Walking in Sri Lanka

Land Tour

13 days

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Walking in Sri Lanka
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$AUD 314 per day

Departure: Negombo, Sri Lanka

Arrival: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Cycling/Trekking/Walking

From lush rainforest to sprawling highlands and spiritual peaks, there's no better way to explore Sri Lanka than on two feet. Hike through the jungle to ancient sites, join pilgrims on an ascent of Adam's Peak and trek through leafy tea plantations before spotting elephants on a safari. Then, wind down on Sri Lanka's paradisal coast before finishing up in its capital, Colombo - our walking holiday ticks off the must-sees and more.

Ancient icons - Ascend the historic Lion Rock in Sigiriya, explore time-old cities and climb the spiritual Adam's Peak.
Diverse landscapes - Witness Sri Lanka's stunning scenery, walking amongst tea plantations, rainforest and beaches.
Explore Colombo - Tick off the island's capital, Colombo, with a walking tour to discover the city's colonial heritage.

Highlights
Discover the beauty of Sri Lanka and diversity of landscapes on this walking trip|Hike through jungle, tea plantations and join pilgrims on an ascent of Adam's Peak|See Colombo's colonial heritage on a walking tour of the capital

Tour information
Transport: Bus, 4WD, Train
Tour staff: Explore Tour Leader, Explore Tour Leader, Explore Tour Leader, Explore Tour Leader
Meals :Breakfast 13, Lunch 5 & Dinner 5

