14 Day Tour
Explore Sri Lanka’s birding and cultural sites together as we take a walk down some of the ancient cities with its palace complex and pleasure gardens. Once a haven for royalty but today these places are ruled by wildlife in all shapes and forms.
A.M. Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake and proceed to Sigiriya.
P.M. Birding around the hotel garden.
Possible noteworthy species: Ceylon Green-pigeon, Black- Flowerpecker, Black-hooded Oriole, Indian Pitta, Brown-headed Barbet, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-capped Bulbul, Orange-headed Thrush, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
A.M. After breakfast birding in Sigiriya Sanctuary.
Possible noteworthy species: SHAHEEN (Local race of the Peregrine), Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Crested Treeswift, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Coppersmith Barbet, Indian Pitta, Ceylon Woodshrike, Large Cuckooshrike, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Ceylon Small Barbet, White-browed Fantail, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Orange-headed Thrush, Jungle Prinia, White-rumped Shama, Purple Sunbird, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.
P.M. Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
A.M. After breakfast climb Sigiriya Rock.
P.M. Birding in Sigiriya Sanctuary.
Possible noteworthy species: In addition to the species seen in the morning Ceylon Green-pigeon, Green Imperial-pigeon, Alexandrine Parakeet, Brown Fish-owl, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Asian Paradise Flycatcher.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
A.M. After breakfast leave for Kandy visiting the Dambulla Rock Temple en route.
P.M. Birding in Hantana area.
Possible noteworthy species: BLACK EAGLE, CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE, CRESTED HAWK-EAGLE, CEYLON HANGING PARROT, ALEXANDRINE, ROSE-RINGED, PLUM-HEADED & LAYARD’S PARAKEET, Lesser Yellownape, Black-rumped Flameback.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
A.M. After breakfast birding in Udawattakele Sanctuary.
Possible noteworthy species: EMERALD DOVE, CEYLON HANGING PARROT, LAYARD’S PARAKEET, BLACK-BACKED DWARF KINGFISHER, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, CEYLON SMALL BARBET, CRIMSON-BACKED FLAMEBACK, WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA, TICKELL’S BLUE FLYCATCHER.
P.M.Visit Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.
Possible noteworthy species: Common Hawk-cuckoo, ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET, CEYLON SMALL BARBET, LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE, INDIAN PITTA.
Overnight stay in Kandy
A.M. Leave for Nuwara Eliya
P.M. Birding in Victoria Park.
Possible noteworthy species: FOREST WAGTAIL, GREY WAGTAIL, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, INDIAN BLUE ROBIN, PIED GROUND-THRUSH, INDIAN PITTA, KASHMIR FLYCATCHER, CEYLON WHITE-EYE.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
A.M. Very early start to visit Horton Plains National Park, with picnic breakfast.
Possible noteworthy species: CEYLON WOOD PIGEON, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, PIED BUSH CHAT, CEYLON WHISTLING THRUSH, COMMON BLACKBIRD, SRI LANKA BUSH-WARBLER, GREY-HEADED CANARY, KASHMIR & DUSKY BLUE FLYCATCHER, VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH, CEYLON WHITE-EYE.
P.M. Birding around Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
A.M. After breakfast leave for Tissamaharama birding enroute.
P.M. Birding around wetlands in Tissamaharama area.
Possible noteworthy species: Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow Bittern, Black Bittern, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and other common water birds, PIPITS & WAGTAILS, STREAKED & BAYA WEAVER.
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.
A.M. After breakfast jeep safari in Yala National Park.
Possible noteworthy species: SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, ORIENTAL DARTER, PAINTED & BLACK-NECKED STORK, LESSER ADJUTANT, BLACK-WINGED STILT, EURASIAN STONE CURLEW, GREAT THICK-KNEE, SMALL PRATINCOLE, YELLOW-WATTLED & RED-WATTLED LAPWING PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, GREY PLOVER, LITTLE-RINGED, KENTISH, MONGOLIAN & GREATER SAND PLOVER, MARSH, WOOD & CURLEW SANDPIPER, LITTLE STINT, BROWN-HEADED GULL, CASPIAN, GULL-BILLED & WHISKERED, TERN, BENGAL BUSHLARK, ASHY-CROWNED FINCH-LARK.
