Cultural Triangle
Home to eight UNESCO sites, from ancient capitals to rock fortresses.
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Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
This Sri Lankan holiday idea is ideal for those travelling during the British summer and wanting to experience the culture and wildlife of Sri Lanka, as well as some time to relax on the beach.
Diverse and easy to travel around, this 12 day holiday to Sri Lanka offers a wonderful overview of the whole island, from the wildlife of Wilpattu National Park to the culture of Anuradhapura and Sigiriya Rock Fortress, ending with a beach escape on the pristine east coast.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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Elephant Gatherings
Witness large gatherings of Asian elephants at Minneriya National Park.
Coastal Relaxation
Relax on the beach and visit the historic harbour and temples of Trincomalee.
Sri Lankan Wildlife
Track leopard and search for sloth bear in Wilpattu National Park.
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Day 1
Colombo
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Day 2
Colombo - Wilpattu National Park
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Days 3 - 4
Wilpattu National Park
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Day 5
Wilpattu National Park - Sigiriya
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Day 6
Sigiriya & Minneriya
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Day 7
Sirigiya
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Day 8
Sigiriya - Trincomalee
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Days 10 - 11
Trincomalee
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Day 12
Trincomalee to Colombo
Day 1
Colombo
Arrive in Colombo and transfer 30 minutes to the peaceful Wallawwa.
Day 2
Colombo - Wilpattu National Park
Transfer three hours to Wilpattu National Park – home to birds, sloth and, if lucky, leopard.
Days 3 - 4
Wilpattu National Park
Spend two days in Wilpattu, accompanied by expert guides in search of wildlife.
Day 5
Wilpattu National Park - Sigiriya
Drive approximately three hours to into the heart of Sri Lanka, called the Cultural Triangle.
Day 6
Sigiriya & Minneriya
Visit the ruins of the ancient city at Sirigiya rock before an afternoon game drive in Minneriya National Park, home to a wealth of wildlife including large gatherings of elephants during the summer months.
Day 7
Sirigiya
Visit local villages and explore the less trodden back roads of Polonnaruwa by bike. with a local villager as your guide.
Day 8
Sigiriya - Trincomalee
Transfer to the north east coast for some time on the beach, a journey of around three hours.
Days 10 - 11
Trincomalee
Relax on the beach or engage in some of the many coastal activities on offer, from whale watching to jet skiing.
Day 12
Trincomalee to Colombo
Transfer overland, a journey of around five hours, or fly to Colombo for your onward travel arrangements.
More details
Sri Lankan Wildlife
Wilpattu Safari
From your camp accommodation head out on game drives into the verdant jungle, dotted with natural sand rimmed lakes. As the largest park in Sri Lanka, what sets Wilpattu apart is the peace and space away from other safari vehicles. Home to a wealth of wildlife, you can hope to see Asian elephant, crocodile, various deer species and possibly even the elusive leopard. Wilpattu also has the largest sloth bear population in the country as well as abundant bird life.
Family Travels
Family Friendly Sri Lanka
If travelling with children you will be enchanted by Sri Lanka’s warm welcome. Compact and diverse it is a fabulous family holiday destination and perfect for summer travel. Educate and fascinate the kids while having lots of fun, from scrambling around ancient ruins to walking with elephants, learning to surf or joining local kids for a spot of cricket.