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Itinerary
Day 1 - Join trip in Negombo on the shores of the Indian Ocean
Our tour starts today in Negombo, a coastal town that's famous for its fishing industry and golden sands. The perfect introduction to Sri Lankan life, Negombo is a busy coastal town with a lively fish market, and traditional ketti-maran (catamaran) fishing boats scudding across the waters - the capital, Colombo, is a short distance away, too. Head down to the water to catch the sunset and spot locals bringing in the day's catch.
For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Negombo at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a 30-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head to the beach or make use of the hotel facilities which include a swimming pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Day 2 - Visit Dambulla cave temples; jeep safari in search of elephants
We'll head inland today on a three-hour drive to Dambulla, where a series of caves have been turned into temples dating from the 1st century BC. This UNESCO World Heritage Site still attracts scores of worshippers. We'll visit five separate caves, which contain a large number of Buddha images, as well as sculptures of Hindu Gods.
In the early afternoon, we'll drive to either Minneriya or Kadaula National Park (depending on the season), where we'll head out on a jeep safari to look for the herds of wild elephants that live here. These parks are also home to an array of birdlife, including painted storks.
Day 3 - Hike to Sigiriya and climb Lion Rock; explore Polunnaruwa
We'll make an early start this morning, taking a packed breakfast and heading off through the jungle and village trails, to the ancient site of Sigiriya. On arrival, we'll climb the 200 meter/656 foot-high Lion Rock ahead of the crowds and whilst it's still relatively cool. The ruins of this 5th-century 'Sky Fortress' are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions, a stupendous sight to behold and a feat of consummate engineering skill. Built in just seven years as a fortified palace to protect the reign of merciless King Kassapa, who had assassinated his father and deposed his brother.
Before our final ascent to the summit, we'll pass between a set of enormous lion paws carved out of the rock - all that remains of an ancient gateway that gave Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', its name. From here a series of switchback steel stairways ascend to the top. Once at the 200-metre/656-foot summit, we can take in the magnificent views of the surrounding jungle and countryside. We return to our hotel in time for a late breakfast.
In the afternoon, we'll explore another ancient site on foot, the remains of the city of Polonnaruwa, which reached its height of glory in the 12th century, when it was a thriving commercial and religious centre. The city has maintained many of its spectacular buildings and monuments, with arguably the most impressive being the Quadrangle. This sacred precinct originally housed the tooth relic. It contains a superbly decorated circular shrine which is one of the most ornate buildings in the country. The neighbouring audience hall and bathing pool are also worth a visit. Close by, the curious round structure of the Circular Relic House has a beautifully preserved moonstone carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of this deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha, known as Galvihara. These four colossal figures are all hewn out of solid granite and the Reclining Buddha alone is no less than 14 metres/46 feet long.
We can expect this morning's 6-kilometre/3.7-mile hike to take around three hours including the ascent/descent of 200 meter/656 feet Lion Rock. The afternoon walk at Polonnaruwa is around 4 kilometres/2.5 miles and will take approximately three hours and 30 minutes including sightseeing. The terrain is flat.
Day 4 - Trek in the Knuckles Range; overnight in a former colonial bungalow
This morning, we'll head south to the Knuckles Mountain Range for a hike through the region's abundant forests and grasslands. Resembling a clenched fist, the mountains are a remarkable microcosm of the country, the isolated cloud forests providing a haven for a rich diversity of flora and fauna. To the south and east of the Knuckles lies the Mahaveli Valley, whilst the Matale Valley (also known as the Spice Valley of Sri Lanka) to the west encircles a collection of peaks unrivalled anywhere else in the country.
Our hike today takes us along the mainly earth and gravel paths of the Manigala Trail, ascending to the top of the ridge and we plan to enjoy our picnic lunch among these beautiful surroundings before returning the same way. We'll spend the night at the characterful Sir John's Bungalow. Built by the British during the colonial era, the bungalow was once the holiday home of Sir John Kotalawala, the third Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Since 1991 the wider surrounding area has been designated a protected reserve. On a clear day, the gardens and terrace enjoy sweeping vistas of the northeastern Knuckles. Sir John's Bungalow retains its old-world charms and comforts, including roaring fireplaces in the living and dining rooms. The bedrooms at the bungalow are simply furnished in a traditional style and have ensuite bathrooms with hot water showers. As there are just five rooms, you might be sharing with three or four others (of the same sex), depending on the group size.
Today's 8 kilometre/5-mile hike is expected to take around three to four hours.
Day 5 - Morning Knuckles hike; drive to Kandy, orientation walk in afternoon
There's an option this morning to make an early start before breakfast and set off on a short trek that ascends gently to a spectacular viewpoint known locally as Mini World's End (after the more famous World's End sheer precipice in Sri Lanka's Horton Plains National Park), where the cliff drops almost vertically for 1192 metres/3911 feet affording magnificent panoramic views over the often mist-shrouded landscapes. After visiting the info centre, we return to the bungalow for breakfast and a chance to freshen up before driving for two and half hours to Kandy.
Sitting on a plateau some 500 metres/1641 feet above sea level, Kandy served as the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom until falling to the British in 1815. It's a place of cultural and spiritual importance with Buddhists from all over the world coming here to visit its famous Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa. The jewelled shrine of the Holy Tooth said to be Buddha's left canine, is kept on the upper floor of the original building. The relic was brought from India 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it's paraded around the town with great celebration during the festival of Perehera. On arrival, we'll have an orientation walk in the city.
This morning's optional 6-kilometre/3.7-mile hike is expected to take around two hours.
Day 6 - Tea museum visit; trek in the hills above Kandy
This morning, we'll head out by bus into the hills surrounding Kandy for a hike on part of the Hantane Trail. Passing through a beautiful tropical forest frequented by monkeys and a variety of birds, our trek ends at the Ceylon Tea Museum. The museum occupies the refurbished 1925-vintage Hantane Tea Factory and is supported by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Planters' Association. There are exhibits on tea pioneers such as James Taylor and Thomas Lipton and after visiting we can enjoy a cuppa in the top-floor tearoom.
The afternoon is free to explore more of Kandy. You can visit the Temple of the Tooth or wander around the lake or through the lush Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, located just outside the city. Kandy has many handicraft workshops, which have plenty of brassware, batik, lacquer work and other craft items to choose from. Kandyan dancers can also be seen performing every night at venues around town.
Today's 9-kilometre/5.6-mile hike is expected to take around four to five hours.
Day 7 - Drive to Norwood; walk along banks of Castlereigh Reservoir and through tea estates
Departing Kandy this morning, we'll enjoy a scenic three hour bus journey through Sri Lanka's Highlands to Hatton. Along the way, strands of forest give way to the bright green tea bushes that cloak the landscape. Clusters of pickers, usually Tamil women, add splashes of colour thanks to their colourful sarees. Please note, there is sometimes a train from Kandy to Hatton, however, it can't be pre-booked. If timings allow, and if it isn't too busy, we'll make a decision on the day as to whether we'll take the train and our bus.
