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7 Best Treks for Eco-friendly Trekking Holidays in Sri Lanka

Sanjeewa Padmal (Seerendipity)

“What are the most popular Sri Lanka trekking sites?”, “Where can we go trekking in Sri Lanka?”, “When can we do a trek in Sri Lanka?”, “When is the best time for Sri Lanka trekking tours?”, “What are the best places for Eco-friendly Trekking Holidays in Sri Lanka?”. These are some of the popular questions raised by our readers. The number of these questions piling up every year and it is a clear sign that travellers are now very enthusiastic about adventure experiences while they travel in Sri Lanka. Unlike earlier, Sri Lanka is not only a leisure holiday destination and a large number of travellers visiting the island are looking for adventure activities such as trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, waterfall abseiling etc.

Table of Contents

7 Best Sites for Eco-friendly Trekking Holidays in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Trekking holidays are very popular among adventure enthusiasts. It is not only popular among local travellers but also among foreign tourists. The trekkers should be a bit cautious in the high-altitude trekking tours in Sri Lanka, especially during the rainy season, due to the sudden landslides. Sri Lanka trekking is a very enjoyable activity and it is a great opportunity to enjoy the natural wealth of this tropical island.

Why Trek in Sri Lanka?

Before we dive into the specific trails, let’s talk about why Sri Lanka should be on every hiker’s bucket list:

  1. Diverse Landscapes: From rainforests to cloud forests, tea plantations to rugged mountains – Sri Lanka has it all.
  2. Year-round Trekking: Thanks to its tropical climate, you can trek in Sri Lanka pretty much any time of the year.
  3. Rich Biodiversity: Spot exotic wildlife and rare plant species along your hikes.
  4. Cultural Experiences: Many treks take you through traditional villages, offering a glimpse into local life.
  5. Affordable Adventures: Compared to many other trekking destinations, Sri Lanka offers great value for money.

There you have it, folks – 10 epic trekking adventures that showcase the incredible natural beauty of Sri Lanka. From misty mountains to lush rainforests, challenging peaks to leisurely nature walks, this tropical paradise has something for every type of trekker.

Remember, each trek offers not just stunning views, but a chance to connect with nature, experience local culture, and challenge yourself in new ways. Whether you’re scaling Adam’s Peak with pilgrims or exploring the isolated village of Meemure, you’re in for unforgettable adventures.

So pack your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready to explore the hidden wonders of Sri Lanka on foot. The mountains are calling, and it’s time to answer!

Sri Lanka Trekking holidays

What are the most popular Sri Lanka trekking sites? Where can we go trekking in Sri Lanka? When can we do a trek in Sri Lanka? what are the best Sri Lanka trekking holidays? These are some of the popular questions raised by our readers. The number of these questions piling up every year and it is a clear sign that travellers are now very enthusiastic about adventure experiences while they travel in Sri Lanka. Unlike earlier, Sri Lanka is not only a leisure holiday destination and a large number of travellers visiting the island are looking for adventure activities such as trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, waterfall abseiling etc.

Sri Lanka is a tropical country that offers all-year-round holiday experiences to world travellers. Sri Lanka attracts nearly two million tourists a year and adventure holiday is one important product of the tourism industry. Sri Lanka has mountains, escapement, waterfalls, rainforests, rivers and lakes, caves and many other places that could be used for adventure activities. Rugged terrains in various parts of the country can be easily used for trekking.

Even though Sri Lanka is blessed with a vast number of places for trekking tours, such as beautiful mountains, and rainforests many of which only see a handful of travellers every year; most of these sites remain totally unexplored by travellers. Sri Lanka’s broad range of climates is also a blessing for trekkers. Whichever you choose, trekking is often the highlight of any visit to Sri Lanka.

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As the demand for trekking activities increases the places for trekking tours are also increasing with the finding of new tracks-mostly untouched and located in remote places, where adventure becomes synonymous with the name of the locality. Sri Lanka trekking does not require a lengthy introduction since it is one of the most popular activities among many travellers in the world A Large number of foreign as well as local travellers are gathering at popular Sri Lanka trekking sites every day. Sri Lanka is a tiny island with unique geographical features, which helps the island to attract more adventure lovers.

From the southern tip of the island to the northernmost city of Jaffna, every inch of the island possesses some of the great altitudes that can be quite handy for a trek if you are really interested in it and have willpower. The altitude of Sri Lanka trekking sites varied from 0 to 2800 meters from sea level. These treks can be conquered at any time of the year due to the monsoon climate of the island. The trekkers should be a bit cautious in the high-altitude areas during the rainy season, due to the sudden landslides. Sri Lanka trekking is a very enjoyable activity and it is a great opportunity to enjoy the natural wealth of the country.

