Sandwich Bird Tours

Sri Lanka: Bespoke Tours Itineraries

 To run at your choice of dates subject to availability

Outline Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive in Sri Lanka. Transfer to Kithulgala for one night.

Day 02 Drive to Sinharaja Rainforest for endemics. 3 nights at Sinharaja.

Day 03 Full day explore Sinharaja.

Day 04 Full day explore Sinharaja.

Day 05 Drive to Tissamaharama for three nights. Explore hotel gardens.

Day 06 Local wetlands at Tissamaharama.

Day 07 Local wetlands at Tissamaharama.

Day 08 Drive to Nuwara Eliya for montane endemics & specialties. 2 nights at Nuwara Eliya.

Day 09 Local wetlands at Nuwara Eliya.

Day 10 Drive down to Kandy. Royal Botanical Gardens. 1 night at Kandy.

Day 11 Drive to Katunayake. En route stop at several spots. 1 night at Katunayake.

Day 12 Departure.

Costs (Valid until 30 October, 2009).

2 persons: cost per person based on double/twin occupancy £1,500

3-5 persons: cost per person based on double/twin occupancy £1,390

6 persons: cost per person based on double/twin occupancy £1260

Single Supplement: £160

Prices include: Accommodation based on double/twin sharing basis with private facilities for 11 nights, transportation in a comfortable A/C vehicle (car for 2 persons, micro van for 3-6 persons & a mini bus for 7-12 persons), all meals starting from dinner on day 1 and ending from dinner on day 11, Local guiding by Amila Salgado, Sri Lanka dragonfly and natural history checklist, entrances tickets & taxes.

Prices excludes: Flights, insurance, tips, peak season supplements between 20, December-10, January, compulsory Christmas & New Year special dinner supplements & other personal expenses.

Introduction.

With 117 species of Odonata including a staggering 53 endemics, Sri Lanka truly is a global dragonfly hotspot. With 103 River basins, over 10,000 man-made inland reservoirs & associated water canals - most of which have turned into wetlands with the test of time, you are never too far from dragonflies in Sri Lanka. Add to this equation a photo guide to Sri Lankan Odonates published in 2007 and a local leader knowledgeable of dragonflies, it isn't surprising why Sri Lanka is emerging as a top dragonfly watching destination. This holiday focuses on observing and photographing the island's abundant Odonatofauna in real quick time and is suitable for all times of the year as winged adults are found throughout the year in Sri Lanka

One of the key attributes of this holiday is its high-quality interpretive natural history guiding by Amila Salgado who counts over 20 years field experience in the wilds of Sri Lanka. He has been chasing dragonflies since school days but he really got hooked on them in 2004. One of the species that he photographed at Sinharaja rain forest in mid 2006 turned out to be an entirely new species (Lyriothemis sp. nov.) confirmed by his dragonfly mentor; Odonatologist; Matjaz Bedjanic and is awaiting formal description by another expert. He was also the first to photograph the Libelluid: Coastal Pennant at Weerawila, which is missing in the pages of ‘Dragonfly Guide’ of Sri Lanka. This is in addition to Amber-winged Glider that he bagged in his home garden, which had also not graced the pages of his  Photo Guide in colour. His home garden is quite rich in Odonata one of his garden special include the rare and endemic Clubtail; Sri Lanka Forktail of which the female was not known until recently.

Amila has photographed 83% of the Libelluids in Sri Lanka and holds edge over most guides offered by most competitors by also being a top hunter of dragons, photographically speaking. In addition to dragonflies he is conversant in many other aspects of natural history such as, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, fish, botany & related disciplines such as ecology, biogeography, & behavioural ecology. More importantly, he also knows how to convey all these in a palatable way!

Amila is also passionate & knowledgeable about the culture and is also licensed to guide in all cultural sites in Sri Lanka, which makes him a jack-of-all-trades. He will be flexible to accommodate your needs whether you are a keen dragonfly observer, a single-minded photographer chasing dragons or an even more serious post dinner scrabble player!

The itinerary covers a variety of habitat types, which include lowland rainforests, well-wooded gardens, lily-covered inland reservoirs, grasslands, scrublands, monsoon forests, coastal mudflats, imposing riverine forests & misty cloud forests. As such the tour combines a variety of local faunal zones and ensures a good yield in real quick time.

