Day 1 & 2Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, transfer to the luxurious Wallawwa, a newly opened boutique hotel located just 15 minutes from the International Airport. This refurbished manor house is an ideal haven for acclimatising to Sri Lanka’s tropical climes and rejuvenating after the long flight. Look out for butterflies in the Walawwa’s lush tropical gardens. Explore the Muthurajawella wetlands situated just 10 minutes from the Wallawwa. These wetlands cover an area of about 60 sq kms including the Negombo lagoon. The daily high tide brings in seawater from the ocean into the wetland. Continuous mixing of these two waters over thousands of years, has led to a brackish, integrated coastal ecosystem that is biologically diverse and teeming with life. A variety of mangroves and other types of flora including medicinal plants and fauna including numerous types of birds, dragonflies, butterflies and fish - some of which are endemic. Get an idea of the common species of butterflies found in Sri Lanka such as the Common Jezebel, Common Tiger, Plain Tiger, Blue Tiger & Common Palmfly & Indian Crow. Crocodiles, monitor lizards, and Sri Lanka’s largest snake – the Python, is also found here in the Muthurajawella marshes.

Day 3 & 4Head south to the Sinharaja rainforest. En route visit Bodhinagala forest which is an excellent site for butterflies some of which are endemic. Among them are Red-spot Duke, Tawny Rajah, Cruiser, Clipper and Cingalese Bush-brown. Other species found in this forest are Common and Streaked Sailor, Common Blue Bottle and Blue Admiral. Check into the Rainforest Edge eco-eco retreat for a two nights stay. The Sinharaja rainforest is Sri Lanka’s Heart of Darkness. Moist and muggy, murky and mysterious – an experience of Sinharaja is like nothing else in Sri Lanka. Trekking through this magnificent tropical jungle – the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island – you should be ready to pour with sweat as they make their way through a bewildering land of exotic colours and wonderful sounds. From top to bottom the forest is teeming with life whether it be gushing waterfalls, gurgling streams, ants marching, leaves rustling, leeches waiting (you’ve been warned!), crickets creaking or butterflies fluttering by. Apart from the very distinct atmosphere, which is created by this great cacophony of noise and movement, Sinharaja is particularly renowned as a hotspot for bird life. There are 140 bird species seen here during a calendar year including 34 out of 36 species endemic to Sri Lanka. And should your tracker manage to find you one of the ‘mixed hunting flocks’ all you will need to do is stand and savour. Sinharaja is also excellent for butterflies. Endemics like the Ceylon Birdwing, Common Tree Nymph, Red Helen can be spotted here. Other specialties are Southern Duffer, Great Crow, Blue Oakleaf, Spot Swordtail and Painted Sawtooth.

Day 7Head to Kandy for an overnight stay at the Thilanka Hotel bordering the Udawattakalle forest reserve. Visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Udawattakalle forests for some of the common butterflies including Lacewing, Rustic, Common Blue Bottle and Common Jay.

Day 8 & 9journey to the Cultural Triangle village of Sigiriya in the north central province where you will stay two nights at the Sigiriya Village hotel situated just minutes from the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The North Central province will give you a chance to spot some of the dry zone butterflies such as the Blue Pansy, Tiger species, Great Orange tip, White Orange tip and arguably one of the most beautiful butterflies found in Sri Lanka the Banded Peacock. Early next morning, climb the Sigirya rock fortress 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 10, 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 four 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 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.