Safari in Sri Lanka 9 Days | Starts/Ends: Colombo

TRIP NOTES

Safari in Sri Lanka 9 days | Starts/Ends: Colombo

WILDLIFE TOUR: Safari in Sri Lanka • Colombo - Enjoy a guided tour of the • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend on this unique wildlife tour which city including the Old Fort area and you allow USD$3-7 per day, per traveller. takes in five of the beautiful Tear impressive Gangaramaya Temple Tipping your guide is an entirely personal • Gal Oya National Park - Spot wildlife on a gesture Drop Isle's best national parks - boat safari and game drive in one of the Wilapattu, Wasgamuwa, Gal Oya, island's best preserved and least visited COVID SAFE GUIDE Udawalawe and Yala. Go in search national parks • of herds of elephants, Sri Lankan Galle - Explore the impressive Galle Dutch DETAILED ITINERARY sloth bears and elusive leopards, Fortress explore Dambulla's incredible cave What's Included Day 1 : Colombo temple, visit the Veddhas and Colombo - Negombo. Welcome to Sri Lanka! • Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 5 dinners more, in nine captivating days. Upon arrival at Colombo Airport you will be • 4 nights 4-5 star hotels, 3 nights lodges met and transferred to our start hotel in and 1 night safari camp Negombo. After you have checked in the HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS • Guided sightseeing - Dambulla Rock remainder of the day is at your leisure. This Temple, Galle and Colombo evening meet your guide and the rest of Trip Highlights • All national park entrance fees (included, the group at the tour briefing. Overnight - • Wilpattu National Park - Experience a valued at USD$350) Negombo • tented safari in Sri Lanka's largest national Boat safari in Gal Oya • park, which is renowned for its leopards Game drives in Wilpattu, Wasgamuwa, Gal Day 2 : Wilpattu National Park • Dambulla Rock Temples - Visit the largest, Oya, Udawalawe and Yala National Parks • best-preserved cave-temple complex in Escorted by an English speaking Sri Lanka national guide for groups of 6 or more • Mahiyanganaya - Visit the Veddhas, one (professional chauffeur guide for groups of Sri Lanka's indigenous tribes of 5 or less) • • Yala National Park - Game drive in Yala Airport arrival and departure transfer on which is home to Sri Lanka's highest days 1 and 9 • population density of leopards All relevant transfers and transportation in • Udawalawe National Park - Go in search private air-conditioned tourism vehicles of the nation's largest herds of Asian What's Not Included Negombo - Wilpattu. After breakfast, we Elephants drive along Sri Lanka's picturesque coast • International flights and visa to Wilpattu National Park. Located on the west coast of Sri Lanka, Wilpattu is Sri

Safari in Sri Lanka - 9 days updated on 28-09-2021 02:57:27 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Safari in Sri Lanka

Lanka's largest national park, covering 1085 Day 4 : Visit the Veddhas hotel before our afternoon jeep safari in sq kms and extending inland towards the Wasgamuwa - Gal Oya. Today we travel to Gal Udawalawe National Park. The park is known ancient city of Anuradhapura. The lakes and Oya, stopping en route in Mahiyanganaya to for its large population of elephants, there are dense woodland of Wilpattu are home to visit the forest dwelling Veddhas - indigenous over 400 and herds of up to 50 are commonly an impressive variety of flora and fauna people of Sri Lanka. We continue to our lodge sighted. As well as elephants we'll be on the including sloth bears, spotted deer, wild pigs, in Gal Oya National Park where the rest of the lookout for leopards, togue monkeys, grey crocodiles and leopards - Sri Lanka’s top day is free to spend at leisure. Overnight - Gal langur, wild pig and sambar. Numerous bird feline predator. This afternoon we go in Oya (B, D) species can also be sighted including the search of wildlife on our first game drive, by white bellied sea eagle and crested serpent jeep. This evening, we enjoy a tasty BBQ Day 5 : Gal Oya National Park eagle. Overnight - Udawalawe (B) dinner at the camp which is located close to the Southern boundary of Wilpattu National Day 7 : Yala National Park Park, on the edge of a lake surrounded by bush forest.

