Grand Birding & Natural History Expedition

Starting from USD

1,760
(PP Twin Share)
Duration: 20N | 21D

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Summary and Map

This comprehensive 21-day birding and nature expedition in Sri Lanka is designed to cover all major bio-climatic zones, from dry-zone tanks and ancient cities to montane grasslands and lowland rainforests. The itinerary carefully blends intensive birding with iconic cultural and natural landmarks such as Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Horton Plains, and multiple national parks. Extended stays in key hotspots like Nuwara Eliya, Tissamaharama, Sinharaja, and Kitulgala allow for in-depth exploration and higher species diversity. Jeep safaris, forest walks, wetlands, and botanical gardens ensure varied habitats and birding techniques throughout the journey. The tour concludes near Colombo with wetland birding, making it a well-rounded and logistically efficient circuit for serious nature travelers.

This tour is best suited for dedicated birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and experienced nature travelers seeking an in-depth exploration of Sri Lanka’s full range of habitats. It also appeals to enthusiasts who enjoy long, immersive itineraries that combine intensive birding with cultural and natural heritage sites.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 - Arrival | Anuradhapura
  • Morning, Arrival at Colombo International Airport and leave for Anuradhapura
  • Afternoon, Relax/Birding around the hotel
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Anuradhapura
  • Possible noteworthy species: Purple Heron, Black -Crowned Night-Heron, Asia OpenbillBlack Headed Ibis, Lesser Whistling-Duck, Brahminy Kite, Pheasant-Tailed Jacana,Ceylon Green Pigeon, Blue Faced Malkoha, Brown Hawk Owl, Indian Pitta
icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 5 hrs | Total activity time – 2 hrs   
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 02 - Anuradhapura
  • After breakfast, birding around tanks/lakes and ancient city area
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Anuradhapura
  • Possible noteworthy species: Spot-Billed Pelican, Little Cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Ceylon Green Pegeon, Green Imperial Pedion, Blue Faced Malkoha, Indian Kuckoo, Black-Rumped, Flameblack, White-Napped Flameback, Indian Pitta, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Lesser Pied Kingfisher, Indian Rolar, Black Headed Cuckooshrike, Large Cuckooshrike

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 1 hr | Total activity time – 6 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 03 - Sigiriya
  • After breakfast leave for Sigiriya
  • Birding in and around Sigiriya sanctuary
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya
  • Possible noteworthy species : Crested Hawk-Eagle, White Bellied Sea-Eagle, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Shaheen (Local race of the peregrine), Blue Faced Malkoha, Grey Blellied Cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, ‘Square-Tailed’ Drongo Cuckoo, Indian Scops Owl, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Lesser Pied Kingfisher, Coppersmith Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Indian Pygmy Woodpecker, Ceylon Woodshrike, Large Cuckooshrike, Black Headed Cuckooshrike, White Rump Shama, Orange Headed Thrush, Indian Pitta, Thick Billed Flowerpecker

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 2 hrs | Total activity time – 4 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 04 - Sigiriya
  • After breakfast climb Sigiriya lion rock
  • Birding around the Lion rock
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya
  • Possible noteworthy species : Shaheen (Local race of the peregrine), Blue Faced Malkoha, Grey Bellied Cuckoo, Indian Cockoo, ‘Square-Tailed’ Drongo Cuckoo, Coppersmith Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Brown Headed Brbet, Black Rumped Flameback, Indian Pygmy Woodpecker, Crested Threeswift, Ceylon Woodshrike, Large Cuckooshrike, Black Headed Cuckooshrike, Greater Racket Tained Drongo

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 0.5 hr | Total activity time – 6 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 05 - Sigiriya
  • After breakfast full day excursion to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
  • Lunch in Polonnaruwa, Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya
  • Possible noteworthy species : Shaheen (Local race of the peregrine), Blue Faced Malkoha, Grey Bellied Cuckoo, Indian Cockoo, ‘Square-Tailed’ Drongo Cuckoo, Coppersmith Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Brown Headed Brbet, Black Rumped Flameback, Indian Pygmy Woodpecker, Crested Threeswift, Ceylon Woodshrike, Large Cuckooshrike, Black Headed Cuckooshrike, Greater Racket Tained Drongo

