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Culture, Cricket & Wildlife

An 18-Day Journey of International Cricket, Ancient Culture & Untamed Sri Lankan Wilderness

Alternative text

Culture, Cricket & Wildlife

An 18-Day Journey of International Cricket, Ancient Culture & Untamed Sri Lankan Wilderness

Duration
18 Days | 17 Nights
Cities
Wilpattu Colombo Galle Sigiriya Kandy Negombo
Accommodations
Claughton Wild WilpattuJetwing Colombo SevenJetwing LighthouseJetwing Vil UyanaJetwing Kandy GalleryJetwing Blue
Key highlights
Wilpattu safaris in leopard country Live England ODI & T20I matches Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Dambulla Cave Temple Slender Loris Watching Galle Fort Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Elephant safaris Sri Lankan food, culture & coastal relaxation
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Itinerary

Travel Time 3.5 Hours
Accommodations Claughton Wild Wilpattu
Room type Deluxe Chalet
Meal plan Full Board

Arrive in Sri Lanka and journey north toward the untamed landscapes of Wilpattu National Park. The drive winds through rural villages and quiet countryside before reaching your lodge on the edge of the wilderness. The afternoon is kept at leisure, allowing you to settle in and absorb the calm rhythms of the forest before night falls.

Experiences:
Scenic drive through rural Sri Lanka
Travel through quiet villages and countryside landscapes that offer a gentle introduction to Sri Lanka beyond its cities.
Wilderness lodge living
Unwind at a lodge set close to the forest, surrounded by birdsong and natural stillness.
Overnight Stay at Claughton Wild Wilpattu
Highlights
Arrival
Scenic Drive
Wilderness Calm
Travel Time 20 Minutes
Accommodations Claughton Wild Wilpattu
Room type Deluxe Chalet
Meal plan Full Board

Spend the day exploring Sri Lanka’s largest national park, a mosaic of forest, open plains, and shimmering villus. Wilpattu’s vastness creates an atmosphere of solitude and anticipation, where leopards move silently through dense cover and elephants emerge near water sources.

Pause for lunch amidst nature before continuing deeper into the park. As the light softens toward evening, wildlife activity increases, rewarding patient observation and quiet exploration.

Experiences:
Full-day safari in Wilpattu National Park
Explore remote tracks and natural lakes with a naturalist guide in one of Sri Lanka’s least crowded parks.
Wildlife interpretation & observation
Learn about animal behaviour and the unique ecosystems that define Wilpattu.
Overnight Stay at Claughton Wild Wilpattu
Highlights
Safari Exploration
Wildlife Interpretation
Travel Time 20 Minutes
Accommodations Claughton Wild Wilpattu
Room type Deluxe Chalet
Meal plan Full Board

Return to Wilpattu to explore different zones of the park, each revealing new scenes — sloth bears foraging, deer grazing by lakes, and a rich diversity of birdlife. This second day allows for deeper immersion, unhurried sightings, and a fuller appreciation of the park’s scale and serenity.

The evening is spent back at the lodge, sharing stories of the day against the backdrop of the jungle’s nighttime chorus.

Experiences:
Morning safari in Wilpattu
Explore lesser-visited areas of the park for varied wildlife sightings.
Relaxed wilderness evening
Return to the lodge to unwind to the sounds of the jungle.
Overnight Stay at Claughton Wild Wilpattu
Highlights
Safari Encounters
Forest Evenings
Travel Time 4.5 Hours
Accommodations Jetwing Colombo Seven
Room type Deluxe Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Leave the forests behind and journey back to Colombo, where the energy shifts dramatically. After settling in, head to the R. Premadasa Stadium for the first ODI between England and Sri Lanka.

Under floodlights and roaring crowds, experience the passion of cricket in a city where the game is deeply woven into daily life — a thrilling contrast to the quiet of the wild.

Experiences:
Scenic transition from wilderness to city
Experience the contrast between Sri Lanka’s wild landscapes and its bustling capital.
Live international cricket – 1st ODI
Witness the excitement of a world-class match in Colombo.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Colombo Seven
Highlights
City Transition
Live Cricket
Travel Time 30 Minutes
Accommodations Jetwing Colombo Seven
Room type Deluxe Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Explore Colombo at your own pace, from colonial districts and museums to local cafés and bustling food scenes. A guided food walk introduces the bold flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine, while Galle Face Green offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere as the sun dips into the ocean.

