Day 1 - Airport-Habarana

 Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you are met by our Airport Representative and introduced to your photographic tour leader who escorts you throughout this tour. 
Proceed to Habarana (Approximate duration- five hours)
Check in at Cinnamon Lodge and be at leisure.

 Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge

Meal Plan: D

Day 2 - Habarana –Sigiriya – Eco Park -Habarana

 This morning after early breakfast proceed to Sigiriya (Approximate duration 30 minutes)
Discover and photograph Sigiriya in the early morning. (Time of Departure: 07:30, duration of the excursion: three and a half hours) 

Drive to Sigiriya Sanctuary in the early hours of the morning for bird-watching in search of dry-zone birds. Look out for Orange-headed Thrush, Purple Sunbird, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama and many more. Also photograph Sigiriya rock during this golden hour, with primates, landscapes, frescos, the Lion platform and the gardens of Sigirya as well as the stunning panoramic view from the summit. Sigiriya rock fortress is one of the Sri Lanka’s World Heritage sites, which was built by King Kasyapa in fifth century AD, and is considered a must-see attraction. 

This afternoon proceed on a game drive to Eco Park. (Time of Departure: 15:00, duration of the excursion: three hours) After a short drive from resort, arrive at the Eco Park where wild elephants appear every evening are easily observed. The park is also a great place to watch and photograph many species of dry-zone birds, including some raptors such as the crested serpent eagle, cratered hawk eagle, and Black shoulder kite. 
Dinner at the resort.

 Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 3 - Habarana-Eco Park-Habarana

 Early morning bird photography and village life. (duration of the excursion: two hours will vary Time of Departure: 06:30) Float on an inland lake in a hide and photograph a variety of Kingfishers, ducks, Weaver birds, many species of Dragonflies and butterflies. Scenic surroundings will add that extra color to your photograph. 

Mid-morning return for breakfast.
This afternoon proceed on the second and final elephant experience in Eco Park (time of departure : 14:30, duration of the excursion : three hours) On your second visit to the Eco Park, explore the western sector of the park with increased opportunity to capture more images of the elephants as well as the bird species in the park.
Note: *The  “Gathering’ at Minneriya National Park begins this season, we will check the movement of the elephants at Minneriya and if the large heard has moved in to this well-known National Park the excursion will be at Minneriya national Park instead.

After enjoy evening cocktails by the pool, sharing your photographic ideas between participants and your photographic tour leader. 
Dinner at the resort.

 Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 4 - Habarana-Trincomalee

 Early morning checkout and proceed to Trincomalee (approximate duration two and a half hours)
Check in at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon hotel in Trincomalee and meet a marine naturalist. 
Later experience snorkeling with the marine naturalist at Pigeon Island.

Pigeon Island National Park is a coral reef that harbors many vertebrates and invertebrates. The park supports over 100 species of coral and 300 coral reef fish recorded around the Trincomalee area. The location is also great to observe the juvenile and adult Black tip reef shark as well as a variety of turtles such as the Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle and Olive Ridley. *Point and shoot underwater cameras will come in handy 
Dinner at the hotel.

 Overnight: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 5 - Trincomalee

 This morning, after an early breakfast, proceed to explore marine mammals in the company of a marine naturalist – sliding into the water with him to film Spinner dolphins with a Go Pro is a distinct possibility. Launch Point: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon: Duration of the Excursion : two and half hours. Location: Trincomalee 

Experience a magical deep-sea adventure in the safe hands of our naturalists. Catch the thrills of the acrobatic spinner dolphins in mid-air as they surface and the fluke of the Blue Whale, the largest animal that has ever lived on our planet. Trincomalee has been known for a long time for its Blue Whales, as the whales come very close to shore due to a submarine canyon which forms one of the deepest natural harbours in the world. Snorkeling with the whales can be facilitated to take underwater pictures of the breathtaking sight of the dive motion of the blue whales. 

