Touch down in Sri Lanka and ease into your journey with a short 20‑minute drive (15 km) to Negombo, a coastal town celebrated for its relaxed atmosphere and fishing traditions. It’s the ideal spot to shake off the flight—warm tropical air, the scent of the sea, and perhaps a cold Lion beer by the beach.

Negombo’s character reflects its colonial past: predominantly Catholic, yet enriched by Buddhist and Hindu communities. The town buzzes with life while maintaining a laid‑back charm, with welcoming locals and vibrant markets. In November, expect daytime highs around 30°C and evenings near 25°C, accompanied by tropical humidity, occasional showers, and lush greenery—coconut palms, mangroves, and frangipani trees.

Spend the day unwinding. Wander along the Dutch canal, savor fresh seafood by the lagoon, or simply soak in the coastal rhythm. Today is about acclimatizing; tomorrow, the adventure truly begins.

Overnight stay in Negombo

After breakfast, check out and head north on a 170 km drive (around 4 hours) to Wilpattu National Park. As Sri Lanka’s largest and oldest reserve, Wilpattu is renowned for leopard sightings, sloth bears, and its distinctive “villus”—natural sand‑rimmed lakes that draw an abundance of wildlife.

Expect warm days near 30°C, with dry‑zone vegetation such as palu, weera, and satinwood trees. The park’s mix of dense scrub and open glades creates the perfect setting to spot elusive predators during your jeep safari.

Later, continue just 45 km (about 1 hour) to Anuradhapura, the island’s ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, sacred stupas and centuries‑old fig trees set a tranquil backdrop for your overnight stay. Rest well—the elephants await tomorrow.

Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Check out and set off eastward on a scenic 105 km drive (around 2.5 hours) through rice paddies and forested landscapes to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital. This historic city blends ancient ruins with tranquil lakeside views, offering both cultural depth and natural charm.

By late afternoon, continue just 20 km (about 30 minutes) to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari. Here, you’ll witness the awe‑inspiring elephant gathering—hundreds of wild elephants congregating around the Minneriya tank during the dry season, grazing and bathing in herds. It’s one of nature’s most humbling spectacles.

Return to your hotel in the evening and unwind beneath the stars, letting the day’s experiences sink in before tomorrow’s adventures.

Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa

Rise early and set out for Wasgamuwa National Park, about 90 km (roughly 1.5 hours) from Polonnaruwa. This lesser‑known reserve is a hidden gem—peaceful, uncrowded, and teeming with biodiversity. Elephants roam freely here, alongside purple‑faced langurs, water buffalo, and even the elusive sloth bear. With quiet trails and open plains, the park offers a serene backdrop for wildlife viewing.

After your safari, continue to Mahiyanganaya (around 60 km, 1.5 hours) for a unique cultural experience. Share a traditional lunch with the Weddha tribe, Sri Lanka’s indigenous forest‑dwellers. Learn about their hunting techniques, hear stories of the jungle, and gain insight into a way of life deeply connected to nature.

Overnight stay in Mahiyanganaya

Wake before dawn for a birdwatching tour at Sorabora Wewa, a tranquil lake fringed by forest. Drift across the still waters by boat while enjoying a scenic breakfast, watching for painted storks, grey-headed fish eagles, kingfishers, and cormorants. Mist rises from the lake as birdsong echoes through the trees—a serene start to the day.

Later in the morning, check out and drive to Gal Oya (approx. 100 km / 2.5 hours). This untouched region is home to Sri Lanka’s largest man-made reservoir and dense jungle. On arrival, settle into your lodge and spend the evening at leisure—perhaps gathered around a bonfire, or simply soaking in the sounds of the forest.

Overnight stay in Gal Oya

Begin the day at leisure—soak in the lodge’s charm, the sweeping views, and the stillness of the forest. Later, embark on a boat safari across Senanayake Samudraya, where you may witness one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles: elephants swimming between islands. With trunks lifted and bodies gliding through the water, they move with a rare blend of grace and power—an unforgettable sight.

Return to your lodge in the evening and let the jungle embrace you. This is one of Sri Lanka’s last great wildernesses—untamed, remote, and profoundly moving.

