14 Days A walk through the mystic trekking trails

This tour is a blend of amazing trekking and hiking journeys and historically important wonders. Your adventure fueled body and mind will be satisfied as it is that much challenging. With all these sweating treks and hikes, we would give you time for relaxation to have a piece of mind too. Through the jungles, waterfalls, rivers, tea gardens, rural villages and many more natural sightseeings, this tour will take you around with so much of unique experiences to witness in Sri Lanka. You may go through the detailed itinerary to understand how the tour is planned.

Arrival to Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Sigiriya.Check in to a hotel.Leisure time and relaxing after a long journey.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya.

Breakfast at the hotel.Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.Return to the hotel.

In the morning, you will visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a royal citadel said to be built by the King Kasyapa in 5th century. Combining baffling architectural features and sensual artistic values, the Lion Rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as nominated to be the eighth wonder of the world - along with the Grand Canyon and Ancient Pyramids.

From Sigiriya, you will proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, that was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th to 13th century. The ancient city defended by enclosing walls, is dotted with palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes that are in a resplendent state of preservation.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Sigiriya.

Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer to Riverston.Check in to the fully serviced campsite.Lunch at the campsite.Nature trail in the afternoon.

Surrounded by the Mount Riverston and PitawalaPathana, the campsite is situated in the most serene surroundings.After a delightful Sri Lankan lunch, you will be taken for a 10-12 km trail through paddy fields, small forests and villages to experience rural way of life. Along the way, you will see also PitawalaPathana, the largest dry pathana plain in the island, with the breathtaking precipice that has a sheer drop of about 1500 ft to the Puwakpitiya Valley below.

On your return, you may take a refreshing bath in the crystal-clear brook before a hearty barbecue meal in a magical setting - the whole area is lit up with traditional flame torches and a roaring campfire.

BBQ dinner and overnight stay at the campsite.

Wake up to the memorizing sounds of birds and take your breakfast at the campsite.

Half or full day trek in Knuckles Range can be taken as you wish. There are couple of options and you will be able to select one among those.

Early morning, by the time of the first sparks of sunlight, is the ideal time for bird watching, and the various species can be spotted right next to the campsite. After a short birding trail, the breakfast will be served at a time convenient for you.

For the day, you may choose the best suitable option among the various treks, from short nature trails to full day hikes. Or take it easy, enjoying the tranquility and the gorgeous sceneries by just being there.

Dinner and overnight stay at campsite.

Breakfast at the campsite and transfer to Kandy.Visit Temple of Tooth Relic before checking in to the hotel.Nature trail in UdawatteKele Forest Sanctuary in the evening.

Kandy, the capital of the Central province is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strategically nestled amidst three mountain ranges and known as the gateway to the hill country, Kandy was initially built in this location as a natural fortress against attack as it was not an easy target for the foreign invaders. Nowadays, the city of Kandy is well known as one of Sri Lanka's best attractions among both local and international visitors.

The 104 hectares large, UdawattaKele is known as a birder's paradise with its plethora of bird species and easy accessibility. It is home to species such as the Layard’s parakeet and yellow-fronted barbet. Many nocturnal birds including the brown fish owl can be spotted here too. Apart from the birds the forest is also home to other animals including toque macaque, wild boar, fishing cat and water monitor lizards. There are around 460 plant species in this forest which makes it an important site for botanists and researchers.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Kandy.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kitulgala.Take an adventurous white Water Rafting in the River Kelani. Thereafter proceed to Nallathanniya / Maskeliya, near Adam’s Peak.Check in to the guest house.

The lush and humid climate makes Kitulgala an ideal destination for whitewater rafting. The thrilling adventure on the whitewater sections of the Kelani River is enjoyable for both beginners and professionals. Whether you are 11 or 75 years, our well-experienced guides will make sure you have a safe and fun day on the river! Prior to the two-hour river run, you will be given instructions paddling techniques and river rescue procedures.Kitulgala, located in western Sri Lanka, is considered to be one of the most important holdings of the country's biodiversity. Recently, Kitulgala has started attracting outdoor enthusiasts to its beautiful setting, used in 1956 for the filming of the Academy Award-winning 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Trek along its nature trails and forests ideal for bird watching or go canyoneering through rocky gorges.

