Safari Holidays – Option VI – (Winter) | Wilpattu, Mannar, Jaffna to Sigiriya Birding & Colombo City Tour

Name Safari Holidays – Option VI – (Winter) | Wilpattu, Mannar, Jaffna to Sigiriya Birding & Colombo City Tour
Itinerary Type Adventure, Nature & Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka – Safaris, Hiking & Outdoor Exploration
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Id 47
Price 1,080
Days 10
Nights 9
Show For Public 1
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Priority 6
Created 5/21/20, 1:23 PM

Overview

<p>Embark on a northern Sri Lanka wildlife adventure this winter, exploring remote sanctuaries, birding hotspots, and cultural treasures. This 10-day safari holiday spans historic Wilpattu, the bird-rich wetlands of Mannar and Chundikulam, the unique culture of Jaffna and Delft Island, and culminates in the iconic heritage landscapes around Sigiriya and Ritigala before a Colombo conclusion — offering a rich blend of biodiversity, migratory birdwatching, and ancient Sri Lankan heritage.&nbsp;</p><p><b>What You Will Experience on This Safari?</b></p><p>This winter safari leads you through Sri Lanka’s lesser-explored northern wilderness and cultural heartlands. You’ll enjoy wildlife safaris in Wilpattu National Park, birdwatching in the Vankalai and Chundikulam sanctuaries during the prime migratory season, and a unique boat ride to the first islet of the Adam’s Bridge marine national park. Discover Mannar Fort, explore the colonial-era remnants on Delft Island, and absorb sacred heritage in Anuradhapura. The final leg around Sigiriya combines early birdwatching, world heritage sites, and nature hikes at Ritigala before a scenic city tour of Colombo.</p><p><b>What is the best season for this safari?</b></p><p>This itinerary is designed for winter months (December–March) when migratory birds fill the northern sanctuaries and dry weather conditions favour wildlife and cultural exploration.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Will I see wildlife other than birds?</b></p><p>Yes — Wilpattu National Park offers diverse wildlife including leopards, elephants, sloth bears, deer and rich birdlife alongside seasonal migratory birds.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Is this safari suitable for birdwatchers?</b></p><p>Absolutely — the route through Vankalai, Chundikulam, Adam’s Bridge islet, and Wilpattu is ideal for birding during the winter migratory season.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Does this safari include cultural sites?</b></p><p>Yes — you’ll visit historic sites including Mannar Fort, Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, and the sacred city of Anuradhapura, as well as UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress.&nbsp;</p><p><b>How physically demanding is this trip?</b></p><p>This itinerary blends wildlife safaris and birding walks with moderate hiking and cultural visits; most activities are suitable for travellers with average fitness.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Is Colombo included?</b></p><p>Yes — the trip ends with a Colombo city tour before departure.</p><p><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/26" target="_blank">Wilpattu National Park Safari</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/70" target="_blank">Mannar birdwatching tour</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/77" target="_blank">Chundikulam National Park birding safari</a></p><p><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/341" target="_blank">Colombo city tour</a><br><br></p>

Key Highlights

<ul><li>Visit Wilpattu – Mannar – Jaffna – Delft – Anuradhapura – Dambulla – Sigiriya – Colombo</li><li>Safari in Wilpattu national park</li><li>Visit Tantirimale Cave Temple, Mary’s Church at Madhu and Thirukketeeswaram Kovil</li><li>Try out Kitesurfing in Talaimannar</li><li>Boat ride to the first islet of the Adams’ Bridge marine national park for bird watching&nbsp;</li><li>Visit to see the Dorick Bungalow</li><li>Visit Mannar Fort</li><li>Bird watching in Vankalai Wildlife Sanctuary</li><li>Bird watching in Chundikulam national park</li><li>Explore Delft Island and national park inside the island</li><li>Visit Nallur kandaswamy Temple Jaffna</li><li>Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura</li><li>Visit Sigiriya rock fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple</li><li>Hike to Ritigala mountain</li><li>Colombo city tour</li></ul>

