Adventure
Adventure Sri Lanka
Hiking, safari, the scenic train, surf and waterfalls
An active week: the rock fortress, the hill-country train, Ella on foot, a zipline, two safaris and a surf lesson on the way to the coast.
4 days · Adventure
Sri Lanka Nature Lovers
Rainforest, waterfalls, Horton Plains and a safari
AdventureWildlife
- Duration
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Route
- 6 destinations
- Accommodation
- 3 nights
- Transport
- Private, with guide
Overview
Four days built entirely around landscape — rainforest, waterfalls, cloud forest and open plains — with a safari at the end.
It skips the heritage sites altogether. If you have seen the temples before, or simply came for the walking, this is the more interesting way to spend a short stay.
Distances are short but the roads are mountain roads. The trekking days start early, which is the only way to see Horton Plains before the cloud closes in.
Highlights
- White-water rafting on the Kelani River at Kitulgala
- The Makandawa rainforest reserve and its birdlife
- Hakgala Botanical Garden and Gregory Lake
- Horton Plains, World’s End and Baker’s Falls at first light
- Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam’s Peak, and a Yala or Udawalawe safari
Day by day
Day 01
Kitulgala
Rainforest and rafting
Collected in Colombo and driven to Kitulgala. White-water rafting on the Kelani if you want it, a guided nature walk in the Makandawa reserve, and Aberdeen or Laxapana Falls in the afternoon.
Riverside eco-lodge, Kitulgala
Day 02
Nuwara Eliya
Into the hill country
Through the tea estates with a stop at Ramboda Falls. A tea factory, the Hakgala Botanical Garden, and a walk or boat ride at Gregory Lake.
Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 03
Ella
Horton Plains and Ella
An early start for Horton Plains: the trek to World’s End, Baker’s Falls and the cloud forest. Devon and St Clair’s Falls on the drive to Ella, then the Nine Arch Bridge and Little Adam’s Peak at sunset.
Hotel, Ella
Day 04
Yala
Safari, and out
Down to Yala or Udawalawe for a game drive, then drop-off in Ella or the drive back towards Colombo depending on your onward plans.
What is included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Three nights accommodation with breakfast
- Pick-up in Colombo or at the airport
- Sightseeing and entrance coordination as listed
Not included
- Rafting, safari jeep hire and park fees unless agreed at booking
- Most meals
- Travel insurance, gratuities and personal expenses
Accommodation
A riverside eco-lodge at Kitulgala and hill-country hotels with mountain views. Simple rather than luxurious, and placed for the early starts.
Transport
Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout, plus jeeps for the park.
The route
- 01Colombo
- 02Kitulgala
- 03Nuwara Eliya
- 04Horton Plains
- 05Ella
- 06Yala
Gallery
See more in the full gallery.
Important information
- Horton Plains means leaving around four in the morning. After about nine the cloud usually closes World’s End entirely.
- It is genuinely cold on the plains at dawn — bring a fleece, whatever the coast is doing.
- Diyaluma Falls can be added near Ella if you still have energy on day three.
Request this tour
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