Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History

Tour Code: LKA02

A 17-day birdwatching and wildlife holiday which also includes visits to the ancient city of Anuradhapura and the rock fortress at Sigiriya.

17 days from
£3,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£3,495
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

Sri Lanka is a naturalist's paradise, a verdant tropical island endowed with an abundance of forest and freshwater pools and populated by a great diversity of mammals, birds, insects and plants, many of which are endemic to the island. This tour embraces elements of the past with visits to the ancient archaeological sites in the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ before crossing the wonderfully scenic Hill Country, home of the tea industry, and descending to the south of the island to Yala National Park and the unique Sinharaja Forest. Each day the tropical atmosphere is enhanced by the vivid colours of exotic flowers, a myriad of butterflies and the tempting displays of fruit on offer in every village.

  • Over 200 bird species
  • We’ll hope to see most of the island's 33 endemics on the tour
  • Warm, tropical climate
  • Comfortable hotels & tasty cuisine
  • Leopard & Asian Elephant among mammals likely to be encountered
  • Tea estates in the hills, with a visit to one during the holiday
  • Time spent in ancient cities of Anuradhapura & Sigiriya
  • Colourful butterflies & a rich flora
  • Visit to spice growing area
  • Friendly islanders
  • Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

Mostly gentle birdwatching walks but a couple of longer walks included.

The verdant tropical island of Sri Lanka is a paradise for lovers of natural history, and the setting for this exciting tour. Our itinerary will provide a thorough introduction to the island’s birds and wildlife, as well as incorporating some sightseeing in the ‘Golden Triangle’s of archaeological sites. Although situated just a short distance from the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka has many zoological affinities with south-east Asia and much of the flora and fauna is unique to the island, including 33 species of endemic bird. This holiday offers the obvious attraction of exchanging a British winter for the tropical warmth of Sri Lanka, but this tour has the added advantage of coinciding with the visit to Sri Lanka of large numbers of wintering birds, including waders from Siberia and passerines from the Himalayan region. To enjoy all this we have chosen a selection of good quality hotels, many of them situated close to the prime wildlife areas.

Our tour begins with a glimpse of the island’s past at Anuradhapura, one of several former capitals used during the reign of the Sinhalese kings. Remains of the city dating from 4 BC are remarkably well preserved and are set amid acres of parkland frequented by Indian Rollers, Ashy Swallow-shrikes, sunbirds and many other Dry Zone species. Birds are never far away in Sri Lanka, even in the midst of archaeological sites, nor are the ubiquitous Grey Langur Monkeys which loiter among the ruins waiting for hand-outs from tourists. At nearby Mihintale there is a huge dagoba at the place where Buddhism was first introduced to the island, and we will also visit the towering rock fortress at Sigiriya, famed for its ancient wall frescoes and an impressive panorama for those energetic enough to reach the summit.

Travelling south through the island’s main spice-growing region we continue to Kandy for a 2-night stay. Once the capital of an autonomous kingdom until captured by the British in 1815, Kandy marks our ascent into the picturesque hill country, and is surrounded by forests in which we should find such endemic birds as the charming Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot and Layard’s Parakeet. Close to the city are Peradiniya Botanical Gardens which contain over 4,000 species of plants in a beautiful riverside setting and provide a day-time roost for a large colony of Indian Flying Foxes that hang like giant fruits in their favoured trees.

We penetrate deeper into the hills to stay for two nights at Nuwara Eliya, a favourite hill station of the British as evidenced by the Victorian architecture, race track and golf course. This area is the heart of the island’s tea industry and we will visit one of the many estates en route from Kandy to witness the production processes and sample the finished product. Yet more endemic birds occur at this increased elevation, and even a small park in the middle of Nuwara Eliya can provide us with views of Yellow-eared Bulbul, Hill White-eye and such winter visitors as Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Pied Ground Thrush. We will spend one day exploring the wild expanses of Horton Plains which epitomise the uniqueness of the hill country with its strange forests of stunted trees festooned in bromeliads, and stretches of moorland leading to the aptly named World’s End where a sheer escarpment drops to the plains far below. This is the haunt of the handsome highland race of the Purple-faced Langur and a great diversity of plants and birds including the endemic Arrenga, Blue Magpie and Sri Lanka Woodpigeon.

Descending to the arid south of the island we next visit a number of freshwater ‘tanks’s or lakes, crowded with birds, before reaching the endless palm-fringed beaches which characterise the Indian Ocean coastline. We will spend a half-day inside the vast Yala National Park hoping to see one of the resident Leopards, but even if we fail to locate one of these elusive cats there will be adequate compensation in the form of Asian Elephants, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Marsh Mugger Crocodiles, Peacocks and an abundance of other birds. Sri Lanka Junglefowl are particularly numerous here, and during the early mornings they emerge from cover to display their gaudy plumage.

More herds of Elephants are in prospect during a tour of Uda Walawe Reserve near Embilipitiya before the final highlight of our natural history tour, a visit to Sinharaja Forest. Now preserved as a Biosphere Reserve, Sinharaja is the largest and most important lowland forest remaining on the island. Almost everything about it is special; over 80% of the island’s endemic bird species occur in the forest, 60% of the trees are found nowhere else in the world, and most of the other flora and fauna has a similarly high level of endemism. Resident birds include the spectacular Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha and Orange-billed Babbler, providing an exciting conclusion to a memorable holiday.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/3
Anuradhapura
Day 4/5
Sigiriya
Day 6/7
Kandy
Day 8/9
Nuwara Eliya
Day 10
Tissamaharama
Day 11/12
Lunugamvehera and Yala
Day 13/15
Uda Walawe and Sinharaja Forest
Day 16
Return to Colombo
Day 17
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: Comfortable tourist class hotels and lodge, all with private facilities.
  • Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
Extensions

Extensions

Whales extension

3 days from £795
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Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 25th Jan – Mon 10th Feb 1 £4,495
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sat 15th Feb – Mon 3rd Mar 3 £4,495
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sat 1st Nov – Mon 17th Nov SPACES £3,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sat 20th Dec – Mon 5th Jan SPACES £4,495
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 24th Jan – Mon 9th Feb SPACES £3,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sat 7th Nov – Mon 23rd Nov SPACES £3,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sat 19th Dec – Mon 4th Jan SPACES £4,495
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!