Bird Watching Tour 13 Nights / 14 Days
14 Days
Tour Description
This one of a kind birding tour will take you across diverse climatic zones in Sri Lanka to explore and observe some of Sri Lanka’s most unique bird species and other wonders of nature.
You will begin your tour in Kitulgala where you will explore the birds in the Makandawa rain forest and get the added adventure of white water rafting. Your next destination will be Sinharaja, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of 95% of the endemic bird species in Sri Lanka.
You will then travel to Udawalawe, Tissamaharama and Bundala, all beautiful dry zone forests which provides refuge to a variety of bird species as well as other wild fauna.
You will then move towards the hills of Sri Lanka where you will explore the birds at the Horton Plains National Park and the Hantana Mountain Range.
Your final destination will be Chillaw a coastal down in Sri Lanka. You will visit the Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary in Chilaw, one of Sri Lanka’s 6 RAMSAR sites to witness a variety of wetland birds.
Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrival and welcome by our representative at the airport
- Transfer and check in to Kitulgala hotel
- Relax and unwind
Your will be welcomed by our representative at the airport and lead to Kitulgala - a place of great adventure. This quaint town located in close proximity to the country’s commercial capital is adorned with a great climate, beautiful destinations and a number of exciting things to do. It’s famous for being used in 1956 for the filming of the Academy Award-winning 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. You will check into your hotel in Kitulgala and relax after your long flight.
Day 2
- Morning nature walk following early breakfast/packed breakfast at the Makandawa Rain Forest
- White water rafting experience after the walk
- Relax and unwind in the evening
- Night walk to observe nocturnal birds
- Overnight stay at Kitulgala hotel
The day will start with a walk at the Makandawa rainforest which is considered to be birdwatcher’s paradise. It is home to a large number of endemic and migratory birds. Some of the key species to observe at the rainforest are the Black Eagle, the Trogon, Sri Lanka Orange-billed babbler, Chestnut backed Owlet, the Blue Magpie and the Red-faced Malkoha. In addition, it also provides refuge to a significant diversity of mammals, insects and amphibians.
Your morning immersed in the calmness of the forest will be followed by the adrenaline rush brought on by white water rafting. Make your way through the strong rapids of the river with an experienced guide and embrace a truly memorable experience.
After an exciting afternoon you will go on a relaxing night walk to observe the many intriguing nocturnal birds in the area and retire to your hotel in Kitulgala for the night.
Day 3
- Make way to Sinharaja and check in at Sinharaja hotel
- Evening walk around forest patches
- Overnight stay at the hotel
You will start your journey to Sinharaja on your third day. A visit to Sinharaja is compulsory for nature and bird lovers as it homes 95% of the endemic birds in the country. A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Biodiversity hotspot, this rainforest is considered as a national treasure in Sri Lanka. Birding in Sinharaja will give you the opportunity to see a number of interesting species in the wild.
You will indulge in an evening walk around the forest patches in Sri Lanka and return to your hotel for the night.
Day 4 & 5
- Full day nature walk in Sinharaja Rain Forest
The fourth and fifth days of your tour will be all about Sinharaja.
The Sinharaja Rainforest is one that you can explore for an endless time period. Its bird calls, rich floral diversity, beautiful microhabitats and unique climate makes it a truly unique destination. It is said that one square mile of the forest may have higher biodiversity than the entire North American continent. You will be able to witness 20 out of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic bird species, including the Sri Lanka blue magpie and the green-billed coucal as well as many smaller mammals including the rusty spotted cat, purple-faced leaf monkey, fishing cat, mongooses and civets.
You will enjoy full day nature walks on both these days and truly immerse in the beauty the forest has to offer.
Day 6
- Transfer from Sinharaja to Udawalawe following breakfast
- Visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe
- Late afternoon safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Check in at the Big Game camping site in Udawalawe
- Overnight stay at Udawalawe camping site
On day 6, you will move from the wet to the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Your first destination will be the Udawalawe elephant transit home. A visit to the elephant transit home is a truly heartwarming experience. It serves as a temporary home for orphaned elephants. Most elephants who are under the age of 5 can be seen making their way to drink milk and showing endearing and playful behavior.
You will then check in at the Big Game Camping Site in Udawalawe and spend the night there. During your stay at the park you will enjoy a late afternoon Sarai during which you will be able to witness a variety of species including elephants, leopards, sloth bears and an array of birds and reptiles at the park. The National Park which extends across a large area is home to over 600 elephants including tuskers. It is the country’s main destination to see this magnificent creature year round.
Day 7
- Transfer from Udawalawe to Tissamahrama following breakfast
- Check in at Tissamaharama hotel
- Evening safari at Bundala National Park
- Overnight stay in Tissamaharama
You will leave Udawalwe and make your way to Tissamaharama after breakfast. You will check in at your hotel in Tissamaharama and proceed to enjoy an evening safari at the Bundala National Park.
The Bundala National Park is home to nearly 200 bird species. Some of the parks main attractions are the blue-tailed bee-eater, spoonbill, red shank, green shank, spot-billed pelican, blue-faced malkoha, brahminy kite, crested hawk eagle and brown shrike. Between the months of October and March you can experience unique sights of over 10,000 shorebird feeding in the shallow water in unison. The park is also home to both crocodile species that exist in the country, the freshwater crocodile and the estuarine crocodile - which is the largest reptile alive today.
