Belilena prehistoric cave & Rain Forest hiking and more adventures in Sri Lanka.
On arrival welcome by a CEYLON MEMORIES TOURS & TRAVELS representative and transfer to Kandy. Day at leisure. Stay overnight in Kandy.
Breakfast at hotel.Make a nature walk (approx., 45 mints) at UdawattaKele Sanctuary. This is a trek of rainforest rich in species that has enjoyed protection from historical times. It supports many species of bird life. Some of the common birds are Layard’s Parakeet, Gold fronted and blue winged Leaf birds, Spotted and Emerald Doves, Tick ell’s Blue Flycatcher, Yellow-fronted, Crimson-fronted and Brown headed barbets and Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher.In the afternoon visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, at Peradeniya, which is about 5.5 km before the city of Kanday and attracts over 2 million visitors annually, consisting of both locals as and tourists. It’s renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids and over 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km2), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200 day annual rainfall.Visit the Temple of tooth relic, for the evening ceremony; the stunning 17th century Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This precious relic attracts white-clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day.Stay overnight in Kandy.
After breakfast leave for the Knuckles Mountain Range, which is part of the Hill Country of Sri Lanka which is also above 3000 Ft or 915 Mts. from sea level and covers an area of about 90 Sq.Miles or 234 Sq.Km of land extent. This is also called as Knuckles Range or Knuckles Peaks or simply as Knuckles. The reason to call it Knuckles is because, there is a mountain with five peaks in itself that looks like the knuckles of a clenched fist when seen from Kandy area (or the SW direction of that mountain named as Knuckles with a height of 6112 Feet). The Sri Lankan name for this mountainous area is “Dumbara Mitiyawatha ” which means “The Misty Vally “.A remarkable feature of this area is that most of the climatic conditions of Sri Lanka can be found within the extent of a mountain range. Generally all these hanging climatic conditions can be experienced within ½ hour walk through this valley. The location of the hills, the particular effect of the monsoons and the wind factor generate a certain climatic diversity to the area. In fact in these hills one can find characteristics of all the key ecological zones found in the country. The KnucklesMountain Range is an ideal natural laboratory for the study of biodiversity, ecological zones, natural processes, botany and biology. Also it plays a key role in the study/research areas such as history, archeology, indigenous community and their traditions.
After breakfast leave for visit Corbets Gap. Corbets Gap is a saddle point situated near Loolwatta and Thangappuwa. Which means it is at the foot of Knuckles Mountains. The place is named after the surveyor who did surveying of this area. If you visit this place in a clear day you can have a really beautiful scenic view of the valley below from here. Overnight stay in Knuckles Range.
After breakfast make a village walk to see the lifestyle of the people. Village with a population of about 400. It owns an exceptionally rich natural beauty and Traditional Sri Lankan styles. It is located near the border between Kandy District and Matale District in the Knuckles Mountain Range. This is one of the most remote villages in Sri Lanka with the only access via a 14 km (8.7 mi) trail from the town of Loolwatte . There is no direct mail delivery to the village; villager journeys each day to Thapal Junction (literally meaning Mail Junction) to exchange incoming and outgoing postal mail with a postman. It is considered the place where King Ravana lifted the Dhadu Monara or . Residents of the village depend on several staple crops including pepper, cardamom, paddy and ginger.Afterwards leave for Kithulgala. Kithulgala, is one of the most scenic locations in the island and also a center for many nature and adventure related activities which include White Water Rafting, visits to rainforests and the Belilena prehistoric cave. Enroute visit a rubber plantation. It is also one of the gateways to the hill country.Stay overnight in Kitulgala.
After breakfast Optional – leave for Belilena caves which is about 2 kms away from Kitukgala was scientifically excavated and researched between the years 1978 and 1983 by the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka. Twenty five radiometric tests dated the cultural deposits to 30000 – 9000 years before present. A rich assemblage of cultural, faunal and human remains were excavated. These included geometric microlithic stone tools which, at 30000 years old, are among the earliest in the world; and bone tools and evidence of the use of fire from 30000 years ago onwards. The site yielded numerous remains of animals that had been used for food such as sambhur, pig, barking deer, monkeys, porcupines, giant squirrels and an assortment of reptiles and fish. The smaller mammals and aquatic and tree snails were prominent in the diet of Balangoda man, as were food plants such as wild breadfruit and canarium (Kekuna) nuts. An exchange network in salt from coastal lagoons some 80 Km away had also been established by 30000 years ago. Rubble foundations dated to 16000 years before present constitute the earliest evidence of subtantial structures in South Asia.The skeletal parts of several humans were found in the 16000 years old level. These have been intensively analysed by an international team of Anthropologists. They are invaluable for unserstanding of the physical anthropology of Balangoda man. Beli Lena occupies a very special place in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. It awaits further investigations by future generations of Sri Lankan archeologists with progressively sharp analytical skills. As such, the site has been declared Archelogical Reserve of the Archeological Department under the Antiquities Ordinance.At Kitulagala, Adventure lovers, can enjoy White Water Rafting, down river Kelani, Sri Lanka’s 2nd largest.Stay overnight in Kitulgala.
