Bird Watching and Cycling in Kitulgala - Full Day

Discover the beauty of nature and adventure with our carefully curated local tours in Sri Lanka, designed for travelers who want to experience the island beyond the usual highlights. This full-day Kitulgala journey combines rich biodiversity, cultural scenery, and light adventure, starting with an immersive birdwatching experience at Makandawa Forest Reserve.

Tour Highlights

• Enjoy an immersive birdwatching experience at Makandawa Forest Reserve, home to many of Sri Lanka’s rare endemic bird species
• Cross the river by boat and explore the rich biodiversity of Kitulgala’s rainforest ecosystem
• Spot unique wildlife including squirrels, monkeys, reptiles, and amphibians along the Kelani River
• Relax with a scenic riverside buffet lunch at Plantation Hotel
• Cycle through local villages, rubber plantations, and lush landscapes to reach Belilena Cave
• Discover Belilena Cave, known for its bat colonies and ancient fossils dating back over 30,000 years

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tour Route: Kithulgala
Duration: Full Day
Departure Date: No fixed departure. Anytime you wish!
Start/ End: Kithulgala/ Kithulgala
Tour Customizable: Definitely! Tell us your interests

FULL ITINERARY

• 08:00 You will be picked up from Plantation Hotel and transferred by tuk-tuk to begin a birdwatching excursion at Makandawa Forest Reserve, a rich habitat for Sri Lanka’s endemic flora and fauna.

• 08:30 A highlight of visiting the Kitulgala forest is the scenic boat ride across the river. The reserve is home to many lowland endemic bird species such as the Green-billed Coucal, Chestnut-backed Owlet, Red-faced Malkoha, Sri Lanka Spot-winged Thrush, Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Ceylon Junglefowl, and Yellow-fronted Barbet.
• 10:00 As the tour continues, you may also encounter mammals like the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Layard’s Striped Squirrel, and Purple-faced Leaf Monkey. The streams support endemic fish and a variety of amphibians, while reptiles such as the Earless Lizard, Kangaroo Lizard, and Hump-nosed Lizard are often spotted among the vegetation along the Kelani River.

• 12:00 After completing the birdwatching experience, you will return to Plantation Hotel for a relaxing riverside buffet lunch.
• 13:30 Following lunch, set off on a cycling trip to Belilena Cave, offering a great opportunity to enjoy the surrounding landscapes and observe local village life.
• 14:00 Cycle along narrow trails through rubber plantations, lush jungle, and scenic mountain views before reaching Belilena Cave, situated on a hillside near Kitulgala.

• 14:30 Explore Belilena Cave, known for its cool, dark interior where thousands of bats reside. Near the entrance, you may also see vibrant butterflies. The cave is archaeologically significant, with fossils dating back around 32,000 years discovered here.
• 16:30 Conclude your cycling tour and return to Plantation Hotel.