  1. Sri Lanka one-day trekking tour to Sinharaja Rainforest
  2. Sri Lanka trekking tour to Adam’s Peak
  3. Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Kitulgala – Kandy-water rafting, kayaking-rainforest trekking

1. Sri Lanka one day trekking tour to Sinharaja Rainforest

This one-day Sri Lanka trip includes 4 hours of trekking in the Sinharaja rain forest. The entire trek takes place within the rain forest allowing the guests to see a large number of Fauna and Flora. This is one of the very popular trekking tours in Sri Lanka, organized by Seerendipity tours. The tour can be booked from Colombo and beach hotels on the west and south coast of Sri Lanka. Trekking tours in Sri Lanka also allow you to spot a large number of avian fauna species. Usually, every bird-watching trip in Sri Lanka includes Sinharaja trekking.

2. Sri Lanka trekking tour to Adam’s Peak

While the Adams peak track is one of the longest hikes in Sri Lanka, it offers some of the best scenery. with soaring mountain peaks huge valleys, waterfalls, and jewel-like lakes the track are surrounded by lush green foliage of the peak wilderness. The highest point of the track is 2300 meters above sea level so the views are simply spectacular.

The part of Sri Lanka that Adams peak winds through has been shaped by the rainforest into a narrow footpath, towering cliffs, lakes, and waterfalls. Birdlife is prolific through a forested section of the track; native birdlife can be witnessed commonly here.

This is not a loop track and can walk in either direction; One end of the track is at the highest point of Adams peak and the other end is at the village of Delhouse.

The trek to the Adams peak starts at midnight and lasts around 5 hours. It is important to start the upward journey at midnight in order to take a glimpse of the rising sun, which is considered one of the most spectacular scenery. Adams peak sunrise is one of the trekking tours in Sri Lanka available only from November to April. This is a seasonal activity due to the influence of the monsoon. Adams peak is the longest trekking site on the island and it is also the most tiring trek on the island. Adams peak trekking tour is available from Colombo and most beach hotels around the country.

3. Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Kitulgala – Kandy-water rafting, kayaking-rainforest trekking

Kitulgala is the adventure playground of Sri Lanka. The rugged terrains of Kitulgala provide many dozens of places for trekking, mountain climbing, hiking, rock climbing, Whitewater rafting and many more. Kitulgala has included in most trekking tours in Sri Lanka as well as bird-watching tours. Kitulgala is surrounded by a large number of Tea plantations, and rubber plantations providing plenty of opportunities for trekking tours in Sri Lanka. This trekking tour includes 7 hours of trekking in Kandy as well as Kitulagala. The tour lasts 2 days and the trekking sites are Peradeniya botanical garden, Kitulgala rainforest, and Ramboda falls trekking.

3 Days Sri Lanka trekking tour itinerray

What are the four main treks on this 3 day Sri Lanka trekking tour?

  1. Trekking to Sigiriya
  2. Trek to Dambulla cave temple
  3. Horton Plain national park trek
  4. Sinharaja rainforest trek

3 days Sri Lanka trekking tour starts in Colombo and ends in Colombo. The tour includes 4 spectacular nature trails. Depending on the fitness and experience the 4 treks last between 10 hours to 15 hours. All treks are fairly easy and no previous experience is required. However, the Sigiriya rock climb could be a bit strenuous due to the sharp ascent of the stairs. The tour includes 4 treks in Sinharaja rain forest, Horton plains national park, Dambulla cave temple, and Sigiriya.

1. Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Sigiriya

This is the first activity of the trekking tour. After meeting our driver/guide you are heading to Sigiriya rock fortress straight away. The drive takes around 5 hours, however, time is allocated for a couple of stops before starting the trek.

Sigiriya is one of the most visited iconic tourist attractions on the island. The trek to the Sigiriya rock is relatively easy, only the tail end of the trek becomes a bit arduous due to the steep climb. The first half of the trek is quite easy and it is just a walk on flat gravel, surface. The surrounding is fantastic with lush green dry zone forest. The Sigiriya rock fortress hike lasts around 4 hours in both directions.

2. Sri Lanka trekking holidays: trek to Dambulla cave temple

A trek to the Dambulla cave temple is also included in the trip, which is scheduled on day 1. Trekking to the Dambulla cave temple is an easy affair compared to the trek at Sigiriya, which you have achieved in the morning.

3. Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Horton Plains national park

The duration of the trek is 2 to 4 hours, depending on the physical fitness and experience. Horton plains national park sits more than 2000 meters above sea level. Horton plain is one of the last remaining mountain forests of Sri Lanka and considered being a super biodiversity hotspot.

4. Sinharaja rainforest trek

In of the oldest patches of rainforest in the world dates back to the Gondwana land era. Sinharaja is a super biodiversity hotspot on the global level. Sinharaja is one of the best places on the island to see a large number of trees, plants and birds.

What are the 7 Best treks in Sri Lanka?

Nuwara Eliya

Sinharaja rain forest

Kitulgala

Adams peak

Knuckles mountain range

Habarana

Maligatenna, Trekking in Colombo

300 km Pecoe trail

High altitude trekking sites in Sri Lanka

When we talk about high-altitude areas, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Horton Plains and Haputale in the central mountain range are very popular, since there are dozens of Sri Lanka trekking sites available at these ranges. From the popular Horton plains national to Lipton seat of Bandarawela, every trekking site in the mountains is a full-time exciting package. Simultaneously, on the western slope of the mountain range, there are patches of rainforests and plantations at Kitulgala.

