(16 days / 15 Nights) - HIGHLANDS OF SRI LANKA (USD-1699)
Day 01
Day 02
Arrive Colombo and transfer to Dambulla
The group flight arrives at Colombo’s Katunake Airport and we transfer to our hotel at Dambulla (160km, 4hrs drive). Those not flying with the group can meet us at the hotel or the airport in time for the transfer.
Pelwehera Village Resort or similar
Day 03
Visit Dambulla Caves, village walk towards Sigiriya; afternoon visit to Lion Rock Fortress.
After breakfast we visit the magnificent Cave Temple at Dambulla, one of the most impressive sights in Sri Lanka. There are colourful and very well preserved paintings and
Day 04
Drive to Illukkumbura; walk the Manigala Trail in the Knuckles Range.
The next two days takes us across the famous Knuckles Mountain Range. We start early with a three hour drive to the start of our walk, from where we begin with an easy
Day 05
Walk through forests to Meemure; transfer to Orutota
We begin with a short half hour drive to the Narangamuwa Temple at Ranamuregama. We then pass rice paddies and coconut groves before entering a heavily forested
Day 06
To Kandy; visit the Temple of the Tooth.
A relaxing morning to enjoy the garden and pool at the hotel. Mid-morning we have a short 18km drive to Kandy and have the afternoon to explore. The town is located around a small lake and we can walk round to
Day 07 - 08
Ascend Adams Peak (2243m).
This morning we drive to Dickoya (3 hours), where we stay for two nights in simple colonial tea planters bungalows, with wonderful view of the Castlereagh Reservoir. On a clear day we can see the outline of Adams Peak in the
Day 09
Drive to Nuwara Eliya; optional walk to explore the town
This morning we have a wonderful drive through tea plantation districts to Nuwara Eliya. This was the favourite hill station during the British era, situated in the cool
Day 10
Early morning to Horton Plains; walk to World’s End viewpoint; to Ella by train.
Today we drive to Horton Plains, a large plateau over 2,000m above sea level, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful
Day 11
Day walk around Ella; visit the Ravana Waterfalls and Ella Gap.
We drive to Kithalaella and climb up to a rocky area to enjoy stunning views of the waterfalls. Continuing on to Ella Gap, we have dramatic views of the coastal plain nearly
Day 12
Drive to Yala National Park; afternoon game drive.
We now head south out of the hills to Tissamaharama down the plains stopping en route to visit the spectacular Ravana Waterfalls as well as the Kataragama Temple. This
Day 13
Visit Kataragama Temple and walk around Tissamaharama lake; transfer to the coast.
This morning we drive to the beautiful Tissamaharama Lake where we walk for approximately 3.5 hours (approx. 5km). This is an opportunity to see the day to day life of the
Day 14
Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities including whale watching (Nov to April).
Free day to relax on the beach or by the pool. There are also numerous optional activities including a boat ride
Day 15
To Galle; transfer to Colombo.
We set off today and drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates back to the 17th century, and now a UNESCO world heritage site. On the way we stop at a small folk museum inspired by the local writer
Day 16
Fly to your country.
If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime flight to your country. The arrangements for those not flying with the group ends after breakfast. Meals included: breakfast
Highlights
- Walking through rice paddy fields and tea plantations
- Exploring parts of Sri Lanka rarely seen by other Westerners
- Visit the beautiful lakeside town of Kandy
- Sunrise on Adams Peak (except between May-November)
- Searching for a Leopard in Yala National Park
- Maldives extension available
Key information
- 13 nights hotels, all en suite, 1 night full-service camping
- 8 full and half-day walks
- Full porterage throughout
- Maximum altitude 2243m
- Countries visited: Sri Lanka
What’s included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner included
- All accommodation (see below)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
- Single supplements are available on request (not available for 3 nights).
