Day 2 & 3After breakfast head north along the coast to the Mudhouse, an eco-retreat located in the North West district of Puttalam. En route, visit the Annaiwilundawa wetland sanctuary with its seven tanks are recognized as some of the most important habitats for both resident and migratory birds. 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. Continue on to Anamaduwa. Set amidst a jungle thicket shaded by Tamarind trees, is the Mudhouse – a village style escape where guests stay in wattle and daub huts, eat traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry cooked over a hearth and share the surrounding wilderness with birds, butterflies, and buffalo. The surrounding areas offer many interesting and adventurous activities. The lake adjacent to the Mudhouse is ideal for swimming or bird watching. The Paramankanda Rock Temple, just minutes away from Mudhouse, has ancient frescoes, rock inscriptions and Buddha statues that are being studied by the Archeological Department. Explore the surrounding village and experience rural village life.

Day 4 & 5This morning you head to Polonnaruwa situated within the Cultural Triangle in the North Central Province. Stay the next two nights at the Royal Lotus Hotel set on a hillock overlooking the scenic Giritale Reservoir. Wake up early the next day, preferably before dawn armed with a picnic breakfasts, for a morning safari at Minneriya National Park - an important wetland park feeding thousands of hectares of paddy fields and supporting many aquatic birds and about 300 wild elephants. This 8,890 hectare park of dry evergreen forest, scrub jungle, and grassy plains are dominated by the Minneriya Tank. During the dry season in August/September, herds of up to 150 elephants can be seen here.

Explore the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa – which became Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital in 1073 and remained Sri Lanka’s capital until the late 13th century. Today, the ancient city’s ruins remain in remarkably good repair. The most impressive are the ancient sculptures of Lord Buddha at the Gal Viahara, cut into Granite stone dating back to the middle of the 12th century. The entire sculpture consists of four colossal statues of Buddha - a samadhi image in meditation posture, a seated Buddha image inside a cave, a standing Buddha image which is 23 ft in height, and recumbent Buddha image measuring 46 ft, depicting the passing away.

Day 6, 7 & 8Journey south directly from Giritale to the remote village of Laggala in the Knuckles Conservation Range. This is an interesting journey that takes you along the jungles of Wasgomuva. Once at Laggala, check into Sir John’s bungalow – a welcoming guesthouse situated about 1,000 metres above sea level. Located within the district of Kandy and Matale in central Sri Lanka, the Knuckles Mountain Range consists of several mountain peaks and a wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna. Declared a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site, the Knuckles Conservation Range is a storehouse of rich biodiversity. Trek through dense forests, along rivers and waterfalls, past tea plantations and terraced paddy fields and visit some of the small rural village communities. Go on an adventurous jeep safari into the Wasgomuva National Park home to wild elephants, deer and numerous species of birds.

Day 9 & 10Much pleasure awaits you this morning as you head off to Dickoya in the central tea-growing highlands through a romantic landscape that stirs the senses. The highlands are a land of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls. Stay two nights at Mandira Strathdon, a colonial period planter’s bungalow set on an extensive tea plantation. Take a stroll through the tea estate and visit the tea factory to learn of the famous Ceylon Tea.

Rest and prepare for the night time climb up Adam’s Peak. Visited by thousands of pilgrims from many faiths, Adam’s Peak is an enriching experience. The hike up to the peak will take approximately 2.5 hours. The climb is possible from December to April and best attempted at night where you reach the mountain top to see the sunrise and the breath taking views. The surrounding Adam’s Peak forest reserve is home to numerous species of birds and butterflies.

Day 11 & 12Journey to the western foot hills of the central highlands. Stay two nights at the Borderlands Riverside Camp in Kitulgala. This is an area with tropical rainforests, winding rivers and an undulating terrain. Kitulgala owes its popularity to the Kelani River which offers exciting Grade 3 rapids for rafting. Rise to the sound of bird call and the gushing waters of the mighty Kelani; go white water rafting, canyoning or hiking.

Day 13Today you head back to the capital city of Colombo for your final night. Check into Villa Talangama, a luxurious villa 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, a lake and birds everywhere perched on the veranda, on trees, and on the buffalo that relax on the lakeside. The surrounding Talangama wetlands is a birder’s paradise with over 45 species of birds inhabiting this area including Purple Swamp hens, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, White-breasted Water hens and Spotted Doves, along with the endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkeys, water monitors and numerous species of butterflies.