Dinner and overnight stay in a guest House in Nallathanniya / Maskeliya

Begin the 5 km climb to the misty mountain top early in the morning with a well-experienced guide and packed breakfast.Witness the magnificent sceneries from the top of the mountain. Return to Nallathanniya / Maskeliya. An optional excursion can be taken (2 to 3hrs) to a local tea estate in the afternoon.

The island's fourth highest peak at 2243 meters, Sri Pada, also known as Adam's Peak, has been a pilgrimage site for more than 1000 years and it offers spectacular views of jungle-covered hills and clouds lying 500 meters below. The memory of a magical sceneries over the mystic peak will outlive the aches and pains you may feel from the climb!

Legend has it that the mountain features a footprint originally made by the Buddha on his third visit to the island. Some Christians believe it may be the spot where Adam first set foot on earth after he was banished from the Garden of Eden. Others claim it to be the footprint of St. Thomas, the Apostle. Hindus believe it to be Lord Shiva's footprint.

The majority of climbers begin the ascent at night to witness the magical sunrise from the summit. The pilgrimage season runs from Unduwappoya (Full Moon Day of December) to Wesakpoya Festival (in May). At this time, there is a constant stream of pilgrims and the top can get very crowded, and especially from January to February. Climbing Sri Pada is possible during the off-season too. However, due to the weather conditions, we recommend to climb the mountain in daytime only.

Dinner and overnight at the guest house in Nallathanniya / Maskeliya.

Breakfast at the guesthouse and transfer to the starting point of the trekking of the day.Full day trek from Bogawantalawe to Galpothuthenna.Packed lunch in a suitable location on the way can be arranged.Transfer from Galpothuthenna to a hotel in Belihuloya.Trekking distance is about 18 km (from Bogawantalawe to Galpothuthenna). Time can take about 8 hrs. This trek's difficulty can be said as hard / moderate.

The trail from Bogawantalawa to Galpothuthenna may take you through the most diverse landscapes,desolate areas, forests, tea plantations,jungles, changing vegetation types, grasslands and spectacular landscape vistas. The 18-km trail begins by the tea plantations in Bogawantalawe and climbs up high jungle terrains to flatter grasslands. This open landscape is similar to the sceneries of the famous Horton Plains, located at a higher elevation. Here, look for prints of leopards and sambhurdeers, or with luck you may spot the animals themselves.

After lunch, the trail descents through tea plantations to a sparse and rocky area before continuing through a forest that is home to many monkeys and birds. Here, the descent is rather steep and offers the most panoramic views of the surrounding region. Finally, the trek leads you through a dense pine tree plantation before ending at the small village of Galpothuthenna, a short drive from Belihuloya.

Dinner and overnight stay in a resort in Belihuloya.

Take a hearty breakfast from the hotel and relax for few hours. Then pack the lunches and proceed to take the Kinchigune Nature Trail.You can take a canoeing experience in Samanalawewa in the late afternoon.

Kinchigune is an ancient village which is almost totally submerged in the waters of the Samanalawewa Reservoir which came to being in 1980s. The people of this village have been engaged in the steel industry in addition to agriculture since the early days. The 6 km nature trail begins at the River Garden Resort, and runs alongside the riverine forest of Belihuloya through paddy fields, across rivers and past local village houses with their extensive vegetable plots. This will be an ideal opportunity to learn a bit about the local agriculture and simple way of life in the countryside. Along the way, you will witness several types of beautiful birds and butterflies and some charming little waterfalls. The trail ends where the Belihuloya river meets the Samanalawewa reservoir.

Surrounded by rugged mountain sceneries, the still calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir offer an idyllic location for canoeing. Whether you want to go for a relaxed little paddle for a couple of hours, venture out to the mouth of the Belihuloya River or spend an entire day exploring the perimeter of the reservoir, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. A well-experienced guide will provide you with the right techniques, safety instructions and modern life jacket.

Dinner and overnight stay at a campsite in Kinchigune.

