Visitors are in a lush, foreboding environment because the sun is struggling to break through the forest’s upper canopy. The tourists, who are on a tour of Sinharaja jungle, could see every hue of green, hear the raging creek sound of crickets (Grylloidea; Laicharting), and sometimes hear the tranquil sounds of jungle birds. As all was going on, adjacent waterfalls were screaming nonstop, forcing the water down the rock. If you come into a colony of monkeys that abruptly appear in the top canopy and make a loud noise to inform you that it has been their home for many millennia, don’t be shocked.
The tour of Sinharaja jungle
Venturing on a tour of the Sinharaja jungle is on the bucket list of most nature lovers in Sri Lanka. Discovering this priceless treasure trove is best done by taking a tour from your resort. The Sinharaja rainforest is a rigorous natural reserve because of its biological significance, and it also carries the protection symbol of UNESCO World heritage Site. This blog article mostly covers the 18-trails that are suitable for a tour of Sinharaja jungle, as well as other important information you should know before starting your Sinharaja forest packages.
Visitors are in a lush, foreboding environment because the sun is struggling to break through the forest’s upper canopy. The tourists, who are on a tour of Sinharaja jungle, could see every hue of green, hear the raging creek sound of crickets (Grylloidea; Laicharting), and sometimes hear the tranquil sounds of jungle birds. As all was going on, adjacent waterfalls were screaming nonstop, forcing the water down the rock. If you come into a colony of monkeys that abruptly appear in the top canopy and make a loud noise to inform you that it has been their home for many millennia, don’t be shocked.
The tour of Sinharaja jungle and Udawalawe National Park
Seerendipity Tours offers reasonably priced one day trips to Sri Lanka. For additional information on many other Sri Lankan one-day activities, visit www.seerendipitytours.com.
Background of the Sinharaja Rainforest
Up to this day, Sinharaja had been untouched by damaging human activity since it was a part of Gondwana land. The top 10 biodiversity hotspots worldwide include Sinharaja. Since 1988, Sinharaja has been one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the island.
Legend has it that it was the home of a lion (the dwelling of a sinha), hence the name Sinharaja. One of the world’s oldest explorers, “Ibn Battuta” (1304 AD–1369), wrote the first historical account of Sinharaja.
According to Sarath, who guides us through the forest and imparts his knowledge of this important natural asset of Sri Lanka, it is almost impossible to go off course because of the bushes, trees, veins, and rough terrain. It can also be dangerous. The rainforest spreads over 8864 hectares (21903 acres).
2020 Sinharaja IUCN World Heritage Conservation Outlook Assessment
The “IUCN World Heritage Conservation Outlook Assessment,” which was just published on December 9, 2020, urges immediate action from pertinent parties as well as further conservation initiatives to preserve and restore values over the medium to long term. The analysis shows that within the last few centuries, the ecological value of the forest has drastically decreased. The Sinharaja rainforest is thus included in the category of “significant concern,” which refers to natural vegetations that are confronted with many challenges and inevitably pose a threat to the preservation of the forest values or are exhibiting indicators of degradation.
The Sinharaja rainforest, with its irreplaceable ecosystem and habitats essential to the survival of globally endangered species, is still a significant ecological treasure for the people of Sri Lanka, the report states.
The importance of the tour of Sinharaja jungle
There is no finer location in Sri Lanka for a jungle tour than the Sinharaja jungle. Not only is the Sinharaja rainforest the biggest on the island, but it is also well-developed to offer tourists all they need. For instance, the wildlife department has established offices at the primary rainforest entrances and offers guests knowledgeable guides to show them around the area as they learn about it. If necessary, visitors can locate lodging relatively near to the jungle; options include everything from opulent homes to inexpensive dorms.
The tour of Sinharaja jungle from Colombo
Tourists can book a tour of Sinharaja jungle from Colombo and most other resorts on the island. The one-day tour to the Sinharaja rainforest is very popular among tourists, especially foreign travelers. This one-day tour departs typically at approximately 06.30 AM. The trip includes transports from Colombo for arrival and departure as well as a 4-hour guided rainforest hike with one of our knowledgeable nature rangers.
