Trekking in Sri Lanka
OVERVIEW
Enjoy over two whole weeks of adventurous voyage around the island, as you create unforgettable memories. Trek through ancient cities and explore the historic and mysterious cave temples of Dambulla; experience a trek up to Sigiriya Fortress and hike through a World Heritage Site, and even visit an elephant orphanage.
This is an exciting detailed tour package for groups, student groups, and families interested in an adventurous journey.
TOUR PLAN
In the afternoon, take a city tour of Colombo. Like many commercial capitals in developing countries, this city is rapidly changing. The swift development of skyscrapers arose from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the Old World charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah Bazaar where one can enjoy bargain shopping; a Hindu and a Buddhist temple; residential areas where you find stately homes, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People’s Republic of China.
Check in to the hotel & relax.
Overnight stay at hotel in Colombo
(Airport / Colombo – approximately 1 hour)
Check in to the hotel & relax.
In the evening visit Mihinthale.
Mihintale is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The mountain peak is home to many shrines and rock dwellings. The grand stairway (1,840 steps made out of granite slabs 4.5 metres wide) leads to the summit and its panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Anuradhapura
(Colombo / Anuradhapura – approximately 4 ½ hours)
Visit Anuradhapura. It was the first capital and arguably the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two World Heritage Sites. Visit many places of historical and archaeological interest, including Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree) was brought as a sapling that grew into the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment. At over 2,200 years, it is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At Brazen Palace (2nd century BC), the 1600 stone columns you’ll see are the remains of a magnificent multi-storey monastery. Ruwanwelisaya (2nd century BC) is the most famous of all the dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect bubble shape that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. Samadhi Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of Samadhi or deep meditation. Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd century BC) is well known for its rock carvings.
Proceed to Dambulla and in the evening visit Dambulla Rock Temple.
Dambulla Cave Temple is a World Heritage Sitebuilt by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC It is also the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The five-cave complex has over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings and is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha, of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock, spanning 14 metres long.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Dambulla
(Anuradhapura / Dambulla – approximately1 ½ hours)
(Trek approximately 3 ½ to 4 hours)
Start the Hiriwaduna trek through an archetypal Sri Lankan village. The trek begins with a transfer of clients in land masters (mountain transport vehicles). En route, you see amazing birdlife, butterflies, and possible crocodile sightings, adding an edgy charm to the trek. If you are lucky, you might see the villagers as they go about their morning tasks of fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. Initially, the trekkers wade through a shallow stream and thereafter, to inspect the cultivars, cross a wider tributary in the catamaran of an obliging farmer.
You can enjoy a catamaran ride, a bullock cart ride, and finally a tasty Sri Lankan homemade village meal.
Afterwards, visit Polonnaruwa and explore the site on bicycles.
Visit Polonnaruwa, a World Heritage Site and the second capital of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya with four splendid statues of the Buddha in ‘Upright’, ‘Sedentary’, and ‘Recumbent’ postures carved out of rock; the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of King Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya—a lake built by King Parakramabahu the Great. There are also famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilaka, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera, and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.
On your way back to the hotel, witness a wood carving shop where you’ll find all the types of timber and hardwood available in Sri Lanka and all the creative furniture made by master craftspeople.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Dambulla
(Dambulla / Habarana – approximately 30 minutes: Habarana / Polonnaruwa – approximately 1 ½ hours)
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to visit Sigiriya.
Climb the 5th-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the ethereal water gardens ring the base of the rock. Sheltered in a pocket of rock, the world-renowned ‘Heavenly Maidens’ frescoes of Sigiriya can be approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
Transfer to Matale and check in to the bungalow and relax.
Overnight stay at a bungalow in Matale.
(Sigiriya / Matale – approximately 2 hours)
After a hotel breakfast, start the half-day Knuckles Trek.
The Knuckles Mountain Range.
