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Discover the very best of Sri Lanka on this once in a life time adventure. Visiting one of the most beautiful destinations on earth where you are guaranteed a warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. Get under the skin of the country's culture, cuisine and community whilst visiting the stunning natural wonders which abound from lush jungles and mountains, to beautiful wildlife in national parks.
Summary
Day 1 Negombo
Day 2-4 Habarana ( Cultural Triangle)
Day 5 Gammadu...Read All
Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree, I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as an actual tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.
An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.
I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, even as a kid. ... Read All
Hi! My name is Prateeque, your host. I grew up in India, in Bangalore and after completing an engineering degree, I decided to not actually follow this path and chose to follow my passion of travel. I quickly got a job as an actual tour guide in the wonderful southern region of Kerala, India, for a few months and ended up staying for 2 years.
An opportunity opened up to go to Sri Lanka to become manager for the country, so when I was offered it, I jumped at the chance. During my time working in travel, I’ve travelled the majority of both India and Sri Lanka and discovered almost place you could possibly explore in these crazy, yet amazing countries.
I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and exploring, even as a kid. I would go out on my bike and get lost and then try to find my way back. I grew up in an urban setting, so any chance I could get I was out exploring. The feeling of release you get from the outdoors, is completely different to anything you can feel.
The one thing that inspired me to work in travel and pursue it as a long term career, is the feeling of pure amazement when discovering something new or seeing something spectacular for the first time. It’s an indescribable feeling, but you’re just totally immersed in this place and you just forget about everything else for a while.
And seeing this look on people’s faces and being with them when they’re doing this, is something I found out very quickly when I was tour guide I absolutely loved and just had to pursue this further.
Another thing is, you always learn in travel, there’s always something new that comes up, whether it be an experience, untapped location, or new people, you’re always learning and this pushes me to find new things to do.
It’s fair to say that Sri Lanka is oversaturated, there are plenty of companies here offering the same tours to the same places. We however, like to go off the beaten track. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see in this wonderful country away from the main sights. For example, the busy national parks e.g. Udawalawe National Park can have up to 600 jeeps a day on it’s roads. But if you go just 2 hours away at Gal Oya national park, it’s much less busy and you can get much closer to the wildlife.
Your Sri Lankan adventure begins when your host meets you at Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will be met by your local host and taken straight to your first accommodation.
From there you’ll head inland and northwards towards the centre of the island, where you’ll find the unforgettable cultural triagle including Auradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, then to Gammaduwa for some trekking through stunning scenery and Wildlife spotting in Wasgamuwa National Park. Here you’ll turn south towards Nuwara Eliya, before taking a train to the relaxed town of Ella, nestled in the lush green hills of Sri Lanka’s interior.
On your last day you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Day 4 – Climbing Sigiriya and Dambulla
Sigiriya Rock
While this is not really a hike it does involve climbing some stairs. The whole climb to the top is around 1200 steps, but these are spread across 3 sections. It normally takes about 1 hour for the entire climb with multiple stops for pictures, explanations, and breaks.
Dambulla Cave Temple complex also is at the top of a flight of approx. 200 stairs, again these can be climbed at leisure with stops.
Day 5 – Andawala to Gammaduwa:
This is an 8km hike. It normally takes 3-4hrs. The trail is through small village paths, farms and alongside a canal. There is a small waterfall mid-way through the trail and the last 3kms are on a flat jeep track.
Day 6 – Hike to Riverstone
The total distance is 15kms. It normally takes 5-6hrs. Start through pine forests and on jeep tracks, before descending to the remote village of Kargastene. From here you will walk through open scrub plains, before entering the jungle. We then come out through the paddy fields into the village of Puwakpitiya. A nearby waterfall is an excellent place to enjoy lunch and swim. Picnic lunch will be provided.
Alternatively, the guests could do a shorter section through the pine forests and then transfer by vehicle to Riverstone
Day 7 – Hike to Manigala Rock
This could be 3kms to 10kms hike depending on the guest’s preference. The trail is through stepped paddy fields and forest canopy.
NOTE: ALL our hikes are led by trained hiking guides. We are flexible to modify the hikes and make changes on the day based on the guests. During the hikes there will be multiple water and snack breaks. Our guides are able to gauge how the clients are doing and set an appropriate pace and number of breaks.
Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.
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