Kurulu Trail - Avian Jewels of Ceylon
A deep dive into Sri Lanka’s richest biodiversity hotspots including Sinharaja, Kumana, Gal Oya, and Horton Plains. A perfect expedition for endemic bird watchers and nature photographers.
Tour Overview
Highlights
Route
Journey Through Ceylon
Detailed Itinerary
PART 1: The Western Gate & Rainforest Immersion (Day 1 - 4)
Arrive at CMB. Meet your private guide and transfer to your hotel. Evening Tour Briefing: Enjoy a welcome dinner and detailed briefing on the birding protocols for the journey ahead.
Morning transfer (approx. 4-5 hours) to the Sinharaja Rainforest buffer zone. Afternoon Trek: Commence a half-day trekking session, exploring the fringe habitats and local village for low-country endemics.
Full-Day Trekking: Spend the day inside the UNESCO World Heritage Sinharaja Rainforest,focusing on the famed mixed-species feeding flocks that hold most of the island's 34 endemics.
Full-Day Trekking: Second full day dedicated to tracking key targets such as the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Red-faced Malkoha, and the Ashy-headed Laughingthrush within the forest interior.
PART 2: Wetlands, Coast & Dry Zone (Day 5–10)
Long Scenic Transfer: Depart Sinharaja for the East Coast (approx. 7 hours). Settle into your accommodation near the beach. Evening Relaxation: Enjoy a quiet evening on the beach or resting after the journey.
Full-Day Safari: Explore Kumana National Park, famous for the Kumana Villu (natural waterholes). Focus on migratory waterfowl, storks,spoonbills, and the coastal bird species.
Full-Day Safari: Second day in Kumana, pushing deeper into the untouched coastal wilderness. Excellent opportunity for general wildlife viewing (leopards, elephants) alongside specialized bird photography.
Morning transfer to the remote Gal Oya region (approx. 3 hours). Evening boat safari on the Gal Oya reservoir, focusing on observing swimming elephants and raptors soaring over the water.
Full-day exploration: Trekking and jeep safari in Nilgala Forest Reserve, renowned for its rich dry zone birdlife and unique forest structure away from common tourist trails.
Full-day exploration: A second dedicated day in the Nilgala area to maximize sightings of dry-zone specialties before preparing for the transfer to the central highlands.
PART 3: High Altitude & Departure (Day 11–15)
Scenic mountain transfer: Travel to the hill country town of Nuwara Eliya (approx. 3.5 hours). Afternoon relaxation: Enjoy a leisurely city tour or unwind at the hotel, acclimatizing to the higher altitude.
Full-day trekking: Explore Horton Plains National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), focusing on high-altitude endemics including the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and the elusive Sri Lanka Bush Warbler.
Full-day trekking: Second full day exploring cloud forest and montane grassland habitats, maximizing opportunities to spot the difficult plateau species.
Transfer to Colombo: Begin the scenic 5-hour drive back to the capital region (CMB). Evening city tour: Explore Colombo's rich history, culture, and architecture.
Following breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your international departure, concluding the Kurulu Trail expedition.
UNFORGETTABLE SIGHTS
what to see on this tour
