Sri Lanka Bird Watching Tour

Day 01: Hikkaduwa
[Hikkaduwa] On arrival, you will be received by eLand Holidays representative who will assist your transfer to Hikkaduwa. Located in the southern province of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is a small town approx 17 km north-west of Galle. It has gained recognition as a fun beach side destination with surfing, corals and night life being the highlights. Board surfers from every nook and corner find the surfing waves of the town extremely inevitable. For the past five years, every November the National Championship of the Japanese Pro Surfers� Association has been held in Hikkaduwa. Nightlife of Hikkaduwa is as vibrant as colors of a rainbow. Food, drinks, dance and music - things that will add to your tour all fun and entertainment, are the highlights.
On arrival at Hikkaduwa, check in at your pre booked hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.
Overnight will be at the hotel.

Day 02: Excursion in Hikkaduwa
[Excursion in Hikkaduwa] After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit Koggala Lake few kilometers away from the un-crowded town Koggala. Koggala Lake and Koggala River attract many nature worshippers every year. Sprinkled with rocky islands and festooned with mangroves, it is a tranquil and attractive lagoon. Vibrant birdlife is the major fascination for wildlife observers and photographers. Lagoon also supplies prawns in great quantity. One can visit the various islands of the lake through motor boat trips and catamaran rides. One of the must visit sites is the Buddhist temple located on one of the islands. Many travelers visit the temple on full moon days (poya days). Later in the evening, pump up the excitement with water sport activities and come back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03: Hikkaduwa - Galle
[Hikkaduwa - Galle] Post breakfast, leave for a city tour in Galle, a city located on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka. This city met ultimate development during Dutch colonial session in the 18th century. Gin River is the major river that flourishes the city and before reaching the sea at Ginthota, it flows through Gongala Kanda and passes villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada, and Wakwella. In Wakwella, the river is complimented by the longest bridge of Sri Lanka - Wakwella Bridge.

This fortified city is one of the best examples built by the Europeans in south Asia. Blend of European architectural styles and south Asian traditions is clearly depicted by the monuments and forts of the city. Visit the famous Galle fort - a world heritage site and Asia�s largest remaining fortress built by European rulers. The natural harbor, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, the National Maritime Museum and the historic luxury hotel Amangalla are the popular highlights of the city.
Later in the evening you will visit Bundala Bird sanctuary. For migratory water birds in Sri Lanka this globally significant National Park serves as an important wintering ground. Besides the highlight Greater Flamingo, it harbors 197 species of Birds. Bundala wetland is the first Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. In 2005, it was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 04: Galle - Nuwara-Eliya
[Galle - Nuwara-Eliya] Post breakfast; proceed towards Nuwara-Eliya a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft). Considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka, Nuwara-Eliya is dominated by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain of the country. This beautiful town was discovered by Samuel Baker, who also founded Lake Albert and explored the Nile in 1846. In the colonial days, this town served the British officers as their summer getaway where they could enjoy in their free time. Whole of the town represents colonial architecture and designs. Besides retaining features from the colonial period, the present day hotels are also given a colonial touch. Enjoy fishing on Lake Gregory, Horton Plains National Park and visit the Hindu Temple "Seetha Kovil" (Hanuman Kovil) located in the village called "Seetha Eliya".

Visit Victoria Park. It is an intriguing and often used oasis. Wildlife viewers, especially bird watchers find great opportunities at this place. Here, you will get to see variety of species with special reference to Indian Blue Robin, Pied Thrush or Scaly Thrush wandering in the denser brushwood. In the park, you may also spot the attractive Kashmir Flycatcher.
Come back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 05: Nuwara-Eliya - Kandy
[Nuwara-Eliya - Kandy] After early morning breakfast, proceed towards Kandy - a UNESCO world heritage city. On your way visit Nalanda Gedige. It is said about this place that Nalanda Gedige is �one of those fortunate places that have no history.� Gedige is an image house with the whole place being named after the great Buddhist University at Nalanda in India. Located at a picturesque location this site reveals unique architecture of Sri Lanka, and an unusual synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Later drive towards Kandy. Amidst of undulating hills in the Kandy plateau, you will visit one of the most scenic cities of Sri Lanka, Kandy - the last capital of the primeval kings' epoch of Sri Lanka. Present day Kandy is a significant religious centre of the Sinhalese and a highly revered pilgrimage center by Buddhists specifically those belonging to Theravada School. Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most esteemed places for the Buddhist society of Sri Lanka and all around the world, finds shelter in Kandy. The Royal Palace of Kandy is another popular tourist attraction of the region. Temple of the Tooth Relic was originally a part of this complex. Today it houses National Museum Kandy which exhibits an extensive assortment of objet d'art that belongs to the Kandy Kingdom and the British colonial rule.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 06: Kandy - Sigiriya
[Kandy - Sigiriya] After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for Dambulla Rock temple, the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of the country. Caves of the region, it is believed that, provided shelter to King Valagamba for 14 long year after banishment from the Anuradapura kingdom. King was protected from his enemies by the Buddhist monks who used the caves of Dambulla for mediation at that time. In the 1st century BC, King Valagamba returned back to the sovereignty at Anuradapura kingdom and built a magnificent rock temple as a gesture of gratefulness to the monks in Dambulla. Later in the evening enjoy bird watching and elephant ride.
Check in at your pre booked hotel for overnight stay.

Day 07 - Sightseeing in Sigiriya
[Sightseeing in Sigiriya] Visit the Sigiriya Rock temple. You have to climb to reach the relics of an upper palace located on the flat surface of the rock. 4th century AD King Kasyapa used this ancient castle which at present is considered to be eighth wonder of the world. Besides the relics of the palace, this place exhibits the Lion Gate, the mirror wall, lower palace that adhere to the slopes below the rock and gardens which are expanded for some hundreds of meters.
Come back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08: Sigiriya - Colombo
[Sigiriya - Colombo] After Breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to Colombo. En-route, visit an Elephant orphanage at Pinnawala. Observe baby jumbos marveling around their confined foster home being bottle fed and bathed by their human foster fathers. Started in 1972, this orphanage shelter 60 or more elephant babies. Just in front of the orphanage at Ma Oya, sharp at 10.00am and 2.00pm, these jumbos enjoy bathing and offer a visual treat to the visitors.
On arrival at Colombo, check in at your pre booked hotel. Colombo, the former capital of Sri Lanka, is the largest and the most vibrant city of the nation. Here you will notice a perfect blend of the modernity with the buildings and remnants of Colonial era. Districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara together define the Colombo Metropolitan Region. It possesses a large harbor which is strategically located along the East-West sea trade routes. With all credit to this harbor, Colombo was known to the ancient traders 2,000 years ago. After giving it up to the British Empire in 1815, Colombo became the capital and retained this status even after the independence until 1978 when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Colombo then was selected as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

You will visit the old Parliament building which stands majestically in the Fort district. The Old Colombo Lighthouse is located in close proximity to old parliament building. Proceed to the famous Cargills & Millers complex in the Fort District which is conserved by special government law from demolition mainly to preserve the historic beauty of the Fort area.
Overnight stay will be in Colombo at the hotel.

Day 09: Departure for Onward Destination
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred by the eLand Holidays representative to the Colombo International airport. Catch flight for your onward destination bidding adieu to this wonderful tour!