Detailed 4WD Adventure Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Airport – Galle (Approx. 160 kms / 2h30)
SCHEDULE
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Meet and greet at the Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Galle.
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Check in to a hotel in Galle Fort.
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Leisure time and relaxing after a long journey.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Galle (HB).
The bustling provincial capital and administrative center of the south, Galle, was Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trade center. The ancient port city is famous for Unawatuna Bay, a lovely cove protected by a reef. The Galle Fort overlooking the ocean is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. The 36-hectare fortress is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, its ramparts protecting the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. Even as the city of Galle modernizes, its remarkable collection of ancient structures transports visitors to another time.
Day 2
Day 02 - Galle – Udawalawe (Approx. 130 kms / 3h)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Drive to Udawalawe.
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Lunch in a suitable place along the way.
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Afternoon safari at Udawalawe National Park.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Udawalawa (HB).
When driving to Udawalawe, the busy roads of Galle to Udawalawe will soon change into more peaceful sceneries dotted with typical Sri Lankan villages, paddy fields, tea and oil palm plantations, and small forest patches.
The national park itself, located on the boundary of Sri Lanka's wet and dry zones, is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. With approximately 400 elephants residing within the area of 31,000 hectares, it is not unusual to see big herds gathering to feed and bath by the waterholes. In addition to this main attraction, Udawalawe is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer and monkeys. The bird enthusiasts shall be in their own winged paradise with not only the variety, but the quantity of bird species in the park.
Day 3
Day 03 - Udawalawe – Waulpane – Belihuloya (Approx. 90 kms / 3h)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Visit the Waulpane Cave.
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Drive to Belihuloya via Kuragala and Duvili Ella.
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Packed lunch in a suitable location along the way.
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Dinner and overnight stay at campsite in Belihuloya (HB).
Set against the eastern slopes of the Rakwana Range, Waulpane Cave is an isolated cavern that contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites. The impressive 100 feet high cave is estimated to be approximately 500 million years old, and it reveals a prehistoric world with ancient fossils in the cavern walls. Waulpane is a river cave with a stream running through it and feeding the stunning waterfall located towards the centre. These dark and moist depths of the cavern are inhabited by numerous bats, water monitors, amphibians and fish.
After exploring the cave exploration, we will visit a local village school before driving across Rakwana mountain range to Pallebedda Junction. From here, we will do another short and steep, approx. 14km climb up to Weligepola village and continue through scenic forests (that have an abundant birdlife!) to Belihuloya.
Nestled amidst the beautiful hill country, Belihuloya is a picturesque little town located in Sabaragamuwa province, 616 metres above sea level. Perfectly in tune with nature, the semi-luxurious campsite at the River Garden Resort 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. The tents are very spacious, clean and modern, and guests are guaranteed a good night’s sleep on comfortable mattresses and listening to nature’s very own orchestra! The camp has easy access to the restaurant, toilets, showers and refreshing river bath.
Day 4
Day 04 - Belihuloya – Devil’s Staircase – Belihuloya
SCHEDULE
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Early departure from River Garden Resort with packed breakfast and lunch.
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4WD Adventure to Devil’s Staircase.
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Breakfast and lunch in suitable locations.
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Return to Belihuloya.
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Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden Campsite (HB).
Today, an exciting 4WD adventure will take you to the border of the Horton Plains National Park through the Non Pareil Estate that is one of the oldest tea plantations in Sri Lanka. The trail will climb approx. 1250 m over a distance of just 18 km - with the impressive 32 hair-pin bends! Witness the breathtaking views of the surrounding area (as well as our campsite) when driving higher and higher, and enjoy a delicious lunch in the most amazing setting in the summit. You may go for a little walk through the tea plantations also.
Day 5
Day 05 - Belihuloya – Horton Plains – Nuwara Eliya (Approx. 60 kms / 3h30)
SCHEDULE
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Early breakfast at the River Garden Resort.
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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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Drive to Nuwara Eliya.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Nuwara Eliya (HB).
Today, you will have another challenging drive ahead. After a few kilometers on the main road, the rugged off-road section starts and takes you to Bambarakanda Waterfall, that is the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. Then, 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. The air feels crispy cool, when you emerge the highest plateau of the country. For the ancient kings, this area had a great importance as a source of water and retreat location. These days Horton Plains is a famous national park, 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.
