PROGRAMME :
DURATION : 14 Days.
PERIOD :Valid till 31-October-2005

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrival and stay over in a hotel in “Waikkale.” Negambo. In the evening walk visit to “Muthurajawela” sanctuary. Muthurajawella is located south of Negombo in the Colombo district. A vast area of marshland and mangrove vegetation with an extent of 3100 hectares of which 1000 hectares is declared as sanctuary. This important wetland habitat is home to 85 resident birds.

Day 2
Immediately after early breaking fast direct drive to Anuradhapura. After lunch a long walks to see the Archaeological sites around Anuradhapura. Dinnar and night stay in a hotel. The citadel of Anuradhapura, the first capital founded by king Pandukabhaya and the seat of government for centuries, is symbolic of the golden era of Sri Lanka. THE BRAZEN PALACE built in the 3rd century B.C. It was made with 1800 columns. Before it was destroyed by fire, the palace had 1000 chambers, Gem studded walls, balconies and windows railed with coral and an inner pavilion with trellises of gardens of pearls. Abhyagiriya stupa built in 88 B.C was one of the largest religious institutions in the world. The Moonstone and Kuttampokuna are masterpiece of Anuradhapura period.

Day 3
Polonnaruwa – Sightseeing and, long walk around Parakkrama Samudra. Overnight stay in Polonnaruwa - Hotel Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka. The city of paddy fields is watered by a unique irrigation complex known as the sea of Parakkrama (Parakkrama Samudra), convering 5940 acres, can irrigate 18,500 acres of rice paddies. This tank causes to the natural beauty of Polonnaruwa. Thuparamaya is the oldest stupa and the best-preserved building in Polonnaruwa.The majestic Lankathilake even, now stands 55feet high. A headless Buddha statue of colossal size remains here to see now.

Day 4
After breakfast visiting the Sigiriya rock fortress. Once you come down start the 5km trekking trail to the Sigiriya camp. The Ancient city of Sigiriya was designated a cultural World Heritage Site in 1982. The topography is flat except for the massive rock outcrop of the fortress itself, and a few adjoining hills.

Day 5
Drive will begin from Sigiriya to Illukkumbura immediately after B-fast. From The clients get on to their heels for a long walk up to Riverston. Stay over in a hotel at Kandy.
Along this walk the guest can observe meager vegetation types in Sri Lanka. Pitawala patana is predominantly covered by grass species. Pitawala patana is an excellent viewpoint in Knuckles area. Riverston or Kirimatiyakanda peak is observed to be covered with mist and this area is exposed to strong winds and as a result walking through the area is sometimes very difficult. The road passes through stunted tree vegetation known as pigmy forests.

Day 6
After the breakfast a long walk to Udawattekele sanctuary. After lunch visit to the botanical garden. Night out in a hotel. Udawattekele sanctuary lies north of Kandy Lake on the periphery of the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Declared a sanctuary on 29 July 1938.It’s extent is 102.8ha. This sanctuary use as a pleasure park probably goes back many centuries. The vegetation comprises fairly dense forest, mostly plantation and secondary formations The history of the gardens as far backs as1371. The gardens a horse-shoe-shaped peninsula round which flows the chief river of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli.The total area is 147 acres containing more than 4000 plant species.

Day 7
The drive, after breakfast to a half way point to “Nuwara Eliya”via Kandy, is indeed a memorable one. Nuwara Eliya, cradled in central hill country is about the most attractive area of the island. The walk for the day, 6 hours and 20-24km, in the cool climes, along plantation roads, jeep tracks and main roads will be an unforgettable experience. Dinner & overnight stay in Hotel in “Nuwara Eliya”
After breakfast proceed to Labukele were the guests could visit to see the tea factory. From Labukele long walk up to Nuwaraeliya. Night out in a hotel around Nuwaraeliya.

Day 8
After breakfast, a long walk along the Gregory Lake up to Hakgala Botanical Garden and night out at Boralanda camping site.

Day 8
Driven to Ohiya, FromOhiya to Horton Plans National Park for a long trail.
Horton Plains, most certainly one of the world’s best nature reserves, which consist of famous “World’s End”, “Bakers Falls”, “Chimmini Pool” etc.Horton Plains Nature Reserve, which is approx. 10,000 Hectares in extent, is haunted by Elk, Deer, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Hair, Porcupine, and a variety of Migratory birds, which is unique to this region. According to a recent count there are 16 Leopards in Horton Plains. If you are lucky you may get a glimpse of a Leopard during your sojourn in the Horton Plains. At the end of our hike across the Horton Plains, we come to another vary important and famous point - the World’s End. With a sheer drop of 3700ft, World’s End offers one a fantastic and awesome view. - Need to include the trekking trail to BHY from HP via Bambarakanda. Overnight camp.

Day 09
From Horton Plians to River Garden by vehicle. Night out in the Kinchigune campsite.
This campsite, overlooking the beautiful “Samanalawewa” Reservoir is in the edge of small but historic village called Kinchigune. People of this village, most of which is now submerged, has been engaged in steel industry in the early days. The have, as the history says, produced steel weapons for King Dutugemunu’s Army in the 2nd century BC. They also have supplied steel for makers of world famous Damascus sword.
Kinchigune trail / canoeing / cycling .

Day 10 / Day 11
After breakfast the guests will driven to Suriya kanda, from there the clients will walk to Singharaja Morning-side camp for Night stay over.
Morning side campsite, which is just at the border of the forest, has got its name due to the weather condition, which prevails there during most of the day. You may feel that it’s almost morning even by 12.00 Noon.
Sinharaja Rain Forest is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forests now remaining in Sri Lanka. It covers an area of Approximately 12,000 hectares and was initially declared a Man & Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978. The vegetation of the forest may be described either as a Tropical Lowland Forest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest. Out of 211 woody trees found in this forest more than 60% are endemic. The average height of the tree giants in this beautiful forest varies between 35-40m but some giants rise even up to 50m.

Day 12
After breakfast walk back to Surriya kanda. From here you will be driven back to Galle. Night out in a hotel at Galle.

Day 13
At leisure in Galle.- Site visits etc.

Day 14
Leaving to Airport / Colombo after breakfast.
- End of Programme -