We spend the night in spacious tents with ensuite facilities, proper beds, electricity and a mosquito net. Overnight - Wilpattu (tented camp) (B, L, D)

Day 3 : Dambulla & Gal Oya is one of the best preserved and Wasgamuwa National Park least visited national parks in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1954, primarily to protect Udawalawe - Yala. Bidding farewell to Gal the catchment area of the vast Senanayake Oya, we make our way to Yala National Park Samudra Reservoir, which is the largest inland today. Checking into our hotel late morning, body of water in Sri Lanka. Rich in bio we then enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in diversity and aquatic life, Gal Oya spans the park. Yala is the second largest national 25,000 hectares of dense evergreen forest, park in Sri Lanka and it has the highest mountains, savannah and lake. concentration of leopards on the island. The park is also home to a large population of Asian elephants, sloth bears, golden palm This morning, we rise early for breakfast civets, Sri Lankan krait and crocodiles, while before embarking on a boat safari, the best Wilpattu - Wasgamuwa. After breakfast, we the coastline around the park is visited way to spot Gal Oya's diverse wildlife, and depart for Wasgamuwa, stopping en route by leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles. if we're really lucky we might see the Asian to visit Sri Lanka’s most impressive cave Overnight - Yala (B) temples, the Dambulla Rock Temple. This elephant swimming in its natural habitat. We stunning complex of 5 caves contains over return to the hotel for lunch and to freshen up Day 8 : Galle 150 images of Buddha including an impressive before our afternoon jeep safari. 14 metre statue carved out of the cave rock. Overnight - Gal Oya (B, D) We continue to Wasgamuwa to check into Day 6 : Udawalawe National our hotel, before enjoying an afternoon game drive in Wasgamuwa National Park. Park

The evergreen forest of Wasgamuwa, with its towering trees is home to large herds of elephants. On our game drive we may also spot wild boar, buffalo, purple faced Yala - Colombo. We travel back to Colombo langur monkeys, spotted deer and crocodiles today, stopping in Galle en route to visit basking in the sun. Not to mention up to 143 the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Galle species of birds. Overnight - Wasgamuwa (B, Fortress. The fortress was first constructed by D) the Portuguese in 1588, then expanded and Gal Oya - Udawalawe. This morning we extensively fortified by the Dutch during the travel to Udawalawe and check into our 17th century. Arriving into Colombo late this

Safari in Sri Lanka afternoon, we partake in a short tour of the city beside a camp fire, dining on delicious Grand Udawalawe Safari and this evening we'll enjoy our final dinner cuisine, surrounded by nature. Resort together as a group. Overnight - Colombo (B, D) Situated on 7 acres of land, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort is the only hotel Day 9 : Colombo of its class in the area. Rooms are spacious Our tour comes to an end after breakfast with beautiful hard wood flooring and today, with a transfer to the airport to meet artwork depicting the wildlife of Udawalawe. your onward flight. (B) Food here is delicious and plentiful with FarCry Wasgamuwa an extensive breakfast menu. The outdoor HOTELS pool is a great place to relax by and enjoy Set amidst the lush expanses of a refreshing splash in after a good day on Highlighted below are some of the hotels Wasgamuwa, between the majestic safari. Well located just a few minutes drive which we frequently use on this tour, though Knuckles mountain range and the Mahaweli from Udawalawe National Park. we reserve the right to substitute these River, FarCry is a haven for nature hotels to ones of a similar standard. lovers, conveniently located 25km from Please refer to your Tour Voucher for your Wasgamuwa National Park. This intimate confirmed arrival hotel and further arrival lodge has 6 air-conditioned guest rooms, information. equipped with modern comforts. There's an outdoor pool, a restaurant, which serves a Jetwing Blue Negombo wonderful selection of local delights, and The Jetwing Blue is stylish beach hotel a bar offering a tasty selection of signature Jetwing Yala with excellent facilities and contemporary cocktails. Right next to Yala National Park, Jetwing comforts. Rooms are spacious and tastefully Yala offers superb accommodation in a decorated, with private balconies all of the spectacular location. Guest rooms are modern amenities you would expect from beautifully decorated and all come with a 5 star hotel. It boasts two superb outdoor private balconies and contemporary pools, a fully equipped gym and a spa, en suites. The hotel also benefits from offering personalised treatments. The two a stunning out door pool, a desirable restaurants serve a wonderful range of tasty beachside location and a number of cuisine and guests can opt to dine at the Gal Oya Lodge excellent restaurants. Choose from elegant ocean’s edge while enjoying breathtaking This unique eco lodge is spread across 20 dining at the Dining Room or tapas at the views of the sea. The hotel is conveniently acres of private forest, with 10 spacious Lounge. Perfectly located on the outskirts of located on the beach front in Negombo, a and beautifully designed bungalows. Yala National Park. popular coastal resort just north of Colombo Each bungalow has a private living room, and 20 minutes drive from the airport. bedroom with kind sized bed, and en suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. Spectacular floor to ceiling windows and doors open onto a private veranda, to bring guests closer to nature. The cuisine at the lodge is locally sourced and lovingly prepared, with a choice of delicious Sri Fairway Colombo Lankan and Western dishes, and the outdoor Big Game Camp pool is perfect for a refreshing dip after an Situated at the heart of Colombo, the Fairway Hotel is ideally located, close to Big Game Camp is ideally located for game exhilarating boat safari or game drive. the iconic World Trade Center and the drives within Wilpattu National Park. Guests popular Dutch Hospital complex. With 181 are comfortably accommodated in spacious comfortable guest rooms, this modern tents, with en suite facilities, raised beds, hotel blends the latest technology with fresh bed linen, towels, a fan and electricity. great design. Free high speed Wi-Fi access, Guests can go in search of the park's motion sensor driven room temperature resident wildlife by day and spend evenings control, room access through your mobile phone are just a few of the technological

