Detailed Trekking Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Arrival in Sinharaja
SCHEDULE
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Arrival in Sinharaja.
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Half day trek in the Sinharaja Rainforest in the afternoon.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel / fully-serviced campsite (FB).
Sinharaja rainforest has been designated as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also a Biodiversity Hotspot by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). All these titles are highlighting the importance of the forest reserve in terms of its exceptional biodiversity as well as its fragility. Birding in Sinharaja is particularly interesting since it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka!
Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. In English 'Sinharaja' translates to Lion (Sinha) King (Raja) alluding to a popular belief according to which the origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in this forest.
Day 2
Day 02 - Sinharaja Forest Reserve
SCHEDULE
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Optional birding trail early in the morning.
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Breakfast at the hotel / campsite.
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Half or full day trek in Sinharaja Rainforest.
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Lunch at the campsite / hotel, or in a suitable location along the trail.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel / campsite.
From the calls of birds and the rumbling noise of the Gin Ganga River to the fresh air filtered by its ancient trees, the colourful species of frogs and the bright flowers, Sinharaja leaves you in awe of nature and how species have evolved to suit the environment. It is said that in Sinharaja one square mile may have higher biodiversity than the entire North American continent. Most importantly, this area has a high concentration of endemic species. 20 out of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic bird species, including the Sri Lanka blue magpie and the green-billed coucal, are found in Sinharaja. In addition, it is home to several species of reptiles, such as green-pit and hump-nosed vipers, and some rare species of horned lizards. Also, a few elephants and leopards and many smaller mammals including the rusty spotted cat, purple-faced leaf monkey, fishing cat, mongooses and civets inhabit the forests of Sinharaja.
