| Arrival and 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 colorful fabrics, batiks, handicrafts
and other souvenirs. Clothes are also especially good value and
there are a number of specialized outlets sure to satisfy the most
serious of shoppers!
SCHEDULE
• Arrival and transfer to a hotel in Colombo.
• At leisure after a long flight.
• Night dinner & stay at Colombo. Value – Grand Oriental Hotel
or similar / Standard – Galle Face Hotel or similar / Deluxe – Trans
Asia Hotel or similar.
| Day 02 : Colombo / Ratnapura
/ Adam’s Peak (FB) |
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| Leaving to Adams Peak via
Ratnapura. |
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| 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 splendor. 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.
ADAM’S PEAK
Begin the arduous 08 km climb to the misty mountaintop with
experienced local guides. You may reach the 2,240 meters 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.
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
• Morning, leave for Ratnapura
• Lunch at Ratnaloka Hotel, Ratnapura.
• Afternoon, relax.
• After an early dinner, ascend the Adam’s Peak from Ratnapura
• Witness the sunrise from the top of the mountain.
• Sleeping bags will be provided to all 3 catogories. (Value
/ Standard / Deluxe)
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| Day 03 : Adam’s Peak / Maskeliya
(FB) |
|
| Leaving to Maskeliya
from Adams Peak.
SCHEDULE
• Morning, descend from Adam’s Peak to Delhouse (Nallathanniya)
• Proceed by vehicle to Maskeliya for breakfast.
• Morning and afternoon, relax at Maskeliya.
• Lunch, Dinner and night stay at Maskeliya. Value –
Guest House or similara / Standard – Guest House or
similar / Deluxe – Planters Bungalow.
Maskeliya Bungalow is located
at a beautiful location surrounded by Tea Plantations
overlooking the Castlereigh Reservoir and the mighty
Adam’s Peak. (For more than 08 pax, it will be ladies
/ gents separate sharing accommodation).
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| Day 04 : Maskeliya / Belihuloya
(FB) |
|
| Proceed to Belihuloya from Maskeliya.
BELIHBULOYA
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.
RIVER BATHING IN THE NATURAL ROCK POOL IN “BELIHULOYA”.
This is an 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.
NATURE TRAIL TO “PAHANTHUDA
ELLA”.
Normal scheduled time from 2.30 to 7.00 pm. The trail
starts from the Hotel Restaurant where a briefing about
the trail is given and goes to the main road, 200m towards
Colombo along same, up through the village (Seelogama)
to the moist semi evergreen forest, to the next village
(Binthenigolla), through same and terraced paddy fields
to the channel, along the channel about 200m, up to
a small patana, up again to a moist semi evergreen forest,
through the forest to the summit where there is an abandoned
chena, down the other side of mountain through the forest,
across the Belihuloya river to visit the waterfall (“Pahanthuda
Ella”), climb up to the village of Pahala Galagama,
down along Pahala Galagama Road to the main road and
back to the campsite.
SCHEDULE
• Breakfast at Maskeliya.
• After breakfast, visit an Hindu Temple in the vicinity.
Leave for Belihuloya.
• River bathing in the natural rock pool before lunch.
• Lunch at River Garden Resort.
• At 2.30 pm, embark on a nature trail to “Pahanthuda
Ella”
• Return to River Garden Resort by 7.00 pm
• Dinner and night stay at Belihuloya. Value – luxury
camping / Standard – Cottages or similar / Deluxe -
Eco Lodge or similar.
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| Day 05 : Belihuloya / Horton
Plains / Belihuloya (FB) |
|
Leaving to
Horton Plains for a nature trail & back
to Belihuloya.
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 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.
SCHEDULE
• After breakfast, leave for Horton Plains.
(Optional, Bambarakanda trail)
• Picnic lunch or return to River Garden
Resort by vehicle for lunch
• Afternoon, relax
• Dinner and night stay at Belihuloya. Value
– luxury camping / Standard – Cottages or
similar / Deluxe - Eco Lodge or similar. |
| Day 06 :
Belihuloya – Kinchigune – Belihuloya
(FB) |
|
Activities
from Belihuloya & in Kinchigune.
KINCHIGUNE NATURE TRAIL
This diverse trail of approximately 6km
begins at the River Garden Resort in Belihuloya,
running alongside a reverie 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
Eco Lodge where you could extend your stay
and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The
whole journey takes between 2 and 4 hours,
depending on how often you want to stop
for rest, photos, or simply to take in the
wonderful surroundings.
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.
SCHEDULE
• After breakfast, trekking on the Kinchigune
Village Nature trail.
• Lunch at Kinchigune Eco Lodge.
• Canoeing at the Samanalawewa Reservoir
finishing lunch.
• After canoeing back to Belihuloya.
• Dinner and night stay at Belihuloya. Value
– luxury camping / Standard – Cottages or
similar / Deluxe - Eco Lodge or similar.
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| Day 07 :
Departure from Belihuloya |
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SCHEDULE
• Departure after breakfast to your next
destination.
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No
of Pax |
01
Pax |
02
Pax |
03
Pax |
04
Pax |
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Luxury |
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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. |
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