Sri Lanka - Rambling Tour

A Sri Lanka 12 day rambling adventure that includes a blend of ancient history, culture, rural lifestyle, stunning scenery and fascinating wildlife.

During the tour we will see two distinctly different areas of Sri Lanka. The 'dry zone' with its relatively flat walks through jungles, reservoirs and paddy fields. We will take in small Sri Lankan village communities who eke out a meagre existence off the land; a land steeped in culture and history (dating back to the 5th century BC.) Secondly, we visit the 'central hills', Sri Lanka's mountain area with its crisp mornings, cooler temperatures, tea estates and stunning landscapes.

Because of the nature of the terrain, the walks whilst not strenuous, are only recommended for the reasonably fit.

   

As the journey across Sri Lanka progresses, there will be ample opportunity to study the local environment including the wildlife and the flora and fauna with plenty of time to photograph the breathtaking Sri Lankan scenery. The pace is steady with plenty of rest stops.

   

Day 1

On arrival at Colombo you will be met and transferred to a city hotel.

Overnight Colombo

Day 2

Following breakfast, the Sri Lankan rambling tour begins in earnest with an early morning departure for Habarana. En route, we visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela in time to watch the feeding of the baby elephants and then the rest of the herd bathing in the river. The herd normally numbers no less than 50 elephants ranging from the small babies to mature adults. After lunch we take a short acclimatisation two-hour bird walk through the 60-acre garden area of the hotel.

Dinner & overnight, Habarana

Day 3

An early morning start for the 'Habarana Lakes trek', the perfect introduction to Sri Lanka's nature and rural lifestyle. We experience typical 'dry zone' scenery with shrub forests, lakes and simple village houses. A six-hour walk with packed lunch.

Dinner & overnight, Habarana

Day 4

Our journey on Day 4 takes us to the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. A world heritage site the 'Lion Rock' is now one of Sri Lanka's major attractions, rising two hundred metres from the jungle floor. At its base, surrounding the extensive gardens, ramparts and a moat protect the rock fortress. During our visit to this unique complex we will see water gardens, ancient frescos, the stone mirror wall and the lion platform. For the fittest, there is an opportunity to climb to the summit.

Following the lion rock we will take a five-hour ramble along the village paths and cart tracks through forests passing small lakes. A packed lunch is provided.

Dinner & overnight, Habarana

Day 5

Following breakfast we head south to the last independent kingdom of the Singhalese and the Sri Lanka's second city, Kandy. En route we are shown a spice garden where we will see many spices growing in their natural habitat. Following a city tour which incorporates the upper lake drive we will visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by an afternoon's siteseeing at the Royal Botanical gardens, the temple of the tooth, an Arts and Crafts workshop, the market place and bazaar.

Dinner & overnight, Kandy

Day 6

Following breakfast, we journey to the famous tea centre of Nuwara Eliya and the central mountains. En route, we include a visit to a tea plantation and tea factory to watch the process of turning the raw green leaf into the familiar dark product. A comfortable four-hour afternoon walk through tea plantation trails and 'pluckers' paths introduces us to the mountain section of the programme.

Dinner & overnight, Nuwara Eliya

Day 7

Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's highest plateau at 7,200 feet above sea level in the central mountain country is our destination on Day 7. A very scenic region with an astounding variety of scenery from mountains to grasslands, marshes to trout streams. The best-flavoured high grown teas are harvested in this area of Sri Lanka. You will experience spectacular views from 'Worlds End' where the plateau plunges a thousand feet in a sheer drop. With a cool, bracing climate and excellent hiking country, you will see distinctive flora, colourful butterflies and many rare highland birds. A six-hour walk to Totapola, Sri Lanka's third highest mountain at 7,872 feet, Worlds End where you will be offered a packed lunch beside the beautiful Bakers Falls.

Dinner & overnight, Bandarawela 

Day 8

The adventure continues with a fascinating journey to the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, Bambarakanda Falls. This is six-hour walk with packed lunch provided.

Dinner & overnight, Bandarawela

Day 9

An early morning start to this part of your Sri Lanka holiday as we head through the Thangamalay Forest Reserve to reach the mountain railway designed and constructed over a hundred years ago by British engineers. We proceed through a short tunnel and pass by the highest railway station in Sri Lanka before ascending through tea estates to the lower slopes of Horton Plains. A five-hour walk with a packed lunch provided.

Dinner & overnight, Bandarawela

Day 10

By train, we cross the mountain passes for Pattipola, a short journey of one hour. From Pattipola station, we continue our journey descending through tea estates and mountain forest to Diyagama Estate where we will be collected by vehicle to be transferred to former tea planters' bungalows at either Dick Oya or Talawakele. The location offers visitors panoramic views of the surrounding Sri Lanka mountains and waterfalls.

Dinner & overnight, Tea Plantation Bungalow

Day 11

In preparation for the highlight of this Sri Lanka adventure, today is spent at leisure exploring the local area. At midnight, we begin our climb of Adams Peak, the cone-shaped mountain - perhaps the most venerated in the world. Walking through the night we reach the peak at dawn in good time to witness the rising sun. As the sun climbs above Sri Lanka, experience the magic of serendipity. The sunrise as seen from the summit of Adams Peak is considered to be one of the most spectacular phenomenons in the world. We descend from the peak in time for a late breakfast before leaving for Colombo.

Overnight, Colombo

Day 12

After breakfast transfer to the airport or to your chosen beach hotel.

Price will include - Eleven nights' accommodation based on two people sharing, bed and breakfast whilst in Colombo and all meals on tour, transport where appropriate by air-conditioned vehicle, service of an English-speaking guide, entrance fees where applicable,

Some meals are packed lunches, which must be carried. Medical facilities are limited. Throughout the tour the menu is limited and fixed. Sri Lanka is a tropical island and at times it may rain, light rainwear is recommended. Whilst on tour you should aim to travel light. If you are extending your stay to include the beach at the end of the tour you may leave extra luggage in Colombo and collect it when the tour ends.

We recommend the following equipment requirements:

(The local crew carries food and basic medical kits)

Lightweight cotton clothing for walking in the 'dry zone' and pullovers, windbreaker and warm clothing are essential for our visit to Horton Plains, where temperatures can fall to as low as 5 degrees centigrade.

You should also take good walking shoes, sun hat, water bottle, torch, insect repellent, suntan lotion, anti-malaria medicine and a light backpack with space for lunch.

The quality of accommodation varies throughout the journey from basic to first class hotels.

This tour is strictly limited to a maximum number of ten persons.

Prices include all meals and accommodation in the itinerary.