Day 1Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, transfer to Villa Talangama, a secluded and luxurious private villa located in the suburbs of the city of Colombo – an hours drive from the airport. This is an ideal haven for acclimatising to Sri Lanka’s tropical climes and relaxing after the long flight. The villa setting is best described as a 'village in the city' surrounded by paddy fields, a lake and birds everywhere perched on the veranda, on trees, and on the buffalo that relax on the lakeside. The surrounding Talangama wetlands is a birder’s paradise with over 45 species of birds inhabiting this area including Purple Swamp hens, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, White-breasted Water hens and Spotted Doves, along with the endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, water monitors and numerous species of butterflies.

Day 2 & 3Your next destination is the wet zone of Sabaragamuwa Province in the western foothills of the central highlands. It is an area with tropical rainforests, winding rivers and an undulating terrain. Some of Sabaragamuwa’s popular destinations include Kitulgala - a hotspot for white water rafting and kayaking; the Sinharaja Rainforest and Ratnapura, also known as the `city of gems’. The Sinharaja - a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, is a biological treasure trove, which provides diverse habitats for numerous species of endemic fauna and flora not found anywhere else in the world. The reserve covers an area of about 11,000 hectares of lowland rainforest and is a valuable storehouse of scientific knowledge. Trekking through this magnificent jungle, the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island, is truly a rewarding experience.

Day 4 & 5Travel on to the foothills of Buttala in the southeastern corner of Sri Lanka, a dry zone area famous for its wide open savanna-like plains and home to some of the best national parks in the country including Yala and Uda Walalwe. We recommend Kalus’ Hideaway situated at the boarder of Uda Walawe National Park for your accommodation for the next two nights. The Uda Walawe National Park is home to over 500 Asian elephants that often roam in herds of up to 100. Leopards, buffalo, deer and sloth bears keep them company along with mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor lizards and crocodiles. Visit the Elephant Transit Camp at Uda Walawe run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department. Here about 22 young elephants, mostly babies, who have been orphaned or recovering from injuries, are being rehabilitated before release into the wild. The elephant population in Sri Lanka was at one time as high as 20,000 on this island. Unfortunately, today it has come down to 3,500. Conservation efforts such as the Elephant Transit Camp in Uda Walawe are vital to the future of this endangered species. The orphaned baby elephants reside at the transit camp for about four years until they are old enough to be weaned of milk and learn to eat grass and other vegetation from the bush. Each infant has to be fed on Lactogen milk formula five times a day first the first six months. Much funding is required for this expensive feeding process. The Wild Life Department has initiated a Baby Elephant Adoption Programme where individuals can provide funding on a monthly basis and become a foster parent to a baby elephant of their choice. Support this valiant effort at conserving the dwindling elephant population of Sri Lanka.

Day 6 & 7Leave first thing in the morning for Yala, the national park at Sri Lanka's south-east tip. En route visit Buduruvagala to see Sri Lanka's tallest rock-cut Buddha statue and other Buddhist statues that dates back to the 8C AD. For your two nights stay, we recommend a unique luxury camping experience in Yala National Park with Leopard Safaris. Yala, a nature reserve and national park with a total protected area of 126,768 hectares, consists of scrub plains, lagoons, and rocky sections and is home to a variety of animals including Leopard, elephants, sloth bears, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles, monkeys and buffalos. If time permits, we also recommend a visit to the jungle shrine of Kataragama, an ancient sacred pilgrimage site that is venerated by people of all faiths - Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians. It is believed that King Dutugemunu the warrior king and Sinhala folk hero built this jungle shrine for the worship of the Kataragama God in the 2nd century BC. There is also an ancient Buddhist Dagoba - `Kirivenhera’ at this site. The `Mahadewala’ – main Hindu shrine of God Skanda, the Hindu war God, and several other adjoining Hindu shrines conducts daily religious rituals (poojas).

Day 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12En route towards Galle to your south-coast beach hotel, why not visit Rakuwa, a small fishing village near Tangalle where a fascinating Marine Turtle Conservation project is helping to save this endangered species? The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is an ancient and phenomenal ritual that is fascinating to observe. You have an opportunity to contribute the Marine Turtle Conservation efforts through projects in Tangalle where you will observe this endangered species without interfering with its natural breeding habits. After an adventurous seven days of wilderness, your journey ends on one of the many beautiful beaches of the deep south where endless sunsets and the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean provide an idyllic setting for a perfect beach holiday. Stay five nights at the Weligama Bay Resort, a luxurious boutique hotel facing one of the most iconic bays in Sri Lanka: Weligama Bay, with Taprobane Island lying slightly off shore, and colourful fishing boats bobbing in the tiny harbour. Some of the country’s best diving spots are located nearby in Dickwella and Tangalle. Mirissa Water Sports offers exciting water sports activities such as sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river trips, sea kayaking, snorkelling and boating activities for visitors to the South coast. During the season from December to April, Mirissa Water Sports organises Dolphin and Whale watching excursions.

Day 13Today you head to the capital city of Colombo for your final nights stay at the Gall Face Regency. En route, visit Galle’s 17th century Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fort includes many well preserved buildings from the Dutch period, ramparts overlooking the cricket stadium and the lighthouse. There are several boutique hotels with excellent cafes and restaurants within the Fort where you can stop for a meal. Colombo is a compact and easily-explored city with a select band of boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Red Dot can offer up-to-date recommendations.