Example Itinerary
Wildlife Exploration in Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi
- Duration
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Price Per Person
-
Terms & Conditions
Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
Embark on a 14-day-long adventure that is sure to leave the whole family with enough incredible memories to last a lifetime. Start at Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, exploring the famed Dambulla Caves, climbing Sigiriya Rock, and floating above the landscape in a hot-air balloon. Witness the wonder of hundreds of wild elephants gathering at Minneriya National Park. Hop on a helicopter and land in the middle of tea country amongst verdant hills. Head to the shores to search for the elusive leopards, then to the waters to spot whales and dolphins. Abu Dhabi, a great city known for its opulence, is home to the lesser known Sir Bani Yas, an island dominated by free roaming giraffes, cheetahs and gazelles. Spend time getting close to the wildlife and nature through fun activities such as adventure safaris, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, hiking and snorkeling.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.
Highlights
• Jungle Safari: Game drives through Minneriya and Yala National Parks offer encounters with wild elephants, monkeys, deer, leopards, and sloth bears.
• Marine Life: Snorkel the reefs around Sir Bani Yas Island, learn about sea turtle conservation on the shores of Koggala, get PADI-certified in Weligama, then watch whales and dolphins breech the waters off the Sri Lankan coast.
• Desert Wilds: Swapping the jungle for the desert, travelers will get an education in Emirati falconry in Abu Dhabi; kayak mangroves and lagoons at Sir Bani Yas; then meet oryx, sand gazelle, and urial in the island's Arabian Wildlife Park.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
MapColombo
Touchdown at the airport in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. You’ll be greeted by your guide and escorted to your private vehicle and transferred to your hotel. Check in to your luxury hotel, whether at the centrally-located Tintagel or lakeside Uga Residence. Relax for the remainder of the day ahead of your adventure. Those eager for action have the option to delve right into the nighttime Colombo scene with a guided food tour to witness the hustle and bustle of local markets, spot iconic sites and local hangouts, and of course, sample Colombo’s unique mix of Sinhala, Muslim, Tamil, and Malay cuisines.
Hotel Options
Day 2
MapSigiriya
Set off this morning for Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle,” starting with Dambulla, a town two hours away famed for its rock cave temple. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage designated Dambulla caves and marvel at its ancient frescoes and sculptures depicting Buddha’’s life. Drive onward to nearby Sigiriya. Start with the Sigiriya Museum to learn about the ancient civilization, before ascending the ancient rock fortress known as the ‘Lion’s Rock,’ a UNESCO site with the rare distinction of being both a natural and manmade wonder of the world. The rock formation was carved into a small city fortress complete with palace residences, fountains, and employed a sophisticated hydraulic technology. Reach the top just in time to watch the sunset.
Hotel Options

Day 3
MapBogawantalawa Valley
Earlybirds wishing to see Sigiriya and the landscape from a unique perspective may opt to take a sunrise hot-air balloon ride which drifts effortlessly over the treetops, wildlife, lakes & rivers, and local homesteads. After breakfast, check out and drive to Minneriya National Park, home to many animals including endemic monkeys, deer, leopards, sloth bears. Travelers in September may witness hundreds of elephants that have traveled across the region to the Minneriya reservoir, known as the famous annual ’Elephant Gathering.’ Take a helicopter from Sigiriya and head to the nation's tea country. Check into your bungalow at Ceylon Tea Trails, a property owned by the famous Dilmah Tea company, the most recognized international brand of tea from Sri Lanka. Enjoy fresh crumpets with a cup of afternoon tea and relax for the rest of the day.
Hotel Options
Day 4
MapBogawantalawa Valley
The day is yours to leisurely explore the surrounding areas, hike the many routes across the hills, learn about the tea-making process, enjoy a game of croquet or tennis, and indulge in afternoon tea. Adventurous types can take on mountain biking, white-water rafting, and hiking more rigorous trails like Adam’s Peak.
Day 5
MapYala National Park
Wake up with the finest cup of tea and fresh crumpets and spend the morning relishing sublime mountain tranquility. At noon, get on another seaplane and fly towards the southern coast to Yala National Park just in time for lunch and the afternoon jeep safari. Choose between Leopard Trails or Wild Coast Tented Lodge, both quality camps that offer the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the elusive big cat. Yala is home to one of the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Guests are treated to private safaris in jeeps with a ranger, driver, and set of binoculars.
Hotel Options

