Day 01 – Relaxing day in Negombo
You will be warmly welcomed by a representative of Taprobane Leisure once you touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport. Then you will be transported to your hotel in Negombo. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in your hotel or exploring the multicultural town of Negombo.
The town offers a collection of local churches, stretches of golden beach, and delicious food. Take a walk, strike a conversation with the locals, enjoy some world-class seafood, and catch the scenic beauty of Catamaran sailboats returning from the sea at sunset.
Overnight in Negombo.
Day 02 – Spot endemic birds in Sinharaja Rainforest
After traveling from Negombo, you will go to Sinharaja Rainforest for an evening birdwatching tour.
Named a biosphere reserve and a world heritage site by UNESCO, Sinharaja forest reserve is in the Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces of Sri Lanka. This 6092-hectare rainforest is home to 95% of endemic birds and more than 50% of all of Sri Lanka’s endemic species. It is truly a magical place for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Binoculars and cameras at the ready you will foray into the quiet sanctity of this lush green forest. As you traverse through the valleys and streams and moss-covered boulders watch and listen as the forest come alive around you. Listen for the birdcalls and if you are lucky, you’ll get to see some of the rare endemic birds including, the Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Ashy-headed Babbler, and the White-headed Starling, and maybe even the rarest of them all the Green-billed Coucal.
Return to the hotel for the night after your exciting day. Today was just a taste of what’s in store for tomorrow which will be a full day birdwatching trek in Sinharaja.
Overnight in Sinharaja.
Day 03 – Full day birdwatching trek in Sinharaja
Today you’ll get to delve even deeper into the rainforest. One of the interesting sites you’ll get to see in Sinharaja are the mixed species of foraging bird flocks, a behaviour common only to rainforests. In Sinharaja about 100 such flocks have been observed some of them contain as many as 48 species including 12 species endemic to Sri Lanka.
Observe these mixed flocks and their behaviour. Take all the time you need because today you have the whole day to get lost in the vibrant world of birds.
After a whole day trek, return to the hotel for a scrumptious dinner. Share the photos you took with friends over a hot cup of tea. Turn in for the night. Your birdwatching expedition is just at the beginning.
Overnight in Sinharaja.
Day 04 – Travel to Nuwara Eliya
Rise early for an early morning birdwatching trek by the village border. Have breakfast and proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
The charming town of Nuwara Eliya lies in the Central Province of Sri Lanka amidst misty mountain ranges. The Sri Lankan hill country is dotted with many tea estates. Take a tour of the estates and observe the process behind making your cuppa. You’ll get to see Sri Lankan tea pluckers hard at work on the hills, carefully picking two leaves and a bud which is essential to make fine tea. Their trained hands will work fast but the job is one that requires precision only made efficient by years of practice. Afterward, visit a tea factory and see the processing and refining of the carefully plucked tea leaves.
While at the factory enjoy a steaming cup of your favourite tea, perfect for the chilly weather in Nuwara Eliya. Don’t forget to pack some to take back home. Ceylon Tea – Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Silver Tips, whatever your favourite tea is you are sure to find it here.
Head to your hotel to rest for the night.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 05 – Explore Horton Plains and Hakgala Botanical Gardens
Start early morning and head to the Horton Plains National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The rich ecosystem in Horton Plains consists of Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands, and aquatic ecosystems spread across the 3,169 hectares of the highest tableland in Sri Lanka. Bundle up today because Horton Plains is the coldest and windiest place you’ll find in the country.
Your trek will take you through breathtaking scenic beauty, rolling mountains, and tall trees disappearing into the hazy mist. It’s right out of a picture book. A short trail will lead you to the beautifully cascading Baker’s Falls. The 800-meter steep World’s End cliff will renew your awe of the beauty and sheer magnificence of nature.
There are about 220 bird species to find in the Horton Plains National Park out of which eight are globally threatened species. Some of the rare endemic birds you might see include the Serendib Scops-Owl, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka Myna, White-faced Starling, Spot-winged Thrush, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka Whistling-thrush and the White-throated Flowerpecker. Other rare bird species you could come across include the Great Thick-knee, Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Rufous-bellied Eagle, and the Alexandrine Parakeet.