Towards the southern slope of the central mountain range, there are many trekking paths in the form of nature trails. In the central province of Sri Lanka, there are many interesting trekking sites in the form of historical sites, ruins, patches of forests and much more.

After having read this article now you are convinced that there is no status saying Sri Lanka is out of options for trekking. Check for the perfect Sri Lanka trekking for your activity and get addicted to the marvellous soft adventure activity that is trekking in Sri Lanka. So, it is time to pack your essential gearhead out for an unforgettable adventure.

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Nuwara Elya is a popular 2 days trip place in Sri Lanka and most travellers can visit national parks, tea plantations, botanical gardens and many other historical monuments on their trip to Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya trekking

Sinharaja rainforest, Adam’s peak, knuckles mountain range, Nuwara Eliya and Kitulgala, etc are the major Sri Lanka trekking ranges, in some cases with more than many dozens of trekking points within them. All the trekking points with a unique experience, with plenty of surprises waiting at each turn and curve.

Nature of Nuwara Eliya trekking sites

Boulder-filled treks, patches of forests, tee gardens, continuous steeps, cascading waterfalls, terraced paddy fields, greenery on the meadows, rocky structures, high passes, narrow gorges and mesmerizing green-capped mountains make these trails unique in many ways.

Nuwara Eliya coming under high-altitude treks

Especially the high altitude Sri Lanka trekking sites are the host for trekkers are promised to keep the adventure enthusiasts happy and rewarded with gorgeous sunrise or sunset view along with breathtaking scenery of the greenish surrounding will co-operate with high-rise mountains.

Sri Lanka trekking: Lipton seat trek

Lipton Seat is a popular stimulating high-altitude Sri Lanka trekking site and it is one of the best treks to do in the mountains. The trekkers achieve a maximum height of 1950 meters towards the end of the trek. It is one of the highest points of the country and enables the trekkers to have a bird’s eye view up to the eastern coastal town of Trincomalee.

Lipton seat lies 18 off Haputale city centre. Trekkers need to travel about 10 km on Haputale-Dambetanne main road before reaching the Dambetenna tea factory, where the trekking starts. The average time taken to conquer this trek is around 3 hours. People, who are on this Sri Lankan trekking site are advised to start the journey with the sunrise, due to the clear sky in the early hours.

Best time to trek: November to April
Difficulty Level: Moderate

Idalgashinna hike – Haputale

Idlgashinna is one of the highest elevated small hamlets on the island. The travellers encounter Idalgashinna railway station on their way to Ella and Nuwara Eliya from Kandy or vice-versa. Therefore, taking the magnificent Sri Lanka hill country rail trip is the best and easiest way of reaching this hiking trail.

Idalgashinna railway station is located at an elevation of 1615 meters from sea level. Idalgashinna railway station is the 68th station on the hill country rail track and is located between Haputale and Ohiya railway stations. You can also reach Idalgashinna by road trip and Idalgashinna is well connected with most pom from Idalgashinna.

Idalgashinna hike is one of the least popular hiking trails in Sri Lanka and attracts very few hikers. But it is one of the best treks for a wonderful hike located in Sri Lanka’s hill country. Idalgashinna hiking trail starts from the railway station. The first part of the trail is a sharp ascend and it runs along a tea plantation. One side of the track is a tea plantation and another side of the hiking trail is a patch of forest.  

These hiking trails show some similarities to the conditions that can be seen in the Horton plains national park, especially the terrain. However, as you go higher on the track you will encounter rocks and boulders very often. After about a few hour’s hike the travellers can reach the first summit on this trail it is a spacious flat area on the trail, where the hikers can set up tents if required. Beyond this point, the track gets steeper and more difficult. However, there are few tracks after this point and visitors can choose less difficult tracks if they are novices to trekking.  

The visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the summit, as the land falls steeply on one side of the summit, creating very scenic views over the lowland areas. This trail has very beautiful surroundings with various types of trees and flowering plants. It can be difficult to hike on this trail during the rainy season due to the slippery condition. Apparently, you may also see a lot of leeches on this track, like in most other hiking trails in the hill country, during the rainy season.

Sri Lanka trekking: Kitulgala

For a unique Sri Lanka trekking experience, opt for the Kitulgala trek. Kitulgala provides the easy gateway to many adventure activities such as mountain climbing, rock climbing, etc, and is part of many road trips in Sri Lanka. For Lush green rainforests to sparkling perennial waterways, this interesting Sri Lanka trekking site unravels the marvel of nature. The trek lasts around 3 hours for energetic experienced trekkers and takes you through the more beautiful countryside in the area.

The journey starts at Kitulgala town and immediately follows a canoe ride to cross the mighty river of Kelaniya; from here you march into the deep jungle area with a hilly outcrop. Revel in evergreen rainforests, cascading waterfalls, sparkling streams, and boulder-laden gardens while on the expedition. If you are a photographer this is a perfect opportunity to capture some of your best nature sceneries.

