12 DAY TREKKING TOUR - SRI LANKA
Location
DAY 01 NEGOMBO
Welcome on arrival at the Colombo International Airport, and transfer to NEGOMBO a little fishing village not far from the airport. This coastal town has been ruled by all three colonial powers, the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, who were attracted to it as a source of Cinnamon and Negombo is today known as “Little Rome” for its many churches. It is a sea side resort town with many hotels and restaurants along the beach. Free to explore Negombo town by foot or relax on the beach.
Night at the hotel.
DAY 02 NEGOMBO / SIGIRIYA |TREK
Early morning before breakfast, visit the fishing village to see the catamaran return with their catch of the day which are sold on the beach and return to the hotel for breakfast. Leave to SIGIRIYA and arrive at the hotel. Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the 8th Wonder of the World, it is a palace built on top of a rock rising up to 600 feet. This rock fortress was built by the parricide King Kasyppa in the 5th century AD. On the ascent to the summit of the rock see some of the marvels of this ruined palace, such as the rock paintings or “frescoes” and from the summit one will have a panoramic view of the surrounding.
In the afternoon do a short trek to Pidurangala to see an ancient temple and a spectacular view of the area from the summit of this mountain.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 03 SIGIRIYA / POLONARUWA |CYCLE
Morning leave for POLONNARUWA to visit the ancient ruins by cycle. This was the 2nd Capital of the country from the 11th century BC and the well preserved medieval city has several archaeological sites to view, ‘Galvihara’ is one such remarkable site with 3 statues of Lord Buddha sculptured in 3 different positions out of a single big rock. This ancient city is well known for the great King Parakrama Bahu who built a tank, the largest ancient rainwater reservoir of the island. This magnificent tank known as “Parakrama Samudra” is named after the king. Return to Sigiriya.
Late afternoon visit a village by bullock carts and enjoy a short ride in a catamaran to return to the hotel for dinner and night.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 04 SIGIRIYA / DAMBULLA / KNUCKLES
Morning leave for Dambulla to visit the cave temples. It is an extraordinary and unique
complex and its 18th c. rock paintings are among the best preserved in the entire region. The extent of the painted surfaces in the five caves exceeds 21,000 square feet; 157 statues of various sizes are also on display.
Continue your journey to see the spice gardens in Matale where you can see for yourself all the spices grown in Sri Lanka and used in the local cuisine as well as for medicinal use.
Leave for the night to KUNCKLES the mountain range resembling the knuckles, here lodging will be shared dorm style in a Bungalow.
DAY 05 KNUCKLES |TREK
Morning leave a full day trek in the mountain region with a picnic lunch provided en route finishing at the Telgamu Oya for a swim in the river, return to the bungalow for dinner.
DAY 06 KNUCKLES / KANDY
Morning leave for Kandy visit the Temple of the Tooth known as the “Dalada Maligawa” where the tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined in a casket at this temple. Many Buddhist pilgrims pay homage and offer flowers in the morning and evening. The relic is taken in a processions with elephants, drummers and dancers along the streets for 10 days in July or August, this parade is called the Esala Perahera.
Visit the hill capital which was the last Kingdom before the British took over rule of the island. Kandy is situated at an altitude of 500m and is the 2nd biggest city, the market and the shops are interesting to visit. Continue to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens once the pleasure gardens of the queen, the garden has one of the finest collection of tropical flora and orchids. On the way back you may visit a Gem lapidary to see the mining and cutting of gems.
Arrive at your hotel for dinner and night.
DAY 07 KANDY / ELLA | TREK
Morning visit the city and proceed to the Kandy railway station to experience a local train ride to ELLA a very vibrant hill city. Do two treks in this beautiful mountain region – one to “Small Adam’s Peak” a hike with many steps cut into the hill to reach a small shrine at the top. Then do a Trek to Ella Rock passing through the tea estates, forests and plains of this mountain region to reach the summit for a spectacular view.
Dinner and night at hotel
DAY 08 ELLA / UDAWALAWE | SAFARI
Morning leave for UDAWALAWE arrive at your camp site for lunch, afternoon visit the
National park in jeeps. Udawalawe is known for its herd of elephants, you will also see
Wild buffalos, wild boar and many birds.
Dinner and night at hotel
DAY 09 UDAWALAWE / MIRISSA
Morning leave for MIRISSA to experience another great south coast beach. The crescent shaped beach at Mirissa is fringed by palm trees creating a stunning tropical beach setting.
OPTIONAL VISIT: At Mirissa you may engage in a Dolphin & Whale Watching boat tour, go snorkeling or spend the day on the beach.
Dinner and night at the hotel
DAY 10 MIRISSA
Free day on the beach
DAY 11 MIRISSA / GALLE / COLOMBO
Morning leave for GALLE, this is an old Colonial city. Drive around & visit the Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afternoon leave for Colombo en route stop for a boat ride in the Madu Ganga, a tropical river with mangroves to see some aquatic birds. Arrive at your hotel in Colombo. You are free to go out and experience the city & the several restaurants as well as the night life.
Return to the hotel for the night.
DAY 12 COLOMBO / AIRPORT
We transfer you to the airport for departure.
