Arrival and transfer to Thotupola.
Situated close to the capital city of Colombo; just about one hour’s drive, on the banks of the famed Bolgoda Lake and low wetland mangroves, it is a nature lover’s paradise.
Bolgoda Lake, spread over 400 sq.km is one of the largest freshwater Lakes in Sri Lanka. During the Dutch Period (1 657-1796 AD), Bolgoda Lake was extensively used by the Dutch to ferry people and goods from the upper stream of Kalu Ganga, particularly, from Ratnapura District. The lake was utilized as a very popular mode of transport for timber from Sinharaja Forest areas, by log crafts.
The rich bio diversity of the Lake provides home to varieties of Aquatic and semi Aquatic plants, 45 species of Fish, 40 species of Reptiles, 16 species of amphibians, 97 species of Avian and 31 species of Mammals representing approximately 1/3 of the total fauna of the Island and 1/10 of Endemics. This is also a paradise for water sports. The Sports fishing is one of the major activities followed by boating, wind-surfing, water skiing, sailing, speed boating and rowing.
Dinner and overnight stay at Thotupola Retreat.
Morning Bird watching trails in a boat. Leaving to Sinharaja Forest via Bodinagala after a late breakfast.
BODHINAGALA is a forest reserve belonging to the western zone category, with an extent of about 50 acres and is situated at Ingiriya in the Kalutara district. This small patch of lowland, being a natural rainforest, is home to many species of endemic flora and fauna. It is close to Colombo and therefore holds a specific importance.
The bird life of this area has very high species diversity, with 151 being recorded, of which 9 are endemic. The most important record was the identification of the Green-billed Coucal, which is regarded as one the rarest endemic birds in Sri Lanka. We will see many more species including the Alexandrine Parakeet, Brown-headed Barbet and the Brown-breasted and Tickell’s Blue Flycatchers.
Lunch to be taken at a suitable location. Proceed to Sinharaja. Check in at your Campsite organized by team “Let’s Go Camping” for dinner and overnight stay.
Full day forest exploration with packed meals.
Being spread out in the Districts of Rathnapura, Galle & Matara, this majestic rainforest, Sinharaja is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka. With a length of 21km and a width of 7 km from North to south (at the widest point), the forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares. It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978,as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest Eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of its International Network of Biosphere reserves. It was declared a National wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989.
Sinharaja Rainforest offers a huge diversity of species both flora and fauna with a large proportion of those being indigenous to the country and some more specifically endemic to Sinharaja itself. An interesting phenomenon is that birds tend to move in mixed feeding flocks, invariably led by the fearless Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and the Noisy Orange-billed Babbler. Of Sri Lanka's 34 endemic birds, the 20 rainforest species all occur here, including the elusive Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal and Sri Lanka Blue Magpie.
Back to the campsite with will be illuminated by the roaring campfire and lanterns.
Enjoy a hearty BBQ meal and overnight stay at Campsite bordering the Rainforest.
Leave for Udawalawe after the breakfast. Arrive at the Park entrance and drive to your campsite in the middle of the National Park.
Udawalawe National Park straddles the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and includes the Udawalawe Reservoir, together with much of its catchment area. Located approximately 200 km south east of the Colombo city, Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to see large herds of Asian Elephants throughout the year. The park is a mixture of abundant Teak plantations, grasslands, scrub jungle and riverine ‘gallary forest’ along the Walawe River and Mau Ara.
Enjoy a Sri Lankan lunch at the campsite. Leave for a safari drive in Udawalawe National Park in the evening.
The safari will also be an unforgettable bird watching experience as Udawalawe has a wide variety of birds. The endemic species, the Red-faced Malkoha, has its favorite habitat in this parkland. Serpent Eagles, Hawk Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Black Eagles, Black Capped Bulbuls, Racket-tailed Drongos, Malabar Pied Horn Bills, White-necked Storks, Open Bills, Ibis, Shama (the Forest Nightingale), Stork-billed Kingfishers and Peacocks are found in fair numbers. Among the migrant birds are the Forest Wagtails, Indian Pitta, Whiskered Terns, Osprey Sand Pipers and Terns.
Back to the campsite which is illuminated by lanterns and flame torches. Enjoy a hearty BBQ dinner and overnight stay at the Campsite organized by “Let’s Go Camping” Team.
Get up early in the morning and birding session in the campsite itself. Leave for a morning safari after the breakfast.
Back to the park entrance upon finishing the morning safari and leave for Kalametiya. Check in at your campsite which is located close to the lagoon.
Kalametiya is a coastal wetland area situated on the picturesque southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Located 215km from Colombo, has an especially rich bio-diversity and because of this feature it was declared as a Sanctuary in 1984. The Kalametiya lagoon is a brackish water body, lies adjoining the Hungama village. The lagoon is separated from the sea by a narrow strip of beach and the flood plain, reed beds and Mangrove forests are home to an extensive range of Sri Lanka’s rich array of indigenous bird life and other fauna. Numerous species of migrant birds such as Garganey and Pintail Duck, Redshanks, Godwits and Snipe can be found in Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.
