Kurulu Trail
15 Days / 14 Nights
Endemic Bird Tracking, Lowland Rainforest, and Montane Ecosystems
Tour Overview
This Tour Includes
- Accommodation: 14 nights in specified hotels/resorts or similar hotels
- Room Sharing: Accommodation is based on twin/double sharing basis, ensuring a comfortable stay for travelers. Single Occupancy (with supplement)
- Meals: Daily breakfast (BB) throughout and Breakfast and Lunch during all safari stays.
- Food Preferences: Please inform us of your preferred food option when making your booking. The tour operator will ensure that your dietary preferences are accommodated during meals.
- Activities: Guided trekking in Sinharaja and Horton Plains, full-day safaris in Kumana, and the exclusive boat safari in Gal Oya
- Transportation: All transfers and local transportation
This Tour Excludes
- Any meals other than meals included in the hotel package.
- Any extra beverages or food.
- Any Tips to the staff.
- Any personal effects not mentioned here.
Route of Kurulu Trail
Key Destinations & Journey Map
Key Destinations
Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve
Kumana National Park
Nilgala Forest Reserve
Horton Plains
Tour Style
Expedition
Terrain
Mixed
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: Transfer to the remote Gal Oya region (approx. 3 hours).
Afternoon Boat Safari: 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 heading to the central highlands.
PART 3: High Altitude & Departure (Day 11–15)
Scenic Mountain Transfer: Transfer to the hill country town of Nuwara Eliya (approx. 3.5 hours).
Afternoon Relaxation: Take a leisurely city tour or relax at the hotel, acclimatizing to higher altitude.
Full-Day Trekking: Dedicated trekking in Horton Plains National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Focus on high-altitude endemics, including the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and the elusive Sri Lanka Bush Warbler.
Full-Day Trekking: Second full day exploring the cloud forest and montane grassland habitats, maximizing opportunities for the difficult-to-find plateau species.
Transfer to Colombo: Begin the scenic drive back towards the capital region (CMB) (approx. 5 hours).
Evening City Tour: Enjoy a final city tour, exploring Colombo's history and architecture.
Following breakfast, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your international departure, concluding the Kurulu Trail.
UNFORGETTABLE SIGHTS
what to see on this tour
Limited Availability
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