After the breakfast start the 2-day trek to Duwili Ella Waterfall. Lunch in a suitable location along the trail. Trekking distance is about 12 km starting from Kinchigune. This could be quite difficult trekking when compared with others.

The trail starts from Kinchigune, overlooking the Samanalawewa Reservoir. You will venture through paddy fields and vegetable gardens to a narrow gravel road that takes you to a small village school and local blacksmith's workshop. From there, you will continue to a tarred road, surrounded by typical shrub vegetations (consisting mainly of 'Maliththa' - Woodfordiafruticosa). After a couple of kilometers, you will arrive in a Buddhist Temple. This 350-year-old wooden temple is well worth a visit, and the local monks will happily answer to your questions about it's history.

The trail will then take you through uninhabited forests to Walawe River and to the rocky lands across it. Apart from some small groups of local gem miners, it is rare to meet any people in this desolate area that is home to many animals and birds - such as sambhur deer, Indian munjak, flying and giant squirrels, changeable hawk eagle, brown fish owl, stork-billed kingfisher, gray hornbill, and various species of lizards and butterflies. Sometimes, even the migratory elephant can be spotted here.

The campsite will be set by the river, where you can have lunch and enjoy a refreshing dip in cool water. The dinner will be cooked by the campfire, in the most beautiful setting under the stars! And your guides, taking care of the lookout duty, will assure you a peaceful sleep throughout the night.

Dinner and overnight stay at a participatory campsite by a river.

Early breakfast at the campsite.Continue the trail to Duwili Ella and end it after a river bath.Take lunch and transfer to Yala. Check in to a campsite and enjoy the evening and night.

After decamping in the morning, the trek will continue in the cool shade of riverine forests to 'Thunkinda' where the river divides into three streams that rejoin after about 300 metres. The 100 kms trail will end by the majestic Duwili Ella, also known as the 'Walawe Ganga Falls'. It plunges a dramatic 25 meters into a large deep pool creating a misty cloud. Hence the name 'Duwili Ella' - in Sinhalese 'Duwili' means 'dust' and 'Ella' is 'waterfall').

Dinner and overnight stay at a campsite.

Breakfast at the campsite and proceed to take the National Park safary in Yala.There after proceed to Galle and check in to a hotel in Galle.Visit the Dutch Fort in the evening if time is permitted.

Yala National Park, situated in the southeast region of the country, covers almost 1000 square kilometers and is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, along with Wilpattu, it is one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka. Leopards are the stars here, but the park is also home to the large herds of elephants as well as to the spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, wild buffaloes, sloth bear, jackal and mongoose. The bird life is also fantastic, and numerous species such as rosy starlings, paradise flycatchers, crested hawk eagles, blue-Tailed bee-eaters and common loras inhabit this natural wilderness.

Galle.

The bustling provincial capital and administrative center of the south, Galle, was Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trade center. The ancient port city is famous for Unawatuna Bay, a lovely cove protected by a reef. The Galle Fort overlooking the ocean is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. The 36-hectare fortress is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, its ramparts protecting the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. Even as the city of Galle modernizes, its remarkable collection of ancient structures transports visitors to another time.

Overnight stay in the hotel in Galle.

Take breakfast at the hotel and spend time relaxing on the beach. Depending on your mood you can take a mountain hiking to Rumassala Mountain.

Rumassala Mountain.

Taking a couple of steps off the beaten path on Rumassala Hill will reveal a fascinating world of marvelous nature. Both the forests and the ocean around Rumassala are rich in biodiversity. The forest is home to many species of birds, reptiles and mammals (including several endemic species), as well as rare medicinal plants. Groups of purple faced leaf monkeys can be seen playing on the trees while white-bellied sea eagles soar above the water looking for a midday meal. At the base of the cliff and beneath the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean are coral and rocky reefs which are home to a number of sea life. Although the reef has been negatively affected over the last decade due to both human and environmental factors, it still provides interesting place to snorkel for those who care to don a snorkeling mask and fins and venture out to explore the underwater world. The entire Rumassala area, including both the forest and coral reefs, are now protected as a sanctuary.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Galle.