Sri Lanka off the Beaten Track Tour
by admin-unique | Jun 10, 2019 | Tours In Sri Lanka
Amazing wildlife in Wilpattu and Wasgamuwa National Parks
Staggeringly beautiful scenery in Knuckles Mountains
Walks through Sri Lanka's paddyfields, nutmeg and cinnamon plantations.
Small hidden gems of hotels
Prices start from : £1095.00
This trekking & adventure Sri Lanka tour is for those who are rather more adventurous and who really want to get off the beaten track and experience areas of Sri Lanka that main-stream tourism does not reach and who want to have a more active holiday. There are plenty of walks on this tour and you will certainly get a good look at what Sri Lankan village life is really like in more remote areas. You will also have the chance to see some of the “must-sees” of Sri Lanka!
This is definitely for the more adventurous who want something extra from their holiday!
Transfer from airport. Room booked from 2pm.
Overnight at Carolina Beach Hotel, nr Chilaw.
Do a game drive into WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK which is the largest national Park in the country (and the least busy). There is varied birdlife such as Painted Storks, Spoonbills, Purple Heron, Garganey as well as many Eagles Kites and Buzzards. Wilpattu is particularly famous for its Leopard and Sloth bear populations, but you will also see animals such as Water Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Sambur Deer, Crocodiles etc.
Overnight at The Lakeside, Nuwara Wewa, Anuradhapura or similar
Visit ANURADHAPURA (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – this first capital of Sri Lanka was the largest and most important of all the Sri Lankan Royal Capital cities. It flourished between the 5th century BC and 10th century AD. The highlights here are the 4 huge dagobas: the White Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba; Thuparama Dagoba; Jetavanarama Dagoba; Abhayagiri Dagoba; and Kottum Pokuna (twin ponds). There is also the Sri Maha Bodhi which is the sacred Bodhi tree – oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.
Visit MIHINTALE which is where Buddhism was said to have originated in Sri Lanka. There are a number of ancient ruins to look at relating to the monastery that was once here- refectory and the water cooling system, and the Lion Pool etc. The views from the top, across the plains are stunning.
Overnight at The Other Corner, Habarana or similar
Do a BIKE RIDE through the rice paddy fields to the villages using small back roads, where you can experience the real Sri Lankan walk of life. There is an irrigation channel running parallel to our cycle route where there is very rich bird life and unusual wild life such as Monitor Lizard, Chameleon and Mongoose etc. Half way through the ride, you will have refreshments of King Coconut and later have lunch at a farmer’s house.
Overnight at The Other Corner, Habarana or similar
Climb the LION ROCK AT SIGIRIYA (UNESCO World Heritage Site) which stands about 650ft high and was a capital of Sri Lanka in the 5th century and a magnificent rock fortress. There is much to see here including water gardens, mirror wall, frescoes, lion’s paws etc. and from the top there is a fabulous view of the surrounding countryside and mountains in the distance.
Visit the magnificent GOLDEN CAVE TEMPLE AT DAMBULLA (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Built in the 1st century BC, this is the largest painted cave temple in the world – there are five caves containing about 200 statues of Lord Buddha.
Drive down to the KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE. The Knuckles Range has 5 climatic conditions within 62 km. Many of the endemic birds & butterflies in Sri Lanka are found within the Knuckles area. There are 17 mountains found within Knuckles- it is not well frequented by tourists!
Overnight at Sir John’s Bungalow, Riverstone or similar
Do the MANIGALA TREK taking approximately 4-5hrs. Walkthrough BEAUTIFUL PADDY FIELDS, CROSSING STREAMS AND THROUGH THE FOREST. The views from the top cover a 180 degree area of some of the most outstanding scenery that Sri Lanka has to offer. In the late afternoon, you will also visit MINI WORLDS END where there are equally fantastic views.
Overnight at Sir John’s Bungalow, Riverstone or similar
Drive to KANDY (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – this Royal city was the last indigenous capital of Sri Lanka. Kandy is situated about 1500 ft above sea level and is said to be the most picturesque of all the Sri Lankan cities as it nestles in the hills with the lake at the bottom.
Have a free afternoon to EXPLORE THE TOWN, wander by the lake or do some shopping in the market.
