Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka
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Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka
ABTA, ATOL, and B Cert Logos

Birdlife and Natural Wealth of Sri Lanka

An idea for your holiday

Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka including tropical rainforests, soaring hillsides, and coastal wetlands. This fantastic 3-week itinerary provides the opportunity to observe the scenery and rich culture of the island while keeping watch for an extraordinary wealth of birds. Accommodation is always comfortable and ranges from magical eco-lodges to a unique beach treat. As with all our holidays, this itinerary is for inspiration, and we can tailor it to suit your preferred travel pace or style. 

Highlights Include:

  • Keep watch for Babblers, Bulbuls and Flycatchers as you trek deep into the remarkable Knuckles Mountain Range.
  • Explore the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple, cycle on jungle trails or relax in a hammock at The Mudhouse.
  • An incredible, immersive wildlife experience at Treetops Jungle Lodge: where wild elephants co-exist with people

Included is our 24-7 in-country support and one of our selected and trained team of chauffeur-guides. 

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style. To find out more about how this suggested itinerary could inspire your holiday, fill in the form below.

This is a sample itinerary which we will tailor to suit you. Prices are dependent on destination, flights & dates but ETG holidays always include the following:

  • International flights (if required)
  • Guides, drivers & their tips
  • Accommodation
  • Specified meals & snacks
  • Your immersive experiences
  • Internal & regional transfers

Get in touch with us for your bespoke proposal
or see more on our ETG Pricing Guide

Call for a bespoke proposal 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart The UK for Colombo, Sri Lanka.

DAYS 2 - 3  the notary's house       

On arrival, you'll be met by your private chauffeur-guide for the transfer to your hotel. The residence is a great place to relax with a swim and good hospitality after your flight. The property has a coconut grove and farm that you're free to explore. 

Days 4 - 5 The Mudhouse      

 Your guide will transport your north to The Mudhouse, an enchanting jungle lodge surrounded by lakes and forest, and at the foot of the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple. Early morning bird watching trips will give you the chance to encounter many of the 100 species documented in the area.  Beyond birding, you will also be offered the opportunity to kayak in the lakes, climb the ancient rock, cycle on jungle trails, learn to cook typical local food or relax in the comfort of a hammock.

This little visited but beautiful area of Sri Lanka is rural, and life moves at a tranquil pace.

DAYS 6 & 7 KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE

 With your chauffeur-guide, you’ll travel from the Mudhouse to the edge of the Knuckles Mountain Range for your stay at Rangala House. This spacious villa, which can be rented per room or as an entire villa, is located on a hillside surrounded by tea plantations. With an abundance of birdlife in the vicinity, the house provides a telescope on the balcony to allow for a more detailed view. We recommend a trek deep into the Knuckles Mountains; your efforts will be rewarded as the range contains almost 75% of Sri Lanka's endemic bird species including Babblers, Bulbuls, and Flycatchers.

 Days 8-10 GAL OYA LODGE 

 Next, you will head to the country’s best-kept wildlife secret, Gal Oya National Park for a stay at the beautifully designed eco-lodge. Home to Sri Lanka’s largest lake, you can encounter all manner of wildlife on a boat safari and by foot, including Asian elephants and a great array of birdlife, far away from other tourists.

 DAYS 11 & 12 THE TEA COUNTRY

 Transfer with your guide to your lodge situated high in the Sri Lankan tea country. You won’t need to venture far to look for wildlife as you will be right in the middle of it! It is the perfect place to go for walks as you don’t need to get in the car but walk straight out of your bedroom! The spectacular Ravana Ella falls are nearby, so all in all a perfect destination for nature and wildlife lovers. A visit to a tea plantation is also included.

 Day 13 & 14     TREE TOPS JUNGLE LODGE

Next stop is Treetops. The beauty here is that all the excursions are led on foot, at whatever time suits you. Walk with the trackers to local spots where elephants often come to bath and take an early morning bird walk just after sunrise. Walk and relax and enjoy the remote location.

There is also a full day safari included to Yala National Park. Yala is famous for its leopards, but it also gets hectic; the superb trackers at Treetops Jungle Lodge will do their best to ensure you have excellent clear sightings throughout your day.

