Discover Sri Lankan Endemics

Discover Sri Lankan Endemics

This birding tour is mainly focused on discovering all the Sri Lankan endemic birds. The birders can see more than 200 birds during this tour. 


Day - 1Kitulgala
Day - 2 & 3Sinharaja
Day - 4Mirissa
Day - 5 & 6Yala
Day - 7 Udawalawe
Day - 8 & 9Nuwara Eliya
Day - 10 & 11Kandy
Day - 11 & 12Sigiriya


14 Days / 13 Nights
Discover Sri Lankan Endemics

from USD 2,150

Per person on double sharing basis

Tour Map

Key Highlights

Birding in Makandana Forest Reserve

Bird watching in Sinharaja Rain Forest

Whales watching in Mirissa

Wildlife Safari Yala National Park

Bird wattching in Bundala National Park

Birding in Udawalawe National Park

Trekking through Horton Plains National Park

Birding in Udawatta Kele Forest reserve

Bird watching in Sigiriya Forest Reserve

Night Safari in Popham's Arboretum 


What's included

  • 13 Nights’ accommodation sharing Double Room on HB (breakfast and dinner) basis as per itinerary. 
  • Services of English speaking accredited chauffeur-guide accompanying throughout the tour.
  • Travel in a late model mid-sized air-conditioned car.
  • Local transfers
  • Government tax and service charges
  • Entrance and activity charges directly pay at the site as per itinerary 

What's Not included

  • All activities not detailed in inclusions are Pay As You Go. 
  • International airfares.
  • Lunch, snacks & beverages.
  • Personal travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guide / driver / assistant
  • Visa fees
  • Expenses of a personal nature.
  • Video camera and still camera fees

DAY - 1 (Airport - Kitulgala) -Stay @ - KITULGALA

  • Arrival at the Katunayake Bandaranaika International Airport and transfer to Kitulgala.  Approximately 2 and a half hours’ drive.
  • Afternoon, take a walk through the beautiful dense rainforests of Parawalatenna Village in Kitulgala. Guests can experience the charm of rural life by being able to immerse themselves in the authentic local culture, interact with friendly villagers, and witness traditional practices.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Rafters Retreat Lodge
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  • Arrival at the Katunayake Bandaranaika International Airport and transfer to Kitulgala.  Approximately 2 and a half hours’ drive.
  • Afternoon, take a walk through the beautiful dense rainforests of Parawalatenna Village in Kitulgala. Guests can experience the charm of rural life by being able to immerse themselves in the authentic local culture, interact with friendly villagers, and witness traditional practices.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Rafters Retreat Lodge
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DAY - 2 (Kitulgala - Sinharaja) -Stay @ - SINHARAJA

  • This morning, try to capture more birds in Kitulgala. Makandana Rainforest Reserve is one of the most attractive and picturesque birding sites in Sri Lanka. The reserve is home to numerous bird species, specially the Green-Billed Coucal, Orange-Billed Babbler, and Chestnut-Backed Owlet, among the many other endemic bird species in Sri Lanka.
  • After breakfast, try whitewater rafting, where you can ride the tides of the Kelani River.
  • Then transferred to Sinharaja. The route goes through Ratnapura, the city of Gem in Sri Lanka. Approximately 3 and a half hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Kudawa, Weddagala

Show details
  • Morning, try to capture more birds in Kitulgala. Makandana Rainforest Reserve is one of the most attractive and picturesque birding sites in Sri Lanka. The reserve is home to numerous bird species, specially the Green-Billed Coucal, Orange-Billed Babbler, and Chestnut-Backed Owlet, among the many other endemic bird species in Sri Lanka.
  • After breakfast, try whitewater rafting, where you can ride the tides of the Kelani River.
  • Then transferred to Sinharaja. The route goes through Ratnapura, the city of Gem in Sri Lanka. Approximately 3 and a half hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Kudawa, Weddagala
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DAY - 3 (Sinharaja) -Stay @ - SINHARAJA

  • Full day in Sinharaja Rain Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Sinharaja Rain Forest is a significant biodiversity hotspot situated in the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. The reserve contains a significant proportion, specifically over 50%, of Sri Lanka's endemic species of butterflies, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and exceptionally rare amphibians. Sinharaja Rain Forest is the prime location in Sri Lanka for bird watching, specially endemics. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Crested Drongo, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, and Spot-winged Thrush are some of them.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Kudawa, Weddagala
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  • Full day in Sinharaja Rain Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Sinharaja Rain Forest is a significant biodiversity hotspot situated in the lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka. The reserve contains a significant proportion, specifically over 50%, of Sri Lanka's endemic species of butterflies, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and exceptionally rare amphibians. Sinharaja Rain Forest is the prime location in Sri Lanka for bird watching, specially endemics. Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler, Sri Lanka White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Crested Drongo, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, and Spot-winged Thrush are some of them.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Kudawa, Weddagala
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DAY - 4 (Sinharaja - Mirissa) -Stay @ - MIRISSA