Makandewa rainforest Kitulgala

The forest cover of Makandewa spreads over 1155 hectares, which is the largest rainforest in Kitulagla same time Makandewa rainforest is the main trekking and hiking place in Kitulagala. There are many trekking and hiking trails in the forest. However, the trekking and hiking trail that starts from Nuwara-Eliya main road is the most popular among travellers. This untouched rainforest is home to many dozens of Fauna and flora; some of them are endemic to Sri Lanka. Makandewa rainforest is especially popular for bird watching in Sri Lanka. It is inhabited by a large number of avian fauna species; therefore, the Makandewa rainforest is part of most Sri Lanka bird-watching tours. More than 54 species of birds can be witnessed in the Makandewa rainforest.

Best time to trek: November to April
Difficulty Level: Moderate 

Trekking in Ella

The travellers do not need to go far from Nuwara Eliya to find a different landscape and some very unique trekking conditions. The southern slope of Sri Lanka’s mountains, running down towards the south coast beach, is generally warm and has high humidity.

The southern slope of Sri Lanka’s mountain is comprised of mountain forests and tea gardens that offer great walking in a magical surrounding, where green-capped mountains and deep gorges are mixed with considerable forest cover, fertile rice paddies, tea estates and beautiful small villages. The trekking route may offer a gentler trekking experience, but it still offers some challenges and plenty of rewards.

In Ella, the gem is the Ella gap, a bewitching valley with many thousand meters tall sides, which are covered with thick green foliage. The valley is delightful from April to July when it is covered with wildflowers. The valley receives a high rainfall every year and it can be drenched very often during the monsoon season from April to November. There is a very high demand for trekking tours in Ella due to the bewitching landscape and lush green forests.   

Best time to trek: November to April
Difficulty Level: Moderate 

About Knuckles mountain range trek

The knuckles mountain trek is one of the most interesting journeys that you can find in the mountains of Sri Lanka. This Sri Lanka trekking path lies amidst the lush green vegetation of knuckle forests and rewards the trekkers with the beauty and serenity of the untamed wilderness.

The major part of this Sri Lank trekking site is hidden under the canopy of knuckles forest. During the journey, the trekkers come across varied landscapes, barren rocky outcrops, verdant hills, and flat grasslands with bushy types of vegetation. This Sri Lanka trekking site goes through the paddy fields, and plantations at the beginning and later enters the thickly forested area. The trekkers are required to be very cautious during the journey on this trek as there is a possibility of going out of the way in the jungle.

Best time to trek: November to April
Difficulty Level: Difficult

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Sri Lanka trekking: Sinharaja rainforest

This Sri Lanka trekking site is one of the most popular among bird lovers; where people are able to explore lush green vegetation and fauna and flora of one of the oldest rainforests in the world while having a trek with moderate difficulty.

This is one of the treks suitable for individuals with any expertise level and for all interests. Sounds exciting, isn’t it? There are several routes within the forest that trekkers can choose from. The duration of the treks varied a great deal and even there is a big difference in regards to the sights that trekkers encounter on different routes. There are six major trails in the forest and they are:

Kudawa – Sinhagala trail

This is the trail that demands good physical fitness and mental condition. The trail is a bit exhilarating but has a very picturesque surrounding length of the trek is 8 km.

Kudawa – Mulawella

The difficulty of this trekking site is very low and it spreads in the north-western part of the forest. The length of the trek is 3 km and part of the trek lies in the managed lands.

Pitadeniya – Patha Oya trek

This Sri Lankan trekking route is 10 km long and trekkers can explore a couple of beautiful waterfalls as well as a virgin rainforest.

Neluwa – Kosmulla trail

This is another 10 km long trek that lies in the Sinharaja rainforest. The trekkers encounter several beautiful waterfalls on the way and one of them is Duvili Ella, which is one of the most popular waterfalls in the country. Spotting sambar deer and buffaloes are very common on this route.

Pitadeniya – Kekuna Ella trail

Kekuna Ella is a waterfall, which is the endpoint of the trek. The trail is very short and quite easy, it provides a good opportunity to explore a part of the virgin rainforest.

Morning side- Duvili Ella trail

This is a short and enthralling route. The trail leading to the Duvili Ella goes through the sub-montane forested area and grassland.

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Adam’s peak trek

Sri Lanka trekking site: Adams peak

The endpoint of this Sri Lanka trekking site lies at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. Adam’s peak is the 3rd highest mountain on the island. This Sri Lanka trekking site attracts travellers from all around the globe. This is one of the most popular treks and many thousands of people take the arduous upward journey every year the majority of them are local travellers, who wish to worship the footprint of Buddha.

The trekking season starts in November and lasts until April parallel to the Northeast monsoon, which is the Sri Lanka weather, Sri Lanka rain season. This Sri Lanka trekking site is largely abandoned during the rest of the year due to the torrential rain of the southwest monsoon. Trekking on this route is very dangerous during the rainy season and there is a high possibility of encountering wild animals on the way.

