Trip Style - Portfolio
Blue Whale and Leopard Experience[ Print this itinerary 
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Explore the idyllic seaside town of Weligama, home to the highest concentration of dolphins and whales. This superb 9-day tour also showcases the rich wildlife of Yala, Sri Lanka's second largest wildlife destination, which is famous for its magnificent elephants and leopards.
- Trip Highlights
- Detailed Itinerary
- Accommodation Gallery
- Inclusions / Exclusions
- Activity level
- Departure Dates
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- Tour of Colombo (optional)
- Galle Fort - a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Whales and Dolphins of Weligama
- Elephants, Leopards and Sloth Bears of Yala
- Nature Trails and Birdwatching
Day 1 - Colombo
Arrive at Colombo and transfer to your hotel. If time permits, go on an optional tour of the city. Colombo is the largest city and the former capital of Sri Lanka. It is a modern city but still retains its old world charm due to the presence of many buildings with colonial architecture and many other ruins from the past. It has a large harbor and was an important stop in the east-west sea route trade for ancient travelers.
- Meals: No meals
- Accommodation: Cinnamon Lakeside
- Optional: City Tour
Head towards Weligama in the morning. It is about three and a half hours drive from Colombo. Weligama is a scenic bay, situated on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is famous for its stilt fishermen and bears the charm of an idyllic fishing village. Visit the Dutch built Galle Fort, a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site, en route. Then proceed towards your scenic resort where you spend the next three nights.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Mandara Resort
Spend time watching various whales and dolphins out in the sea.
In the morning, depart with your naturalist to Mirissa Fishery's Harbour. Board a comfortable boat to commence your journey into the sea. The highlight of the day will be sighting blue whales and spinner dolphins. As you head deeper into the waters in search of whales, look out for pods of spinner dolphins which can sometime number in the hundreds. The large concentration of blue whales found here is quite astounding. During the migration, blue whales are seen relatively close to shore as the continental shelf is narrow to the South of Dondra. In the afternoon, you can relax on the beach. Return to your resort in the evening.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Mandara Resort
Leave Weligama and head towards Yala National Park, about three and a half hours away by road. Yala National Park, located in the southeast region, is the second largest park in Sri Lanka. It is famous for its population of Sri Lankan elephants as well as its aquatic birds. The most commonly seen mammals here are leopards and the sloth bears.
In the afternoon, go game drives and try to spot various wildlife within the park. According to some sources, Yala Block 1 has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Yala therefore offers one of the best chances in Asia to see leopards. Other large animals you may see include mugger crocodile, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boars, wild buffaloes, jackals, grey langurs, and mongooses. Yala is also a great place for bird watching. There are about 300 species of birds residing here. Birding highlights include the Malabar pied hornbill, painted stork, lesser adjutant, and black-necked stork.
The next two days, are also spent going on various game safaris in the morning as well as in the afternoons.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Yala Village Hotel
Today, early in the morning, go on a nature trail along with a guide and see some birds around the hotel. There is also an opportunity to go on an optional morning game drive for one last time. After lunch, drive for about six hours to reach Negombo, near Colombo. Check into your hotel in the evening and rest for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Tamarind Tree or similar
- Optional: Additional game drive in Yala
The trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Please Note : Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice. The accommodations listed in this dossier are our preferred suppliers, but sometimes due to availability issues, we are unable to make use of the properties listed in this dossier. If we cannot use an accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards.
Accommodation Gallery
What's Included
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Ground transportation with an English speaking driver/guide
- Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
- Park or reserve entry fees
- Game drives /activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Taxes
What's Excluded
- International airfare
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Gratuities and Tips
- Visas and Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Optional activities (if any)
- Souvenirs
- All items of personal nature
- Any increase in taxes, fuel cost and emergency rescue costs
Moderate - Requires a spirit of adventure and some degree of fitness, as the trip might consist of many activities or long journeys. These adventures involve walking, trekking, hiking, cycling, rafting, sea kayaking, or driving for long hours, at times for up to six to eight hours a day at a steady pace. The maximum altitude is 3000m, so it requires you to be reasonably physically fit. The trips are usually 6 to 12 days in duration.
The ‘Only Tigers’, a 11 day itinerary, is a perfect example of this activity level as it involves long journeys for up to eight hours a day and a bit of walking. Also, ‘Around Spitsbergen - Kvitøya and Beyond ’, a 10 day itinerary is another example of this trip activity level.
You should be reasonably fit because you will be travelling in extreme weather conditions.
Other Activity Levels
Basic - Designed for travellers who enjoy the outdoors, are in good health, and want an interesting yet relaxing wildlife experience. These trips
may involve walking, trekking, hiking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking at a very slow pace. Certain trips involve safari drives for a maximum of
five hours a day. Most of these trips are usually a week long in duration.
The ‘Classic Yala Tour’, ‘Kenya Luxury’ and ‘Luxury in Botswana’ itineraries are the best examples of this activity level as you’ll have a relaxed
holiday. These trips are mostly about culture and sightseeing. There will be exploring on foot and safaris drives involved as well. Most travellers
will find themselves comfortable with the basic activity level trips.
High - Fitness is vital at this level, as the environment traversed may be remote and challenging. These rugged experiences include long walks, trekking, cycling or rafting in isolated areas through variable weather conditions for up to eight to ten hours a day. These trips are usually 13 to 19 days in duration.
The ‘Ultimate Nepal Trekker’, is a good example of this trip activity level as it involves hiking and trekking for up to eight hours a day. Maximum altitude will be 4000m and you need to be very fit in order to withstand the weather conditions. Also, ‘Kilimanjaro Trek- Rongai route’ is another example that applies to this this activity level. Good physical condition is essential and previous hill-walking experience or preparation is advisable.
Advanced - At this level, PlanetWildlife recommends previous experience of the activity involved. These are our most challenging and advanced expeditions. They include long walks, cycling, trekking, hiking or rafting in variable weather conditions for more than ten hours a day. These trips may often be over 3 weeks in duration.
The ‘South Atlantic Odyssey’, a 31-day itinerary, is a perfect example of this trip activity level as it involves sailing for long hours in extreme weather conditions. Also, the ‘Snow Leopard Experience’ itinerary is another example which best suits this activity level. Ascents and descents are over 1000m at altitudes up to 6000m and the climate can be rigorous and challenging. Excellent physical condition and previous mountain trekking experience or appropriate preparation is essential.
Please click the “Request your Quote” tab and give us the information and we will design this holiday specially for you.
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