TOQUE MONKEY, GREY LANGUR, GOLDEN JACKAL, MONGOOSES, ASIAN ELEPHANT, WILD BOAR, SAMBAR, SPOTTED DEER, WATER BUFFALO. SL GIANT SQUIRREL.
P.M. Birding around Tissamaharama Tanks.
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.
A.M. After breakfast jeep safari in Bundala National Park.
Possible noteworthy species: GREATER FLAMINGO, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GARGANEY, WATERCOCK, BLACK-WINGED STILT, EURASIAN STONE CURLEW, GREAT THICK-KNEE, SMALL PRATINCOLE, YELLOW-WATTLED & RED-WATTLED LAPWING PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, GREY PLOVER, LITTLE-RINGED, KENTISH, MONGOLIAN & GREATER SAND PLOVER, MARSH, WOOD, TEREK & CURLEW SANDPIPER, LITTLE STINT, BROWN-HEADED GULL, CASPIAN, GREAT-CRESTED, LESSER-CRESTED, GULL-BILLED, WHISKERED, WHITE-WINGED, SAUNDERS & LITTLE TERN, BENGAL BUSHLARK, ORIENTAL SKYLARK, ASHY-CROWNED FINCH-LARK, JERDON’S & INDIAN LITTLE NIGHTJAR.
P.M. Birding around Tissamaharama wetlands.
Possible noteworthy species: Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow Bittern, Black Bittern, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and other common water birds, PIPITS & WAGTAILS, STREAKED & BAYA WEAVER.
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.
A.M. After breakfast leave for Embilipitiya, visit Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary en route.
Possible noteworthy species: Purple Heron, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana and other common water birds, PIPITS & WAGTAILS.
P.M. Jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park.
Possible noteworthy species: SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, ORIENTAL DARTER, CORMORANTS, LESSER ADJUTANT, MONTAGU’S HARRIER, PIED HARRIER, CRESTED HAWK-EAGLE, WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE, GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE, BARRED BUTTON QUAIL, CEYLON & ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN-PIGEON, PLUM-HEADED PARAKEET, BLUE-FACED MALKOHA, SIRKEER MALKOHA, MALABAR PIED HORNBILL, PRINIAS.
TOQUE MONKEY, GREY LANGUR, GOLDEN JACKAL, MONGOOSE, ASIAN ELEPHANT, SPOTTED DEER, WATER BUFFALO, SL GIANT SQUIRREL.
Overnight stay in Embilipitiya.
A.M. Very early start with picnic breakfast to visit Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness Area for a full day’s birding.
Possible noteworthy species: ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE, SHIKRA, CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE, BLACK EAGLE, MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE, CEYLON SPURFOWL, CEYLON JUNGLE FOWL, CEYLON WOOD PIGEON, RED-FACED MALKOHA, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO, Serendib Scops-owl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, CEYLON FROG MOUTH, MALABAR TROGON, YELLOW-BROWED BULBUL, HIMALAYAN BLACK BULBUL, SPOT-WINGED GROUND THRUSH, CEYLON SCALY THRUSH, CEYLON RUFOUS BABBLER, ASHY-HEADED LAUGHING THRUSH, ASIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER, CEYLON BLUE MAGPIE, WHITE-FACED STARLING, CEYLON HILL-MYNA.
Overnight stay in Sinharaja.
After breakfast birding in Sinharaja.
Overnight stay in Sinharaja.
A.M. After breakfast leave for Ingiriya Forest Reserve (Bodinagala)
Possible noteworthy species: GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, Chestnut-backed Owlet, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, MALABAR TROGON, BLACK-BACKED DWARF KINGFISHER, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, CRIMSON-BACKED FLAMEBACK.
P.M. Proceed to a Hotel near the airport for changing room
Late night DEPARTURE.
