Walking in Sri Lanka

Drive inland passing through typical Sri Lankan villages to Kandy, and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth. Then, continue to the village of Duckwari, a convenient base for guided treks through the Knuckles Mountain Range – a UNESCO World Heritage-protected site famed for its rich biodiversity. Later this afternoon, explore the surrounding cardamom plantations and the woodlands nearby on foot.

Total walking time: 1.5 hours.

Spend the day trekking in the Knuckles Mountain Range through terraced paddy fields and gurgling mountain streams, cascading waterfalls to the protected Meemure Village. Share a cup of tea with the local villagers and gain an insight into their unhurried pace of life and how their lifestyle is woven with nature. Along the way, enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the scenic Dindi Oya stream and a refreshing swim in the natural rock pools.

Total trekking time: 6 hours.

An exhilarating hike through the cloud forest will bring you to the ancient Kumbukgolla village. Here, learn from the village elders about their heritage and discover how many local legends and traditions remain alive. Enjoy a cup of refreshing tea with ‘Kithul Jaggery’ before returning to your hotel.

Total trekking time: 6 hours.

A morning’s drive passing through thriving towns and navigating sharp hairpin bends will bring you to Ella, which is an excellent base for a walking holiday in Sri Lanka and offers a range of easy to moderate trails through the surrounding hills. Later this afternoon, climb up to the top of Little Adam’s Peak. This is an easy trek passing through terraced tea fields before a series of winding steps lead you to the top of the peak. From the top, take in the glorious views of the surrounding landscape dominated by the famed Ella Rock.

Set off this morning on an invigorating hike up Ella Rock, which is a famous cliff located high above Ella town (the summit is about 3,300m above sea level) and offers spectacular views of the Hill Country. This trek is far more challenging than climbing Little Adam’s Peak. Walk along sleepy railway tracks before ascending up the rugged slope punctuated with fruit orchards, vegetable gardens and tea estates.

Total trekking time: 4 hours.

Begin your day with a visit to the historic Dambatenne Tea Factory, which was built by Sir Thomas Lipton and where the term ‘Ceylon Tea’ was coined. Hike up to the plateau from where Sir Thomas Lipton used to sit and proudly survey his tea plantations. Then, continue to the quaint town of Hatton, set in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.

Begin your day with a leisurely stroll through the surrounding tea plantations and follow the trail of the colonial period British tea planters. Learn how they trekked through dense jungles to identify the best slopes to plant tea and observe tea pluckers at work. Later, proceed to a tea factory and learn first-hand about the journey of tea from leaf to cup before returning to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Rise early and set off to Horton Plains National Park, renowned for its diverse landscapes, which range from marshes, and grasslands to misty mountains and waterfalls. At 2,100m, Horton Plains is Sri Lanka’s highest plateau and the only Sri Lankan National Park where walking safaris are permitted. An exciting trek through this park brings you to ‘World’s End’, which marks the edge of the Hill Country and where the plateau plunges almost vertically for nearly 900 metres. Along the way, spot endemic birds and a variety of animals, including barking deer, toque macaque and giant squirrel. Visit the beautiful Baker’s Falls before returning to your hotel. Then, drive to the village of Dalhousie and the simple, family-friendly guest house, which is set at the foot of the soaring summit of Adam’s Peak. Retire early in preparation for the trek to Adam’s Peak that will commence just after midnight.

Total walking time: 4 hours.

Climb through the night to reach the summit of Adam’s Peak (2,243m) just in time to watch the magical sunrise over the surrounding hills. Atop the peak, depending on your faith, the giant footprint is believed to be an imprint of either Lord Buddha, Shiva, Adam, or St. Thomas. Next, upon descending, continue to the secluded beaches of Tangalle, a small secluded fishing village along the scenic south coast.

Total walking time: 6.5 hours.

At leisure to relax by the beach. Alternatively, if you get itchy feet and want to explore – climb up to the summit of the ancient Mulgirigala Rock Temple (supplement applies).

At leisure to relax by the beach.

Transfer to Colombo International Airport and check in for your onward flight.