Fantasia tours, Sri Lanka

Safari Holidays – Option IX – (Winter) | Wildlife, Whales & Highland Nature Tour

Name	Safari Holidays – Option IX – (Winter) \| Wildlife, Whales & Highland Nature Tour
Itinerary Type	Adventure, Nature & Wildlife Tours in Sri Lanka – Safaris, Hiking & Outdoor Exploration
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Image For Slider	Iti-1.jpg
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Id	74
Price	2,005
Days	14
Nights	13
Show For Public	1
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Priority	0
Created	5/14/22, 12:20 AM

Overview

Experience the very best of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, landscapes, and biodiversity on this 14-day winter safari and nature adventure. This itinerary combines rainforest trekking in the UNESCO-listed Sinharaja, whale and dolphin watching off Mirissa, wildlife safaris in Yala, highland hikes in Ella and Horton Plains, and nature exploration in Knuckles, ending with birdwatching in Negombo’s wetlands — a complete cross-section of Sri Lanka’s natural wonders and endemic wildlife. What You Will Experience on This Safari?On this immersive winter safari, you’ll trek through the pristine Sinharaja Rainforest to discover endemic birds and butterflies, witness majestic whales and dolphins from Mirissa’s shores, and enjoy full-day wildlife safaris in Yala National Park with opportunities to spot elusive leopards, elephants, and rich fauna. Journey through Sri Lanka’s misty hills with scenic train rides and waterfalls on the way to Ella, experience highland nature and dramatic hikes in Horton Plains, and explore the verdant Knuckles mountain range on nature walks. The adventure concludes with birdwatching at Muturajawela Wetland near Negombo, blending wildlife, trekking, unique marine experiences, and diverse landscapes into a single, well-rounded winter itinerary. What is the best season to take this safari?This itinerary is designed for winter months (December-March) when conditions are ideal for whale watching in Mirissa, trekking in Sinharaja, and wildlife viewing across national parks. Will I see wildlife on this trip?Yes — expect wildlife safaris in Yala National Park, bird and endemic species in Sinharaja Rainforest, and coastal marine life off Mirissa. Is this itinerary suitable for nature lovers and photographers?Absolutely — this trip features rainforests, wetlands, whale watching, highland landscapes, and diverse wildlife habitats perfect for nature lovers and photographers. Are there active or challenging segments?Yes — certain days include trekking in Sinharaja, hikes in Horton Plains, and nature walks in Knuckles, suitable for travellers with moderate fitness. Does this safari include coastal experiences?Yes — it includes whale and dolphin watching near Mirissa as a key marine wildlife experience. Is accommodation and transport included?Yes — accommodation, chauffeur-guide services, transfers, local transportation, and national park entrance fees are typically included per itinerary. <a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/332" target="_blank">Sinharaja Rainforest trekking</a><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/315" target="_blank"> Whale & dolphin watching in Mirissa</a><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/36" target="_blank">Horton Plains trekking</a><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/activities/view-detailed-activity/88" target="_blank">Muturajawela Wetland birdwatching</a>

Key Highlights

<ul><li>Trekking through hilly virgin Sinharaja rain forest, a world heritage site to explore Sri Lanka’s endemic wild wealth</li><li>Whales watching safari </li><li>Adventure tour to block II, Yala national park, to explore hidden pre- historical treasures in Minihagalkanda and wildlife</li><li>Explore the natural beauty in Ella</li><li>Trekking through world’s end in Horton Plains national park</li><li>Explore wildlife in undulating hills and a lush verdant landscape in knuckles</li><li>Boat safari in Muturajawela wetland</li><li>Bird watching safari in Anawilundawa sanctuary</li></ul>

