Adventure AsiaAI-assisted
Sri Lanka4 days

Sri Lanka: Wildlife, Coast & Hill Country — 4 Days

Udawalawe and Yala safari, Horton Plains trek, and botanical gardens of Kandy

This four-day itinerary moves through Sri Lanka's primary wildlife regions and highland terrain. It begins in Udawalawe National Park, where morning and afternoon safaris offer sightings of Asian elephants, sloth bears, and water buffalo. From there, the route travels to Horton Plains National Park for a trek to Baker's Fall and World's End, a dramatic escarpment with views across the central highlands. The journey continues to Kandy, with a stop at a working tea plantation and factory en route, before concluding with visits to the Temple of the Tooth and Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Accommodation includes safari lodge stays and mid-range hotels in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, with transfers by private car and English-speaking driver throughout.

Highlights

  • Morning and afternoon safari in Udawalawe National Park to observe elephants, sloth bears, and numerous bird species
  • Visit to Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe to learn about orphaned elephant care and rehabilitation
  • Trek through Horton Plains National Park to Baker's Fall and World's End
  • Tea plantation and factory tour en route to Kandy
  • Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site
  • Peradeniya Botanical Garden on a bend of the Mahaweli River

Day by day

1Colombo to Udawalawe: Elephant Transit Home & Afternoon SafariElephant Transit Home · Colombo to Udawalawe National Park · Udawalawe National Park · Nil Diya Mankada Safari Lodge
Drive south from Colombo to Udawalawe National Park. Visit the Elephant Transit Home, then join an afternoon safari at 3 PM to observe elephants, bears, and diverse birdlife across the park's grasslands. Stay overnight at Nil Diya Mankada Safari Lodge.
2Udawalawe Safari & Horton Plains TrekUdawalawe National Park · Elephant Transit Home · Horton Plains National Park · Nuwara Eliya
A morning safari at Udawalawe National Park seeks elephant sightings, followed by a visit to the Elephant Transit Home. The route then travels northwest to Horton Plains National Park—approximately 3 hours by road. An evening trek leads to Baker's Fall and World's End before descending to Nuwara Eliya for the night at Glennfall Reach.
3Kandy via Tea Plantation and Factorytea plantation and working factory · Hotel Thilanka
After breakfast, travel to Kandy with stops at a tea plantation and working factory. Overnight at Hotel Thilanka.
4Kandy Temples & Botanical Garden, Return to ColomboTemple of the Tooth · Peradeniya Botanical Garden · Kandy to Colombo
After breakfast, visit the Temple of the Tooth, then visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Private transfer to Colombo follows.

Where you go

Map: Sri Lanka: Wildlife, Coast & Hill Country — 4 Days route
Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
  1. 1Elephant Transit Home
  2. 2Udawalawe National Park
  3. 3Elephant Transit Home
  4. 4Horton Plains National Park
  5. 5Nuwara Eliya
  6. 6Temple of the Tooth

Included

  • Accommodation in mentioned hotels
  • Meals as per mentioned meal plans
  • Air conditioned transfers with an English speaking chauffeur guide
  • All mentioned activities and park entrance fees
  • Prices may vary plus/minus depending on the season
  • Accommodation and meals during Short Tours in Sri Lanka - 3 Nights
  • Short Breaks Option III (For 2 Adults)
  • 1 night in Paradise Beach Club in Mirissa on Half Board Basis
  • 1 night in Nil Diya Mankada Safari Lodge in Udawalawe on bed and breakfast basis
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