Srilanka : Elephants and Birds

Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake and transfer to Chaaya Village in Habarana

After lunch at the hotel take an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park to witness the famous gathering of wild elephants.

Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in Chaaya Village

After breakfast visit Sigiriya Sanctuary for a morning of delightful birdwatching. In addition to seeing the typical dry zone species the ‘tanks’ around Sigiriya host an array of birds associated with water.

The more interesting ones include SPOT-BILLED PELICAN, ORIENTAL DARTER, WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE, GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE, SHAHEEN (the local race of the PEREGRINE, PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA, CEYLON GREEN-PIGEON, ‘SQUARE-TAILED’ DRONGO-CUCKOO, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, MALABAR PIED HORNBILL, BLACK-RUMPED FLAMEBACK, CEYLON SWALLOW, LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE, BLACK-HEADED CUCKOOSHRIKE, CEYLON WOODSHRIKE, ASIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER, WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA and GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO

Afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park for a second chance to witness the famous gathering of wild elephants.

Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in Chaaya Village

An early breakfast is needed today in order to climb to the summit of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress ahead of the mid-day heat. View the ruins of the citadel of King Kashyapa (500 AD) and the breathtaking vista right around the rock from 200 m above the plateau.

In the afternoon either rest or visit Minneriya National Park once more to witness the assembly of elephants. The tank just out side your hotel and hotel’s bird trails also present a relaxing birding session.

Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in Chaaya Village

After breakfast leave for the hill capital, Kandy where the Temple of the Tooth Relic stands The Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is the most important sacred relic in the island and is an object immensely venerated by all Buddhists.

After lunch, we relax for some hours to prepare ourselves for a grand evening. Today is our day of witnessing the world famous pageant ‘Esala Perahera’ of Kandy. We will have reserved seats for the parade and it will be well past midnight when we return to the hotel. (This section is only applicable for the relevent dates for the festival, dates yet to be determined.)

Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in Chaaya Citadel

A predawn start with a packed breakfast to reach the Horton Plains at first light to see the elusive Whistling Thrush and for a morning of great birding

Species to lookout for: CEYLON WOODPIGEON, CRIMSON-BACKED FLAMEBACK, HILL SWALLOW, YELLOW-EARED BULBUL, COMMON BLACKBIRD, CEYLON WHISTLING-THRUSH, DUSKY BLUE FLYCATCHER, GREY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER, PIED BUSHCHAT, CEYLON SCIMITAR-BABBLER, SRI LANKA BUSH-WARBLER, CEYLON WHITE-EYE and BLACK-THROATED MUNIA

Possible Mammals: PURPLE-FACED LEAF MONKEY, SAMBAR and DUSKY STRIPED SQUIRREL.

Return to Nuwara Eliya for lunch and spend the afternoon birding around Nuwara Eliya.

Dinner & overnight at The Galway Forest Lodge, Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast leave for Kitulgala.

In the afternoon visit the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve and stay till late to look for nocturnal species.GREEN IMPERIAL-PIGEON, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET and CEYLON RUFOUS BABBLER.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kitulgala Rest House

Full day birding in the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve

Birding highlights of Kitulgala will include CEYLON GREEN-PIGEON, CEYLON HANGING-PARROT, LAYARD'S PARAKEET, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, CEYLON GREY HORNBILL, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, BLACK-CAPPED BULBUL, SPOT-WINGED GROUND-THRUSH, CEYLON RUFOUS BABBLER, ORANGE MINIVET, LEGGE'S FLOWERPECKER and BLACK-THROATED MUNIA.

Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in Kitulgala Rest House

After breakfast leave for Sinharaja Rainforest (a UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness Area). After late lunch at the Lodge bird around the periphery of Sinharaja

 Possible species: CEYLON HANGING-PARROT, LAYARD'S PARAKEET, CHESTNUT-BACKED OWLET, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, YELLOW-FRONTED BARBET, BLACK-CAPPED BULBUL, HIMALAYAN BLACK BULBUL and COMMON HILL-MYNA.

Dinner & overnight at The Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja

Full day birding at Sinharaja Rainforest with picnic lunch. Sinharaja is Sri Lanka’s last remaining rainforests and is home to most of the islands endemic birdlife.

 Species to lookout for: CEYLON SPURFOWL, CEYLON WOODPIGEON, GREEN-BILLED COUCAL, RED-FACED MALKOHA, SERENDIB SCOPS-OWL, CEYLON FROGMOUTH, MALABAR TROGON, SPOT-WINGED GROUND-THRUSH, CEYLON SCALY THRUSH, ASHY-HEADED LAUGHINGTHRUSH, CEYLON SCIMITAR-BABBLER, CEYLON RUFOUS BABBLER, LEGGE'S FLOWERPECKER, WHITE-FACED STARLING, CEYLON HILL-MYNA, BLACK-THROATED MUNIA, CEYLON CRESTED DRONGO and CEYLON BLUE MAGPIE

Possible Mammals: TOQUE MONKEY, PURPLE-FACED LEAF MONKEY, SRI LANKAN GIANT SQUIRREL and LAYARD’S STRIPED SQUIRREL

 Dinner & overnight at The Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja

After breakfast bird around the Lodge for some time and leave for a hotel near the Airport Late lunch en route and dinner at Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo

After dinner departure