Active Sri Lanka

1-Join tour Negombo
Our tour begins this afternoon in the small town of Negombo. Our hotel is set on the beach front offering the chance to watch small fishing boats come ashore and the sun setting over the ocean.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

2-Cycle to Kurunegala, then drive to Sigiriya. PM visit Cave Temple at Dambulla
Leaving after breakfast we drive to Dankotuwa this morning, from where we begin our morning’s cycle ride along lush forested back roads to Kuliyapitya. Arriving in Kuliyapitya, we then transfer by bus to Kurunegala in time for lunch, after which we continue on to Sigiriya and check into our hotel. Later this afternoon we will drive out to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Dambulla, where a great series of caves hide an incredible collection of temples that date back to the 1st century BC. Containing a large number of Buddha images, as well as sculptures of Hindu Gods, the caves have become a huge pilgrimage site for countless worshippers, and this afternoon we will visit five separate caves, before returning to Sigiriya for the evening. Total cycling distance 38km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

3-Climb Lion Rock, then cycle to Polonnaruwa
An early transfer this morning takes us to the start of our ascent up the imposing Lion Rock for the climb to the redoubtable Sky Fortress. The ruins of this 5th century fortress (declared a World Heritage Site in 1982) are one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions, a stu-pendous sight to behold and a feat of consummate engineering skill. A switchback series of steps (sometimes very steep and somewhat precarious) ascends to the top and half-way up, tucked beneath a sheltering overhang of rock, are the famous Sigiriya Damsels. These frescoes, their ancient colours still glowing, once covered an area of some 140 metres in length and are the only ancient non-religious paintings to have survived into modern times. On arriving at the summit (200m) we are presented with some magnificent views of the surrounding country, as well as the remains of what is left of the palace of King Kassapa. returning to the base of the fortress, we then cycle to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, following a series of relatively straight and flat back roads that provide us with a moderately easy journey that passes through patches of forest and rural villages. For those that wish it, there is the option to break up part of the 30 km journey to Polunnaruwa by travelling along sections of it by bus.Total cycling distance 30km.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

4-Visit Polonnaruwa. Afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya NP
Polonnaruwa reached the height of its glory in the 12th century and the city is still blessed with a number of its ancient buildings and monuments. This morning we visit the ancient city by bicycle and on foot, taking in the spectacular ruins of its Royal Palace, with its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle-a wonderfully compact collection of ruins. Close by is the Circular Relic House, a curious round structure with a beautifully pre-served ‘moonstone’ carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of the deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha known as Galvihara, a collection of four colossal figures, all hewn out of solid granite. This afternoon we visit the nearby Minneriya National Park by jeep, home to sambar deer, leopard and significant herds of elephants, as well as huge populations of migratory birds.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

5-Drive to Kandy via Giritale and trek in the Knuckles Mountains
This morning we drive to Giritale, travelling via Elahera and Pellegama, to a point where the crossover point between east and west Sri Lanka lies. Known as Riverstone Point, this region is home to the Knuckles Mountain Range and offers us a chance to break the journey with a short hike along a trail that runs through the ranges. Resembling a clenched fist (hence their unusual moniker), the mountains present a remarkable micro-cosm of the country, the striking landscapes and isolated cloud forests providing a haven for a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Our walk will take us around 3 hours, a soft to moderate trek that takes us through a landscape of incredible historic and natural importance. To the south and east lies the Mahaveli Valley, whilst the Matale Valley to the west encircles a collection of peaks that has no equal anywhere else in the country. Returning to our bus, we then complete the journey to Kandy, descending into the Matale Valley to arrive at our hotel late this afternoon. A packed lunch will be provided today, to enjoy en route.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

6-In Kandy
Lying in the mountains, to the northeast of Colombo, Kandy was captured by the British in 1815 and is known more for its cultural and spiritual importance rather than its history. Buddhists from all over the world come to this delightful old highland town specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa, where the costly jewelled shrine of the holy tooth (said to be Buddha’s left canine and measuring in at an impressive 3.5 cm long by 1 cm thick) is kept. This relic was believed to have been brought from India some 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it is paraded round the town with great pomp and circumstance. During the ten night festival of Perahera, the tooth (or a facsimile) is borne along on a richly caparisoned elephant, surrounded by saffron-robed monks and Kandyan dancers. With a free day in the city, there will an opportunity to visit the temple today. Kandy itself is also a living monument to its tra-ditional past. The last capital of the Sinhala Kings, it retains much of its old world charm and its streets are a wonderful eclectic mix of noise and bustle, making it an ideal venue for some per-sonal exploration. You could also take a wander through the lush Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, located just outside the city, or perhaps explore something of the city’s handicraft workshops, which have plenty of brassware, batik, lacquer work and other craft items to choose from. Kandyan dancers can also be seen performing every night at one or two locales around town, so those interested in some cultural interaction tonight might like to venture out and enjoy some traditional Sri Lankan dancing.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