Related Itinerary Day Schedules

Id Itinerary Id Duration Info Accommodation Info Location Id Description Meals Info Hotel Id Image Created Actions
518 47 DAY - 1 (Airport – Wilpattu) 19 <ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 10 Days and transfer you to Wilpattu. Approximately 2 and half hours’ drive<br></li><li>Check in to the hotel and relax for a few hours. </li><li>Afternoon safari at Wilpattu national park.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at The Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 219 53.jpg 5/21/20, 1:29 PM View Edit
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519 47 DAY - 2 (Wilpattu) 19 <ul><li>Full-day safari in Wilpattu national park for wildlife and hidden cultural treasures of the ancient port city. <br></li><li>Wilpattu national park, world-renowned for Leopard watching, is featured with 42 natural lakes believed to be formed by the fallen of a meteor. In the western border of the park, the area called “Kudiramalai”, was a famous ancient Port City,  has a unique terrain with red colour soil not been found anywhere in the country is a wonderful sighting. </li><li>BBQ dinner around the campfire and overnight stay at The Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu </li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 219 2.jpg 5/21/20, 1:30 PM View Edit
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520 47 DAY - 3 (Wilpattu - Mannar) 33 <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Transfer you to Mannar - approximately 3 and half hours’ drive</li><li>En-route visit Tantirimale Cave Temple, Mary’s Church at Madhu and Thirukketeeswaram Kovil. </li><li>Thanthirimale is an ancient Buddhist monastery sprawling extensive boulders spreading over a huge area in the midst of thick forest which gives a panoramic view.  The caves at Thanthirimale had been inhabited by the Megalithic man in Sri Lanka where Paleolithic cave paintings and some primitive drawings done by Veddah people were discovered. </li><li>Mary’s Church at Madhu located 50 km south-east of Mannar was started built in 1876, home to the statue of Our Lady of Madhu. The remote village of Madhu has been also sacred to Buddhists and Hindus due to the Pattini Devale shrine being built there in the period of 114 – 136 AD.</li><li>Thirukketeeswaram Kovil, one of the five historical Sri Lankan Shiva temples has located 10 km east of Mannar town.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Agape, Mannar.</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 208 Tantiri--madu--Thiruke-Kite.jpg 5/21/20, 1:32 PM View Edit
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521 47 DAY - 4 (Mannar) 33 <ul><li>Early breakfast at the hotel.<br></li><li>Early morning boat ride to the first islet of the Adams’ Bridge marine national park for bird watching. During the months of December to March islets of Adams’ Bridge marine national park has full of migratory birds.</li><li>Then visit to see the Dorick Bungalow, the residence of the first British Governor of Ceylon Frederick North who used to stay here on his visit to Mannar to supervise the Pearl Fishing is situated in Arippu</li><li>Then visit Mannar Fort</li><li>Afternoon bird watching in Vankalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the fourth Ramsar wetland in the country. Over a 1000 migratory bird species and around 150 resident bird species have been recorded in the sanctuary.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Agape, Mannar.</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 208 ADAMS-1.jpg 5/21/20, 1:34 PM View Edit
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522 47 DAY - 5 (Mannar - Chundikulam) 67 <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel<br></li><li>Transfer you to Chundikulam national park, Jaffna. Approximately 4 hours’ drive.</li><li>Chundikulam national park is a famous bird sanctuary, located at the South Eastern tip of Jaffna peninsula bordering the sea and lagoon. The land area of the Park is with the lush greenery of the shrub jungle together with a water villus where plenty of seasonal birds are flocking together during the season.</li><li>Afternoon bird watching in Chundikulam national park.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at the Nature Park Holiday Resort, Chundikulam.</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 170 1.jpg 5/21/20, 1:37 PM View Edit
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523 47 DAY - 6 (Chundikulam - Delft - Chundikulam) 67 <ul><li>You will be pick up from the hotel at 5 am for the full day safari at Delft Island. Transfer you to Kurikkaduwan Jetty, 2 and half hours’ drive from the hotel where the ferry service starts to Delft Island. <br></li><li>Delft Island is about 35 Km away from Jaffna mainland. The roots of Portuguese and Dutch occupancy on the island are more prominent.  The Fort, Hospital, Castle, Horse breeding center, and Pigeon houses with a stone cote are among the archaeological remains of the colonial period.  </li><li>Part of the Island nominated as Delft Island National Park. There are about 450 wild ponies, believed to descend from horses kept on the island from the time of Portuguese occupancy are significant in this National Park.</li><li>The Van was arranged at the island for an Island tour. Picnic breakfast and lunch will be served. The return ferry started at 2.30 pm from the island.</li><li>On your return journey visit Nallur kandaswamy Temple famous Hindu temple in Jaffna.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at the Nature Park Holiday Resort, Chundikulam.</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 170 DELFT-2.jpg 5/21/20, 1:40 PM View Edit
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524 47 DAY - 7 (Chundikulam - Sigiriya) 27 <ul><li>Early Morning bird watching at the Chundikulam national park.<br></li><li>Late breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Sigiriya. Approximately 4 hours’ drive</li><li>En-route visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa, Sigiriya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 193 3.jpg 5/21/20, 1:43 PM View Edit
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525 47 DAY - 8 (Sigiriya) 27 <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.<br></li><li>Ritigala mountain hike. </li><li>Ritigala jungle-clad mountain has 70 odd caves. Those caves were inhabited by forest-dwelling monks since ancient times. Though it was famous as a Buddhist monastery Ritigala is a strict nature reserve due to its vegetation. </li><li>Night safari in Popham’s Arboretum</li><li>Popham’s Arboretum is a man-made forest. The natural habitat in this forest is famous for sighting Sri Lanka endemic nocturnal arboreal mammal of the red slender loris (Loris tardigradus) </li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa, Sigiriya</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 193 1.jpg 5/21/20, 1:48 PM View Edit
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526 47 DAY - 9 (Sigiriya - Colombo) 55 <ul><li>Morning bird watching safari in Sigiriya sanctuary with picnic breakfast.</li><li>Afternoon climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site</li><li>Then transfer you to Colombo. Approximately 4 and a half hours’ drive.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Cinnamon Red, Colombo</li></ul> Bed & Breakfast 218 3.jpg 5/21/20, 1:50 PM View Edit
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527 47 DAY - 10 (Colombo - Airport) 78 <ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel</li><li>City tour around the Colombo including Colombo Lighthouse, the lighthouse with clock tower, Galle faces Green, Colombo Townhall </li><li>Checkout and proceed to Airport for the departure. Approximately 40 min drive. </li></ul> 3.jpg 5/21/20, 1:51 PM View Edit
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