Experiences:
City exploration at leisure
Discover Colombo’s cultural landmarks and neighbourhoods.
Sri Lankan food experience
Sample iconic dishes while learning about the island’s culinary heritage.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Colombo Seven
Highlights
Culture
Cuisine
Coastal Evenings
Travel Time 30 Minutes
Accommodations Jetwing Colombo Seven
Room type Deluxe Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxed morning for shopping, spa time, or quiet exploration before returning to the stadium for the second ODI. As chants rise and the game unfolds under lights, soak in the camaraderie of international cricket fans.

Experiences:
Leisure time in Colombo
Spend the morning shopping, relaxing, or enjoying a spa session.
Live international cricket – 2nd ODI
Experience the growing intensity of the series under floodlights.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Colombo Seven
Highlights
Leisure Morning
Live Match Atmosphere
Travel Time 2.5 Hours
Accommodations Jetwing Lighthouse
Room type Luxury Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Travel south along the coast to Galle, where cobbled streets and colonial architecture sit within centuries-old fort walls. Wander through the fort, explore boutique stores, and enjoy ocean views from the ramparts as history and sea breeze intertwine.

Experiences:
Scenic coastal drive
Journey along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline.
Galle Fort heritage walk
Explore ramparts, historic streets, and colonial landmarks.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Lighthouse
Highlights
Scenic Drive
Colonial Fortress
Travel Time 1 Hour
Accommodations Jetwing Lighthouse
Room type Luxury Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Spend the day at leisure, opt for whale watching from Mirissa, relax on Unawatuna’s beaches, or explore art galleries and quiet courtyards within the fort. The day unfolds slowly, guided by personal interests and coastal calm.

Experiences:
Optional whale watching excursion
Search for blue whales and dolphins (seasonal).
Coastal leisure time
Relax on beaches or explore the fort at an unhurried pace.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Lighthouse
Highlights
Coastal Leisure
Optional Whale Watching
Travel Time 2.5 Hours
Accommodations Galleface Hotel
Room type
Meal plan

Return to Colombo for the third and final ODI, closing the limited-overs series. Whether cheering from the stands or simply absorbing the electric atmosphere, the match provides a fitting sporting highlight.

Experiences:
Return journey to the capital
Travel back to Colombo for the series finale.
Live international cricket – Final ODI
Witness the climax of the ODI series.
Overnight Stay at Galleface Hotel
Highlights
Cricket Finale
City Energy
Travel Time 4.5 Hours
Accommodations Jetwing Vil Uyana
Room type Dwelling
Meal plan Full Board

Journey inland to Sigiriya and arrive at Jetwing Vil Uyana, a sanctuary of water gardens and forest pockets. As night falls, join a guided walk in search of the elusive Slender Loris, an intimate wildlife experience unique to this setting.

Experiences:
Cultural Triangle journey
Travel through Sri Lanka’s ancient heartland.
Guided Slender Loris walk
Observe this rare nocturnal primate in its natural habitat.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Vil Uyana
Highlights
Historic Landscapes
Nocturnal Wildlife
Travel Time 1 Hour
Accommodations Jetwing Vil Uyana
Room type Dwelling
Meal plan Full Board

Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress at sunrise, rewarded with sweeping views and insights into ancient engineering and royal history. In the afternoon, head into Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park to witness elephants gathering around reservoirs, one of Sri Lanka’s most memorable wildlife spectacles.

Experiences:
Sigiriya Rock Fortress climb
Explore one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic UNESCO sites.
Elephant safari
Observe elephant herds gathering near reservoirs.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Vil Uyana
Highlights
Ancient Citadels
Wildlife Encounters
Travel Time 3 Hours
Accommodations Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Room type Luxury Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, where centuries-old murals and Buddha statues fill rock-cut shrines. Continue to Kandy and end the day at Pallekele Stadium for the first T20I under the stars.

Experiences:
Dambulla Cave Temple visit
Explore ancient cave shrines adorned with murals.
Live international cricket – 1st T20I
Enjoy a spirited night match under the stars.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Highlights
Spiritual Heritage
Evening Cricket
Travel Time
Accommodations Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Room type Luxury Room
Meal plan Bed & Breakfast

Explore the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, followed by a stroll around Kandy Lake and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The day balances spiritual depth with natural beauty.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Visit one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites.
Botanical garden & lakeside walk
Enjoy serene garden paths and scenic views.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Highlights
Sacred Sites
Botanical Gardens

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