Kandy-Bandarawela railway
Grand Circle Foundation-supported school near Sigiriya
DAY 9 • Overland to Nuwara Eliya • Visit a tea plantation
Along the way to Nuwara Eliya, we’ ll stop to visit one of the many tea plantations that dot Sri Lanka’ s Hill Country. We’ ll learn about the tea-making process at the factory here, observe tea pluckers hard at work, and sample some of the estate’ s acclaimed tea.
Meals: B, D | Ripon Grand Hill or similar
DAY 10 • Train to Bandarawela • Ella • Yala National Park
After breakfast, we’ ll take a scenic train journey through the lush Sri Lankan landscape to Bandarawela. Then, we’ ll drive to Ella, a charming hillside village
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 11, set off on a game-viewing safari in Yala National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife, including herds of elephants and elusive leopards. surrounded by tiered tea plantations, waterfalls, and nature trails. We’ ll arrive at our hotel at the edge of Yala National Park in time for dinner.
Meals: B, D | Jetwing Yala or similar
DAY 11 • Controversial Topic: Sri Lanka’ s humanelephant conflict • Yala National Park • Gameviewing safari
Visit a local village to learn about the Controversial Topic of human-elephant conflict. Sri Lanka has the highest level of human-elephant conflict in the world— altercations which result in about 70 human and 300 elephant deaths a year. During our visit, a local will provide us with a firsthand account of one of these elephant attacks over a cup of tea. Then, we’ ll meet with a naturalist for a preview of the flora and fauna of Yala National Park, where we’ ll set off on a gameviewing safari after lunch.
Meals: B, L, D | Jetwing Yala or similar
DAY 12 • Morning game-viewing drive • Overland to Galle
Set off on an early morning game-viewing drive before breakfast today. Then, you’ ll have the morning free to relax at the lodge before we depart our hotel and begin our transfer to Galle.
Meals: B | Le Grand Galle or similar
DAY 13 • Explore Galle Fort • Optional Sunset Dinner Cruise
Explore Galle, an ancient fortified city that was the main port on the island for more than 200 years, and a major center of the spice trade. Modern Galle has refined its reputation as the island’ s art mecca, with artists from around the world drawn to its rich
contrast of Dutch colonial architecture and breezy tropical charm. Later, you may join an optional Sunset Dinner Cruise.
Meals: B, L | Le Grand Galle or similar
DAY 14 • Meditation session • Farewell Dinner at a family farm
You’ ll have an opportunity to participate in a 20-minute morning meditation session led by a resident monk if you wish. The hilltop temple was a place of refuge when the devastating tsunami struck these shores in 2004. This evening we’ ll enjoy a special Farewell Dinner at a local farm.
Meals: B, D | Le Grand Galle or similar
DAY 15 • Explore Colombo We’ ll transfer to Colombo, Sri Lanka’ s bustling commercial capital. Upon arrival, we’ ll visit Independence Square, home to a memorial built to commemorate Sri Lanka gaining independence from the British Empire in 1948. After lunch, the rest of the day is free.
Meals: B, L | Galle Face Hotel or similar
DAY 16 • Return to U. S. Depart to the airport late on Day 15 or early this morning for your return flight home or to begin your post-trip extension to Malaysia & Singapore.
Meals: B
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / sri
110 Sri Lanka: From Colombo & Kandy to the Wildlife of Yala