Sri Lankan Adventure Tour

This soft adventure tour through Sri Lanka's country and culture includes gentle walks by paddy fields and bracing hikes in high hill country, transport by elephant and by bullock cart, white water rafting, a catamaran crossing and optional train journey . . . an exceptional, exhilarating tour for active discovery. By staying in Sigiriya for three nights it also reduces the amount of unpacking and packing you will need to do!

Guide

This tour is escorted by an English speaking local driver guide plus the services of a guide lecturer for groups of 7 or more.

MEAL PLAN → Breakfast on tour from Day 2 to Day 7; breakfast in Colombo and your Sri Lanka beach extension. NB: If you take the optional train journey on Day 6 there will not be time for a full lunch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Kuramathi Maldives.

ACCOMMODATION → Three and a half star and above, all with swimming pools with the exception of Nuwara Eliya.

TOUR INCLUDES → All transport in quality airconditioned vehicle → Special guides for treks → 1-2 hour White Water Rafting with qualified guide → 1 hour elephant back safari → Sightseeing and entrance fees where specified (optional excursions at extra cost) → Hire of catamarans (oruwa) and bullock carts for Hiriwaduna excursion → Bicycle ride in Habarana.

TRAVEL TIPS → We recommend warm clothing is taken for your stay in Nuwara Eliya.
GROUP SIZE → Maximum group size is 20 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS → This tour is subject to minimum numbers.

NB → Passengers require a good level of fitness, this tour is only suitable for those with an active nature and no mobility problems. The white water rafting ride on Day 8 is quite challenging, but suitable for anyone between ages 8 and 65. Children under 8 years are not accepted.

DAY 1 → Fly SriLankan Airlines direct from London Heathrow to Colombo, arriving the next morning or afternoon.

DAY 2 → On arrival, transfer north to the Cultural Triangle; a delightful drive through paddy fields and rubber plantations. If you arrived in the morning, this afternoon, experience a wonderful elephant-back safari through the forests and villages of Habarana amid the plentiful wildlife. Each elephant carries a wooden platform for four people. If you arrived in the afternoon the elephant-back safari will take place on Day 3. Arrive for a three night stay at the Sigiriya Hotel, Sigiriya in a Standard room (approx 120 miles, 3½ hours drive).

DAY 3 → After breakfast, visit the staggering Sigiriya Rock Fortress to climb its 1,200 steps and see the well preserved fabulous frescoes. The views from the top makes the steep climb more than worthwhile! This afternoon, relax or perhaps head out on an optional jeep safari to Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks.

DAY 4 → An early start to Hiriwaduna village for a varied trek, first to the reservoir, where the trunks of long dead trees stand stark against lush wetland greenery. After a picnic breakfast, cross by catamaran at Oruwa and follow a narrow trail through banana plantations to the home of a Chena farmer for a cool drink of king coconut. Continue onward into a scrub forest, where a waiting bullock cart is your jungle transport. This afternoon visit the Ritigala monastery ruins, its ancient stones are steeped in legend and superbly crafted by artisans. Gigantic trees form its backdrop, 300 feet high with tropical lianas climbing and twining around the trunks.

DAY 5 → After breakfast, enjoy a cycle ride in Habarana before leaving for Kandy. Arrive in the hill capital Kandy for sightseeing of Kandy town and market including a visit to the much revered Temple of the Tooth relic. Overnight at the Suisse Hotel in a Standard room (approx. 5 miles, 2½ hours drive).

DAY 6 → Visit the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, then perhaps take the optional train ride from the rail station at Gampola to Nanu Oya station and thereafter continue to Nuwara Eliya (6,000 feet above sea level) by road for two nights at the St Andrews hotel in a Standard room (approx. 65 miles, 2½ hour’s drive).

DAY 7 → Leave by jeep for the Horton Plains for a three hour scenic trek through Sri Lanka’s highest plateau (7,200 feet above sea level) to ‘World’s End’ and Bakers Falls. Spectacular views, a bracing climate, rare birds and butterflies are your reward for the climb.

DAY 8 → Leave after breakfast stopping en route for an exhilarating 1-2 hour white water rafting excursion on the Kelani River in Kitulgala (level three). Overnight at the Mount Lavinia Hotel near Colombo in a Standard room (p79) or extend your stay on the beaches in a hotel of your choice.

DAY 9 → Fly SriLankan Airlines arriving Heathrow later that day.

EXTENSIONS

MALDIVES

DAY 9 → Fly to Malé and transfer by boat (approx. 30 minutes) to Kuramathi Island Resort in a Garden Villa, or your choice of island for five nights or more.

DAY 14 → Transfer by boat back to the airport for SriLankan Airlines flight to London Heathrow direct or via Colombo arriving later the same day.