PROGRAMME
Day 1: London
Depart Heathrow on an
overnight flight to Colombo.
Day 2: Katunayake / Dambulla
Arriving at Bandaranaike
International Airport Colombo (Katunayake) at lunchtime, we proceed by road to
our first destination, Dambulla. We then check in to the hotel on Amaya Lake at
Dambulla where two nights are spent.
Day 3: Dambulla
Amaya Lake, Dambulla, is
set amidst the Cultural Triangle, (Sigiriya, Anuradhapura and Pollonaruwa) and
the sumptuous grounds provide a rich mix of habitats for a wide range of bird
species. Forming a scenic backdrop is the magnificent Kandalama Lake and the
mist-shrouded mountains of the Sleeping Soldier. We will spend the day
exploring the grounds where we may see Black-hooded Oriole, Alexandrine
Parakeet, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Lesser Goldenback, Orange-breasted Green
Pigeon, Jerdon’s and Golden-fronted Leafbirds to name a few.
Day 4: Sigiriya / Kandy
After breakfast we make
the short journey to Sigiriya rock fortress where we will stroll the
surrounding grounds and woods. Here we might find Shaheen (local race of the
Peregrine), Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, White-browed
Fantail, Common Iora, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher and
Indian Pitta. After lunch at Amaya Lake we leave for Kandy visiting the
Dambulla Rock Temple en route, arriving in good time at our next accommodation
at Hunas Falls Hotel in the hills near Kandy where two nights are spent.
Day 5: Kandy
After breakfast we will
enjoy a full day birding around hotel. The lake and surrounding forest is
excellent for a wide range of species including Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka
Hanging Parrot, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Black-capped
Bulbul, Brown-capped and Sri Lanka Scimitar Babblers. Other forest birds
include Blue-winged Leafbird, Emerald Dove, Brown-breasted and Kashmir
Flycatchers, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Stork-billed Kingfisher and
White-bellied Sea Eagles which regularly patrol over the lake.
Day 6: Kandy / Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast we visit
The Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic, then
proceed to Nuwara Eliya stopping on the way at a tea plantation and factory and
lunch. After checking in at our hotel we will make the short journey to
Victoria Park where bird species include Forest Wagtail, Yellow-eared Bulbul,
Indian Blue Robin, Pied Thrush, Indian Pitta, Kashmir Flycatcher, Sri Lanka
White-eye and Dull Blue Flycatcher. We spend two nights at St. Andrews Hotel,
Nuwara Eliya.
Day 7: Horton Plains
Today, after breakfast,
we visit Horton Plains, a unique upland habitat. The specialities here include
Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pied Bush Chat, Sri Lanka Whistling
Thrush, Sri Lanka Bush-warbler, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch,
endemic Rhino-horned Lizard, Bear Monkey, Giant Squirrel and Sambar. This is
also a great area for raptors including Oriental Honey-buzzard, Legge’s Hawk
Eagle and Rufous-bellied Eagle. After a packed lunch we return to Nuwara Eliya
later in the afternoon for relaxation or further local birdwatching.
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya / Yala
After breakfast we
descend from the fresher climate of the highland down to the lower altitudes of
the dry zone where we check in for three nights at the fabulous Cinnamon Wild
Hotel at Yala. Throughout the journey we will be stopping at good bird sites
along the way. The vicinity just around the hotel is excellent for birds and
other wildlife, the lake nearby providing plenty of interest. Therefore, after
lunch we will avoid further time in vehicles in favour of relaxation and local
strolls.
Day 9: Yala
After breakfast we have
a full day jeep safari in Yala National Park with picnic lunch. One of the
largest national parks in the country, the terrain at Yala is varied with
grassy plains and forest, rocky scrubland, lagoons and a coastline. This
multitude of environments supports a diverse range of animals and an abundance
of birdlife including Spot-billed Pelican, Painted & Black-necked Storks,
Lesser Adjutant plus an array of raptors and waders. Mammals include Asian
Elephant, Sloth Bear, Mugger Crocodile, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer,
Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo and Golden Jackal. Yala also has one of the highest
concentrations of Leopard in the world.
Day 10: Yala / Salt Pans
After breakfast we
return for another morning in Yala National Park. Then, after lunch at Cinnamon
Wild we proceed for another jeep safari to the nearby saltpans and lagoon. This
is an excellent area for waterbirds such as Greater Flamingo, Western Reef
Egret, Garganey, Great Thick-knee, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Ringed,
Kentish, Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers, Marsh, Wood, Terek and Curlew
sandpipers, Little Stint, a wide range of terns and Brown-headed Gull.
Day 11: Uda Walawe
Today we proceed to Uda Walawe National park, arriving in time for lunch.
We then take a jeep safari into the park, looking out for Montagu’s and Pied
Harrier, Crested Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Barred Buttonquail,
Plum-headed Parakeet, Blue-faced and Sirkeer Malkohas and Malabar Pied
Hornbill. We also have a good chance of mammals such as Toque Monkey, Grey
Langur, Golden Jackal, Spotted Deer and Water Buffalo and of course Asian
Elephant for which the park is well-known. One night at Centauria Wild Uda
Walawe.
Day 12: Uda Walawe/Sinharaja
We make the most of our
limited time at Centauria Wild by spending the morning birdwatching around the
hotel, bordering Udawalawe Lake and the national park. After lunch we proceed
to Sinharaja, stopping en route at good birding areas. Sinharaja is in the wet
area of Sri Lanka and is one of the most important remaining areas of rain
forest - home to a wide range of species, many of which are endemic. Check in
to the Rain Forest Edge Boutique Hotel in Sinharaja where two nights are spent.
Day 13: Sinharaja
After breakfast full day
visit to Sinharaja Forest Reserve which is of international significance and
has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Included in the species we may see are Oriental honey-buzzard, Rufous-bellied
Eagle, Shikra, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo,
Chestnut-backed Owlet, Lesser Hill Myna, Green-billed Coucal , Lesser
Yellownape, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Red faced Malkoha,
Ashy-headed Laughing-thrush and Spot-winged thrush. Packed lunch out and dinner
at the Rain Forest Edge Boutique Hotel.
Day 14: Sinharaja/Katunayake
We spend the morning
birding local areas and raptor-watching from the terrace followed by lunch at
Rain Forest Edge. We then proceed north west, by-passing Colombo towards the
international airport and check in to the Gateway Hotel Airport Garden in
Katunayake where one night is spent and we have our final dinner of the tour.
Day 15: Katunayake
After breakfast and some
last birding in the garden we proceed to the airport for our lunchtime flight
to London Heathrow.
