ALL EXCURSIONS, MEALS& INCLUDEDENTRANCES AS PROGRAMMEPER

estates and lush greenery overlooking the famous Ella Gap. Overnight at Mountain Heaven Hotel in Ella (or similar).

WEDNESDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER | We start off with breakfast and then we make our way to Yala. Today an exciting safari awaits us at Yala National Park - the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala is known for holding the highest concentration of leopard in the world. The vast extent of the park is mainly scrub jungle with rocky outcrops and dotted with many salt and fresh water lagoons. Elephant, leopard, sloth bear, crocodile, wild buffalo and sambur thrive here, as well as herds of spotted deer, wild boar, langur and macaque monkeys and many small mammals. Over 215 species of birds can be seen with peacocks being a common sight. Overnight stay Chaarya Resort Hotel (or similar).

THURSDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER | After breakfast, we check out and proceed to Kaluthara. Enroute we visit Galle sites including Galle Dutch fort, light house. Galle Fort, located on the southern coast of the country, is one of the five historical monuments which one must visit when in Sri Lanka. Today it is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s a stunning blend of architecture, archaeology and history amidst a beautiful tropical setting. The Galle Fort attracts many tourists and locals not just because of its historical appeal but the buzzing life inside the monument with lively shops and cafes, museums, villas and lifestyle shops to complete your experience. We then proceed to Galle Fort Lighthouse, one of the oldest in Sri Lanka built in 1848. It is one of the most visited attractions of the fort due to its picturesque surroundings, perfect for a serene stroll. Later we arrive at our hotel – Tangerine Beach Hotel (or similar) in Kaluthara.

FRIDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER | Today after breakfast we take the opportunity to enjoy a full day at leisure. Overnight in Kaluthara.

SATURDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER | After breakfast we explore Bentota, starting from Brief Garden, a Japanese style design that will take you back to colonial days. We then proceed to the turtle hatchery a successful conservation effort established to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction having has five out of seven species of turtles in the world. All 5 species have been recorded to nest along specific areas of Sri Lanka’s coast. Most vulnerable of all are their eggs, which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. Later we have the opportunity to enjoy a Madu River boat safari down the beautiful river, a wetland estuary spreading over 900 hectares of which 770 hectares is covered with water and 64 islands. Whilst our last visit is at Cinnamon island, famous for it’s age-old cinnamon plantation where we learn about its process and uses.

SUNDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER/MONDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER | This morning we have breakfast and enjoy our last day in Sri Lanka. Later in the afternoon we are transferred to the airport of Colombo for our Emirates flight departing (18th September) at 3.15am and arriving at Dubai at 6.00am. This is followed by our connecting flight departing Dubai at 8.00am and arriving in Malta 2.05pm.