Day 1 & 2Arrive in Sri Lanka and transfer directly from the airport to Villa Talangama set on a quiet lakeside in the suburbs of Colombo. The villa setting is best described as a 'village in the city' surrounded by paddy fields and the Talangama wetlands – one of the best places near Colombo to see some fascinating water birds and waders. Over a hundred species of birds have been recorded here including the Black and Yellow Bitterns, Purple Swamp hen, White-throated, Pied and Common Kingfishers, Purple Heron, Lesser Whistling-duck, and the Pheasant-tailed Jacana. During the day visit Talangama and Bellanwila wetlands to hunt out more species of dragonflies and also visit the ancient Bellanwila Buddhist Temple which has a long and hallowed history. This ancient Buddhist temple houses elaborate statues of Buddha and frescoes depicting the life of Buddha from birth to enlightenment. For the more adventurous, there is an option bike ride from Talangama to the Kelaniya Temple through rural Colombo. This temple ha a history that dates back nearly 2,500 years and is situated beside the Kelani River.

Day 3 & 4Today you travel to Kitulgala situated in situated in the western foothills, sandwiched between the west coast and the central highlands. This is an area of rolling hills, tropical rainforests and winding rivers. Check into the Royal River Resort situated on a rubber plantation for a two nights stay. Visit the Kelani Valley rain forest for some endemic birds, butterflies and Dragonflies. This small, lush primeval forest is home to about 54 rare species of birds, including the indigenous white owl. Kitulgala owes its popularity to the Kelani River which offers exciting Grade 3 and 4 rapids for rafting which is suitable for beginners and experienced rafters alike. Experience the thrills and spills of an exciting rafting adventure in a jungle paradise. Rafting mixes the ups and downs of rapids with calm sections that meander through the jungle clad mountains, tea and rubber plantations of the Kandyan hill country. The scenery is breathtaking.

Day 5 & 6Today you travel north to the central highlands - a stirring land of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks and gushing waterfalls. Check into St. Andrews Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Visit the St. Andrew’s wetland for dragonfly watching. We also recommend a visit to the Victoria Park located in the centre of the city for birds and dragonflies. Some Himalayan migrants including the Kashmir Flycatcher, Pied Thrush Indian Pitta, and the Indian Blue Robin can be spotted here. Located nearby is the Gregory’s Lake, home to the Black-throated Munia, Paddyfield Pipit, Pied Bush Chat, Pintail Snipes, Zitting Cisticola, Plain Prinia, Blyth's Reed Warbler and also the Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler. The wild expanse of Horton Plains National Park, more than 7,000 feet above sea level, offers a memorable start to the following day. The walk to 'World's End' and "Little World's End" offers one of the finest views in Sri Lanka. With a mixture of grasslands and forests, including the last montane forest in the country, Horton Plains have a healthy variety of birds to watch. Just 20 kilometres from Nuwara Eliya, the park offers the chance to observe dragonflies, butterflies and five endemic bird species that can be seen only at this altitude. These include the Sri Lanka Bush Warbler, Dull-Blue flycatcher, Yellow-eared Bulbul, the elusive Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and the Sri Lanka Woodpigeon. Other species include the Black Bird, Indian Blue Robin, Zitting Cisticola, Pacific Swallow, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Jerdon’s Baza, Crested Goshawk and Indian Pied Bush Chat. Mammals include plenty of Sambar, the Slender Loris, Bear Monkey and, occasionally, a Leopard. The Park has a diversity of endemic lizards such as Rhino-horned Lizard, Black- lipped Lizard and Dwarf Chameleon. This is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to roam around freely inside.

Day 7 & 8Travel to Sri Lanka's hill capital, the small lakeside city of Kandy. Stay two nights at Hunas Falls hotel situated high in the hills near Elkaduwa. The hotel enjoys one of the most scenic settings in Sri Lanka. Explore the surrounding mountains and the wilderness. Trek to Knuckles wilderness which is home to numerous species of birds, butterflies, and animals such as deer and wild boar. Walk in the Simpson’s trail and look for some Grosamerwings, Emeralds, Jewels, Skimmers and other stream species. Located within the district of Kandy and Matale in central Sri Lanka, the Knuckles mountain range (so called because of its appearance resembles a set of knuckles in a closed fist) consists of five mountain peaks with the highest point about 6,000 ft above sea level spanning over an extensive region covering 155 sq.km of the island. A wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna makes this wilderness area a storehouse of rich biodiversity. Treks through dense forests, along rivers and waterfalls, past tea plantation and terraced paddy fields, and along the way, visit some of the small rural village communities. Experience the ancient Kandyan heritage with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth were a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined Buddha is enshrined since 4th Century A.D. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) are held daily at dawn, midday and dusk. The services are accompanied with traditional music and drumming.

Day 9 & 10journey to Sigiriya in the north central province where you will stay two nights at Vil Uyana situated just minutes from the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look for dragonflies in the mad-made wetlands that surround Vil Uyana which helps conservation of the species. Built in the 5th century by King Kasyapa, the remains of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress atop the tabletop mountain, coupled with the colourful frescos and the symmetrical royal gardens, are amazing feats of this period. The surrounding Sigiriya sanctuary is home to numerous species of Dragonflies, butterflies and birds including the Orange-headed Thrush, Purple Sunbird, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama and Shahin Falcon. Look for the rare Blue-eared Kingfisher around the Sigiriya Moat. You can also get a chance to see all three types of Primates here: the dry zone race of the endemic Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and the Grey Langer. When climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress look out for the Shaheen Falcon (sub species of the Paragin Falcon) hawking for House Swifts close to the Rock. Visit the Minneriya National Park, best known for the biggest gathering of Asian Elephants. This 8,890 hectare park which is dominated by an ancient lake, is also home to large gatherings of water birds and migrants. Lesser Adjutants, Comarants, Spot-billed Pelicans, Painted Storks are some of the common birds here.

Day 11, 12 & 13Journey to the beautiful North West coast where you will stay at Alankuda Beach - an eco-retreat designed with rustic style situated on a deserted two kilometer stretch of pristine private beach near Kalpitiya. Spend three nights here relaxing by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Explore the fishing village of Kalpitiya and the Dutch period church – St. Anne’s in Thalawilla. Alankuda’s boathouse is well equipped with safety vests and boats to take guests out to sea. During the season from November to April, hundred of Dolphins can be spotted and if you are lucky, further into the deep seas, you may even spot a Blue Whale. Coral reefs offer much to see for marine enthusiasts with an array of exotic tropical fish, and the deep seas off the Gulf of Mannar in Kalpitiya, is also home to stingrays and several species of Marine turtles. There is also snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, kite and wind surfing. Visit the the nearby Annaiwilundawa Wetland Sanctuary. Annaiwilundawa meaning ‘seven wetlands or tanks’ in the local Tamil language, refers to a cluster of freshwater tanks within the sanctuary. These wetlands are also some of the most important nesting sites for water birds such as the Asian Open-bills, Painted Storks, all specie of Egrets, Little Indian & the endangered Great Cormorants, Spot-billed Pelican and Black-headed Ibis. This wildlife sanctuary is also very good for Butterfly and Dragonfly watching.