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Home to a rich variety of landscapes and habitats, Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for pupils to learn to observe wildlife and study new environments. Highlights include observing wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park, studying rainforests in Sinharaja Forest Reserve, whale watching on the south west coast, and learning about conservation efforts across different eco-systems.

The field trek states in the mangrove swamps of Muthurajawela, which is home to biologically diverse life systems. From here, travel by boat to survey the marshlands, looking out for different species of amphibians, birds and plants. The journey continues onto the ancient city of Kandy, to discover the religious and cultural diversity in Sri Lanka’s past capital. 

Typical itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart the UK

    Depart the UK on an overnight flight bound for Colombo.

  2. Day 2: Arrive Colombo; transfer to Wattala; riverboat tour

    You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Wattala. After resting from the flight, you will then set out to explore the Muthurajawela Mangrove Reserve by boat. The largest saline coastal peat bog in Sri Lanka, the Muthurajawela Marshes are situated just south of Negombo and covers an area of approximately 6,000 hectares. The daily high tide brings in seawater from the ocean into the wetland. Continuous mixing of these two waters over thousands of years, has led to a brackish, integrated coastal ecosystem that is biologically diverse and teeming with life. A variety of mangroves and other types of flora including medicinal plants are found in this biologically diverse coastal ecosystem, alongside numerous types of birds, butterflies and fish, some of which are endemic. Crocodiles, monitor lizards, and Sri Lanka’s largest snake, the python, are also native.  Return to the hotel for dinner.

  3. Day 3: Kandy; afternoon cultural tour

    After breakfast you will set off for Kandy, visiting a spice garden en route. Pupils will get to know the different processes in growing plants, through to cultivating, and the medicinal benefits. Continuing onto Kandy, you should arrive in time for lunch, followed by a tour of the city and its famous cultural sites. You will visit Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temple, ‘The Temple of the Tooth’, which attracts pilgrims from all over the island to take part in traditional ceremonies.

    In the evening, there will be an opportunity to visit a cultural show, featuring exuberant drumming and traditional dances.

  4. Day 4: Nuwara Eliya; vsit tea factory and botanical gardens

    The road to Nuwara Eliya climbs 1,400 metres,winding slowly upwards through a beautiful landscape of tumbling waterfalls and dramatic hills, cloaked in the green leaves of innumerable tea bushes. As the road ascends, the air grows cooler as you head up to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya.

    On arrival in Nuwara Eliya you will take a city tour and visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Established in 1860, the gardens started life as an experimental plantation of cinchona trees, from which the antimalarial drug quinine is derived. They are now best known for their roses, ferns and orchid house- and for their beautiful views. The gardens are also home to some interesting wildlife, including bear monkeys and samba deer, as well as an outstanding array of montane birdlife.

  5. Day 5: Horton Plains; trek to ‘World’s End’

    After breakfast you will leave for Horton Plains National Park with a packed lunch. Horton Plains is an undulating 2,000 metre high plateau consisting of grassy plains, which are interspersed with small patches of forest. The most dramatic feature of the National Park is ‘World’s End’ where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops nearly 1,000 metres vertically. The best way to explore the park is on foot and Horton Plains is well recognised for its rich biodiversity. About 5% of the species of flora found here are endemic to Sri Lanka.

    After exploring the park, return back to to Nuwara Eliya, in time for dinner.

  6. Day 6: Udawalawe National Park; afternoon wildlife safari

    Today, depart from Nuwara Eliya for Udawalawe National Park. On arrival at the campsite,  there will some time for the group to relax, before heading into the park on a 4 wheel drive safari.

    Udawalawe National Park provides a wildlife sanctuary for animals displaced by construction; the park has several different habitats to explore, such as marshland, rivers, forests and jungle. With a variety of eco-systems, it is home to over 70 species of mammals and reptiles and over 130 bird species. Elephants roam freely here and the park plays an important role in rehoming abandoned calves with the permanent herds who reside in the park. You can also expect to see deer, wild boar, water buffalo and perhaps the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. 

  7. Day 7: Morning wildlife safari; visit Elephant Transit Home; transfer to Mirissa

    Today, wake early for a second opportunity to explore Udawalawe. There is good chance to see more wildlife in the early morning, more so the rarer mammals such as golden jackal, Asian palm civet and sloth bear. 

    After this morning’s safari, you will visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, a facility hestablished in 1995 to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves back into the surrounding national park.  You will learn about the conflict between mankind and wild elephants, and the process of rehabilitating young elephants back into the wild.

    Afterwards, transfer by road to Mirissa, a costal town facing the Indian Ocean. After a long day, there will be time to relax before dinner and preparation for an early start the next day.

  8. Day 8: Whale watching; transfer to Sinharaja Forest Reserve

    Today is an early start for a whale watching excursion from Mirissa harbour. The waters here rank as one the top places in the world to spot blue and sperm whales. On board, you will learn about the patterns of migration that attract these majectic creatures to the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. It is also possible to see several different species of dolphins and other whale species here.

    On return to shore, the itinerary heads back inland to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.  A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Sinharaja is the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest found in Sri Lanka. After lunch, enjoy a guided nature walk to discover the variety of biodiversity found in the reserve. 

    After dinner, the group will take a guided night trek to spot nocturnal wildlife activity around the camp.

  9. Day 9: Sinharaja Forest Reserve

    After breakfast, the group will have a full day's trekking through the rainforest, looking out for wildlife and learning to identify different species of flora and fauna. During the day, there will be the opportunity to cool off at waterfall, before returning to camp for dinner, after which there will be a night walk, looking out for nocturnal amphibians and bats.

  10. Day 10: Transfer to Negombo

    This morning, you will leave Sinharaja and travel back to the coast, to spend the last day by the Indian Ocean at the seaside town of Negombo. After lunch, you have the opportunity to visit the local fish market, to see today’s catch being brought and sold at the market. You will see the local fishing methods and boats used to bring in the catch. Afterwards there will be time for everyone to relax by the sea and enjoy the beach, before tonight’s final dinner

  11. Day 11: Transfer to Colombo & fly back to the UK

    After breakfast, transfer to Colombo Airport for the return flight to the UK

  12. Day 12: Arrive UK

Whale watching form Mirissa is seasonal and dependent on the time of year for the best whale sightings - usually this is between November and May. It is possible to see whales and other sea mammals during the summer months, but it is more uncommon to see blue or sperm whales. Please contact a member of the team to discuss the available options and when to go.

Key info

This suggested itinerary is based on personal recommendation and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
  • Destination: Sri Lanka
  • When to go: Apr to Oct
  • Duration: 12 days
  • Trip type: Fieldtrek
  • Subject: Biology
  • Itinerary highlights:
    • Spotting elephants in Udwalawe National Park
    • Studying life in a living rainforest in Sinharaja
    • Whale watching in Mirissa
  • Activities:
    • Nature walk
    • Safari
    • Trekking
  • Accommodation: Hotels, lodges and camping
  • Ideal for: Ages 16 to 18
  • Travellers will need:
    • Strong interest in the chosen subject
    • A desire to learn more in its natural environment

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Locations

Featured locations:

Kandy

Royal Palace complex housing the Temple of the Tooth with Kandy Lake in foreground

An ancient capital home to religious relics and the gateway to exploring central Sri Lanka, Kandy is the cultural and historical heart of Sri Lanka and a location not to be missed. Find out more about Kandy