This 5-hour long trek is difficult and demands good physical and mental fitness of the trekkers, yet it is one of the most enthralling journeys on the island that take you through the opulent beauty, and scenic marvels of Adam’s peak and peak wilderness. Exploring this route is one of the best ways to get a clear idea of the natural beauty of the peak wilderness, which is one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

As you make the upward journey you will encounter hundreds of local people, it is the best chance to learn about the indigenous culture. This is the only Sri Lanka trekking site, where you encounter hundreds of thousands of local people. At the end of the journey, you can have a fully satisfied heart filled with beautiful scenery of Adams’s peak and peak wilderness.

Hiking trails at Adam’s peak

There are 2 major routes to the pinnacle of Adam’s peak, they are; the Ratnapura route and the Hatton route. All devotees start their journey either in Ratnapura or Hatton meeting at the pinnacle of Adam’s peak.

There are several stopovers along both routes and many eateries and resting places are also available. As the trekkers reach the summit of Adam’s peak they are rewarded with mesmerizing views of the surrounding areas. Replete with tributaries of 5 major rivers, dense mountain evergreen forests and a fleeting interaction with local people, Adam’s peak trekking can be best enjoyed parallel to the Northeast monsoon (November to April) and is a place among the top-notch tourist attractions on the island.

Best time to trek: November to April
Difficulty Level: Medium

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Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Habarana

This is a quite unpopular Sri Lanka trekking site with exposure to the beautiful countryside. The trekking route lies bordering the Habarana lake providing a perfect picture of the blue water lake and surrounding area. This is one of the best-kept secrets in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. As you continue on this trek, you are going through beautiful trails crossing the patches of forests, paddy fields, farmlands, and many streams. This is a trek very popular among the people who are based in Habarana during their tour to the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.

The journey goes through the village of Habarana and trekkers have the valuable opportunity to drop into the village school and the village temple. The temple harbours a lot of significant architectural brilliance painted on the walls. The trekkers encounter farmlands, paddy fields, and Habarana Lake along the way. The trek is a perfect opportunity to learn the village life and it lasts around 3 hours. This is quite an easy trek and no major hikes along the way.

The lake of Habarana harbours a large number of bird species, especially the resident birds of Sri Lanka, therefore the surrounding area of Habarana Lake is a favourite tourist attraction in the region, especially among bird lovers. If you are in the mood for some outdoor activities and like those memories to be etched forever, then you should seriously think of Habarana Lake as your destination.

Best time to trek: April to November
Difficulty Level: Easy

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Sinharaja trekking tours in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Trekking in Colombo

A well-known trek that starts in Maligatenna is situated near Colombo and it is just a few hour’s drive from the city. Even though it is located near Colombo, the surrounding area is full of lush green vegetation. The trek is located in very beautiful countryside. This trek is considered to be one of the best places for trekking in Sri Lanka.

Maligatenna is a historically important city for the Buddhists on the island. The sacred tooth relic was safeguarded in the Maligatenna Buddhist temple in the 12th century and again in the 16th century. Due to this fact, the temple is considered to be one of the most important religious sites in the country.

The temple is picturesquely located on a mountain and one needs to trek about 45 minutes to reach the temple. The narrow path runs between two giant rocks. You can have a fascinating view of the surrounding area, upon reaching the summit of the mountain. The surrounding area is full of trees, bushes, and savannah-type vegetation. Small mountains and rocks enhance the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Maligatenna temple is the starting point of the 10 km trek. You find another important Buddhist temple (Pilikuttuwa Raja Maha Vihara) along the way to the Hawariwela Ambalama, where the trek ends. The trek goes parallel to the main road and provides easy access to the main road at any time during the trek. You will come across beautiful paddy fields, patches of lush green forests, rubber states, coconut plantations, vegetable gardens, and pineapple farms.

Trekkers come across several different terrains during the trek in Knuckles such as muddy areas, dry lands, patches of forests, and water-clogged areas. It will be a challenging task to keep your boots and feet dry. The average duration of the trek is around 5-6 hours. This trek can be done as a one-day excursion and it can be recommended for novices as well as experienced adventure lovers.

It would be an ideal break for people, who are stuck in routine jobs in Colombo or the suburbs. The countryside along the trek is very beautiful and it will rejuvenate your body and mind.  Due to the proximity to Colombo, it can be conveniently accessed via Yakkala and Kirindiwela.  Roads are in very good condition and reduce the time considerably during the journey to Maligatenna from Colombo. Apart from the aforementioned temples, there are several other important Buddhist temples in the area. Varana Raja Maha Viharaya, Koskandawala Maha Viharaya and Petta-gam Gala Aranya Senasanaya or Dikkanda caves are the other important places to visit in the area.

Best time to trek: November to April
Difficulty Level: Moderate

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Top 6 trails in Kandy for Sri Lanka trekking holidays

  • Peradeniya botanical garden
  • Udawattekele sanctuary
  • Tea plantations
  • Knuckles forest
  • Hantana
  • Spice garden

Kandy is among the most popular cities on the island and is visited by thousands of holidaymakers every day. It is the cultural essence of Sri Lanka (about Sri Lanka), where the typical Sri Lankan customs, traditions, and festivals are most alive. Kandy is a city with a rich historical past, which is dating back many centuries. Apart from the historical and cultural tourist attractions, Kandy has many green attractions such as Udawattakele, Hantana, Royal botanical garden, and many many more. All these green attractions are considered to be good places for trekking in Kandy.

