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Don’t Miss
- Explore the hidden delights of the Cultural Triangle
- Ramble in the magnificent Knuckles Mountain range
- Experience the tea-covered hills of the central highlands
- Climb the awe-inspiring Adam’s Peak
- Camp in Kitulgala and go canoeing or white-water rafting
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Accommodation in a shared double / twin room
- Chauffeur-guide and vehicle for the duration of the tour (including leisure days)
- Both airport transfers
- Expert advice and support prior to and during the tour
TERMS & CONDITIONS
- Price shown is a starting price and is subject to change, depending on travel dates / the number of people travelling etc.
- Price shown is based on two people sharing a double / twin room
- See our Booking Conditions for more details
Day 1 Negombo, North-West Coast
Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, transfer to a convenient hotel close to the international airport. Relax and unwind after your flight, preparing yourself for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Villa Hundira
Day 2 & 3 Anamaduwa, North-West Coast
As you travel north, visit the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary. Wildlife enthusiasts will be engrossed by this protected wetland setting where lake, lagoon and sea water environments merge to create a rare habitat for bird and marine life. The following day, go cycling along deserted country lanes, go kayaking on the lake and enjoy a nature walk close to your eco hotel.
Accommodation: The Mudhouse
Recommended Activities: Anawilundawa Wetlands
Day 4 Anamaduwa, North-West Coast
Rise early for a trip to Wilpattu, arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful national park. Away from the main tourist haunts, this park can often be enjoyed in relative seclusion.
Accommodation: The Mudhouse
Recommended Activities: Wilpattu National Park
Day 5 & 6 Dambulla, Cultural Triangle
Transfer to the Cultural Triangle. Many tourists flock to Sigiriya Rock and the ruined cities, and you can request this option if you wish, but this stock tour concentrates on quieter spots. On your transfer day, visit the great Buddha statues of Aukana and Sasseruwa and clamber up stone steps hidden in woodland to the haunting forest monastery of Ritigala. The following day, explore Polonnaruwa’s ancient ruins and marvel at the story of the tribes of monkeys who fight for supremacy.
Accommodation: Amaya Lake
Recommended Activities: Polonnaruwa , Ritigala , Sigiriya Rock Fortress , The Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Day 7 Dambulla, Cultural Triangle
Wake up early on your final day in this region, preferably at dawn, armed with a picnic breakfast, for a morning safari at Minneriya National Park which is best known for having the biggest gathering of Asian elephants in the world between June and September. After lunch, hike through the Kaludiya Pokuna forest near Kandalama or take a boat trip on Kandalama Lake.
Accommodation: Amaya Lake
Recommended Activities: Minneriya National Park
Day 8 & 9 Elkaduwa, Kandy
Today you travel to the Knuckles Mountain Range in the central hills. Located within the district of Kandy and Matale in central Sri Lanka, the Knuckles Mountain Range is great hiking country. Trek along rivers and waterfalls, past tea plantations and terraced paddy fields and visit some of the small rural village communities.
Accommodation: Ashburnham Estate
Recommended Activities: Knuckles Mountain Range
Day 10 & 11 Nuwara Eliya, Hill Country
A travel day to the highlands takes you through a landscape that stirs the sense - a land of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls. On the second day, visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens, a relaxing outing on a light day that allows you to rest up for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: The Oliphant Boutique Villa
Day 12 Dalhousie, Hill Country
In the evening, transfer to a simple hotel which is a convenient place to rest and relax before your night time climb up Adam’s Peak to witness one of the great sun rises in Asia. The time spent on the mountain will be from about 1:30am to 7am, including an ascent up stone steps of about three hours. Less taxing hill country walks are available on request.
Accommodation: Slightly Chilled Yellow House
Recommended Activities: Adam's Peak
Day 13 & 14 Kitulgala, Sinharaja & Kitulgala
Journey to the western foothills of the central highlands and spend two nights camping, or if you prefer in an eco-hotel, in Kitulgala. This is an area with tropical rainforests, winding rivers and an undulating terrain. Kitulgala owes its popularity to the Kelani River which offers Grade 3 rapids for rafting. Alternatively, go canoeing or take a forest walk. Rise to the sound of bird call and the gushing waters of the mighty Kelani.
