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Sri Lanka has one of the highest levels of biological endemism in the world. This tropical island, located just off the southern tip of India, is a true paradise for nature lovers. Despite its relatively small size, Sri Lanka boasts an impressive birdlife, with 523 recorded species.
In addition to its rich variety of resident birds, the island also attracts a significant number of migratory species that escape their northern breeding grounds during the winter months.
We have carefully designed this 7-day birdwatching journey to cover the country’s key birding hotspots. As all our tours are fully bespoke, the itinerary can be customized according to your preferences and interests.
This tour can be enjoyed year-round. However, if you are particularly interested in migratory birds, the best time to visit is from November to February.
What's Included
Dinner
Breakfast
Meeting and pickup
We Pick our clients from the hotels or Airport (CMB)
We Pick our clients from the hotels or Airport (CMB)
Itinerary
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1
Kithulgala (Makandawa Forest Reserve): Over 50 rare species of birds can be seen, The Makandawa Forest Reserve is one of Sri Lanka’s richest and most unspoiled rainforests. And the oldest forest reserve in Sri Lanka. It covers an area of 1155 hectares and lies close to the village of Kithulgala, one of Sri Lanka’s centers for adventure sports. The reserve hosts a plethora of rare and endemic flora and fauna. This secondary lowland rainforest has several interesting geographical features; such as crystal-clear natural rock pools, waterfalls, wonderfully challenging trails that meander through the thick tropical rainforest, and of course the Kelani River running right through the jungle. Birds can be seen here Green-Billed Coucal Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard’s Parakeet Ceylon Grey Hornbill Oriental Honey Buzzard Red Faced Malkoha Ceylon Blue Magpie Ceylon Jungle & Ceylon Spurfowl Common Hill Myna
4 hours • Admission ticket free -
2Kitulgala
Full Day Birding around Forest patches in Kithulgala. Targeted Endemic Birds Sri Lankan Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii) Sri Lanka spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata) Layard’s parakeet (Psittacula calthrapae) Sri Lanka hanging parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) Chestnut-backed owlet (Glaucidium castanotum) Sri Lanka hill myna (Gracula ptilogenys) Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) Green-billed coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos) Red-faced malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus) Crimson-fronted barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus) Ashy-headed laughingthrush (Argya cinereifrons) Yellow-fronted barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons) Sri Lanka Crested drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus) Yellow Eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) Sri Lanka blue magpie (Urocissa ornata) Orange-billed babbler (Argya rufescens)
8 hours • Admission ticket free -
3Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya
Into the Highlands: A Day of Endemic Discoveries Early morning birdwatching around Kitulgala Journey towards the central highlands of Sri Lanka Scenic ascent into cooler mountain landscapes Arrival in Nuwara Eliya region After lunch, visit a quiet and less-traveled side road near the town Chance to spot rare and localized endemic bird species unique to these higher elevations Victoria Park – This is a small but well-preserved patch of montane forest that has been preserved which offers a habitat for many species of hill birds. A permit is required to walk into the park. Birds can be seen here Black Bird Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Yellow-eared Bul Bul Dusky Blue Flycatcher Pied Thrush Ceylon White Eye Kashmir Red-breasted Flycatcher Asian Tit Yellow-eared Bulbul
6 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains Park – This park and the adjoining peak wilderness form the most important catchment area for almost all the major rivers in the country. This is also the highest plateau of the country, being above 5000 feet, and the western slops of the park supports the most extensive area of montane cloud forests surviving in the country. Most of the hill species of birds can be easily seen here during any walk in the park which is through forested areas, grasslands and streams. A walk to the “world’s end” is also through pristine hill bird habitat. Targeted Endemic Birds Sri Lankan wood pigeon (Columba torringtoniae) Sri Lanka white-eye (Zosterops ceylonensis) Yellow-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) Dull-blue flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus) Black-capped bulbul (Rubigula melanictera) Sri Lanka bush Warbler (Elaphrornis palliseri) Sri Lanka whistling thrush (Myophonus blighi)
8 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
5Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Experience one of the oldest rain forests in the world After Breakfast you proceed with your guide to the stunning Sinharaja Rain forest. The highlight of this tour. After arriving you first check-in to your hotel and have time to relax and settle down. You will spend two full days of bird watching in Sinharaja Rain Forest.
4 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – an area of 18900 acres is located within southern provinces of Sri Lanka. It is home to over 95% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. Sri Lanka’s tropical lowland rain forest has over 60% of the trees endemic and many of these are rare; there are 21 endemic bird species, and a number of rare insects, reptiles and amphibians. Sinharaja is biologically the most unique wet ever green rain forest in the country with an exceptionally high degree of endemism. Sinharaja is famous for its mixed feeding bird flocks and a high degree of endemic birds can be observed during the bird walks.
8 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
7Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Morning Birding before transfer to the Airport. Targeted Endemic Birds Layard’s parakeet (Psittacula calthrapae) Sri Lanka hanging parrot (Loriculus beryllinus) Chestnut-backed owlet (Glaucidium castanotum) Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) Green-billed coucal (Centropus chlororhynchos) white-faced starling (Sturnornis albofrontatus) Red-faced malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus) Crimson-fronted barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus) Yellow-fronted barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons) Sri Lanka drongo (Dicrurus lophorinus) Black-capped bulbul (Rubigula melanictera) Sri Lanka blue magpie (Urocissa ornata) Sri Lanka scaly thrush (Zoothera imbricata) Sri Lanka hill myna (Gracula ptilogenys) Ashy-headed laughingthrush (Argya cinereifrons) Orange-billed babbler (Argya rufescens) Sri Lanka scimitar babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus) brown-capped babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus) Legge’s flowerpecker (Dicaeum vincens) spot-winged thrush, (Geokichla spiloptera)
4 hours • Admission ticket free
DAY 01 | ARRIVAL | TRANSFER TO KITHULGALA
Kithulgala Birding
DAY 03 | TRANSFER TO NUWARA ELIYA
Birding in Horton Plains National Park
DAY 05 | TRANSFER TO WEDDAGALA (Sinharaja)
Full Day Birding in Sinharaja Rain Forest
Transfer to the Airport after the Morning Birding
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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