Later this afternoon, proceed on a bird-watching and photography excursion to Trinco Mangroves. These tidal areas, such as estuaries and marine shorelines, are frequently inundated with salt water. Mangroves are also home to many birds and mammals. 
This evening, relax by the beach and take a dip in the pool followed by candle lit dinner by the beach

 Overnight: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 6 - Trincomalee-Anuradhapura-Wilpattu-Anuradhapura

 After breakfast we drive to Anuradhapura and check in to Forest Rock Garden Hotel (Approximate duration two and a half.)

Proceed to Wilpattu National Park for an evening game drive. (Approximate duration 45 minutes)
We embark on our first leopard experience to Wilpattu National Park (Time of Departure: 14:30: duration of the excursion: approximately two and a half hours)

Wilpattu National Park is known as the largest and oldest national park in Sri Lanka. It is widely regarded as the best place to spot the Sri Lankan Leopard in its natural habitat and is also home to endangered animals such as the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and the Sri Lankan Elephant. The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is a leopard subspecies native to Sri Lanka and  has a tawny or rusty yellow coat with dark spots and close-set rosettes, which are smaller than its Indian cousin. Being the largest cat in Sri Lanka, leopards fearlessly prowl the jungle and open areas of Wilpattu in the daytime. The Wilpattu National park is quite vast and it is a thick jungle consisting of a network of small to large lakes called “Villus”. These lakes are important bio diversity hotspots frequented by many varieties of birds. Experience the wild with our senior naturalist in one of the best national parks for unhurried safaris and photo opportunities. 

After enjoy a second catch up on techniques and the successes during the trip with a mini workshop and discussion. 
Dinner at the hotel

 Overnight: Forest Rock Garden Hotel

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 7 - Anuradhapura-Wilpattu-Anuradhapura

 This morning proceed with a packed breakfast on a full-day safari at Wilpattu National Park with you photography tour leaders (Time of departure: 06:00, duration: 8-10 hours)

Today we will explore the northern part of the park, including a visit to Kudurumale escarpment. Kudurumale is uplifted limestone rock cliff belonging to the Miocene epoch, 23.3-5.8 million years ago, rising as much as 20 meters (66 feet) above sea level. Day two offers an additional opportunity to photograph leopard and other wildlife in the park. 
Dinner at the hotel.

 Meal Plan: B,D

Day 8 - Anuradhapura-Wilpattu-Anuradhapura

 One more Leopard safari today before we conclude our big cat experience at Wilpattu.

Proceed once again this morning with a packed breakfast on a morning game drive to the park. Time of Departure: 05:30. Duration: three hours (Approximately) 
Afternoon at leisure enjoying the hotel facilities.
Dinner at the hotel

 Meal Plan: B,D

Day 9 - Anuradhapura

 After breakfast, relax and enjoy the hotel facilities and explore the surroundings of the hotel.
Late afternoon, discover the city of the ancient Kings; (duration: three to four hours: Time of departure: 14:30) 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site predominantly influenced by Buddhism, Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's first Capital Kingdom. According to the ancient Sinhalese Chronicle 'Mahavansa' the Kingdom was founded in the fifth Century BC. Upon arrival you are greeted by the brilliant white dome-shaped Ruwanweliseya and Jethawanarama stupas or dagobas (religious monuments). These two stupas have survived over two millennia and the mighty Jethawanarama is equal in size to the pyramids in Giza. Next, admire the 'Samadhi' Buddha statue, a granite statue of Buddha in a meditative pose and a true masterpiece of sculpture. Before concluding your visit to Anuradhapura, receive a blessing near the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree (Ficus Religiosa) which bears a branch brought over from India over 2,500 years ago and is considered to be the oldest tree recorded in the world.

This evening celebrate your Sri Lankan wildlife experience with champagne.
Dinner at the hotel

 Overnight: Forest Rock Garden Hotel

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 10 - Anuradhapura–Colombo or Airport

 After breakfast checkout and proceed to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight (Approximate Duration - five hours) Or for an extension stay in Colombo.

(NOTE *: This is recommended for late evening/night departure flights)
• Conditions apply** – services of the professionals is subject to availability

 Meal Plan: B