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21 Day In-depth Bird Watching Tour

General Information about the tour

  • Days:

21 Day Tour

  • Summary:

A opportunity to mix Sri Lankan culture with some of the best sightings of the Endemic birds of the island and other wildlife. The tour start from the dry zone while gradually working its way to the central highlands before coming in to the southern coastal region through the Singharaja Rainforest.

Tour Itinerary

    DAY 1. ARRIVAL / ANURADHAPURA

    A.M. Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayaka and leave for Anuradhapura.

    P.M. Relax/birding around the hotel.
    Possible noteworthy species: PURPLE HERON, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, ASIAN OPENBILL, BLACK-HEADED IBIS, LESSER WHISTLING-DUCK, BRAHMINY KITE, PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA, CEYLON GREEN-PIGEON, BLUE-FACED MALKOHA, BROWN HAWK-OWL, INDIAN PITTA.

    Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.


    DAY 2. ANURADHAPURA

    A.M. After breakfast birding around tanks (man made lakes) and ancient city area
    Possible noteworthy species: SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, LITTLE CORMORANT, INDIAN CORMORANT, ORIENTAL DARTER, CEYLON GREEN-PIGEON, GREEN IMPERIAL-PIGEON, BLUE-FACED MALKOHA, INDIAN CUCKOO, BLACK-RUMPED FLAMEBACK, WHITE-NAPED FLAMEBACK, INDIAN PITTA, STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER, LESSER PIED KINGFISHER, INDIAN ROLLER, BLACK-HEADED CUCKOOSHRIKE, LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE.

    Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.


    DAY 3. ANURADHAPURA / SIGIRIYA

    A.M. After breakfast leave for Sigiriya.
    P.M. Birding in and around Sigiriya Sanctuary. Possible noteworthy species: CRESTED HAWK-EAGLE, WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE, GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE, SHAHEEN (Local race of the Peregrine), BLUE-FACED MALKOHA, GREY-BELLIED CUCKOO, INDIAN CUCKOO, SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO, INDIAN SCOPS OWL, JERDON’S NIGHTJAR, MALABAR PIED HORNBILL, STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER, LESSER PIED KINGFISHER, COPPERSMITH BARBET, CEYLON SMALL BARBET, INDIAN PYGMY WOODPECKER, CEYLON WOODSHRIKE, LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE, BBLACK-HEADED CUCKOOSHRIKE, WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA, ORANGE-HEADED THRUSH, INDIAN PITTA, THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER.

    Overnight stay in Sigiriya.


    DAY 4. SIGIRIYA

    A.M. After breakfast climb the Sigiriya Rock.
    P.M. Birding around the Rock. Possible noteworthy species: SHAHEEN (Local race of the Peregrine), BLUE-FACED MALKOHA, GREY-BELLIED CUCKOO, INDIAN CUCKOO, SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO-CUCKOO, COPPERSMITH BARBET, CEYLON SMALL BARBET, BROWN-HEADED BARBET, BLACK-RUMPED FLAMEBACK, INDIAN PYGMY WOODPECKER, CRESTED TREESWIFT, CEYLON WOODSHRIKE, LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE, BLACK-HEADED CUCKOOSHRIKE, GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO.

    Overnight stay in Sigiriya.


    DAY 5. SIGIRIYA

    A.M. After breakfast full day excursion to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

    Overnight stay in Sigiriya.


    DAY 6. SIGIRIYA / KANDY

    A.M. After breakfast leave for Kandy.
    P.M. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya Possible noteworthy species: ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, CEYLON SMALL BARBET, LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE, INDIAN PITTA.

    Overnight stay in Kandy.


    DAY 7. KANDY

    A.M. After breakfast visit Udawattakele Sanctuary. Possible noteworthy species: EMERALD DOVE, CEYLON HANGING PARROT, LAYARD’S PARAKEET, BROWN FISH OWL, BLACK-BACKED DWARF KINGFISHER, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, CEYLON SMALL BARBET, CRIMSON-BACKED FLAMEBACK, WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA, TICKELL’S BLUE FLYCTACHER.
    P.M. Visit the Temple of the Tooth.

    Overnight stay in Kandy.


