Detailed 4WD Adventure Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Arrival in Belihuloya
SCHEDULE
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Arrival in Belihuloya and check in to the River Garden Resort.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort (HB).
Nestled amidst the beautiful hill country, Belihuloya is a picturesque little town located in Sabaragamuwa province, 616 metres above sea level. The beautiful hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country and making it one of the richest bio-diversity spots in Sri Lanka. Perfectly in tune with nature, Belihuloya provides a gorgeous setting for all sorts of adventures from climbing to canoeing and trekking. Here, you can enjoy the scenic waterfalls, historic sites, and nature trails.
Day 2
Day 02 - Kinchigune Cycling Trail and Canoëing
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the River Garden Resort.
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Cycling trail to Kinchigune.
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Lunch at the Eco Lodge in Kinchigune.
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Canoëing in the Samanalawewa Reservoir.
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6 km nature trail back to Belihuloya.
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Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden Resort (HB).
Kinchigune is an ancient village which is almost totally submerged in the waters of the Samanalawewa Reservoir which came to being in 1980s. The people of this village have been engaged in the steel industry in addition to agriculture since the early days. The trail starts from the River Garden Resort and takes you first to the little village of Seelogama, from where you will take a single track steep down to Belihuloya River. After crossing the river (depending on the water level, you might need to carry your bike across), you will continue to Samanalawewa reservoir and steep uphill on a paved road to Kinchigune Eco Lodge, where a delicious lunch will be served.
Surrounded by rugged mountain sceneries, the still calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir offer an idyllic location for canoëing. The reservoir’s name is derived from the Sinhalese word ‘samanala’ that means ‘butterfly’ and refers to the terrific number of butterflies of this area, and also to the shape of the reservoir. Whether you want to go for a relaxed little paddle for a couple of hours, venture out to the mouth of the Belihuloya River or spend an entire day exploring the perimeter of the reservoir, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. A well-experienced guide will provide you with the right technics, safety instructions and modern life jacket.
Day 3
Day 03 - 4WD Adventure to Horton Plains
SCHEDULE
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Early breakfast at the River Garden Resort.
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Starting the 4WD adventure around 7.00am after
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Drive up to World’s End via Satan's Steps.
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Lunch at a suitable location along the way.
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Return to Belihuloya via Ohiya, Boralanda and Haputale.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort (HB).
The famous Horton Plains is a nature reserve characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. The highest plateau in the island, spanning approximately 10,000 hectares, is home to 24 species of mammal - such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard. The park also hosts unique vegetation and offers a perfect ground to observe many rare and endemic highland birds (87 species, 14 of which are endemic). An impressive physical feature in Horton Plains is the escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands. Aptly known as the "World’s End", the precipice boasts a fabulous view of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline.
On the way to Horton Plains, you will pass through a section called “Satan’s Steps”. It is for its hairpin bends this the steep and narrow path got its name during the colonial days.
