You will be greeted by one of our team members and transferred to our downtown hotel for the evening. Tonight we will have our briefing during dinner.

Colombo has a fascinating history however it became more prominent as a larger town when the Portuguese made it their Capital in 1505. Portuguese rule lasted for over 150 years before the Dutch took control who then ceded power to the British in the 1790s. This vibrant city with its’ important natural harbour is now the Capital of Sri Lanka and a major business centre for products produced all over this island nation. Our guide will masterfully explain to you the history including the bloody civil war that raged between the Sinhalese and the Tamils of the north between 1983 and 2009. 

Another night in Colombo before we head into the countryside. (B,L)

Today we head to the cultural centre of Sri Lanka, Kandy. However, we will do this in style as we board our Cinnamon Air Sea Plane in downtown Colombo and fly to Kandy. On route to the Mountbatten Lodge, we will visit the famed Temple of the Tooth, a sacred Buddhist temple on the shores of Lake Kandy. From there we head up into the hills overlooking the town and check into the Mountbatten Lodge, where Lord Mountbatten resided during WWII for some time.

This is a wonderful place to relax and ready ourselves for the coming days of adventure. (B,L,D)

We will have an early start so that we can reach the trailhead at Panwilla. Our walk will take us through tea plantations first and then into the Knuckles Ranges. By lunch, we will be atop the range with incredible views over the lower landscape, in one direction mountains fold into more mountains and in the other, gorgeous green tea plantations unfold across the rolling horizon. 

After lunch, we will head down to our Luxury Tented campsite for a wonderful traditional Sri Lanka meal prepared by our resident chef. This is a big day and our trekking time will be approximately 8 hours. (B,L,D)

There is no need to rise too early this morning, though we probably will as the songbirds sing and the sun breaks the horizon at 6am. The views from our campsite are wonderful and provide the perfect motivation to get up and out as we explore the tea plantations and the local surrounds. We will even have an opportunity to eat and cook in a local’s home, giving us access to the way people of this region live. (B,L,D)

Today is a wonderful mix of fun and hiking as we transfer to the local train station at Nanu Oya. From there we take this bustling locomotive through the rolling green hills of tea plantations and wild jungle to Ohiya Station, one of Sri Lank’s highest rail stations. From there we will trek to the Ohiya Lodge with a warm welcoming tea and awesome views over the valley below. This is a family-run lodge so we will all dine together in a very warm and family atmosphere.

Dinner & overnight stay. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will head off on our trek to Horton Plains. Reminiscent of treks in Europe, this 8-kilometre walk will take us through agricultural land and finally into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Horton Plains. We will have lunch along the way.

Once we are in the park, we will see sweeping open plains once home to over 150 wild elephants before the British hunted them. It is now home to Sambar Deer and the mighty Leopard.

At 6pm all visitors are asked to leave the park, but we will have special access staying inside the park at the Circuit Bungalows. The bungalows are situated in an open plain giving us an excellent vantage point to see wildlife. We will have night vision monoculars to hopefully witness a Leopard hunt.

Samba Deer abound here. (B,L,D)

Note: The Circuit Bungalows are very basic as they are public amenities. However we will have private use of them for this trek and as such we will bring our own sheets, pillows and towels in from a local hotel so that we are as comfortable as possible.

This is one of our favourite days as we start it with early morning Leopard watching from the bungalow before departing for our trek. 

The entrance to Kirigalpotha is the same as the World’s End trail however while 1000’s of people head to World’s End, we will head along a beautiful trail, through open plains and thick jungle. Wildlife spotting is very possible. And the views are amazing even across to our next destination, the jutting summit of Adam’s Peak. Lunch will be had at the summit; what a place to eat.

We will return for another night at the bungalows, another night to hopefully see Leopards in action. (B,L,D)

Another chance for some early morning Leopard watching from our Bungalow. Then before the crowds get in we will trek to World’s End. This is a wonderful trail past waterfalls and then (if the weather is kind) to what seems to be the end of the world with a drop off of over 800 meters below down to the valley floor. It is breathtaking in more ways than one.

From there we head back to the bungalows and then transfer to Nallathanniya.

This is the starting point for the pilgrimage up Adam’s Peak made by 10’s of thousands of devoted Buddhists each year. (B,L,D)

This morning is an early start (4am) as we start out for the summit of Adam’s Peak. This is a pretty long walk, mostly in the dark, however you will be joined by 1000’s of other pilgrims heading for the summit of Sri Pada. They say that every Sri Lankan must climb Sri Pada at least once in their life. A large bell at the top is rung for every time you have visited Sri Pada. We expect to reach the summit at 7am.

By 8am we will head down to Ratnapura via the Kuruwita Trail. The Kuruwita Trail is a steep and rugged trail that meanders down through rainforests, along the river and through very small hamlets. It is rarely used and is a wonderful though tiring conclusion to our trekking expedition.

We will overnight in the wonderful Serenity Lakes Inn. (B,L,D)

It’s not too far to Colombo from Rathnapura so we should be there by lunch. Plenty of time to relax and contemplate what we had just done. (B,L)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to our next destination. For those with a late-night flight, we may be able to request a late checkout and even a tour of a local village before heading to the airport.

Note 1: Above mention timings are approximate and subject to change due to traffic, weather condition or unexpected interruptions on the road.

Note 2: All visitors to religious sites are expected to be unshod and have their heads uncovered. It is advised to be decently clad when visiting religious sites and any place of worship. Sun and beachwear is not the ideal for temples and shrines. Briefs, shorts, bare shoulders and backs may not be appreciated. Proper and decently covered dress code is appreciated.