    DAY 8. KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA

    A.M. After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya.
    P.M. Birding in Victoria Park. Possible noteworthy species: FOREST WAGTAIL, GREY WAGTAIL, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, INDIAN BLUE ROBIN, PIED GROUND-THRUSH, INDIAN PITTA, KASHMIR FLYCATCHER, and CEYLON WHITE-EYE.

    Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.


    DAY 9. NUWARA ELIYA

    A.M. Very early start to visit Horton Plains National Park, with picnic breakfast. Possible noteworthy species: CEYLON WOODPIGEON, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, PIED BUSH CHAT, CEYLON WHISTLING THRUSH, COMMON BLACKBIRD, SRI LANKA BUSH-WARBLER, GREY-HEADED CANARY, KASHMIR & DUSKY BLUE FLYCATCHER, VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH, CEYLON WHITE-EYE.

    Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.


    DAY 10. NUWARA ELIYA

    A.M. After breakfast excursion to Surrey Estate, Welimada / Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Possible noteworthy species: CEYLON WOODPIGEON, BROWN WOOD OWL, THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER.
    P.M. Birding in Galways Land Sanctuary. Possible noteworthy species: YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, COMMON BLACKBIRD, SRI LANKA BUSH-WARBLER, GREY-HEADED CANARY, KASHMIR & DUSKY BLUE FLYCATCHER, VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH, CEYLON WHITE-EYE.

    Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.


    DAY 11. NUWARA ELIYA / TISSAMAHARAMA

    A.M. After breakfast leave for Tissamaharama. Birding around the wetlands of Tissamaharama.
    P.M.Possible noteworthy species: PURPLE HERON, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, YELLOW BITTERN, BLACK BITTERN, BRAHMINY KITE, SHIKRA, PURPLE SWAMPHEN, PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA and other common water birds, BROWN FISH OWL, WITE-NAPED FLAMEBACK, INDIAN REED-WARBLER, PIPITS & WAGTAILS, STREAKED & BAYA WEAVER

    Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.


    DAY 12. TISSAMAHARAMA

    A.M. After breakfast full day excursion to Yala National Park. Possible noteworthy species: SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, ORIENTAL DARTER, PAINTED & BLACK-NECKED STORK, LESSER ADJUTANT, BLACK-WINGED STILT, EURASIAN STONE CURLEW, GREAT THICK-KNEE, SMALL PRATINCOLE, YELLOW-WATTLED & RED-WATTLED LAPWING PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, GREY PLOVER, LITTLE-RINGED, KENTISH, MONGOLIAN & GREATER SAND PLOVER, MARSH, WOOD & CURLEW SANDPIPER, LITTLE STINT, BROWN-HEADED GULL, CASPIAN, GULL-BILLED & WHISKERED, TERN, BENGAL BUSHLARK, ASHY-CROWNED FINCH-LARK.TOQUE MONKEY, GREY LANGUR, GOLDEN JACKAL, MONGOOSES, ASIAN ELEPHANT, WILD BOAR, SAMBAR, SPOTTED DEER, WATER BUFFALO, SL GIANT SQUIRREL.

    Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.


    DAY 13. TISSAMAHARAMA

    A.M. After breakfast jeep safari in Bundala National Park. GREATER FLAMINGO, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GARGANEY, WATERCOCK, BLACK-WINGED STILT, EURASIAN STONE CURLEW, GREAT THICK-KNEE, SMALL PRATINCOLE, YELLOW-WATTLED & RED-WATTLED LAPWING PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, GREY PLOVER, LITTLE-RINGED, KENTISH, MONGOLIAN & GREATER SAND PLOVER, MARSH, WOOD, TEREK & CURLEW SANDPIPER, LITTLE STINT, BROWN-HEADED GULL, CASPIAN, GREAT-CRESTED, LESSER-CRESTED, GULL-BILLED, WHISKERED, WHITE-WINGED, SAUNDERS’S & LITTLE TERN, BENGAL BUSHLARK, ORIENTAL SKYLARK, ASHY-CROWNED FINCH-LARK.
    P.M.Birding outside Bundala National Park in the evening for INDIAN SCOPS OWL, INDIAN LITTLE NIGHTJAR & JERDON’S NIGHTJAR.

