ETC/7DT/041
PROGRAMME : Soft Adventure Programme.
DURATION : 6 Nights / 7 Days.
PERIOD : Valid till 31-Oct-2006
Day 1 - Arrival & transfer to a hotel in Colombo (HB)

Arrival & transfer to a hotel in Colombo.

COLOMBO
Like many capital cities in developing countries, the face of Colombo is quickly changing. Skyscrapers now tower over the streets where old buildings once stood and modern shopping malls attract locals and foreigners alike in search of a bargain. However, in some parts the ‘Old World' charm is retained, such as the 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest include the Pettah markets, the old Parliament in the Fort district, the new parliament in Thimbirigasyaya, and a wide variety of churches, mosques and temples that are sentiment to the many different religions that dominate the country. In terms of shopping, there is a wide range of colourful fabrics, batiks, handicrafts and other souvenirs. Clothes are also especially good value and there are a number of specialised outlets sure to satisfy the most serious of shoppers!

SCHEDULE
• Arrival & transfer to a hotel in Colombo.
• At leisure after a long flight.
• Dinner & night stay in Colombo. Value – Grand Oriental Hotel or similar / Standard – Galle Face Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Trans Asia Hotel or similar.

Day 2 - Colombo - Kitulgala (FB)
Proceed to Kitulgala from Colombo.
WHITE WATER RAFTING IN KITULGALA.
This thrilling adventure on the white water sections of Kelani River is suitable for amateurs as well as professionals alike. During the run you will experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria of making it through. The river's clear water is born in the heart of the peak wilderness reserve and tumbles through a rocky gorge just above Kithulgala.

BELILENA CAVE which is situated 2000 feet above sea level in scenic surroundings .The excavations have helped to uncover many fossils more than 32,000 years old.

SCHEDULE
• Clients will leave their Colombo hotel in the morning & proceed to Kitulgala.
• Start rafting at 10 am
• Finishing rafting, lunch at the centre for a typical Srilankan lunch.
• Evening start the cycling trail from Kithulgala to the historical cave “Belilina” (10km approx. distance)
• Dinner & night stay in Kitulgala. Value – Kitulgala Rest House or similar / Standard – Plantation Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Enduruella Bungalow (Plantation hotel) or similar.

Day 3 - Kitulgala - Belihuloya – Kinchigune – Belihuloya (FB)
Proceed to Belihuloya in a vehicle.

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. River Garden Resort is built in this little hamlet.

KINCHIGUNE NATURE TRAIL
This diverse trail of approximately 06 kms begins at Kinchigune Eco Lodge running alongside a riverine forest and the Belihuloya River itself. During the trail, you will venture through paddy fields, across rivers and past local village houses with their extensive vegetable plots. It is an ideal opportunity to learn a bit about the local agricultural systems and simple way of village living. Along the way, you will also witness several types of beautiful birds and butterflies and some charming waterfalls. The trail finishes at Riber Garden Resort. The whole journey takes between 02 and 04 hours, depending on how often you want to stop for rest, photos, or simply to take in the wonderful surroundings.

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.

The SEMI-LUXURY CAMPSITE at River Garden provides an ideal opportunity to experience camping in style! This is camping with a difference - the tents are very spacious, clean and modern, and guests are guaranteed a good night’s sleep on comfortable mattresses and listening to nature’s very own orchestra! The camp has easy access to the restaurant, toilets, shower and freshwater ‘al fresco’ bathing in the river.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast leaving to Belihuloya.
• Arrival for lunch at River Garden Resort.
• After lunch & a short break start on the nature trail to Kinchigune.
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

Day 4 - Belihuloya – Kinchigune – Samanalawawa - Belihuloya (FB)
After breakfast, activities from Belihuloya to Kinchigune & back.

CYCLING TO KINCHIGUNE VILLAGE
First section of your trail leads through a typical Sri Lankan village passing paddy fields, village houses, Home Gardens, canals etc. Then you will be falling on to a more difficult terrain and dirt tracks. At certain places you might have to carry your cycle also.
You will cross the Belihuloya Stream to get to our Eco Lodge – “Kinchigune”.

CANOEING IN SAMANALAWEWA RESERVOIR
The still calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir are perfect for canoeing. Whether you want to take your time and go for a leisurely paddle for a couple of hours, perhaps venturing 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. The Samanalawewa reservoir is named after the Sinhalese word ‘samanala’, meaning ‘butterfly’, hinting not only at the terrific number of butterflies in the area but also the actual shape of the reservoir. The word ‘wewa’ literally means ‘ tank’ (another term often used to describe reservoirs). The surrounding mountains add to the idyllic setting of the reservoir. All groups will be supplied with an experienced guide and modern life jackets, and a proper orientation will be offered for those who are new to canoeing.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast, cycling to Kinchigune Village
• Lunch at the Eco Lodge.
• Canoeing at the Samanalawewa reservoir
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

Day 5 - Belihuloya – Horton Plains – Bambarakanda - Belihuloya (FB)
Leaving to Horton Plains in a vehicle.