There are many attractions in Kandy that are essentially attributed to the British colonial administration. There is a large number of building built after British architecture. Most of them are located in the city, which is a part of the UNESCO world heritage site.

A most important attraction in Kandy with historical and religious importance is Dalada Maligawa or better known as the temple of the tooth. There are hundreds of cultural, historical, and religious attractions in Kandy. But most travellers think that Kandy is only a place to explore Sri Lanka’culture and history but they are totally wrong because Kandy is a city with a large extent of green cover and has many important natural attractions such as Udawattakele sanctuary within its borders.

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Peradeniya botanical garden

Sri Lanka trekking tour: Peradeniya garden

Perhaps there is no other better place to see rich tropical vegetation not only in Kandy but also in the whole central province. This beautiful botanical garden is a gift from the British-Ceylon rulers, who were here in the early 1900s. Today it has a large collection of tropical plants and trees from Sri Lanka as well as most other tropical countries. The number of flora species in botanical gardens exceeds 8000 and it spreads over6 hectares. The botanical garden is about 5 kilometres from the Kandy city centre and the journey takes about 15 minutes to go there.

Peradeniya’s botanical garden is one of the most important tourist attractions in the central province of Sri Lanka. This beautiful botanical garden is located about 500 meters above sea level.  The botanical garden is picturesquely located bordering the longest river of Sri Lanka, known as Mahaweli River.  The botanical garden of Sri Lanka is ranked among the best tropical gardens in the world. And it is visited by hundreds of thousands of travellers every year. The botanical garden of Peradeniya is the biggest of all three botanical gardens in Sri Lanka.

The history of Peradeniya botanical gardens is going back to the Kandyan period of Sri Lanka. It was first used as the pleasure garden of the Kandyan king in 1371.  There had been a palace and a temple within the borders of the park in the early days of the Kandyan period.

During the British colonial period, it was functioning as the research ground for many agricultural crops such as cinchona, tea, etc. later around 1900, the British administration decided to develop it into a botanical garden with the introduction of other national and foreign tropical plants and trees. Today this beautiful garden accommodates more than 8000 plants and trees and is spread over 60 hectares.

A slow stroll in the garden gives you access to many thousands of different plants and trees. Take a walk along the river bank and see the different species of bamboos, Boganvilia, and many other flowering plants. Taking a walk over the hanging bridge would be a lifetime experience for you. The hanging bridge at the far end of the botanical garden is dating back to the early days of the 1900s. Following are some of the beautiful photos of the Peradeniya botanical garden.

Orchid House, herbal gardens, bamboo collection, palm collection, and rose garden are some of the interesting corners of the garden. The orchid house has an interesting collection of orchids numbering many hundreds. Here, one can see the beautiful flowers of orchids throughout the year, due to the very suitable weather for orchids.

Trekking tours in Sri Lanka visiting Peradeniya botanical garden?

Peradeniya botanical garden lies on the Kandy-Colombo main road,  and it is a short distance away from Kandy city and the drive lasts around 20 minutes, on the Kandy-Colombo new road but if you take the Kandy-Colombo old road the journey might be prolonged as much as 3o minutes due to the traffic congestion.

Sri Lanka trekking tour: Udawattakele sanctuary

Kandy is an all-around tourist attraction in Sri Lanka as well as a popular place for trekking in Kandy. Whether you are interested in culture, history, or nature you get something to enjoy here. Kandy is the only city, which is bestowed with a rainforest within its border. Udawattakele is a valuable asset of Kandy city and heaven for nature lovers. Udawattakele helps the city to keep the balance between nature and history.

Udawattakele is a patch of rainforest essentially attributed to the Kandyan King. This nature reserve is located near Kandy city, right behind the tooth relic temple. The park occupies huge land with very high commercial value, which spreads over 257 acres. Udawattakele had been the official residence of a Brahmin known as “Senkada”, who lived in a cave located in the forest. The Kandy King made it his royal garden.

The bio-diversity of the forest is deteriorated over the last several centuries mainly due to human activities such as illegal logging and hunting. The forest is a protected area since 1856 and is under the purview of the forest department. The dominating colour of Kandy is green because of its thick vegetation all around the city. High rainfall is very essential to maintain the greenish vegetation of the city and Udawattakele seems to have taken over the responsibility of watering trees and plants of Kandy.

The city is endowed with very high rainfall due to the presence of this rainforest within its borders. Kandy Lake or better known as “Kiri Muhuda” largely benefited from the perennial waterways of Udawattakele sanctuary. Kandy lies 500 meters above sea level it is one of the reasons for its mild temperature and another reason for its cool climate is the Udawattakele sanctuary because trees and plants of the forest absorb much of the greenhouse gas of the city.

If you have enough history then you can go to the Udawattakele and enjoy the rich natural vegetation of a tropical rainforest. You will also be able to see a large number of animals, birds, and butterflies here.

