Day 01

Arrival and transfer to Kandy, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en-route,

 Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – Pinnawala elephant’s orphanage has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. The orphanage is situated on a 25-acre coconut plantation adjacent to the Maha Oya river. The main objective of the orphanage is to care for orphaned elephants due to various reasons. Currently a herd of over hundred elephants are being taken care of by the orphanage. The visitors get to see the elephants up-close and personal. You get to feed the baby elephants and play with them; I believe that they are the cutest in the animal kingdom. The river bath time of the gentle giants is a real treat and an awesome experience. It is recommended to have your snacks and drinks in the café overlooking the river. It is overall a relaxing experience.

Proceed to Kandy. Check in to the hotel in Kandy. Evening proceed on a city tour of Kandy and visit the Temple of Tooth Relic.

Kandy – Kandy, broken from Kanda in Sinhala simply means the hill. I think that would clearly outline the geography of the city. Kandy is a major tourist attraction and world famous for the Kandy Perahera. This extravagant parade is happening once a year, a magical event that is one of the main events of our culture. Tens of thousands of visitors around the world visit Kandy during the month of July to witness this event. Kandy also host and protects Lord Buddha’s tooth in a beautiful palace, which is sacred to all Buddhists around the world. Sri Lankan’s believe that the relic brings prosperity and protects the island. Royal Botanical Garden & Udawaththakele, a forest behind the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth), are few other attractions in Kandy that will create pleasant memories for visitors.

Return to your hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

Day 02

Early morning visit the Udawatta Kele for bird watching,

Udawattakele – In 1856 the reserve was designated as a forest. This can be called the best spot for the Bird Watching lovers. There are over 80 bird species in the reserve, reptiles can also be seen such as, Hump Nosed Lizard, Green Forest Lizards & Sri Lankan Kangaroo-Lizard. Famous for extensive avifauna, there is a variety of Flora species as well. The forest is historic and holds a religious importance due to the three Buddhist Meditation Hermitages lies inside it. You can find the ancient Rock Shelter Dwellings which were used by Buddhist monks back in the day. The Sri Lanka forest department has a nature education center which is visited by school children daily.

Return to your hotel in Kandy, check out and transfer to the Kandy railway station to catch the train to Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya).

Check in to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 03

After an early breakfast visit the Horton Plaines / World’s End

Horton Plains National Park is in the highlands of the country belonging to central province. This is the highest plateau in the country. This was declared as a National Park in 1988. The park area is 3160 hectare. The second & third highest mountains of the country namely Kirigalpotta & Thotupola respectively are found within the borders of the park. Park receives rainfall from both northeast & southwest monsoons as well as inter-monsoonal rains. Frequently occurring mist and clouds are one main source of precipitation. With annual precipitation of about 5000mm Horton Plains is the most important catchments area of the country. In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammal such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds.

Possible sighting of bird species: CEYLON WOOD PIGEON, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, PIED BUSH CHAT, CEYLON SCALY THRUSH, CEYLON WHISTLING THRUSH, COMMON BLACKBIRD, SRI LANKA BUSH-WARBLER, GREY-HEADED CANARY, KASHMIR & DUSKY BLUE FLYCATCHER, VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH, CEYLON WHITE-EYE. PURPLE-FACED LEAF MONKEY, SAMBAR.

Enjoy the waterfalls and Tea Plantations in Nuwara Eliya during your stay.

Evening Bird watching in Nuwara Eliya, possible to sight bird species: CEYLON WOOD PIGEON, FOREST WAGTAIL, PIED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, PIED BUSH CHAT, CEYLON SCALY THRUSH, COMMON BLACKBIRD, SRI LANKA BUSH-WARBLER, RUSTY-RUMPED WARBLER, LARGE-BILLED LEAF-WARBLER, GREAT TIT, VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH, DUSKY BLUE FLYCATCHER, KASHMIR FLYCATCHER, CEYLON WHITE-EYE, PIED BUSHCHAT.

Return to your hotel for the dinner and overnight stay.

Day 04 – 07

After breakfast transfer to Kitulgala for a stay of 03 nights. Proceed to Kitulgala Forest Reserve for bird watching,

possibly you will be able to sight: BLACK EAGLE, RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE, CEYLON SPUR FOWL, CEYLON JUNGLE FOWL, CEYLON GREEN-PIGEON, CEYLON HANGING-PARROT, LAYARD’S PARAKEET, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, BROWN HAWK-OWL, CEYLON FROG MOUTH, BLACK-BACKED DWARF KINGFISHER, CEYLON SWALLOW, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, BLACK-CAPPED BULBUL, GOLD-FRONTED LEAF BIRD, SPOT-WINGED GROUND-THRUSH, LEGGE’S FLOWERPECKER, BROWN-CAPPED BABBLER, CEYLON RUFOUS BABBLER, CEYLON HILL-MYNA, CEYLON CRESTED DRONGO.

03 nights stay at a hotel in Kitulgala. Breakfasts and dinners at the hotel.

Day 07 – 10

After breakfast transfer to Sinharaja for 03 nights.