Tour of Sinharaja Forest from the Beach Resort
Tours to Sinharaja jungle are available from Colombo and over 400 west coast beach resorts. Regarding the one-day Sinharaja rainforest from most beach resorts such as Bwentota and Hikkaduwa, it starts early in the morning at approximately 06.00 AM. All ground transportation, entrance fees, and a guided rainforest hike with one of our knowledgeable nature guides are included in this one-day tour.
Trekking through Sinharaja rainforest
The beach resorts on the western and southern coasts are not far from a completely different environment and some thrilling bird-watching and trekking routes, like Sinharaja. With so many walking paths and varying circumstances, Sinharaja is among the top locations for trekking in Sri Lanka. Travelers therefore love the Sinharaja jungle trip very much.
The Sinharaja rainforest, warm and often rainy, provides excellent walking in a mystical setting with solitary mountains, waterfalls, rivers, streams, and an amazing array of flora and fauna. Within the evergreen rainforest of Sinharaja live hundreds of bird species, many of which are native to Sri Lanka. Though it’s a softer trip, Sinharaja’s topography nevertheless presents some obstacles and plenty of benefits.
Sinharaja rainforest package
Rich stands of plants, trees, and creepers combined with moss-covered rocks give the impression of a secret realm cut off from the outside world. The ideal approach to spoiling oneself in the lap of Mother Nature is to travel to Sinharaja, one of the last primaeval rainforests in the world.
One of the most important biodiversity hotspots on Earth, the Sinharaja rainforest is one of the richest on Earth and home to a multitude of rare plants and animals. It is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. Nestled between the western and Sabargamuwa provinces, Sinharaja is a vast area of over 1800 hectares that is home to the biggest concentration of bird fauna species in Sri Lanka, as well as elephants, leopards, and the elusive black panther. But these are only a handful of the most well-known gems in the reserve. The Sinharaja rainforest trip would reveal an even more amazing phenomena.
The relevance of Sinharaja historically and ecologically
Being the only primaeval rainforest in Sri Lanka, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is an important area of forest on the island. Around 180 million years ago, during the Gondwana Supercontinent, it is thought to have emerged. Explore this priceless treasure trove at its finest by joining one of the Sinharaja rainforest trips. Because of its ecological value, Sinharaja is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lots of information in this article can help you organize your next Sinharaja forest package.
The brief description of the Sinharaja rainforest package
6:00 A.M Depart from Colombo
9:00 A.M Arrive at Weddagala Gate and begin the journey.
2:00 P.M Complete the rainforest hike and begin the return trip.
5:00 P.M Arrive at the Colombo hotel.
Planning a tour of Sinharaja jungle
The Sinharaja rainforest tour is among the most popular activities in Sri Lanka and the demand for it is also very high. Our experience is that most visitors to the Sinharaja rainforest arrange their Sinharaja forest packages well in advance. A large number of tourists seek the help of local tour operators to plan their trip. However, some other tourists book the day trip to Sinharaja Rain Forest through the travel counter of their resort.
When would be the best time to begin my Sinharaja jungle tour?
Among the finest spots in Sri Lanka for bird watching is the Sinharaja jungle. Many dozens of native Sri Lankan bird species call Sinharaa home. For those who enjoy bird viewing, starting the woodland trek early in the morning (5:30 am) is highly advised. There are five hours to complete the forest walk. It is quite possible to see a variety of bird species, insects, spiders, butterflies, etc. even if you do not reach the jungle early in the morning.
The starting date and time of this package are highly flexible because this is a private activity. But we advise the travelers to leave before 6 A.m. so they can see the national park before midday. We advise you to depart the hotel on the beach or in Colombo at around 4 a.m. if you are a bird enthusiast, so that you may view a lot of different bird species throughout the rainforest journey.
