DAMBANA is a remote jungle village of indigenous people, situated about 300km from Colombo. The population of these indigenous ‘Veddha’ people now consists of only about 350 families, a number significantly reduced from a once thriving community. The ‘Veddha’ are so influenced by the imposing dominant culture that they risk losing their traditions and what has been their livelihood for centuries. However, they remain determined that their way of life will continue into future generations. The Chief himself told us on a recent visit to the village that his main worry is that he may not be able prevent the ‘Veddha’ traditions from dying out during his own lifetime. Visitors to this fascinating village have the opportunity to meet and chat with the people who live there, learn about their traditions, and gain a unique insight into their way of life. Your visit will also be of a direct financial benefit to the community because, as well as paying them a rent for the campsite and a fee for their involvement in the programme, Eco Team also uses local produce and labour whenever possible.

OUR CAMPSITE is located next to the ‘Delikadeliwewa’ tank in very close proximity to the Dambana village itself. During your stay, the ‘Veddha’ people will visit the camp in their traditional costume in order to perform some traditional dances. The camp is also close to one of their former hunting grounds so guests can have the chance to participate in a mock hunt. 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. In the evening you can enjoy 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
• The guest will cycle from Polonnaruwa to Mahiyangana after breakfast.
• Lunch on the way at a hotel or restaurant.
• The guests can be met at the Dambana junction and escorted to the camp.
• After a short break the guests will make visit to the Veddah village and meet with the Chief – Wanniyaleththo. This is arranged followed by the famous “Kiri Koraha” dance, which they perform to invoke blessings from the gods.
• Back to Camp / guest house.
• Night dinner & stay in Dambana / Mahiyangana. Value – Mahiyangana rest house or similar / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – super luxury camping.

The KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE (so-called because its appearance resembles a set of knuckles in a closed fist) has been declared a protected conservation area, now known as the ‘Knuckles National Heritage and Wilderness area’. The region stretches an impressive 155 sq km that contains five major forest formations, a wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna and some breathtaking mountain scenery. It is a paradise for those who love to hike or mountain bike, offering a wide variety of trails that explore this fabulous area.

KANDY - Capital of the hill country has a lot to offer- -History / culture / Forested hills and a touch of an urban buzz. Kandy was the last capital of the Singhalese Kingdom which fell in to the British in 1815 after safeguarding from Portuguese and Dutch for 300 years.

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
• Leaving Dambana to Kandy finishing breakfast.
• Leaveing for a cycling journey to Kandy via Haslaka / Hettipola / Pallegma. [Through the Knuckles range] There will back up vehicles for any one to get in if they find this trail too hard.
• Packed lunch on the way
• Evening visit to Dalada Maligawa
• Night dinner & stay in Kandy. Value – Gem Inn or similar / Standard – Suisse Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Earls Regency or similar.

SCHEDULE
• Full day at leisure.
• Lunch at the respective hotel.
• Night dinner & stay in Kandy. Value – Gem Inn or similar / Standard – Suisse Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Earls Regency or similar.

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.
On the way we will visit a working tea factory and tea plantation and see how the world’s best tea is made. We will be visiting a temple dedicated to a Hindu mythical god “Hanuman” too.

SCHEDULE
• After breakfast, cycling to Nuwara Eliya. (the guests have the option of choosing the no of Km)
• Lunch at a hotel or restaurant.
• Evening at leisure.
• Dinner & night stay at Nuwara Eliya. Value – The Rock or similar / Standard – Gallway Forest Lodge or similar / Deluxe – Tea Factory Hotel or similar.

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
This is a climatically transitional area, which links the dry and wet zones at an altitude of less than 1500m. As a result, the vegetation in consists of moist semi-evergreen forests, tropical savanna forests, dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests. The vegetation in this environment has made this location an exciting one for the serious as well as the casual nature lover. The average temperature in the area is about 28.3 degrees Celsius and the mean annual rainfall is between 1,875 and 2,500mm.

SCHEDULE
• After an early morning breakfast proceed to Horton Plains by coach for a trekking trail.
• Finishing the trail the clients will cycle from Horton Plains to Kalupahana via Statn’s Steps & Bambarakanda. (Steep Downhill and uphill 22km) This particular route has got it’s name as “Satan’s Steps” due to the steep climb and narrow sharp bends, - mainly hairpin bends.
• Kalupahana to Belihuloya (by Vehicle or Cycling slight Downhill 14km).
• Arrival at River Garden Resort in the late after noon.
• Evening at leisure.
• Dinner & night stay at Belihuloya. Value – Camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe – Eco Lodge or similar.

KUDAWA’ ECO TEAM CAMP is located on a peninsula in the forest and surrounded by two rivers (deep enough for swimming) and just beyond a tea plantation (where you will see the traditional tea pluckers in action). Even without leaving the camp itself, so much can be seen – so let the nature come to you!

The peaceful camp is an ideal location for early morning Bird Watching before a fascinating nature trail through the forest. 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 in Belihuloya, the clients will proceed to Singharaja Rainforest cycling. (the guests can choos the no of Km)
• Clients will start on the forest exploration just after lunch at the camp.
• Evening rainforest exploration.
• Dinner & night stay at Singharaja. Value – Singharaja Lodge or similar / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – Boulder Gardens or similar.

The safari will also be an unforgettable bird watching experience as Udawalawe has a wide variety of birds. The endemic species, the Red-faced Malkoha, has its favourite habitat in this parkland. Serpent Eagles, Hawk Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, Black Eagles, Black Capped Bulbuls, Racket-tailed Drongos, Malabar Pied Horn Bills, White-necked Storks, Open Bills, Ibis, Shama (the Forest Nightingale), Strol-billed Kingfishers and peacocks are found in fair numbers.

SCHEDULE
• Finishing breakfast cycling to Udwalawe National Park.
• Guests will arrive in time for lunch.
• After lunch & a Short break evening safari & bird watching at the park.
• Dinner & night stay at Udawalawe / Embilipitiya. Value – Centauria or similar / Standard – luxury camping / Deluxe – supper luxury camping.

GALLE, the largest town in the region, is full of history, and Sri Lanka's small size means that a stay in one of the beach resorts of the southwest can easily be combined with sightseeing in the hill country or the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle. The biggest concentration of resort hotels is in the area closest to Colombo and its international airport, between Beruwela and Bentota, where several fishing villages have merged into a string of attractive low-rise resorts surrounded by boutiques, beach bars and restaurants.

SCHEDULE
• Finishing breakfast the clients will pack up & leave the park.
• On your way to the gate entrance feast your self on the elephants one last time. From the gate entrance you will travel to Galle in vehicles.
• Lunch on the way at a hotel or restaurant.
• At leisure in a hotel in Galle.
• Dinner & night stay in Galle. Value – Ahangama easy beach or similar / Standard – Closenberg Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Light House Hotel or similar.