MAGNIFICENT HIKING TOUR-Trekking & Activity Tours | Tour Package | Airwing Tours - Sri Lanka Tours , Tour Pakages, Tour Facilities

MAGNIFICENT HIKING TOUR

TR3

14 Days

Overview

Trekking in Sri Lanka gives you an opportunity to go offbeat and explore the length and breadth of the country in adventurous ways.

Highlights

Explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
Excursion to Minneriya National Park.
Hike the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside.
Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Visit a tea plantation.
Go on a wildlife 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 SIGIRIYA

The group meets at the airport in Colombo or in the first accommodation. A group transfer is offered upon arrival to the first accommodation in Sigiriya. Our hotel for the next three nights has a pool and beautiful gardens. Here we can acclimatize and rest in peace.

DAY 2: SIGIRIYA - POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA

After breakfast, we make our way to the historic city of Polonnaruwa. We explore the archaeological park of Polonnaruwa with the ruins of the royal palace and the temple complex as well as the small villages in the area by bike. During the bike tour, there are often opportunities to stop to gain an insight into the daily life of the local population. At one of the many lakes in the area, there is a picnic for lunch with fresh fish from the lake and many different types of vegetables. The rest of the day can be used as free time. For elephant lovers, we can recommend an optional excursion to the Minneriya National Park. With jeeps, you drive to a large lake, where numerous elephants quench their thirst every day. There is hardly any other place in Sri Lanka where you can see so many elephants.

DAY 3: SIGIRIYA

We get up very early today to enjoy the morning mood with the rising fog over the lake and the many birds and butterflies. With a little luck, we will also spot a crocodile on a sandbar. We have breakfast packed and have a nice picnic on the way. First, we drive a short distance with our bus to a small settlement, where our hike begins. Here we get an insight into the morning activities of the residents who go fishing or do their laundry on the shores of the lake. With luck, an angler will take us on his catamaran. We reach our picnic area and enjoy the delicious contents of a king coconut or other sweet fruits that the friendly farmer offers us. After a short walk through the fields, we meet the ox-cart - the vehicle for our special safari. The adventure begins! The ox cart takes you through rough terrain, meadows and forests and we can observe the wildlife. We are back to the hotel for lunch. In the late afternoon, after the great heat, the next highlight is on the program: a visit to the so-called Lion Rock of Sigiriya. This huge, shimmering red rock dominates the surrounding forests and meadows by almost 200 m. Many steps, some carved in stone, lead up to the plateau of the rock, on which the remains of King Kasyapa's palace are located.

DAY 4: SIGIRIYA - KANDY

We drive to the capital, to Kandy and stop in Matale on the way to visit the rock temple Alu Vihare and the monks living there. To this day, they are concerned with writing Buddhist teaching and history on dried palm leaves. We watch the monks, who carry out this activity with a lot of patience, perseverance and skill. Kandy is at the heart of Sri Lanka's centuries-old craftsmanship. In the afternoon we visit a batik factory and learn about the elaborate technique of batik. We can batik ourselves and take our handmade work home as a souvenir. In the evening, a tour of the city is recommended. If you want, you can optionally attend a traditional dance performance (price approx. USD 5 per person).

DAY 5: KANDY - KITULGALA

In the morning we still have free time in Kandy. Optionally, a visit to the Dalada Maligawa (also called tooth temple, because it is supposed to house a tooth relic of the Buddha) is recommended. Around 11 am we continue to Kitulgala. Kitulgala, known as the backdrop of the famous feature film "The Bridge on the Kwai", is an excellent place for all kinds of outdoor activities. After lunch, we cross the Kelani River in a dugout canoe and take a hike through the nature reserve. In this rainforest-like area home to many of Sri Lanka's endemic birds. On the way, we pass so-called "rock poles", perfect small pools for a bathing break. We spend the night in a hotel on the Kelani River.

DAY 6: KITULGALA - NUWARA ELIYA

After breakfast, we drive to Nuwara Eliya (approx. 1,890 m). This is the highest town in Sri Lanka. It is surrounded by tea plantations. Because of the beautiful mountain landscape and the cool climate, the area is also popular with Sri Lankans who live in the hot regions of the island. We will visit a tea factory and be shown how the freshly picked, green leaves are used to make the ready-to-sell black tea.

DAY 7: NUWARA ELIYA - BANDARAWELA

The Horton Plains (2,200 m) are part of the highest plateau in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. A varied landscape awaits us on our hike: mountains, meadows, marshland and rivers with trout. Colorful butterflies and rare highland birds can be observed. Arrived at the "end of the world" - here the plateau ends with a steeply sloping rock edge - we enjoy a fantastic view. After the hike, we continue to the quiet, tranquil mountain town of Bandarawela, which is characterized by the tea industry. The people of Bandarawela live a simple life. Parents, children and grandparents still farm the land together, buy vegetables and look after cows and goats. The traces of colonial times can still be seen in historic buildings. In the late afternoon, we accompany the boss of our hotel to the local market to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and meat for dinner. Back at the hotel we will cook together and prepare a traditional dish.

DAY 8: BANDARAWELA

In the morning we drive to the Dambatenne tea factory. There we change vehicles and continue our journey through the tea plantations to the lookout point "Lipton's Seat". From this point the Scottish tea baron Sir Thomas Lipton has already looked at his growing empire. We have a wonderful view of the tea plantations and the forested hilly landscape. We picnic and hike back to our vehicle. Back in Bandarawela, we want to organize a cricket game. The children who live here meet regularly on the playing field in Bandarawela. The common game is usually a highlight for all children.

DAY 9: BANDARAWELA - UDAWALAWE

We leave the highlands and drive to Udawalawe National Park, the best place to spot elephants. The region was declared a national park in 1972 and protected elephants so that the elephant population was able to develop well. On our jeep safari, we can see elephants, various types of game, wild boar, buffalo, jackals and with a little luck a leopard. After our game drive, we continue to our hotel near Embilipitiya.

DAY 10: UDAWALAWE - TISSAMAHARAMA

Today we visit the elephant breeding station, the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe. Here one looks after elephant children who have been injured or have lost their parents or have been separated from the herd. The animals are cared for here until they are old and strong enough to live independently in the national park. In 2008 it was the first time to successfully release a group of young elephants. We watch the young animals being fed. Even if it is difficult to say goodbye - another highlight awaits us: a jeep safari in Yala National Park, the best-known among Sri Lanka's national parks. The savannah-like, sparsely overgrown landscape with its low bushes and bushes, rocks and flat lagoons is home to wild elephants, water buffalos, crocodiles, monkeys and many other animals. Overnight in Tissamaharama.

DAY 11: TISSAMAHARAMA - MIRISSA

In the morning there is again the opportunity to take part in an optional jeep safari. Then we drive to the coast to our beautiful beach hotel in Mirissa.

DAY 12: MIRISSA

Free time. We can swim in the pool or in the sea and enjoy the fine sandy beach. Warning: caution is advised when swimming in the open sea, depending on the strength of the surf. High waves and strong currents must be observed. Children should only swim in the sea under supervision. Excursions can optionally be booked. Snorkeling or a whale watching tour is recommended. The best time to see whales and dolphins is between November and April.

DAY 13: MIRISSA - GALLE - SEEDUWA

We drive back along the west coast towards Colombo. We stop at Galle and visit the old Dutch colonial fortress. We continue to Seeduwa near the airport.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE TO AIRPORT

After breakfast, transfer to the airport.