Elves Monkeys and Pachyderms a naturalist guided experience

Elves Monkeys and Pachyderms a naturalist guided experience

A mystical wildlife experience encompassing the best wildlife to be seen in this region of the island. This guided tour will take you across many of the unique mammal species found in Sri Lanka. From the gigantic Asian Elephant found in large herds scattered across this region, to dynamic species of monkeys roaming freely among ancient ruins of a lost city, and finally catching glimpse of the rarest treasure of them all the elusive Slender Loris, the real life Elves of the Forest. This curated wildlife experience is bound to leave you amazed at the natural wonders found in this tiny island of Sri Lanka

Itinerary

Day 1: Habarana

Stop At: Hurulu Eco Park, Habarana-Trincomalee Road, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
Upon pick up head to Hurulu Eco Park located in Habarana for your first wildlife experience. Hop on a safari jeep and head into the park which during this time of year is a haven for many wild elephants. Get up close with these majestic giants who are social animals and with intimate social iterations with each other. Enjoy the playful antics of the calves who are always under the watchful eyes of the females of the herd. You will also come a across giant males who visit the herds in hopes of finding a mate. Your naturalist will explain the importance of these elephants to the ecosystem and how the web of life plays out in these fragmented habitats of wilderness.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Sigiriya, Sigiriya, Central Province
After your safari, check into your hotel and have an early dinner. Afterwards head towards Sigiriya where you will meet a resident naturalist who will take you on a night walk in a forest patch in search of the most elusive of all primates the legendary "Elves of the Forest" the Slender Loris. a small nocturnal primate which has been regularly encountered and become resident within the property over the past few years. Fishing Cat, Collared Scops Owl, Indian Civet and the Golden Palm Civet are some other species occasionally seen here.
Return back to your hotel afterwards for overnight stay
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3 star accommodation in Habarana

Day 2: Polonnaruwa

Stop At: Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
Early morning head to Polonnaruwa (45 min drive) where you will walk with a primatologist among the ruins in Polonnaruwa to observe the antics of the Langurs and Macaques and get to meet some of the characters within the troops who the researchers know personally. All three species of monkey- the toque Macaque and the canopy dwelling Purple-faced Leaf Monkey (both endemics) and the Grey Langur can be observed here. Polonnaruwa’s ‘Temple Troop of Toque Macaques’ have been featured in numerous natural history documentaries are a part of the world’s longest running study on primates which has run continuously since 1968. The monkeys here are habituated to the presence of humans enabling excellent opportunities to observe their social interactions at close-range. Whether play fighting, feeding or grooming each other there is never a dull moment when watching monkeys.
Afterwards you will be dropped back in Dambulla to end the tour
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.