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10-Day Grand Sri Lanka Discovery

📍 Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala, Mirissa, Galle

Duration10 Days / 9 Nights

Group Size1 – 4 people

Best TimeDec – Mar

DifficultyModerate

Overview

The complete island: ancient cities, tea country, a wildlife safari and the southern coast in one trip. This itinerary is fully customisable — every SerenLanka journey is built around your dates, pace and interests by a local destination expert.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Airport to Negombo

Warm welcome at the airport by your SerenLanka representative and a smooth transfer to your hotel in Negombo. Check in, unwind, and rest after your journey, ready for the days of birding ahead.

Day 2 — Negombo to Wasgamuwa

Start with a morning boat safari on the Negombo Lagoon, a rich wetland where herons, egrets, kingfishers and other waterbirds feed among the mangroves. Then drive to Wasgamuwa and check in at Cavendish Wild Safari for a peaceful night close to the wilderness.

Day 3 — Wasgamuwa to Kitulgala

Explore Wasgamuwa National Park, a remote reserve of forest, scrub and riverine habitat known for its birdlife and wildlife. After the visit, continue to Kitulgala and settle in at the Kitulgala Rest House beside the rainforest.

Day 4 — Kitulgala to Sinharaja

Depart Kitulgala and travel towards Sinharaja Forest Reserve, one of Sri Lanka's most important rainforest ecosystems and a renowned destination for birdwatching. Explore the forest surroundings and begin discovering its rich biodiversity, including Sri Lanka's endemic bird species. Overnight in the Sinharaja area.

Day 5 — Full-Day Sinharaja Rainforest Trek

Spend a full day trekking through the Sinharaja Rainforest, accompanied by the sounds and sights of the forest. Explore its dense vegetation, streams and forest trails while looking for endemic and other rainforest bird species. This is a dedicated nature and birdwatching day, offering plenty of opportunities for photography and wildlife observation. Overnight at Birds Paradise Hotel.

Day 6 — Sinharaja to Udawalawe

Leave Sinharaja and travel towards Udawalawe National Park. The journey takes you from the wet-zone rainforest into the drier landscapes of southern Sri Lanka. In the evening, enjoy an Udawalawe National Park safari, where you can observe elephants and a variety of birds and other wildlife. Overnight at Centauria Wild Hotel, Udawalawe.

Day 7 — Udawalawe to Bundala to Tissamaharama

Continue towards Bundala National Park, an important wetland sanctuary and an excellent location for birdwatching. Enjoy a wildlife and birdwatching visit to the park, exploring its lagoons, wetlands and coastal habitats. Afterwards, continue to Tissamaharama and check in at EKHO Safari Tissa, your accommodation for the night.

Day 8 — Tissamaharama to Yala & Return to Tissamaharama

Travel from Tissamaharama to Yala National Park for a dedicated birdwatching and wildlife experience. Explore the park's diverse habitats, including forests, lagoons and grasslands, while observing its rich birdlife and other wildlife. After the park visit, return to Tissamaharama for the night.

Day 9 — Tissamaharama to Galle & Southern Beach

Depart Tissamaharama and travel along the scenic southern coastline towards Galle. Explore the historic city and enjoy the coastal atmosphere. Along the way, experience the traditional stilt fishermen, a distinctive cultural feature of Sri Lanka's southern coast. Continue to your Southern Beach accommodation and relax by the coast.

Day 10 — Galle to Colombo & Airport

Enjoy some final leisure time on the Southern Beach before beginning your journey towards Colombo. Continue to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your Sri Lankan birdwatching and wildlife adventure to an end.