Jungle, Rocks and Elephants | Bucket List of Sri Lanka

Whatever fantastic tales you’ve heard of Sri Lanka is surely correct! Gigantic jungle chunks, every square meter infused with thousands of plants, blended with tea plantations, roaming elephants, and monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Picture perfect country-wide, central Sri Lanka draws our attention with rock fortresses among rolling hills and lush green plains.

Set on plateaus of tea plantations and tropical rainforests surrounded by mountain-scapes sits the city of Kandy, famed for its sacred Buddhist sites and temples and the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka.
The Temple of the Tooth within the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy houses the relic tooth of the Buddha, it is believed that whoever holds the tooth, holds the governance of the country. For many reasons, this temple is considered one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world!

The surrounding city of Kandy, with its architectural gems of shrines and temples of Indian and Sinhalese designs set among the grand structures of the British colonial period make for picture perfect strolls along the lake and city streets.

Situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka close to Dambulla lays Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock”, a fortress complex of ruined palace atop a massive 200-meter rock among the jungle plains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most treasured historical monument in Sri Lanka, this spectacular fortress features ancient frescoes painted high above the ground along the famous mirror wall, with legends of drama and fate of the ruler who built it awaiting you at the top!

Let’s go!!!

Day 0 // Departure
Meeting in Dubai Airport in the afternoon for a direct flight to Colombo.

Day 1 // Elephants + Ambuluwawa
Arrival, immigration formalities. Overnight in nearby guesthouse. After breakfast hit the road to elephant orphanage for some unforgettable views of bathing and river crossing. Next, we will head to spiral tower of Ambuluwawa for bit of thrilling experience during narrowing climb to the peak, awarded quickly with breathtaking views from the top. From here we drive to hill county of Nuwara Eliya, famous for tea plantations and stunning waterfalls. Here we will visit Ramboda Falls and one of tea factories.

Day 2 // Scenic train + Kandy + Pidurangula
Sri Lanka can easily compete with Switzerland over the most the scenic train routes, so get your camera ready as we start the day with the train ride across bridges, jungle, villages and tea plantations. When in Kandy, we will start with Tooth Temple and glimpse on the colonial quarter near lunch hour. Shortly after it’s a time to hit the road to Sigiriya. Today we will stretch the legs over a short trek to the top of nearby hill for a sunset view over the Lion Rock. Overnight in the jungle lodge, surrounded by the chirping of the Jungle Fowl.

Day 3 // Ballooning + Sigiriya
Early morning optional ballooning above Sigiriya plains. Back to hotel for breakfast and start short trek through the scrub jungle to the world-famous Lion Rock fortress. As the trek unfolds, we’ll take in views of this ancient fortress from every angle, every step from the entrance to the top is a marvel of constantly changing surroundings. Climb to the top takes less than an hour.

Further on, we’ll stop for a walk along village paths and dry zone lakes before we jump on a bullock cart to village house where we’ll start picking vegetables for our lunch as the head man’s wife explains recipes. We’ll take a quick boat ride while lunch is getting ready. If time allows, we can wander across the cultivation lands to help the villagers work on a small tractor.

Time for souvenir shopping and a dinner before heading to airport for return flight, with pockets full of memories! Bye, bye Sri Lanka…

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Activities:
Hiking, sightseeing, boating, swimming, tuk-tuking, train riding, optional ballooning (approx. 260 USD – early booking required).
Duration: Long weekend
Room & Meals: 4 star hotels - double sharing, 2 breakfasts + 2 dinners included.

Cost: 2850 AED excl. flights until JUNE 15th.
Recommended flights: Emirates at approx. 2300 AED

Visa: Western countries visa free, most of others visa on arrival or e-visa.
Clip: https://vimeo.com/230556292

See yah at Sigiriya x

Trekkup Crew

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