DAYS 15-17  TANGALLE BEACH TIME

Head south with your chauffeur-guide to the coast. As you head south towards the coast, there is the option to spend the morning exploring Bundala National Park, an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds. When you reach sleepy Rekawa located on the outskirts of Tangalle, you’ll check into your exceptional accommodation and spend a couple of days relaxing. Fantastic food and a relaxing atmosphere make your hotel one of the south coast's most beautiful properties.

DAY 18 & 19 SINHARAJA RAINFOREST

Before you head home, you’ll explore the lowland rainforest reserve of the Sinharaja. This reserve is a must-see for any birding enthusiasts as it contains at least 17 of the 23 bird species endemic to Sri Lanka. Here you will stay at a lodge overlooking the rainforest. Spend an entire day exploring the rainforest with a qualified guide.

DAY 20 COLOMBO

Spend your last night at Lake Lodge in the heart of Colombo. Enjoy some last minute shopping in the city and some superb food, or get under the surface of the city, with our local signature tour.

DAY 21 FLY HOME

Depart Sri Lanka for the UK

Speak to an expert 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

Get in touch

Every holiday we create is unique. One of our team can talk you through your options...

Hotels & Villas
featured above

Blue Magpie Lodge

Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja

A simple place to stay close to the Sinharaja Forest entrance gate, perfect for early morning birding excursions.

Buckingham Place

Buckingham Place, Rekawa

Stylish, fun, contemporary villas with a great atmosphere and a sublime location overlooking Rekawa's lagoon and beaches

Ferncliff

Ferncliff, Nuwara Eliya

A charming, rustic planter's bungalow built in the mid-1800s, set on well-kept grounds, providing wonderful service and food.

Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge, Sri Lanka

Surrounded by a startlingly beautiful national park, Gal Oya is an environmentally responsible all-natural lodge experience.

Lake Lodge

Lake Lodge, Colombo

Next to the Beira Lake in Colombo's city centre, Lake Lodge is easily the best value hotel in the area.

Mudhouse

Mudhouse, Anamaduwa

Gorgeous jungle hideaway with unique accommodation, superb service and off-the-beaten-track excursions.

Rangala House

Rangala House, Kandy

Three-bedroom hillside villa with stunning views on the outskirts of Kandy.

The Notary's House

The Notary's House, Pannala

A charming, calming six-bedroom lake-side hotel. Manicured gardens, coconut groves, headspace. The perfect place to ease into Sri Lanka

Treetops Jungle Lodge

Treetops Jungle Lodge, Buttala

A wilderness luxury camping safari experience in one of the remotest corners of Sri Lanka.

Experiences & Activities
featured above

Bike Riding at The Mudhouse

Bike Riding at The Mudhouse, Anamaduwa

Explore the quiet roads and lanes in the countryside surrounding the Mudhouse on good quality bicycles.

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park, Tissamaharama

Spend a morning or afternoon on safari in Bundala National Park, a less visited but just as excellent centre for wildlife spotting.

Colombo City Walk

Colombo City Walk, Colombo

Spend a few hours exploring Colombo's architecture, hidden gems and colonial history with local expert Mark Forbes.

Horton Plains & Worlds End

Horton Plains & Worlds End, Nuwara Eliya

Stunning wilderness National Park high in Sri Lanka's mountains

Jeep Safari & Park Walk at Gal Oya Lodge

Jeep Safari & Park Walk at Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya

Explore the Nilalaga area of the Gal Oya National Park by jeep and on foot.

Morning Birdwatching Walk at the Mudhouse

Morning Birdwatching Walk at the Mudhouse, Anamaduwa

Take an early morning walk with a naturalist to see how many bird species you can spot.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya

One of the unofficial wonders of the world - a spectacular, must-visit ancient site full of mystery and intrigue

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sinharaja

Experience the wilderness in Sri Lanka's last remaining patch of virgin rainforest.

Tea Factory Visit

Tea Factory Visit, Nuwara Eliya

See the inner-workings of a tea factory and follow the process from plucking the bud to brewing a cup

Walking with the Chief Veddha at Gal Oya Lodge

Walking with the Chief Veddha at Gal Oya Lodge, Gal Oya

~
Every ETG journey is unique.
Let us inspire you
~

Your next adventure starts with a conversation...

020 7924 7133

1-888-577-8452

Start Planning

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