The best time of the year to undertake a Sinharaja package
Rainfall in the Sinharaja forest exceeds 5000 ml a year. The principal rainy season in Sinharaja lasts from April to November. Though it brings leeches, slick hills, and nonstop rain, the rainy season is regarded as the ideal time of year to visit the forest. The waterfalls blossom during this time like flowers, roaring to create breathtaking beauty. When to see Sinharaja’s unmatched beauty is now, the ideal season. Fresh grass covers practically every inch of the rich and rugged terrain, which is brought to life in a brilliant shade of green by the constant rain.
Weather pattern in the rainforest of Sinharaja
Temperture
The greatest temperature among the five seasons—January–April, May, June–August, September, and October–December—was recorded in May at 28.9°C, the second-highest during the January–April season (28.2°C). With mean annual minimum and maximum temperatures of 22 and 28 °C, respectively, the rainforest experiences. The months with the highest recorded temperatures are April (25.3°C), May (24.9°C), and January (25.1°C); December (23.8°C) has the lowest.
Variations in the yearly rainfall
About 5,016 + 632 mm of rain fall on Sinharaja annually on average. The latest several years’ annual shifting averages for rainfall were 5,023 + 457 mm, 5,003 + 319 mm, and 4997 + 234 mm.
Where do I start my Sinhara forest tour?
Though it may be booked from many other places, including Colombo international airport, Colombo hotels, and 40+ beach hotels on the west coast, this Sinharaja rain forest excursion begins in Colombo. As most Sinharaja forest programs are private trips, you can explore the rainforest at your own speed and with the most solitude.
Approximately three hours pass while driving from Colombo to Sinharaja Rain Forest, where the Sinharaja Rain Forest Tour begins at 7:00 a.m. The approximately four-hour jungle hike begins at the Weddagala main entrance for visitors.
For those who would like to begin the Sinharaja forest packages from a city other than Colombo, kindly email admin@seerendipitytours.com. The Sinharaja forest packages’ prices and pickup times vary somewhat based on where you start.
Why access through Weddagala?
Our nature specialists believe that the Sinharaja rainforest trip departing from Weddagala is significantly more fascinating than the Sinharaja trips departing from the Pitadeniya entrance. Weddagala Sinharaja entry is more suited for the Sinharaja rainforest excursions, we discovered after reviewing the comments from the tourists who made the Sinharaja trip.
Starting the Sinharaja tour from the Weddagala entrance is strongly advised if you want to observe birds and other wildlife. Nevertheless, when you begin the jungle hike from the Weddagala entrance, you won’t be able to observe waterfalls. Ninety percent of tourists begin their march at Weddagala, which is the most popular starting point for the Sinharaja rainforest walk.
Travelers from south coast beach resorts use Pitadeniya Sinharaja entrance since it is close to them. Known by another name, the Sinharaja southern gate, Pitadeniya Sinharaja entry leads to five amazing waterfalls. This walk does not offer as many bird species as the one that begins at the Weddagala entrance.
Geographical location of the Sinharaja forest
The Sinharaja forest reserve, tucked away between Sabaragamuwa and the Western region of southwest Sri Lanka, is best described as a low-altitude, semi-montane evergreen rain forest. Traveling the southern expressway from Colombo, 128 km to the Kudawa entrance gate of Sinharaja, takes about three hours. It takes about three hours and thirty minutes to travel the 142 kilometers from Colombo to the Mediripitiya entrance gate of Sinharaja.
The importance of Sinharaja forest
The Sinharaja rainforest stretches over a range of topographical settings, including valleys, meadows, and mountains. Among all the national rainforests, Sinharaja Forest boasts the highest density of fauna and flora species and a distinctive ecology. unmatched diversity of plants and animals can be found in Sinharaja Forest.
Ecologists respect their specialness and significance very much. The Sinharaja forest has about 60% native Sri Lankan trees and flora, many of which are uncommon and found exclusively there. Furthermore, endemic to the Sinharaja forest are a great number of animal species. In this collection are several species of animals, insects, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Because of its great concentration of animals and plants, Sinharaja, the most valuable rainforest on the island, is included in many road trips in Sri Lanka.
