Bird Watching in Sri Lanka - 17 Days Specialist Wildlife Tour

Bird Watching in Sri Lanka - 17 Days

Wildlife & Safari Package

$3000.00/

per person
  • 1 Days / 0 Nights
  • Max People : 6
  • Colombo, Dambulla, Ella, Galle, Horton Plains National Park, Kandy, Mirissa, Negombo, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe National Park & Yala National Park

Day 1-2: Airport arrival and transfer via Gampaha Botanical Garden (first rubber tree plantation in Asia) to Negombo beach and fisherman village. Day 3: Drive to Wilpattu National Park via Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary (bird watcher's haven with 150+ species) for wildlife and leopard safaris. Day 4-5: Transfer to Habarana. Explore Kaudulla and Minneriya National Parks (Asian elephant gatherings and wetland birds) and climb Sigiriya Lion Rock and Pidurangala Rock. Day 6: Drive to Kandy via Dambulla Golden Cave Temple and Temple of the Tooth Relic. Day 7: Full-day guided bird watching and mountain trek in the Knuckles Range (Heeloya village home-cooked lunch, waterfalls, and endemic bird species). Day 8-9: Mountain drive to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda Falls and tea factory tours. Explore Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Seetha Amman Temple, Lake Gregory, and Horton Plains National Park (World's End & Baker's Falls). Day 10: Descend to Kitulgala Forest Reserve for rainforest birding trails, natural rock pool sliding, and confidence jumps. Day 11: Transfer to Udawalawe National Park for a game drive and baby elephant milk feeding at the Elephant Transit Home. Day 12-13: Drive via Yala National Park leopard safari to Tissamaharama, followed by Bundala National Park (Ramsar wetland and greater flamingos). Day 14: Journey southeast to Kumana National Park (premier bird nesting and breeding sanctuary with 255+ bird species). Day 15-16: Coastal transfer via UNESCO Galle Dutch Fort, Meetiyagoda Moonstone mine, Ambalangoda mask factory, Madu River safari, and Kosgoda turtle hatchery to Colombo. Day 17: Morning breakfast and private transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for flight departure.

Highlights of the Tour

  • Representative welcome at Colombo airport
  • Visit Gampaha Botanical Garden (Henarathgoda)
  • View historical first planted rubber tree in Asia
  • Transfer to Negombo beach hotel & overnight stay
  • Early morning departure to Wilpattu
  • Birdwatching at Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary (150+ species)
  • Afternoon wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park
  • Overnight stay in Wilpattu
  • Transfer from Wilpattu to Habarana
  • Morning birding & elephant safari in Kaudulla National Park
  • Afternoon game drive in Minneriya National Park
  • Overnight stay in Habarana / Sigiriya
  • Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress & Pidurangala Rock
  • Hiriwadunna village tour with bullock cart and catamaran safari
  • Traditional Sri Lankan village lunch
  • Overnight stay in Sigiriya
  • Transfer from Sigiriya to Kandy via Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
  • Evening visit to Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic
  • Kandyan Cultural Dance Show & Kandy Lake walk
  • Overnight stay in Kandy
  • 7:00 AM transfer to Knuckles Range trekking trailhead
  • Guided birding walk through pine forests, tea estates & waterfalls
  • Traditional home-cooked village lunch with locals
  • Refreshing river bath & return to Kandy hotel
  • Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda Falls
  • Tea factory processing tour & tea plucking experience
  • Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden & Seetha Amman Kovil
  • Nuwara Eliya city tour & Lake Gregory boating
  • Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
  • Early morning trek at Horton Plains National Park
  • View World's End escarpment & Baker's Falls
  • Highland birdwatching (yellow-eared bulbul, etc.)
  • Visit Ambewela Farm & strawberry plantation
  • Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
  • Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Kitulgala Adventure Camp
  • Afternoon natural rock pool sliding and river confidence jumps
  • Evening guided birdwatching trail in Kelani rainforest
  • Overnight stay at Kitulgala adventure camp / hotel
  • Transfer from Kitulgala to Udawalawe
  • Observe baby elephant milk feeding at Elephant Transit Home at noon
  • Afternoon 4x4 game drive in Udawalawe National Park
  • Overnight stay in Udawalawe
  • Transfer from Udawalawe to Tissamaharama / Yala
  • Afternoon Yala National Park 4x4 safari tracking leopards
  • Evening visit to sacred Kataragama Temple complex
  • Overnight stay in Tissamaharama
  • Morning game drive in Bundala National Park Ramsar wetland
  • Specialized birding tour for greater flamingos, pelicans & storks
  • Afternoon leisure and overnight stay in Tissamaharama
  • Transfer from Tissamaharama to Kumana National Park
  • Specialized birding safari in Kumana Bird Sanctuary
  • Observe large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds
  • Overnight stay in Kumana / Ampara region
  • Transfer from Kumana along southern coastal road
  • Explore UNESCO Galle Dutch Fort & Lighthouse
  • Visit Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine & Ambalangoda Mask Museum
  • Madu Ganga mangrove river boat safari
  • Overnight stay in Ambalangoda / Balapitiya
  • Transfer from Ambalangoda to Colombo
  • Colombo city sightseeing tour (Galle Face Green, Lotus Tower)
  • Visit Gangaramaya Water Temple & Dutch Hospital precinct
  • Overnight stay in Colombo
  • Full day leisure in Colombo
  • Souvenir and tea shopping in Pettah market
  • Farewell dinner & overnight stay in Colombo
  • Leisurely breakfast at hotel
  • Private airport transfer to Colombo BIA
  • Tour END

