Sri Lanka Group Adventure with Tilly McConnell

Your adventure begins! We’ll meet at an agreed location for our transfer from Colombo to the stunning 5 star Grand Tamarind Lake hotel. We’ll check in, before having some free time to relax and explore.

A full day exploring Lunugamvehera National Park and Yala Block 5 National Park with an experienced naturalist. These two national parks are perfect for an enthralling wildlife safari without the crowds. You’re likely to encounter elephants, the chital (spotted deer), jackals, crocodiles and many varieties of beautiful birds. If you are lucky, you may also come across the more elusive Sri Lankan leopard, or even the Sri Lankan sloth bear.

In the morning session we head out to Yala Block 5 National Park, also known as Veheragala National Park, in search of leopards. We’ll enjoy a breakfast on-the-go and then a scenic picnic lunch by the river. There will be a break between 11am to 2pm by the river, and you can choose to take walks in the area to explore and search for smaller wildlife like lizards, butterflies and birds.

In the afternoon we head out to Lunugamvehera National Park for the second session of the safari experience. Here you may come across wild elephant herds, the fishing cat, Asian palm civet, grey mongoose, grizzled giant squirrel and mouse deer.

This incredible experience starts at 6am and finishes at 6pm (12 hours). Breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day provided.

Visiting Yala National Park in Sri Lanka is an exhilarating adventure for wildlife enthusiasts. This expansive sanctuary is known for its rugged terrain and dense vegetation, and offers a thrilling opportunity to spot leopards, the park’s star attraction.

As you embark on safaris through its diverse ecosystems, you’ll also encounter elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, and an array of bird species. The anticipation of a leopard sighting amidst the picturesque landscapes of Yala adds a sense of awe and excitement to every moment spent exploring this untamed paradise.

Explore the lush and beautiful UNESCO World Heritage listed Sinharaja Rainforest on a 7-hour trek with an experienced guide. Sinharaja is considered one of the last remaining virgin rainforests, and is filled with rich fauna and flora.

The reserve is home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. It is also a bird-watcher’s paradise, with an abundance of species calling the forest home.

The trail takes you through a range of lush ecosystems – from tea estate, to dense rainforest, giant tree canopies and disturbed forest. You’ll also come across up to 7 waterfalls!

Surfing at Hiriketiya Bay promises a day of pure coastal bliss. This hidden gem on Sri Lanka’s southern coast offers consistent waves for all levels of surfers. Ride the gentle breaks or challenge yourself on larger swells, all while surrounded by a picturesque bay and a vibrant, laid-back beach atmosphere.

Note that surfing is an optional activity at your own expense. For those not wanting to surf, you can look forward to a relaxing day exploring the beautiful beach surrounds at your own leisure, or just chilling out on the sand and catching some sun. There is an abundance of beachside cafes and restaurants to check out as well.

The South Coast of Sri Lanka not only boasts beautiful and mostly deserted beaches – it is also one of the best places to go snorkelling with turtles in their natural habitat. This area is home to 5 of the world’s 7 marine turtle species, the most common of which is the Green Turtle.

We’ll visit the reef early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and watch the sun rise over this stunning location. This makes for a peaceful and intimate experience, allowing you to truly connect with nature.

Morning is also when marine life is most active, giving you the best chance to spend time watching the turtles and other species that live on the reef go about their day. Turtles are friendly and docile, and you’re likely to be able to hang out quite close to them as they munch on sea-grass. If you’re really lucky they may even accept a little sea-grass snack from you!

When you’re not in the water, the rest of the day can be spent relaxing and enjoying some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.

We’ll start the day with a transfer to Unawatana/Galle and for those keen, we can jump straight into a morning surf at Weligama Beach. This break has consistent, small and long waves, perfect for those learning and a lot of fun for surfers with some experience.

The day is then at your leisure to explore the historic Galle Fort and surrounding town with fish markets, fruit markets and and more. This is a great place to explore by foot, with plenty of culture to soak in, and some great spots for lunch.

Unawatana has some great swimming spots off the beach for an afternoon dip, and the calm serenity of the golden sandy beaches will give you a sense of relaxation as the salty wind brushes through your hair. You can watch the sunset over the ocean, with some fantastic photo opportunities of traditional stilt fishermen and the giant palm tree swings over the beach.

Our final day is not to be wasted, and we’ll kick off with a 2-3 hour Galle countryside cycling tour, going at your own pace over 12km (7.5mi).

The tour stays primarily on dirt and gravel tracks. You’ll see local industries, lagoons, mangroves, fauna, flora and much more as you coast along. We’ll also visit an old Buddhist temple built in BC 1794.

If you like to stay away from the touristy areas and experience the culture and lifestyle of the locals, this cycling tour is perfect for you. You can even meet the locals, and witness traditional practices like catching crabs using rope made from coconuts.

This is a great way to close what will have been a wonderful tour, before we wish each other a sad yet fond farewell and continue on with our own travels, wherever that may be.