Our walks will be slower paced to enable better opportunity to spot & enjoy dragonflies. Almost 90% of our walks will be on flat or gently sloping terrain. Amila will carry his Kowa TSN 823 telescope during most walks to scope dragonflies that remain in one place for better clarity.   This will be particularly helpful for those new to tropics or not wanting to lug a telescope along personally.

In order to save up precious field time, a variety of accommodation is used closer to the sites visited with the aim of keeping the drive time to a minimum and to make efficient use of the time. These include a colonial Rest-house, a family-run guest house, & several star-class hotels. Some of these hotels also have dragonfly rich pools in the hotel gardens. High quality of dining experiences complement great dragonfly watching in this excellent holiday with a fine mix of western and eastern delicacies from Sri Lankan rice and curry to international buffet dinners. Your breakfasts will be English-styled but the more adventurous could also optionally try local delights such as hoppers, egg hoppers, string hoppers (comes with no strings attached, except perhaps you have to opt for curry to push it down!), milk rice, roti, thosai, and pittu among other things!

Detailed Itinerary (Endemics birds in bold faced text)

KITHULGALA

Day 01 Arrive in Bandaranaiyake International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka and transfer to the wet lowlands of Kithulgala. A 2 1/2-hour drive is in prospect to reach our overnight retreat; Kithulgala Resthouse. If the arrival time is in the morning, we will stop at the home garden and local patch of the local tour leader, which is on the way. We will explore his happy hunting grounds for several high value targets. After this excellent introduction to Sri Lankan dragonflies, we will dive 20 minutes to our overnight accommodation Kithulgala Resthouse, where we stay overnight.

Dinner and overnight stay at Kithulgala Resthouse.

Target species: Dragonflies: Elusive Adjutant, Green Skimmer, Pink Skimmer, Variable Flutterer, Asian Pintail, Sombre-Lieutenant, Sri Lanka Forktail, Dingy Duskflyer, Scarlet Basker, Oriental Scarlet, Asian Groundling, Indian Duskhawker, Dawn Dropwing, Pruinosed Bloodtail (of lucky), Pied Parasol & Spine-legged Redbolt. Damselflies: Painted Waxtail, Yellow Waxtail & Malabar Spite.

Non-dragonfly highlights: Birds: dragonfly hunters such as Blue-tailed Bee-eater and Chestnut-headed Bee-Eater. Spiders: two Argiope spiders and Giant Wood Spider who have a liking for dragonflies. Mammals: Palm Squirrel and the endemic primate; Purple-faced Leaf Monkey.

Overnight: Kithulgala Resthouse is situated in the lush lowlands of Kithulgala overlooking the picturesque Kelani River & bird-rich Kithulgala Forest Reserve. The comfortable rooms of this colonial ‘rest house’ provide a peaceful setting for resting after a long flight as it is situated along a stretch of Kelani River with no rapids. The amply furnished rooms come with air-condition & bathroom with hot & cold water. This Resthouse is excellent for trying Sri Lankan meals such as rice and curry, string hoppers, but if it is too early for curry, you can also opt for western type meals.

SINHARAJA

Day 02-04 After breakfast, we will explore some patches at Kithulgala until midday. After lunch, we will drive to Sinharaja World Heritage Site Reserve, which represents the largest expanse of lowland rainforest in Sri Lanka and the premier site for endemic fauna and flora. We will check into our rain forest accommodation for three nights; Martin’s Simple Lodge, Sinharaja, which overlooks the virgin rain forest – just 200m from the forest’s main entrance.

Target species: Dragonflies: Spine-tufted Skimmer, Asian Skimmer, Marsh Skimmer, Sapphire Flutterer, Fruhstorfer’s Junglewatcher, Pale-faced Forestskimmer, Wall’s Grappletail, Yerbury’s Elf Restless Demon, Rapacious Flangetail,  Dawn Dropwing, Amber-winged Glider, Indigo Dropwing, the Lyriothemis sp. nov. which was first photographed by the local tour leader. Damselflies: Black-tipped Flashwing, Shinning Gossamerwing, Dark-glittering Threadtail, Jungle Threadtail and Blurry Forestdamsel.