Itinerary

Airport Arrival via Gampaha Botanical Garden to Negombo

Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and meet representative. En route to Negombo, visit Gampaha Botanical Garden (Henarathgoda), home to Asia's first planted rubber trees. Check in at Negombo hotel.

  • Representative welcome at Colombo airport
  • Visit Gampaha Botanical Garden (Henarathgoda)
  • View historical first planted rubber tree in Asia
  • Transfer to Negombo beach hotel & overnight stay

Negombo to Wilpattu via Anawilundawa Wetland

Early morning departure to Wilpattu. En route visit Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, a birder's haven with 150+ bird species. Afternoon safari game drive in Wilpattu National Park.

  • Early morning departure to Wilpattu
  • Birdwatching at Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary (150+ species)
  • Afternoon wildlife safari in Wilpattu National Park
  • Overnight stay in Wilpattu

Wilpattu to Habarana via Kaudulla & Minneriya

Drive to Habarana. Morning birdwatching and elephant safari in Kaudulla National Park. Afternoon wildlife safari game drive in Minneriya National Park tracking wild elephants and water birds.

  • Transfer from Wilpattu to Habarana
  • Morning birding & elephant safari in Kaudulla National Park
  • Afternoon game drive in Minneriya National Park
  • Overnight stay in Habarana / Sigiriya

Sigiriya Lion Rock & Pidurangala Climbs

Conquer the 5th-century Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress and Pidurangala Rock. Experience traditional Habarana village tour with bullock cart ride, catamaran lake safari, and traditional lunch.

  • Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress & Pidurangala Rock
  • Hiriwadunna village tour with bullock cart and catamaran safari
  • Traditional Sri Lankan village lunch
  • Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Sigiriya to Kandy via Dambulla & Tooth Temple

Drive to Kandy. En route visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage). In the evening, explore the Sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and watch a cultural dance show.

  • Transfer from Sigiriya to Kandy via Dambulla Golden Cave Temple
  • Evening visit to Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic
  • Kandyan Cultural Dance Show & Kandy Lake walk
  • Overnight stay in Kandy

Knuckles Mountain Range Guided Birdwatching Trek

Guided mountain trek in the Knuckles Range via Heeloya village. Hike through pine forests, tea estates, waterfalls, and terraced rice fields observing endemic bird species. Enjoy home-cooked village lunch.

  • 7:00 AM transfer to Knuckles Range trekking trailhead
  • Guided birding walk through pine forests, tea estates & waterfalls
  • Traditional home-cooked village lunch with locals
  • Refreshing river bath & return to Kandy hotel

Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda & Tea Plantations

Drive to Nuwara Eliya ("Little England") through winding tea hills. Stop at Ramboda Waterfalls, tour working tea plantations and factories, visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens and Seetha Amman Temple.

  • Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda Falls
  • Tea factory processing tour & tea plucking experience
  • Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden & Seetha Amman Kovil
  • Nuwara Eliya city tour & Lake Gregory boating
  • Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Horton Plains National Park World's End Trek

Early morning excursion to UNESCO Horton Plains National Park. Trek to World's End cliff and Baker's Falls observing endemic highland bird species. Visit Ambewela Dairy Farm and strawberry plots.

  • Early morning trek at Horton Plains National Park
  • View World's End escarpment & Baker's Falls
  • Highland birdwatching (yellow-eared bulbul, etc.)
  • Visit Ambewela Farm & strawberry plantation
  • Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya to Kitulgala Rainforest Adventure

Drive to Kitulgala Forest Reserve, a secondary rainforest beside the Kelani River. Enjoy natural rock pool sliding, confidence jumps, and an evening guided rainforest birding trail.

  • Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Kitulgala Adventure Camp
  • Afternoon natural rock pool sliding and river confidence jumps
  • Evening guided birdwatching trail in Kelani rainforest
  • Overnight stay at Kitulgala adventure camp / hotel

Kitulgala to Udawalawe National Park Safari

Drive to Udawalawe National Park. Visit the Elephant Transit Home at noon to watch orphaned baby elephants being fed milk. Afternoon 4x4 safari game drive in Udawalawe National Park.

  • Transfer from Kitulgala to Udawalawe
  • Observe baby elephant milk feeding at Elephant Transit Home at noon
  • Afternoon 4x4 game drive in Udawalawe National Park
  • Overnight stay in Udawalawe

Udawalawe to Yala Safari & Kataragama Temple

Drive to Tissamaharama / Yala. Afternoon 4x4 wildlife safari game drive in Yala National Park tracking leopards and sloth bears. Evening visit to sacred Kataragama Hindu temple.

  • Transfer from Udawalawe to Tissamaharama / Yala
  • Afternoon Yala National Park 4x4 safari tracking leopards
  • Evening visit to sacred Kataragama Temple complex
  • Overnight stay in Tissamaharama

Yala to Bundala Ramsar Wetland Bird Sanctuary

Explore Bundala National Park, an international Ramsar wetland and biosphere reserve famous for wintering migratory water birds and flocks of greater flamingos.

  • Morning game drive in Bundala National Park Ramsar wetland
  • Specialized birding tour for greater flamingos, pelicans & storks
  • Afternoon leisure and overnight stay in Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama to Kumana National Park Bird Sanctuary

Drive southeast to Kumana National Park (formerly Yala East). Explore the premier bird nesting and breeding sanctuary featuring 255+ recorded bird species, lagoons, and thorn forests.

  • Transfer from Tissamaharama to Kumana National Park
  • Specialized birding safari in Kumana Bird Sanctuary
  • Observe large flocks of migratory waterfowl and wading birds
  • Overnight stay in Kumana / Ampara region

Kumana to Galle Dutch Fort & Madu River Safari

Drive along the southern coast via Galle Dutch Fort, Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine, Ambalangoda Mask Factory, Madu Ganga mangrove boat safari, and Kosgoda turtle hatchery.

  • Transfer from Kumana along southern coastal road
  • Explore UNESCO Galle Dutch Fort & Lighthouse
  • Visit Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine & Ambalangoda Mask Museum
  • Madu Ganga mangrove river boat safari
  • Overnight stay in Ambalangoda / Balapitiya

Ambalangoda to Colombo City Tour

Drive north to commercial capital Colombo. City sightseeing tour visiting Gangaramaya Water Temple, Galle Face Green terrace, Old Parliament Building, and shopping malls.

  • Transfer from Ambalangoda to Colombo
  • Colombo city sightseeing tour (Galle Face Green, Lotus Tower)
  • Visit Gangaramaya Water Temple & Dutch Hospital precinct
  • Overnight stay in Colombo

Colombo Leisure & Last-Minute Shopping

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Colombo for last-minute souvenir shopping, exploring local street markets, or relaxing at the hotel before departure.