From Hatton, it's a short drive on to Norwood, from where we'll trek through the tea plantations and along the banks of the Castelreigh Reservoir. At the end of our walk, it's a short journey by bus to our guesthouse in Dalhousie, the town that is the base for anyone wanting to climb sacred Adam's Peak (2243 meters/7359 feet), known locally as Sri Pada. A depression at the top of the peak is said to be Buddha's footprint (or that of Shiva to Hindus and Adam to Christians and Muslims) and, each year during the period between the December and May full moon, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims climb to the top for sunrise. Please note that on rare occasions the sheer volume of local pilgrims is so great that the final stages of the ascent may be extremely busy and it may not be possible to reach the summit.
In Dalhousie, we'll stay at the Punsisi Resthouse. While it's a little basic, it is the best the town has to offer and rooms are clean and spacious with ensuite bathrooms. Staying here enables us easy access to Adam's Peak and the pilgrims add to the atmosphere in town. A number of the rooms are located in another more recent building some way up the hill behind the main building, accessed on foot by a series of steps. Porters will be able to help with your main luggage. There are some simpler rooms located in the main building and if you prefer to be allocated one of these room then please speak to the Tour Leader before check in. Please note any change of room is dependent on availability.
Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile hike is expected to take around four hours.
Day 8 - Ascend the sacred mountain, Adam's Peak
We have an incredibly early start today, setting off around midnight to make it to the summit of Adam's Peak in time for sunrise.
During the pilgrimage season, the stone staircase to the top of the peak is floodlit and we'll join throngs of pilgrims on the 1000 meter/3281 feet ascent to the summit. It can get very busy at times but our guides know some of the shortcuts on the mountain to help us avoid any bottlenecks. Outside of the season, the path is not lit and we'll depart later in the pre-dawn light to reach the summit later but still whilst the air is cool, aiming to be back down at our guesthouse by early afternoon at the latest.
The Adam's Peak ascent is approximately 1000 metres/3281 feet and the 8 kilometre/5 mile hike is expected to take around eight hours in total.
Day 9 - Drive to Ohiya; trek down the Devil's Staircase before driving to campsite at Belihuloya
This morning, we'll drive four hours on a scenic mountain road to Ohiya. There is sometimes a train to Ohiya this morning that cannot be pre-booked, and if timings allow and it isn't too busy, we'll make a decision on the day to make this journey and rejoin our bus later. From Ohiya, we'll hike all the way down along the switchbacks of the Devil's Staircase, passing through forests and tea plantations before eventually reaching the beautiful Bambarakanda Waterfall. At 263 metres/863 feet, it's one of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Reaching the road at Kalupahana Junction, we'll meet our bus and drive to our overnight camp near the river at Belihuloya. This area experiences a specific climate linking the wet and dry zones with the hill country and the low country, all combining to make this an area of the country with a wide range of biodiversity.
The simple tents we use at the Belihuloya camp are pre-erected tents with camp beds and all bedding provided. A mess tent, table, chairs and all cutlery and utensils are also provided. There is a washroom block with 5 toilets and 5 cold water showers.
Today's 15-kilometre/9.3-mile hike is expected to take around four to five hours with a total ascent of 400 metres/1312 feet and descent of 1100 metres/3609 feet.
Day 10 - Walk in the Belihuloya area; drive to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve
After breakfast, we'll take a walk through the rice paddies and villages in the Belihuloya area, eventually meeting up with our bus near Puwakgahawela. We'll then drive for about three and a half scenic hours to the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of lowland evergreen virgin rainforest - a very rare, special habitat that is one of Sri Lanka's biodiversity hotspots. Other fauna includes a large variety of insects, reptiles and amphibians. Although there are a small number of leopards, these are very rarely seen due to the dense foliage. The word 'Sinharaja' means lion king and legend has it that the Sinhala people of Sri Lanka originated from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!
Tonight, we'll stay at the basic Blue Magpie Lodge, a family-run lodge set in peaceful jungle surroundings just five minutes from Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The simply furnished rooms all have attached bathrooms, hot running water and a/c. The lodge restaurant serves typical Sri Lankan country-style food and fresh fruits in season. While simple, this welcoming guesthouse is perfectly located close to the entrance to the protected reserve and is it's surrounding by nature and teeming with life.
Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take around three hours.
Day 11 - Hike in UNESCO Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve. Afternoon drive to Koggala on the coast
We rise very early this morning for the best wildlife viewing conditions and an early breakfast. The reserve opens at 7am and after a 5 minute drive we reach the entrance. The 7km hike on trails through the rainforest is in the company of a specialist park guide who will point out some of the stunning plant, bird and animal-life of the reserve. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. The forest is often shrouded by rainclouds and the trail may be slippery underfoot but we'll take our time (3-4hrs) and make the most of the chance to explore this unique environment. The first part of the hike from the entrance is a steep trail through secondary forest before we reach the primary forest higher up. We will take our time stopping often to see flora and fauna of interest.
Back at the lodge we can freshen up and enjoy lunch before continuing our journey (2.5 to 3 hours) to the seaside village of Koggala on the south coast, not far from the historic port of Galle.
Today's 7-kilometre/4.5-mile rainforest hike (350 metres/1150 feet total ascent and descent) is expected to take around three to four hours.
Day 12 - Free day at the beach with option to visit nearby Galle
Today is left free to enjoy Koggala and the surrounding area. You can choose to relax on the beach or head over to explore the pretty coastal town of Galle, which is just a few kilometres/miles away and easily reached by local bus or taxi. An important trading centre since ancient times, the fortifications that can be seen today were built by the Portuguese and then the Dutch from the 16th to the 17th centuries. The fort ramparts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site protect the harbour and a myriad of fascinating old houses, churches and warehouses. Today, the town has a strong arts vibe, with foreign and local artists, writers, photographers, designers and pts drawing inspiration from their surroundings. Boutique shops and cafes around the town showcase their work.
Day 13 - Train to Colombo; walking tour
We'll catch an early morning train from Galle to the lively capital Colombo this morning, enjoying a picnic breakfast on the train. Please note that it is not possible to pre-book tickets and timings can be unreliable. As a result, on occasions we will need to drive instead. On arrival at the station, we'll head straight out on a walking tour of Colombo (our bags are taken to the hotel) which will take you through the city's commercial heritage in terms of Portuguese, Dutch, and English influences, dating back from the 17th century to the 1990s.
The afternoon is left free to explore the city further or perhaps do some shopping. In the evening there's the option to join a unique guided walk around some of Colombo's old taverns and pubs.
Day 14 - Trip ends in Colombo
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Colombo.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Colombo at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is around a one-hour drive from our hotel.
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