PROGRAMME : Belihuloya & Adams Peak Programme.
DURATION : 2 Nights / 3 Days
PERIOD :01-Nov-2004 To 31-Oct-2005

TOUR ITINERARY

Day - 01 - Belihuloya (FB)

Arrival at River Garden Resort.

BELIHULOYA is a very picturesque and romantic hamlet situated about 160km from Colombo in the historical “Sabaragamuwa” province. This zone is a climatically transitional area linking the wet & dry zones and the hill country & the low country. This very important location has made it one of the places in the country with the highest bio-diversity. River Garden Resort is built in this little hamlet.

KINCHIGUNE NATURE TRAIL
This diverse trail of approximately 6km begins at the River Garden Resort in Belihuloya, running alongside a riverine forest and the Belihuloya river itself. During the trail, you will venture through paddy fields, across rivers and past local village houses with their extensive vegetable plots. It is an ideal opportunity to learn a bit about the local agricultural systems and simple way of village living. Along the way, you will also witness several types of beautiful birds and butterflies and some charming waterfalls. The trail finishes where the Belihuloya river meets the Samanalawewa reservoir. From there, it is a short climb up through the forest to the Kinchigune Eco Lodge where you could extend your stay and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The whole journey takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on how often you want to stop for rest, photos, or simply to take in the wonderful surroundings.

RIVER BATHING IN THE NATURAL ROCK POOL IN “BELIHULOYA”.
This is a unique place where two streams namely “Belihuloya” and “Galagamaoya” meet together creating a natural bathing area with clear unpolluted water that flows down from “Horton Plains”, 2200 meters above the sea level.

SCHEDULE
• Arrival at River Garden Resort for lunch. • Srilankan lunch at River Garden Resort. • After lunch a nature trail to Kinchigune. • Finishing the trail a river bath. Then proceed back to River Garden in the vehicle. • Night dinner & stay in Belihuloya. Value – Luxury Camping / Standard – Cottage or similar / Delux – Eco Lodge or similar.

Day 02 – Belihuloya – Adams Peak Climb (FB)
Late evening climbing Adams Peak.

ADAMS PEAK



Begin the arduous 08 km climb to the misty mountaintop with experienced local guides. You may reach the 2,240 metre high peak - the island’s fourth highest - at dawn to witness a glorious sunrise and the mountain’s shadow, cast by the rising sun on to the clouds below. Legend has it that, the footprint originally carved in the rock, and, now covered by an oversized reproduction set in cement, was made by the Buddha, on his third visit to the island.
Some believe it is the spot where Adam, from Christian creation myth, first set foot on earth, after being banished from the Garden of Eden. Other Christians believe, it belongs to St. Thomas, the Apostle. To Hindus, the footprint is ‘Lord Shiva’s.
Adam’s Peak is also known as the “butterfly mountain”, because large numbers of butterflies visit and perish there each year. The mountain, on the western edge of the island’s central massif, looms over the surrounding hills, covered with lush, green jungle. (Peak wilderness sanctuary)
Peak wilderness sanctuary is among the best areas for birds and butterflies in Sri Lanka as well. It usually takes three to four hours to reach the top, but during the pilgrim season, which begins in December and lasts till May, the throng is sometimes so great, it can take over - 30 minutes to move from one step to the other.

SCHEDULE
• Morning at leisure until late evening for the climb or optional activities at River garden resort in the morning (e.g- cycling, canoeing, boating, trekking etc) • Leaving to Adams Peak at 6 pm with packed dinner to Nalathaniya. • Night at the peak in Sleeping bags. (for all accommodation catogories)

Day 03 – Departure

SCHEDULE
• Start tracking downhill after coffee and a snack to the Ratnapura side. • Departure to your next destination after a packed breakfast in the vehicle.
- End of Programme -