Blessed with a tropical climate all year round, Sri Lanka homes over 3400 species of flowering plants and 23 percent of these plants are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Travel along our pathways and enjoy our flora
11 Day Tour
Explore Sri Lanka’s wide variety of flora and fauna on on our 11 day Floral Fantasy tour.
A.M. Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport & proceed to a Hotel near Airport for Rest of the morning at leisure.
P.M. Exploring the Muthurajawela Mangrove Reserve.
Possible florae: Acanthus volubilis, Acanthus ilicifolius, Acrostichum aureum, Acrostichum speciosum-the only mangrove fern, Bruguiera cylindrica, Bruguiera gumnorhiza, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Sonneratia caseolaris, Sonneratia griffithi, Sonneratia ovata, Nypa fruticans-the only mangrove palm in Sri Lanka. In the open shallow water submerged and floating aquatic plants such as Aponogeton, Potonogetom, Salvinia and Nymphaea species can be seen.
Overnight stay in Katunayake
A.M. After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya
P.M. Explore the Sigiriya Sanctuary or climb the Sigiriya rock (optional)
Possible noteworthy florae en-route: Coconut Cocos nucifera, Rubber Hevea brasiliensis, Cocoa Theobroma cacao, Mango Mangifera indica, Areca-nut (Betel-nut) Areca catechu, Guava Psidium guajava, Breadfruit Artocarpus incisus, Jack A. heterophyllus, Lime Citrus aurantifolium, Mahogani Swietenia sp., Teak Tectonia grandis, Coffee Coffea Arabica, Kapok Ceiba pentandra, Fish-tail (Toddy) Palms Caryota urens, Talipot Palm Corypha umbraculifera, Red Cotton Bomlax malabaricum, Breadfruit Artocarpus incisus, Jak-Fruit A. heterophyllus
Possible florae in the Sanctuary: Calatropis gigantea (Sodom’s Apple), Capparis zeylanica, Cassia fistula, Crataeva adansonii, Ochnalanceolata, Martynia diandra (Tigers’ Claws), Drypetes spp., Manilkara hexandra, Diospyros ebanum
Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya
A.M. After breakfast proceed to Kandy visiting a Spice Garden en route.
Here we will see many tropical spices like Ginger Zingiber officinale, Turmeric Curcuma longa, Pepper Piper nigrum, Chilli Capsicum annuum, Vanilla Vanilla fragrans, Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum, Nutmeg Myristica fragrans, Curry Leaf Murraya koenigii, Betel Leaf Piper betle, and fruit trees such as Papaya, Fish-tail or Toddy Palm, Avocado, Mango, Mangosteen, Bread-fruit, Jak-fruit, Durian etc.
P.M. Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden.
It is difficult to single out botanical highlights in a place so richly endowed but the Gymnosperm collection, spice collection; medicinal plant collection, National Herbarium and arboretum are all worthy of inspection and the long avenue of Coco-de-mer palms is a spectacular sight away from the Seychelles.
A few other interesting species are Saraca asoka, Cannon Ball Tree Couroupita guianensis, Diospyros atrata-the rarest of the Ebony family, Java Fig or Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina.
Overnight stay in Kandy
After breakfast, full day excursion to Knuckles Range
Possible noteworthy florae: Calophyllum spp., Garcinia ecinocarpa (Clusiaceae), Syzygium umbrosum (Myrtaceae), and Lauraceae like Litsea spp. and Neolitsea spp.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
A.M. After breakfast Explore Kandy area
P.M. Revisit Peradeniya Botanical Garden.
Overnight stay in Kandy
A.M. After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya via Hanguranketha, looking at all the vegetable plots along the road.
Possible noteworthy species: Snake Gourd Trichosanthes anguina, Bottle Gourd Lagenaria siceraria, Bitter Gourd Momordica charanthia, Ridged Gourd Luffa acutangula, Ash Gourd (Ash Pumpkin) Benincasa hispida, Winged Bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus.
P.M. At leisure.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
After breakfast full day excursion to Horton Plains National Park, the highest plateau (more than 7000 ft above sea level) of Sri Lanka
Possible noteworthy flora: Trees; Actinodaphne spp., Neolitsea spp., Litsea spp. (Lauraceae), Syzygium spp. (Myrtaceae), Calophyllum walkeri (Cluseaceae), Rhododendron arboretum (Ericaceae), Gordonia spp. (Theaceae). Shrubs; Lasianthus spp. (Rubiaceae), Strobilanthes spp. (Acanthaceae). Climbers; Piper Montana (Piparaceae), Kendrickia walkeri (Melastomataceae) and Toddalia asiatica (Rutaceae). Carnivorous plants; Dosera spp., Utricularia sp. Orchids; Satyrium nepalense and Ipsea speciosa.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
After breakfast a long drive to Ratnapura via Haputale to visit the Thangamale Sanctuary
In addition to the Daffodil orchid Ipsea speciosa and Giant Balsam Impatiens grandis;other noteworthy species are: Legocia aurauitica, Bridelia retusa, Phyllanthus embilica (Euphorbiaceae), Grewia damine (Tiliaceae), Pterocarpus marsupium (Fabaceae), Terminalia bellerica, T. chebula (Combretaceae), Helicteres isora (Sterculiaceae), Careya arborea (Lecythidaceae) and Cycas circinalis , the only native gymnosperm in Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay in Ratnapura
Another full day excursion to Sinharaja.
Overnight stay in Sinharaja
A.M. After breakfast proceed to a Hotel in Seeduwa.
P.M. At leisure.
DEPARTURE