In addition, you can also see a large number of mammals and four out of five sea turtle species in Sri lanka who come ashore to lay eggs in the coastal region of the park.
After the safari you will return to your hotel in Tissamaharama.
Day 8
- Early morning and evening birds in Tissamaharama
- Overnight stay at Tissamaharama hotel
This day will be dedicated to explore the wonderful bird life in Tissamaharama.
Tissamaharma is an idyllic city that was once the epicenter of irrigation and cultivation. At present it is the perfect destination to capture the ancient culture and beautiful biodiversity of Sri Lanka. The five ancient lakes that you will get to visit are home to a large number of water fowls and migrant waders.
You can spend your morning and evening watching birds and observing their unique behaviour patterns before returning to your hotel to relax and prepare for the next day.
Day 9
- Transfer from Tissamaharama to Nuwara Eliya following breakfast
- En route visit the Haggala Botanical Gardens
- Arrive and check in at Nuwara Eliya hotel
- Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya hotel
You will make your way to one of the most picturesque destinations in Sri Lanka today - Nuwara Eliya. Also known as little England, Nuwara Eliya is a truly magical town with the perfect weather for relaxing.
En route to Nuwara Eliya you will visit the Haggala Botanical Garden which is ideal for bird watching. It homes over 50 species of birds including the Sri Lankan yellow-eared bulbul and Sri Lanka white-eye which are endemic species in the country. It is also the perfect destination to relax and collect some photo memories.
You will arrive and check in at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya for the night.
Day 10 & 11
- Early morning departure to Horton Plains National Park with packed picnic breakfast
- Overnight stay at Nuwera Eliya hotel
You will start your day early and make your way to the Horton Plains National Park situated in the highest plateau of the island.
It is a unique ecosystem consisting of rolling hills, forests and grasslands. The sambar deer is the most commonly seen species in the park. In addition, an abundance of avifauna, mammals, reptiles and amphibians including the leopard can be seen in the park. Horton Plains is also hoe to the “World’s End” - called so due to the escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands. This serves as a perfect viewing area to observe the endless tea estates and the distant coastline.
You will spend most of your day here exploring the beautiful bird life in the park. Birds unique to the hills of Sri Lanka can be observed at Horton Plains alongside other species.
You will return to the hotel in Nuwara Eliya for the night.
Day 12
- Transfer to Kandy following breakfast
- Check in at Kandy hotel
- Evening birdwatching trek in Hantana Mountain Range
- Overnight stay at Kandy hotel
You will leave Nuwara Eliya and make your way to Kandy - another iconic destination in Central Sri Lanka. You will check in at a hotel in Kandy and leave for a birdwatching tour in Hantana in the evening.
The Hantana range is the most popular trek in Kandy. This range is ideal for bird watching as you can see many resident, migratory and endemic species. The footpath from the Hantana range to Kandy is perfect to view these birds. It also provides a beautiful view of the landscapes of the towns of Kandy, Galaha and Peradeniya. You will also get the opportunity to visit the Sri Lanka Tea Industry Museum to learn about the rich history of tea making in Sri Lanka.
After an adventurous evening trekking through Hantana you will return to the hotel.
Day 13
- Transfer to Chilaw following breakfast
- Check in at Chilaw hotel
- Nature walk in Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary
- Overnight stay at Chlaw hotel
You will leave the hills of Sri Lanka and return to the coastal city - Chilaw.
Chilaw is a charming town that is adorned with a lagoon system, lakes, mangrove patches and an abundance of biota.
After checking in at a hotel in Chilaw you will visit the Anawilundawa Sanctuary.
The Anawilundwa Sanctuary is one of the six RAMSAR wetlands in Sri Lanka. It is home to a wide variety of waterfowl, dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals. A number of migrant species who use the sanctuary for breeding and feeding can be seen upon your visit.
You will return to your hotel in Chilaw for your final night in Sri Lanka.
Day 14
You will wake up to a hearty breakfast in Chilaw and your journey in Sri Lanka will conclude as you are lead to the airport well before time of departure.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions
OUR RATES INCLUDE
- Accommodation in the fully serviced mobile tents / hotels mentioned as per the above itinerary on a DOUBLE sharing basis
- Every day breakfast
- Transportation throughout the tour in an A/C Vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide/national guide.
- Jeep safaris at national parks as mentioned in the programme including,Air transfer from Colombo Airport to Mattala Airport
- Entrance fees to national parks
- 4WD Jeep
- Trekker Fee
- Snacks and water during the safari
- Current prevailing Government taxes and service charges
OUR RATES DO NOT INCLUDE
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Any extra beverages or food/snacks consumed
- Whale watching boat safari (during summer season – from May to October)
- Optional activity costs
- Any personal effects not mentioned here
- Tips for the staff
IMPORTANT FACTORS
- Personal effects for windy, rainy, warm weather conditions should be considered
- Insect repellents, sun protection creams etc, are highly recommended
- Suitable casual clothing and footwear for outdoor activities
PAYMENT POLICY
- Full payment with the confirmation
CANCELLATION POLICY
- 90 Days or more - US $ 200 Administrative Fee
- ·60 to 89 Days - 15% of the tour cost will be charged
- ·30 to 59 Days - 25% of the tour cost will be charged
- 14 to 29 Days - 50% of the tour cost will be charged
- 08 to 13 Days - 75% of the tour cost will be charged
- Less than 7 Days -No refund shall be given
