Wildlife and birdwatching · SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka Endemic Birds Circuit
12 days · 11 nights • Customisable itinerary • Colombo → Colombo
A JOURNEY TO MAKE YOUR OWN
The experience
Sri Lanka Endemic Birds Circuit is a 12-day Sri Lanka itinerary starting in Colombo and finishing in Colombo. Wet zone, dry zone and highland birding for specialist travellers. Use this route as the starting point for a personalised quote, with the pace, accommodation and activities adjusted to your dates.
- Duration
- 12 days · 11 nights
- Starts in
- Colombo
- Finishes in
- Colombo
- Travel style
- Private, tailor-made proposal
Colombo > Kitulgala > Sinharaja > Udawalawe > Bundala > Nuwara Eliya > Kandy > Colombo
A suggested itinerary. Your operator must confirm the final schedule, stays, activities and price before booking.
THE JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY
Your itinerary
DAY 01KitulgalaArrive and settle in
Day 1 activities
- Meet at the agreed starting point in Colombo and travel to your Kitulgala base. Keep arrival-day plans flexible around your actual arrival time.
- Meet your bird guide and make a short, conditions-led wet-zone birding walk near Kitulgala.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Kitulgala
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Colombo to Kitulgala; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 02KitulgalaExplore Kitulgala
Day 2 activities
- Take a guided forest walk with time for birds, river views and local nature interpretation.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Kitulgala
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 03SinharajaTravel to Sinharaja
Day 3 activities
- Continue from Kitulgala to Sinharaja, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
- Walk an authorised Sinharaja trail with a local forest guide; choose the entrance near your accommodation.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Sinharaja
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Kitulgala to Sinharaja; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 04SinharajaExplore Sinharaja
Day 4 activities
- Return for early birdwatching, moving quietly and allowing time for patient observation.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Sinharaja
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 05SinharajaExplore Sinharaja
Day 5 activities
- Explore a different permitted trail, adapting the distance to rain and ground conditions.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Sinharaja
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 06UdawalaweTravel to Udawalawe
Day 6 activities
- Continue from Sinharaja to Udawalawe, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
- Take a guided jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park, keeping a respectful distance from animals.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Udawalawe
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Sinharaja to Udawalawe; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 07TissamaharamaTravel to Tissamaharama
Day 7 activities
- Continue from Udawalawe to Tissamaharama, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- On arrival at Udawalawe, choose a short birdwatching outing near the reservoir with your guide, keeping the remainder of this transfer day flexible.
- Overnight
- Tissamaharama
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Udawalawe to Tissamaharama; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 08TissamaharamaExplore Tissamaharama
Day 8 activities
- Visit Bundala with a bird guide and focus on wetland habitats.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Continue towards Tissamaharama and arrange a separate Bundala wetland birding outing when timing and park access allow.
- Overnight
- Tissamaharama
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 09Nuwara EliyaTravel to Nuwara Eliya
Day 9 activities
- Continue from Tissamaharama to Nuwara Eliya, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
- Visit a tea estate and factory with permission, then explore the town gardens.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Nuwara Eliya
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Tissamaharama to Nuwara Eliya; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 10Nuwara EliyaExplore Nuwara Eliya
Day 10 activities
- Start early for Horton Plains with a guide; choose the walking plan according to weather and fitness.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Nuwara Eliya
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Local excursions; timings confirmed with the guide.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 11KandyTravel to Kandy
Day 11 activities
- Continue from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy, allowing breaks and time to settle into your next stay.
- Visit the Temple of the Tooth respectfully and take a gentle walk beside Kandy Lake.
- Prioritise quiet dawn outings with a specialist bird guide and keep a flexible species list rather than expecting guaranteed sightings.
- Overnight
- Kandy
- Meals
- Meal plan selected in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Private vehicle proposed; specialist activities use separately confirmed operators.
DAY 12ColomboOnward journey
Day 12 activities
- After a relaxed start, finish the itinerary in Colombo. Agree the final drop-off and leave enough time for any onward connection.
- Airport transfers are included only if your written quote specifies them.
- Overnight
- No overnight stay planned
- Meals
- As agreed in your quote.
- Travel planning
- Road transfer from Kandy to Colombo; confirm drive time and stops for your exact pickup.
- Transport
- Final transfer or local drop-off, as agreed.
THE PLACES ALONG THE WAY
Your Sri Lanka route
Use the destination cards or open a place in maps below.
Pins show approximate destination centres. Distances between destinations are straight-line estimates, not driving distances.
The route lists destinations and overnight bases. Exact roads, station transfers and activity meeting points are agreed with your operator.
PLAN THE DETAILS
Shape your package
Accommodation & meals
Choose guesthouse, hotel, boutique stay or villa options in your quote; named properties are not yet allocated.
Breakfast, half board, full board, tastings and special meals are included only when listed in the final quote. Share dietary requirements before confirming.
What to include in your quote
- Every overnight stay, room type and agreed meal.
- Driver, guide, vehicle, fuel, parking and any station or airport transfers.
- Entry tickets, safari jeeps, boats, activity equipment and specialist guides.
- Taxes, payment schedule and cancellation terms.
These are items to request, not confirmed inclusions.
Costs to budget separately
Unless specifically included in your quote, allow for international flights, entry requirements, travel insurance, personal spending, tips, optional activities and meals outside the agreed plan.
Season, activity level & suitability
Varies by activity; shorter alternatives on request. Suitable pace and access depend on the activities selected. Tell the operator about mobility requirements, child ages and swimming or walking ability.
- Confirm the full itinerary, exact pickup and drop-off points, and a realistic daily schedule with the operator.
- Request an itemised quote covering accommodation, transport, guide services, admission, meals, taxes and optional activities.
- Check current access, weather and local conditions before travel; the final programme may need to change.
- Confirm activity grading, guide qualifications, equipment and a weather alternative. Wildlife sightings and sea or trail access cannot be guaranteed.
Booking & cancellation
This page is an itinerary proposal, not a confirmed departure. Before paying, obtain the named operator’s written quote, availability, payment terms and cancellation policy. Sending an enquiry does not make a reservation.
LET’S SHAPE YOUR JOURNEY
Request your personalised quote
Tell the Travel Picks team your dates, group size, preferred stays and any changes to this route.
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