Important places in the forest

Lady Horton’s Road
Royal Pond
Giant Bamboo
Senkada Cave
City View Point
Information Centre
Hermitages and Caves
Kodimale (Flag Point)
Pus-Wel (Giant Liana)
Iron Wood Forest

How to get to Udawattakele sanctuary?

This is another popular place for trekking in Kandy and it will take around 20 minutes from the city of Kandy to Udawattakele. Udawattakele lies right behind the tooth relic temple. The cost of the entrance ticket is around 1100 Rs (can be varied due to the exchange rate).

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Sri Lanka trekking holidays: tea plantations

Kandy is situated about 500 meters above sea level. This is the beginning of tea growing region on the island. If you further travel in the direction of the mountains, you will encounter large tracts of tea plantations and tea factories. Well-maintained tea plantations give you awe-inspiring scenery, with a mountainous background. Tea plantations are very popular among adventure holiday lovers for trekking and walking. Some of the tea plantations around Kandy make some of the best places for trekking in Kandy.

Where do I find tea plantations for trekking?

Kandy is surrounded by a large number of tea plantations and it is highly advisable to have a local guide as you trek in the tea garden.

Sri Lanka trekking holidays based on Knuckles

This is a mountain range of high importance for the island, as it harbours a large number of species of fauna and flora. The name “Knuckles mountain range”, originated from the word “knuckle”, because the mountain range has the shape of knuckles when you look at it from the distance.

How to get to the Knuckles mountain trek?

The trekkers can reach Knuckles mountain range by bus or any other private transport. There is a huge time gap between buses that ply towards Knuckles, therefore it is best to use private transport. The distance from Kandy to the starting point of the Knuckles mountain trek is 40km and it takes around 2 hours on the steep curved rich road. It is best to have a 4wheen drive vehicle for the upward journey and it might be difficult on this rough terrain with a low-profile vehicle.

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Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Spice garden Kandy

Unlike all other green attractions, spice gardens are man-made green attractions and it is a good place for trekking in Kandy. Kandy and the surrounding area are popular for spices and spice gardens are the best places to grow varieties of spices. The travellers get the opportunity to see trees and plants of different spices here. These gardens are maintained by private organizations and access is free of charge.

What is the spice garden?

Spice gardens are maintained by various individuals with the intention of selling their products. The spice gardens are maintained for marketing purposes of their products. Usually, the visitors are taken around the spice garden by a guide giving information on the trees and plants of the garden. Most of the trees and plants at the spice garden have medicinal value and are used in Ayurveda medicine (what is Ayurveda). Some of the plants and trees have commercial value in the form of spices.

Trekking tours in Sri Lanka: visiting spice garden?

There is a very interesting description of the Ayurveda healing system for every visitor to the spice gardens. The description is presented in many languages and highly trained people are employed for it. The travellers have the option to select the desired medium of language for the guided tour of the spice garden. You have the opportunity to see hundreds of plants, trees, and climbing plants that are been used to prepare various medicines. Same time your guide explains to you, how they are been used in Ayurveda.

During the guided tours in the garden, you have the opportunity to see various other plants and trees such as spices, fruits, and vegetables available in Sri Lanka. The visitors are allowed to try the products available in the spice gardens free of charge and every spice garden has its own shop selling various spices and herbal medicines, where people can make purchases of unblended spices, tea, and Ayurveda products

Health tourism is another integral part of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. Unlike earlier, the number of people who spend holidays with a combination of health practices and beach stays is on the rise. Ayurveda is the main healing practice used in the tourism industry and Ayurveda courses with beach holidays are offered by many Ayurveda beach resorts.

There are many Ayurveda hotels catering to health-conscious travellers in the coastal areas. Ayurveda hotels are usually more expensive than the average beach hotels and they can be booked through the travel agents such as Seerendipity tours, hotel websites, or through the reservation departments of the hotels.

How to find a spice garden for trekking?

A large number of the spice gardens are concentrated on the Colombo-Kandy Main road in Mawanella and Kegalle area.

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Trekking tours in Sri Lanka: Kandy

Kandy is a popular destination not only for cultural tours and leisure holidays but also for adventure activities. Trekking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, kayaking, and boating are some of the activities that travellers can do here.

Why don’t more people come to trekking Kandy? The first and lowest of the Hantana mountain ranges that ripple west of Kandy city, they make perfect places for trekking, blessed as they are with magnificent ranges, gorges, and valleys, clothed in the tea plantations and patches of forests of eucalyptus, Albizia. Being in the wet zone of Sri Lanka with yearly high rainfall, Kandy and the surrounding area is one of the greenest of Sri Lanka’s hill country.

Springtime is one of the best time to have a trekking tour in Kandy, during this time the mountain peaks and slopes, with their riot of wildflowers, is one of the most delightful times to walk. The trekkers encounter many species of apes during the trek in Kandy such as macaques, and leaf monkeys.