- Visas or vaccinations
DATES | USD |
2020 | |
Mon 17 Aug – Sun 30 Aug | 1699.00 |
Mon 31 Aug – Sun 13 Sep | 1699.00 |
Mon 21 Sep – Sun 04 Oct | 1699.00 |
Mon 26 Oct – Sun 08 Nov | 1699.00 |
Mon 16 Nov – Sun 29 Nov | 1699.00 |
Mon 07 Dec – Sun 20 Dec | 1699.00 |
Mon 21 Dec – Sun 03 Jan | 1699.00 |
2021 | |
Mon 18 Jan – Sun 31 Jan | 1699.00 |
Mon 08 Feb – Sun 21 Feb | 1699.00 |
Mon 22 Feb – Sun 07 Mar | 1699.00 |
Mon 29 Mar – Sun 11 Apr | 1699.00 |
Mon 25 Oct – Sun 07 Nov | 1699.00 |
Mon 15 Nov – Sun 28 Nov | 1699.00 |
Sun 19 Dec – Sun 02 Jan | 1699.00 |
2022 | |
Mon 17 Jan – Sun 30 Jan | 1699.00 |
Mon 07 Feb – Sun 20 Feb | 1699.00 |
Mon 21 Feb – Sun 06 Mar | 1699.00 |
Mon 28 Mar – Sun 10 Apr | 1699.00 |
Essential Info
Visas
Sri Lanka
A visa (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required if you are British and for most other nationalities. If you do not hold a British passport, please check the visa requirements with your local Sri Lankan Embassy or the ETA website www.eta.gov.lk. Passengers should also be aware of local laws and customs in Sri Lanka (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/local-laws-and-customs). The mistreatment of Buddhist images and artefacts is an offence; please note that people have been refused entry to Sri Lanka because of visible tattoos of Buddha.
Those British passport holders who travel to Sri Lanka before 30.04.2020 for tourist purposes are exempted paying ETA fee (applicable for 30 days). ETA application for pre approval is required before the journey.
Vaccinations
Sri Lanka
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements.
Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.
The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Eating and Drinking
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner is included.
We suggest allowing about GBP10-15 (approx. . USD16-24) per day for all other meals and drinks. Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating reflection of the island’s heritage; there is a unique fusion of fresh local produce with spices brought to the island over the centuries by Malays, Arabs, Indians as well as the Dutch, Portuguese and English. Despite (or perhaps because of) these influences, Sri Lankan cuisine is often referred to as simply ‘Rice and Curry’. This is the staple dish in most restaurants and is usually a serving of rice accompanied by assorted meat and vegetable curries as well as various pickles, ‘sambols,’ and a handful of tiny poppadum’s – all using the contrasting flavours of coconut, chilli, curry leaves, cinnamon and garlic.
Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note that in Sri Lanka the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat or dairy-free. Please be prepared for this and you may need to bring these from home. Spicier food can be avoided easily and lots of the hotels will serve Western options alongside traditional food.
Drinking water is provided in large containers where available so you need only bring a re-usable bottle to top up along the way.
Weather
Generally, you should expect rain at some time but with plenty of sunshine. On the plains, day and night time temperatures are very hot and humid with Colombo having an average daytime temperature of 30ºC. It can be humid whilst walking. The temperatures drop as we go higher into the hills where daytime temperatures are between 15º – 25º C and night time temperatures will be cooler (about 10º C minimum) and a warmish fleece will be needed.
Kandy
Is this trip for you?
This trek is graded level 3 (Moderate) with some day walks and some half day walks.
There will be a backup vehicle making all the walking optional (except for the treks through the forest areas). Some days there will be options of easier and more challenging walks. Most of the walks are between 4 and 6 hours, with one longer 7 hour walk. The trails are fairly well made and used by locals. If it rains some of the trails can get slippery and there can be leeches. It can be hot and humid on the lower walks.
The drives to the start of the walks and from the end of the walks to the hotels are sometimes on narrow winding roads. Most of the accommodation is comfortable with two nights spent in simple hotels and one night spent in a fixed camp.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Trip Notes
Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.
Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.
