Leaving Sigiriya to Illukkumbura for a trekking trail to Riverston in the Knuckles area. Then proceed to Kandy.

ILLUKKUMBURA TO RIVERSTON TREKKING TRAIL.
Along this walk the guest can observe meager vegetation types in Sri Lanka. Pitawala patana is predominantly covered by grass species. Pitawala patana is an excellent viewpoint in Knuckles area. Riverston or Kirimatiyakanda peak is observed to be covered with mist and this area is exposed to strong winds and as a result walking through the area is sometimes very difficult. The road passes through stunted tree vegetation known as pigmy forests.

KANDY was the last stronghold of the Buddhist political power against colonial powers. It is also the home of the Temple of the Tooth relic. Its architectural monuments date mainly from the 19th century, when Vikrama Rajashinha went on a building spree, the cost of which hastened the downfall and eventual surrender to the British forces.

DALADA MALIGAWA
The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Malgawa dates from the 16th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19th 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 relic of the tooth, caged behind the 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.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast leaving to Knuckles Range in a vehicle.
• On arrival at a place called the Illukkumbura the guests will start trekking up to Riverston.
• Packed lunch will be provided at a suitable location.
• Finishing the trail proceed to Kandy.
• Evening at leisure or optional city tour.
• Night dinner & stay at Kandy. Value – Gem Inn or Similar / Standard – Suisse Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Earls Regency or similar.

Activities in Kandy.

UDAWATTEKELE SANCTUARY lies north of Kandy Lake on the periphery of the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Declared a sanctuary on 29 July 1938.It’s extent is 102.8ha.This sanctuary use as a pleasure park probably goes back many centuries. The vegetation comprises fairly dense forest, mostly plantation and secondary formations

The history of the gardens as far backs as1371. The gardens a horse-shoe-shaped peninsula round which flows the chief river of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli.The total area is 147 acres containing more than 4000 plant species.

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS
This is 147 acres in extent started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy. There are more than 500 species of trees and plants. Some are rare & endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice Garden on Orchid House are more popular with tourist.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast visit the Udawattekele Sanctuary.
• Lunch at a hotel or restaurant in Kandy.
• After lunch proceed to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens for a visit.
• Evening at leisure.
• Night dinner & stay at Kandy. Value – Gem Inn or Similar / Standard – Suisse Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Earls Regency or similar.

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.

Activities around the Belihuloya area.

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
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.

KINCHIGUNE NATURE TRAIL
This diverse trail of approximately 6km begins at the River Garden Resort in Belihuloya, 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 where the Belihuloya river meets the Samanalawewa reservoir. From there, it is a short climb up through the forest to the Kinchigune.

SCHEDULE
• Cycling trail will start after breakfast & end up at Kinchigune.
• Lunch at the Eco Lodge in Kinchigune.
• Finishing lunch after a short break, canoeing in the reservoir.
• Then start on the nature trail back to River Garden.
• From Bambarakanda trekking to Ohiya, & then the guests will travel in a vehicle to Belihuloya.
• Night dinner & stay in River Garden or Kinchigune in Belihuloya. Value – Luxury Camping / Standard – Cottage or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

(The above-mentioned activities will be done vise versa if the clients are accommodated at the Eco Lodge or camping in Kinchigune)

SINHARAJA RAINFOREST is a world heritage site, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Whatever its ‘technical’ name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Bird Watching in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word ‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest!

‘MORNINGSIDE’ ECO TEAM CAMP is situated off ‘Suriyakanda’ (between Rakwana and Deniyaya). ‘Morningside Estate’ was originally named by the colonial planters who came to grow tea there. Most of the tea plantation has now been replaced by cardamom (one of the most expensive spices in the world) and it is an interesting option for visitors to observe the entire process of cardamom production.

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 nature trail, 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
• After breakfast the guests will driven to Suriya kanda.
• From there the clients will walk to Singharaja Morning-side camp.
• Night dinner & stay at the Morning Side camp. Value – luxury Camping / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – super luxury camping.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast leaving to the Singharaja Rain Rorest with packed lunch.
• Forest exploration till late afternoon.
• Back to the Morning Side camp. At leisure
• Night BBQ dinner & stay at the Morning Side camp. Value – luxury Camping / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – super luxury camping.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast walk back to Suriya Kanda.
• From here you will be driven to Galle
• Arrival at you hotel in Galle for lunch.
• At leisure.
• Night dinner & stay at Galle. Value – Closenberge Hotel or similar / Standard – The lady Hill or similar / Deluxe – Light House or similar.