Leopards & Ruins: Wilpattu and Ancient Anuradhapura
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival at Wilpattu & jeep safari
Today you’ll head North, past rice paddies to Wilpattu National Park. Only reopened in the last few years, this park is the largest in Sri Lanka. Once you’ve arrived at your tented safari accommodation and freshened up, you’ll head out on an afternoon jeep safari. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, sloth bears and elephants hiding in the park’s dense jungle. In the evening you’ll enjoy a BBQ around the campfire – the perfect end to your safari experience.
Day 2 – Mihintale & Anuradhapura
To escape the midday heat you’ll head out early to visit Mihintale, a mountain peak and popular pilgrimage site, known for being the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. You’ll check into your next hotel that overlooks a large lake and the afternoon is yours to explore Anuradhapura’s ancient ruins. Walk through the sprawling complex and take in the archaeological wonders, crumbling temples and the old Royal Palace. Then head to Sri Maha Bodhi for some shade – the oldest tree in the world. It’s over 2000 years old and many pilgrims make the journey here daily to make offerings.
Day 3 – Departure from Anuradhapura
Today after breakfast you’ll head to your onward destination. You can carry on heading further North and visit the undiscovered city of Jaffna. Alternatively, you can head to the beaches of the East Coast, or carry onto Polonnaruwa for some more culture and nature.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Leopards, Lakes and Royal Palaces - In Style
For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative, more comfortable option available for your accommodation. You’ll stay in a luxury camp on the border of Wilpattu National Park, with spacious, air-conditioned ‘tents’ complete with a private plunge pool. You’ll then move onto Anuradhapura and stay in a comfortable, small-scale hotel that has been designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and overlooks a large lake. If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-size trip select our In Style option below.
