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Sri Lanka Endemic Birding Tour
Sri Lanka Endemic Birding
Sri Lanka Endemic Birding Tour (KBS 01)
Region : Srilanka
8
Days

Activity

Comfort

Cost per Person

US$ 1400

Based on a minimum of 2 people travelling

Tour Overview

Sri Lanka, one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots on Earth, is an exceptional destination for birding enthusiasts. With over 435 bird species, including an impressive 33 endemics, Sri Lanka offers a rich diversity of avian life. Situated in the Indian Ocean, the island spans 433km from north to south and 224km at its widest point. Today, Sri Lanka stands out as one of the most biologically diverse regions in South Asia. The central hill country begins just south of the island's center and is encircled by coastal plains. To the north, the flat north-central and northern plains extend from the hill country to the island's northern tip, featuring a notably drier climate compared to the rest of Sri Lanka. This tour is meticulously crafted to encounter all 33 of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species. From the breathtaking Sri Lanka Blue Magpie and Red-faced Malkoha in the lush Sinharaja rainforest, to the elegant Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush with its blue shoulders in the highlands of Horton Plains, and the charming Dull-blue Flycatcher in Nuwara Eliya, each location promises unique sightings and memorable birding experiences.



Sri Lanka Endemic Birding Tour

Day 1: Kitulgala
  Upon arrival at Colombo Airport, transfer to Kitulgala. In the evening, explore the Kitulgala Rain Forest for birding. Overnight stay at Kitulgala. Birds to be sighted: Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Crested Goshawk, Besra, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Serendib Scops Owl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Dollarbird, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Malabar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Crimson-backed Goldenback, Indian Pitta, Black-naped Monarch, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Sri Lanka Swallow, Black-capped Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Green Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Brown-capped Babbler.    
Day 2: Kitulgala
Morning birding session around Kitulgala, followed by a visit to Kitulgala rain forest after breakfast. Overnight stay at Kitulgala. Birds to be sighted: Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Dark-fronted Babbler, Orange-billed Babbler, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sri Lanka Myna, Spot-winged Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Legge’s Flowerpecker.  
Day 3: Nuwara Eliya
Morning birding at Kitulgala, then proceed to Nuwara Eliya in the afternoon. Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya. Birds to be sighted: Barred Buttonquail, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Indian Peafowl, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Greater Flamingo, Painted Stork, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Spot-billed Pelican, Little Grebe, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Watercock, Eurasian Thick-knee, Great Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Greater Painted-snipe, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Turnstone, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Ruff, Red-necked Phalarope, Small Pratincole, Brown-headed Gull, White-winged Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Little Tern, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha, Sirkeer Malkoha, Jerdon’s Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, Crested Tree Swift, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Coppersmith Barbet, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka Woodshrike, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Oriental Skylark, Sand Martin, Forest Wagtail, Grey-breasted Prinia, Jungle Prinia, Ashy Prinia, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Hume’s Whitethroat, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Rosy Starling, White-rumped Shama, Streaked Weaver, Baya Weaver, Indian Silverbill.  
Day 4: Nuwara Eliya
  Morning birding at Horton Plains, followed by evening birding at Victoria Park. Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya. Birds to be sighted: Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Common Kestrel, Black-winged Kite, Jerdon’s Baza, Common Buzzard, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Crimson-backed Goldenback, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Pacific Swallow, Forest Wagtail, Gray Wagtail, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler.  
Day 5: Singharaja
  Morning birding around Nuwara Eliya and then proceed to Sinharaja. Evening birding around Sinharaja. Overnight stay at Sinharaja. Birds to be sighted: Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Crested Goshawk, Besra, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Layard’s Parakeet, Red-faced Malkoha, Green-billed Coucal, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Dark-fronted Babbler, Orange-billed Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Sri Lanka Myna, White-faced Starling.  
Day 6: Singharaja
Full day birding at Sinharaja rainforest. Overnight stay at Sinharaja. Birds to be sighted: Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Serendib Scops Owl, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Malabar Trogon, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Crimson-backed Goldenback, Indian Pitta, Black-naped Monarch, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Black-capped Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Sri Lanka White-eye, Green Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Brown-capped Babbler.    
Day 7: Singharaja
Full day birding at Sinharaja rainforest. Overnight stay at Sinharaja. Birds to be sighted: Spot-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka Thrush, Indian Blue Robin, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Legge’s Flowerpecker, Black-throated Munia.    
Day 8: Departure
Departure Transfer to the airport for departure. Tour concludes.

Inclusions

Price is based on the following hotels:

Kithulgala: Palmstone retreat, Standard Room
Nuwara Eliya: Tranquil Villa, Standard Room
Sinharaja: Blue Magpie, Standard Room

Hotel upgrades are available.