Size of the Sinharaja rainforest
The more than 8000-hectare Sinharaja forest reserve is situated between 300 and 1170 meters above sea level. There are two components to the forest: the 6092-hectare Forest Reserve and the 2772-hectare Proposed Forest Patch. There is a vast network of perennial waterways (rivers, waterfalls, and streams) that cut through the peaks and valleys of Sinharaja Forest. Important island catchment area: Sinharaja Forest receives exceptionally heavy rainfall all year round. Starting in Sinharaja Forest Reserve are the principal tributaries of the Kalu and Gin rivers.
Biodiversity of the Sinharaja Rainforest
With 139 species (64%) of the 217 species of endemic trees and woody climbers found in Sri Lanka’s lowland, the Sinharaja Rainforest Tour offers you a priceless opportunity to view some of the very rare species of flora, such as carnivorous plants. Sixteen of the species of these trees and plants are considered extremely uncommon. There are 830 indigenous trees and plants on the island.
An other excellent chance to discover the island’s abundant wildlife is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve Tour. Still, there are a lot of other species of animals on the island. Unlike most other national parks in Sri Lanka, such Yala National Park, Udawalawe, and Minneriya, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve Tour offers visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of bird, butterfly, amphibian, insect and reptile species. Finding bears, elephants, or leopards is quite unlikely.
Bird watching and packages for Sinharaja jungle
A large range of avian fauna species can be seen during the Sinharaja forest reserve tours, which are included in most birding trips in Sri Lanka. Taking one of the Sinharaja forest reserve trips is the ideal approach to seeing Sri Lanka’s indigenous bird species, as 19 of the 25 endemic bird species have made Sinharaja their home. Seeing those endemic bird species is best achieved by joining Sinharaja forest reserve trips, as most of them are extremely rare outside of Sinharaja.
The best way to see butterflies is with Sinharaja Forest Packages
Tours of the Sinharaja forest reserve also allow guests to view a broad variety of butterfly species on the island. The majority of the nation’s butterflies are on the IUCN’s red list, and habitat destruction is blamed for the country’s steadily falling butterfly population. Tours of the Sinharaja forest reserve allow visitors to see a range of native butterfly species in addition to mammals. Endemism is attributed to more than half of the mammals and butterflies in the Sinharaja forest reserve.
Which animal species are the most often seen on the Sinharaja forest tour?
The most often occurring animal species found in the Sinharaja rainforest are listed below; however, as they are extremely uncommon, please do not anticipate seeing them on the Sinharaja forest reserve trips.
- Indian elephant (Elephas maxiumus)
- Leopard (Panthera pardus)
- Sri Lanka wood pigeon (Columba torringtoni)
- Endemic purple-faced Langur (Presbytis senex)
- Sri Lankan white-headed starling (Sturnus senex)
- Sri Lanka blue magpie (Cissa ornate)
- Sri Lanka broad-billed roller (Eurystomus orientalis irisi)
- green-billed Coucal (Centropus chlororrhynchus)
- ashy-headed babbler (Garrulax cinereifrons)
Sinharaja forest entrances
While Sinharaja forest reserve tours can be conducted on a few paths, most of them start at the entrances of Kudawa or Weddagala; the Mediripitiya gate is another well-liked beginning place.
The most popular starting point for Sinharaja rainforest excursions
I. Kudawala-Moulawella trail
This three-kilometer walk covers the northwest corner of the forest. This is a chance to explore managed land and a portion of deep woodland.
2. Sinhagala-Kudawa trail
The thrilling hike on this terrain calls for both mental and physical fitness. Approximately eight kilometers long, this is one of the most picturesque walks in the forest. The trek’s goal is one of the peaks in the Sinhagala forest; the mountain’s highest point is about 740 meters above sea level.