Transfers Details
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
Location start: Dambulla
Location end: Colombo
What to Take
Essential Equipment
Sunhat, Sun cream, Sunglasses
Water bottle
Light casual clothing for trekking and for evenings (light cotton or quick wicking clothing is best for the walking due to the high humidity)
Warm sweater/fleece for evenings
Trekking sandals
Lightweight walking boots
Lightweight thin walking socks with wicking properties
Light waterproof jacket
Umbrella
Swimming costume
Hand washing gel, wet wipes
Torch – a red light doesn’t attract bugs as a white light does
Insect repellent
Leech socks
Walking/trekking pole(s)
Daypack (approx 10 – 15 litre)
Especially when visiting temples men and womens clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee. Women especially should always dress conservatively to avoid unwanted attention and not to cause offence; vests, tight fitting trousers, short skirts and short shorts are not recommended.
We recommend that your main luggage consists of one soft kitbag. This will be carried in the back-up vehicle. You will need a small daypack for your daily requirements.
Drinking Water
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. Drinking water is provided in large containers where available so you need only bring a re-usable bottle to top up along the way. This provides an alternative to individual single-use plastic bottles in our aim to reduce the amount of plastic used.
Environmental Considerations
We believe in reducing our negative environmental impacts wherever possible, this goes for when you need to spend a penny in the great outdoors! If no facilities are available there may come a time when you need to go to the loo behind a tree/bush/rock. To avoid leaving toilet paper behind we recommend taking biodegradable dog poo/sandwich bags with you. Once you have done your business you can pop the used toilet roll in here and take it off the mountain or trail at the end of the day and dispose of it when there are appropriate facilities available.
Optional Equipment
If you are prone to travel sickness then you may want to bring some anti-sick treatment with you for the boat and/or some road journeys.
Binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Insurance – are you adequately covered?
It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arrival in destination for your trip, you will be asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy.
Local Time
Sri Lanka’s Timezone:
Asia/Colombo +0530 (GMT +05:30)
Electricity
Sri Lanka’s Electricity:
220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz. The electricity supply is not 100% reliable but it is usually only off for short periods of time.
There are recharging facilities at all the hotels, but not at the campsite.
Money
Sri Lanka’s Currency
The national currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), with an exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 224 to the UK£ and 170 to the US$.
Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication.
It is advisable to bring your money in cash (Sterling, Euros or US Dollars): travellers cheques are very difficult to change. We advise you to change money on arrival at Colombo airport. The hotels will be able to change money as well but the rates will probably not be favourable. There are banks at the airport open 24 hours a day.
ATM Availability
You can change money in Kandy and there are now ATM machines in many of the main towns in Sri Lanka. Please inform your bank before departure that you are travelling to Sri Lanka and carry the relevant telephone number with you in case they put a block on your card. You should keep all exchange receipts as these will be needed if you want to change any excess rupees back into hard currency. It is useful to bring a credit card for more expensive purchases in the better souvenir shops. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted.
It would be best if you change about £100-£150 (approx. US$130 – US$190) into local currency on arrival.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
All entrance fees and activities described above are included. It is recommended that you allow at least £5 per day (approx. US$7) for personal expenditure such as stamps, postcards and drinks. There are some souvenir shops in Kandy.
Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes)
Whale Watching – please note if you choose to enjoy this excursion on your free day we strongly advise booking a private charter boat through your leader. The more members of the group who wish to join the charter the more cost effective it will be. We do not recommend the larger, commercial boats, they may be cheaper but they do not always respect the welfare of the animals or operate in an environmentally responsible way. We have also had reports of overcrowding on the boats. Please ask your leader for further details on how to book a private charter. Whale watching is only possible between November – April.
The whale watching trip by private boat should cost between £40 and £80 (approx. US$50-100) per person depending on the number of participants.
Tipping
Tipping is a way of life in Sri Lanka and we suggest you allow about £3 (approx. US$4) per day for this. With the permission of the group, your tour leader may collect a kitty to cover tips for hotel staff, toilet attendants and porters etc. Tipping of the leader, driver and driver’s helper is at your discretion but we suggest around £2-3 (US$3-4) per person per day.