Price includes

  • Accommodation on half board (breakfast & dinner)
  • Services of an accompanying birding driver/guide from pick up till drop at the airport
  • All mentioned transfers by air-conditioned vehicle including the transfer to the airport on Day 8.
  • Entrances to the National Parks and gardens mentioned in the itinerary
  • Adequate bottled water from the vehicle – any water ordered at hotels /lodges is payable directly
  • All currently applicable taxes

Price excludes

  • Flights
  • The tip for your guide/driver at the end of the tour
  • Meals not specified
  • Visa and travel insurance
  • Camera fee
  • Any expenses of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
  • Any increase in the entrance fee to National Parks or Sanctuaries in the future. The price is based on the current entrance fee

Route Maps

Gallery

FAQs

Q: Do I need a Visa to enter Sri Lanka?
Yes. http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

Q: What kind of climate should I expect?
Sri Lanka is tropical and would be hot and humid most of the year except during November to February when it is slightly cooler. In addition, the highlands are cooler and cold at nights during the winter months.

Q: Are tour dates flexible?
Yes.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations we use are all birder friendly accommodations near the birding areas, clean and with great service.

Q: Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
It would be sent along with the detailed itinerary we send to you.

Q: Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour ?
Yes, we can arrange pre and post night extensions.

Q: Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes we do but we would require adequate advance notice.

Q: What is the Sri Lankan currency?
Sri Lankan Rupee. The higher denomination notes are 500, 1000 and 5000 rupees.

Q: Are foreign currencies accepted locally?
The USD, GBP and EURO can be exchanged at most major towns.

Q: Are there ATMs available?
Yes. Banking services and numerous ATMs are available throughout Sri Lanka

Q: Are credit and charge cards widely accepted?
Most of the hotels we use & most shops in locations mentioned in this itinerary accept credit cards. However the smaller places in remote locations would not accept cards.

Q: Should I purchase travel insurance before travelling?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling to Sri Lanka, covering any medical situation, hospitalisation, cancellation and loss of your baggage. We cover your causality evacuation to the nearest hospital which is included in the cost. However, this does not cover the cost of medical treatment at the hospital.

Q: What vaccinations will I require?
Please check with your doctor. The areas which fall within this tour are malaria-free.

Q: Air airport transfers included?
Yes. Pick up from the airport and drop to the airport are included as mentioned in the itinerary.

Q: What kind of electrical travel adaptor will I need?
Sri Lanka uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). The two pin plug is also called the Europlug. It has two round 4 mm (0.157 in) pins. It can be inserted in either way into the socket. Hence there is no fixed live (hot) and neutral (cold) terminals. The three pin plug is rated at 6A / 250V. It has three round pins in a triangular pattern. The earth terminal is slightly larger than the live and neutral terminals. For Higher current, there is a 15 Amp version of the same 3 Pin plug, usually called the Power Plug or the M Plug. Live and neutral are 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart. Earth terminal is 1+1⁄8 in (28.58 mm) away from live and neutral terminals. Typically, refrigerators, heaters and other high power devices are connected to this 15 Amp socket.

Q: Will a standard European electric plug (2 round pins) fit into a power point in Sri Lanka?
Yes. To insert the 2 pin plug into a Type D 3 Pin socket which in some cases may be closed by default, push a pen into the Ground/Earth terminal. This opens up the protected 2 Pin terminals and you can insert the 2 Pin plug.

Q: Will a standard American electric plug fit into a power point in Sri Lanka?
No. But any electrical store will sell you an adapter for around 50 cents or less.

Q: What is included in my tour?
Accommodation with most meals, all transfers, all birding walks, birding guide.

Q: What is not included in the tour?
Tips, some meals, personal expenses, beverages and liquor.

Q: How much should I tip?
Tipping is the customary way of saying thank you for a good trip. Any amount is welcome and is certain to augment the income of the bird guide and driver. Please remember that this is their only means of livelihood.

Q: Tell me more about the birding guides?
Our birding guides are knowledgeable. For single or two guests we sometimes provide a car with a driver who is also an accomplished birding guide.

Q: Is there any restrictions on drinking liquor or smoking?
There are no restrictions on drinking liquor but consumption of liquor in public is not permitted. Please check with your guide or driver if the hotel has a liquor license. You can pick up liquor from liquor vends all over Sri Lanka. Smoking in public is also not permitted.

Q: What will the meals be like on my tour?
Meals are usually ethnic Sri Lankan fare, both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Some hotels may provide Continental food. Please inform us in advance of any dietary restrictions.

Q: Is there a 24 hours hotline for me to call during an emergency?
Yes. The number will be provided to you before you start the tour

Q: What is the Internet access like?
All places have internet, not necessarily in the rooms but near the reception.
 

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