Turkey, Goose or Red-Faced Malkoha for Christmas?

If your Christmas avian associations transcend Turkey or Goose, then join Naturetrek on its 17-day Christmas in Sri Lanka birdwatching and wildlife tour with cultural visits to the ancient city of Anuradhapura and the rock fortress at Sigiriya. The tour departs London 20th December 2008.

Not only does the timing of this tour offer tropical warmth in December and an escape from the excesses of Christmas, but it is also coincides with the visit to Sri Lanka of large numbers of wintering birds, including waders from Siberia and passerines from the Himalayan region. The tour kicks off with sightseeing within the ‘Golden Triangle’ of archaeological sites including the rock fortress at Sigiriya, famed for its ancient frescos of 500 heavenly maidens, and the former capital city of the Sinhalese kings, Anuradhapura, which has well preserved archaeological remains from as early as 4 BC.

Travel south to the island’s spice region for a 2-night stay in the city of Kandy. Here, visit nearby Peradiniya Botanical Gardens adorned with over 4,000 plant species, daytime roost for a large colony of Indian Flying foxes. Penetrate deeper into the hills to Nuwara Eliya, a Victorian Hill Station, where even a small urban park offers a fantastic variety of birds including Yellow-eared Bulbul and Pied Ground Thrush. Explore the fauna of Horton Plains with strange forests of stunted trees festooned with bromeliads, moorland stretching to ‘World’s End’ and a dramatic sheer escarpment.

Large mammals such as Leopard, Elephant, Sambar and Marsh Mugger Crocodile inhabit Yala National Park alongside Peacock and endemic Junglefowl bedecked in gaudy plumage. Visit Uda Walawe Reserve before the final highlight - Sinharaha Forest, now a Biosphere Reserve where 80% of the island’s endemic bird species occur and 60% of the trees are found nowhere else in the world. Resident birds include Red-faced Malkoha and Orange-billed Babbler, providing an exciting conclusion to a memorable Christmas holiday.

The tour costs £2,095 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, full board hotel and lodge accommodation and expert guiding.

For more information, log on to Naturetrek.co.uk.