(So-called because its appearance resembles a set of knuckles in a closed fist) is a major eco-tourism venue of Sri Lanka and has been declared a conservation area, now known as the KNUCKLES NATIONAL HERITAGE AND WILDERNESS AREA. The region stretches an impressive 155 sq. km that contains five major forest formations, a wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna, and some breath-taking mountain scenery of Sri Lanka. It is a real paradise for those who love to hike or mountain bike, offering numerous mountainous trails that journey across clear rivers, through dense forests, past flowing waterfalls and lush tea plantations, and alongside terraced paddy fields and colourful Kandyan home gardens.
Return to the hotel & relax.
Overnight stay at a bungalow in Matale
(Knuckles Trek – approximately 4 hours)
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to Kandy.
En route, visit the spice garden in Matale.
Afterwards, take a city tour in Kandy.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is another World Heritage Site, Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, its name conjuring visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions, and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built in 1798 by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Visit the bazaar, arts & crafts centre, a gem museum, with an active lapidary at work.
In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and afterwards witness the cultural show.
Overnight stay at Helga’s Folly (Chalet Hotel) – Deluxe Room (Matale / Kandy – approximately 45 Mnts)
After a hotel breakfast, visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Est. 1975, started with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but it soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawala started a scientific breeding programme for elephants.
The free movement of the herd enhances mating. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawala was born.
The success story of Pinnawala has drawn global scientific attention. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. Ongoing professional documentation takes place year round.
There after visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. The landscape sits at nearly 60 hectares and offers an amazing variety of trees, plants, and flowers.
Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.
(Kandy / Pinnawela – approximately 1 hour)
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya
Because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. It is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, producing a significant share of the world’s best tea. At 2.5-km high, see Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Pidurutalagala. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in South Asia.
Overnight stay at hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
(Kandy / Nuwara Eliya – approximately 2 ½ hours)
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to Horton Plains.
(Horton Plains Trek – approximately 3 ½ hours)
The Horton Plain Plateau is a secluded wilderness sanctuary 2130 m high and offers one of Sri Lanka’s most unforgettable views. Here the land plunges down into a gorge to the southern foothills, and, on clear days, a glimpse of the sea more than 80 km away is even possible. The Horton Plains are the habitat of giant rhododendron (an evergreen shrub with large clusters of trumpet shaped flowers), tree fern primrose, daffodil orchids, and birds such as the Sri Lanka Whistling Thrush and Arrenga, the Shaggy Bear Monkey and the Blue Mormon Butterfly, plus many other native and endangered montane species.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya
(Nuwara Eliya / Horton Plains – approximately1 hour)
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to Maskeliya.
Check in to the hotel & relax.
Lean in on a midnight climb up Adam’s Peak. Adam’s Peak is known locally as Sri Pada and is Sri Lanka’s fourth highest mountain at 2,243 metres. It is one of the island’s most important pilgrimage sites and is situated in the Ratnapura district. The giant footprint at the top is a great attraction sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims. The conical-shaped mountain is worth the climb for the views and spiritual experience for all.
(Full trek – approximately7 hours)
Overnight stay at the hotel in Maskeliya
(Nuwara Eliya / Maskeliya – approximately2 hours)
Descend Adam’s Peak and rest at the hotel.
Afterwards, transfer to Sinharaja.
En route, visit Kitulgala.
The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flows through Kithulgala and is the location where the Oscar-winning movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large heaps of shells from some unknown civilization.
Check in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Sinharaja
(Maskeliya / Sinharaja – approximately 3 ½ hours)
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to Sinharaja.
(Trek – approximately4 hours)
Go on a trek at Sinharaja Rain Forest. This is Sri Lanka’s only remaining virgin rain forest. A single foot path cuts through the heart of its 13,000 sq. hectares. The vegetation is multi-layered, similar to the Amazon or Congo. Rare orchids blossom and cicadas chirp. The only other sound you might hear is the 200-inch annual rainfall, spread throughout the year.
Afterwards, transfer to beach accommodation.
Overnight stay at the hotel in the down south beach area.
After a hotel breakfast, day spent at leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel in the down south beach area.
After a hotel breakfast, enjoy the day spent at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel in the down south beach area
After a hotel breakfast, transfer to airport for your departure flight home.
