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A three centre holiday focusing on whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife off the coast of Kalpitiya. Moving on to look for Leopards, Sloth Bears and other wildlife in Wilpatu National Park; this part of the holiday included a visit to the Sacred City at Anrhadapura. Finally moving on to Mirissa to look principally for Blue Whales. Very good sightings of all the target animals except for Leopard which was seen but only fleetingly in low light under the forest canopy. We have been travelling with Naturetrek for over 10 years. They have a wide range of naturalist holidays to suit our interest. The holidays are usually well planned and organised with good itineraries, good accommodation and excellent guides/leaders.
M.T. Wiltshire, Feb 19
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Sri Lanka - Wilpattu National Park & Kalpitiya
Tour Code: LKA10An 11-day holiday to north-west Sri Lanka focusing on the whales, dolphins and other marine-life that lives off the shores of Kalpitiya and the mammals and birds of the nearby Wilpattu National Park.
11 days
from
£3,195 (Inc flights)
£3,195 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£2,695
£2,695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
We begin with a flight to Colombo, from where we transfer north to a delightful beach resort in Kalpitiya for four nights. This will be our base as we head offshore each morning in search of the cetaceans, birds and other marine-life that lives in the warm seas between Sri Lanka and India. Next we drive north to the town of Anuradhapura for a 4-night stay in the comfortable Rajarata Hotel, our base whilst we explore Wilpattu National Park in search of mammals such as Sri Lankan Leopard, Asian Elephant and Wild Boar, and birds including Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon and Brown Fish Owl. In the ancient city of Anuradhapura itself we’ll hope to see such species as White-breasted Waterhen and Pheasant-tailed Jacana.
- Bottlenose & Spinner Dolphins likely, plus chance of Blue & Sperm Whales & Dugong
- Persian Shearwater, Crested Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Brown Noddy & Pomarine Skua possible
- Indian Pond Heron, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crimson-backed Woodpecker & Jacobin Cuckoo
- Reptiles include Bengal & Asian Water Monitors, Mugger Crocodiles & Indian Rock Python
- Sloth Bear, plus Sambar, Barking & Spotted Deer, Wilpattu
- Crested Tree-swift, Brown-capped Babbler & White-rumped Shama, Wilpattu
- Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Brahminy Kite, Black Drongo & Indian Roller, plus Grey Langur & Palm Squirrel, Anuradhapura
- 4-night Blue Whale extension to Weligama on Sri Lanka’s southern tip
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
This tour is graded A. Most of the birdwatching walks are gentle and suitable for any age and level of fitness.Sri Lanka's north-west coast is a wild and little-visited region of the country lined with pretty coastal villages, sandy beaches backed by swaying palm trees and mangrove-lined lagoons. The warm tropical seas offshore are home to an exciting array of marine-life including whales, dolphins and the occasional Dugong. Lying on the shores of the huge Puttalam Lagoon is the fishing village of Kalpitiya. The village's strategic position at the mouth of the lagoon has not gone unnoticed, and over the centuries successive colonists, invaders and traders — from the old kings of Sri Lanka to the Portuguese and Dutch colonists and Arab spice merchants — have all left their mark. To the north-east of Kalpitiya is Wilpattu National Park, one of Sri Lanka's oldest and largest wildlife reserves and arguably its most scenic. Wilpattu is home to a healthy population of Sri Lankan Leopards, plus Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant and Water Buffalo. The birdlife is abundant and includes Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Brown Fish Owl and Sri Lankan Frogmouth. This 2-centre holiday focuses on enjoying the coastal and marine-life around Kalpitiya before heading inland to Wilpattu in search of its special birds and mammals.
We begin our holiday with a flight to Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, from where we transfer north to a delightful beach resort in Kalpitiya for four nights. This will be our base as we head offshore each morning in search of the cetaceans, birds and other marine-life that lives in the warm seas between Sri Lanka and India. Bottlenose and Spinner Dolphins are common, the latter often being seen in pods of several hundred animals, whilst, for the fortunate, rarer species such as Blue Whale, Sperm Whale and the shy Dugong are also seen from time to time. Birds to look out for during our time on the water include Persian and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Crested Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Brown Noddy and Pomarine Skua. After a morning at sea, our afternoons will be taken at a more leisurely pace with opportunities to birdwatch around the hotel, relax, or simply experience everyday life in Kalpitiya.
Moving on, we drive north for two hours to the town of Anuradhapura for a 4-night stay in the comfortable Rajarata Hotel, our base whilst we explore Wilpattu National Park which lies to the west of the town. We will stop en route, however, to birdwatch around the agricultural fields and man-made lakes (known as 'tanks') that are home to a wide variety of birds including Indian Pond Heron, Red-wattled Lapwing, Black-headed Ibis, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-throated and Stork-billed Kingfishers, Crimson-backed Woodpecker and Jacobin Cuckoo, as well as reptiles including both Bengal and Asian Water Monitors.
