Bird Watching & Trekking in Udawatta Kele Sanctuary 1
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Bird Watching & Trekking in Udawatta Kele Sanctuary

(3)
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Nature ToursBirdwatchingSafari & Wildlife
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About this activity

Explore one of Sri Lanka's premier bird sanctuaries on a guided 7-hour trek through Udawatta Kele Forest Reserve, a protected woodland hugging the ridge above Kandy. Combine ornithology with hiking through historic ruins and natural forest, spotting endemic and migratory species while discovering centuries-old Kandyan heritage.

Visitors can tour the asylum consistently from 6 am to 5 pm. Despite the fact that the whole garden was announced as timberland save in 1856 and overhauled as an asylum in 1938. This garden has an elite assortment of avifauna. Other than that it is one of the excellent winged creature asylums in Sri Lanka. Udawatta Kele is on a sloping edge stretching between the Temple of the Tooth and the Uplands- Aruppola suburbs. The most elevated point of the edge is 635 meters above ocean level and 115 meters over the close by Kandy Lake.

After breakfast or take away the breakfast, leave your hotel in Kandy around 6.30. 

With your private guide and stay fresh for your trek in the Udawattakele Forest Reserve. Exploring ruins from the Kingdom of Kandy, visit a cave where a hermit supposedly lived, and discover a wealth of bird, plant, and perhaps also animal life.

Enjoy a local lunch. Spot birds, plants, and so much more in the historic Udawattakele sanctuary.

Hike among nature and historic ruins and by the end of the day, we take you back to your hotel.

Highlights

  • ✓Early-morning birdwatching in pristine forest reserve (open since 1938)
  • ✓Trek through ridge landscape 115m above Kandy Lake, peak elevation 635m
  • ✓Explore ruins and hermitage caves from the Kingdom of Kandy period
  • ✓Spot endemic Sri Lankan birds, plants, and wildlife with expert naturalist guide
  • ✓Local lunch included; round-trip hotel transport from Kandy

Insider tips

  • ★Start at 6:30 am to catch peak bird activity during cooler morning hours—bring binoculars and a bird field guide specific to Sri Lanka
  • ★The ridge trail offers stunning vistas of Kandy town and the lake; wear sturdy hiking boots for uneven terrain
  • ★Pack rain gear year-round; the sanctuary is tropical and moisture-laden even in dry season

Good to know

  • •7-hour duration includes breakfast departure, trek, lunch, and return transport—plan accordingly if you have afternoon commitments
  • •Private guide included; group size not specified—confirm group composition when booking
  • •Sanctuary accessible 6 am–5 pm daily; trek difficulty moderate with steep sections on sloped terrain

Who it's for

Birdwatchers and ornithology enthusiastsHikers seeking cultural and natural history combinedNature photographers targeting endemic speciesHeritage and archaeology travellers interested in Kandyan kingdom sites

Best time to visit

Visit October to April for drier, cooler conditions and clearer forest visibility. Early morning (6:30 am departure) is essential for optimal bird activity, particularly during breeding season (Dec–Mar).

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€132
per person