• Arrival and transfer to a hotel in Sigiriya.
• Depending on the time of arrival guest can visit the Dambulla cave temple in Dambulla.
• At leisure after a long flight & drive.
• Dinner & night stay at Sigiriya.

o Economy - Sigiriya Guest House or similar
o Standard - Sigiriya Hotel or similar
o Deluxe - Sigiriya Village Hotel or similar

SIGIRIYA TO KONDURUWANA & THEN TOWARDS GIRITALE. (Easy) Sigiriya to Konduruwana, which is village on the Girithale/Bakamuna road [Approx 12.5km -Approx 4 hours]. This small track falls through the forest and the trek would be cool and adventurous. The trek is coupled with a further 2-hour walk along road [8km] towards Giritale.

• Morning after breakfast visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortess.
• Start on the trekking trail to Konduruwana & towards Giritale.
• Packed lunch will be provided.
• Finishing this trail the guests will reach Polonnaruwa in a vehicle.
  • Dinner & night stay at Polonnaruwa.
  • Economy - Sudu Araliya or similar
  • Standard - Galway Forest Lodge or similar
  • Deluxe - Deer Park Hotel or simila

Finishing a visit to the Polonnaruwa ruins start trekking to Kottapitiya.

At nearly 1000 years old, POLONNARUWA is one of Sri Lanka 's ancient capital cities (and part of the famous 'Cultural Triangle'). Although King Vijayabahu 1 was the first to claim the city as his capital, it was King Parakramabahu who made it glorious, with its massive buildings, ornate parks and the 'pièce de resistance' - a 2500 hectare tank called 'Parakrama Samudra' ('The Sea of Parakrama'). The city itself is divided into new and old town with the impressively preserved ruins split into five main areas, including 'The Quadrangle' (aka 'Terrace of the Tooth Relic'), the Northern City group and the Rest House group (with the royal palace ruins of King 'Nissanka Malla'). Due to its reasonably compact layout, the ruins can be easily explored on foot, and with the surrounding area's flat well maintained roads, you can leave the car behind and jump on a bicycle to get around!

TREKKING TO KOTTAPITIYA ( Easy )

After site visits start the trekking tour from Polonnaruwa, along the ancient Tank named the "Parakrama Samudraya". This stretch of the road about 8km along bank of Tank is beautiful and the environment pleasant up to "Angamedilla" [South West] From this up to "Kottapitiya" on the Grithale/Bakamuna road the trek will be along the "Amban Ganga"[river] and the rest through paddy fields and village [18km/5-1/2hours]

• Morning after breakfast visit the Polonnaruwa Ruins.
• Start on the trekking trail to Kottapitiya.
• Packed lunch will be provided.
  • Night dinner & stay at Kottapitiya.
  • Economy - Guest House or similar
  • Standard - luxury camping
  • Deluxe - super luxury camping.

Leaving from Kottapitiya to Kandy.

ILLUKKUMBURA TO RIVERSTON TREKKING TRAIL IN KNUCKLES. (Moderate)

Drive up to Illukkumbura in the Knuckles area. The trek from Illukkumbura to Riverston would be along wondrous road, traversing five major vegetation types from Dry zone forest to montane pygmy forest at Riverston, including dry patana grassland . "Pitawala Patana", the grassland is the largest dry patana grassland in the island and offers an excellent viewpoint in Knuckles area.

KANDY was the last Capital of the Kings of Sri Lanka and stronghold of the political power against colonial powers. It is also the home for the Temple of the Tooth relic. Architectural monuments in and around Kandy date mainly from the 16 th century.

DALADA MALIGAWA

The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Malgawa dates from the 16 th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 18 th century. Entering the shrine over a moonstone step, you pass a stone depicting the Indian goddess Lakshmi and a wall with frescoes illustrating the Buddhist conception of hell. The upper stories house the tooth relic, placed inside a room with gilded iron bars. Behind the tooth relic sanctuary is a hall with a number of golden Buddha statues and modern paintings, showing Buddha's life and the arrival of Buddhism in the land. We end our tour just before the evening drumming begins, which precedes the ceremonious opening of the window for the public viewing of the casket with the tooth.

