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Sri Lanka Expedition: Meeting with Giants! Snorkel with Blue Whale & Sperm whales! Leopard, sloth bears and Asian Elephant! April 2-12 2017 Group Trip

Escorted by: Cindi LaRaia & Scott Davis

Have you always wanted to snorkel, free dive and be eye ball to eye ball with a Blue Whale or Sperm Whale? Have you ever seen a sloth bear?

Sri Lanka is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot with a rich variety of widespread flora and fauna. This small island has large iconic animals such as the Asian Elephant, Leopard and the Blue Whale, which is considered the largest animal to have inhabited Earth. From beaches to jungles and abundant man-made lakes to tropical rainforests, cloud forests and highlands with waterfalls at its center, this splendid isle is plentiful in natural beauty. Embarking on a Sri Lanka tour assures to deliver amazing cultural attractions, wonderful wildlife encounters and an authentic South Asia wildlife experience.

Join us for this once in a life time extravaganza to free dive with Blue Whales in the clear, blue, warm waters of Sri Lanka! This blue whale safari means you can get up close and personal to one of the most magnificent animals in the world. Blue whales are the main attraction, but guests will also be able to explore Sri Lanka’s rich variety of marine life, with the chance to spot sperm whales, pilot whales, white risso dolphins, spinner dolphins, marlin and sea turtles. BLUE WHALES are resident here and can be seen on most mornings. At this time of year Sri Lanka is home to one of the largest concentrations of pygmy blue whales on earth. They are a sub species of the Blue Whale, approximately 10 feet shorter 79-80ft long. Free diving and snorkeling with Blue Whales is an extremely rare opportunity one should not miss.

After swimming with whales, you will then go on a Sri Lanka safari to see Leopard, Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Jackal and Mugger Crocodile as well as a number of dry-zone bird species. A Blue Whale safari and a wildlife safari packed into one amazing adventure.

DATE	SERVICE	ACCOMMODATION
DAY 01 [2 Apr]	On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, transfer to Mosvold Villa, Ahangama (3 hour drive) *Our lovely 4 star villa home overlooks the water and near to the harbour for our early mornings start with the whales* Spend 6 nights at Mosvold Villa, Ahangama	Deluxe Room - H/B
DAYS 02-06 [3 - 7 Apr]	5 Mornings – Whale and dolphin watching from Mirissa for in-water experiences with Blue Whales, Sperm Whales and Spinner Dolphins Afternoon at leisure Overnight at Mosvold Villa, Ahangama	Deluxe Room - H/B
DAY 07 [8 Apr]	Morning, leave for Cinnamon Wild in Yala (4 hour drive) *Our lovely rustic- luxurious Jungle Chalet is minutes from the park, offering wildlife at our front door!* Afternoon safari at Yala National Park in search of Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Mugger Crocodile and other wildlife Spend 03 nights at Cinnamon Wild, Yala	Jungle Chalet - H/B
DAYS 08-09 [9-10 Apr]	Early morning and late afternoon safaris at Yala National Park for wildlife viewing Overnight at Cinnamon Wild, Yala	Jungle Chalet - H/B
DAY 10 [11 Apr]	Early morning, one last safari at Yala National Park Late morning, leave for Jetwing Lagoon in Negombo (5 ½ hour drive) Spend 01 night at Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo	Bawa Room - H/B
DAY 11 [12 Apr]	Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayaka (30 min drive)
	*** End of Services ***

GLOSSARY:
H/B = Half Board (Dinner and Breakfast only)

View Information & Detailed Itinerary [pdf]

COST: USD $8775.00 per person
Single Supplement: $1815.00 Per Person

Cost per person based on an air conditioned Mini-coach with an English speaking local guide throughout the tour, the services of Cindi LaRaia from Dive Discovery Travel along with Scott Davis/wildlife Biologist professional photographer, will lead the in-water experiences with whales on above mentioned excursions, accommodation and meal plan.

Dive Trip Extension: Wreck diving off Mount Lavinia
3 Nights / 4 Days (12th – 15th April 2016)
COST: from USD $1045.00 per person
Single Supplement: $380.00 Per Person
Download Itinerary [pdf]

About the tour leaders:

Cindi LaRaia has been designing and crafting high quality travel experiences for guests for over 30 years. She is a true wild child traveling with friends and family since she was 16 years old, planning all the travel, logistics and tours.

With an unquenchable thirst for adventure, she followed her passion and founded Dive Discovery Travel in 1991 specializing in only the finest scuba diving around the world, while also offering unique and special land adventure and culture excursions to compliment the diving. She then expanded her focus and founded Africa Discovery Travel 5 years later.

Cindi has travelled extensively to all 7 continents, and 15 African countries several times over escorting her guests, always in pursuit of the perfect holiday. Her greatest joy is to spend time with guests exploring far flung places that touch the soul! Asia and Africa are among her favourites.

With camera in hand, Cindi is an avid photographer striving to create and capture the perfect image, be it wildlife in all its myriad and beautiful forms or the subtle nuanced landscapes that often reveal themselves in the far off remote corners off the planet. As an expedition guide, Cindi’s smile and easy going manner help to smooth the way traveling around the world. When traveling to ‘off the beaten path countries’, you never know what situation you will be confronted with. Rest assured, Cindi's 30 years of professional travel experience coupled with a "whatever it takes" attitude and perceptive eye for detail will help insure each unique adventure goes off without a hitch and with minimal surprises.

When back in the home saddle Cindi resides in Tiburon CA, creating and designing amazing adventures! www.DiveDiscovery.com and www.Africa-Discovery.com

 

Scott Davis is a wildlife researcher, international photography expedition leader, and professional assignment photographer specializing in wildlife, travel, documentary and editorial imagery. Originally trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, Scott's research, photo assignments and expeditions have repeatedly taken him to the far remote corners of the globe and all seven continents.

Scott is a National Geographic Society Grant recipient and has co-authored and published several peer reviewed scientific articles investigating aspects of animal behavior. He has worked with and consulted for National Geographic, BBC, and Animal Planet Series. He has stringed for Reuters News Service in Africa. His photographic work has appeared in ad campaigns for Fortune 500 companies as well as commercial websites, prestigious stock agencies, national and international magazines and newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, Microsoft, Sport Diver, Conde Nast, AFAR, Focus, and Men's Journal. He has also worked as a commercial photographer for several national and international ad campaigns including Barclays Global Investments, The Cayman Islands Bureau of Tourism, Atlantis Resorts, USA Aid, Rainforest Connection, California Bureau of Tourism and the World Wildlife Fund to name a few.

As an expedition guide and tour leader, Scott's easy going style coupled with a passion for all things photography is contagious. He finds great satisfaction sharing his unique insight, experience and knowledge with others, be they aspiring or already established photographers.

When not hopping a plane, train or automobile in search of his next subject, Scott currently makes his residence in Monterey, California. www.scottdavisimages.com

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