Arrival and transfer to Belihuloya.
BELIHULOYA
This is a climatically transitional area, which links the dry and wet zones at an altitude of less than 650m. As a result, the vegetation it consists is of moist semi-evergreen forests, tropical savanna forests, dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests. The wide variety of 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.
In the ancient times people living in this area have been engaged in Agriculture and the Steel industry. It is said, that these villagers have manufactured weapons like spears, swords  and knives for the one time great Sinhala king “Dutugemunu” in the 2nd century BC. It is also said, that the manufacturers of the world famous “Damascus sword’ were supplied with steel by these villages.
If we were to look further back in time, even the presence of pre-historic settlements were proved by the finding of skeletal remains of the 29,000 year old pre-historic man “Homosapien balangodensis” in this area, during recent excavations.
Another very important aspect of this location - being situated in the middle of the Hill and Low Countries -, is the presence of a large number of beautiful locations and so many waterfalls not forgetting the forests, grasslands, caves etc. The great diversity of flora and fauna in this area has made this a very important location for the casual and the serious nature watcher
SCHEDULE 
- Arrival & transfer to Belihuloya (160km from Colombo. 3½ hrs travel time)
- Lunch on the way or at the River Garden Resort (Belihuloya) – depending on flight arrival times.
- Afternoon at leisure.
- Dinner and Overnight stay at River Garden Resort – cottages or similar.
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This diverse trail of approximately 06 kms begins at River Garden Resort running alongside the Belihul Oya river through its riverine forest. 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 ends where the River ends at the Samanalawewa Reservoir and climbs up from there, to the Kinchigune Eco Lodge. 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.
The still and 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. 