Sri Lanka trekking places based on Kandy

Hantana has a spellbinding natural beauty even the local songwriters have lyricised the scenic beauty of the Hantana mountain range. Hantana mountain range is one of the best places for trekking in Kandy if you look for a light adventure activity. Hantana is very popular among travellers, who like to go trekking in Kandy, bird watching, and camping. Hantana is one of the best places to enjoy nature as you enter this upcountry kingdom of Kandy.

Hantana mountain range lies at the height of 1240 meters above sea level which is well 700 meters above the Kanday plateau and it is one of the best places for trekking in Kandy. Hantana mountain ranges stretch between Kandy and Galaha. Hantana mountain range is an important catchment area in the mountain and receives a very high early rainfall which is above 3500mm.

Sri Lanka trekking holidays: Hantana

Hantana is the home of a large number of perennial waterways and some of them feed important rivers of Sri Lanka, for instance, one of the important tributaries of the Mahaweli river starts here. The elongated lowlands between mountains make the way to these tributaries.

Trekking in Kandy at Hantana can be done on two paths, one path starts from Peradeniya University and the other trek starts at 4th-milepost Hantana, the difficulty of both tracks is moderately difficult. It is suitable for any age as well as moderate mental and physical fitness is appropriate for this hike. This is a very popular trekking site in Sri Lanka and attracts a large number of university students from nearby Peradeniya University. The site is visited by many foreign travellers too.

If you start the trek at the 4th milepost, you can drive up to the 4th-milepost by a vehicle (the road is very steep) and the trek starts at “MOUNTAIN RANGE VIEWPOINT AT HANTHANA 4TH MILEPOST”, here you get a signboard with this text. The distance covered from Kandy to Hantana is 5 KM and takes around 20 minutes with your private transport.

300 km, Pecoe trail

As the name proposes, the Pekoe Trail is a 300 km (approx. 186.5 mi) trail that goes through the central hills of Sri Lanka, beginning from Hanthana, going through the tea estates that adorn the slopes, and finishing off with Nuwara Eliya. The Pekoe Trail is the brainchild of energetic adventurer, Miguel Cuñat, who has been crossing these mountains for a really long time. With the EU and US Help coming ready, under the flag of Serendipity Trails, the Pekoe Trail was organized as the first ceaseless point-to-point walking trail in Sri Lanka.

The 300 km trail has been segmented into 22 phases, each averaging around 12 km ( 7.46 mi) and of fluctuating degrees of deficultybased on the changing elevation. Every Pekoe Trail stage goes through a few very well trampled regions, for example, Kandy, Hatton, Haputale, Ella and Nuwaraeliya while acquainting you with a side of those areas that would somehow stay stowed away. The path varied from short patches of tarred streets, close to the towns, to congested old quarry laid truck streets, worked during the English frontier times to move tea from the tremendous homes to the plants. A portion of the track, in any case, are less characterized, and are scarcely noticeable pathways that the tea pickers use as easy routes through the homes and forest.

While 22 journeys across tea plantation may sound dull, it couldn’t possibly be more off-base of the experience of strolling the Pekoe Trail. Each stage normally begins from a humble community, prior to going through tea plants that appear to spread as much as eye can see. A few phases will take you through thick woods with trees so high, you’ll hurt your neck searching for the treetops. Others will include fragrant Eucalyptus backwoods. Each stage will present astounding perspectives, each blowing your mind. During your Pekoe Trail insight, you will pass temples and various religious sites, a couple of very much visited destinations, as well as segments so remote, you won’t see anybody for a really long time. You will be blessed to see the cascading waterfalls, jabbering streams, the tunes of birds differing from small sunbirds to the cackle of crested serpent eagle, and once in a while, the temple gongs, bells and chimes from Hindu holy places.

At the moment, just the Pekoe Trail Stage 1 is authoritatively open however the routes for the other 21 have been outlined and a large portion of them can be strolled. By mid 2023, 10 of the other trails will be plainly checked and sign posted. The other 12 paths are supposed to take action accordingly toward the finish of 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need special permits for trekking in Sri Lanka? A: Most popular trekking areas don’t require special permits, but national parks like Horton Plains do charge an entrance fee.

Q: Is it safe to trek in Sri Lanka? A: Generally, yes. However, always trek with a buddy or guide, and inform someone of your plans.

Q: Can I camp during multi-day treks? A: Yes, some areas allow camping. However, always check local regulations and preferably arrange camping through a reputable tour operator.

Why you should book trekking tours in Sri Lanka with Seerendipity

Serendipity Tour is an entirely locally owned travel company with a head office in Colombo. The highly experienced local staff is a key strength of Serendipity Tours, and they can plan your dream holiday to Sri Lanka.

The best price guaranteed for your Sri Lanka trip

When you book a tour with Serendipity Tours, you directly book the tour with the local company, which means there are no middlemen and therefore you can guarantee the best price. Simply get in touch with us and let us know when you travel and what you like to see.

Plan your best Sri Lanka trip with-expert

Our staff makes a personalised program for you, which you can change until you find the best Sri Lanka trip package for you. Visit www.sirilaktours.com to browse our existing tour packages, which you can customise to meet all your expectations. Write to us at admin@seerendipitytours.com, tel. 0094-77-440977, WhatsApp 0094-77-4440977.

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