Sinharaja Rain Forest – In 1989, the Forest was declared a World Heritage site and a National Wliderness area. Sinharaja gives the maning ‘Lion King’ in Sinhalese. Most of the countries endemic species are found here. 95% of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds claim Sinharaja their homeland, making this place a great spot for Bird watching lovers. Sinharaja is also an Echo Tourism destination. The forest spans over 18,900 acres. There are two main trails you can do in Sinharaja which leads to peak Maulawella and Sinhagala eventually you will find both these trails interesting. About 8 endemic mammals are found here among them there is a chance of frequently spotting a Badger Mongose, Torque Macaque, Dusky Stripped Jungle Squirrel, Purple Faced Leaf Monkey.

Possible to spot bird species of: CRESTED GOSHAWK, BESRA SPARROWHAWK, RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE, CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE, BLACK EAGLE, MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE, CEYLON SPUR FOWL, 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.
PURPLE-FACED LEAF MONKEY, S L GIANT SQUIRREL, LAYARD’S STRIPED SQUIRREL, INDIAN PALM SQUIRREL.

03 nights stay in Sinharaja. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided by hotel.

Day 10

After breakfast transfer to Udawalawe. Check in to the hotel, evening bird watching in Udawalwe.

Udawalawa National Park – There are so many awesome experiences one can gain in Udawalawa National Park. It is difficult to select one experience out of it and call it the best one. Because the park lies on the boundary of Sri Lanka’s wet and dry zones, it is framed by soaring highlands and comprised of grasslands and bush forests. Explorers get to see a collection of Flora, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Fish in their natural habitats. While we cannot select one favourite activity, however when we go on safari to Udawalawa, it would be unfair if we do not bring up our gentle giants of the earth, Elephants. Udawalawa is one famous destination to see elephants up close and personal in their natural habitats.

Possible sightings of endemic species: SRI LANKA SPURFOWL, RED-FACED MALKOHA, SRI LANKA GREY HORNBILL, BROWN-CAPPED BABBLER, AND SRI LANKA JUNGLEFOWL ARE AMONG OF THE BREEDING RESIDENT BIRDS. WHITE WAGTAIL AND BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER ARE RARE MIGRANTS. A VARIETY OF WATER BIRDS VISIT THE RESERVOIR, INCLUDING CORMORANTS, THE SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, ASIAN OPENBILL, PAINTED STORK, BLACK-HEADED IBIS AND EURASIAN SPOONBILL.

The open parkland attracts birds of prey such as WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE, CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE, GREY-HEADED FISH EAGLE, BOOTED EAGLE, AND CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE. LANDBIRDS ARE IN ABUNDANCE, AND INCLUDE INDIAN ROLLER, INDIAN PEAFOWL, MALABAR PIED HORNBILL AND PIED CUCKOO.

Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Udawalwe.

Day 11 – 13

After breakfast transfer to Tissamaharama for 02 nights. Bird watching in Yala national park and Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.

Birds of Yala Yala is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Of 215 bird species of the park, six are endemic to Sri Lanka. They are Sri Lanka grey hornbill, Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, crimson-fronted barbet, black-capped bulbul, and brown-capped babbler. The number of waterbirds inhabiting wetlands of Yala is 90 and half of them are migrants.Waterfowl (lesser whistling duck, garganey), cormorants (little cormorant, Indian cormorant), large waterbirds (grey heron, black-headed ibis, Eurasian spoonbill, Asian openbill, painted stork), medium-sized waders Tringa spp., and small waders Charadrius spp. are among the common waterbirds. Black-necked stork and lesser adjutant are the rare birds that can be seen in the park. The migrant great white pelican and resident spot-billed pelican are also have been recorded. Other waterbirds attracted to the Yala lagoons include lesser flamingo, and pelicans, and rare species such as purple heron, night herons, egrets, purple swamphen, and Oriental darter. Thousands of waterfowls migrate to the lagoons of Yala during the northeast monsoon.

Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary – This is one of the oldest Bird Sanctuaries in the country. This can be named as the main bird watching site in Sri Lanka as well. There are about 150 species of birds including endemics and 54 migratory birds. if you are visiting this the Sanctuary the best time would be early morning, this is not only going to be a bird watching excursion as you will get to climb rocks and so some walking in the jungle which is going to be quite interesting for and approximately 3 hours. Not only birds there are over 20 species of Mammals and reptiles you would also be able to see. This was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. If you base yourself in Tangalle the sanctuary is about 20 Kms from the Tangalle city.

02 nights stay at a hotel in Tissamaharama. Breakfasts and dinners at the hotel.

Day 13

After breakfast leave for Tangalle, relax and enjoy the beach of Tangalle before your departure

Day 14

Check out from the hotel. Visit the Snake farm in Weligama en-route,

WELIGAMA SNAKE FARM – Carry them around your neck and get to know the importance of these intriguing reptiles to the biodiversity of the island, especially agriculture. A simple fact being the protection of fields by preying on rats, preventing agricultural losses and protecting urban areas. Discover the great stories of this farmer who from generation to generation has been catching and breeding snakes.