Indian Ocean Islands

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Trekking, Sri Lanka Adventure Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages

Whenever yyou find yourself succumbing to a sense of boredom; whenever you're blue and things look glum- what do you do?.If your answer to that question was an unambiguous "Go trekking!", then this section's for you. Dedicated to the inimitable task of hauling on heavy-duty shoes and heavier backpacks, of striking out into the great wild outdoors- of going trekking. Hiking, walking the wilds, call it what you will, trekking is the best way to see the world. If you really want to get a feel of the earth; if you really want to walk through the forests and feel the breeze on your face; trudge through unspoilt territory and explore for yourself- go trekking. A lesser known fact is that the central region of the Island is a ruggedly beautiful "Hill Country" which rises to an elevation of about 2500 meters.

The route to this area is through narrow passes between many ranges of hills with breathtaking views all around.This mountain area of Sri Lanka is veritable paradise for the dedicated hiker.And if you're a tourist or have come visiting- then three cheers for ou! Because this fabulous country offers some of the most awesome trekking opportunities anywhere. All across, from north to south and from east to west, are a series of breathtaking trekking trails, ranging from even-kiddies-can-manage to the hardcore professional. Head for the mountains - for arid but gorgeously beautiful scenery. If you're looking for adventure; you could make tracks through the several valleys, discovering cascading waterfalls and the countryside for easier treks which take you through stunning landscapes and quaint villages where time stands still.

Adam's Peak
From December to April, pilgrims converge to climb the 2224m (7295 ft) Adam's Peak. At the top is a huge 'footprint', claimed by Muslims to belong to Adam, who stood there in expiation of his sin in the Garden of Eden. Never mind that, Buddhists believe it to be the mark of Buddha or that Hindus hold the print to have been made by Lord Shiva, the fact remains that it is has been a place of pilgrimage for over 1000 years. The view from the peak at dawn is enough to shock the most cynical agnostic into a state of reverie. It takes about four hours to climb to the top from the town of Dalhousie.Reaching the base of Adam's Peak is simple and if you're making a night ascent, you've got all day to arrive. Buses run to Dalhousie from Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo during the pilgrimage season. Otherwise you need to get first to Hatton or Maskeliya. If you're really running late, taxis will take you to Hatton or Dalhousie. You'll need to cover 220 km (136 mi) to get there from Colombo.

Nuwara Eliya
Once the favourite hill station of the British, Nuwara Eliya, still retains the vestiges of Empire: a blend of Tudor and Georgian architecture, gabled roofs, immaculate lawns with rose bushes and moss-covered gravestones. Soak up the quaint atmosphere by visiting the Hill Club - by jove, there's a golf course, tennis courts, even copies of Country Life here - or visit the Botanical Gardens at Hakgala and tea plantations in the surrounding hills. Buses going to Nuwara Eliya leave Colombo almost hourly, and from Kandy with regular frequency. You can catch a train, although you'll need to get off at Nanu Oya and catch a connecting bus, or taxi, to Nuwara Eliya itself as it does not have a train station of its own.

 World's End and Horton Plains
World's End and Horton Plains are simply amazing. You walk across the open grasslands and through the small forests of the Horton Plains to a spectacular viewpoint known as the world's end. The 2,000 meter high plateau ends suddenly and the lowland is visible from almost 1,000 meters below. While there is plenty of wildlife in the area, monkeys and deer are often seen, leopards are a bit harder to spy.

Knuckles
Its name describes its outline. The Knuckles Range consists of the Knuckles massif, the Knuckles range and the Knuckles peaks. The Knuckles massif is about 90 square miles in extent and is a detached block of the central highlands separated from the main highlands by the the Dumbara Valley. There are 35 peaks rising to more than 3000 feet (915 m) in the Knuckles range. It has a rich variety of plant and animal life. Mammals include leopards, sambhur, mouse deer, barking deer, sloth deer, leaf monkeys, toque monkeys, wild squirrels, giant squirrels, wild boar, otter and lorries. Besides these, many species of amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, spiders, fish and birds can be found here.

The right apparel is important. Trainers or sports shoes are the best sort of footwear, because hiking boots are too hot and heavy. A pair of rubber slippers can come in handy too, such as when crossing streams. Some may prefer long trousers and a shirt with long sleeves rather than shorts and t-shirt in order to avoid sunburn and to minimize scratches from thorns. For coastal walks especially, where there is lateral glare, a hat with a large brim is essential.It is best to take some food with you and absolutely essential to carry your own drinking water. Allow at least two liters per person, preferably more, especially on the longer and more remote treks. Needless to say caution should be taken in drinking water offered by hospitable villagers. If you should run out of water, try to locate one of the hand-pumps available in most villages and use a purifying tablet.
Try to travel as lightly as possible: drinking water should be your heaviest burden. Needless to say, map and compass are essential equipment to be taken. Additional equipment could include a sketch/notebook, a pair of binoculars and pocket identification books of Sri Lanka's fauna and flora, which on most walks can be seen in abundance. Remember that if you are visiting rainforest or the damp hills you are likely to encounter what is generally considered the worst pest the fauna of the island has to offer, the leech, or specifically the land-leech. Therefore it is necessary to take adequate precaution against leeches in such terrain. Tobacco, soap, and lime - all are recommended, and are probably equally effective. If you do get bitten, remember not to try to pull the leech off, for the head will be left behind, and a stubborn infection can result.

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