Day 1 (Arrival in Alankuda and snorkelling) (-, L, D)

On your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, we will convey you to your first port of stay, in Alankuda. The adventure begins at this pristine and little-known stretch of sandy beach in the Kalpitiya peninsula, on the north west coast of Sri Lanka. A series of eco-resorts and lodges are the perfect places to stay, to get in to the groove of coastal life in Alankuda. Check in to your resort and gear up for an afternoon of snorkelling in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. This is the best way to see the colourful coral reefs that ring the island of Sri Lanka and meet the huge variety of marine life that live in and around the corals, including flocks of tropical fish, reef sharks, molluscs, sea turtles and manta rays. Our experienced instructors will brief you on equipment, safety and protocol and will accompany you on this swim of a lifetime. Be sure to bring your underwater photography apparatus if you wish to capture your experience on film.
Fill up on spicy fried crab (done the north Sri Lankan way) as a late lunch, after your undersea exercise. You are at liberty to spend the rest of the day at your leisure, strolling along the beach, soaking in some sun, taking another dip in the ocean or cherishing the peace and quiet of your surroundings with a good book.

Day 2 (Whale-watching and sightseeing in Alankuda) (B, L, D)

Eat an early breakfast and set sail in order to catch a glimpse of the world’s mightiest mammals! Dozens of species of whales including sperm whales, blue whales, orcas and bottle-nosed whales are frequently sighted around the waters of Sri Lanka. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two. The best time for whale-watching in Kalpitiya are between the months of November and April when the whales migrate to the warmer climes of southern Sri Lanka.
After lunch, visit the 17th century St. Anne’s church in nearby Talawila. Portuguese in origin, it is one of the most important centres of Catholicism in the country. Then, make a trip to MunnesvaramKovil, an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and one of his consorts, Kali. While the temples in this complex have been destroyed and rebuilt a few times, the original complex dates back to the 11th century, at least. In the evening, drive to the Puttalam salt pans to learn about the process of producing the most important ingredient in any dish. The Puttalam salt pans are built on picturesque green flatlands that extend for miles into the blue horizon. Walk carefully through the water-logged earth and heaps of white crystalline salt as you trace its journey from the sea to our tables. Return to your resort at Alankuda for the night.

Day 3 (Visit to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, break your journey to Ella with a day in Kandy. Take this opportunity to visit the iconic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which houses Lord Buddha’s relic of the tooth in fabulous caskets of gold, under a gold canopy and surrounded by a fence of gold. The noon worship ceremony is quite a sight. Grab lunch on the go and drive to Giragama Tea Plantation for a tour of its lush tea gardens and its extensive processing and packaging units. Learn about the history of Sri Lankan tea planting at the tea museum here and enjoy a cup of Ceylon’s finest Earl Grey to round off your tour. Return to the city of Kandy for an elaborate high tea of scones, cake, sandwiches, jam biscuits and pastries at an old-world hotel, a remnant of Sri Lanka’s colonial days. Spend the evening by Kandy lake and take a stroll through the gorgeous Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, famous for its vast variety of orchids and spices.Visit the markets for a spot of shopping, if you wish and retire to your hotel in Kandy for dinner.

Day 5 (Whitewater rafting and hiking in Ella) (B, L, D)

Depart Kandy early in the day and continue onward to Ella. Nestled among green hills, surrounded by verdant forests and fragrant tea gardens, Ella is the perfect getaway to easy adventures in the area. Stop first at Kitulgala for a couple of hours of whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Kelaniya river. Our trained supervisors will be present throughout to ensure complete safety. After lunch, head to Little Adam’s Peak in Ella for a hike to the top. Named for its similarity in appearance to the more famous Adam’s Peak, this hill offers a gorgeous 360-degree view of the hill country surrounding Ella. In the winter months, it gets quite chilly so be sure to dress accordingly. Carry a thermos of hot tea to the top and drink it while savouring the magnificent vistas. Ella is known for its waterfalls and it would be remiss not to visit any. End the afternoon with a trip to the Ravana Falls named after the legendary Ravana of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Local lore says that Ravana hid Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, in a cave behind the falls. The falls and the cave are major tourist attractions today. Return to your hotel in Ella in the evening for your well-earned rest.

