Wildlife Tour Covering Birds, Mammals and Whales (14 Days)

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
BIA > Sigiriya
1 stop
1
Colombo
Morning arrival and proceed to Sigiriya. Afternoon visit the Sigiriya forest looking for dry lowland forest birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya. Possible highlights of birds: Forest Eagle Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Pitta, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ceylon Woodshrike, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Jungle Prinia, Green Warbler, Large-billed Warbler, Browncapped Babbler, Streaked Weaver. Possible highlights of mammals: Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (dry zone race), Tufted Grey Langur e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (dry zone race), Grey Slender Loris e, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat.
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Sigiriya
1 stop
2
Sigiriya
Full day birding around Sigiriya area. Optional visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Overnight Hotel in Sigiriya Possible highlights of birds: Forest Eagle Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Pitta, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ceylon Woodshrike, White-browed Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin, Orange-headed Thrush, White-rumped Shama, Jungle Prinia, Green Warbler, Large-billed Warbler, Browncapped Babbler, Streaked Weaver. Possible highlights of mammals: Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (dry zone race), Tufted Grey Langur e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (dry zone race), Grey Slender Loris e, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Sigiriya > Kandy
1 stop
3
Kandy
Morning leave for Kandy in the high hills. Late afternoon walk in hotel garden looking for some nocturnal mammals and also other wildlife. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy. Possible highlights of birds: Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Ceylon Junglefowl, Malarbar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Lesser Hill Myna Possible highlights of mammals: Toque Macaque E (wet zone race), Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, White-striped Chevrotain E, Brown Palm Civet E.
Admission ticket free
Day 4
Kandy > Nuwara Eliya
1 stop
4
Nuwara Eliya
Morning leave for Nuwara Eliya in the high hills. Late afternoon visit forest patch near Nuwara Eliya looking for some highland birds and mammals and also other wildlife. Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Possible highlights of birds: Yellow-eared Bulbul, Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Dusky (Dull) Blue Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher, Indian Blackbird (endemic race kinnissi a possible future split from the Indian Blackbird), Ceylon Hill white-eye, Ceylon Bush Warbler, Black-throated Munia (endemic nominate race, the Ceylon Hill Munia, a possible future split from the Indian races), Himalayan Buzzard, Pied Bush Chat. Possible highlights of mammals: Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (highland race), Sambar, Toque Macaque E (highland race), Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (highland race), Golden Palm Civet E.
Admission ticket free
Day 5
Nuwara Eliya
1 stop
5
Nuwara Eliya
Early morning proceed to Horton Plains National on further higher up in the hills, the park consists of grasslands and cloud forest in higher cool climatic conditions, looking for highland open country and forest birds including endemics, and also butterflies, highland forest mammals and other wildlife. Late afternoon visit forest patch near town or a forest near town. Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya Possible highlights of birds: Yellow-eared Bulbul, Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Dusky (Dull) Blue Flycatcher, Kashmir Flycatcher, Indian Blackbird (endemic race kinnissi a possible future split from the Indian Blackbird), Ceylon Hill white-eye, Ceylon Bush Warbler, Black-throated Munia (endemic nominate race, the Ceylon Hill Munia, a possible future split from the Indian races), Himalayan Buzzard, Pied Bush Chat. Possible highlights of mammals: Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (highland race), Sambar, Toque Macaque E (highland race), Sri Lanka Gian
Admission ticket free
Day 6
Nuwara Eliya > Yala
1 stop
6
Yala National Park
Morning visit Yala National park by jeeps, the Yala National Park consists of wetlands, and dry grasslands, scrublands and forest, looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, forest birds including some endemics, and also butterflies, some mammals, and other wildlife. Afternoon second visit to Yala National park. Overnight stay at Hotel in Thissamaharama. Possible highlights of birds: Black-necked Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Ceylon Junglefowl, Indian Nightjar, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ceylon Woodshrike, Whitebrowed Bulbul, Marshall’s Iora, Brahminy Starling, Rosy Starling. Possible highlights of mammals: Chital, Samber, Asian Elephant, Tufted Grey Langur e, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear e, Leopard, Rusty-Spotted Cat e, Jungle Cat, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Hare e.
