Avian Odyssey: 18-Day Ultimate Bird Watching Expedition in Sri Lanka

Description

This is the ultimate bird watching itinerary designed for passionate birders seeking a comprehensive exploration of Sri Lanka’s remarkable avifauna. Over nearly three weeks, this tour covers all major bird watching hotspots across the island — offering extended stays in key regions for higher chances of spotting Sri Lanka’s endemic and migratory birds.
Sites include: Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, Nawadankulama, Mannar, Wilpattu National Park, Sigiriya Sanctuary, Udawatta Kele, Victoria Park, Horton Plains, Kitulgala Rainforest, Yala & Bundala National Parks, and many hidden endemic birding treasures known only to our expert guides.

Day 01 – Arrival / Negombo

Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport and meet your representative at the arrival lounge.
Transfer to Negombo (approx. 20-minute drive).
Overnight stay at Ranweli Holiday Village, Negombo.

Day 02 – Negombo / Anawilundawa / Nawadankulama / Nochchiyagama

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Anawilundawa Wetland (approx. 1 hour).
Bird watching at Anawilundawa — a man-made wetland built in the 12th century, home to numerous water birds, mammals (mongoose, civet cats, wild boar), and reptiles.
Proceed to Nawadankulama Tank — known for large flocks of migrant ducks, Collared Dove, Indian Grey Partridge, and several species of eagles.
Overnight stay at Hotel Sinharagama, Nochchiyagama.

Day 03 – Wilpattu National Park

Full-day safari at Wilpattu National Park with picnic meals.
Explore one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most pristine parks — home to leopards, elephants, sloth bears, deer, and a wealth of bird species.
Overnight stay at Hotel Sinharagama, Nochchiyagama.

Day 04 – Wilpattu National Park

Another full-day safari in Wilpattu for enhanced wildlife and bird encounters.
Overnight stay at Hotel Sinharagama, Nochchiyagama.

Day 05 – Nochchiyagama / Mannar

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Mannar (approx. 3-hour drive).
Relax at the hotel, followed by an evening garden birding session.
Overnight stay at The Palmyra House, Mannar.

Day 06 – Mannar Bird Watching

Full-day birding in Mannar — one of Sri Lanka’s best migratory birding regions, particularly between October and March.
Spot species such as flamingos, waders, gulls, and terns in the lagoons and salterns.
Overnight stay at The Palmyra House, Mannar.

Day 07 – Mannar / Sigiriya / Minneriya

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Sigiriya (approx. 3½ hours).
Evening bird watching safari at Minneriya National Park, famous for water birds, elephants, and 160+ bird species including Lesser Adjutant and Painted Stork.
Night garden walk for spotting the Slender Loris.
Overnight stay at Back of Beyond, Pidurangala.

Day 08 – Sigiriya Sanctuary

Early morning bird watching at Sigiriya Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site with lush forest and waterways that attract a wide variety of endemic and migratory birds.
Afternoon relaxation and more birding near Habarana lakes.
Overnight stay at Back of Beyond, Pidurangala.

Day 09 – Habarana Forest Walk

Morning garden birding and forest exploration near Habarana.
Opportunity to spot forest birds, butterflies, and possibly elephants during the dry season.
Night walk for Slender Loris spotting.
Overnight stay at Back of Beyond, Pidurangala.

Day 10 – Habarana / Kitulgala

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Kitulgala (approx. 4½ hours).
Evening bird watching in the Makandawa Rainforest, home to many endemics including the Chestnut-backed Owlet and Serendib Scops Owl.
Overnight stay at Kitulgala Adventures.

Day 11 – Kitulgala Rainforest

Early morning bird watching in Makandawa Rainforest.
Afternoon village birding walk.
Overnight stay at Kitulgala Adventures.

Day 12 – Kitulgala / Tissamaharama / Bundala

Breakfast at the campsite.
Transfer to Tissamaharama (approx. 5-hour drive).
Evening birding safari at Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka’s first Ramsar wetland, home to 190+ bird species including migratory waterfowl.
Overnight stay at Yala Lake Camp.

Day 13 – Yala National Park

Full-day safari at Yala National Park with picnic meals.
Spot leopards, elephants, and an impressive variety of dry-zone bird species.
Overnight stay at Yala Lake Camp.

Day 14 – Bundala / Tissa Lake

Morning birding at Bundala National Park.
Evening bird watching around Tissa Lake and surrounding village wetlands.
Overnight stay at Yala Lake Camp.

Day 15 – Yala / Sinharaja Rainforest

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Sinharaja Rainforest (approx. 3½ hours).
Afternoon rainforest walk exploring endemic species and waterfalls.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Forest Edge.

Day 16 – Sinharaja Rainforest

Full-day rainforest trekking to Kekuna Ella and Pathan Oya waterfalls.
Visit a local village and experience Sri Lankan rural hospitality.
Opportunity to bathe in natural pools and explore dense jungle trails.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Forest Edge.

Day 17 – Sinharaja / Colombo / Thalangama Wetland

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Colombo (approx. 4-hour drive).
Afternoon birding at Thalangama Wetlands, home to over 100 species including herons, sandpipers, and pintail snipes.
Overnight stay at Cinnamon Red, Colombo.

Day 18 – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (approx. 1-hour drive) for departure.

💰 Price Starting From:

US$ 4,066 per person (double sharing basis)

Includes:

Accommodation at the mentioned hotels.
Meals as per the itinerary.
Air-conditioned private transfers with English-speaking chauffeur guide.
All bird watching activities, national park entrance fees, and safaris.