Day 6 (Trip to Yala National Park) (B, L, D)

It’s another early start toward the coast for Yala National Park, where you will be staying at an eco-lodge for the night.Yala is a national park and a wildlife reserve, and therefore, only two of the park’s five blocks are usually open to visitors. If you visit during the dry season, you are likely to see many of the park’s hundreds of inhabitant species. Aside from having the world’s highest density of leopards, Yala is home to Asian elephants, sambar deer, sloth bears, cormorants, spoonbills, waterfowl, storks among others. Early mornings and late evenings are good times to spot most of these animals as they come out to watering holes. Aside from the animals, the ancient rock temples of Sithulpauwwa and MagulMahaViharaya are located within the boundaries of the park. A small beach section of the long coastline running alongside Yala is open to the public too. Yala offers a truly remarkable diversity in ecosystems and habitats with scrublands, open grasslands, tropical forests, the coastline and rocky outcrops. Make sure you follow the rules of the jungle and you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.

Day 7 (Tour of Udawalawe National Park) (B, L, D)

Less than three hour’s drive from Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park lies on the border of Sri Lanka’s wet and dry zones. The dry scrub grasslands of this park are surrounded by marshes, the Walawe river and forests. It’s common to see large herds with up to 100 elephants in the open grasslands because of the Udawalawe reservoir. Of note is the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, established to look after and rehabilitate abandoned, injured or orphaned young elephants in the region. Other attractions include Sri Lankan leopards, toque macaques, water buffaloes, water monitors, Asian palm civets, bandicoots, sloth bears, Sri Lankan grey hornbill, Sri Lankan jungle fowl, spot-billed pelican, crested serpent eagle and Indian peafowl. After a late lunch, proceed to the Diyaluma Falls. Meaning ‘liquid light,’ these falls are the second highest in Sri Lanka and form the backdrop to a tragic local legend about a pair of star-crossed lovers. Dip your toes into the sparkling, cold water and enjoy the cool spray on your face. Retire to your hotel in Udawalawe for the evening.

Day 8 (Visit to Sinharaja Forest Reserve) (B, L, D)

Sinharaja Forest Reserve has the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve. The last major area of primary lowland tropical rainforest, Sinharaja is home to thousands of varieties of flora, many endemic to the region and considered exceedingly rare. While a number of endemic and some endangered animal and bird species live here, it is difficult to see them on a quick visit because of the thick foliage and vegetation. Make a day trip to Sinharaja and walk carefully through the trails of the country’s last virgin rainforest. Historically protected because of how inaccessible it is, conservation efforts work in collaboration with the local population which lives in harmony with the forest and depends minimally on its resources. Return to your hotel in Udawalawe for the night.

Day 9 (Drive to Bentota via Galle, water sports in Bentota) (B, L, D)

It’s time to bid farewell to the rainforests and grasslands for the coast and open seas again. An early start will see you in Galle within a couple of hours of breakfast. Take a break to walk around this port and explore Galle Fort, a medieval Portuguese and Dutch structure which formed an impenetrable defence around the old city, and the historic lighthouse. After a light lunch at one of the many cafes in the narrow lanes of Galle, drive on to Bentota, further north along the coastline.
Bentota is a beautiful seaside resort town with long beaches and coral rich shores perfect for water sports. Dedicate the afternoon to one of many water sports options around Bentota including scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, jet skiing and sailing. Depending on your skill and comfort level, budget and expectations, Pro Vacation can customise the most appropriate afternoon activities for you. In the evening, scour the markets for seasonal fruit and relish a dinner of fresh caught fish at a local restaurant. Stay the night at a hotel in Bentota.

Day 10 (Departure from Bentota) (B, -, -)

Enjoy a lazy last breakfast by the sea at Bentota, after which Pro Vacation will convey you to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward journey. We hope to see you again, for many more adventures around the world!

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