Sri Lanka Trekking

DAY 01: EUROPE – COLOMBO

Flight to Colombo, night and meals served on board.

DAY 02: AIRPORT / ANURADHAPURA (180 km – 4h approximately)

Welcome and departure to Anuradhapura, one of the world heritage sites of Sri Lanka. Free time at the hotel to recover. In the evening, visit the Ruvanveliseya Temple and the Sri Maha Bodhiya. Pooja ceremony with pilgrims.

DAY 03 : ANURADHAPURA

Morning visit of the archeological site of Anuradhapura: with its gardens of the royal palace strewn with vestiges of bathing pavilions, miniature ponds, channels. The temple of the Rock.

The Vihara of Isurumuniya: one of the most endearing Buddhist sanctuaries of Sri Lanka. Free time at the hotel to enjoy the swimming pool and bike ride around Nuwarawewa lake.

DAY 04 : ANURADHAPURA / MIHINTALE / RITIGALA / HABARANA (90km – 2h30 approx.)

Visit to Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism from the third century BC followed by a visit to Kaludiya pokuna and private meditation session with a monk in ancient caves.

Visit to Ritigala, an archaeological site of an ancient monastery (2nd century BC) with a short walk through lush vegetation.

Then, meeting with a local doctor of Horiwila (Ayurveda) with observation of the treatments by using the “mantras”, the traditional techniques and the manufacture of the drugs using natural elements by grinding.

DAY 05 : HABARANA / PIDURANGALA / HABARANA (15 km – 0h30 approximately)

Bike ride of 1 hour through local landscapes and arrival at Pidurangala. Visit the historical site of Pidurangala, little known but with a panoramic view that will take your breath away. Oruwa boat ride on a lake: a tamed elephant is waiting to be washed by you! A unique experience!

Afterwards, a tractor ride with sharing on the culture and the daily life of the villagers. Free evening to enjoy the pool.

DAY 06 : HABARANA / SIGIRIYA / MINNERIYA / HABARANA (20 km – 0h30 approximately)

Visit to the Sigiriya Citadel or “Lion Rock”, a romantic and grandiose ancient site with the world famous frescoes of the “Sigiriya Damsels”, one of the most amazing sites in Ceylon, considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. Lunch at the inhabitant’s home with demonstration of the local cuisine.

OPTIONAL (28 USD): Departure to Polonnaruwa for a bicycle tour of the archaeological site with its famous gigantic stone Buddha statues.

Departure for the visit of the Minneriya / Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park which shelters a fauna of an extraordinary diversity: 9 species of amphibians, 24 of mammals, 25 of reptiles, 26 of fish, 75 of butterflies, and 160 kinds of birds.

DAY 07 : HABARANA / DAMBULLA / MATALE / KANDY (120 km – 3h30 approximately)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kandy and visit of the Dambulla Rock Temple: caves and refuge of King Valagambahu when he was chased out of Anuradhapura, his capital, and who had the caves transformed into Buddhist temples. Continuation to Kandy. On the way, visit the Gedige of Nalanda: Temple of the 7th century “erotic”.

En route, stop at the Spice Garden in Matale for a true Sri Lankan spice experience (private tour). Free time in the store to shop for spices and herbal products. Arrival in Kandy, the cultural center of the country, nestled in a green valley.

Short hike in the Udawattakelle Reserve known for its diversity of plants and rare varieties of butterflies and birds.

Transfer to the Temple of the Tooth, an unmissable 18th century sanctuary that contains one of the most precious relics for Buddhists: the Tooth of the Enlightened One.

Possible visit on foot of the local market of Kandy with free time for shopping in the lanes: silk, local crafts, jewelry, basketry, masks, umbrella.

DAY 08 : KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA (90 km – 3h approximately)

Departure to Nuwara Eliya, “the land of tea” with its pickers, dressed in brightly colored “longhis”. On the way, visit of a tea factory and plantation with tasting and free time in the store. Upon arrival in Nuwara Eliya, departure for a hike (easy/medium level) to “Single Tree Hill”, the tenth highest mountain (2100m) on the island of Sri Lanka. The trail winds through tea plantations and near a nice little Buddhist temple called Sri Swarnagiri, Thai style.