Nature walk in HORTON PLAINS NATURE RESERVE, which is approximately 10,000 Hectares in extent, is haunted by Elk, Deer, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Hare , Porcupine, and a variety of Migratory birds, unique to this region. According to a recent count there are 16 Leopards in Horton Plains. If you are very lucky you may get a glimpse of a Leopard during your sojourn in the Horton Plains.

SATAN’S STEPS TRAIL STARTING FROM THE HORTON PLAINS ENTRANCE.
You have two options where you can travel in the vehicle for about 6 km up to “Udaweriya” 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 pines and tropic 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.

SCHEDULE
• After an early breakfast or packed breakfast leaving to Horton Plains by 6.30 in a vehicle.
• Arrival at the Horton Plains around 7.00am.
• Trekking inside the park. Total distance of trekking in side the park would be 6km.[ Graded as a soft trail]
• Lunch at a suitable location.
• Satan’s Steps & Bambarakanda trail starting from the Horton Plains Entrance.
• Night dinner & stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

Day 6 - Belihuloya – Waulapane - Udawalawe / Embilipitya (FB)
After breakfast, Proceed to Udawalawe via Waulapane.

WAULAPANE CAVE
This cave is an isolated cavern set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana range. It contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites and is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old. You will journey approx. 300mt underground to discover this prehistoric world. While there are few fossils visible in the caverns wall, the main building process is still continuing. The stream, which runs through this cave, becomes a beautiful waterfall at the center, giving you a mysterious and a thrilling experience. You may encounter few water monitors, Amphibians and thousands of Bats in this fully dark cave.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city. The 30,821 hectare dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1,524 mm and an average temperature of 29.40C. It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds – adults and young, feeding and bathing or playing in the water! In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts. A 4WD open-top safari is the only way to see all the wonders this protected reserve has to offer, and our experienced and knowledgeable nature guides will make this an unforgettable experience.

The ECO TEAM SAFARI CAMP is situated about 16 km inside the park next to the Walawe Ganga River (which feeds the nearby Udawalawe reservoir). Forget any ideas about cramped tents and sitting on the ground for meals – this is camping in style! The camp is set up prior to your arrival, transporting in comfortable tents, a fully equipped kitchen, chairs and tables, hammocks, flushable toilets, showers and even cold beer. On your return from the afternoon safari, you will be welcomed with a hearty barbecue meal in a magical setting – the whole area is lit up with traditional flame torches and a roaring campfire. So sit back, relax and let our experienced staff cater to your every need.

SCHEDULE
• Breakfast at River Garden Resort.
• After breakfast, leave for Waulpane Cave
• Explore the Cave
• Lunch en route
• Proceed to Udawalawe Wildlife Park
• Guests will be picked up at the main gate entrance and taken in a 4WD Jeeps to the Camp.
• Welcome Drink will be served while the guests will be briefed about the Camping rules and regulations
• Evening, 4WD Jeep Safari at the Park
• Night dinner & stay in Udawalawe / Embilipitiya. Value – Centauria hotel or similar / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – super luxury camping.

Day 7 - Departure
SCHEDULE
• Departure to your next destination.
 
- END OF PROGRAMME -
Our Rates
No of Pax
01 Pax
02 Pax
03 Pax
04 Pax
Value
       
Standard
       
Luxury
       
 
 

make programmes. How ever we are flexible enough to do minor changes to the ready made itineraries, with out any charge. ? Please write to us.

Do you own programme – Visit the location and activity pages on our site and you will come across mini tours in all of those pages. By combining them you can design your own tour. We will complete it by adding on the hotels and other cultural locations you may require.

Your tour will be handled by an experienced travel consultant who will provide a personalized service.

Our programmes are offered in the following 3 standards. Accommodation options have been selected after careful evaluation.

Standard -Value: Basic but clean. With a typical Sri Lankan touch , relaxed atmosphere and personalized service at Small family / enterprise run operations.

Standard - 3 Star equal: Better comforts and facilities with extra comforts. Mostly large establishments with Standardized service.

Standard - Deluxe: High standards of quality, décor, service and much more, with many extra comforts and activities to indulge yourself. We have offered locations with a unique Sri Lankan individuality, measuring up to international standards.

Please inquire for our special group rates for more than 4 pax.
Tour operators/agents & tourism related web portals may contact with all information for special rates.
Expectations ours and yours.