At the airport you will be met by your chauffeur for a private transfer to your hotel in Negombo, a coastal town (15km / approx. 25 mins).

After breakfast, you will visit the Muthurajawela wetlands for your first bird watching experience which will be by boat. Muthurajawela Marsh is the largest wetland in Sri Lanka, sprawling across a massive 6,230 hectares. It’s easier to see just how vast this area is once you’re gliding through it on a boat safari. The marsh is a birdwatcher’s dream, home to more than 100 species of birds, with all sorts of incredible creatures to spot, You may even see a crocodile. Thereafter proceed to Wilpattu. Enroute you will make a stop at the Anavilundawa Wetlands which is one of the two most important birding sites in Sri Lanka named by RAMSAR. In Anavilundawa Wetlands you would be able to see bird types such as Cormorants, ducks, egrets, herons, storks, eagles, terns, swallows, swifts, kingfishers and other resident birds.

After breakfast at the hotel you will spend an entire day on safari at Wilpattu National Park. Bird watching in Wilpattu is a rewarding activity due to the park's impressive diversity of bird species. Approximately 200 bird species can be found here including resident, migratory, and several endemic bird species. The varied ecosystems within the park, ranging from dense forests to open grasslands to scrublands and coastal belts, support this rich birdlife, making it a prime location for ornithologists and birding enthusiasts alike.

Today you will transfer to Sigiriya. Bird Watching today will be organised at the Sigiriya Sanctuary. Sigiriya rock has a designated forest reserve and its very good destination to watch birds. King Kashyapa built his rock fortress in the 5th century so as to have a bird’s eye view of approaching enemies. The Sigiriya sanctuary is a well-protected UNESCO World heritage site. This is a heavenly place for birds with thick canopies and forests. Sigiriya is surrounded with vast manmade tanks and this has made it to become a place to witness large number of migratory and endemic birds. (you can request to climb the Sigiriya rock-Not included in the itinerary).

After breakfast, transfer to Nuwara Eliya Via Kandy. On arrival to Kandy visit The Udawatta Kelle sanctuary. Bird watching at Udawatta Kele Sanctuary will give you an exciting experience in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. The sanctuary located north of Kandy Lake is an eco-tourism site which expands over 103 hectares. This garden has an exclusive collection of avifauna. The sanctuary contains three Buddhist forest monasteries and three cave dwellings for Buddhist monks. The sanctuary acts as a catchment area for the supply of water to the city of Kandy. It is a great place to explore bird life where approximately 80 species of birds can be seen. Continue your journey to Nuwara Eliya. Arrive and check in to the hotel. Late afternoon, stroll around Lake Gregory and the city of Nuwara Eliya.