During our stay in Anuradhapura, we will head out into Wilpattu National Park each day in search of a wide variety of mammals and birds. Wilpattu National Park covers over 1,300 square kilometres and is clothed in a mix of forests, grasslands and wetlands that are home to Sri Lankan Leopard, Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant and Wild Boar, as well as Sambar, Barking and Spotted Deer. Birds are abundant and include, amongst many others, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Brown Fish Owl, Crested Tree-swift, Brown-capped Babbler and White-rumped Shama. The familiar outlines of Mugger Crocodiles can be seen as they lie motionless in the lakes, whilst smaller reptiles to look out for include Indian Cobra, Indian Rock Python and, if fortunate, perhaps the rare Sri Lankan Chameleon. We will also take time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Anuradhapura itself. This bustling and colourful town was Sri Lanka's first capital, founded around the 4th century BC, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we admire the remains of the ancient city, however, we must also keep a look-out for wildlife. There will be plenty of interesting birds to see amongst the monuments and on the nearby lakes, including White-breasted Waterhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Brahminy Kite, Black Drongo and Indian Roller, plus the agile Grey Langur and the ubiquitous, but endearing, Palm Squirrel.
Having enjoyed Sri Lanka's abundant marine and terrestrial mammals and birdlife, it will be time to leave this wild and little-explored region of the island and return to Colombo for our flight home. Those wishing to maximise their chances of seeing Blue Whale, however, should consider our 4-night extension to Mirissa on Sri Lanka’s southern tip.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/5
Kalpitiya
Day 6/9
Anuradhapura (Wilpattu National Park)
Day 10
Colombo
Day 11
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: We use standard tourist hotels throughout the itinerary and these are of 3 or 4-star standard, some with swimming pools and other amenities. Accommodation for this tour is in double rooms with private facilities (single rooms are available on request).
- Food: All meals are included in the tour cost.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 18th Jan – Tue 28th Jan
2
£3,495
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
Sat 1st Nov – Tue 11th Nov
SPACES
£3,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 17th Jan – Tue 27th Jan
SPACES
£3,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
Sat 7th Nov – Tue 17th Nov
SPACES
£3,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
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[description] => Whale Watching Cruises – See Whales in their Wild Habitat
Seeing whales in the wild is one of the top 10 things most people want to do during their lifetime. Scanning the water, waiting to hear a blow or see a dorsal fin, is one of the top wildlife experiences in the world, and it can get addictive! A sighting of whales in their natural habitat is consistently rated in the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world. These gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in our hearts. Our dedicated small group tours offer the thrilling opportunity of an up-close-and-personal encounter in the wild; scanning the water, waiting for the sound of a blow or the sight of a dorsal fin is both thrilling and addictive.
Naturetrek Whale Watching Tours
Our dedicated small group whale-watching holidays encompass a range of destinations all over the world to offer the best chance of sightings on short trips or longer cruises. Whether it’s a day excursion in the UK or an extended 14-day cruise to an exotic far-flung location, we offer the chance to encounter these giant cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from the tropics to the Polar regions.
Depending on the location, our itineraries can focus on one or several of the planet’s 86 key species, including Blue and Killer Whales, or form part of a broader wildlife-watching experience to encounter dolphins, birdlife and other marine species. Led by expert biologist or naturalist guides, our tours often allow participants to get thrillingly close to one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. We've been organising specialist wildlife tours for 32 years and our experience, passion and knowledge have earned us a reputation as the best in the business. Our range of whale-watching holidays is so popular that we are rapidly expanding our programme to include some of the most exciting, wildlife-rich places in the world.
Why book a Naturetrek whale & dolphin watching holiday?
- Expert biologist-led & wildlife photographer-led holidays
- Dedicated whale-watching tours focusing on one or a few key species
- Many of our whale-watching tours offer the chance to see dolphins as well (and vice versa)
- A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
- A chance to look for cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from polar waters to the tropics
- A wide range of the world’s 86 species are seen on our whale-watching holidays, including Blue Whales & Killer Whales
- A wide range of the world's dolphin species have also been seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s
Our specialist recommends...
"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!"
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Dolphin Watching – See Dolphins in the Wild
Seeing dolphins in the wild consistently ranks high on people’s lists of ’10 Things To See Before I Die’. Dolphins have captured the public imagination arguably more than any other animal – we marvel at their intelligence, grace and agility, as well as their apparent curiosity of their human observers.
Naturetrek Dolphin Watching Tours
Naturetrek offers the chance to watch dolphins all over the world, from the UK to the tropics and polar regions. Many of our dolphin tours also offer the opportunity to see whales. We offer:
- Dedicated dolphin tours focusing on one or a few key species
- Dolphin watching as part of a broader wildlife watching tour
- A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
- Expert biologist-led, photographer-led and researcher-led tours
- A wide range of the world’s dolphin species seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s
Our range of dolphin watching holidays includes:
- A Maldives Cruise – a cruise through the turquoise waters surrounding the Maldives, searching for dolphins and whales as well as snorkeling over the reefs
- Monterey Bay – enjoying the dolphins, whales and bird life of California’s Monterey Bay
- The Azores – Look for Sperm Whales and other cetaceans
- Madeira – a 5-day holiday focusing on dolphin watching
Our specialist recommends...
"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!"
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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