The Great Lankan Hike Tour-Trekking & Activity Tours | Tour Package | Airwing Tours - Sri Lanka Tours , Tour Pakages, Tour Facilities

The Great Lankan Hike Tour

TR1

17 Days

Overview

Sri Lanka, a hiking destination has trails for all sorts of experience, from easy walks to more intense treks. On this tour, we visit some of the best hiking and trekking trails in Sri Lanka.

Highlights

Discovery walks in the Capital City Colombo.
Climb the most beautiful mountains.
Hike to waterfalls.
Learn about everyday life in Sri Lanka.
Go on a safari.

Whats included on this tour?

â–ª Accommodation according to program sharing double/twin room, if you require a single room the single room supplement applies.

â–ª All activities according to the program.

â–ª All transport according to the program in a private car or van / for groups in a coach.

â–ª Comfortable hotel nights - two categories of hotels to choose from (Economy or Deluxe)

â–ª Local English-speaking guidance.

â–ª All sightseeing as described in the program.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL - TRANSFER TO COLOMBO

Arrival in the capital of Sri Lanka. We will be greeted by our tour guide at the airport and taken to the hotel. Before we meet for a welcome dinner together and discuss the activities of the next few days, we can take a first discovery walk.

DAY 2: COLOMBO - ANURADHAPURA

Go on a discovery tour through Colombo before the first coffee. We look at how the city slowly awakens. After our breakfast together we go on a sightseeing tour through the city. Then we drive through coconut plantations, rice fields, mountains and tea plantations as well as countless villages and small towns to Anuradhapura. We interrupt the journey and visit the cave temple of Dambulla.

DAY 3: ANURADHAPURA

Before dawn, we set off for the holy mountain of Mihintale. With the first rays of the sun, we start our way upstairs. After we have climbed the mountain top, we enjoy the peace and the breathtaking view over the plains of Anuradhapura. We fortify ourselves at breakfast and then explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura by bike.

DAY 4: ANURADHAPURA - POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA

After breakfast, we set off into the jungle area around the Ritigala massif and explore the dilapidated temples. With a height of 765 meters, the lonely mountain of Ritigala is the highest point in the north of Sri Lanka. The entire region and the old forest monastery complexes are steeped in history, myths and legends. We interrupt the onward journey again to discover the imposing ruins of Polonnaruwa. The varied history of this ancient site is reflected in the numerous buildings and invites you to discover, ideally by bike (approx. 5 km, 1-2 hours). Then we continue to the famous town of Sigiriya.

DAY 5: SIGIRIYA

Today we visit the shimmering red rock, which rises almost 200 meters from the green of the surrounding forests and meadows. Many steps, some carved into the stone, lead to its plateau. Via a spiral staircase, we reach the rock gallery of the Apsaras or "cloud girls" - portraits of women painted on the rock. Halfway up we step through the gigantic paws of a former lion sculpture. We climb further stairs and reach the summit plateau with the remains of King Kashyapa's palace. In the afternoon we can relax in the hotel before we start again in the early evening, we accompany a local fisherman on his boat and enjoy the tranquility of the lake, afterwards we meet with a farmer and try together typical local dishes consisting of String Hoppers.

DAY 6: SIGIRIYA - MEEMURE

After breakfast, we drive to Narangamuwa and start our trekking along the Knuckles Range. Knuckles is the name of a mountain range with fantastic rock formations. Partly bare, partly overgrown with green, the individual rocks, between which deep valleys and gorges lie, belong to a huge mountain range. We hike through the dry vegetation with our local guide and climb up to the village of Meemure at the foot of the Knuckles. In Meemure we get to know people's lives up close: we spend the night with the villagers and have dinner with the families.

DAY 7: MEEMURE

After breakfast with our hosts, we set off again and walk across forests and rice terraces. We take a break at a waterfall and have the opportunity for a refreshing dip when the weather is right. We continue walking until we reach our lodge, surrounded by mountains and nature, for tonight.

DAY 8: MEEMURE - KANDY

Before we leave the mountain world of the Knuckles we hike to the viewpoint "Corberts Gap", from where we enjoy the view of the Knuckles Valley. We then descend and continue to Kandy, the cultural center and former capital of Sri Lanka. Here we have a contrast program to the last few days, we explore the busy streets and markets of the city. In the evening we visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, which according to tradition is home to a tooth of Buddha.

