Sri Lanka - A Land Like No Other
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Lunch time rendezvous at Colombo Airport. KE land only package services start with a transfer to Sigiriya. We then have the rest of the day to relax. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: This morning we have a three hour trek through villages and along the shores of a Wewa, manmade reservoir, where we can see amazing birds, butterflies and possibly crocodiles whilst watching the people go about their morning tasks. We return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we walk (2-3 hrs) through the forest to visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya with it's amazing frescoes. Hotel.
Day 3: This morning we transfer to the pristine Knuckles mountain range. Here we set up our campsite which will be our base for the next 2 nights. The camp is located high on the slopes with great views of the Knuckles Valley. This afternoon we have a 3-4 hour walk through the villages and forests which surround Sphinx Eyrie. We return to the campsite for dinner.
Day 4: Our walk today takes us to small villages which are only accessible by foot. We trek for 3 to 4 hours through scrub jungle and forest to the little farming village of Meemure, deep in the Knuckles Valley. We visit the village and have a dip to cool off in the nearby streams before setting back off down to the campsite.
Day 5: We leave our campsite and drive to 'Corbett's Gap' where we have some amazing views of the island. We then continue on to the bustling town of Kandy. Here you have the afternoon and evening free to explore the town with it's flower and fruit markets or stroll along the lake shore and watch the sun set behind the mountains. Overnight hotel Kandy.
Day 6: After breakfast we depart for Kitulgala, the film set for 'Bridge Over the River Kwai'. We have an optional (payable locally) white water rafting excursion here, which is about 1.5 hours, level 3. In the afternoon we transfer to Maskeliya at the base of Adam's Peak for an early dinner and some rest before our early start tomorrow.
Day 7: We begin our climb at around 2am and ascend Adams peak during the night so that we are at the summit for dawn and a once in a lifetime sunrise. From December to May pilgrims climb the mountain and the path is lined with small kiosks selling hot buns and tea for the barefooted pilgrims walking past. We return for breakfast and a rest before transferring to the old colonial town of Nuwara Eliya.
Day 8: After breakfast we enjoy an amazing 3-4 hour trek in the Horton Plains to 'Worlds End' and 'Baker Falls'. Horton Plains National Park is magical with its misty mountains, grasslands, marshes, icy streams, lakes and waterfalls. At 'Worlds End' the plateau drops off 1000m and we see the delightful waterfalls - Baker Falls. In the afternoon we transfer to the hotel in Bandarawela.
Day 9: We set off from Adisham, a Benedictine monastery built in the shape of a castle. Our trek today is about 6-7 hours through the pine forests of the Thangamale reserve., the colonial railway tea planations and the descent of Satan's Steps with panoramic views of Bambarakanda Falls, the highest in Sri Lanka falling 240m. Return to Bandarawela.
Day 10: After a leisurely breakfast we depart for Udawalane to visit the Elephant Transit Home. Here injured or orphaned baby elephants are rehabilitated and released back into the safe environment of the Udawalane National Park. This afternoon we visit Yala National Park, famous for it's elephants, leopards, bear, crocodiles and wild boar. Overnight Tissamaharama
Day 11: For those of us who wish to enjoy another wildlife safari in Yala National Park you have the opportunity to do that this morning. Otherwise you can relax before we leave for the beach resort at Tangalla. The hotel here has a swimming pool and the sea is excellent for swimming in too.
Day 12: A day of leisure at the pool, on the beach or exploring. Between November and April you can opt for a whale watching excursion to see Blue Whales and Dolphin.
Day 13: After breakfast we depart for Colombo. We stop at Galle to explore the old Dutch fort and walk along the impressive ramparts. We briefly visit Colombo before checking in to our hotel near the airport.
Day 14: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast and transfer to the airport.
