Hiking and Waterfall discovery in Sri Lanka

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Negombo

   You'll land at Bandaranaike International Airport where your Koon Holidays representative meets you for the drive to Negombo, which takes about 20 minutes. Once you check into your hotel, take some time to settle in and relax. Later in the evening, walk around Negombo city and check out the local seafood scene, which the area is known for.

   Meals

   Dinner

   Optional Activities

   • Evening walk in Negombo city to explore seafood restaurants
2. Day 2

   Negombo to Kitulgala

   After breakfast, head to Kitulgala, a small town near the Sinharaja Rain Forest about 3 hours away. You'll check in at your hotel and then do white water rafting that afternoon on the Kelani River. The 90-minute run covers 6.5 km with five rapids rated 2 and 3, so it's exciting but not extreme.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • White water rafting in Kitulgala (90 minutes, 6.5 km with five graded rapids)

   Optional Activities

   • Lunch at the hotel (to be paid directly)

   Landmarks/POIs
   Sinharaja Rain Forest
   Kelani River

3. Day 3

   Kitulgala Rain Forest Trek

   Start with breakfast at the resort and then go on a guided rain forest hike through thick vegetation where you can see the Kelani River valley and jungle below. You'll walk through tea and rubber plantations, check out Beli Lena Caves (one of Sri Lanka's largest prehistoric caves), cool off under a waterfall, and end at Sandun Ella Waterfall which is 100 feet with an infinity pool overlooking the valley.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Guided rain forest hike including Beli Lena Caves
   • Visit to Sandun Ella Waterfall

   Landmarks/POIs
   Beli Lena Caves
   Sandun Ella Waterfall
   Kelani River

4. Day 4

   Kitulgala to Nuwara Eliya

   After breakfast, travel to Nuwara Eliya, a 3.5 hour journey with stops to see two famous waterfalls along the way. Devon Falls is 97 meters high and also called 'Veil of the Valley' while St. Clair's Falls is 80 meters and known as 'Little Niagara of Sri Lanka'. You'll check in at your hotel which faces Ramboda waterfalls, then explore the colonial city that evening.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Stop and view Devon Falls
   • Stop and view St. Clair's Falls
   • Exploration of colonial city of Nuwara Eliya

   Landmarks/POIs
   Devon Falls
   St. Clair's Falls
   Ramboda Falls

5. Day 5

   Horton Plains National Park Trek

   After breakfast, trek to Horton Plains National Park at 2,100 to 2,300 meters elevation in the central highlands. This montane grassland and cloud forest has lots of endemic wildlife and serves as the headwaters for three major Sri Lankan rivers. During the trek you'll reach Baker's Falls, which is 20 meters high and named after British explorer Sir Samuel Baker.

   Meals

   Breakfast

   Included Activities

   • Trek to Horton Plains National Park
   • Visit to Baker's Falls

   Landmarks/POIs
   Horton Plains National Park
   Baker's Falls
   Mahaweli River
   Kelani River
   Walawe River

6. Day 6

   Nuwara Eliya to Haputale

   Get an early breakfast and travel to Haputale, about 2.5 hours away, another place with beautiful waterfalls. In the morning hike to Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka's second highest waterfall at 220 meters. It's a challenging hike through dense jungle where you'll see several waterfalls and natural pools, and you get the chance to swim at the top of the falls.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Hike to upper Diyaluma Falls (2nd highest waterfall in Sri Lanka at 220 meters)

   Landmarks/POIs
   Diyaluma Falls

7. Day 7

   Haputale Waterfall Hiking

   Have breakfast and hike to Bambarakanda Falls, Sri Lanka's tallest waterfall at 263 meters, located on the pine-forested slopes of Kalupahana in the Central Highlands. This horsetail waterfall sits just 5 meters from the A4 highway and has trails you can take to climb to the top where there's a smaller waterfall and a large pool with views of the eastern plains.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Hike to Bambarakanda Falls (Sri Lanka's tallest waterfall at 263 meters)

   Landmarks/POIs
   Bambarakanda Falls

8. Day 8

   Haputale Area Exploration

   After breakfast, explore the Haputale area and visit Lipton's Seat, a high observation point on Poonagala Hill with panoramic views where Scottish baron and tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton once surveyed his empire. The site is close to the Dambatenne Tea Factory. Head back to your hotel in the afternoon to rest.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Visit to Lipton's Seat and tea estate

   Landmarks/POIs
   Lipton's Seat
   Poonagala Hill
   Dambatenne Tea Factory

9. Day 9

   Haputale to Udawalawa

   After breakfast, travel to Udawalawa, about 3 hours away, to see Sri Lankan wildlife. Check in at your hotel campsite and that evening go on a jeep safari in Udawalawa National Park, a sanctuary for wild elephants that you're virtually guaranteed to see year-round.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Included Activities

   • Evening Jeep safari in Udawalawa National Park

   Landmarks/POIs
   Udawalawa National Park

10. Day 10

    Udawalawa to Weligama

    After breakfast, travel to Weligama, about 3 hours away, for a relaxing beach stay. Check in at your hotel and that evening visit Galle Dutch Fort and city, a 300 year old UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Dutch in 1663. The 36 hectare fort is surrounded by ocean on three sides and has colonial architecture including the Dutch clock tower, Reformed church, commander's house, and Maritime Museum.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Visit to Galle Dutch Fort and city

    Optional Activities

    • Visit to Maritime Museum inside Galle Fort

    Landmarks/POIs
    Galle Dutch Fort

11. Day 11

    Weligama Beach Day

    After breakfast, spend the day on the beach at Weligama. You can relax or use the resort amenities. If you're interested, there's an optional early morning whale watching excursion available from Mirissa.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Beach day at Weligama

    Optional Activities

    • Early morning whale watching by private or shared boat from Mirissa (departure around 06:00 AM from hotel, arrival at Mirissa 06:30 AM, cost to be paid directly)

    Landmarks/POIs
    Mirissa

12. Day 12

    Departure from Weligama

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. The drive takes about 3.5 hours via expressway.

    Meals

    Breakfast