Asia's oldest pleasure gardens? Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

The Palace in the skies - 600 ft up in the beautiful clouds of Sigiriya in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, took just 7 years to be built. In the 5th century no less.

Explore the genius of its creator King Kasyapa (473-491 AC) and his fascinating life story through an +AYUINTHEWILD guided 'story-walk' meandering along the King's citadel that was once a lavish royal city. A wonderful masterpiece of 'city planning' in the 5th century with ponds cascading in terraced formation through bubbling fountains and rock gardens in symmetrical lines that surely inspired the landscaping art of the Indian subcontinent.

The guided story walks are part of the Ayu in the Wild tours across one of the world's wildest islands - Sri Lanka by jeep, foot and boat.

Contact: info@ayuinthewild.com 
Web: http://ayuinthewild.com/index.php

All things wild...

The 'Peacock Blue' -  one of my favourite colours!

Being out on the road, trekking, finding off beat paths and training our Guides haven't left us with much time to keep the blog up todate. We've also been busy setting up some videos of our travels which can be viewed on the +Ayu in the Wild Safaris, Sri Lanka YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRNg5tiCz1uzHg5yyrWhRSQ/about
.

THE GATHERING
The season for 'the Gathering' is now well underway and we've done a clip to celebrate the migration of these wonderful mammals from across the drought stricken North Central Province, to the beautiful Minneriya Tank.  Take a look at the clip to see the wonderful experiential safari offered by +Ayu in the Wild Safaris, Sri Lanka where you learn about the behaviour of these mammals, their migratory routes and even trek along hidden elephant corridors.

SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT Ayu in the Wild
Thank you to +Safarious for selecting us as 'One of the Members Worth Checking Out' https://www.safarious.com/en.  Sometimes, you wonder why you spend so much time writing updates, finding that one perfect title and image...I guess, its worth it when you're appreciated and recognized - thank you Safarious!

Green Bea-eater - Yala

The Elephant Gathering + Hidden Trails

‘Elephant Gathering’ + Hidden Trails – 2 night safari or 3 night safari

2 nights/3 days or 3 nights/4 days

• See the world famous 'Gathering' at the Minneriya National Park
• Water based safari on a hidden elephant trail
• Visit the largest National Park in the island renowned for it's Big Cats-Wilpattu National Park
• Bush breakfasts, Bushwalks and sunset drives on hidden elephant trails of the North Western Province, Sri Lanka

Hidden Trails + 4 National Parks - 1 week safari

• See the world famous ‘Gathering’ at the Minneriya National Park
• Water based safaris to see Elephants on islands in the Gal Oya National Park
• Visit the two top Big Game Parks in the island – Yala and Wilpattu National Parks
• Track elephants on foot at sunset in the North West of the island
• Bushwalks and sunset drives on hidden elephant trails across four provinces in Sri Lanka
• Overnight on a tree-top hide experiencing what farmers do to protect their crops from wild elephants
• Night drives on lake-bunds to photograph mammals in the dark

Dates: Only in July, August, September 2013
For Rack Rates, Itineraries & Enquiries: info@ayuinthewild.com
(Discounts off the Rack Rate please register your email address on our blog)

No matter who you travel with or how you choose to witness the magnificent world famous spectacle of the annual 'Gathering', keep in mind that the wilderness belongs to the wild. We are mere intruders and  need to respect the fact that nature really belongs to it's original inhabitants.

We're excited! Just four months and a bit more to go, for the largest mammals on our island to start making their annual trek from  hidden corridors into open grassland in search of food and water. Herding together in pockets of jungles  - some areas, like Minneriya and Kaudulla, well known among Elephant enthusiasts; others, known only among just a handful  of us who have explored off-the-beaten path for decades.

INCLUDED

• Accommodation & meals
• Exclusive use of open-sided 4WD safari jeeps
• Guided by community based Guides who live with the wild
• Exciting activities including bushwalks and sunset drives off-the-beaten-track on hidden animal trails, safari drives in National Parks
• Park fees, cost of safari jeeps and all service charges
• Transfers and English-speaking chauffeur

EXCLUDED

• International airfare/visas to Sri Lanka/Domestic flights
• Items and expenses of a personal nature
• Gratuities for Guides and drivers
• Travel insurance

See our blog page ‘Hidden Elephant Trails 2013’ for more details.

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