Watch the CULTURAL SHOW with its magnificent costumes accompanied with the amazing drumming. This dates back to the 3rd century BC and was performed by witch doctors to cure patients. You will also see some self-mortification activities like fire-walking.
Visit the TEMPLE OF THE TOOTH which houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. You will visit the Temple during the ceremony to see the Casket of the Tooth.
Overnight at Kandyan Manor or similar
Drive to Digana (southern part of Knuckles Mountains) and do a WALK THROUGH CLOVE & NUTMEG PLANTATIONS to an old village with houses over 150 years old which is a real chance to see just how Sri Lanka used to be. There is a chance to have a dip in the river and then catch the local bus back to the hotel.
The hotel will lay on a COOKERY DEMONSTRATION of traditional Sri Lankan style cooking. The hotel kitchen is open for guests to take part if you wish.
Overnight at Polwaththa Eco Lodges, Digana or similar
Drive to Medewaka. TAKE A WALK THROUGH THE PADDY FIELDS. Depending on the time of year and harvest (from September to March and May to August), the farmers will either pass be using buffaloes to till the ground, planting the rice by hand or the village turned out to do the harvest, cutting the rice by hand. You can join in with the farmers, if you wish. Have lunch at a house that is over 180yrs old.
Drive to Wasgamuwa and do a GAME DRIVE INTO WASGAMUWA NATIONAL PARK. This is one of the lesser visited parks and therefore is a much more peaceful experience for both visitors and animals. Wasgamuwa is particularly famous for its elephant population. Other wildlife includes Purple Faced Langur Monkeys, Sambur and Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Buffalo and rarely sighted Leopards and Sloth Bears. Among the reptiles are Water Monitors, Mugger Crocodiles, Estuarine Crocodiles and Pythons.
Overnight at Polwaththa Eco Lodges, Digana or similar
Drive to Dambana to the home of the “VEDDAHS”- THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA. They are forest hunters. This is a chance to observe their way of life and participate in their traditional and cultural activities. You will enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch in their village.
Overnight at Polwaththa Eco Lodges, Digana or similar
Drive to Nuwara Eliya. On the way, you will pass by Ramboda Falls.
This is an incredibly beautiful drive through thousands of acres of TEA PLANTATIONS that blanket the hillsides with brightly clothed tea pickers working away.
Visit a TEA FACTORY to have a fascinating tour to see just how your English cup of tea is produced.
NUWARA ELIYA is described as a misplaced English village (and is known as “Little England”) as many of the buildings are copies of English ones. You have a free late afternoon to explore the colonial buildings, racecourse, golf course etc. The altitude is about 6,500ft so the climate is much cooler.
Take a walk to LOVERS LEAP WATERFALL which is over 30m high and offers great views over Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight at Daffodils, Nuwara Eliya or similar
Visit HORTON PLAINS (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you will walk through cloud forest for about three hours. On the way, you will see the World’s End and Baker’s Waterfall. At World’s End, on a clear day, you can have fantastic views of the southern coast of Sri Lanka, some 50miles away. There is unusual wildlife such as Sambur Deer, purple monkey, horned lizard etc.
Take a TRAIN RIDE to Haputale which follows the contours of the mountains as it falls away to the southern plains. This is the most picturesque train journey in Sri Lanka which lasts about an hour.
Overnight at Landa House, Belihuloya or similar
Visit the magnificent BAMBARAKANDA WATERFALL – this is the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka at 863ft (948m). The area around Bambarakanda is rich with scenic beauty, rugged terrain, waterfalls, tea plantations and a cool climate making it an attractive destination for nature lovers.
Visit SURATHALI FALLS – these are 65ft (20m) high, 6ft (2m) wide and made up of three segments and is more of waterslide than a waterfall.
Drive to Waikkal, just north of Negombo.
Overnight at Ging Oya Hotel, Waikkal or similar– this delightful small hotel bordering the Ging River, is set by itself surrounded by LUSCIOUS VEGETATION WITH TOTAL PEACE AND QUIET, and is the perfect place to relax at the end of this tour.
Free day to relax
Overnight at Ging Oya Hotel, Waikkal or similar