Weave your way through this island’s wildlife, history and cultural fascinations
Jaffna and the North: Off the beaten path in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Perfect for solo travellers, couples and cultural explorers
Iconic wildlife viewings in Sri Lanka’s largest national park
Explore ancient cities and other iconic must-visit heritage sites
Birder’s paradise: over 330 species to be admired
Exclusively uncover untouched, protected islands
Your journey at a glance
Set off on an expedition into the cultural heart of northern Sri Lanka. From beautiful forests to well-preserved forts, see what bounty this small island nation has to offer.
While this is primarily a cultural excursion, it wouldn’t be an &Beyond trip without wildlife. Fortunately, Sri Lanka boasts excellent viewing of leopard, sloth bear and a pantheon of birds.
Guests are hosted in four locations of our trusted partners across the north of the island. From inland forested hideaways to coastal retreats, there is an abundance of attractions to experience. Park drives, local cooking classes, ancient monuments and beach trips all form part of this unique adventure.
2 nights Wilpattu | 1 night Mannar | 4 nights Jaffna| 3 nights Thirappane
TAILORMAKE YOUR STAY
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations
A taste of what to expect…
Day 1 | Arrival
Wilpattu
Leopard Trails
After a warm welcome at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport by a member of the &Beyond team, you’ll be transferred to Wilpattu National Park (about a 4-hour drive).
Upon check-in at Leopard Trails, you’ll be led to your room, from where you can rest after the trip and spend the afternoon in leisure.
Tomorrow morning calls. And with it, your first safari! Rest well.
Day 2
Wilpattu
Leopard Trails
This morning, head off on the first of two guided safaris in Wilpattu National Park, the island’s biggest reserve. The park’s name, ‘Wilpattu’, means ‘land of lakes’. This comes from the many natural lakes, or ‘villus’, peppered across the landscape.
Expert naturalists will lead you on tailored safaris focusing on leopard sightings — Wilpattu is known globally for having one of the highest densities of these big cats. You’ll also encounter sloth bear, elephant, spotted deer, water buffalo, and numerous bird species.
Return to camp for lunch and an afternoon spent relaxing, birding or reading.
Later in the afternoon to evening, head out for another guided safari. Savour each moment, tomorrow you’ll be off to Mannar.
Day 3
Mannar
Palmyrah House
Say a fond farewell to the team at Leopard Trails, it’s time to go to the coast.
On the way to Mannar, stop at Madhu Church — this site is known as the holiest Catholic shrine in Sri Lanka, and acts as a symbol of interfaith and inter-cultural unity among different groups on the island.
After checking in at Palmyrah House, a renowned birding spot right in the path of migratory birds, spend the afternoon at Pesalai Beach’s sandy white stretch of Indian Ocean paradise.
Since this is only a one-night stay, make the most of the gorgeous surroundings.
Day 4
Jaffna
Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan
This morning, you’re heading off to Jaffna, in the northernmost reaches of Sri Lanka.
Jaffna is the cultural heartland of Tamil culture on the island. Over the next four days while staying at this boutique heritage hotel, you’ll be in a historically rich location, allowing you to immerse yourself into the culture, architecture and traditions of the region.
Spend an exciting afternoon bird watching in Vankalai Sanctuary. It’s not just birds you’ll see, but also special and unusual species like the dugong, saltwater crocodile and green sea turtle.
At sunset, visit Jaffna Fort for the best views of the closing day. Built by the Portuguese and later revamped by the Dutch, Jaffna Fort is an important historical site of Sri Lanka’s complex history.
Day 5
Jaffna
Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan
Get ready for a day immersed in the cultural melting pot of Jaffna.
After a relaxed breakfast immerse yourself in the buzzling and vibrant atmosphere of the Jaffna Market. Together with your host, buy the ingredients for today’s lunch. Return to the bungalow and together with the local woman chef, Megala, prepare a traditional Jaffna lunch.
Pay a visit to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, a Hindu temple dating all the way back to 948 CE that’s filled with intricate carvings and painstaking detail. Note that visitors will need to cover their knees and shoulders, and that wearing white to the temple is a sign of respect (but not mandatory).
Day 6
Jaffna
Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan
After breakfast, proceed to Kurikadduvan Jetty. From here, you’ll board a local private ferryboat and travel to Delft Island. Upon arrival, stop at a traditional house on the island and enjoy authentic home cooked Jaffna cuisine. Look out for the wild ponies left behind generations ago by the Portuguese.