  • Full day leisure in Colombo
  • Souvenir and tea shopping in Pettah market
  • Farewell dinner & overnight stay in Colombo

Colombo Airport BIA Departure Transfer

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before your comfortable private transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure.

  • Leisurely breakfast at hotel
  • Private airport transfer to Colombo BIA
  • Tour END

Included

  • • Stelaran tour guide service (English speaking guide acting as driver + expert site guides in Anuradhapura.
  • Polonnaruwa.
  • Sigiriya.
  • Kandy.
  • Nuwara Eliya) • Accommodation for 16 Nights in luxury star & boutique hotels on HB basis (Breakfast & Dinner included) • Free first-night arrival lunch / bottled water courtesy of Stelaran Holidays • Air-conditioned comfortable vehicle with fuel.
  • parking.
  • highway tolls.
  • and driver allowances • Airport Pick-up & Drop-off transfers.

Excluded

  • • Entrance & activity tickets (safari jeeps in Yala.
  • Wilpattu.
  • Minneriya.
  • Kumana.
  • Bundala; botanical gardens.
  • national parks.
  • temples) • International/Domestic flight tickets and Visa fees • Personal shopping.
  • laundry.
  • minibar.
  • and telephone charges.

Tour Days Summary

  • 1 Airport Arrival via Gampaha Botanical Garden to Negombo
    Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and meet representative. En route to N...
  • 2 Negombo to Wilpattu via Anawilundawa Wetland
    Early morning departure to Wilpattu. En route visit Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, a bird...
  • 3 Wilpattu to Habarana via Kaudulla & Minneriya
    Drive to Habarana. Morning birdwatching and elephant safari in Kaudulla National Park. Aft...
  • 4 Sigiriya Lion Rock & Pidurangala Climbs
    Conquer the 5th-century Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress and Pidurangala Rock. Experience tradi...
  • 5 Sigiriya to Kandy via Dambulla & Tooth Temple
    Drive to Kandy. En route visit Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (UNESCO World Heritage). In the...
  • 6 Knuckles Mountain Range Guided Birdwatching Trek
    Guided mountain trek in the Knuckles Range via Heeloya village. Hike through pine forests,...
  • 7 Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda & Tea Plantations
    Drive to Nuwara Eliya ("Little England") through winding tea hills. Stop at Ramboda Waterf...
  • 8 Horton Plains National Park World's End Trek
    Early morning excursion to UNESCO Horton Plains National Park. Trek to World's End cliff a...
  • 9 Nuwara Eliya to Kitulgala Rainforest Adventure
    Drive to Kitulgala Forest Reserve, a secondary rainforest beside the Kelani River. Enjoy n...
  • 10 Kitulgala to Udawalawe National Park Safari
    Drive to Udawalawe National Park. Visit the Elephant Transit Home at noon to watch orphane...
  • 11 Udawalawe to Yala Safari & Kataragama Temple
    Drive to Tissamaharama / Yala. Afternoon 4x4 wildlife safari game drive in Yala National P...
  • 12 Yala to Bundala Ramsar Wetland Bird Sanctuary
    Explore Bundala National Park, an international Ramsar wetland and biosphere reserve famou...
  • 13 Tissamaharama to Kumana National Park Bird Sanctuary
    Drive southeast to Kumana National Park (formerly Yala East). Explore the premier bird nes...
  • 14 Kumana to Galle Dutch Fort & Madu River Safari
    Drive along the southern coast via Galle Dutch Fort, Meetiyagoda Moonstone Mine, Ambalango...
  • 15 Ambalangoda to Colombo City Tour
    Drive north to commercial capital Colombo. City sightseeing tour visiting Gangaramaya Wate...
  • 16 Colombo Leisure & Last-Minute Shopping
    Enjoy a full day at leisure in Colombo for last-minute souvenir shopping, exploring local...
  • 17 Colombo Airport BIA Departure Transfer
    Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before your comfortable private transfer to Colombo B...