Sri Lanka

This itinerary is classed under intermediate to intermediate+ and will range from easy to moderately difficult hikes and will require some steep climbs and instances of bouldering.

1st Day – Algalla Hike – Moderate/Intermediate

2nd Day – Katusukonda hike – Moderate/ Intermediate+

4th Day – Pekoe trail stage 1 – Chill/ Beginner

5th Day – Pekoe trail stage 2 – Moderate/Intermediate

Day 1

Travel from Colombo to Kandy

Morning pickup is from the airport and we drive to Kandy, the ancient capital city of Sri Lanka. Situated about 115 km away from Colombo, the drive takes 3 to 4 hours.

After checking in, rest of the day is all yours. You can either do some sight-seeing or chill at the hotel before our hiking expedition begins from day 2.

Kandy

Locally known as Nuwara or Maha Nuwara (The City or the Main City), Kandy is situated in the Central Province. It was the last locally ruled Kingdom before Sri Lanka fell into the hands of colonial powers. Nowadays, it is a bustling town, yet somehow manages to retain its proud heritage everywhere you look.

Kandy Lake sits right in the middle of the city. Sri Lanka’s longest river, Mahwaeli river, also flows not too far from the centre. Meanwhile, various mountain ranges overlook the city from all sides, providing safety and a scenic splendour that has made Kandy a cultural and a protective bastion throughout its colourful past and present.

Kandy’s most famous attraction is the Temple of the Tooth, which is a cultural fortress and home to one of Buddha’s relics, a tooth. An extremely venerated Buddhist place of worship all are welcome to visit the temple and take in its beautiful architecture and history. Please remember to dress appropriately if you visit the temple.

Day 2

Alagalla Hike

Our voyage into Sri Lanka’s mountains begins today. First off though, we need to drive past the suburbs of the Central Province to the border of Sabaragamuwa Province, to Alagalla Mountain range which transects the two provinces.

Alagalla mountain along with other mountain ranges around the area provided an almost impenetrable fortress against enemies of the Kandyan Kingdom during various invasions. Thereby, serving as an important look-out point during these battles and today you will get the chance to walk on history’s trails as well as embody the boastful natural beauty of the area.

We start off by traversing through scenic jungle terrain and then hiking to the summit known as the ‘Lion’s Maw’. The climb to the rocky pinnacle there-after requires somewhat of a daring climb including some bouldering. At the top however, you will be rewarded to breathtaking beauty that is exclusive to tropical terrains.

This hike is moderate in difficulty and is approximately 7.6 km long, reaching an elevation gain of 520 m.

Day 3

Katusu Konda hike (Lizard’s back or Knife-Edge peak)

A 45-minute drive from Kandy city will take us to Sri Lanka’s famous Hanthana mountain range. Providing an iconic backdrop to the ancient city of Kandy it consists of a total of 7 peaks. Today we summit one of these peaks; Katusu Konda (Lizard’s back), also known as Knife-Edge, gaining 400 m in elevation.

The hike begins at a slow and steady pace, but once at the top of the peak, you will be awarded exhilarating views of valleys and lush green forests below. Enjoy one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful sights and sounds and feel the zen of nature overtake you.

Katusu Konda is the most popular and the easiest peak to summit in the Hanthana range, but don’t be fooled by its humble stature in comparison to its sibling peaks. This trek will not only offer a buffet for the senses, but front-row seats to an adventure filled with waves of adrenaline bursts as you gently take a walk on the proverbial knife’s-edge.

Day 4

Pekoe Trail Stage 1

Today we will slow down the adrenaline bursts and embark instead on an exploration of one of Sri Lanka’s best kept secrets: The Pekoe Trail. We walk through Sri Lanka’s famous tea estate routes that exposes the country’s beautiful mountainous ecology while it intertwines with tea plant cultivations.

The full trail consists of 22 segments totalling about 300 km long, but today we will hike stage 1 – Hanthana to Galaha. A 12.8 km trail, starting at Sri Lanka Tea Museum and through one of the country’s largest and oldest tea plantations, Hanthana Tea Estate. You will walk along a distinct path, taken by estate workers for hundreds of years.

Stage 1 trail takes you alongside Katusu Konda which we conquered yesterday, giving you the chance to marvel at it one more time. This time however, from far, along with the rest of peaks of Hanthana mountain range. Apart from local villages, you will also walk past a Hollywood point of fame on this trail: the dramatic mountain facade featured in 1983’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In fact, many parts of the movie were filmed in and around the Kandy and Hanthana area.

Today’s hike ends in Galaha, another local village. It will also be the starting point for tomorrow’s hike.

Your transport will pick you up at the end of the hike and take you back to your hotel in Kandy. Spend the rest of today’s evening winding down in preparation for our last hike into the Pekoe trail.

Day 5

Pekoe Trail Stage 2

We check-out of our hotel early and travel to the starting point of today’s hike which is Stage 2 of the Pekoe Trail.

Galaha to Loolkanda trail is slightly more challenging than yesterday’s hike. Not only is the hike longer,14.7 Km, but we also gain an elevation of 853m.

Beginning the trail in Galaha, the charming village surrounded by the many hills and mountains of the region, we take paths and roads that carried people and carriages to Deltota Tea Estate for hundreds of years. Passing through tea plantations manicured by hand, you will also walk past colourful Kovils. These are places of worship built for the Hindu communities who have lived here since colonial times.

This trail has many ups and downs and twists and turns. All encircling the mountain that were originally covered in forests prior to tea plantations.

On our way, we also pass Deltota, a lively local village and then through LoolKandura Estate. Sri Lanka’s first tea plantation, established in 1867 by the ‘Father of Sri Lankan Tea’, Scotsman James Taylor. Continue along the tea trails where you will walk through some of the most scenic tea bushes with views that include a massive rock formation and tropical rainforests. This stage ends in Loolkandura.

Travel back to Colombo from Kandy

After our de-briefing, it is time to bid farewell to Sri Lanka’s hill capital and it’s stunning mountains. Nonetheless, during the drive back to Colombo the road from Kandy to Colombo never disappoints. So, keep an eye-out for exceptional views all along the way as the roads entwine through busy city centres.

The drive takes about 4-5 hours and you can choose to be dropped off at the airport or in Negombo.