Next stop: the neighbouring island of Nainativu. Perhaps one of the most visited of Jaffna’s islands, Nainativu, or Nagadeepa as it is referred to in a local language, Sinhala, holds an important place in Buddhist and Hindu histories. This is the most sacred Buddhist site in the north.
Return to Kurikadduvan Jetty and visit Fort Hammenhiel, a former Dutch prison on its own little island off Karainagar that’s been converted to a hotel.
End an enriching day of island-hopping with drinks and supper back at the hotel.
Day 7
Jaffna
Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan
After breakfast, leave the bungalow to explore more of Jaffna.
Visit the Kadurugoda Temple (also known as the Kandarodai Temple), one of the last Buddhist sites left in the region.
Take a tour of Jaffna University and the public library too, or spend time at the famous and idyllic Casuarina Beach.
Return to the hotel for your final evening in Jaffna.
Day 8
Thirappane
Uga Ulagalla
After breakfast, leave this stunning northern region and travel to Uga Ulagalla.
As optional experiences, you could visit Keerimalai Temple and Point Pedro before heading to Thirappane, or enjoy a train journey to Anuradhapura from Jaffna. Note that the train tickets are subject to availability.
However you get there, check in at Uga Ulagalla and unwind before experiencing a unique dining experience at Kamatha restaurant, a rice paddy dining pavilion serving favoured royal recipes from Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdom.
Day 9
Thirappane
Uga Ulagalla
After breakfast at Ulagalla, leave the hotel to explore the off the beaten tracks of the cultural hub of the island. Make a brief stop at Avukana, a 14-m (46-ft) high statue of the Buddha set into a rock face.
Spend time at Yapahuwa, which was one of the capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. Built on top of a 90-m (300-ft) high boulder, this palace and fort was a stronghold against invaders. Marvel at the intricate masonry of the Yapahuwa Staircase and paintings inside the temple.
For sunset, make the climb up and drink in the stunning view from the Pidurangala Rock formation.
Day 10
Thirappane
Uga Ulagalla
In the early morning, depart from the hotel for a 4×4 scenic drive to Nachchaduwa Lake for a picnic breakfast with a beautiful and tranquil view.
Return to the hotel and spend the morning at your leisure after the early start.
In the afternoon, explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura, one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Asia, and the site of several holy Buddhist relics. These include the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, an ancient sacred bo fig tree that is over 2,300 years old. This makes it the oldest planted tree in known human history.
The light here is very special, and you will see fewer tourists and more local pilgrims attending evening prayers.
Day 11 | Departure
Thirappane
Here we are, at the end of a full and beautiful trip. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home. We hope that you carry the memories of this once-in-a-lifetime experience closely with you.
Rates
Please keep in mind that this tour can be tailormade by speaking to one of our Travel Specialists.
What's included
- Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary
- All transport services in air conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary
- All sightseeing and related entrance charges as specified in the itinerary
- An English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Bottled water during sightseeing tours and long drives
- All presently applicable government taxes
- Leopard Trails: Morning park drive and evening shared park drive in customised safari game viewing vehicle, a qualified naturalist (personal guide and host to you during your stay), snacks and drinks on park drives, breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp, water, fruit juices, tea and/or coffee, and other soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits, all park entry fees, as well as transfers to and from park entrance to Leopard Trails campsite
What's not included
- Any visas
- Any insurance
- All international and domestic airfare, unless stated otherwise
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls etc.
- Any accommodation early check-in or late check-out, unless stated otherwise
- Beverages and meals, unless stated otherwise
- Gratuity tips for guides, airport and hotel porters and restaurants (Please note tipping is expected)
- Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff
- Any other item not explicitly mentioned under included price
Conditions
- The operator may re-route the itinerary or change the accommodation to similar hotels/lodges when and where required
- A single traveller supplement and child rates will be quoted on request
- Validity periods are as specified above - should a booking fall over two rate periods the rate will change and we reserve the right to re-quote
- The rates quoted are subject to change without prior warning if there are any increases in bed levies, park fees, fuel, sales tax or VAT, third-party services or any other circumstances beyond our control in the countries featured in this quote
- andBeyond Trading Terms apply
TAILORMAKE YOUR STAY
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations
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