Just a few miles off the coast of southern Sri Lanka in spring, good numbers of Blue Whales are found along with Sperm Whales and a variety of dolphins including Spinners, Bottlenose, Indo-Pacific Bottlenose, Risso’s, Spotted and Striped! The 2007 and 2008 recces produced Blues on every occasion out on the water, usually between 2-10 animals with encounters lasting up to an hour each time. WildOceans are proud to offer these new holidays run by our good friends Chas and Sue Anderson, well known for putting the Maldives, Seychelles and now Sri Lanka on the map in cetacean terms. We have two mouth-watering land-based itineraries on offer for 2009 and early booking is therefore recommended.

 

Our two itineraries are largely based at a 5* hotel and spa in Galle, with its spacious rooms directly overlooking the Indian Ocean. Boasting two pools and a wide choice of inexpensive dining, there will be time to relax as well as enjoy the morning’s whale and dolphin watching and a whole host of optional activities including visiting nature reserves, as well as historical and cultural sites for those that wish. Each itinerary includes six full morning trips out onto the sea (with packed breakfasts) to make the most of the calmer conditions usually found earlier in the day. Our vessel is a 16m local boat with a partially shaded deck and w.c. The vessel is crewed by local men from families affected by the 2004 tsunami.  Blue Whales are normally encountered within an hour of leaving port and if conditions are good, we will venture further out for Sperm Whales too. In addition to the potential list of dolphins, Bryde’s, Dwarf Sperm and False Killer Whales are all possible too. Other in-water marine life includes Manta Rays, Sunfish, tuna and flying fish and up to four species of sea turtles. Over 40 species of tropical seabird have been recorded, 10-15 can be expected on these trips and up to 100 species of bird or more can be seen in total.

 

The first trip also includes a visit to Udawalawe National Park to see wild Asian Elephants, other mammals, reptiles and birds.

 

Further detailed information of these holidays and the recce report are available from us on request.

 

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Itinerary

 

Blue Whales and Elephants

 

Day 1: Arrive Colombo and transfer to a 5* hotel, rest of day at leisure. Meet Chas and Sue for pre-dinner drinks.

Day 2: Drive south towards Udawalawe, overnight 2* hotel at Embilipitiya. Bird walk in the gardens and surrounds.

Day 3: Morning and afternoon game drives in the park for Elephants and much more.

Day 4: Drive to Galle and check-in to our 5* resort hotel for the next week. Afternoon at leisure.

Days 5-10: Six morning whale-watching trips. Afternoon optional excursions or at leisure.

Day 11: Drive back north, overnight 5* hotel at Negombo. Rest of day at leisure.

Day 12: Morning transfer to Colombo airport for homeward flights.

 

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Blues, Blues, Blues…..

 

Day 1: Arrive Colombo and transfer to a 5* hotel. Rest of day at leisure.

Day 2: Drive to Galle and check-in to our 5* resort hotel for the next week. Afternoon at leisure.

Days 3-8: Six morning whale-watching trips. Afternoon optional excursions or at leisure.

Day 9: Drive back north, overnight 5* hotel at Negombo. Rest of day at leisure.

Day 10: Morning transfer to Colombo airport for homeward flights.

 

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Holiday Information

Dates:  1) Blues and Elephants 26^th March – 6^th April 2009

            2) Blues, Blues, Blues…4^th – 13^th April 2009

Guides: Charles ‘Chas’ and Sue Anderson

Price :  1) £1640 per person sharing a twin room, single supplement £260pp

            2) £1440 per person sharing a twin room, single supplement £195pp

Facilities: All cabins are air-conditioned with private facilities.

Deposit: £350

Max group size: 8 plus guides.

 

Price includes: Transfers to/from Colombo airport, hotel accommodation as described with breakfast daily, one dinner, six whale-watching excursions, other excursions from Galle, naturalist guides and ground transport. Trip 1 also includes lunches and dinners at Embilipitya, game drives and national park permits.

 

Price excludes: Flights UK - Colombo (available from £549 including current pre-paid taxes and fuel surcharges), travel insurance, vessel fuel surcharges if levied, other meals, drinks  and other items of a personal nature. (£20pp per day should more than cover other meals and drinks.)