Lunch at the Campsite. Evening you are free to have a canoe/ boat ride in the lagoon which could be arranged upon your request.
Dinner and overnight stay at your campsite in Kalametiya.
Leave for Bundala early morning with a packed breakfast. Visit Bundala National Park in a Safari Jeep.
Situated 245 km from the Colombo Capital, Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbours 197 species of Birds, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo, which migrate in large flocks.
Bundala National Park is a well recognished bird sanctuary. About 100 species of water birds inhabit the wetland habitats in Bundala, half of them being migrant birds. Greater Flamingo which visits in large flocks of over 1,000 individuals, from Rann of Kutch of India being the special feature. Other water birds which are present in large numbers include Lesser Whistling Duck, Garganey, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Grey Heron, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Asian Openbill Stork, Painted Stork, medium sized waders, Tringa subspecies, and small waders, Charadrius subspecies. Black-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant and Eurasian Coot are rare birds that inhabit the national park.
Lunch to be taken at a suitable location. Proceed to Yala for an evening safari.
Yala is undoubtedly the Sri Lanka’s most visited national park and the best in Sri Lanka for viewing a wide diversity of animals. It is one of the largest (2nd largest) in Sri Lanka and renowned for the variety of its wildlife. Situated approximately 300km from the Colombo city, belonging to two districts of Monaragala & Hambantota, Yala has the world's highest concentration of Leopards, although seeing this largely nocturnal carnivore still requires some luck.
Much of the reserve is parkland, but it also contains jungle, beaches, freshwater lakes and rivers and scrubland. The latter zone is punctuated with enormous rocky outcrops. The range of habitats gives rise to a good range of wildlife. The flora is typical dry monsoon forest vegetation in the southern belt and the Plains are interspersed with pockets of forest.
Yala National Park is well recognized as one of the best parks in the world to observe leopards. The leopards at Yala are largely considered as having the highest density of leopards in the world. Those are a subspecies of leopard native to Sri Lanka which is known as Sri Lanka Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) which is considered to be endangered.
The other biggest draws in Yala are Elephants and sloth bears. A game drive could yield a Black-naped Hare, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hanuman Langur, Toque Monkey, Stripe-necked and Ruddy Mangooses, Wild Boar, Jackal, Land and Water Monitor and Marsh Crocodiles. At the end of the Northeast Monsoon (February) the park is frequented by butterflies.
Back to the Park entrance upon finishing your jeep safari and proceed to Ella.
Leave for Horton Plains early in the morning with packed breakfast.
Horton Plains (Maha Eliya) National Park is the national park which located in the highest altitude in Sri Lanka covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. Situated 32 km from the Central Highlands, Nuwara Eliya, the Horton Plains National Park lies at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 metres.
The vegetation of the park is classified into two distinctive groups, wet patana ("montane grasslands") and subtropical montane evergreen forests. Nearly 750 species of plants belonging to 20 families have been recorded from the park and nearly 54 woody plant species, of which 27 (50%) are endemic to Sri Lanka. Hanging lichens such as Usnea barbata are also common in Horton Plains National Park. A number of ferns and orchids can be seen and 16 of the orchid species being endemic to Sri Lanka.
Together with the adjacent Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains contains 21 bird species which occur only in Sri Lanka. Four, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye, and Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon, occur only in Horton plains, while other endemic species include Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Bush-warbler, and Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush. All six highland endemic birds are found here, including Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye, Sri Lanka Wood-pigeon, and Sri Lanka Bush-warbler. Yellow-eared Bulbul and Black-throated Munia are widespread throughout the highlands.
This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka in which visitors are allowed to walk. The most attractive tourist destination in the Horton Plains is the 'Worlds End’ where the 2000 meters plateau comes to an abrupt end, plunging 700-1000 meters to the valley floor. The 'Little Worlds End' is another popular location, falling a mere 300 meters, along with Baker's fall.
Back to the Entrance and leave for Nuwara Eliya. Check in at St.Andrew’s Hotel.
The cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13oC this is an exquisite and healthy city famous for its wide range in flowers. With buildings of English architecture everywhere in the city, it is affectionately called little England. The Victoria Park in the center of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka is famous for Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher.
Dinner and overnight stay at St.Andrew’s Hotel.
Leave for Kithulgala after the breakfast.
En-route, visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.
Check in at your campsite in Kithulgala for Lunch.
Kithulgala is a small town situated in the south west of the Hill Capital Kandy and north to the fascinating Holy Mountain, Adam’s Peak. Kithulgala is famous because of the Academy award winning film “Bridge over the river Kwai” and the Thrilling activity “White Water Rafting”. The Beli Lena cave, one of the pre historic caves in Sri Lanka which holds evidence of a lost generation of Sri Lanka 12,000 years old; is located in Kithulgala.
