Ceylon Pabasara
Holidays
Upon arrival in Colombo, your naturalist guide will greet you and lead your journey north toward Anuradhapura, pausing for a welcome light meal to spot local garden birds like the Asian Koel and Coppersmith Barbet.
Overnight: AnuradhapuraThis day tour combines history and wildlife across two major heritage sites. In the morning, you will explore the 4th-century BC ruins and ancient reservoirs of Anuradhapura, which serve as a habitat for diverse birds, monkeys, and water monitors.
Overnight: AnuradhapuraThis travel segment journeys from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya, beginning with a visit to the 40-foot-tall standing Avukana Buddha statue. Along the way, stops at roadside water reservoirs offer views of numerous storks, egrets, and ibises. The primary destination is the iconic 5th-century AD Sigiriya rock fortress, a massive royal palace complex built atop a steep summit.
Overnight: SigiriyaWe will spend the morning in Sigiriya either climbing the rock or birdwatching in the cooler air, followed by an optional afternoon excursion to the historic ruins of Polonnaruwa for an extra fee. The day's birding program focuses on finding elusive endemics like the Indian Paradise Flycatcher in Sigiriya's forests, where wildlife like wild elephants and nocturnal Slender Lorises also reside.
Overnight: SigiriyaAfter an early breakfast, we will drive south from Sigiriya toward Kandy, transitioning from the Dry Zone into the lush Hill Country. Along the way, we will explore the historic Dambulla cave temple, a world-famous pilgrimage site featuring expansive ancient murals and over 150 statues.
Overnight: KandyOur day begins in the forested hills of Udawattakele Forest Reserve, where we will seek out tropical bird flocks and species like the endemic Yellow-fronted Barbet, alongside large Water Monitors near the forest pools.
Overnight: KandyOur day begins with a pre-breakfast birding excursion around Kandy Lake to spot diverse wetland and canopy species, alongside local wildlife like Indian Flying Foxes and Asian Water Monitors.
Overnight: NuwaraeliyaWe will start with an early morning departure from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's highest plateau, navigating a steep and rugged 28-kilometer road to reach the spectacular views at World?s End. This isolated habitat allows us to search for rare endemics like the highland Bear Monkey, Sambar Deer, and the elusive Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush during the first half-hour of daylight.
Overnight: NuwaraeliyaWe will descend from the hills into the southern plains today along a scenic route filled with sharp bends and excellent photo opportunities, breaking up the long drive with several wildlife stops. Our first pause at the Surrey Tea Estate offers a chance to spot breeding Sri Lanka Woodpigeons and a resident pair of Brown Wood Owls at their daytime roost.
Overnight: TissamaharamaWe will take a packed breakfast and lunch for a full-day safari in Lunugamvehera National Park, a reserve established around a reservoir where dead trees serve as nesting perches for White-bellied Sea Eagles. The park's mosaic of scrub and grassland has seen a recent spike in leopard populations, making it an excellent alternative to Yala for spotting predators, Sloth Bears, and diverse birdlife like the rare Lesser Adjutant.
Overnight: YalaWe will make an early morning start by jeep to explore Yala National Park, a historic reserve featuring diverse ecosystems from monsoon forests to sandy beaches. The early hours offer peak bird activity and the best chance to spot leopards, Sloth Bears, and elusive elephant families, alongside common wildlife like Wild Boar, mongooses, and large Mugger Crocodiles.
Overnight: YalaChecking out of the hotel with a packed breakfast, we will head to Bundala National Park to explore its scrub jungle and tidal lagoon, a premier site for thousands of stints, sandpipers, eight tern species, and the delightful Small Pratincole. We will then continue toward Udawalawe for a leisurely lunch and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Overnight: UdawalaweWe will spend the morning on a safari in Udawalawe National Park, a smaller reservoir-side reserve resembling Yala that is famous for its large herds of browsing Asian Elephants and an abundance of birdlife.
Overnight: SinharajayaToday features a highlight excursion to Sinharaja Forest, Sri Lanka's largest lowland rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, requiring an early morning jeep journey over rugged roads to catch peak wildlife activity.
Overnight: SinharajayaBefore leaving the Blue Magpie Lodge, we will enjoy a final morning of birding around the hotel grounds to search for Green-billed Coucals at first light alongside Spot-winged Thrushes and Chestnut-backed Owlets.
Overnight: Katunayaka
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