Walking in the Hills, Haputale

Contact us for itinerary options for both before and after the tour.

Day 1

Start the tour in Ratnapura and transfer to the foot hills of Adams Peak. Begin the arduous 08 km climb to the misty mountaintop with our experienced local guides. Reach the 2,240 metre high peak at dawn to witness a glorious sunrise and the mountains shadow, cast by the rising sun on to the clouds below. The peak is sacred to all faiths in Sri Lanka and many legends exist. You will spend the rest of the night at the peak in Sleeping Bags to witness the sunrise and, with it, the 360 degree view. Total Trekking distance 20 km, 7 Hours. This is the harder of the possible routes.

Day 2

Watch the sunrise from Adams Peak and then come down to the base at Delhousie. You are climbing from the southern side of the mountain and descending to the northern side of the mountain. Your vehicle will pick you up at the base and drive you to Slightly Chilled Guest House in Delhousie. Late breakfast and lunch at the guest house with time to relax.

Afternoon visit/short trail through tea plantation for 2 to 3hrs. Dinner and overnight at the Guest House.

Day 3

After breakfast, drive to the starting point for the days trek. Depart on trail from Bogawanthalawa Galpothuthenna (approx 28 km). Packed lunch on the way.

This is a trail of incredible diversity it will take you through forest, jungle, tea plantation and grassland, with ascents, descents and flat terrain, desolate and inhabited areas, changing vegetation types and some of the most spectacular views in Sri Lanka. You are sure to see the footprints of the leopards and sambhur deer that roam here.

Total Trekking distance 34 km. 8 Hours - Hard Trekking Route.

You will be met by the vehicle at Galpothuthenna and driven to River Garden Resort, Belihuloya for dinner and overnight stay (choice of Fully Serviced Luxury Camp, Eco Lodge or Cottages).

Day 4

Early morning breakfast at River Garden Resort Cottages. Belihuloya is a very picturesque little hamlet situated in the “Sabaragamuwa” province of Sri Lanka. This beautiful hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country at an altitude of less than 1500m. As a result, the vegetation consists of moist semi-evergreen forests, tropical savanna forests, dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests, making it one of the richest bio-diversity spots in Sri Lanka.

The route takes us through remote villages & temples and crosses rivers, streams and waterfalls. Large parts of it are through total wilderness, with no signs of human existence for miles. The beautiful, serene, and ever-changing forest is home to an abundance of varying flora and fauna including the occasional migratory Elephant, Sambur Deer, Indian Munjak, Flying and Giant Squirrels, many birds (Changeable Hawk Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Stork Billed kingfisher, Gray Hornbill etc.), Lizards (3 endemic), Geckos, Skinks, Snakes, Amphibians, Snails, Butterflies and Fishes.

It is by the Hulang Ella waterfall that we finish our first day of hiking, stop for lunch, enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool river and set up the camp for the night. The evening meal can be enjoyed in the most tremendous setting, sitting on a huge rock that overlooks the waterfall and listening to the forests orchestral performance!

Day 5

Continue the trail after the breakfast. At the end of todays 10km walk from Hulang Ella we come to the pièce de resistance the majestic, breathtaking and awesome Duwili Ella Falls. It plunges a dramatic 80 ft from a level rocky ground into a large deep pool at the base. Here you can enjoy an invigorating river swim with a packed lunch before meeting your vehicle to continue your journey.