In the evening: a short walk in the famous climatic resort, once created by the English and also called “Little England” and the Victoria Park.

DAY 09 : NUWARA ELIYA / HORTON PLAINS / OHIYA / BANDARAWELA (90 km – 3h approximately)

Very early in the morning, departure to Horton Plains. Transfer to Ohiya station and departure to Bandarawela by train, an original and very pleasant way to discover the heart of a mountainous region where colourful tea plantations follow the rice fields.

DAY 10 : BANDARAWELA / HAPUTALE / BAMBARAKANDA / BANDARAWELA (55 km – 2h 30) 

Very early in the morning, visit the “Lipton Seat” with travel by tuk tuk of the plantation of Sir Thomas Lipton world famous (19th century). Located at 4695 meters above sea level, this site provides a 360 degree view of the scenic mountains, tea plantations and a view of the southern plains. A 2 hour walk up the hill is planned with possible assistance of a vehicle.

Departure to see the beautiful waterfall ”Bambarakanda” the largest in Sri Lanka (263m high) located in Kalupahana.

Lunch at the hotel. Continuation by road to Ella, a small village surrounded by high mountains, tea plantations, and also great varieties of flora and fauna. In the evening, visit the “Demodara Nine Arch Bridge” and the “Mini Adams Peak”.

DAY 11 : BANDARAWELA / YALA (110 km – 3h approximately)

After a passage to the beautiful waterfall ” Ravana Ella “, continuation towards Yala.

OPTIONAL: visit Buduruvagala, a high place of Mahayana Buddhism. With its giant Buddha, surrounded by bodhisattvas.

In Yala, bike ride in a village and around Debarawewa for an hour and a half to admire the local life and landscapes.

In the evening, safari (not private) to Yala National Park, the second largest and most visited national park in Sri Lanka. Covering 979 km2 and originally designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, it is best known for its wealth of wildlife and plays an important role in the conservation of Elephant and water birds.

DAY 12: YALA / GALLE / SOUTHWEST COAST (220 km – 3h30 approx.)

Departure to Galle and visit of the fortress. Galle, former Dutch trading post, with its old streets enclosed between the walls of the fort, is one of the most charming old cities of Ceylon and the most important city of the south coast. It is the main Dutch trading post of Ceylon with a once very active port and a hub of the spice trade. One can admire the old houses and the Groote Kerk, a church dating from 1754. The lacemakers still sell their works on the ramparts, perpetuating a tradition inherited from the Portuguese.

Free time at the hotel to enjoy the fortress in the evening at your own pace.

DAY 13: SOUTHWEST COAST

Free time at the seaside in full board to enjoy the pool and the beach.

DAY 14: SOUTHWEST COAST – COLOMBO – AIRPORT (135 km – 3h30 approximately)

En route to the airport. If time permits: panoramic tour of Colombo, known since the 8th century by Arab, Persian and Chinese merchants and then the Portuguese as a trading post on the spice route… Today, Colombo is the political and economic headquarters of the country.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Europe.

DAY 15 : EUROPE

Arrival in Europe.

Ville	hôtel	nuits
Anuradhapura	Palm Garden Village – 3* The Lakeside at Nuwarawewa – 2* Rajarata – 4*	2
Habarana	Kassapa Lions Rock – 4* Camellia Resort & Spa -4* Sigiriyana Resort & Spa – 4*	2
Kandy	Thilanka Kandy – 4* Serandip Stone Bungalow – 3* Hotel Topaz – 4*	2
Nuwara Eliya	Galway Heights – 4* Mirage Kings Cottage – 4*	1
Bandarawela	Orient Hotel – 1* Sangrilla Holiday Resort – not mentioned	2
Yala	Chaarya Resort & Spa – resort Mandara Rosen – 4*	1
Côte sud-ouest	Coco Royal – 3* Mermaid Hotel & Club  – 4* Coral Rock by Bansei – 3*	2

Included : Full board (starting with lunch on day 2 and ending with breakfast on day 14), superior hotels, tour guide, transportation by air-conditioned bus, train, bicycle and entrance fees.

Not included : international airfare, visa to enter Sri Lanka, photo permits on some sites, insurance, drinks, meals not mentioned and tips for driver and guide.