DAY 9: KANDY - ADAMâ€™S PEAK

Today we drive to Maskeliya, a small town at the foot of Adam's Peak. We interrupt the journey with a stop in Peradeniya and visit the Royal Botanical Garden, which houses an impressive orchid collection. In the evening we arrive in Maskeliya and have time to relax before we start climbing Adam's Peak at night.

DAY 10: ADAMâ€™S PEAK - NUWARA ELIYA

Today we climb the 2,243 meter Adam's Peak, also called Sri Pada. It is the holiest mountain in Sri Lanka and is worshiped by Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims. We leave at around 1 a.m. because we want to experience the sunrise in this magical place. The path leads over countless steps carved into the stone, past Dagobas and shrines. Again and again, we have the opportunity to warm up with hot tea and soups. Together with many pilgrims, we await the sunrise in the freshness of the morning. When the first warm rays of the sun have reached us, we make our way back. With luck, we can now see some of the animals whose voices we heard at night. After the descent, a warm breakfast awaits us before we continue our journey. From Maskeliya we continue to Nuwara Eliya. In the afternoon we visit a tea plantation in one of Sri Lanka's most important tea-growing regions and learn about the processing process from green tea leaves to Ceylon Tea.

DAY 11: HORTON PLAINS

Today we pack up our breakfast and set off for the Horton Plains National Park before sunrise. The Horton Plains is a beautiful, silent and strange world with some fantastic hikes in the shadows of Sri Lankaâ€™s second and third highest mountains. Later, take a train to the beautiful city of Bandarawela. Overnight in Bandarawela.

DAY 12: BANDARAWELA

After breakfast, we start our hike to Bambarakanda Falls, Sri Lanka's highest waterfall. The path leads us through pine forests, tea plantations and small villages with a wonderful view of the valley and the plains. The evening is free to relax in the hotel or explore Bandarawela on an evening stroll.

DAY 13: BANDARAWELA - SIYAMBALANDUWA

We drive to Passara near the Namunukala Mountains, east of Bandarawela. Our hike leads from the central highlands down to the plains of the east coast. In the beginning, it goes through tea plantations, soon grasslands follow, we come through small villages and past farms. Many spices and plants used as medicinal products, such as red pineapple, thrive here. On the way, we stop for lunch and enjoy our picnic. Through a varied landscape and different climate zones, we hike from the cool, damp mountain landscape down to the warm lowlands. After our hike, we drive to Siyambalanduwa, where we spend the night in a Buddhist temple. There we are invited by a local family to a typical Sri Lankan dinner.

DAY 14: SIYAMBALANDUWA - TISSAMAHARAMA

Today we get up early to take part in a short puja (prayer) with the monks. Incense sticks and the murmuring of the praying monks let us immerse ourselves in the life of the monastery. After a short drive, close to the Lahugala National Park, we begin our hike through the dry lowlands inland towards the west. We walk past small farms and grain fields as well as through forests and along small lakes. Bird lovers will enjoy the variety of different species that can be found here. With a little luck, we may even see wild boar, elephants and huge herds of buffalo, from whose milk curd cheese is made. Then we continue to Tissamaharama and in the evening visit an important pilgrimage destination in Sri Lanka, the Kataragama Temple. This temple, dedicated to the god Kataragama, is a pilgrimage site for many Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists.

DAY 15: TISSAMAHARAMA - YALA NATIONAL PARK

Before breakfast, we leave early for a short walk around the village of Debarawewa. Our interesting walk begins in the shadow of a giant rain tree that is home to countless fruit bats. We discover the wonderful birdlife and experience how the animals and the small town awaken. We visit a potter, look over his shoulder as he makes jars for local quark and cheese production and learn a lot about everyday life here in the village. In the afternoon we go on a jeep safari in the famous Yala National Park (since this national park is very popular due to the good chances of seeing leopards, a high number of visitors must be expected). The savannah-like, sparsely overgrown landscape with its low bushes and bushes, rocks and flat lagoons is home to wild elephants, water buffalos, deer, wild boars, crocodiles, turtles, monkeys and many other animals. But numerous bird species such as flamingos, peacocks, herons and pelicans also feel at home here. If we are lucky we can even see leopards.

DAY 16: YALA - GALLE

After breakfast, we drive to Galle, with the cityscape characterized by Dutch colonial buildings. We visit the old Dutch fort and walk through the picturesque cobbled streets lined with small shops and restaurants. Then we continue to Kalutara, a small resort on the west coast, where we can relax on the beach.

DAY 17: DEPARTURE TO AIRPORT

Depending on the flight time we have some free time in the morning, then our transfer to the airport takes place.