Wildlife Safari and Snorkeling
Barely the size of West Virginia, Sri Lanka contains incredible diversity from tropical forests to mist-shrouded mountain peaks and arid desert. Jungles abound with wild leopards and elephants, and resound the flash and chorus of colorful tropical birds. Sri Lanka has not only miles of golden palm-fringed beaches but a two-thousand year old civilization. "George Bernard Shaw called Sri Lanka "the cradle of the human race."
This expedition is designed to taste the breadth of Sri Lanka's spectacular resources. While encounters with terrestrial wildlife and whales is the focus, the itinerary will also include introduction to the art and history of the ancient cultures of Buddhist Sri Lanka.
We visit wildlife-rich national parks including Yala and Udawalawe, as well as an Elephant Orphanage and rehabilitation center. Few know that Sri Lanka is a whale migration hotspot, and a day will be dedicated to searching for and observing blue whales, sperm whales and various species of dolphins. Cultural highlights include Polonnaruwa (A UNESCO World Heritage Site), Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and scenic Kandy on the Mahaweli River. The program includes several days of snorkeling in the Maldives.
We stay at comfortable accommodations and travel by private air-conditioned coaches. Optional group air is offered separately.
Day 1: Arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka, overnight.
Day 2: Enroute to for Amaya Lake, Dambulla. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
Day 3: Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a massive monolith of red stone rising 600 feet. Look for troops of toque monkeys and hanuman langurs around Moat. Afternoon, visit the Polonnaruwa the medieval capital of Sri Lanka where we will encounter troops of Toque Macaques.
Day 4: Depart for Kandy. Enroute visit the Pinnewala elephant orphange. Evening enjoy visiting the Temple of the Tooth.
Day 5-7: Leave for Yala National Park. Research on Leopards in Yala has shown it has one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world, making it the best place in Asia to see Leopards. Other large animals you may see include Elephant, Sloth Bear, Mugger Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Jackal, Grey Langur and Mongoose.
Day 8-9: Leave for Udawalawe National Park. Safari drives almost guarantee good viewing of elephants and the best place to find the rare jungle cat.
Day 10-11: Boat trip to search for blue and sperm whales. Depart for Negombo.
Day 12: Transfer to the international airport for your flight to the Maldives.
Day 13-15: Full days snorkeling in the Maldives.
Day 16: Fly home. |
Click for large, interactive map
Leader: Wayne Sentman
2010 Dates: February 26-March 13
Cost: $3,800
Maximum Group Size: 15
Information & Reservations
Please fill out an APPLICATION to sign-up for the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS expedition.
Send E-mail regarding this specific trip: Sri Lanka
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