DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
Arrive in Colombo. International flights from North America may arrive in morning, in which case the arrival day would be followed by transfer to Kandy and birding there in the afternoon, thus reducing the tour duration by one day. If this tour is combined with our tour to the Western Ghats of India and optionally Andaman Islands, arrival would be early or late evening on this day. Night at a hotel in Colombo.
DAY 2 - KANDY
Kandy is the ancient capital of Sri Lanka during the time of the Sinalese Empire and is located inland from Colombo. The forest environment on the outskirts of Kandy offers excellent birding. Endemics typically seen at this site are Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon, Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Crimson-backed Flameback, Layard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot, Yellow-eared Bulbul, and Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler. A good variety of other species are also present in the area. During mid day we should have some time to visit cultural sites such as the famed Temple of the Sacred Tooth and perhaps the Golden Temple of Dambulla. After dark we'll try for Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl. Night at a lodge near Kandy.
DAY 3 - NUWARA ELIYA
Morning drive to the central highlands around Nuwara Eliya, a former colonial hill station located at an altitude of 1868m (6128ft). After arrival, we'll have the afternoon we'll bird patches of monane rainforest near town looking for several endemics of the highlands. Our main target birds are the skulky Sri Lanka Thrush and the very range restricted Dull-blue Flycatcher. We'll also be looking for sought after migrants such as Indian Pitta, Pied Thrush, and Kashmir Flycatcher. Night at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 4 - HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK
Depart early for Horton Plains National Park. The habitat is unique to this hilly region and consists mainly of montane grasslands and stunted cloud forest. Our main target birds are Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon, Alpine Swift, Legge's Hawk-Eagle, Crimson-backed Flameback, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye, and Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush. The whistling-thrush is especially difficult and best seen around dusk either here or near our lodge. We also hope to see the near-endemic Hill Swallow, Indian Blackbird, and Black-throated Munia. Other interesting possibilities include Slaty-legged Crake, Cinereous Tit, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Indian Blue Robin, Pied Bushchat, Forest Wagtail, and Gray Wagtail.
DAY 5 - KITULGALA & KELANI VALLEY FOREST RESERVE
This morning we transfer to the tropical lowlands in the wet zone of the island. After arrival and lunch, we'll spend the afternoon exploring the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve, a patch of native forest along the Kelani River on steep partly forested slopes. The tall forest and fairly dense undergrowth makes birding a bit challenging. Our target birds here are lowland endemics, namely Green-billed Coucal, Chestnut-backed Owlet, and Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill. In addition, we'll seek out the near-endemic Indian Swiftlet, Malabar Trogon, Indian Pitta, Orange Minivet, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Square-tailed Bulbul, Dark-fronted Babbler, Yellow-billed Babbler, Southern Hill Myna, Loten's Sunbird, and Jerdon's Leafbird. Many other birds are possible, including for example Asian Emerald Dove, Green Imperial-Pigeon, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Stork-billed Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Brown-breasted Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Brown-headed Barbet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Black-hooded Oriole, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, White-bellied Drongo, Black-naped Monarch, Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Indian White-eye, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Purple-rumped Sunbird, and White-rumped Munia. Night at a hotel in Kitulgala.
DAY 6 - KELANI VALLEY FOREST RESERVE
All day birding the Kelani Valley Forest Reserve. Night at a hotel in Kitulgala.
DAY 7 - TRANSFER & SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE
Morning drive to Sinharaja Forest Reserve, which protects the largest remaining tract of lowland forest in Sri Lanka. Afternoon birding there along trails within the reserve. Virtually all the Sri Lanka endemics occur in this lush primary forest. This site is our only chance to see the endemic Red-faced Malkoha, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, and White-faced Starling. It's also the best place to find Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Serendib Scops-Owl, Sri Lanka Drongo, Sri Lanka Magpie, and Sri Lanka Myna. We have a good chance of seeing the near-endemic Sri Lanka Frogmouth maybe even the rare and poorly known Sri Lanka Bay-Owl. Many other more widely distributed species also occur. Mammals are difficult due to the dense vegetation but we could see a troop of Purple-faced Langurs in the canopy and perhaps also Sri Lanka Giant Squirrel. Also spectacular are the many colorful butterflies. Night at a lodge near the reserve.
