Wildlife, Culture & Adventure

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1
   Negombo → Wilpattu National Park

   Morning · about 4 hrs, 155 km

   • Meet your Trailmark Tours representative in Negombo.
   • Begin your Sri Lankan adventure with a scenic drive towards Wilpattu National Park.
   • Arrive at your hotel and check in.
   • Enjoy some time to relax and refresh.

   Afternoon / Evening

   • Head out for an exciting Wilpattu National Park safari.
   • Explore Sri Lanka's largest national park and its diverse wildlife.
   • Keep an eye out for elephants, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles and colourful birds.
   • With some luck, you may also encounter the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.
   • Return to the hotel after the safari.

   Overnight: Wilpattu area Meals: Dinner

2. Day 2
   Wilpattu → Sigiriya

   Morning · about 3 hrs, 110 km

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Check out and travel towards Sigiriya, in Sri Lanka's famous Cultural Triangle.
   • Arrive at your hotel and check in.
   • Relaxing afternoon at leisure — rest at the hotel, explore the surroundings or enjoy the peaceful countryside.

   Overnight: Sigiriya Meals: Breakfast & dinner

3. Day 3
   Sigiriya Rock Fortress → village experience → Minneriya safari

   Morning

   • Early breakfast.
   • Visit the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   • Climb the ancient rock and discover its history, frescoes and panoramic views.

   Afternoon

   • Experience authentic traditional Sri Lankan village life.
   • Discover rural traditions, local farming practices and the natural surroundings.

   Evening

   • Proceed to Minneriya National Park for a wildlife safari.
   • Depending on the season, see the famous Minneriya Elephant Gathering around the park's water sources.
   • Return to your hotel after the safari.

   Overnight: Sigiriya Meals: Breakfast & dinner

4. Day 4
   Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa Ancient City → Ayurvedic wellness

   Morning · about 1½ hrs, 60 km

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Travel to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
   • Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the remains of Sri Lanka's medieval capital.
   • Visit ancient temples, stupas, royal buildings and stone sculptures.
   • Continue to your accommodation and check in.

   Evening

   • A relaxing traditional Sri Lankan Ayurvedic massage / wellness treatment.
   • Experience one of Sri Lanka's ancient traditions of natural wellness.

   Overnight: Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya area Meals: Breakfast & dinner

5. Day 5
   Dambulla Cave Temple → Kandy

   Morning · about 3 hrs, 80 km

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   • Explore the ancient cave complex, famous for its Buddhist statues and decorated murals.

   Afternoon

   • Continue towards Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.
   • Check in to your hotel and relax.

   Evening

   • Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist sites.
   • Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance performance.
   • Return to the hotel.

   Overnight: Kandy Meals: Breakfast & dinner

6. Day 6
   Kandy → Nuwara Eliya, the heart of tea country

   Morning · about 3 hrs, 80 km

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Travel into the central highlands with views of mountains, tea plantations and waterfalls.
   • Visit a Ceylon tea plantation and factory, subject to the day's schedule.
   • Learn how the world-famous Sri Lankan tea is made.

   Afternoon

   • Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and check in to your hotel.
   • Afternoon at leisure.
   • Enjoy the cool climate and charming atmosphere of Sri Lanka's "Little England".

   Overnight: Nuwara Eliya Meals: Breakfast & dinner

7. Day 7
   Horton Plains National Park → Ella

   Early morning · about 1½ hrs, 30 km

   • Depart early for Horton Plains National Park.
   • A scenic trek through the highland landscape.
   • Visit the World's End viewpoint, subject to weather and trail conditions.

   Later morning · about 2 hrs, 60 km

   • Return from Horton Plains and continue towards Ella.
   • Enjoy the mountain scenery along the way.

   Afternoon

   • Arrive in Ella and check in to your hotel.
   • Relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

   Overnight: Ella Meals: Breakfast & dinner

8. Day 8
   Little Adam's Peak → Nine Arch Bridge → Ella Rock

   Early morning

   • Start the day with a climb to Little Adam's Peak.
   • Panoramic views across Ella's mountains and valleys.

   Morning

   • Visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge.
   • A scenic hike through the surrounding tea plantations and countryside.

   Afternoon / Evening

   • Some leisure time.
   • Later, the Ella Rock hike for views over the surrounding highlands.
   • Return to your hotel and relax.

   Overnight: Ella Meals: Breakfast & dinner

9. Day 9
   Ella → Yala National Park safari

   Morning · about 3 hrs, 110 km

   • Breakfast at the hotel.
   • Check out and travel through the southern landscapes towards Yala National Park.
   • Check in to your hotel and relax.

   Afternoon / Evening

   • An exciting Yala National Park safari in one of Sri Lanka's most famous wildlife destinations.
   • Look out for elephants, leopards, crocodiles, wild buffalo, deer and many bird species.
   • Return to the hotel after the safari.

   Overnight: Yala area Meals: Breakfast & dinner

10. Day 10
    Yala → Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home → Mirissa

    Morning · about 2 hrs, 75 km

    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Check out and travel towards Udawalawe.
    • Visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, subject to opening hours and visitor arrangements.
    • Learn about the care of orphaned elephant calves and their return to the wild.

    Afternoon · about 1½ hrs, 68 km

    • Continue to the southern coast.
    • Arrive in Mirissa and check in to your hotel.
    • Afternoon at leisure — relax on the beach or enjoy the coastal atmosphere.

    Overnight: Mirissa Meals: Breakfast & dinner

11. Day 11
    Mirissa whale watching → Galle Fort → Negombo

    Early morning

    • Early departure for a whale-watching excursion from Mirissa.
    • Search the waters for whales, dolphins and other marine life.
    • Sightings depend on weather, sea conditions and natural animal movements.

    Late morning

    • Return to shore after the excursion.
    • Breakfast / refreshments, then check out from the hotel.

    Afternoon · about 1 hr, 40 km

    • Travel to historic Galle Fort.
    • Explore the UNESCO-listed fort: ramparts, colonial-era architecture, streets and coastal views.
    • Free time to walk around, take photographs and enjoy the atmosphere.

    Later afternoon / evening · about 3 hrs, 155 km

    • Continue from Galle to Negombo.
    • Arrive in Negombo and conclude your Trailmark Tours adventure.

    Tour ends in Negombo