Have a hearty meal after your morning birdwatching trek through the chilly Horton Plains and move on to a more laid-back tour through Hakgala Botanical Gardens.
Hakgala is the second largest of the five Botanical Gardens in Sri Lanka. The Hakgala rock looming behind the garden provides an imposing backdrop for the vibrant flora and fauna within the garden. There are several sections such as the rose garden, orchid house, fernery, rock garden, arboretum, and forested areas. You will get to spot several species of birds hiding amidst the fragrant flowers and lush forest including the Layard Woodpecker, Yellow Eared Bulbul, Tickell’s Flowerpecker, Green Willow Warbler, and the Sri Lankan Wood Pigeon.
Return to the hotel to relax after a day of exploring the natural habitat of birds.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 06 – Walk around Victoria Park and travel to Habarana
In the morning take a leisurely walk around Victoria Park in Nuwara Eliya. This park is right in the middle of the scenic Nuwara Eliya town which still retains its British architecture. You’ll probably get to spot some of your favourite birds flitting from branch to branch and twittering to each other, such as Parrots, Pigeons, Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Flycatchers, Chats, Thrushes, Warblers, and Wagtails.
After your morning walk, you’ll travel to Habarana in North Central Province, approximately a 5-hour drive downhill through winding mountain roads.
Overnight in Habarana.
Day 07 – Birdwatching in Habarana Jungle and Sigiriya Sanctuary
After breakfast head to Habarana Jungle for your first birdwatching trek of the day. About 120 species of endemic, migratory, and resident birds have been spotted in this jungle. A few of these birds include the Sri Lankan Grey Hornbill, Sri Lankan Green Pigeon, Coppersmith Barbet, Indian Cormorant, Common Iora, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Brahminy Kite, Small Minivet, Black-hooded Oriole, Grey-breasted Prinia, and Crested Tree Swift. Endemic bird species living in Habarana include the Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, Sri Lankan Green Pigeon, Sri Lankan Wood Shrike, Sri Lankan Swallow, and Crimson-backed Flameback Woodpecker.
Habarana Lake is frequented by elephants. You might get to see the gentle giants bathing and quenching their thirst on the lake.
In the late afternoon, extend your birdwatching expedition to the Sigiriya sanctuary. The forest surrounding the Sigiriya rock is a protected sanctuary and home to a vibrant array of bird species. Some of the species spotted in the sanctuary include the Barred Buttonquail, Lesser Whistling Duck, Crested Serpent Eagle, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Crested Tree swift, Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, and the Peregrine Falcon.
After a day of birdwatching expeditions, head back to the hotel to relax and turn in for the day.
Overnight in Habarana.
Day 08 – Watch flocks of birds in Anwilundawa Wetlands
One more early morning birdwatching trek in the Sigiriya Sanctuary and then you are off to Anwilundawa in Northwestern Province.
Anwilundawa wetlands are unique consisting of three vastly different wetland ecosystems, the coast, the mangroves, and the freshwater tanks. This rich and diverse ecosystem has made Anwilundawa a favourite nesting and breeding ground for a wide variety of bird species.
Watch as flocks of waterbirds take flight from the many tanks within the sanctuary. There is a large breeding colony of Herons that should not be missed and glistening blue kingfishers skimming the waters for unsuspecting prey. Some of the many other bird species you’ll be able to spot include the Open-bill, Great Cormorant, White Ibis, Egret, Stalk, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, and the Purple Swamp Hen.
Your birdwatching expedition is now coming to an end. We hope you got to see all the birds on your list and learned even more about their world and behaviours by observing them in their natural habitats.
Transfer to Negombo and check-in at the hotel for the night.
Overnight in Negombo.
Day 09 – Catch your flight back home
Spend the day relaxing in the hotel or walking around Negombo. Maybe grab a souvenir from Lewis Place to remember your Sri Lankan Journey and head to the airport when it’s time.
Departure from Bandaranaike International Airport.