An early morning start at approx. 05.30 – 06:00, you will depart from your hotel in Nuwara Eliya for a drive to Horton Plains National Park (55km /approx. 1.5 hrs each way) The Horton Plains National Park at Ohiya is a beautiful highland plateau situated at an elevation of 2100 -2300m (6,900-7,500ft) above sea level. Sri Lanka’s Highlands along with Horton Plains National Park, the Peak Wilderness Protected Area and the Knuckles Conservation Forest was declared a World Heritage site in 2006 The park is considered a very important birding area in Sri Lanka containing 21 endemic bird species such as Sri Lankan Spurfowl, Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Yellow-fronted barbet, Orange-billed babbler, Sri Lankan bush warbler and Sri Lankan Whistling thrush. Four species which are only in Horton Plains namely the Sri Lankan Magpie, Dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lankan White-eye and Sri Lankan wood pigeon. There are also a variety of migrant birds such as the Alpine swift, Crested serpent eagle, Mountain-hawk eagle and Black-winged kite. Amongst the reptile species are the Rhino horn lizard, the Common rough sided snake and rat snake. Drive back to your hotel around lunchtime and relax. Afternoon bird watching walk in Hakgala Botanical Garden to see birds such as Mainas, Bul Buls, Pigeons, Parrots, Woodpeckers, Shrikes, Blue Magpie, Drongos, Prinias, Warblers, Mynas, Thrushes and flycatchers.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kitulgala (80km / approx. 2.5 hrs) Afternoon bird watching in Belilena pre historic cave area to see birds such as Munias, Flower peckers, sunbirds, fly catchers, Mynas, Babblers, Monarchs, Wabblers, Prinias, Bul Buls, Wagtails, Drongos, Orioles, Leafbirds, Woodpeckers, barbets, Pigeons, Nuthatchs, Hornbills and Coucals. Arrive and check in to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Makandawa rain forest for a morning of bird watching. Sri Lanka is home to a vast plethora of hidden treasure troves that are exploding with bio-diversity and nature’s infinite magic, just waiting to be discovered. The Makandawa Forest Reserve is one such wonderland hidden away in the vicinity of its better-known counterpart; Kitulgala. Some of the birds you can spot are the Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Crested Goshawk, Besra, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Emerald-collared Parakeet and Sri Lanka Red-faced Malkoha. Afterwards drive to Sinharaja (130km / approx. 4 hrs) Arrive and check in to the hotel. In the afternoon you may relax.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for full day of bird watching in the Sinharaja Rain Forest. Sinharaja has recorded over 154 species of birds and is known to have a ‘mixed-species feeding flocks’ or informally called a ‘bird wave’ where two or more species feed and move together. This unique sight witnessed at Sinharaja sometimes consists of flocks containing 30-50 birds of various species, sometimes 10-12 species, erupting in various bird sounds as they feed and move within a short time. Taking lead in this exercise is the Orange-billed babbler and the Crested drongo. The endemic birds witnessed here include Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard’s parakeet, Jungle & Spur fowl, Sri Lanka Blue magpie, Sri Lanka Grackle, Ceylon Hanging parrot, Ceylon Grey hornbill, Ashy-headed laughing thrush, Layard’s parakeet, Spotted-wing thrush, Brown-capped babbler, Ceylon Hill mynah, Red faced malkoha and Legge’s flower-pecker amongst many others. Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning bird watching village walk by the border of Sinharaja Rain Forest to see birds such as Munias, Flower peckers, sunbirds, fly catchers, Mynas, Babblers, Monarchs, Wabblers, Prinias, Bul Buls, Wagtails, Drongos, Orioles, Leafbirds, Woodpeckers, barbets, Pigeons, Nuthatches, Hornbills, Blue Magpie, Owls and Coucals. Thereafter transfer to Tissamaharama (160km / approx. 4 hrs) Arrive and check in to the hotel.

In the morning leave for a Jeep safari at The Bundala National Park (40km / approx. 1 hr each way). Bundala National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. With over 320 bird species recorded, this park offers an amazing opportunity to spot a variety of feathered friends. From tiny warblers to majestic pelicans, you’ll be amazed by the diversity of birdlife. Possible to spot birds such as Terns, Gulls, Ducks, Snipers, Cormorants, Egrets, Quails, Flamingos during the season, Storks, Ibises, Bitterns, Herrons, Pelicans, Eagles, Kites, Ausprey, Eagles, Crakes, Rails, Water cocks, Plovers, Lapwings, Snipers, Godwits, Curlews, Sand pipers, Stints, Pigeons, Cuckoos, Malkohas, Cuckoos, Swifts, Swallows, Bee Eaters, King fishers, Shrikes, Pipits, Larks, Prinias, Tailorbirds, Fantail, Starlings, Weavers and Munias. (A picnic breakfast will be served during the safari) Return to your hotel and relax. Afternoon bird watching walk near Tissa Lake and Debarawewa Lake to see birds such as Terns, Ducks, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks, Ibises, Bitterns, Herrons, Pelicans, Eagles, Kites, Lapwings, Sand pipers, Pigeons, Cuckoos, Malkohas, Swifts, Swallows, Bee Eaters, King fishers, Shrikes, Pipits, Larks, Prinias, Tailorbirds, Fantail, Starlings, Munias, Jacana and Owls.

Breakfast will be had at the hotel before proceeding to Colombo. After a 1.5 hrs drive you will arrive at the Kalamatiya birds sanctuary. Over 150 species call Kalametiya home and is a spectacular way to experience its biodiversity in a peaceful setting. It is best to explore the wetlands by boat. Along the way, you may get the chance to spot a number of nationally threatened varieties, such as the Indian reef heron, glossy ibis and Sri Lankan jungle fowl. You can also hope to see Eurasian spoonbills, common snipes and black-winged stilts, while the waters themselves provide a rich habitat for over 40 species of colourful fish. Afterwards, you will drive to your hotel in Colombo to spend the rest of your evening at leisure (220km / approx. 3.5 hrs).

Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to Airport – 1 hour drive approximately Have a safe flight!