Overnight stay in Gal Oya

After breakfast, check out and travel south to Yala National Park—a 220 km drive (approx. 5.5 hours) through landscapes that shift from lush jungle valleys to arid plains. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most celebrated wildlife reserve, famed for its high leopard density and home to elephants, crocodiles, and vibrant peacocks strutting through the scrub.

On arrival, check in to your safari lodge and unwind for the evening. Whether you gather for a bush dinner or simply sit beneath the stars, the wild is always close at hand.

Overnight stay in Yala

Spend a slow morning at leisure—sleep in, enjoy the lodge’s comforts, or take a gentle nature walk. In the afternoon, prepare for your jeep safari in Yala, timed to coincide with golden hour when wildlife stirs. Leopards are most active at this time, and with luck, you may spot one slipping through the brush or basking on a sunlit rock.

Yala’s landscapes shift from coastal lagoons to rocky outcrops and open plains, offering a rich variety of sightings. Mongoose dart across paths, jackals roam the scrub, spotted deer graze in herds, and Malabar pied hornbills flash their striking plumage overhead. The park’s rhythm is raw and unpredictable—every turn reveals a new surprise.

Return to your lodge at dusk and unwind. The thrill of tracking big cats and hearing the jungle awaken as night falls is an experience that lingers long after.

Overnight stay in Yala

After breakfast, check out and journey west to Sinharaja Rainforest, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Sri Lanka’s last remaining expanse of primary rainforest. The 200 km drive (approx. 5 hours) winds through charming villages, rolling tea estates, and mist-covered hills. As you approach, the vegetation grows dense and ancient—towering hardwoods, tangled lianas, delicate orchids, and rare medicinal plants found nowhere else on Earth.

Arrive at your eco-lodge and spend the evening at leisure. The forest hums with life—frogs croak, cicadas sing, and leaves rustle in the twilight. Tomorrow, you’ll step into one of South Asia’s richest ecosystems, a living treasure trove of biodiversity.

Overnight stay in Sinharaja

Rise early for a guided birdwatching trek beneath Sinharaja’s emerald canopy. Keep an eye out for rare endemics such as the Sri Lanka blue magpie, red-faced malkoha, green-billed coucal, and the Sri Lanka junglefowl. The rainforest is alive with calls, flashes of colour, and constant movement—each step reveals a new wonder.

The trek is moderate, with uneven terrain and slippery paths, so sturdy shoes and a spirit of adventure are essential. Sinharaja’s biodiversity is staggering, with over 147 bird species, countless reptiles, insects, and amphibians creating a living symphony around you.

After lunch, check out and drive to Mirissa (approx. 150 km / 3.5 hours). On arrival, settle into your accommodation and spend the evening at leisure—perhaps strolling along the beach at sunset or enjoying a seafood dinner by the ocean.

Overnight stay in Mirissa

You’ve tracked leopards in Yala, watched elephants gather in Minneriya, spotted sloth bears in Wilpattu, met crocodiles in Gal Oya, and birded through Sinharaja. Now comes the final member of Sri Lanka’s Big Five—the blue whale, the largest creature ever to roam the Earth.

Rise early and head to Mirissa Harbour for a whale-watching cruise (approx. 3–5 hours). The waters off Mirissa are among the world’s best for spotting blue whales and sperm whales, especially between November and April. Blue whales can reach up to 30 meters in length and weigh as much as 200 tons, while sperm whales are deep-diving giants, famed for their massive heads and haunting clicks. These ocean titans are more than majestic—they are vital ecosystem engineers, fertilizing phytoplankton and helping regulate the planet’s carbon cycle.

In the evening, unwind by the coast. Stroll along the beach or settle into one of Mirissa’s hotspots such as Zephyr Restaurant & Bar, Papa Mango, or Salt Mirissa. Whether it’s fresh seafood, a tropical cocktail, or simply toes in the sand, tonight is about celebrating the wild, the waves, and the wonder of Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay in Mirissa

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport—a journey of about 110 km (approx. 2 hours, depending on your beach location). As you leave, bid goodbye to the island that has given you jungle treks, river adventures, sacred rituals, and coastal bliss.

Carry with you the stories, the flavours, and the adrenaline of Sri Lanka’s wild heart. Whether you return yourself or inspire others to visit, one truth remains: adventure thrives here.

Meal: Breakfast