Sublime Sri Lanka

Leave after breakfast for our campsite in the pristine Knuckles Range of mountains. The camp is located high on a mountain slope overlooking the Knuckles Valley. After settling in at the campsite, take a 03 – 04 hour trek through the villages which surround Sphinx Eyrie. This trek though forest paths and village tracks is through the rich foliage of the Knuckles range with a breathtaking view of the valley as the backdrop. 

Corbets Rest Campsite (CC) – 2 nights (BLD)

Nb. If the weather is unsuitable for camping, you will be accommodated in basic huts (A) instead.

Break camp and drive up to “Corbet’s Gap”, a climb of 500 meters. Corbet’s Gap – named after the Englishman who discovered it, is a vast split in the range of Kandyan hills, through which on a clear day an amazing view is possible. Proceed to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s hill capital. In the afternoon explore the town of Kandy including a visit to the much revered Temple of the Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha in the evening in time for the ‘pooja’. 

Senani Hotel (AAA) - 1 night - Swimming Pool (B)

Leave after breakfast for a 3 hour easy to medium grade trek to ‘Worlds End’ and ‘Bakers Falls’. Horton Plains National Park, on Sri Lanka's highest plateau over 2100m above sea level in the central mountains is a strange and tranquil region. The park contains an astounding variety of scenery – from misty mountains to grasslands, from marshes to ice cold streams, lakes and waterfalls. Sri Lanka's best flavoured ‘high grown’ teas are from estates in the surrounding areas. Two highlights are the spectacular view from 'Worlds End' where the plateau plunges almost 1000m in a sheer drop, and the beautiful ‘Bridal Veil’ Bakers Falls. Distinctive flora with a high level of endemism include colourful butterflies and many rare endemic, resident or migrant birds. There are also several species of mammal including sambhur, bear monkey, barking deer, giant squirrel, fishing cat, wild boar and hare. Even a few very rare sightings of Leopard have been recorded here. The perfect location for hiking and cycling with excellent trails and cool climate. You continue on to Bandarawela. 

Orient Hotel (AAA) – 1 night (B)

Dependant on the time of year, you will either take a trek to 'Debara Wewa' – a man made reservior & visit to local community or you will drive to Palatupana, a quiet beach, to join local fishermen haul in their catch.

May-October 

Leave early morning with a packed breakfast for 'Debara Wewa', a man-made reservoir which is now the cornerstone of the village community as well as an ecosystem rich in biodiversity. The first part of the walk will take you past village homes, each of which is a hive of activity.Most of the family are at work at crafting pots and lamps from clay which is collected at the lake. Proceed along the bund of the lake and join the local community and the wildlife as they wake up and go about their early morning activities. This could be fishing, washing of clothes or simply preening and drying one’s feathers after an early morning swim!! If you are lucky you may encounter a monstrous crocodile basking in the early morning sun. The lake is abuzz with birdlife, butterflies and dragonflies. Stop to have breakfast at a shady spot with a serene view of paddy fields on one side and the lake on the other. Continue trekking through the village to meet the vehicle and transfer to hotel.

November-April 

Leave after an early breakfast for Palatupana, a quite beach located 35 minutes away from the hotel. Here you will join the local fishermen as they draw in their ‘Maadal’ or large net, which were laid early that morning. The arid air is punctuated with the calls of Hela, Hellai as the men tug on the net as the surf breaks on the sand. They then slacken their hold as the waves roll out again dragging the net with it. The chanting helps maintain rhythm and is a means of reminding them that they are sharing the labour of hauling in the fish. Once the net has been pulled in and the catch sorted your support is sure be appreciated by the fishermen, who will insist that you take away your share of the catch. You can politely decline or accept and have the hotel chef BBQ it for you when you get back! NB. This option is normally only available between November and April as it is dependant on the seas around Yala being calm enough for fishing.

This afternoon, you’ll take an afternoon jeep safari to Yala National Park for your opportunity to try and spot an elusive leopard. Yala – Sri Lanka’s most known National Park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. 97,800 hectares in extent, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s National Parks. Its open, undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels. This research focused primarily on a leopard research/conservation and identification project. Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometre. Vegetation is primarily grassland and shrub jungle with patches of dense growth while several salt and fresh water lagoons are a haven for a large variety of resident and migrant birds. Areas popular with leopard are rock strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide.

Wila Safari Hotel (AA) - 1 night - Swimming Pool (B)