• Morning - after breakfast, proceed to Illukkumbura in Knuckles area.
• Start on the trekking trail from the Illukkumbura to Riverston.
• Packed lunch will be provided in the forest.
• After the trail proceed to Kandy .
• Kandy city tour with a visit to the Dalada Maligawa & the culture tour.
  • Dinner & night stay in Kandy .
  • Economy - Gem Inn or similar
  • Standard - Suisse Hotel or similar
  • Deluxe - Earls Regency or similar.

TREKKING ON THE WAY TO NUWARA ELIYA. (Moderate)

Nuwara Eliya, cradled in central hill country is about the most attractive area of the island. The walk for the day, 6 hours and 20-24km, in the cool climes, along plantation roads, jeep tracks and main roads will be an unforgettable experience.

NUWARA ELIYA has a cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13degC this is an exquisite and healthy city famous for its wide range in flowers. With buildings of English architecture everywhere in the city, it is affectionately called little England . The Victoria Park in the center of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka . Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher are very common.

• Departure from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
• Start trekking from a half way point on the way.
• Packed lunch will be provided at a suitable location.
• After the trail Arrival in Nuwara Eliya.
  • Dinner & night stay at Nuwara Eliya.
  • Economy - The Rock or similar
  • Standard - Gallway Forest Lodge or similar
  • Deluxe - Tea Factory Hotel or similar.

Leaving after breakfast to Maha Eliya (Horton Plains) National Park entrance in your vehicle. Start trekking inside the park (8km).

(There is an option of going by vehicle to visit the Bamabarakanda falls finishing the Horton Plains trail.)

MAHA ELIYA (HORTON PLAINS) TRAIL - ( Easy )

MAHA ELIYA (HORTON PLAINS) NATIONAL PARK is undoubtedly one of the world's best nature reserves. It is characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland. In general, the forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes the grasslands in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000 hectares the park is also home to a wide variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka ) and 24 species of mammal such as Sambar deer, barking deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, black naped hare, porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts, there 87 species (14 of which are endemic), including many migratory birds. The Plains also feature many interesting attractions such as Maha Eliya Falls (Bakers Falls), 'Chimney Pool' and the famous 'World's End' (a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous views of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline).

SATAN'S STEPS TRAIL STARTING FROM THE HORTON PLAINS ENTRANCE. ( Grade C- Strenuous )

You have two options where you can travel in the vehicle for about 6 km up to "Udaveriya" estate junction & then start trekking or start the trek from the gate entrance itself. Distance to the Bambarakanda Falls from the junction is 14km. Along this trail you will cover Kingslyn estate, West Haputale estate then Bambarakanda Falls. From the falls you can either trek for another 6km & get in to your vehicle at Kalupahana to be driven to River Garden or get in to the vehicle near the falls itself.

BAMBARAKANDA FALLS

Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep rocks and dark green forests of tropic trees and introduced pine trees, the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka [240.8m] plunges with two silver ropes over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 500m walking distance from the trail.

BELIHULOYA is a very picturesque and romantic hamlet situated about 160km from Colombo in the historical "Sabaragamuwa" province. This zone is a climatically transitional area linking the wet & dry zones and the hill country & the low country. This very important location has made it one of the places in the country with the highest bio-diversity.

EVENING - RIVER BATHING IN THE NATURAL ROCK POOL IN "BELIHULOYA".

This is a unique place where two streams namely "Belihuloya" and "Galagamaoya" meet together creating a natural bathing area with clear unpolluted water that flows down from "Horton Plains", 2200 meters above the sea level. . There are three varieties of lizards located here including the horned lizard.

• Leaving to Belihuloya via Maha Eliya (Horton Plains.)
• Trekking inside the National Park.
• Lunch will be provided at a suitable location.
• Continue trekking through Satan's Steps to Bambarakanda.
• From Bambarakanda trekking to Ohiya, & then the guests will travel in a vehicle to Belihuloya.
• Dinner & night stay in Belihuloya.
• Economy - Luxury Camping
• Standard - Cottage or similar
• Deluxe - Eco Lodge or similar.

Proceed to Adams Peak for the climb in the late evening via Makeliya.

Leave by vehicle, after an early dinner at Belihuloya, to "Maskeliya" at the base of the "Samanala Kanda" to begin the arduous 08km/6hr climb to Sri Pada ( Adam's Peak ), via "Bogowanthalawa".