Birding Trail in Kithulgala Rainforest in the evening.
The Kithulgala Rainforest has most of the rainforest bird species that are found at the World Biosphere Reserve at Sinharaja, although in lower numbers. However, the secondary forest and cultivation at Kithulgala is more open than the pristine woodlands of Sinharaja, and elusive endemic species like Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal and Spot-winged Thrush may be easier to see.
Back to the campsite for dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the campsite. Before the breakfast you can observe the birds in and around the campsite and in the banks of the Kelani River. White Water Rafting Trip in Kelani River before you depart to Kandy.
Lunch to be taken at a suitable location. Visit Udawattekele Sanctuary for a birding trail in the evening.
Udawattekele sanctuary is famous for its extensive avifauna. A variety of floral species are present in the sanctuary. The forest is also of religious importance as it is widely used as a meditation hermitage from the ancient times. Vegetation comprises fairly dense forest, mostly plantation and secondary formations. About 80 species of bird have been recorded from the area. Some of the common birds are Layard’s Parakeet, Gold fronted and blue winged Leafbirds, Spotted and Emerald Doves, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-fronted, Crimson-fronted and Brown headed barbets and Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.
Back to the Hotel. Visit Temple of Tooth in the evening. A visit to a Cultural Show could be arranged upon your request at an extra cost.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Suisse.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
Baby jumbos wondering around their cramped foster home or bottle fed and bathed by their human foster fathers at Pinnawala, is the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. This is a place you will really enjoy and never forget. Most orphans accustomed to their curious human visitors are harmless. Bathing time at Ma Oya just in front of the orphanage is sharp at 10.00am and 2.00pm. Feeding time is about an hour earlier.
Lunch to be taken at a place of your choice. Visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden on your way back to Kandy.
Peradeniya Botanical Garden is 147 acres in extent started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy. There are more than 500 species of trees and plants. Some are rare & endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice Garden on Orchid House is more popular with tourists.
Back to your Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Suisse.
Proceed to Sigiriya to catch the remaining dry zone birds. Visit Dambulla Cave Temple en route.
Dambulla, an ancient city, is known for its beautiful Cave temples and a huge Buddha statue. The history of the 5 caves containing over 150 images of Buddha goes back to 1st century BC when king Valagambahu took refuge here. This place is worth visiting not only for the cave temple, but also for the beautiful view over the countryside you can get from the hill.
Proceed to Sigiriya and check in at Hotel Sigiriya. Birding trail in the hotel premises in the evening.
Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Sigiriya.
Breakfast at the hotel. Climb the gigantic Rock Fortress after the breakfast.
The significant Rock Fortress is one of the major attractions in this miracle of Asia. Due to the shape of a lion (the paws of which could still be seen) this wonderful fortress is called the “Lions Rock”. The Sigiriya frescoes, fifth century paintings found on the rock, the paintings of female figures preserved in depressions on the rock-face. The water garden in Sigiriya is another unique attraction where the rock fountains in the water garden are still in action. The two water tanks in the summit, used for bathing and drinking, still fill with rain water, but a sophisticated pumping system had been used to fill the tanks from a lake at the foot of the rock.
Leave for Negombo, once you are back to the Rock foot. Check in at Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure on the beach. Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for a Birding Boat Ride in Muthurajawela Marshland.
Muthurajawela Marsh is the largest saline coastal peat bog in Sri Lanka, and covers an area of some 3,068 hectares and runs alongside the Indian Ocean. Together with the contiguous Negombo Lagoon (3,164 hectares), Muthurajawela forms an integrated coastal wetland system of high biodiversity and ecological significance. Muthurajawela bears staggering species of flora and fauna. Numerically 192 flora and 209 fauna, excluding 102 species of birds have been discovered and 19 of them migratory. Visitors may see water birds such as herons, egrets in abundance in the lagoon and the marsh.
Back to the Hotel. Evening at leisure on the beach. Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel.
Leave for Airport after the breakfast to connect the departure flight.
- END OF TOUR -
Our Services include;
- Accommodation at Hotels/ Eco Lodges/ Campsites or similar as mentioned in the above itinerary.
- Meal plan to be on half board basis during the whole tour.
- Transportation throughout the tour, in an Air conditioned Car / Micro Van with English speaking chauffer Guide.
- Entrance fees to Sinharaja Rainforest and the tracker fees.
- Entrance fees to all National Park and fee for the government trackers.
- Cost of 4WD Jeep Safaris in all national parks in the tour.
- Cost of the Whale Watching Boat Ride in Mirissa.
- Service charges and all Government taxes.
Our Services do not include;
- Scheduled international & domestic flights.
- Any extra beverages or food.
- Lunch during the tour.
- Optional tours & activities.
- Gratuities and expenses of a personal nature.
Payment: Full payment with the confirmation