3. Pitadeniya-Pathan-Oya
You will be able to explore Hakna Ella (hathan waterfall) and Pathan Oya (Pathan river) if you use the Pitadeniya-Pathan-Oya hike on your Sinharaja forest reserve tour. This route will take you through primary forest cover. There are ten kilometers to the walk.
4. Trail Neluwa–Kosmulla
Like the Pitadeniya-Pathanoya trail, the Neluwa-Kosmulla trail is also ten kilometers long. Important highlights of the walk are Duvili Ella (dust waterfall), one of the most stunning waterfalls on the island, and a number of caves. You may see a lot of water buffaloes and sambhar deer in Deniya on this journey.
5. Pitadeniya-Kekuna Ella Trail
The trail leads to a waterfall as its end. Rich, varied vegetation and animals can be seen in the forest on this reasonably moderate hike.
6. Morningside-Duvili Ella trails
The primary forest type you will come upon on this walk is sub-montane grasslands forest. It leads to Duvili Ella (a dusty waterfall).
Tours of Sinharaja forest reserve, Dooli ella
One of the most exquisite waterfalls in southern Sinharaja, Dooli Ella, is 100 meters high and may be seen if your Sinharaja forest reserve excursions take you close to Lankagama.
Get the Sinharaja jungle tours started early on this trail —at least by 7.30 a.m. The ticket counter opens at 6 a.m. Expect regular rain during the southwest monsoon, which runs from April to November; less rain falls throughout the rest of the year.
Though several Sri Lankan tour operators provide trips to the Sinharaja forest reserve, only Seerendipity tours provides the Sinharaja southern route, which leads to the southern Sinharaja waterfalls. Starting at your hotel, this is a private trip that includes a 4-wheel-drive jeep ride later on. Seerendipity trips can help you book Sinharaja forest reserve trips; get in touch with them at admin@seerendipitytours.com or at 0094774440977.
How much is the Sinharaja rainforest entrance fee?
Children can enter the Sinharaja jungle for LKR 600 and adults for LKR 1200.
Where can one locate guides for the tour of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve?
One can pick up a Sinharaja tour guide at the ticket counter.
Hiring a guide for your visit is advised to get the most thorough information on the flora and wildlife of the Sinharaja forest reserve. The forest and its species and flora are well-known to Sinharaja tour guides; hence, you will receive the most precise and detailed information.
One may easily find reasonably priced, experienced Sinharaja tour guides. Still, the cost is mostly based on the experience of the guide; a hike will cost about LKR 1500. A major source of income for the locals, the majority of Sinharaja tour guides are young people from the nearby villages of the Sinharaja forest reserve. There is little possibility of getting lost in the forest because the guides are knowledgeable.
Where may I stay when doing Sinharaja jungle tours?
Few lodging facilities are located in the Kalawana and Weddagala districts.
Accommodations in Sinharaja are not very numerous. There aren’t many five-star hotels or other opulent lodging options around. There are many little properties, including guest homes and rest houses, close to the Pitadeniya and Kudawa entrance gates. Reasonably priced, safe, clean, and pleasant property. The majority of these properties can be reserved straight at the hotel, through the local travel operators, or online.
Here, you should also anticipate the presence of homestay and dorm accommodations. A large number of the local households offer reasonably priced homestay accommodations. This will be your greatest choice for lodging in Sinharaja if you are a really low-budget traveler.
Forest tour in Southern Sinharaja
With forest rangers and forest department campsites, the southernmost point of Sinharaja is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable forest regions. While some guiding services are available in Deniyaya, the closest town, and among the residents of Mederipitiya, one of the buffer zone villages, visitors are welcome to stroll about the area.
An entrance with a ticket desk, tour services, a map displaying the natural route possibilities, some groomed paths, and renovated lodging at the Pitadeniya campsite are located at the southern end. Well worth the lengthy trip from Colombo, the side of the World Heritage Site has some fascinating hiking possibilities.