  • Take a pre-breakfast bird-watching village walk along the border of Sinharaja Rain Forest to see Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl, Sri Lanka Spur Fowl, Frogmouth and Sri Lanka Green -billed coucal.
  • After breakfast, guests will be transferred to Mirissa. Approximately 3 hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Parangi Weligama Bay
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  • Take a pre-breakfast bird-watching village walk along the border of Sinharaja Rain Forest to see Sri Lanka Serendib Scops Owl, Sri Lanka Spur Fowl, Frogmouth and Sri Lanka Green -billed coucal.
  • After breakfast, guests will be transferred to Mirissa. Approximately 3 hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Parangi Weligama Bay
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DAY - 5 (Mirissa - Yala) -Stay @ - YALA

  • Morning whale and dolphin watch tour
  • Mirissa is considered a prime and must-visit destination in Sri Lanka due to its long stretches of white sand beaches, relaxed atmosphere, excellent surfing conditions, and beach-front restaurants offering delicious Sri Lankan cuisine. Additionally, the opportunity to witness exciting whale-watching adds to the allure of Mirissa. The south coast of Sri Lanka is located adjacent to a significant migratory route for cetaceans’ mammals. The probability of observing the largest mammal in the world is consistently high throughout the entire year.
  • After that, transferred to Yala. Approximately two and a half hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Wild Yala 
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  • Morning whale and dolphin watch tour
  • Mirissa is considered a prime and must-visit destination in Sri Lanka due to its long stretches of white sand beaches, relaxed atmosphere, excellent surfing conditions, and beach-front restaurants offering delicious Sri Lankan cuisine. Additionally, the opportunity to witness exciting whale-watching adds to the allure of Mirissa. The south coast of Sri Lanka is located adjacent to a significant migratory route for cetaceans’ mammals. The probability of observing the largest mammal in the world is consistently high throughout the entire year.
  • After that, transferred to Yala. Approximately two and a half hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Wild Yala 
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DAY - 6 (Yala) -Stay @ - YALA

  • Wildlife and bird watching safari in Yala
  • Yala National Park is the most popular national park in the country. The area is characterised by its diverse ecosystems, including light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks, and lagoons. These habitats provide a sanctuary for numerous animal species. Yala is best known for its leopard population, which is believed to have one of the highest leopard densities in the world. It is also a great place to go bird-watching. There are 215 bird species that reside or visit the park, of which seven are endemic to Sri Lanka, namely the Sri Lankan grey hornbill, black-capped bulbul, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, crimson-fronted barbet, blue-tailed bee-eater, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, and brown-capped babbler.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Wild Yala.
Show details
  • Wildlife and bird watching safari in Yala
  • Yala National Park is the most popular national park in the country. The area is characterised by its diverse ecosystems, including light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks, and lagoons. These habitats provide a sanctuary for numerous animal species. Yala is best known for its leopard population, which is believed to have one of the highest leopard densities in the world. It is also a great place to go bird-watching. There are 215 bird species that reside or visit the park, of which seven are endemic to Sri Lanka, namely the Sri Lankan grey hornbill, black-capped bulbul, Sri Lanka jungle fowl, crimson-fronted barbet, blue-tailed bee-eater, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, and brown-capped babbler.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Wild Yala.

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DAY - 7 (Yala - Bundala - Udawalawe) -Stay @ - UDAWALAWE

  • Early in the morning, visit Bundala National Park to see migratory birds, which are common in the park.
  • Bundala National Park is a paradise for those who enjoy nature and bird watching. There are 197 different kinds of birds that have made their home there. In addition to being Sri Lanka's first Ramsar wetland site, it was also the country's fourth UNESCO biosphere reserve. The park is home to a wide variety of migratory and resident birds, including the Pintail, Gargany, Shoveller, Little Stint, Ruddy turnstone, Wood & marsh sandpipers, Common redshank, Greenshank, Curlew sandpiper, Black-tailed godwit, Little pratincole, Black-winged stilt, Caspian tern, Lesser crested tern and many more.
  • After that, transferred to Udawalawe. Approximately one and a half hours’ drive.
  • Afternoon, just walk to Elephant Transit Home to see the milk feeding of baby elephants.
Show details
  • Early in the morning, visit Bundala National Park to see migratory birds, which are common in the park.
  • Bundala National Park is a paradise for those who enjoy nature and bird watching. There are 197 different kinds of birds that have made their home there. In addition to being Sri Lanka's first Ramsar wetland site, it was also the country's fourth UNESCO biosphere reserve. The park is home to a wide variety of migratory and resident birds, including the Pintail, Gargany, Shoveller, Little Stint, Ruddy turnstone, Wood & marsh sandpipers, Common redshank, Greenshank, Curlew sandpiper, Black-tailed godwit, Little pratincole, Black-winged stilt, Caspian tern, Lesser crested tern and many more.
  • After that, transferred to Udawalawe. Approximately one and a half hours’ drive.
  • Afternoon, just walk to Elephant Transit Home to see the milk feeding of baby elephants.
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DAY - 8 ( Udawalawe - Nuwara Eliya) -Stay @ - NUWARA ELIYA

