PROGRAMME : Birding with Wildlife & Nature Tour.
DURATION : 11 Days / 10 Nights
PERIOD :Valid till 31st October 2005

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01 - Waikkala

Arrive at a Hotel in Waikkala.

WAIKKALA is located in the Puttalam District, which falls into the dry zone category. Waikkala is in the midst of marine, coastal, estuarine, mangroves, marshland and man made habitat systems. All of these have contributed to the avifaunal diversity visible in the immediate surrounding. Much of the avifauna is characteristically wetland. More than 60 species of birds can be observed here. Eg: Common sandpiper, little ringed plover, Purple coot, Painted stork, Stork billed king fisher, little green heron etc.

SCHEDULE
Pickup & transfer from the airport to Waikkala Arrival at the Ranweli Holiday Village, Waikkala or similar Overnight stay at Ranweli Holiday Village, Waikkala or similar.

Day 02 - Waikkala – Singharaja (HB)
Bird watching at Ranawli & then leaving to Singharaja.

SINGHARAJA TROPICAL RAIN FOREST which is a world heritage site, may be described either as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical wet evergreen forest. Birding in this ecosystem is very interesting. 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka have been recorded in Sinharaja. Sinharaja is the best location to observe the flock behaviour of birds We will be looking for Sri Lanka Spur fowl, Sri Lanka Jungle fowl, Green-billed Coucal, Red-faced Malkoha, Blue Magpie and Spot-winged Thrush, Endemic White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Myna amongst others. Also keep an eye out for the endemic purple-faced leaf monkeys moving through the canopy, and the impressive grizzled Indian squirrel.

Day 03 - In Singharaja (HB)

Early morning, bird watching trail in the Forest.

SCHEDULE
Early morning, bird watching trail in the Forest Morning, relax Afternoon, explore the Forest again Return to the Hoel Dinner and overnight stay at the Hoel.

Day 04 - Singharaja-Waulpane-Udawalawe (FB)
After breakfast, leave for Waulpane Cave.

WAULPANE CAVE

This cave is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana range. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites and is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old. You will journey Approx. 300mt underground to discover this prehistoric world. While there are few fossils visible in the caverns wall, the main building process is still continuing. The stream, which runs through this cave, becomes a beautiful waterfall at the center, giving you a mysterious and a thrilling experience. You may encounter few water monitors, Amphibians and thousands of Bats in this fully dark cave.

UDAWALAWE WILDLIFE PARK
This 30821 hectares dry zone game park was declared as a protected national park in 1972. It has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an average temperature of 29.40C. This park is world famous for it’s elephants. You will see whole herds of them, adults and young, bathing and playing in the water or feeding. The safari will also be an unforgettable bird watching experience as Udawalawe has a wide variety of birds. The endemic species, the Red-faced Malkoha, has its favourite habitat in this parkland. Serpent Eagles, Hawk Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Black Eagles, Black Capped Bulbuls, Racket-tailed Drongos, Malabar Pied Horn Bills, White-necked Storks, Open Bills, Ibis, Shama (the Forest Nightingale), Strol-billed Kingfishers and peacocks are found in fair numbers. Among the migrant birds are the forest wagtails, Indian Pitta, Whiskered Terns, Osprey Sand Pipers and Terns.

SCHEDULE
Breakfast at the Hoel. After breakfast, leave for Waulpane Cave Explore the Cave Lunch en route Proceed to Udawalawe Wildlife Park Guests will be picked up at the main gate entrance and taken in a 4WD Jeeps to the Park. Evening, 4WD Jeep Safari at the Park Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel

Day 05 - Udawalawe-Bundala-Yala
Leaving to Yala via Bundala from Udawalawe.

BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK, covering an area of 6216 hectares, is located about 250km southeast of Colombo in the Hambantota district. The park falls within the southeastern arid zone of Sri Lanka, with a general climate that can be classified as hot and dry. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes bordering the coastline, and vegetation consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands and lagoons. A total of 383 plant species have been recorded from the park, including 6 endemics and 7 species considered as nationally threatened. It is also home to 32 different species of mammals, 5 of which are classified as threatened. For keen birdwatchers, the complex wetland system harbours a rich bird life (approximately 197 species), including several species of migratory waterfowl. This has led to the declaration of the park as Sri Lanka’s first ‘Ramsar’ wetland – one of great international importance especially for migratory waterfowl.

SCHEDULE
Morning, 4WD Jeep safari at the Park Guests will be driven back to the Park Entrance Proceed to Bundala Nature Reserve 4WD Jeep Safari at the Bundala Nature Sanctuary After the safari, leave for Yala Overnight stay at Yala village or similar

Day 06 - In Yala
Full day safari in Yala.

YALA NATIONAL PARK
Yala West (Ruhuna) National Park is now well recognised as one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards. The park covers an area of over 100,000 hectares and is divided into five blocks. Block one is easily the most visited part of the sanctuary as it contains the highest density of leopards in the park. However other areas of Yala such as Yala East are only now just re-opening and it will take some time to research leopard numbers in these less visited areas. Yala West consists of scrub jungle, brackish lagoons and stunning rock monoliths scattered throughout the park.
Recently there was an excellent 'Natural World' wildlife film on the 'Leopards of Yala' shot by the well known filmmaker Gordon Buchanan. Yala has well over thirty leopards within the park, probably the highest density anywhere in the world. It is also thought that Sri Lankan leopards are a distinct sub-species from their Indian neighbours as well as being the largest leopards in Asia. Your best chance to see a leopard is generally first thing in the morning and then again at dusk. The male leopards in Yala are very confident animals and they are often seen walking the tracks during the day. Young males in particular seem to have no fear of the jeep, which can lead to some excellent photographic opportunities. As well as leopards there is a large number of elephants living inside the park and these can be seen bathing in the numerous lakes within the park. You can also see spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, jackal and mongoose. The bird life is also fantastic and it is amazing how close you can get to them from the confines of the jeep, you can see Rosy Starlings, Paradise Flycatchers, Crested Hawk Eagles, Blue-Tailed Bee-Eaters and Common Iora's.

