Please note that this is a field course and thus we may have to adjust this schedule ‘on the fly’ as conditions change.
Itinerary
| Date |
Locale |
Activity(ies) |
| February 15 |
Toronto Pearson |
- Leave for Colombo via Doha from Pearson Terminal 3 – Departing 8:10 PM
|
| February 17 |
Colombo, Sri Lanka |
- Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, Sri Lanka early monring
- Rest in Colombo
- Introduction talk (Dr. Seneviratne) at Beddegana Wetland Park
|
| February 18 |
Runakanda (Sinharaja) |
- Traveling to Runakanda Conservation Center from Colombo. Lowland tropical rain forest.
- Class discussions
- Bird ecology & identification lecture
- Nocturnal biodiversity exploration
|
| February 19 |
Runakanda (Sinharaja) |
- Exploration of avian, plant and insect diversity.
- Freshwater ecology (snorkeling)
- Seminars
- Guest lecture
- Night walk
|
| February 20 |
Runakanda (Sinharaja) |
- Morning. Rainforest restoration and a study of regeneration ecology
- Afternoon & eraly evening. Student discussions from primary literature. Geocaching exercise
- Night. Local nocturnal biodiversity exploration
|
| February 21 |
Nuwara Eliya |
- Morning. Traveling through the mountain roads (transition of habitats from wet lowlands to misty montane cloud forest)
- Afternoon. settling in Nuwara Eliya
- Early evening. Factory visit, meeting tea plantation workers and biodiversity exploration at the plantation
- Night. Discussion and biodiversity exercises
|
| February 22 |
Hortan Plains National Park |
- Early morning (5 am). Leaving for Horton Plains Cloud Forest National Park. Hiking & exploring montane biodiversity plus leopards and sambar
- Early evening. Time to unwind after
- Evening. Discussion/exercises
|
| February 23 |
Travel to drier lowlands |
- Early morning (6 am). Leaving the tea estate.
- Morning. Hakgala Botanical Garden (Montane floral diversity) and breakfast
- Afternoon. Lunch at Ella
- Late afternoon. Leaving to Yala (Ella-Wellawaya Road)
- Early evening (ETA 4.30pm). Quick visit to Buduruwagala Aancient archeological site
|
| February 24 |
Yala National Park |
- Early morning (4.30am) Safari (waterbirds, elephants, deer, leopards and megafauna)
- Midday Class presentations and lunch
- Afternoon Continue the safari
- Evening Back in the hotel, discussions (perhaps local night exploration)
|
| February 25 |
Southern arid zone |
- Morning Exploring the ecology and biodiversity at paddy fields
- Late morning Birdathon
- Midday Class presentations and lunch
- Evening Mangroves – Boat ride at Kalametiya Lagoon
|
| February 26 |
Mirissa |
- Morning Pelagic Tour
- Late afternoon Settling in at Hikkaduwa
- Hikkaduwa Evening Snorkeling and coral reefs
|
| February 27 |
Galle |
- Morning Debrief
- Afternoon Walk in the Galle Dutch Fort
- Evening – Leave for airport
|
| February 28 |
Colombo-Toronto |
Depart for Canada early morning (3:25 AM) – Arrive Toronto 2:40 PM on the dame date |