A winding rural road leaves the town of Deniyaya and travels to the improved official entrance into the Sinharaja forest reserve at the southern end. With a cross-cut of the microclimates from buffer zone communities, degraded secondary forests, riverine eco-systems, and virgin regions, this less-traveled route offers you an equal or better view of biodiversity.
Walking from the Mederipitiya bus stop area, across the bridge past the temple, and along the footprint that leads you between residences, paddy fields, tea land, and home gardens toward the coolness and embrace of the rainforest is the best way to notice these little changes.
Recently, a number of routes have been designated to showcase the hues, forms, and sounds of this exquisitely balanced forest, known for its high endemism and shifting topographical and eco-system characteristics packed into a compact space. The paths, most of which finish at a water source, go to Pathan Oya Ela and Kekunu Ela along the banks of the Aranuwa Dola. The steep and winding trails make the walk more difficult and call for close attention to the forest floor to prevent stumbling over rocks and roots.
Another trail that cuts through the forest leads to a waterfall encircled by palm trees that are translucent from the sunlight that seeps through. The longest, which will take you the best part of the day, is to Sinhagala, a forest landmark with an amazing sweeping vista of treetops in all directions. Legend has it that a fierce lion used to rule atop this rock until a giant killed it with an arrow shot from an adjacent peak.
The most famous species in Sinharaja are the birds, which are really worth seeing as the walks start along the foot-cycle path along the banks of the Gin Ganga, which defines the boundary of the area. But, this calls for patience, tenacity, and very strong spotting power, not to mention standing still in leech territory.
Easy to enjoy, the foliage provides a layered array of barks, trunks, roots, buttresses, leaves, flowers, vines, ferns, orchids, and lichens that are all equipped with the survival tools of nature; in fact, it is designed to thrive in rainforest environments. Many brilliantly coloured or structured insects and reptiles are mixed in with the plants.
Sinharaja forest map
Popular 16-trails package for the Sinharaja forest package?
- A. Kudawa Conservation Centre-1, Wathurawa-Wathurawa-lawella
- B: Jeep track from Kudawa Conservation Centre to Kudawa Research Station, Wathurawa-Wathurawa-Mulawella
- Mulawella Peak: From Kudawa Conservation Centre to Nawanda Tree: From Sinhagala Trail to Gal Len Yaya
- D: Kudawa Research Station-Sinhagala trail from Kudawa
- E: Gal Yen Yaya
- F: Sinhagala Peak
- G. Pitadeniya Conservation Centre
- H: Pitadeniya Ticket Counter
- I: Track from Mediripitiya to Pitadeniya Conservation Centre
- J. Kohila Aramba-Kohila Aamba Trail
- K – Kekuna Ella-Kekuna Ella and Pata-oua Ella Trail
- L: Patan-Oya Ella-Sinhagala Trail from Pitadeniya
- M. Duwili Ella (Kosmulla)-Duwili Ella Trail from Denuwakanda
- N: Morningside Conservation Centre-Duwili Ella Trail from MCC
- O: Natural Pool: From Morningside to the natural pool
- P. Duwili Ella (morningside): Train from Kosmulla via Duwili Ella to Siththara gal Lena (cave)
Why book the tour of the Sinharaja jungle with Seerendipity Tours?
Totally owned locally, Seerendipity Tour has its main headquarters in Colombo. A major asset of Seerendipity Tours is the highly skilled local staff, who can arrange your ideal vacation to Sri Lanka.
Get the best price for your tour of Sinharaja jungle
Seerendipity Tours guarantees the best pricing because you book your tour directly with the local firm, eliminating intermediaries. Just contact us, telling us when you plan to travel and what you enjoy seeing.
Arrange the best tour of Sinharaja jungle with the expert
We create a customized itinerary for you that you can modify until you choose the ideal Sri Lanka vacation package. To get ideas, you can also peruse our current trip packages at www.sirilaktours.com; all of our pre-made tour packages are modifiable and can be altered to fit your exact specifications. Write to admin@seerendipitytours.com or call. WhatsApp: 0094-77-4440977