    Overnight stay in Tissamaharama.


    DAY 14. TISSAMAHARAMA / KALAMETIYA / EMBILIPITIYA

    A.M. After breakfast leave for Embilipitiya, visit Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary en route.
    P.M. Jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park.
    Possible noteworthy species: SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, ORIENTAL DARTER, CORMORANTS, LESSER ADJUTANT, MONTAGU’S HARRIER, PIED HARRIER, CRESTED HAWK-EAGLE, WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE, GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE, BARRED BUTTONQUAIL, CEYLON & ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN-PIGEON, PLUM-HEADED PARAKEET, BLUE-FACED MALKOHA, SIRKEER MALKOHA, MALABAR PIED HORNBILL, PRINIAS.TOQUE MONKEY, GREY LANGUR, GOLDEN JACKAL, MONGOOSE, ASIAN ELEPHANT, SPOTTED DEER, WATER BUFFALO, SL GIANT SQUIRREL.

    Overnight stay in Embilipitiya.


    DAY 15. EMBILIPITIYA / SINHARAJA

    A.M. After breakfast jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park.

    P.M. Proceed to Sinharaja.

    Overnight stay in Sinharaja.


    DAY 16. SINHARAJA

    After breakfast full day birding in Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness Area with picnic lunch.
    Possible noteworthy species: ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE, SHIKRA, CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE, BLACK EAGLE, MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE, CEYLON SPURFOWL, CEYLON JUNGLEFOWL, CEYLON WOODPIGEON, RED-FACED MALKOHA, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, 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 MAGPE, WHITE-FACED STARLING, CEYLON HILL-MYNA.

    Overnight stay in Sinharaja.


    DAY 17. SINHARAJA

    After breakfast full day birding in Sinharaja World Heritage Wilderness Area.

    Overnight stay in Sinharaja.


    DAY 18. SINHARAJA / KITULGALA

    A.M. After breakfast Leave for Kitulgala.
    P.M. Birding around Kitulgala.
    Possible noteworthy species: CEYLON HANGING PARROT, LAYARD’S PARAKEET, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, BROWN HAWK-OWL, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, BLACK-RUMPED FLAMEBACK, CRIMSON-BACKED FLAMEBACK, SPOT-WINGED GROUND THRUSH.

    Overnight stay in Kitulgala.


    DAY 19. KITULGALA

    After breakfast full day birding in Kitulgala Forest Reserve.
    Possible noteworthy species: BLACK EAGLE, RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE, CEYLON SPURFOWL, CEYLON JUNGLEFOWL, CEYLON GREEN-PIGEON, CEYLON HANGING-PARROT, LAYARD’S PARAKEET, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, BROWN HAWK-OWL, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, BLACK-BACKED DWARF KINGFISHER, CEYLON SWALLOW, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, BLACK-CAPPED BULBUL, GOLD-FRONTED LEAFBIRD, SPOT-WINGED GROUND-THRUSH, LEGGE’S FLOWERPECKER, BROWN-CAPPED BABBLER, CEYLON RUFOUS BABBLER, CEYLON HILL-MYNA, CEYLON CRESTED DRONGO.

    Overnight stay in Kitulgala.


    DAY 20. KITULGALA / INGIRIYA / BELLANWILA-ATTIDIYA / KATUNAYAKE

    A.M. After breakfast leave for hotel near the Airport visiting Ingiriya Forest Reserve (Bodinagala) en route.
    Possible noteworthy species: GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, MALABAR TROGON, BLACK-BACKED DWARF KINGFISHER, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, CRIMSON-BACKED FLAMEBACK.
    Lunch in Ingiriya.

    P.M. Visit Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary.
    Possible noteworthy species: PURPLE HERON, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, BRAHMINY KITE, YELLOW BITTERN, BLACK BITTERN, ASIAN OPENBIL, BLACK-HEADED IBIS, LESSER WHISTLING DUCK, PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA.

    Overnight stay in Katunayake.


    DAY 21. DEPARTURE

    A.M. After Breakfast, Boat visit to Muthurajawela Swamp.

    P.M. Late night DEPARTURE.