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 2 hrs | Total activity time – 6 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 06 - Kandy
  • After breakfast leave for Kandy
  • Visit Royal botanical garden at Peradeniya
  • Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy
  • Possible noteworthy species : Alexandrine Parakeet, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Large Cuckooshrike, Indian Pitta

 

 

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 3 hrs | Total activity time – 3 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 07 - Kandy
  • After breakfast birding in Udawaththakele sanctuary
  • Afternoon, visit Temple of the sacred tooth relic and watch Kandyan Cultural show
  • Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy
  • Possible noteworthy species: Emerald Dove, Ceylon Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Brown Fish Owl, Black-Blacked DwarfKingfisher, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Crimson Backed Flameback, White Rumped Shama, Tickell’s BlueFlycatacher.

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 1 hr | Total activity time – 6 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 08 - Nuwara Eliya
  • Morning, Leave for Nuwara Eliya
  • Afternoon, Birding in Victoria Park
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
  • Possible noteworthy species : Forest Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Eared Bulbul, Indian Blue Robin Pied Ground-Thrush, Indian Pitta, Kashmir Flycatcher, Ceylon White-Eye

 

 

 

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 4 hrs | Total activity time – 3 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 09 - Nuwara Eliya
  • Early morning visit to Horton Plains, with picnic breakfast
  • Birding in Horton Plains National Park
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
  • Possible noteworthy species: Ceylon Woodpigeon, Yellow-Eared Bulbul, Pied Bush Chat, Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Common Blackbird, Sri Lanka Bush-Warbler, Grey -Headed Canary, Kashmir & Duscky Blue Flycatcher, Velvet-Fronted Nuthatch, Ceylon White Eye

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 2 hrs | Total activity time – 6 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 10 - Nuwara Eliya
  • After breakfast excursion to Surrey Estate, Welimada/Hakgala botanical gardens
  • Afternoon, birding at Galways Land sanctuary
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
  • Possible noteworthy species: Ceylon Woodpigeon, Brown Wood Owl, Thick-Billed Flowerpecker, Yellow Eared Bulbul, Common Blackbird, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Grey Headed Canary, Kashmir & Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Velvet Fronted Nuthatch, Ceylon White Eye

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 2 hrs | Total activity time – 6 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 11 - Tissamaharama
  • Morning, leave for Tissamaharama, birding en-route
  • Afternoon, birding wetland around Tissamaharama area
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Tissamaharama
  • Possible noteworthy species: Purple Heron, Black Crowned Night Heron, Yellow Bittern, Black Bittern, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-Tailed Jacana and other common water birds, Brown Fish Owl, Wite Naped Flameblack, Indian Reed Warbler, Pipits & Wagtails, Streaked & Baya Weaver

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 6 hrs | Total activity time – 4 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 12 - Tissamaharama
  • After breakfast full day excursion Yala National Park with picnic breakfast
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Tissamaharama
  • Possible noteworthy species: Spot Billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Painted & Black NeckedStork, Lesser Adjutant, Black-Winged Stilt, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Great Thick-Knee, Small Pratincole, Yellow-Wattled & Red Wattled Lapwing Pacific GoldenPlover, Grey Plover, Little-Rined, Kentish, Mongolian & Greater Sand Plover, Marsh, Wood & Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Brown-Headed Gull, Caspian, Gull-Billed & Whiskered, Tern, Bengal Bushlark, Ashy-Crowned Finch-Lark

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 1 hr | Total activity time – 7 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 13 - Tissamaharama
  • After breakfast, Jeep Safari in Bundala National Park
  • Birding outside the National Park in the evening
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Tissamaharama
  • Possible noteworthy species:Greater Flemingo, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Watercock, Black-Winged Stilt, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Great Thick Knee, Small Pratincole, Yellow-Wattled & Red Watted Lapwing Pacific Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Little Ringed, Kentish, Mongolian & Greater Sand Plover, March, Wood Terek & Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Brown-Headed Gull, Caspian, Great-Crested, Lesser Crested, Gull-Billed, Whiskered, White Winged, Saunders’s & Little Tern, Bengal Bushlark, Oriental Skylark, Ashy Crowned Finch-Lark, Indian Scops Owl, Jerdon’s & Indian Little Nightjar

 