Non Dragonfly highlights: Birds: Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, White-faced Starling, Sri Lanka Myna, Sri Lanka Junglefowl & Spot-winged Thrush. Butterflies: Sri Lanka Birdwing, Sri Lanka Tree Nymph, Cruiser, Giant King Crow, Tawny Rajah, Red-spot Duke, Five-bar Swordtail, Great Eggfly, Rustic, Three-spot Grass Yellow, Tailed Jay, Blue Glassy Tiger, & Tree Nymph., Botany: Ant plant, 45m canopy giants such as Dipterocarps & Shoreas sp. & Bamboo orchid., Mammals: Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, Slender Loris, Giant Squirrel, Layard’s Squirrel, & Dusky-striped Squirrel.

Overnight: Martin’s Simple Lodge – This family guest house situated just 200 m from the park’s entrance is run by Martin Wijesinghe a local villager who had assisted many scientists for field work when scientific studies of Sinharaja were started in the 70’s & 80’s. Consequently he is blessed with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the fauna and flora of the forest, which he willingly shares. Martin has put up several rooms to accommodate guests and they provide rustic but nevertheless comfortable base for serious nature explorers who would like to stay close to the forest. Some of those rooms now come with hot water. His restaurant and balcony offers spectacular views of the primary forest. Martin provides tasty Sri Lankan meals cooked by a team of his daughters.

TISSAMAHARAMA

Day 05-07 Long drive to the dry lowlands of Tissamaharama. En route, we will make several wayside stops in paddy fields and home gardens with small ponds. Our accommodation is Priyankara Hotel, Tissamaharama (aka Tissa!), which has a large dragonfly rich pond. Over day 06 & 07, we will explore several ancient man-made reservoirs in the vicinity including Debara-wewa, Pannagamuwa, Tissamaharama, Weerawila. We will also spend midday in the hotel gardens, which is rich in Odonatofauna.

Target species: Dragonflies: Pruinosed Bloodtail, Sombre Lieutenant, Pink Skimmer, Variable Flutterer, Paddyfield Parasol, Spine-legged Redbolt, Transvestite Clubtail, Dancing Dropwing, Wandering Glider, Foggy-winged Twister, Scarlet Basker, Blue Percher, Asian Groundling, & Oriental Scarlet, Damselflies: Oriental Green-wing, Adam’s Jewel, Green’s Gem, Wandering Wisp, Dawn Bluetail, Blue Sprite, Sri Lanka Orange-faced Sprite, Yellow Waxtail, Common Bluetail plus several species which may require photographic evidence to tell apart.

Non-dragonfly highlights: Birds: Sri Lanka Swallow, Green Bee-eater, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Stork-billed Kingfisher, & Yellow-wattled Lapwing. Butterflies: Plain Tiger, Crimson Rose, Lime Butterfly, Common Jezebel, Grey Pansy, Peacock Pansy, Lemon Emigrant & Psyche. Reptiles: Common & Green Garden Lizards, Land & Water Monitors & Mugger Crocodile. Mammals: Asian Elephant, Ruddy Mongoose & Hanuman Langur.

Overnight: Priyankara Hotel is a comfortable base to explore the bird-rich wetlands of Tissamaharama & Bundala National Park. The amply furnished A/C rooms come with ensuite bathroom with hot & cold water, fan & TV. The hotel offers excellent choice of food. The hotel has a well stocked bar. A pool will be available by summer 2007. 

NUWARA ELIYA

Day 08-09 After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the friendly staff at Priyankara Hotel and drive up to the cooler hills of Nuwara Eliya where several montane specials await us. En route, we will make several stops in dragonfly rich gardens. Thereafter, we will reach our cosy overnight retreat for two nights; Alpine Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. Afternoon, we will explore several dragonfly patches around the hotel. Day 09 will be spent in a combination of wetlands looking for montane specials.

In one of the nights, we will go out for dinner to St Andrew’s Hotel, Nuwara Eliya to enjoy a five-course fine dining style dinner.

Target species: Dragonflies: Triangle Skimmer, Red-veined Darter, Dingy Duskfly, Brook Hooktail, Rivultet Tiger, Indian Duskhawker, Damselflies: Mountain Reedling, Yellow Featherleg, Dark-shouldered Cornuted Shadowdamsel, Dark-Knob-tipped Shadowdamsel.

Non-dragonfly highlights: Birds: Yellow-eared Bulbul, Dull-blue Flycatcher, Sri Lanka White-eye. Mammals: Sambar & Bear Monkey the montane race of the vegetarian Purple-faced Leaf Monkey of lowlands, Reptiles: Rhino-horned Lizard, Black-lipped Lizard & Dwarf Chameleon.