Day 6
MapWeligama
Start the morning with another safari and chance to spot the leopards, as well as elephants, monkeys, peacocks, and a wide range of birds. Take a seaplane flight along the turquoise coastline to Koggala and drive a short way to your beach escape, Cape Weligama Resort. Freshen up and change into swimwear before your afternoon experience with Sri Lanka’s iconic fishermen who fish while perched on poles planted in the sea. Learn the technique, then climb onto a stilt and try your hand at this unique skill. Return to your resort to enjoy fresh seafood and dramatic shoreline views at sunset.
Hotel Options
Day 7
MapWeligama
Take an early morning private cruise out to sea for whale and dolphin watching. The plankton-rich waters is home to a thriving population of marine life. Keep an eye out for breaching blue whales and jumping bottle-nose and spinner dolphins. Return to your resort for lunch and to spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Choose amongst a variety of activities such as a pampering spa treatment, cocktails by the pool, or getting PADI-certified at the hotel and diving off the shore.
Day 8
MapGalle
Soak up more sun and beach before checking out at noon and departing for the historic town of Galle, just an hour away. Midway, stop at the sea turtle hatchery to learn about these cute yet hardy marine animals that lay their eggs on the protected Koggala shores and ongoing conservation efforts. Upon arrival at the UNESCO-designated port town, check in to Amangalla which was the Dutch Governor’s residence. Then, take to the fort town by foot and spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the byzantine streets’ old spice warehouses, cafes and restaurants, jewelry shops, and historic ramparts.
Hotel Options

Day 9
MapAbu Dhabi
Depart from the picturesque southern coast as you drive back to Colombo. Have lunch and spend time visiting the iconic sites such as Gangaramaya Temple, Seema Malaka water temple by the lake, Old Colombo Dutch Hospital, and the Clock Tower which was initially used as a lighthouse. Transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight, touching down in Abu Dhabi in the late evening. Meet your local guide at the airport and transfer to your palatial hotel, the Emirates Palace.
Hotel Options
Day 10
MapAbu Dhabi
Get ready for a full day of cultural exploration, starting with the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital to learn about the local culture of falconry, about the care and treatment of these magnificent birds, and get a photo with one perched on your arm. Run by the Emirates Heritage Club, the Heritage Village is a reconstruction of a traditional oasis village providing an interesting glimpse into the emirate’s past. Traditional aspects of the desert way of life, including a campfire with coffee pots, a goats’ hair tent, and a falaj irrigation system, are attractively displayed in the open museum. Take in world-class art at the Lourve before ending the day with a visit to the beautiful Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque.

Day 11
MapSir Bani Yas Island
Take a morning water taxi to Sir Bani Yas island and check in to Anantara’s Al Sahel Villas, an oasis in the middle of the island’s Arabian Wildlife Park. Put on comfortable shoes and explore the island for the rest of the day such as self-guided or ranger-led wildlife walks around the savannah and mangrove lagoon for close-up encounters with the free-roaming animals.
Hotel Options
Day 12
MapSir Bani Yas Island
Take more wildlife walks or partake in archery and mountain biking in the morning. At noon, check out and move to Anantara’s Al Yamm Villa for a change of scenery and wildlife. Here, guests are taken on game drives. The park houses about 13,000 animals indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, including endangered species such as sand gazelles, Urial and Barbary sheep and Arabian Oryx. There are also free-roaming giraffes, flamingos, and ostriches, as well as predators and scavengers such as the Sudan cheetah and striped hyena.
Day 13
MapSir Bani Yas Island
Spend your final day communing with nature on game drives, kayaking through mangrove forests, or snorkeling around the beautiful reefs.

Day 14
MapDeparture
Watch gazelles graze in front of your villa over breakfast before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
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The tiny island of Sri Lanka has endured a lot, both in the past and in recent memory. Torn apart by civil war and a devastating tsunami, this strong and determined little country has fought its way through the hard times and come out on the other side not only with its beauty and culture intact, but also with its eyes on bigger rewards.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

Marge & Julie, London
We had a wonderful time on our trip to Sri Lanka....we definitely had numerous experiences that would not have occurred had we just used one of the bigger travel agencies.