Safari in Sri Lanka conveniences offered. The hotel offers four provide evidence of vaccination to travel at throughout the tour. The tipping kitty amount restaurants, a nightclub, fitness centre and this time. is noted under 'Exclusions' on the first page of a fantastic rooftop terrace where guests can this document. sip tasty cocktails and enjoy the superb city If you are unable to be vaccinated due views. to medical reasons, you may apply for an PLEASE NOTE: The tipping kitty is to be paid exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on in LKR and it will be collected on day 2 of a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must your tour. If travelling to India on our Delhi to provide supporting documentation from a Colombo tour, the tipping kitty for that section medical professional. of your tour will be collected by your guide in India and payable in India Rupees (INR). Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must be provided to us no less than Our ‘tipping kitty’ doesn’t include a tip for 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept your group tour guide. For a job well done, Yala National Park - Possible COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid we would suggest for your tour guide: USD Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- $3-7 per traveller, for each day of sightseeing. closure Sep - Oct annually mailed to [email protected] or you Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and Yala National Park, though more often only can upload your vaccination history ultimately the amount is up to you. parts of the park close in September - October yourself via our traveller login. https:// each year. Closure occurs when drought is www.onthegotours.com/Login Note: We do not collect a tipping kitty on our experienced in the area and keeping areas off Safari in Sri Lanka tour, where you can tip at limits allows animals the maximum space to The information you will need to upload your own discretion. roam freely. It also gives the Department of includes: Administering national authority or Wildlife the opportunity to fill temporary water government, document No, name of Vaccine, Guides & groups holes and carry out other strategies to assist date/s of vaccination. Our longest group tour in Sri Lanka is our Sri wildlife. Lanka Northeast Explorer – 12 day tour. All Entrance fees other group tours that we offer are sectors Contact us for confirmed closure dates. Entrance fees are not included within the cost of this larger tour. As such on your holiday of our Group Tours and needs to be paid you may have travellers join you part way KNOW BEFORE YOU GO locally in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Entrance through your tour or end their holiday when fees will be collected on day 2 of your tour. you continue on. You also may have a number COVID-19 Vaccination of escorting guides throughout your tour, ie Requirements If travelling to India on our Delhi to Colombo one guide escorting days 1-5 then another for tour, entrance fees for the India section of As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of the remainder of the holiday. your tour will be collected in INR, then for the travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions Sri Lankan section of your holiday in LKR. Whenever there is 6 persons of more that all travellers over 18 years provide proof on your holiday you will have a tour of COVID-19 vaccination. Note: Entrance fees are included on our Safari guide escorting/ travelling along with you. in Sri Lanka tour. We recognise any vaccine that has been Your guide will conduct the sightseeing authorised for use in the country where Tip kitty arrangements, or accompany you where the the vaccine was administered. This includes local law dictates that a local guide must Tipping is not a natural part of many Western vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, conduct the sightseeing in this region. Where cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- the group number is less than 6 persons or unsure about when or how much to tip. BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. you will travel from place to place with a However in Sri Lanka tipping makes up a driver and meet a local guide at each new significant part of many people’s wages so it’s In all instances, you must be fully immunised. destination that will conduct your sightseeing important that we get it right. For this reason This means you must receive the full dosage arrangements in this location. of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum we’ve developed a very simple system on our of 14 days before travelling in order for Group Tours to take the hassle out of tipping. If traveling on our family tours, the longest immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 is the Wild Sri Lanka & Beach for Families - With our ‘tipping made easy’ policy, a nominal vaccine has different dosages and timeframes 13 day tour and the other tours we offer are pre-determined amount is collected from all for immunisation, so please check the related sectors of this larger tour. As such on your group tour participants to cover tips en medical advice associated with your vaccine. holiday you may have travellers join you part route. This then saves you the hassle of Children under 18 years are not required to way through your tour or end their holiday when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage when you continue on. handlers, local guides and other support staff

