journeys with his humour, knowledge of local people and surroundings. When we were in Akhtar's company we knew we didn't have a worry in the world. He went the extra mile every day from dawn to dust and was always around late into the evening just in case we needed anything but was never intrusive. We believe Akhtar made our trip extra special. Thank you 'On The Go Tours' and the biggest and most sincere thank you to Akhtar.

John Davenport  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

13-Sep-2024

The first couple of days were very full. It might be worth doing two nights in Dambulla and taking in the national park close by, and reducing the time in Kandy to one night rather than two. The hotel quality was generally excellent. The Mirissa hotel looked a bit worn but the location was perfect.

Hillary Woodrow  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

13-May-2024

Akthar was very good. He was very helpful and had a nice manner about him. He was very knowledgeable and shared his knowledge in an appropriate manner. He was also fair, if we chose not to participate in an activity, he refunded us the entry fee. Re the tour, thoroughly enjoyed it. The sightseeing activities had a nice mix about them. The standard of the hotels was good with the exception of one. Not a fault of OTG but alcohol, wine, is all imported and expensive and then has a 30% plus charge added on! Might be good to flag? The hotel in Mirissa was poor. It was the Sri Lankan new year, but the room was dirty, blood on dressing table stool and curtains, water was not hot and WiFi was very weak. Also fee and tipping money in the trip notes needs to be updated, as it appears everything has gone up. We had a mix of LKRs and US Dollars but totally amount was requested in LKRs. Whale watching was poorly supported by the group but we had to wait while 2 of the party went out on the boats and saw only Dolphins, price has increased substantially. Galle Fort appears to be a better option. But all in all a very enjoyable tour, looking forward to China, once the visas are sorted!!

Joanna Johnston  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

15-Jan-2019

The tour was great. It was a really varied itinerary which included all of the highlights I was hoping to see. Akhtar was a fantastic guide, great fun and organised everything superbly. It would not have been nearly as good without him

Jonathan Taylor  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

13-Jan-2019

The tour and tour guide were both very good, covering a good range of places, historical sites, wildlife etc. On the tour, we specifically enjoyed Sigriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Train ride from Kandy to N.E, Yala and Uda Walawe National Parks, Village tour with home cooked food and Galle Fort. The tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and ran a good tour. He helped us to get the best from the experience and kept us on track.

Lisa Knowles  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

06-Jun-2024

My tour was split effectively into the basic tour at the beginning and the "wild" more safari type at the end. I had 2 Guides, the first was quite dour, not unfriendly but not friendly. He was brusque and seemingly did not have time for social niceties. He had a lot of information but was not clear in terms of instructions for scheduling etc. He did provide water bottles and re-filling of these and also wi-fi, I am not sure if these are standard within the On the go tours package, but he emphasised that he had organised them. Our second guide was great, very informative, patient, friendly and spoke about the culture of the country and etc which made the toud feel much more personal. Obviously this was a group of only 5 people, so it was easier for him to be this connected through the size of the group and the time to dedicate to organising us. Sadly the main drawback to the tour was created by other members of the group! A very disagreable woman who liked to talk constantly over the guide, telling us all kinds of useless information about her home country and also being rude to other members of the group. I realise there is little to nothing which can be done about other members, the guide in the second group was very patient with her. The first guide lost his temper and brought the group together to tell us all off on our last night - not the best note to leave on!

Eva Knoblauch  

Wild About Sri Lanka - 10 days

31-May-2016

The tour war arranged really good. Akthar is a perfect tour guide. The tour chauffeur guide from day 8-10 was not as helpfull as expected, but polite.

Read all 18 reviews

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Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025
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Operator discount: -$441

Saturday - Monday

Apr 26, 2025 - May 05, 2025
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Saturday - Monday

May 03, 2025 - May 12, 2025
$2205 $1544

Operator discount: -$662

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May 10, 2025 - May 19, 2025
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Operator discount: -$662

Saturday - Monday

May 31, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025
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Operator discount: -$662

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Operator discount: -$662

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Operator discount: -$662

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$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 24, 2025
$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Nov 22, 2025 - Dec 01, 2025
$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 08, 2025
$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Dec 06, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025
$2325 $1976

Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$349

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Operator discount: -$382

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Operator discount: -$382

Prices last published on 07-Nov-2024

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    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

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