SEE WILD | BIRD WATCHING
Binoculars, and a hawk-like vigilance, reduce the disadvantage of myopic human vision....
“SEE WILD | BIRD WATCHING”
Duration– 13 nights / 14 days
Route – Airport / Colombo / Udawalawa / Yala / Unawatuna / Galle / Benthota / AirPort
Day 01 | Arrival transfer to hotel in Colombo (pm Sightseeing in Colombo) Overnight Colombo
Day 02 | Colombo-Sigiriya/Habarana (pm Bird Watching in Sigiriya) Overnight Sigiriya/Habarana
Day 03 | Sigiriya/Habarana (am Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, pm Bird Watching in Kaudulla National Park) Overnight Sigiriya/Habarana
Day 04 | Sigiriya-Kandy (Visit Cave Temples of Dambulla/Spice Garden pm Temple of the tooth/Cultural Show) Overnight Kandy
Day 05 | Kandy-Kitulgala (visit Elephant Orphanage/pm Bird Watching Kitulgala)
Overnight Kitulgala
Day 06 | Kitulgala/Ratnapura (am Bird watching in Kitulgala, pm Bird watching in Ratnapura) Overnight Ratnapura
Day 07 | Ratnapura-Sinharaja (Bird Watching in Sinharaja Rain Forest) Overnight Ratnapura
Day 08 | Sinharaja-Tissa (pm Bird Watching in Tissa) Overnight Tissa
Day 09 | Tissa ( am Bird Watching in Bundala National Park pm Bird Watching in Tissa) Overnight Tissa
Day 10 | Tissa/Hambantota (pm Bird Watching in Kalametiya) Overnight Hambantota
Day 11 | Hambanthota (am Bird Watching at Kalametiya/pm at Leisure) Overnight Hambantota
Day 12 | Hambantota/Benthota (Proceed to Bentota to relax on the Beach) Overnight Bentota
Day 13 | Benthota (At leisure on the Beach) Overnight Bentota
Day 14 | Benthota/Airport (Proceed to airport for departure)
"Dambulla"
The city of Dambulla is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. Major attractions of the city include the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, and the RangiriDambullu international cricket stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days. The city also boasts to have the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia, and the Iron wood forest, or NamalUyana..
"Sigiriya"
Sigiriya is an archeological site in Central Sri Lanka. It contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD). It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka and is one of its most popular tourist destinations..
"Habarana"
Habarana is the heart of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka Habarana is the centre point from which guests could explore the glorious past and the historical myths of Sri Lanka. Culture tourists as well as wildlife enthusiasts are bound to find this location a haven to escape to. Habarana is closely located to the Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks which are the transit points to hundreds of Asian elephants and other wildlife during the dry season. The sacred city of Anuradhapura, cave temples in Dambulla and Sigiriya the rock fortress are just few of the sites worthy of the attention of a history buff. The rest tourists could escape to the silence and stillness that Habarana, Sri Lanka has to offer; it is a place where tranquility is personified.
"Kaudulla"
Kaudulla National Park is a national park on the island of Sri Lanka located 197 kilometres (122 mi) away from the largest city, Colombo. It was designated a national park on April 1, 2002 becoming the 15th such area on the island. In the 2004–2005 season more than 10,000 people visited the National Park, generating an income of Rs.100,000 from entrance fees.[1] Along with Minneriya and Girithale BirdLife International have identified Kaudulla as an Important Bird Area.
Historically Kaudulla was one of the 16 irrigation tanks built by King Mahasen.[3] Following a period of abandonment it was reconstructed in 1959. It now attracts and supports a variety of plant and animal life, including large mammals, fish and reptiles.
"Minneriya Safari"
Located between Habarana and POLONNARUWA , the 8890 hectares of MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK is an ideal eco tourism location in Sri Lanka . The park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to Sri Lanka’s favorites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3rd century AD by King Mahasena).
During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.
"Kandy"
Kandy is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the center of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Central Province and Maha Nuvara District. It lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy Valley which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea..
"Kithulgala"
Bird watching in Kithulgala is considered as a main interest of a nature lover and can result in you seeing many of the country’sendemic bird species such as Sri Lanka Orange-billed babbler and chestnut-backed owlet, as well as reptiles such as green pit viper and earless lizard and a variety of butterflies.