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 1.5 hrs | Total activity time – 6 hrs    
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 14 - Kalametiya | Embilipitiya
  • After breakfast leave for Embilipitiya,
  • Visit Kalametiya bird sanctuary  en-route
  • Afternoon, jeep safari in Udawalawe National park
  • Lunch dinner and overnight stay in Embilipitiya
  • Possible noteworthy species: Spot-Billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Cormorants, Lesse Adjustant, Montagu’s Harrier, Pied Harrier, Crested Hawk-Eagle, White -Bellied Sea-Eagle, Grey-Headed Fish-Eagle, Barred Buttonquail, Ceylon & Orange-Breasted Green-Pigeon, Plum-Headed Parakeet, Blue-Faced Malkoha, Sirkeer Malkoha, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Prinias, Toque Monkey, Grey Langur, Golden Jackal, Mongoose, Asian Elephant, Spotted Deer, Water Buffalo, SL Gaint Squirrel

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 3 hrs | Total activity time – 5 hrs    
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 15 - Embilipitiya | Sinharaja  
  • After breakfast jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park.
  • Lunch in Embilipitiya
  • Afternoon, proceed to Sinharaja
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Sinharaja
  • Possible noteworthy species: Oriental Honey Buzzard, Rufous-Bellied Eagle, Shikra, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Ceylon Spurfowl, Ceylon Junglefowl, Ceylon woodpigeon, Red-Faced Malkoha, Green-Billed Coucal, Chestnut-Winged Cuckoo, Serendib Scops-Owl, Chestnut-Blacked Owlet, Ceylon Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Yellow-Beowed Bulbul, Himalayan Black Bulbul, Spot-Wigned Ground Thrush, Ceylon Scaly Thrush, Ceylon Rufous Babbler, Ashy-Headed Laughing Thrush, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Ceylon Blue Magpe, White-Faced Starling, Ceylon Hill-Myna

 

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 3 hrs | Total activity time – 5 hrs   
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 16 - Sinharaja
  • After breakfast full day birding in Sinharaja world heritage wilderness Area with picnic lunch
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Sinharaja
  • Possible noteworthy species: Same as above

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 0 hrs | Total activity time – 7 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 17 - Sinharaja
  • After breakfast full day birding in Sinharaja world heritage wilderness area
  • Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay in Sinharaja
  • Same as above
  • Possible noteworthy species: Same as above

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 0 hrs | Total activity time – 7 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 18 - Kithulgala
  • After breakfast leave for Kithulgala
  • Birding around Kithulgala
  • Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay in Kitulgala
  • Possible noteworthy species: Ceylon Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Green Billed Coucal, Serendib Scops Owl, Chestnut Blacked Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Black Rumped Flameback, Crimson Backed Flameback, Spot Winged Ground Thrush

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 3 hrs | Total activity time – 4 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 19 - Kithulgala
  • After breakfast full day birding in Kitulgala forest reserve with picnic lunch
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Kitulgala
  • Possible noteworthy species: Black Eagle, Rufous Bellied Eagle, Ceylon Spurfowl, Ceylon Hangging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Green Billed Coucal, Serendib Scops Owl, Chestnut Backed Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Black Backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Yellow Fronted Barbet, Gold Fronted Leafbird, Spot Winged Ground Thrush, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Brown Capped Babbler, Ceylon Rufous Babbler, Ceylon Hill Myna, Ceylon Crested Drongo

 

 

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 0 hrs | Total activity time – 7 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 20 - Ingiriya | Bellanwila-Attidiya | Katunayake    
  • After breakfast leave for hotel near the Airport visiting Ingiriya forest reserve (Bodinagala) en- route
  • Lunch in Ingiriya
  • Possible noteworthy species: Green Billed Coucal, Chestnut-Blacked Owlet, Ceylon Grey Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Black-Backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Yellow-Fronted Barbet, Crimson-Backed Flameback
  • Afternoon visit Bellanwila-Attidiya sanctuary
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Katunayake
  • Possible noteworthy species: Purple Heron, Black Crowned Night Heron, Brahminy Kite, Yellow Bittern, Black Bittern, Asian Openbill, Black headed Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Pheasant Tailed Jacana

 

 

 

icon Accommodation: 3* Hotel (4* 5* on request | subject to additional cost)
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 4 hrs | Total activity time – 4 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)
Day 21 - Katunayake | Departure
  • After breakfast Boat ride to Muthurajawela Swamp
  • Lunch in Katunayake
  • Late night Departure