Safari in Sri Lanka

Health requirements greatly to the destruction of Sri Lanka’s reefs), Sri Lanka Country Guide You should seek medical advice for ivory or the hides of endangered animals. vaccinations and about medications before Welcome to Sri Lanka - Arrival In the tourism industry it’s common practice travelling. transfer for commission to be offered in exchange for A complimentary airport arrival transfer is Water recommending particular shops or suppliers. included. Upon arrival at Colombo Airport As tap water is not safe to drink in Sri This can become an issue when clients feel you will be met by a representative from Lanka, only drink bottled mineral water which obliged to purchase. We do our best to avoid On The Go Tours. The prominent sign is readily available in hotels, shops and this by monitoring all shopping experiences depicting our company logo easily identifies restaurants. You should also avoid salads offered. our representative, please have your Tour which may be washed in unhygienic water. All shopping experiences on your tour Voucher handy and make it available to our have been noted in the itinerary and they representative. Our representative will assist What to pack been carefully selected based upon positive you with your luggage and escort you to our Please check local temperatures so feedback from On The Go travellers. You vehicle for your transfer to your hotel. you can pack accordingly. Visit are under no obligation to partake in a www.worldclimate.com If, for any reason you have trouble locating listed shopping experience and you are our representative (after waiting 20 minutes • Suitcase or frameless backpack/rucksack if most welcome to wait inside or outside the in the arrival hall) or your flight to Sri Lanka is preferred premises. delayed, please call or send a text message • Small day bag for your camera, water, Although we only visit reputable retailers, (standard text message, not Messenger or sunglasses, i-Pod etc. please note that we cannot explicitly WhatsApp) to the emergency contact number • Please see go to www.onthegotours.com/ guarantee the quality of their products. All as stated on your Tour Voucher. Please do not Sri-Lanka/Travel-tips-and-useful-info for purchases made whilst on holiday with us are leave the airport or go to the hotel on your recommendations on what/what not to wear at your own discretion. Please make sure that own. Call our emergency contact number and • Personal first aid kit you are completely happy with your purchase. follow the advice given by our local team. • Sunglasses, hat, umbrella, money belt, DEET On The Go cannot be held responsible for - based industrial strength mosquito/insect any items that you buy if they fail to meet Pre and post tour accommodation can be repellent. High factor sunscreen and bathers/ expectation, or any shipping arrangements. arranged upon request, please contact us for swim costume Proceed with caution. rates. If you are arriving early and book pre • Anti-bacterial hand gel/wet wipes and flat tour accommodation with us then you will still pack toilet paper/tissues It's not like home & what to qualify for our complimentary airport arrival • Universal travel adaptor transfer. • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel expect insurance policy, spare passport photos and a Please visit www.onthegotours.com/Sri- Visas & passports photocopy of your passport Lanka/Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local Visa requirements are subject to change and • Spare camera batteries, memory cards customs, currency, WiFi and other helpful visa procurement is the responsibility of the • Pack as light as possible to leave room for information to prepare you for an enjoyable traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also the souvenirs! holiday. ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure Shopping Travel to far - flung corners of the earth involves lifestyles and conditions that are from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is excellent for gemstones sometimes very different from what you especially sapphires, moon-stones and cats- After booking your holiday, please provide us are used to back home. You must come eye. Other items to look out for include spices, with your passport details as soon as possible prepared to cope with unusual situations, wood carvings and other handicrafts, clothing so that we can proceed to book all services. local inadequacies and unpredictable events of types, batik and hand-woven textiles, Please be advised visa requirements are as and when they occur. Foreign travel is brassware, handmade lace from Galle and of subject to change, therefore it is essential that definitely not suitable for people who expect course tea. Tea varies in quality, so if you’re you check current visa requirements with the or demand everything to go exactly as buying in bulk, ask for a tasting! If seeking embassy before travel. For information about planned. With the greatest respect and in the modern local chic, Colombo offers a selection visas, head to www.onthegotours.com/Sri- interest of your ultimate enjoyment you must of department stores and stylish boutiques. Lanka/Visas understand this. Things can and do change in Refrain from buying souvenirs made of coral foreign countries. (creation of this sort of tourist that contributes