"Rathnapura"
Ratnapura lies 101 Km Southeast of Colombo. The scenic route takes you passing paddy fields, rubber plantations and tea estates. Sri Lanka has produced three of the world’s largest blue sapphires, including the ‘Blue Bell’ which adorns the British crown and the ‘Star of India’, displayed at the New York Museum of Natural History. A visit to one of the museums or many gem workshops will give you the opportunity to see a variety of precious stone, such as rubies, sapphires, cat’s eyes, alexandrites, aquamarines, tourmalines, spinals, topaz, garnets, amethyst, zircons etc. You could also visit one of the gem mines. Ratnapura is situated at the foot of the 2243 meters high Adam’s Peak. All four major religions claim Adam’s Peak as a holy mountain. Buddhists call the mountain Sri Pada (the sacred footprint), or Samanalakande (Butterfly Mountain) and believe the Lord Buddha has visited the mountain and set his sacred footprint. Hindu’s say it’s Lord Shiva’s and Muslims believe that it is the place where Adam first set foot on earth, after being cast out of heaven. Catholics say it is of St. Thomas’ the Christian Apostle who preached in South India.
"Sinharaja"
Also referred as Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the location of the Sinharaja Rain Forest is in the South Western part of the island and covers an area of 11,187 ha (Hectares). Sinharaja Forest Reserve is bordering three districts of the island, namely Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts. The Rakwana Massif with its mountain ranges is part of the area covered by Sinharaja rain forest. There are few interesting facts on the formation of the Sinharaja Rain Forest in Sri Lanka and how it came in to being. The present rain forests in the world are being an evolution of the earlier rain forests dating back to 150 – 200 million years. There had been three strips of large rain forest lands called Amazon, African and Far Eastern at that time. However these large extents of rain forest areas were later became less in area content and were confined to smaller areas. Then about 140 million years back, during the Paleosoic era, a part of land from the Southern hemisphere called Gondwanaland, where present day India and Sri Lanka also were situated, started its slow process of separating from the main land. About 55 million years back during Cretaceous era that land mass called Decan plate , where Sri Lanka and India were located separated from the Southern hemisphere , started drifting towards the equator and joined with the Northern hemisphere called Laurussia.
"Yala"
ala (Ruhuna) National Park-While the elephant is undoubtedly the best known attraction at Yala, Seen in small and large herds,what is the most appealing here is the overall mood of the undisturbed jungle.Large herds of spotted Deer are seen all over the Park, as are many Sambhurand for those who are sharp eyed to observe, many of the endemic Muntjac or Barking Deer. Monkeys-the pinkish Rhesus and the grey faced Langur Monkey, live and play on the tree-tops and the ground below. Wild Buffalo and Wild Boar could give you a good surprise and a great picture,while sight of a leopard sunning itself or drinking at a water hole could be a memorable experience, As dusk gathers, there is every chance of seeing the Ceylon Sloth Bear scampering with its young on it back.the progress of your vehicle could be held up by a Python across the track, and near the many waterholes will bee found whole colonies of Crocodiles.
The Peacock is easily the most famous of the birds at Yala. The mating dance of the male, with its colorful plumes fully spread, is a photographer’s delight. While the Peacock has its fame, there are also many other species which attract those who are interested in bird life, and add to the mood and feel of nature. The Painted stork, many varieties of heron the poon bill, the bee-eater, many colourful parrots and parakeets, the hornbill, kingfisher and wood-pecker and hoopoe are all birds that can be seen by the observant in the jungles of Sri Lanka.
Situated 309 km. south of Colombo, Yala is approximately 1,259 sq.km. in extent and is located in the south eastern corner of the island. Its northern boundaries border on the Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary and it has the added bonus of a scenic ocean frontage. The terrain is varied flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. Water holes, small lakes, lagoons and streams provide water for the animals and birds. The specialty here is the large numbers of elephants.
"Bundala National Park"
Bundala National Park is the latest addition to the National Parks and is situated 260 km. away from Colombo. All species of water birds resident in the country and the migrant birds inhabit this Park. In the deep South on the way to Yala is Sri Lanka’s 1st recognized Ramsar site (i.e. a wet land of international importance) popular with both local & international migratory birds. Around 167 species have been sighted. The park is the last refuge of the greater Flamingo in this part of the island, up to 2000 of these birds have been recorded during Nov. / Dec.. The Lagoons also constitute one of the most popular wintering areas of migratory shorebirds in the country, accommodating up to 20000 shorebirds at anytime including the black necked stork.
"Kalamatiya"
The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest Bird Sanctuaries . The sanctuary is a wetland with two salty lagoons, mangrove swamps and open areas with pockets of scrub jungles. The Park is a very important site for migrant shorebird and is quite famous for its flamingoes, Black Capped Purple Kingfisher and many other migratory birds.Birds such as the Asian Open Bill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Swamp Hen Glossy Ibis, Common Snipe, and Black Winged Stilt are also quite frequently seen at the Kalametiya Bird Park.
"Bentota"
Bentota Resort complex in a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with several hotels, railway station, post offices, shopping arcade, cafeteria and open air-theatre showing folk and mask dancing – with clusters of palms overlooking everything. Interesting boat trips to the hamlets bordering the river and the Meethiyagoda moonstone mines nearby. Most hotels have facilities for water sports.
“I don't feed the birds because they need me; I feed the birds because I need them.” ~Kathi Hutton