 

icon Accommodation: N/A
icon Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
icon Travel Time: Total travel time – 1 hr | Total activity time – 3 hrs
icon Transport: Private vehicle (Air conditioned)

Inclusion, Exclusion & Conditions

  • Inclusions
  • Exclusions
  • Conditions
  • Comfortable accommodation in eco-lodges and nature resorts near key birding sites
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary. Breakfast only (On request possible to add meals)
  • Private transport with airport transfers and four 4x4 jeeps for safaris
  • Daily guided bird watching walks and safaris in top locations like Sinharaja, Horton Plains, Bundala, Kalametiya, Udawalawa, Sinharaja, Kithulgala, Ingiriya and more
  • Services of a professional birding guide and local trackers
  • Use of birding checklists, spotting scopes, and ID guides
  • On-tour first aid and 24/7 local support
  • Three 500ml water bottles per day per person
  • One free sim card to fulfill the local communication requirements
  • International air travel to/from Sri Lanka
  • Visa processing fees for Sri Lanka (ETA)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended but not included unless requested)
  • All entrance fees of the national parks and attractions
  • Personal items: laundry, mini-bar, room service, souvenirs, etc.
  • Alcoholic drinks and beverages not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Optional activities not included in the official itinerary (e.g., spa treatments, night safaris)
  • Professional photography equipment rental or high-end optics (binoculars may be available upon request)
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
  • Meals/snacks not included in the itinerary
  • Tour prices may vary based on the travel season, exchange rate changes, and applicable government taxes. All rates are based on current market conditions and will be confirmed at the time of booking.

  • Please ensure that you have secured the relevant visa / entry permits & valid passport. The best source of visa information is the embassy of the country itself

  • If you are interested in going ahead with this booking, we would require deposits or payments as follows either in the form of cash or cheque:

    – 30 days to 21 days prior to arrival date: 50%.

    – 21 days to 01 days prior to arrival: 100%.

    Prices in this quotation are subject to availability. Wind & Wild reserves the right to offer services of similar or higher standard based in the event of non-availability at the time of booking, at amended cost.

  • CANCELLATION POLICY 

    – If cancelled 30 days or more prior to arrival – No charge – Any payments made prior to this date will be reimbursed (less any bank charges).

    – If cancelled between 14 to 29 days (inclusive) prior to arrival – 30% of the total booking value will be charged.

    – If cancelled between 7 to 14 days prior to arrival – 75% of the total booking value will be charged.

    – If cancelled less than 7 days prior to arrival – 100% of the total booking value will be charged.

Travel Tips

Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island nation in South Asia. It sits in the Indian Ocean, just southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea. Known as “the pearl of the Indian Ocean” for its shape and setting, it blends British colonial heritage, lush scenery and very friendly people. Since the 26-year civil war ended in 2009, this tropical isle has attracted many more travellers.

Trip Planning:

Planning your trip well can make all the difference and even become part of the fun. You’ll have many choices to make—from where to stay to what to see—and plenty of details to work through.

Entry and Exit Formalities:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date. Some visitors can get a visa on arrival; others should apply in advance. For requirements and applications, visit the official Sri Lankan ETA website: www.eta.gov.lk.

Transportation:

Deciding how to travel around Sri Lanka is a major choice before you go. Our holiday experts can guide you on trains, buses, cars or tuk‑tuks based on your itinerary. You’ll also find many practical tips for getting around smoothly.

Money:

Use your funds smartly. Learn when to pay with cash or card, and how to avoid extra fees. Don’t forget to follow local tipping customs.

Phones and Technology:

Smartphones and gadgets can save time or drain your budget. Check our advice on using tech abroad, including calls home with or without your own SIM card.

Packing Light:

You’ll meet two types of travellers: those who pack just what they need and those who end up hauling too much. Travelling light makes moving between places easier and more fun.

Sleeping and Eating:

Choosing where to sleep and dine can feel like a chore—or an adventure. Your hotel and restaurant picks can help you connect with local culture and people.

Health & Hygiene:

Rest assured: clinics, hospitals, laundries and restrooms here are much like back home. Managing your health and cleanliness can even add an interesting layer to your trip.