  • Early morning visits to Udawalawe National Park for bird and elephant watching safari.
  • Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka's third-most visited national park, is home to many bird species, including wild buffalos, sambar, spotted deer, giant squirrels, and specially elephant herds. The park is a birder's paradise, with endemics including the Red-faced Malkoha, Lanka grey hornbill, Brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka spur fowl, and numerous uncommon migrants like the white wagtail and black-capped kingfisher. In and around Udawalawe reservoir, flocks of water birds such as Cormorants, Eurasian spoonbills, Black-headed ibis, Asian open bill, and Painted stork can be found. The birds of prey such as the white-bellied sea eagle, crested serpent eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, booted eagle, and changeable hawk-eagle have also been seen in the park.
  • After that, transferred to Nuwara Eliya. Approximately four hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze.
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  • Early morning visits to Udawalawe National Park for bird and elephant watching safari.
  • Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka's third-most visited national park, is home to many bird species, including wild buffalos, sambar, spotted deer, giant squirrels, and specially elephant herds. The park is a birder's paradise, with endemics including the Red-faced Malkoha, Lanka grey hornbill, Brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka spur fowl, and numerous uncommon migrants like the white wagtail and black-capped kingfisher. In and around Udawalawe reservoir, flocks of water birds such as Cormorants, Eurasian spoonbills, Black-headed ibis, Asian open bill, and Painted stork can be found. The birds of prey such as the white-bellied sea eagle, crested serpent eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, booted eagle, and changeable hawk-eagle have also been seen in the park.
  • After that, transferred to Nuwara Eliya. Approximately four hours’ drive.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze.
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DAY - 9 (Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Nuwara Eliya) -Stay @ - NUWARA ELIYA

  • Early morning, around 5:00 am, start to travel to Horton Plains National Park. Approximately one-hour drive.
  • Horton Plains National Park encompasses an area of 3,169 hectares and is characterised by diverse ecosystems, including montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands, and aquatic habitats. This park is home to numerous endemic flora and fauna species, including 12 endemic bird species. Horton Plains National Park is home to a diverse range of highland bird species. A few notable species are the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Scaly Thrush, Spotted-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka rufous babbler, Ceylon blue magpie, Ceylon hill white-eye, Black-winged Kite, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pied bush chat, Kashmir red-breasted flycatcher, Common buzzard, Brown baza, Black eagle, and Mountain Hawk-eagle.
  • Afternoon, visit Hakgala Botanical Garden and Victoria Park for bird watching.
  • Hakgala Botanical Garden offers a favourable opportunity for observing and photographing the highland race of the endemic Purple Faced Leaf Monkey, along with various bird species, including parakeets.
  • Victoria Park is an important park located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya. It is known for its scenic beauty and serves as a habitat for a diverse range of bird species, with a particular emphasis on northern winter migrants.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze.
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  • Early morning, around 5:00 am, start to travel to Horton Plains National Park. Approximately one-hour drive.
  • Horton Plains National Park encompasses an area of 3,169 hectares and is characterised by diverse ecosystems, including montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands, and aquatic habitats. This park is home to numerous endemic flora and fauna species, including 12 endemic bird species. Horton Plains National Park is home to a diverse range of highland bird species. A few notable species are the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Scaly Thrush, Spotted-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka rufous babbler, Ceylon blue magpie, Ceylon hill white-eye, Black-winged Kite, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pied bush chat, Kashmir red-breasted flycatcher, Common buzzard, Brown baza, Black eagle, and Mountain Hawk-eagle.
  • Afternoon, visit Hakgala Botanical Garden and Victoria Park for bird watching.
  • Hakgala Botanical Garden offers a favourable opportunity for observing and photographing the highland race of the endemic Purple Faced Leaf Monkey, along with various bird species, including parakeets.
  • Victoria Park is an important park located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya. It is known for its scenic beauty and serves as a habitat for a diverse range of bird species, with a particular emphasis on northern winter migrants.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Summer Hill Breeze.
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DAY - 10 (Nuwara Eliya - Kandy) -Stay @ - KANDY