DAYS 8 & 9 - SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE
In addition to the afternoon of arrival, we have two full additional days to explore this incredible reserve. Nights at a lodge near the reserve.
DAY 10 - TRANSFER & UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK
Morning transfer to Udawalawe National Park where we'll stay one night. This park is located in the dry zone of southeastern Sri Lanka. Afternoon we'll go on a safari drive in open-topped jeeps in the park. The habitat there is scrub jungle, quite different from the lowland forest at Sinharaja. The park was established to protect a large population of Asian Elephants. A number of other mammals are also regularly seen during safaris including Toque Macaque, Tufted Gray Langur, Wild Boar, and Chital. Our primary target birds are Sri Lanka Woodshrike and Sri Lanka Swallow. Other specials include Sirkeer Malkoha, Lesser Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican, Malabar Pied-Hornbill, Jerdon's Bushlark, and White-browed Bulbul. The large reservoir and other open areas in the park are notable for raptors such as Black-winged Kite, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Booted Eagle, Booted Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, and Gray-headed Fish-Eagle. Many other widely diestributed species and winter migrants also occur in the park. Examples include Indian Peafowl, Pied Cuckoo, Gray-bellied Cuckoo, Red-wattled Lapwing, Barred Buttonquail, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, Indian Pond-Heron, Asian Green Bee-eater, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Indian Roller, Coppersmith Barbet, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Small Minivet, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, White-browed Fantail, Gray-breasted Prinia, Jungle Prinia, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Indian Robin, White-rumped Shama, Thick-billed Flowerpecker, Purple Sunbird, Streaked Weaver, Baya Weaver, Indian Silverbill, and Blyth's Pipit. Night at a hotel in Embilipitiya.
DAY 11 - UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK & TISSA
Morning birding safari in Udawalawe National Park. Afternoon transfer to Tissa near the southern coast of the island. Night at a hotel in Tissa.
DAY 12 - YALA NATIONAL PARK
We'll depart very early for a full day birding and game drive in Yala National Park. This park is the most visited reserve in Sri Lanka and supports a healthy population of Leopards. We have a very good chance of seeing them during our visit. We should see a variety of small mammals as well including the endemic Golden Palm Civet. Other mammals typically seen include Tufted Gray Langur, Ruddy Mongoose, Golden Jackal, Wild Boar, and Chital. Endemic birds found in the park include Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon, Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, Crimson-fronted Barbet, and Sri Lanka Woodshrike. Other birds include Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-faced Malkoha, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Asian Green Bee-eater, Indian Pitta, White-tailed Iora, White-browed Fantail, Indian Paradise-Flycatcher, Jerdon's Bushlark, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Brahminy Starling, and Jerdon's Leafbird. Some birding around dusk should produce Jerdon's Nightjar and Indian Nightjar. Night at a hotel in Tissa.
DAY 13 - BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK & COLOMBO
We have most of the day birding the extensive wetlands and woodlands of Bundala National Park, which adjoins Yala National Park to the west. This Ramsar Wetland site is the most important wetlands in Sri Lanka and protects both resident and migratory water birds. There are large expanses of scrub along with several lagoons, and salt pans. The birds of greatest interest are Great Thick-knee, Indian Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Small Pratincole, Brown-headed Gull, Indian Cormorant, Indian Scops-Owl, Brown Fish-Owl, White-naped Woodpecker, and Clamorous Reed Warbler. Many other birds also occur including Lesser Whistling-Duck, Little Grebe, Watercock, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Pin-tailed Snipe, Lesser Crested Tern, Asian Openbill, Black Bittern, Yellow Bittern, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Shikra, and Black-capped Kingfisher. Afternoon transfer to Colombo. Night at a hotel in Colombo.
DAY 14 - END OF TOUR
Tour ends at the airport in Colombo. International flight home.
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