Related Itinerary Day Schedules

Id	Itinerary Id	Duration Info	Accommodation Info	Location Id	Description	Meals Info	Hotel Id	Image	Created	Actions
719	74	DAY - 1 (Airport – Sinharaja)	Rain Forest Edge	57	<ul><li>At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for next 14 days and transfer you to Sinharaja. Approximately 3 hours drive</li><li>Check in to the hotel and relaxing for few hours. </li><li>Sinharaja the hilly virgin rainforest, the UNESCO World Heritage Site represents a biome that dates back to the Deccan Plate and consists of lowland, mid-elevation and montane rainforest. Out of a total of 830 indigenous flowering plants in the island, Sinharaja has nearly 500 plants and out of 27 native bird species in the country 17 species make Sinharaja their home. </li><li>Afternoon walking through the bird watching trail where you will be able to see at least 10 endemic bird species.</li><li>Dinner and Overnight stay at Rain Forest Edge, Sinharaja</li></ul>	Full Board	217	BIRD-WATCHING.jpg	5/14/22, 12:41 AM	View Edit Delete
720	74	DAY - 2 (Sinharaja)	Rain Forest Edge	57	<ul><li>Early morning around 6.30 am trek will start through hilly virgin rainforest. It will go through striking path and sparkling water streams with the hearing of chirping sounds of endemic birds. </li><li>This 14 km teak will provide the best opportunity to observe some most rare birds and butterflies of Sri Lanka, a complex of ancient caves named “Gallen Yaya” and “Koskuklana Peak”.</li><li>Climbing” Singhagala Peak” would somewhat be challenging, but at the summit, the view of the surrounding virgin rain forest would be breathtaking. </li><li>You can have a bath in a cool shallow water pool down the Kekuna Ella Water Fall</li><li>You should prepare for leeches and your guide will assist you with preparations.</li><li>Entire trek will take 7-9 hours. Picnic meals and drinks will be provided.</li><li>Dinner and Overnight stay at Rain Forest Edge, Sinharaja</li></ul>	Half board	217	TRIKKING.jpg	5/14/22, 12:50 AM	View Edit Delete
721	74	DAY - 3 (Sinharaja - Mirissa)	Parangi Weligama Bay	43	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Mirissa. Approximately 2 and half hours’ drive.</li><li>En route visit Galle Fort, a world heritage site</li><li>Afternoon relax at the Weligama beach</li><li>Dinner and Overnight stay at Parangi Weligama Bay resort</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	202	1.jpg	5/14/22, 12:56 AM	View Edit Delete
722	74	DAY - 4 (Mirissa - Yala)		13	<ul><li>Morning Whales and Dolphins watching tour in Mirissa</li><li>During the months of December to April large number of Sperm and Blue Whales and pods of Dolphins are common a few kilometers from the Mirissa beach. </li><li>Tour will take 4-5 hours.</li><li>Afternoon transfers you to Yala. Approximately 2 hours drive.</li><li>Dinner and Overnight stay at Oak Ray Wild Yala</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	195	WHALES-2.jpg	5/14/22, 1:00 AM	View Edit Delete
723	74	DAY - 5 (Yala)		13	<ul><li>Full day safari in Yala National Park for wildlife and explore hidden historical treasures.</li><li>You will be picked up from the hotel at 5 am for the full day safari in Yala National Park with all picnic meals and refreshments.</li><li>Morning visit Yala Block II to explore the Prehistorical site at Minihagalkanda and the surrounding landscape which will mesmerise you. This is a hidden place in Yala National Park and merely a few tourists visit there because of the lack of knowledge about the site. </li><li>Afternoon safari at Yala Block I.</li><li>Dinner and Overnight stay at Oak Ray Wild Yala</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	195	6.jpg	5/14/22, 1:07 AM	View Edit Delete
724	74	DAY - 6 (Yala - Ella)		50	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Ella. Approximately 3 hours drive.</li><li>En-route explore Diyaluma waterfall and hike to the top of the waterfall. You can have a cool dip in one of the natural infinity pools at the top. </li><li>Overnight stay at Oak Ray Ella Gap</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	197	KIRIGAL-1.jpg	5/14/22, 1:14 AM	View Edit Delete
