
Walk with Butterflies
A vivid island adventure in search of Sri Lanka’s rare and endemic butterflies—through forests, hills, and wetlands teeming with color and life.
Winged Wonders: 14 Day Walk With The Butterflies Tour
Katunayake to Ratnapura

Arrive in Colombo and travel to Ratnapura’s lush foothills. In the late afternoon, explore forest edges and tea gardens where a variety of butterflies—including Mormons, Bluebottles, Grass Yellows, Tigers, Sailors, and Palmflies—can be observed flitting through blossoms and shaded trails. Overnight in Ratnapura.
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Ratnapura

After breakfast, explore the misty hills of Palabaddala, where vibrant butterflies like Birdwings, Helens, Mormons, Tree Nymphs, and Eggflies fill the forest glades. Watch for Grass Yellows, Bushbrowns, and Sailors along shaded paths and streambanks. Return to Ratnapura for the night.
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Ratnapura

Begin the day with an early departure to Sinharaja, Sri Lanka’s famed rainforest reserve. Wander beneath the dense canopy where Ceylon Roses, Banded Peacocks, Mormons, and Red Helens animate the forest air. Bluebottles, Saw-Tooths, and Dark Wanderers dart through dappled light, while Tree Nymphs and Glassy Tigers drift overhead. Along trails and streams, spot Chocolate Soldiers, Oakleafs, Nawabs, Rajahs, and more, creating a vivid mosaic of forest-dwelling butterflies. Return to Ratnapura for the night.
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Ratnapura to Kithulgala to Kandy

After breakfast, journey toward Kandy with a scenic stop at Kitulgala’s lush riverine groves. Here, a colorful variety of butterflies awaits—Common Birdwings and Roses grace flowering shrubs, while Mormons, Bluebottles, and Blue Mormons navigate shaded trails. Along open paths and streams, spot Grass Yellows, Jezebels, Sailors, Tigers, and Chocolate Soldiers. Watch riverbanks for Palmflies, Clippers, and elusive Yamflies before continuing on to Kandy for an overnight stay.
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Kandy

After breakfast, head to Corbet’s Gap where crisp highland air sets the scene for an exhilarating butterfly encounter. Watch Common Birdwings and Banded Peacocks glide across ridgelines, while Red Helens, Bluebottles, and the rare Ceylon Tiger add bursts of color to the forest edges. Grassy slopes reveal vibrant Pansies, resting Treebrowns, Yeomans, and Chocolate Soldiers, while Tawny Rajahs and Danaid Eggflies patrol the trails. Return to Kandy for an overnight stay.
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Kandy

Travel through the scenic landscapes of Reverston, Ilukkumbura, and Eluwanakanda, where butterflies abound across hillsides and forest trails. Spot graceful Common Birdwings and sunbathing Banded Peacocks, while Jezebels, Albatrosses, and Indian Fritillaries dance among wildflowers. Along streambanks and puddles, Pansies in every hue mingle with Red Pierrots and Great Orange Tips. Forest paths reveal Ceylon Foresters, Lascars, and Sailors, while Tawny Rajahs and Chestnut-Streaked Sailors linger near water. Overnight in Wasgomuwa.
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Wasgamuwa

Begin your day with a jeep safari through Wasgomuwa National Park, watching for elephants and sambar deer alongside vibrant butterfly activity. Spot Banded Peacocks on acacia branches, and look for Pioneers, Gulls, and Orange Tips near riverbanks and water holes. Grasslands shimmer with Lemon, Blue, Yellow, Grey, and Peacock Pansies, while Chocolate Soldiers and Autumn Leaves rest in shaded spots. In the afternoon, explore riparian trails on foot, discovering butterflies basking along stream edges. Overnight in Wasgomuwa.
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Wasgamuwa to Elahare to Bakamuna to Giritale

After breakfast, travel to Giritale through Elahera and Bakamuna, where vibrant butterflies like Blue Tigers, Dark Blue Tigers, and Glassy Tigers glide through forests and marshes. Spot Plain Tigers and Common Crows near streams, while Jezebels and Crimson Roses add bursts of color along tree lines. Lime Butterflies and Common Jays flit among blossoms, and Tailed Jays soar overhead. Dark Wanderers patrol shaded paths as you arrive in Giritale to relax by the reservoir.
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Giritale

After breakfast, spend the day exploring the rocky outcrops and lush woodlands of Sigiriya. Watch Crimson and Common Roses bask in the sun, while Grass Yellows drift through open spaces. In the undergrowth, Glassy and Common Tigers patrol alongside fluttering Jezebels, Orange Tips, and vibrant Pansies. As the forest edges come alive with color, return to your lodge for a restful night in Sigiriya.
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Sigiriya

After breakfast, venture into Ritigala’s mist-shrouded peaks. Blue Mormons patrol high canopy, and Spot Swordtails dart near streams. Great Orange Tips and Little Orange Tips feed on riparian flowers, while Tree Nymphs drift between ancient ruins cloaked in vines. Lacewings and Chocolate Soldiers rest on mossy stones, and Autumn Leaves blend into leaf litter. Clippers and Red Spot Dukes patrol shaded paths, and Nawabs glide along forest edges. Retreat to Sigiriya for an overnight stay.
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Sigiriya

After breakfast, set off for Kahalla-Pallekele Reserve, where the trails come alive with a vibrant display of butterflies. Banded Peacocks, Lime Butterflies, and Tailed Jays grace sunlit paths, while Mimes and Common Jays flit through vines. Near damp patches, Danaid Eggflies and Clippers gather, and shaded areas reveal Tawny Rajahs and Centaur Oakblues. Along forest streams, Albatrosses dance, and wetlands host Orange Tips and Mottled Immigrants. After a day rich with color and movement, return to Sigiriya for the night.
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Sigiriya

Spend the morning exploring the lush lowland forests of Kaludiya Pokuna and Menikdena. Watch for Crimson and Common Roses feeding on nectar, while Grass Yellows flutter through sunlit clearings. In shaded areas, Glassy and Common Tigers glide gracefully, and vines host fluttering Jezebels and Lacewings. Along riverbanks, Great Orange Tips shine brightly, with Mottled Immigrants and Tailed Jays tracing the forest edge. Return to Sigiriya in the evening for dinner and a restful night.
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Sigiriya to Muthurajawela to Katunayake

After breakfast, journey from Sigiriya to Katunayake with a stop at the rich wetland habitat of Muthurajawela. Navigate mangrove-lined channels where King Crows and Banded Peacocks dart overhead. Spot Pioneers and Common Gulls skimming open waters, while Orange Tips bask in the sunlight. The glades come alive with Lemon, Blue, Yellow, Grey, and Peacock Pansies, while Chocolate Soldiers hide in the shade and Autumn Leaves melt into the forest floor. Conclude the day at your airport hotel in Katunayake.
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Katunayake

After breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight, reflecting on the hundreds of butterfly species you’ve observed across Sri Lanka’s forests, wetlands, and hillsides.