Accommodation: Borderlands
Recommended Activities: White-Water Rafting and Canoeing
Villa Hundira
Negombo, North-West
Villa Hundira is a 12-bedroom boutique hotel nestled in tropical gardens overlooking the picturesque Negombo Lagoon. Situated in the village of Thalahena, it lies just 20 minutes away from Colombo’s international airport, making it a good spot to recuperate after a long flight.
4.6
The Mudhouse
Anamaduwa, North-West
Share a simple lifestyle with welcoming hosts in the rural splendour of Sri Lanka’s north-west coast. The Mudhouse is a secluded eco retreat nestled at the foot of the ancient Parmakanda Rock temple in the lightly-populated district of Puttalam. It is set amidst six acres of untouched wilderness, tranquil lakes and abundant fauna and flora.
Amaya Lake
Kandalama, Cultural Triangle
Amaya Lake is a simple hotel of four-star standard which enjoys a peaceful and beautiful setting by the banks of Kandalama Lake in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. An excellent eco-hotel with a personal feel that offers low-level cabanas in tranquil woodland.
4.5
Ashburnham Estate
Elkaduwa, Kandy
Ashburnham Estate is an old planter’s bungalow that has been caringly renovated by its British owners. It lies on a 98-acre working tea plantation in the village of Elkaduwa, about an hour from Kandy in the Knuckles mountains. Six comfortable ensuite bedrooms are sold by the room – a great choice for walkers and nature lovers.
5
The Oliphant Boutique Villa
Shanthipura, Hill Country
The Oliphant Boutique Villa is a charming seven-bedroom British colonial house amidst tea estates and mountains a short distance from the Nuwara Eliya town. Located in Shanthipura, the highest village in Sri Lanka, this mansion was built by the son of Sir Anthony Oliphant, the eight Chief Justice of old Ceylon and is perfect for couples.
Slightly Chilled Yellow House
Dalhousie, Hill Country
Slightly Chilled Yellow Guest House is aptly named, for it has a vibrant, informal feel that delights its active clientele. This cheery budget accommodation is ideally suited for those wishing to attempt the Adam’s Peak climb. It has spectacular views of the Peak from the dining area and bedrooms. Interiors are light and airy, with a profusion of colours.
Borderlands
Kitulgala, Sinharaja & Kitulgala
Borderlands camping is based in Kitulgala, a riverside village that offers Sri Lanka’s best white-water rafting experience. Accommodation is in tents and wooden cabins on stilts and built right over the river.
5
Following are recommended optional activities
Anawilundawa Wetlands
Puttlam, North-West Coast
Located near to Kalpitiya, Anawilundawa (meaning ‘seven wetlands’ in Tamil) refers to a cluster of freshwater tanks within the sanctuary. It is a very important wetland for many migratory birds.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu, North-West Coast
Wilpattu National Park is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful park. Its varying natural habitats – coastal belt, natural lakes, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest – house numerous animals.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle
Sri Lanka’s medieval capital from 1073 until the late 1200s, the ruins of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa are incredibly well-preserved and include magnificant granite sculptures of Lord Buddha.
Ritigala
Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle
Ritigala is nestled deep inside a jungle-covered nature reserve, the ruins of an extensive Buddhist monasty which was abandoned during the invasions of the 10th and 11th centuries.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring and stunning historical locations in the world, built in the 5th century AD by ‘mad’ King Kasyapa.
The Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle
Quite apart from the incredible ruins of this medieval city, Polonnaruwa is home to a large monkey population who were famously featured in Disney’s engaging documentary film ‘Monkey Kingdom’.
Minneriya National Park
Habarana, Cultural Triangle
Minneriya National Park is a small but popular wildlife park home to a wide range of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. It is also the site of the world-renowned wildlife event ‘The Elephant Gathering’.
Knuckles Mountain Range
Knuckles, Kandy
Trek through the Knuckles Mountain Range, named thus because of its resemblance to a clenched fist, five mountain peaks spanning 155sqkm which host a wide range of rare endemic flora and fauna.
Adam's Peak
Hatton, Hill Country
Adam’s Peak is sacred to all four religious groups in Sri Lanka. Attempt the enthralling and challenging climb at night to reach the top in time to witness one of the most stunning sunrises in Asia.
White-Water Rafting and Canoeing
Kitulgala, Sinharaja & Kitulgala
Enjoy an exciting rafting adventure in a jungle paradise. The Kelani River is famous for its white-water rafting and boasts rapids suitable for beginners and those with more experience.