725	74	DAY - 7 (Ella)		50	<ul><li>Morning trekking to Little Adm's Peak and witness the stunning sun rising. The view from the top is incredible. Trek will pass through the surrounding countryside, tea plantations, railway lines and then up the hills until reached the peak. Approximately it will take 4 hours to complete the trek.</li><li>Late breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Then you can explore Nine Arch Bridge, Demodara railway loop, Ravana Ella Waterfall and the village with Tea Plantation.</li><li>Overnight stay at Oak Ray Ella Gap</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	197	KIRIGAL.jpg	5/14/22, 1:20 AM	View Edit Delete
726	74	DAY - 8 (Ella - Nuwara Eliya)		8	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer to Ella Railway Station for the train journey from Ella to Nanuoya through Sri Lanka’s central highlands gets up the elevation from 1,041m to 1897.5m at Pattipola and gets down to 1613m at Nanuoya through hilly mountains waterfalls and tea plantation. </li></ul><p> Entrain at 9.23 am from Ella Railway Station</p><p> Detrain at 11.58 am from Nanuoya Railway Station</p><ul><li>You will be picked up by your Chauffeur guide at the Nanuoya Railway Station.</li><li>Afternoon visit Galway’s Land National Park near the Nuwara Eliya city. It is a most significant birding site which harbours 20 rare migrant birds and 30 residence species.</li><li>Afterwards, a city walk at Nuwara Eliya or on your own.</li><li>Overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	196	TRAIN-NW-2.jpg	5/14/22, 1:47 AM	View Edit Delete
727	74	DAY - 9 (Nuwara Eliya)		8	<ul><li>Transfer to Horton Plains National Park at 5 am – approximately 1 and half hours’ drive.</li><li>The Horton Plains National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Sri Lanka where you will find scenery unlike anywhere in the country. The Horton Plains National Park is at highest plateau of country where it comes to a sudden end at the place called “the world’s end” which indeed an amazing sight to behold. This normal circular route covering World’s End and Bakers’ fall which takes 3-4 hours.</li><li>If you really interested in hiking, hike to Kirigalpotta Mountain one of the best nature trail in Sri Lanka which is a 14Km round hike will takes about 6-7 hours.</li><li>Picnic breakfast will be provided before start the hike or trek.</li><li>Overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze, Nuwara Eliya</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	196	HORTON-3.jpg	5/14/22, 1:56 AM	View Edit Delete
728	74	DAY - 10 (Nuwara Eliya - Knuckles)		76	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer you to Knuckles. Approximately 4 and half hours’ drive.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Wild Glamping Knuckles</li></ul>	Half board	216	3.jpg	5/14/22, 2:11 AM	View Edit Delete
729	74	DAY - 11 (Knuckles)		76	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel</li><li>You can do either a waterfall trek, Corbett’s Gap trek or bird watching, or a nature walk at Knuckles.</li><li>Dinner and overnight stay at Wild Glamping Knuckles</li></ul>	Half board	216	2.jpg	5/14/22, 2:14 AM	View Edit Delete
730	74	DAY - 12 (Knuckles - Negombo)		34	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Transfer to Negombo. Approximately 4 and half hours’ drive if you drive directly</li><li>En route visit Dalada Maligawa at Kandy where the two surviving Relic of the Tooth of Lord Buddha is placed. And Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage</li><li>Overnight stay at Jetwing Thalahena Villas, Negombo</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	201	1.jpg	5/14/22, 2:19 AM	View Edit Delete
731	74	DAY - 13 (Negombo)		34	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel.</li><li>Boat ride to Muturajawela Wetland to explore wildlife and birdlife </li><li>Afternoon relax walk in Negombo city</li><li>Overnight stay at Jetwing Thalahena Villas, Negombo</li></ul>	Bed & Breakfast	201	2.jpg	5/14/22, 2:22 AM	View Edit Delete
732	74	DAY - 14 (Negombo - Airport)		78	<ul><li>Breakfast at the hotel </li><li>Checkout and proceed to Airport for the departure. Approximately 20 min drive</li></ul>			7.jpg	5/14/22, 2:29 AM	View Edit Delete

Safari Holidays – Option IX – (Winter) | Wildlife, Whales & Highland Nature Tour

Overview

Key Highlights

Related Itinerary Day Schedules

Related Itinerary Images