PROGRAMME : Mixed Activity Tour
DURATION : 6 Nights / 7 Days..
PERIOD :Valid till 31st October 2005

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01 - Arrival & transfer to Belihuloya (HB)

Arrival and transfer to Belihuloya River Garden Nature Related Activity Center. BELIHULOYA is a very picturesque 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.



The small old house, now the KINCHIGUNE ECO LODGE / CAMP, maintained by the River Garden Resort, built on a land at the waters’ edge of the “Samanalawewa” reservoir, is over hundred years old. Though renovated, every effort was taken to preserve its’ old architecture, while keeping the basic requirement of the modern person in mind. It still has its mud walls, mud & cow dung mixture spread floor, kithul poles in windows etc. Old Sinhala tiles have been replaced by new tiles but are covered with straw to give it the old appearance.

EVENING - RIVER BATHING IN A 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.

KINCHIGUNE CAMP.



Forget any ideas about cramped tents and sitting on the ground for mealtimes – this is camping in style! The site is set up prior to your arrival, you will depart with a hearty barbecue meal the night before – the whole area is lit up with traditional flame torches and a roaring campfire. So sit back, relax and let our experienced staff cater to your every need.

SCHEDULE

Arrival at River Garden Resort / Camp or Kinchigune camp - Belihuloya. At leisure until dinner. (Optional – trekking to Kinchigune) Dinner & night stay at a fully serviced movable camp.

Day 02 - Samanalawawe Reservoir (FB)



Activities at Kinchigune & Samanalawawa Reservoir.

SCHEDULE
After breakfast proceed to the Samanalawewa Reservoir for canoeing. - 7km (from one end to the other). Finishing the canoeing, packed lunch will be provided. Start cycling along the reservoir after lunch up to the Kinchigune “Eco Lodge”. (8 – 9 km) Dinner & night stay at a fully serviced movable luxury camp.

Day 03 - Horton Plains – Bambarakanda – Nuwara Eliya



Leaving to Horton Plains National park via Bambarakanda - trekking from Belihuloya.

BAMBARAKANDA FALLS

Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep rocks and dark green forests of pines and tropic trees the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka [ 240.8m] plunges with two silver ropes over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 500m walking distance from the trail. Nature walk in HORTON PLAINS NATURE RESERVE, which is approximately 10,000 Hectares in extent, is haunted by Elk, Deer, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Hare , Porcupine, and a variety of Migratory birds, unique to this region. According to a recent count there are 16 Leopards in Horton Plains. If you are very lucky you may get a glimpse of a Leopard during your sojourn in the Horton Plains.

SCHEDULE

After an early breakfast or packed breakfast trekking to Horton Plains via Bambarakanda at 6.30 am. Packed lunch will be provided at a suitable location while trekking. 26km without Horton Plains trek. This could be reduced to 21km if required. Total distance of trekking in side the Horton Plains park would be 6km.[ Graded as a soft trail] Finishing the trekking at Horton Plains proceed to Nuwara Eliya. Night dinner & stay at a Hotel.

Day 04 - Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Kandy (FB)

You will proceed to Kitulgala for white water rafting and then proceed to Kandy. “An interesting affair between currents & rapids”…………

WHITE WATER RAFTING.



This thrilling adventure on the white water sections of Kelani River is suitable for amateurs as well as professionals alike. During the run you will experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria of making it through. The river’s clear water is born in the heart of the peak wilderness reserve and tumbles through a rocky gorge just above Kithulgala.

SCHEDULE

After an early breakfast or packed breakfast, proceed to Kitulgala for white water rafting. Start rafting at 10 am. Finishing at 12 or 12.30pm. Lunch at Kitulgala. After lunch proceed to Kandy. Visit the “Dalada Maligawa”(temple of the tooth) in the evening. Night dinner & stay at a Hotel.

Day 05 - Kandy – Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa (FB)

Leaving to Polonnaruwa via Sigiriya.

The ancient city of SIGIRIYA was designated a cultural World Heritage Site in 1982. It is also proposed that the site should be named the eighth wonder of the world, indicating it is in the same league as other international wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Ancient Pyramids. Translated as ‘Lion Rock’ into English, the name of the monument indicates the way in which visitors used to begin their final ascent to the top – through the open jaws and throat (‘giriya’) of a lion (‘sinha’). Unfortunately, the only remains of this lion figure are the gigantic paws, sculpted into the side of the rock. The topography of the area is flat except for the massive rock outcrop of the fortress itself (which rises an incredible 600 ft up from the green scrub jungle). The unusual rock is particularly interesting due to its flat top (nearly an acre in size), that was used in its entirety to build King Kasyapa’s fortress complex, still evident by the presence of the extensive ruins.

POLONNARUWA



At nearly 1000 years old, POLONNARUWA is one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital cities (and part of the famous ‘Cultural Triangle’). Although King Vijayabahu 1 was the first to claim the city as his capital, it was King Parakramabahu who made it what it is today, with its massive buildings, ornate parks and the ‘pièce de resistance’ – a 2500 hectare tank called ‘Parakrama Samudra’ (‘Sea of Parakrama’). The city itself is divided into new and old town with the impressively preserved ruins split into five main areas, including ‘The Quadrangle’ (aka ‘Terrace of the Tooth Relic’), the Northern City group and the Rest House group (with the royal palace ruins of ‘Nissanka Malla’). Due to its reasonably compact layout, the ruins can be easily explored on foot, and with the surrounding area’s flat well maintained roads, you can leave the car behind and jump on a bicycle to get around!

SCHEDULE

After an early breakfast or packed breakfast, proceed to Polonnaruwa via Sigiriya. Sigiriya rock climb in the morning. Lunch at Sigiriya. After lunch proceed to Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa sightseeing . Night dinner & stay at a Hotel in Polonnaruwa.

Day 06 - Polonnaruwa – Dambulla - Colombo (FB) After breakfast proceed to Colombo via Dambulla.

COLOMBO



Like many capital cities in developing countries, the face of Colombo is quickly changing. Skyscrapers now tower over the streets where old buildings once stood and modern shopping malls attract locals and foreigners alike in search of a bargain. However, in some parts the ‘Old World’ charm is retained, such as the 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest include the Pettah markets, the old Parliament in the Fort district, the new parliament in Thimbirigasyaya, and a wide variety of churches, mosques and temples that are sentiment to the many different religions that dominate the country. In terms of shopping, there is a wide range of colourful fabrics, batiks, handicrafts and other souvenirs. Clothes are also especially good value and there are a number of specialised outlets sure to satisfy the most serious of shoppers! DAMBULLA, an ancient city, is known for its beautiful Cave temples and a huge Buddha statue. The history of the 5 caves containing over 150 images of Buddha goes back to 1st century BC when king Valagambahu took refuge here. This place is worth visiting not only for the cave temple, but also for the beautiful view over the countryside you can get from the hill.

SCHEDULE After an early breakfast proceed to Colombo via Dambulla. Visit the cave temple on your way. Lunch on the way at a hotel or restaurant. Evening Colombo city tour. Dinner & night stay at a hotel in Colombo.

Day 07 - Departure
Leaving to the Katunayake international airport after breakfast.

- End of Programme -