Proceed to Nuwara Eliya in the vehicle & then start trekking from a half way point.

TREKKING ON THE WAY TO NUWARA ELIYA.
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.

SCHEDULE
• 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. Value – The Rock or similar / Standard – Gallway Forest Lodge or similar / Deluxe – Tea Factory Hotel or similar.

Leaving after breakfast to Horton Plains Gate entrance in your vehicle. Start trekking inside the park (6km). (There is an option of going by vehicle to visit the Bamabarakanda falls finishing the Horton Plains trail.)

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK is undoubtedly one of the world’s best nature reserves. It is characterised 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 elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild 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 ‘Bakers Falls’, ‘Chimmini 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.
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.

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.
ankan Blue Magpie. There are three varieties of lizards located here including the horned lizard.

SCHEDULE
• Leaving to Belihuloya via Horton Plains.
• Trekking inside Horton Plains 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.
• Night dinner & stay in Belihuloya. Value – Luxury Camping / Standard – Cottage or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

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”.

ADAMS PEAK
Begin the arduous 08 km climb to the misty mountaintop with experienced local guides. 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 originally carved in the rock, and, now covered by an oversized reproduction set in cement, was made by the Buddha, on his third visit to the island.

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.

SCHEDULE
• At leisure at 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. (Value / Standerd / Deluxe

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.

SCHEDULE
• 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.
• Night dinner & stay at Ratnapura. Value – Guest House or similar / Standard – Ratnaloka Tour Inn or similar / Deluxe – Ratnaloka Tour Inn (Deluxe room) or similar

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.
The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it again in the same year, then captured it again in 1644. The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negambo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era, and there are still reminders of the European days.

TREKKING TRAIL
Clients will be dropped off en-route where they will trek approx 20km /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.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast, leaving to Negombo
• En-route trekking trail for about 10km.
• Lunch will be provided.
• Night dinner & stay at Negombo. Value – Sunset Beach or similar / Standard – Browns Beach or similar / Deluxe – “The Beach” or similar.