  • Morning visit to Galways’s Land National Park.
  • Galway's Land National Park is an area of well-preserved montane forest that provides habitat for numerous species of hill birds. More than 30 species of native and migratory birds inhabit Galway's Land. Aside from the avifauna, this park is filled with hundreds of flowering trees and plants. Black bird, Ceylon warbler, Yellow-eared bulbul, Dusky blue flycatcher, Grey-headed Flycatcher, Ceylon hill white eye, Kashmir red-breasted flycatcher, and Grey tit are the most prevalent species of birds.
  • After that, transferred to Kandy. Approximately three hours’ drive
  • In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Heritage.
Show details
  • Morning visit to Galways’s Land National Park.
  • Galway's Land National Park is an area of well-preserved montane forest that provides habitat for numerous species of hill birds. More than 30 species of native and migratory birds inhabit Galway's Land. Aside from the avifauna, this park is filled with hundreds of flowering trees and plants. Black bird, Ceylon warbler, Yellow-eared bulbul, Dusky blue flycatcher, Grey-headed Flycatcher, Ceylon hill white eye, Kashmir red-breasted flycatcher, and Grey tit are the most prevalent species of birds.
  • After that, transferred to Kandy. Approximately three hours’ drive
  • In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Heritage.
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DAY - 11 ( Kandy) -Stay @ - KANDY

  • Morning visit to Udawatta Kele Sanctuary.
  • Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is a nature preserve that provides a variety of habitats for a variety of species. This birding site was discovered to be home to 51 bird species from 28 families. The Sri Lanka Emerald-collared Parakeet, Black Eagle, Emerald-collared Parakeet, and Black-throated Munia are all near-threatened and can be observed at this birding site.
  • Afternoon strolling in the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden.
  • Royal Botanic Garden in Peradeniya is a horseshoe-shaped plot of diverse endemic and indigenous Sri Lankan flora. This garden features an extensive assortment of medicinal plants and spices, as well as avian spices such as Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Alexender Parakeet, Layard's Parakeet, Banded Bay Cuckoo, and Indian Pitta.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Heritage.
Show details
  • Morning visit to Udawatta Kele Sanctuary.
  • Udawatta Kele Sanctuary is a nature preserve that provides a variety of habitats for a variety of species. This birding site was discovered to be home to 51 bird species from 28 families. The Sri Lanka Emerald-collared Parakeet, Black Eagle, Emerald-collared Parakeet, and Black-throated Munia are all near-threatened and can be observed at this birding site.
  • Afternoon strolling in the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden.
  • Royal Botanic Garden in Peradeniya is a horseshoe-shaped plot of diverse endemic and indigenous Sri Lankan flora. This garden features an extensive assortment of medicinal plants and spices, as well as avian spices such as Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Alexender Parakeet, Layard's Parakeet, Banded Bay Cuckoo, and Indian Pitta.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Oak Ray Heritage.
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DAY - 12 (Kandy - Sigiriya) -Stay @ - SIGIRIYA

  • Transferred to Sigiriya. Approximately two and a half hours’ drive.
  • En route, visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
  • In the late afternoon, visit Popham’s Arboretum.
  • Popham Arboretum is a dry zone arboretum that is home to numerous Sri Lankan dry zone avian species, including Jungle Magpie Robins, Jungle Fowl, Red Vented Bulbuls, and Black Capped Bulbuls. However, Popham's Arboretum is best known for viewing the Sri Lankan endemic Slender Loris at night.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villas
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  • Transferred to Sigiriya. Approximately two and a half hours’ drive.
  • En route, visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
  • In the late afternoon, visit Popham’s Arboretum.
  • Popham Arboretum is a dry zone arboretum that is home to numerous Sri Lankan dry zone avian species, including Jungle Magpie Robins, Jungle Fowl, Red Vented Bulbuls, and Black Capped Bulbuls. However, Popham's Arboretum is best known for viewing the Sri Lankan endemic Slender Loris at night.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villas
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DAY - 13 (Sigiriya) -Stay @ - SIGIRIYA

  • Morning, bird watching in Sigiriya Sanctuary while climbing the Sigiriya rock.
  • Sigiriya Sanctuary is a natural rock that was transformed into a citadel in the fifth century BCE. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A portion of the rock and its surroundings have been designated as a protected area. This sanctuary is home to numerous endemic, common, and uncommon bird species such as the Shaheen Falcon, Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagles, and herons.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villas
Show details
  • Morning, bird watching in Sigiriya Sanctuary while climbing the Sigiriya rock.
  • Sigiriya Sanctuary is a natural rock that was transformed into a citadel in the fifth century BCE. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A portion of the rock and its surroundings have been designated as a protected area. This sanctuary is home to numerous endemic, common, and uncommon bird species such as the Shaheen Falcon, Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagles, and herons.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villas
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DAY - 14 (Sigiriya - Airport)

  • Transfer to Katunayake Bandaranaika International Airport for departure. Approximately three and a half hours’ drive.
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  • Transfer to Katunayake Bandaranaika International Airport for departure. Approximately three and a half hours’ drive.
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