Overnight: Alpine Hotel is situated just  smack in the middle of Nuwara Eliya. The well furnished hotel rooms offer TV & ensuite facilities. The hotel offers excellent food & friendly service.

KANDY

Day 10 After an enjoyable birding breakfast,we will drive to Kandy (477m), the cultural-epicentre where age-old rituals continue at the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic. Kandy was the last Sinhalese kingdom in Sri Lanka, which was ceded to the British in 1815. En route we will pause at a tea factory to see the production process of the famous ‘Ceylon tea’. After a good cuppa we will reach our accommodation; Hotel Suisse, Kandy. In the afternoon we will explore the Royal Botanical Gardens to bag any more pending targets. This magnificent garden covers an area of 147 acres and is an absolute botanical paradise. Those who are keen may also visit the historic Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic, which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha for a cultural diversion before dinner and overnight stay.

Target species: Dragonflies: Dawn Dropwing aka Crimson Dropwing, Spine-legged Redbolt, Blue Pursuer, Yerbury’s Elf, & Pale-faced Forestskimmer plus some of the species seen at Sinharaja.  

Non-dragonfly highlights: Birds: Yellow-fronted Barbet, Layard’s Parakeet, Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler, Sri Lanka Small Barbet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Swallow, Mammals: A noisy colony of Giant Fruit bats.Botany: Giant Jawa Fig, which covers an area of 1,600 sq.ft, Double coconut, Drunken Pine avenue, Cannon-ball tree & orchid house in the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Overnight:Hotel Suisse is situated smack in the middle of the ‘World Heritage’ city of Kandy which is also the second largest one in Sri Lanka. The hotel was used as the Headquarters of the South East Asia Command under Lord Louis Mountbatten during the World War-2 but its actual history run to the 17th century! This three-star hotel comes with air-conditioned rooms with hot/cold water, large swimming pool, decent shopping arcade, large restaurant, & bar.

KATUNAYAKE

Day 11. After breakfast, we will explore a patch close to the hotel to scope any missing dragons. Thereafter, we will have the option to do a city tour and hunt for some bargains at the ‘World heritage city’ of Kandy before driving to our final accommodation of this tour; the Good Wood Plaza Hotel, Katunayake which is a transit hotel just 3 minutes from the Airport. We will make our final log of the checklist before enjoying our farewell dinner in the hotel’s specialty Chinese restaurant. You will be transferred to the Airport later tonight or early hours of the following day for departure.

Overnight: Accommodation Profile: Situated right in front of the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, 3 minutes from the main departure terminal, Hotel Good Wood Plaza is just the perfect base for our final night. The comfortable rooms come with A/C & private facilities with hot/cold water.  This cosy transit hotel also has a bar, restaurant and a pool. 

DEPARTURE

Day 12 Departure.

Tour Leader: Amila Salgado

Amila is an all-round naturalist and counts over 20-years of field experience in the wilds of Sri Lanka

He has been chasing dragonflies since school days but he really got hooked on them in 2004. One of the species that he photographed at Sinharaja rain forest in mid 2006 turned out to be an entirely new species (Lyriothemis sp. nov.) confirmed by his dragonfly mentor; Odonatologist; Matjaz Bedjanic and is awaiting formal description by another expert. He was also the first to photograph the Libelluid: Coastal Pennant at Weerawila, which is missing in the pages of ‘Dragonfly Guide’ of Sri Lanka. In addition to the Amber-winged Glider that he bagged long time ago in his home garden which has also not graced the Guide in colour. His home garden is quite rioch in Odonata and one of his garden specials includes the rare and endemic Clubtail; Sri Lanka Forktail of which the female was not known until recently.

Amila started close up photography of dragonflies with a digital camera with x 4 optical zoom, which required him to approach them quite close to go macro. Soon after he got a x 18 optical zoom digital camera, which more space to work around. Those early skills of approaching dragons close have not been wasted, now that he is sees himself as a fully-fledged dragonfly photographer having switched to dSLR photography with  a Canon40D with f2.8 100mm Macro Lens. He also carried a Kowa TSN 823 telescope to scope any dragonfly that wait still long enough and will be flexible to accommodate your needs whether you are a keen dragonfly observer, a single-minded photographer chasing dragons or an even more serious post dinner scrabble player!

Itinerary © Amila Salgado.

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