BIRDING INFORMATION
Yala is also a very large reserve with rivers, lagoons, saltpans, rocky outcrops, shoreline and forest in the southeast. Birding in Yala is very interesting because of its complex system of forest. SL Jungle fowl, White-bellied Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Painted Stork, Black- necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Pompadour Green Pigeon and flocks of flamingoes can be seen in this reserve.

Full day safari Lunch back at the hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at Yala village or similar.

Day 07 - Yala-Belihuloya (HB)
Morning, leave to Belihuloya from Yala.

BELIHULOYA
Is a very picturesque and romantic hamlet situated about 160km from Colombo in the historical “Sabaragamuwa” province. This zone is a climatically transitional area linking the wet & dry zones and the hill country & the low country. This very important location has made it one of the places in the country with the highest bio-diversity. River Garden Resort is built in this little hamlet.
In the ancient times people living in this area have been engaged in Agriculture and the Steel industry. It is said, that these villagers have manufactured weapons like spears, swords and knives for the one time great Sinhala king “Dutugemunu”. It is also said, that the manufacturers of the world famous “Damascus sword’ were supplied with steel by these villages.
If we were to look further back in time, even the presence of pre-historic settlements were proved by the finding of skeletal remains of the 29,000 year old pre-historic man “Homosapien balangodensis” in this area, during recent excavations. Another very important aspect of this location - being situated in the middle of the Hill and Low Countries -, is the presence of a large number of beautiful locations and so many waterfalls not forgetting the forests, grasslands, caves etc. The great diversity of flora and fauna in this area has made this a very important location for the casual and the serious nature watcher

SCHEDULE
Morning, leave for Belihuloya Lunch – own arrangements Arrival at a Hotel – Belihuloya. At leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at a Hotel.

Day 08 - In Belihuloya (HB)
After breakfast, activities from Belihuloya

CANOEING IN SAMANALAWEWA RESERVOIR
The still calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir are perfect for canoeing. Whether you want to take your time and go for a leisurely paddle for a couple of hours, perhaps venturing out to the mouth of the Belihuloya River or spend an entire day exploring the perimeter of the reservoir, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. The Samanalawewa reservoir is named after the Sinhalese word ‘samanala’, meaning ‘butterfly’, hinting not only at the terrific number of butterflies in the area but also the actual shape of the reservoir. The word ‘wewa’ literally means ‘ tank’ (another term often used to describe reservoirs). The surrounding mountains add to the idyllic setting of the reservoir. All groups will be supplied with an experienced guide and modern life jackets, and a proper orientation will be offered for those who are new to canoeing.

SCHEDULE
After breakfast, cycling to Kinchigune Village Canoeing at the Samanalawewa reservoir Afternoon, Kinchigune Nature trail back to the Hotel Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 09 - Belihuloya-Horton Plains-Nuwara Eliya
After early breakfast, trekking to Horton Plains via Bambakakanda Water Fall.

BAMBARAKANDA WATER FALLS
Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep rocks and dark green forests of pines and tropic trees the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka plunges with two silver ropes over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 150 m walking distance from a small motorable road off A-4 at Kalupahana-Ganwasangoda to Quitota (3 km ).The lower part of this road is bordered by farmhouses under Jak trees,palm trees and other useful plantations.The road climbs up a narrow valley which opens suddenly after a bend to the beautiful scenary around the waterfall.The pool is surrounded by paddy fields.You’ll park the car opposite to the fall by a small well under an Oleander bush.

HORTON PLAINS is one of the countries outstanding nature reserves. It covers the renowned World’s End, a sheer drop of 3700ft which offers an awesome view. Other attractions include Bakers Falls and Chiminini Pool. Horton Plains Nature Reserve is approximately 10,000 hectares in extent. A remote, high plateau, 2000m, supports grassland fringed and interspersed with patches of dense montane cloud forest. This locality is famous among bird watchers for the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush. You will also be looking for the endemic Yellow-eared Bulbul, the fantailed warbler, the Ashy headed babbler and the Sri Lankan Blue Magpie. There are three varieties of lizards located here including the horned lizard.

NUWARAELIYAhas a cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13degC this is an exquisite and healthy city famous for its wide range in flowers. With buildings of English architecture everywhere in the city, it is affectionately called little England. The Victoria Park in the center of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka. Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher are very common.

SCHEDULE
After early breakfast, trekking to Horton Plains via Bambarakanda Water Fall Or guests could also proceed to Horton Plains by vehicles without the Bambarakanda Trek Trekking in Horton Plains Proceed to Nuwaraeliya Overnight stay at a Hotel in Nuwaraeliya

Day 10 - Nuwaraeliya-Kithulgala
Morning, leave to Kithulgala from Nuwaraeliya.

KITHULGALA BELILENA CAVE
Is situated 2,000 feet above sea level in scenic surroundings The excavations have helped to uncover many fossils more than 32,000 years old

SCHEDULE
Morning, leave for Kithulgala Afternoon, cycling to Kithulgala Belilena Cave and back Overnight at a Hotel in Kithulgala

Day 11 - Departure from Kithulgala
Finishing the activities at Kitulgala, departure to your next destination.

SCHEDULE
Early morning, birding in the remnant Wet Zone forests close to the Hotel At 10.00 am, white water rafting (Grade 2) Afternoon, depart to the next destination.

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