Admission ticket free
Day 7
Yala > Bundala > Yala
1 stop
7
Morning visit Bundala National park by jeeps, the Bundala National Park consists of wetlands, and dry grasslands, scrublands and forest, looking for waterbirds, shorebirds, forest birds including some endemics, and also butterflies, some mammals, and other wildlife. Afternoon visit wetlands around Tissamaharama looking for waterbirds. Overnight stay at Hotel in Thissamaharama. Possible highlights of birds: Great Thick-knee, Black and Yellow Bitterns, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Small Pratincole, Watercock, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Scops Owl, Blue-faced Malkoha, Ceylon Woodshrike, Marshall’s Iora, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Jungle Prinia, Rosy starling. Possible highlights of mammals: Chital, Samber, Asian Elephant, Tufted Grey Langur e, Eurasian Wild Boar, Golden Jackal, Striped-necked Mongoose e, Ruddy Mongoose e, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Gerbil, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Hare e.
Admission ticket free
Day 8
Yala > Udawalawa
1 stop
8
Udawalawa
Morning leave for Udawalawa. Overnight stay at hotel in Udawalawa. Possible highlights of birds: Crested Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian Peafowl, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Indian Scops Owl, Alexandrine Parakeet, Plum-headed parakeet, Ornage-breasted Green Pigeon, Marshall’s Iora, Crested Treeswift, Coppersmith Barbet, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Blyth’s Pipit, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Lesser Adjutant, Ceylon Woodshrike, Indian Black Robin, Whitebrowed Bulbul, Jungle Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Plain Prinia, Grey-breasted Prinia, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Black-headed Munia, Rosy Starling. Possible highlights of mammals: Ruddy Mong
Admission ticket free
Day 9
Udawalawa > Sinharaja
1 stop
9
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Morning leave for Sinharaja rainforest. Afternoon visit Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Overnight stay at a Hotel / Forest Lodge in Sinharaja. Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellowfronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Ceylon Scally Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, White-faced Starling, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Blue Magpie Possible highlights of mammals: Toque Macaque E (wet zone race), Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Spotted Chevrotain E, Sambar, Wholly Horse-shoe Bat, False Vampire Bat, Rainbow Ba
Admission ticket free
Day 10
Sinharaja
1 stop
10
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Morning a short jeep drive to the Sinharaja rainforest and birding in the forest till evening. Overnight stay at the forest lodge in Sinharaja. Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellowfronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Ceylon Scally Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, White-faced Starling, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Blue Magpie Possible highlights of mammals: Toque Macaque E (wet zone race), Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow
Admission ticket free
Day 11
Sinharaja
1 stop
11
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Morning a short jeep drive to the Sinharaja rainforest and birding in the forest till evening. Overnight stay at the forest lodge in Sinharaja. Possible highlights of birds: Ceylon Spurfowl, Serendib Scops Owl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Layard’s Parakeet, Ceylon Hanging- parrot, Malarbar Trogon, Crimson-backed Flameback, Yellowfronted Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Spot-winged Thrush, Ceylon Scally Thrush, Rufous (Orange-billed) Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, White-faced Starling, Ceylon Crested Drongo, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Blue Magpie Possible highlights of mammals: Toque Macaque E (wet zone race), Purple-faced Leaf Monkey E (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel e (wet zone race), Sri Lanka Red Slender Loris E, Sri Lanka Flameback squirrel E, Dusky-striped Jungle Squirrel E, Sri Lanka Yellow Sp
Admission ticket free
Day 12
Sinharaja > Mirissa
1 stop
12
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Morning birding in Singharaja. After lunch proceed to Mirissa for two nights (Four hours drive). Overnight stay at hotel in Mirissa.
Admission ticket free
Day 13
Mirissa > Colombo
1 stop
13
Mirissa
Morning first Whale watching tour, back to hotel at lunch time. Afternoon leisure at beach Overnight stay at hotel in Mirissa. Species often encountered: Bryde’s Whale (Balanoptera edeni), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Occationaly observed species: Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus), Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).
Admission ticket free
Day 14
Colombo > BIA
1 stop
14
Katunayake
Morning second whale watching tour. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon drive to airport for departure at night or next day morning. Overnight stay at hotel near airport. Species often encountered: Bryde’s Whale (Balanoptera edeni), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Occationaly observed species: Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus), Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).
Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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