Begin the arduous 08 km climb usually in the evening to the misty mountaintop with experienced guides from Eco Team. You may reach the 2,240 metre high peak - the island's fourth highest - at dawn to witness a glorious sunrise and the mountain's shadow, cast by the rising sun on to the clouds below. Legend has it that, the footprint was made by the Buddha, on his third visit to the island later originally carved in the rock, and now covered by an oversized reproduction set in cement.

Some believe it is the spot where Adam, from Christian creation myth, first set foot on earth, after being banished from the Garden of Eden. Other Christians believe, it belongs to St. Thomas , the Apostle. To Hindus, the footprint is 'Lord Shiva's.

Peak wilderness sanctuary is among the best areas for birds and butterflies in Sri Lanka as well.

It usually takes three to four hours to reach the top, but during the pilgrim season, which begins in December and lasts till May , the throng is sometimes so great, it can take over - 30 minutes to move from one step to the other.

• At leisure in Belihuloya till after dinner or engage in optional activities that are available there. [Canoeing / Cycling / Birding / Village visits.]
• Lunch at the Rafters Retreat.
• After dinner proceed to Adams Peak for the climb.
• Start climbing at 8pm .
• Witness the sunrise
• Sleeping bags will be provided for all categories. (Economy / Standerd / Deluxe)

Descend from Adams Peak & proceed to a hotel in Ratnapura.

RATNAPURA - CITY OF GEMS . A land of stirring myth and legend, for you raise your eyes. This area has a long history for finest gems in the world specifically best rubies in the world.

The extent to which Ratnapura still yields its fabulous gems is sufficient to account for the early tales of their profusion and splendour. Yes, Ratnapura (also called the city of rubies) remains to this day the convergence of Sri Lanka's mineral wealth, the place to which the detritus of the rocks sweep down and are held lovingly in the dips and rises of a land that seems to stir in its sleep, then pulls the coverlets of green and gold around it.

• After witnessing sunrise and after breakfast, trek down hill along a different route (10km 7 hours)
• Clients will be picked up at Ratnapura road entry point and driven to a Hotel in Ratnapura.
• Dinner & night stay in Ratnapura.
• Economy - Guest House or similar
• Standard - Ratnaloka Tour Inn or similar
• Deluxe - Ratnaloka Tour Inn (Deluxe room) or similar.

Leave for Negombo by vehicle from Ratnapura

NEGOMBO

Bustling Negambo town is a historically interesting place strongly influenced by the Catholic Church. The narrow strip of land between the lagoon & the sea and the many cannals make for a good exploring.

TREKKING TRAIL (Moderate)

Clients will be dropped off en-route where they will trek approx 10km /4hours via rubber plantations, which will be a different the walker a different sensation. It gives one a feeling that one walks through a forest, but not quite.

• After breakfast, leaving to Negombo
• En-route trekking trail for about 10km.
• Lunch will be provided.
• Dinner & nigjt stay at Negombo.
  • Economy - Sunset Beach or similar
  • Standard - Browns Beach or similar
  • Deluxe - "The Beach" or similar.

• 90 Days or more - 250  US $ Administrative fee
• 60 to 89 Days -  15 % of the tour cost will be charged
• 30 to 59 Days - 25 % of the tour cost will be charged  
• 14 Days to 29 Days -  50 % of the tour cost will be charged.
• 8 Days to 13 Days -  75 % of the tour cost will be charged.
• Less than 7 days no refund.  

Eco Team should receive the cancellation in writing. Tour start day is not considered for computation of the period. 

Conditions that may affect Eco Team grading of trekking trails.
Please remember that it is impossible to be absolutely precise about how hard a walk may be, as there may be many contributory factors. The main benefit of grading is to provide you with an overall indicator to compare one walk against another. We at Eco Team, therefore look at the following 6 factors before deciding the grade:

• Length of trek and length of walking day.
• Average altitude and altitude gain and loss.
• Trail conditions.
• Level of backpacking.
• Temperature range and likely weather conditions.
• Level of humidity can jump from 70% to 90% very easily
• Remoteness to services and general level of comfort.

* Please note the weather condition in Sri Lanka: Lowlands- tropical, average 27C Central Hills- cooler, with temperatures dropping to 14C. the south-east monsoon brings the rain to the western, south western and central regions from May to July, while the north-western monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. Sri Lanka boasts a good climate for holiday-makers throughout the year.