Leopards, Elephants, Peacocks and more This 2-week Sri Lanka itinerary by Tell Tale Travel includes exploring vast nature reserves to see wildlife in its natural habitat and visiting sancturies including sea turtles. You will see Sri Lanka's elephants in their various roles, at work on plantations, at temples taking part in ceremonies and roaming in the wild, of course. You will also visit a biosphere rainforest, botanical gardens and fit in some sightseeing and relaxing by the pool and the coastlines of this resplendent island. This trip is a private tour (not a group tour) and suitable to be taken by a a couple, friends or a family with children; we will finetune the itinerary accordingly. As with all Tell Tale Travel trips, this is a soft adventure which means that you will get away from the tourist trail, but in more comfort than a typical adventure holiday, and meet our unique network of local people. We also ensure that our itineraries have a perfect balance, so you will return home refreshed, with plenty of tales to tell. Day 1: Saturday evening flight from London Heathrow to Colombo Katunayake airport. Day 2: Pick up at the airport and chauffeur-driven car down the west coast of the island to a boutique hotel near Bentota. Free time to settle in and enjoy the pool before dinner. Day 3: Lie in and a leisurely breakfast before being taken to explore the historic town of Galle, much of which was built during Dutch colonial times. You can then enjoy a sunset stroll along the ramparts of the fort and visit a colourful market. Day 4: Visit a sanctuary to learn about sea turtle conservation, then a private boat trip along the river, birds and a cinnamon plantation are just two highlights. Day 5: Leisurely morning then you'll go via car to Sinharaja rainforest, the last virgin rainforest in Sri Lanka and UNESCO world heritage site. Day 6: Day in Sinharaja rainforest with an expert birdwatching guide, it is home to towering trees, monkeys, squirrels, butterflies, birds and more. Day 7: Time to move on, you'll visit the Elephant Transit Home at Uda Walawe, an initiative to introduce orphaned elephants back into the wild before before you carry on to Yala National Park. Time to settle into your mini resort and evening at leisure. Day 8: Day in Yala National Park with a wildlife guide for a chance to spot leopards in the wild as well as herds of elephants, deer, peacocks, crocodiles and more (you'll stop for a leisurely picnic lunch on the beach which fringes the park on the east). Evening at leisure, we recommend eating at a particular local restuarant. Day 9: Morning safari in Yala National Park or a visit to Bundala reserve, a wetland haven for birds. Afternoon free to enjoy the pool, evening visit to the town Kataragama, home to temples and churches of all faiths.Day 10: You'll be driven to hill country and Bandarawela, passing through the famous Ella gap and the high Rawana waterfalls. Welcome lunch with your new hosts, a retired tea planter and his wife, in their stunning home and enjoy the beautiful garden. Day 11: A special experience, your host will take you to see a tea plantation, you'll certainly get some expert insight. Free afternoon or you can take a trip on your own to the nearby town of Bandarawela. Day 12: Time to move on, you'll take a train journey through hill country to Kandy, the capital of Sri Lanka's ancient kingdom. Your driver will pick you up at the train station and take you to another private home. Meet your hosts then walk around the local area before a delicious home-cooked dinner, certainly authentic Sri Lankan fare. Day 13: Day sightseeing in Kandy with a guide, including the famous 'Temple of the Tooth' and the lake. Visit the colourful market, a perfect place to buy souvenirs. This evening you can have an informal cooking lesson (if you want to). Day 14: Morning visit to botanical gardens, also home to over 10,000 fruit bats, afternoon transfer to colonial boutique hotel on a working estate, it is closer to the airport. Day 15: Free day to relax by the pool or walk around the working estate or local village. Day 16: Transfer to the airport (less than an hour) and morning flight on Sunday, arriving back in the UK at approximately 8pm UK time (same day). It is also possible to fly back the night before in which case you would arrive back at approximately 9am on Sunday. This two-week private tour costs £1,500 per person, based on two people sharing plus flight costs from the UK (regional departures are possible) and includes accommodation, activities/excursions with guides, time with local people, private transfers and some meals. We recommend overall spending money of about £300-400 per couple for a very nice holiday (unless you're a big drinker or shopper!). Flight upgrades and boutique beach extensions are available, subject to supplement. If you are travelling as a family, please send us a breakdown of your family, with a note of children under 12 for a quote. Download the full itinerary and call us for a chat on 0800 011 2571 
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