sri lanka Tours Sri Lanka Hike, Bike & Kayak

Itinerary:

Day 1 Negombo    
Your adventure begins in the town of Negombo, located close to the international airport.      

Day 2 Negombo to Sigiriya    
Travel by private vehicle towards Sigiriya, an ancient carved-rock fortress that rises dramatically above the surrounding plains. Get comfortable at your accommodation, then once the evening rolls in, head out to the Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari. The park plays home to a mix of evergreen forest and scrubland, not to mention sambar deer, leopard and elephant.    

Day 3 Sigiriya to Knuckles Mountain Range
Near vertical walls elevate ancient Sigiriya high into the air, keeping the secrets of the Kassapa kingdom inaccessible - save for a rigorous climb along steep staircases. Take a morning visit to witness this monolith with your own eyes, then transfer onward to Illukkumbura. Take a half-day walk through the Knuckles Mountain Range, named because the peaks and folds resemble a clenched fist when viewed from certain angles. Many of Sri Lanka’s endemic trees, shrubs and herbs are only found in these forests, so keep an eye out for these various plants.    

Day 4 Knuckles Mountain Range    
Continue on a rigorous full day trek through the Knuckles region. After winding through the forests and hillsides, perhaps stopping at abandoned native villages along the way, wind up at Corberts Gap where views of the valley below and adjacent peaks await.

Day 5 Knuckles Mountain Range to Kandy    
Begin your hike out of Knuckles National Park before transferring to Kandy. This major city previously served as the capital of Sri Lanka and now plays home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a location that houses a tooth of the Buddha. Spend the rest of the day relaxing here.    

Day 6 Kandy    
Start the day with a visit to the golden roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Housed inside, the relic of the tooth of the Buddha has played an important role in local politics due to the belief that whoever holds the relic holds governance of the country. It’s because of both the temple and Kandy’s status as the last city of the Sri Lankan Kings, that Kandy stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the day with free exploration of the city.  

Day 7 Kandy to Hatton    
Transfer to Kandy train station after breakfast, then embark on a scenic train trip to Hatton. Continue on a mountain bike ride through the area, passing the vast tea estates lying in the flowing hills, dotted with few trees which stand like beacons over the plantations below. After roaming around the idyllic countryside, consider taking the hike up Adam’s Peak. The peak itself is often visited by pilgrims who climb a candle lit trail to the top in the evenings, passing shrines and food stalls along the way.    

Day 8 Hatton to Ratnapura    
Leave Hatton and drive to Bogawanthalwa. Once you arrive, jump on your mountain bike and continue across the central highlands towards Balangoda. Travel through the rich forests and sprawling fields of rural Sri Lanka before finally arriving at Balangoda. From here, travel by private vehicle onwards to Ratnapura, the bustling capital of the Sabaragamuwa Province, where you’ll spend the evening.    

Day 9 Ratnapura to Kaluganga River    
Wake up in the morning and stretch those arm muscles as you prepare for a big day of kayaking along the Kaluganga River. The Kaluganga stretches 80 miles in length, reaching through many of Sri Lanka’s districts and provinces. As a result, the landscape and vegetation next to the river seems to shift the further you paddle along the river - listen out for bird calls as you quietly drift on. Stop off at a local village where you'll camp for the night.    

Day 10 Kaluganga River    
Depart from the village in the morning and continue paddling down the Kaluganga River, taking in more sights and sounds as you paddle onwards.

Day 11 Kaluganga River to Mount Lavinia    
Continue on your kayak adventure to Kalutara, where the river meets the sea. Once an important trading centre for spices, the town’s name is derived from the Kaluganga River and was temporarily made the capital by order of a South Indian prince. After a little bit of time looking over the beautiful beaches, board your private vehicle and depart to Mount Lavinia for the next stage of your journey.

Day 12 Mount Lavinia    
Located a short trip from the Colombo city centre, Mount Lavinia is a suburb renowned for its “Golden Mile” of beaches. It’s one of the most liberal areas of Sri Lanka and has played host to the island’s annual Gay Pride and Rainbow Kite festival since 2005. With a free day to relax on the beach, wash yourself off after a big haul of physical exercise and calm your muscles down. Consider taking on an optional yoga class to knock off any extra tension, and say goodbye to your fellow adventurers.

Day 13 Mount Lavinia      
Today marks the end of your adventure as your tour ends after breakfast.    

Departs: