Tour 3 - Tea, Gems and Spices
The Splendors of Sri Lanka- 10 days - 960 km
Price details
Highlights
|
 |
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAM
DAY 1. Negombo - Chilaw (Munneswaram) - Panduwas Nuwara - Maho (Yapahuwa) - [Kahalla-Pallekele Sanct.] Dambulla - 191km
From Negombo 
, we'll drive on the main road towards Chilaw/Puttalam for a few kilometer, then turning right to Dankotuwa, running parallel with the main road, but much less traffic. Shortly before Chilaw we join the main road again. In Chilaw we visit the Munneswaram Hindu Temple , one of the most prestigious in the country.
We continue our drive past Munneswaram to Panduwas Nuwara 
, a little known but interesting site. In the 12th century King Parakramabahu I used it as his capital for some time. But as historic facts are rare, the whole episode is full of obscure legend. One story claims that he built it to hide his daughter for her lovers or pretended bridegrooms, since a prophecy forwarned that she would give birth to a son who would eventually kill his grandfather and claim the throne - perhaps there's some secret family tie with Herod after all? Whatever the legends, the remains show part of a large moat and impressive walls of the former palace, plenty of remains of monks quarters, dagobas, image houses and a large round palace (probably with multiple storeys). It's nothing to the scale of Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa, but still surprisingly large for a small hidden place.
Not so much further we meet another hidden gem: Yapahuwa Rock Fortress 
, Sigiriya's younger sister. Although many guide books mention its existance, few visitors make it here. Apart from an impressive entry gate, there's not much left of the Palace itself. But the Temple is very much alive and a fine example of South Indian decoration. Some of its most important relics were carried away to India, but were later recovered and moved to Polonnaruwa.
From Yapahuwa we cross the little known Kahalla-Pallekele Sanctuary (if we can pass the planned electric fences) on our way to Dambulla.
DAY 2. Dambulla -Sigiriya (balloon flight in season) - Dambulla Cave Temple (visit) - Nalanda - Matale - Elkaduwa - 96 km
During the balloon season we'll get up at an unearthly hour to make it for the early morning flight, followed by a luxurious breakfast. Otherwise, take your time to a healthy breakfast before attempting the steep climb to the Rock Palace 
. Beware of strong winds on the top! And don't miss the world famous Sigiriya maidens 
, even though some of the paintings have unfortunately received a decensy treatment comparable with their European style 'olive leafs' on Greek and Roman statues.
On your way down, you get great overviews of the beautiful garden constructions, which can compete with Versailles, only well over 1000 years older.
Later in the day we make another climb to the Dambulla Cave Temple complex 
. It's a pretty steep climb, but most rewarding, both for the panoramic views and the magnificent temple caves.
Driving in the direction of Kandy along the Matale road, we include a brief visit to the Nalanda Gedige (7-10th century), a beautiful little structure of mixed Hindu/Buddhist artwork 
, and the only remaining example of 7th century Pallava style.
We stay overnight in Elkaduwa enveloped by the glorious surroundings of Knuckles Range.
DAY 3. Elkaduwa - Kandy (city visit)- rest day - 25 km
Depending on the weather and your wish, we can either make a 50 km trip through Knuckles Range 
or go straight to Kandy. Knuckles Range is a mountain range north of Kandy (with peaks up to 1900 m), where lush green and plantations mix in a magical scenery. Expect some mystical experience in the morning, when patches of clouds hang around the mountain tops, slowly clearing when the sun breaks through. Although a relatively small area, it has a tremendous variety of climatic conditions (expect some rain!), and as such a huge diversity in vegetation too. It's really a world in itself. Knuckles Range is also one of the longest inhabited places in Sri Lanka, from prehistoric times to the height of the Kandyan Kingdom. It's a region that vibrates with an unequalled load of history.
Most of the day is reserved to visit this old capital's treasures, including the famous Temple of the Tooth 
. In the evening we try to get you a sample performance of Kandyan dancing.
DAY 4. Kandy - Victoria Dam - Pannala - Brookside - Nuwara Eliya - 101 km
Today starts with a leisurely but exciting trip around the huge, multi-branched Victoria Reservoir, created by the equally imposing Victoria Dam. The way up we'll use the A26 main road. Although in good condition, the often steep slopes and hairraising zigzags are a challenge, but the views are magnificient. In Uragalla we leave the main road and hit for Victoria Dam 
itself. After crossing the dam, we keep to the left in a southeast direction for a stretch through pretty wild country, mostly devoid of any human settlement. Near Pannala we turn right and gently the feeling of desolation in the overwhelming natural background abruptly changes into a more habitable surroundings. By the time we reach Brookside, the lush tea gardens are welcoming us, and a little bit further, Nuwara Eliya - more British than most of England - is waiting for our visit 
.
DAY 5. Nuwara Eliya - Lindula - Agrapatana - Dickoya - Norwood - Maskeliya - Dalhousie - 77 km
Another tea day, but of a different taste. From Nuwara Eliya we head for Hatton, but just before Lindula we leave the busy main road for a seldom experienced cross-country ride over Agratapana and Dickoya to Norwood. You won't meet much visitors on this stretch 
, as it's totally off the beaten track. Even the Survey Department has got some roads totally wrong on their maps!
From Norwood onwards we envelope ourselves with the totally magical panoramas of Castlereagh and Maussakelle Reservoirs 
. Truly one of the most enchanting regions of Sri Lanka, and hardly visited at all.
Finally we reach the foot of Sri Pada or Adam's Peak for our overnight stay.
DAY 6. Dalhousie - Laksapana Falls - Norton Bridge - Norwood - Bogawantalawa - Pinnawala - Balangoda - Ratnapura - 125 km
At last we're heading back to civilisation! But it will take the better part of today to reach it. We start with a short steep descent to the foot of Laxapana Falls 
. Alas, the climb back is equally steep.
A last scenic stretch from Norton Bridge along Castlereagh Reservoir 
brings us to back to Norwood. Past Bogawantalawa we enter again a lonely stretch of wild nature. crossing the ridges of Peak Wildernis 
on the way to Balangoda. From there to Ratnapura is a leisurely drive.
DAY 7. Ratnapura visit
A relaxing day visiting Gem City 
. Famous since historic times for its gems, one often forgets that Ratnapura has more to offer. Lying in a luxurious green (but wet 
) belt, rubber and tea estates abound. But it's one of the wettest places in Sri Lanka, sometimes compared with a giant Turkish bath.
If possible, the visit to the Gem Museum will be complimented with an excursion to a gem mine 
. If you have the intention of buying stones, exercise extreme caution, as the market is full of imported cheap stones and imitations. Unless you're an expert in the field, buy only from well establised houses. On the street, any 'super deal' on offer will be exactly that... but for the selling party!
DAY 8. Ratnapura - Pelmadulla - Rakwana - Kalawana - Agalawatta - Matugama - Kalutara - Wadduwa - 151 km
Today we'll take an unusually route to the seaside. First we return on our steps up to Pelmadulla, then go straight south (and up) to Rakwana. From there we follow a winding little road to the west, bordering the northern edges of Sinharaja Forest Reserve. It will be a foresty drive for sure!
From Kalawana 
onwards we're back in more civilised surroundings and over Matugama we reach the coast in Kalutara. A short drive north on the busy Colombo Road takes us to our destination in Wadduwa 
.
DAY 9. Wadduwa - Horana - Hanwella - Avissawela - Kitulgala - 98 km
Leaving Wadduwa, and the A2 behind us, we turn back inland for a short drive to Horana 
, the main rubber center. From there we wind ourselves in a northern direction, bypassing Colombo, over Hanwella and Avissawella, and head for some action in Kitulgala.
Depending on our arrival time and state of exhaustion, we could either sit down and relax, watching the surroundings, or visit the site where the legendary movie 'Bridge over the River Kwai' was shot.
DAY 10. Kitulgala (rafting) - Urapola - Negombo - 95 km
A visit to Kitulgala would not be complete without dipping down the rough waters for an animated rafting tour 
. Once dried up a bit, we drive back to Negombo. But not without a final little challenging stretch among some hidden rubber plantations in a particularly wild setting. It's just 30 km from Colombo and practically nobody knows of this little gem, except the very local population.
Negombo awaits us with a complimentary farewell BBQ for all those that have survived the adventures of the past 10 days.