After breakfast leave for Nuwara eliya, well known as “Little England”. See the mountains covered with tea bushes and waterfalls. Enjoy the magnificent landscape. Visit the tea plantation . Where the best tea in the world is produced. Watch the tea pluckers pick two leaves and a bud with deft hands. Then to the factory where the all-important conversion to “made” black tea happens. The machinery used is of very traditional British design, some as old as 100 years. The process is a very artisanal one, unchanged for a century. Observe the process of manufacturing tea, tea grading and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea. Stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
After an early breakfast and leave to Horton Plains National Park which is more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Look for the endemic yellow-eared bulbul, Ceylon white eye, Ceylon warbler, spot-winged thrush, whistling thrush and blue magpie.The walk to ‘World’s End’ and “Little World’s End” offers one of the finest views in Sri Lanka. Also grab a look at Baker’s fall before you return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.Drive to Bandarawela a scenic nature rich village.Stay overnight in Bandarawela.
After an early breakfast at hotel you will be driven approx., 16 km. by vehicle to Ravana water fall where the 2 day trek begins.This 6/7 hour mountain trek will features natural forests, dry ever green forest, wet pathna, village, Fauna/Flora, Rice fields, Chena cultivation, Vegetable cultivation, endemic plants/herbal plants and lots of birds are observed along the trek.You will pass and cross crystal clear water ways/stream and walk thru’ dry and wet zone and considerable climb is easily achievable. There are wild buffaloes and wild boar in the forest and be watchful and should climb as a team.Kaloogala point at a height of 1600 meters above sea level opens up magnificent view of eastern province upto the sea and deep of down south and some of the villages situated in the foot hills of Namunukula mountain range can be seen.In the night you will stay in staying camping tent is another option as it generates employment and sustain manpower in that area.Stay overnight in Bandarawela.
After breakfast you will trek down the mountain approx. 10 km. to Hingurukaduwa junction at Passara / Monaragala road. This trek is one of the loveliest nature attraction in Sri Lanka. The changing terrain of rugged mountain peaks, grass lands, rigged mountains and its natural beauty.Experiencing Discovering Local Culinary at the Hotel in BandarawelaThis experience starts with a stroll in the Local Market accompanied by the Orient Hotel Chef to discover Sri Lankan Vegetables, spices and all other ingredients used for Sri Lankan cooking.This is followed by a cookery demonstration in the hotel where everyone plays an active role to discover Si Lankan ingredients, their flavors and their secrets of using different spices.After demonstration dinner is served in the Hotel main Restaurant to sample the different dishes prepared during the demonstration.Stay overnight in Bandarawela.
Enjoy your breakfast in the misty climate of the hill country and leave for Udawalawe.The Udawalawe national park was designated in 1972 to offer a refuge to migratory elephants, during the time it has also become a sanctuary for many other mammals, including spotted deer, toque monkey, wild pig, grey langur, leopard and sambar, as well as numerous birds. Nearly 100 bird species may be spotted here in a single day. Udawalawe is particularly rich in raptor species, among them white-bellied sea eagle, changeable hawk eagle and crested serpent eagle. The park is situated around the Udawalawe Reservoir, a man-made lake (tank) and a variety of terrain (open grassland, teak plantation and jungle) can be found. Make jeep safari at the park.Stay overnight in Udawalawe.
After breakfast leave for Singahraja rain forest.Check in at hotel.Stay overnight in Singharaja.
After breakfast make a trek at Sinharaja rain forest. Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the last viable remnant of Sri Lanka’s tropical lowland rainforest spanning an area of 18900 acres. Out of 12 endemic mammal species of the country 8 are found here. Giant squirrel, dusky-stripped jungle squirrel, badger mongoose and endemic purple-faced leaf monkey and torque macaque are frequently seen.Many threatened species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are found in the Reserve including the leopard. Endemism among mammals and butterflies is greater than 50%. Reptiles and amphibia include python, endemic green pit viper, endemic hump nosed lizard (Lyriocephalus scutatus) and rough-nose horned lizard (Ceratophora aspera).Stay overnight in Singharaja.
Breakfast at hotel.Leave for beach hotel in South west coast.Check in at the hotel & relax.Overnight stay in Beach Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel, continue beach stay OR transfer to the airport for the onward flight.
We, at Ceylon Memories, swear by this and put stock in satisfying travel dreams that make you perpetually rich constantly.