7-Adams Peak ascent
This morning we drive to Dalhousie where we have the afternoon to relax. Shortly after midnight we join pilgrims in an ascent of Adam’s Peak, known locally as Sri Pada. A depression at the top of the peak is said to be Buddha’s footprint and each year thousands climb to the top for sunrise. There is a stone staircase which we follow right to the top, it can be tough on the legs but we can take our time and savour the experience. We reach the top in time for sunrise and views across the country.
Overnight: Simple Guesthouse
Single Rooms Available

8-Rafting on the Kelani River
Our drive this morning takes us to Ginigathhena, set amongst the fertile and lush western highlands. Set amidst a dramatic landscape of towering cliffs and wild water, the Kelani Ganga provides some of the best whitewater rafting in the country. The jungle around here were used as the back-drop for the 1957 film Bridge on the River Kwai and the grade 2-3 rapids provide us with the perfect combination of scenery and excitement, as we spend raft down to our accommodation in Kitulgala. We cover a 7km section of the river through 8 rapids. It will usually take approximately 1.5hr hours to cover the section but this depends on water levels, in high water it can take just under a hour to cover the distance. Taking lunch en route, we should arrive at our overnight lodge late this afternoon and, after a chance to freshen up, if time allows this evening there will be a chance to join an optional trek across the river and through the jungle to a hidden waterfall.
Overnight: Standard Lodge
Single Rooms Available

9-Morning trek. Drive to Belihuloya.
After breakfast we take a short trek through the forest to a nearby village. The route takes about three hours in total. We then drive to Belihuloya via the small towns of Bogowantalawa and Balangoda. On arrival at our hotel we have free time to relax after last nights climb. There is an optional walk through nearby villages to a small lake or alternatively relax by the hotel pool.
Overnight: Standard Lodge
Single Rooms Available

10-Cycle to Tissamaharama. PM game drive in Yala National Park
This morning we travel to Tissamaharama, gateway to the Yala National Park. After a short transfer by bus we take to our bikes and cycle along back roads and through small villages for approximately 20kms. We can take our time and stop to chat to villagers as we pass through. Anyone not wanting to cycle can remain on the bus for this section. We then rejoin our busy and travel via Ambawila, Thimbolketiya and the Udawalawe National Park, arriving in the pleasant southern town of Tissamaharama later this afternoon. Lying close to the beautiful and abundant landscapes of Yala National Park, our afternoon arrival provides us with a chance to enjoy a game drive through the park. One of Sri Lanka’s premier reserves, Yala is blessed with a staggering diversity of wildlife, including one of the world’s highest concentrations of leopard and over 215 species of birds.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

11-Optional morning game drive; afternoon drive to Hikkaduwa
This morning there is the chance to take an optional morning game drive. Yala is the second largest park in the country and was one of its first wildlife sanctuaries. Home to an incredible diversity of eco-systems, including monsoon forest, grasslands and marine wetlands, the park is a rich haven for leopard, elephant and sloth bear, all five species of endangered sea turtle, mugger crocodiles and Indian cobras. One of the country’s most important bird areas, it is also a refuge for an astonishing variety of birdlife, including rare black-necked storks, white-bellied sea eagles and Asian paradise-flycatchers. For those not wanting to take a game drive there is time to relax at the hotel or take short walks nearby. In the afternoon we drive to the coastal resort of Hikkaduwa. Along the way we have the chance to stop at a Responsible Tourism Partnership project. The Dickwella Lace Centre is a locally run project that provides income and training for villagers who were badly affected by the 2004 tsunami.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

12-Free in Hikkaduwa
The next two days are free to enjoy the laid back ambience and turquoise waters of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Rich in colonial history and golden beaches, the region offers us a wealth of options to enjoy the most of our time here.There are snorkelling trips available, Ayurvedic massages and the possibility to enjoy a whalewatching trip during the migrating season (December to April). You could also pay a visit to the city of Galle and its historic colonial fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that remains one of the best preserved examples of colonial fortification in the world.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

13-Free in Hikkaduwa
Day free to continue exploring this area.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

14-Tour ends Hikkaduwa
The tour ends in Hikkaduwa after breakfast this morning.

Tour includes:

13 Breakfast
2 Lunch
2 Dinner
Transport:
Bus, Boat, Bicycle, On Foot
Accommodation:
10 nights Standard Hotel
1 night Simple Guesthouse
2 nights Standard Lodge
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Explore Tour Leader, Activity Guide(s)
Group Size:
Generally 12 – 18

Explore have been running small group adventure holidays throughout the world since 1981 and have a vast array of experience, knowledge and well established close personal contacts in all the countries in which they operate, which makes them stand out as one of the most trusted adventure tour operators in the UK.

They are passionate about what they do, and above all, simply love nothing more than to travel. The founder directors ran overland trips through Asia, Africa and the Americas in the 1960s and 70s prior to setting up the company, and were determined that the spirit of adventure that was such an important part of those early pioneering days, should continue to play key role as part of the driving ethos of Explore.

Our Opinion
It is little wonder that over 60% of all Explore customers who travel each year have travelled with them previously, Explore are clearly committed to the “travel experience” and their itineraries are always offer that slight “Explore Twist” which makes them even more appealing.