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Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Price Per Person
From $3,800
Destinations
Sri Lanka

This unforgettable three-day tour in the wilds of Sri Lanka will leave you invigorated and spellbound. Starting from the nearly-submerged village of Kinchigune, you’ll explore the impressive Samanalawewa Reservoir and its rural surroundings before leaving civilization behind, save for the abandoned gem mines you’ll see further on in your mountain adventure. Follow the river Walawe along its valley bed, through mountainous and jungle terrain, surrounded by soaring peaks and wild animals living nearby. Camp by the river and at the base of the jaw-dropping Duvili Ella waterfall before you make your way back to human habitation, with Kaltota as your final destination. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Overnight Under a Waterfall: Hike to the grand Duvili Ella waterfall and camp at its base, falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle and nearby cascades.
  • Swim in the Walawe River: After a challenging climb through paddy fields and mountain forest, reward weary muscles with a dip in the cooling waters of Walawe.
  • Remote Villages: By exploring Sri Lanka's wild on foot, you'll reach isolated hamlets not often visited by tourists, which offer intrepid travelers a glimpse into an authentic way of life.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Colombo

Arrive in the capital city of Colombo and transfer privately your hotel. If you wish to step out in the evening, we recommend strolling the lovely Galle Face Green, an ocean-side urban park where local families spend leisure time, before enjoying Sri Lanka cuisine or fresh seafood at one of many acclaimed and popular restaurants such as Ministry of Crab, Agra, and 1864 Restaurant.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Tintagel is located in the middle of the city, surrounded by upmarket residences and shops. It’s approximately a 45-minute drive away from the airport and five minutes’ walk from Odel Shopping Mall, the most desirable shopping location in the area.

History: Colombo was one of the most popular East-West trade routes in centuries past. The Tintagel, a colonial mansion that takes one back in time, echoes such history.

Service: The Tintagel is widely-known for its unbeatable, bespoke service, and its friendly, warm staff.

See Hotel
Tintagel Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

History: Since the late 19th century, this elegant townhouse has welcomed dignitaries, governors and nobility from all over the world.

Location: Set on leafy Park Street in central Colombo, Uga Residence is an urban oasis.

Service: With years of experience, the hotel’s team is on hand to advise on city excursions, onward travel and anything else that’s required.

See Hotel
Uga Residence Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Walawe Valley

Early this morning, drive 4.5 hours to Kinchigune, a historic and self-sufficient village on the edge of the Samanalawewa Reservoir, where you'll explore the nearby paddy fields and surrounding rural villages. Discover indigenous vegetation growing around sacred temples, and walk through lush forest and dry savanna before hitting the mountain trail down to the Walawe river. After a refreshing dip in the cool waters, relax for the remainder of the day in the gorgeous valley where you will camp for the night.

Hotel Options
About

The Sri Lankan highlands offer the island’s best hikes and scenery. Travel through emerald green rolling countryside of farmland, tea plantations, rice fields and mountains and stop at quaint hill country towns.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Walawe Valley
Walawe Valley

Day 3

Duvili Ella

Continue the journey today with a trek through the ravine, following the course of the river with soaring peaks either side, the terrain underfoot changing constantly. Meander your way around abandoned gemstone mines to reach Hulang Ella waterfall, a great place to stop for a picturesque picnic. Continue your walk to see the river divide into three tributaries and enjoy the cool shade of the forest you share with exotic inhabitants, including elephants, deer, hawks and lizards. Finally, reach Duvili Ella, an even grander waterfall that plunges for 80 feet. Down at its base is cool, flat ground, perfect for making camp after a long day's hike.

Hotel Options
About

The Sri Lankan highlands offer the island’s best hikes and scenery. Travel through emerald green rolling countryside of farmland, tea plantations, rice fields and mountains and stop at quaint hill country towns.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Colombo

Your final day of exploration will see you make your way to the village of Kaltota. Follow the steep foothills that slope down to the river valley and stop for an invigorating swim along the way. Finally, say goodbye to the beautiful mountainous scenery as you drive 4.5 hours back to Colombo.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Tintagel is located in the middle of the city, surrounded by upmarket residences and shops. It’s approximately a 45-minute drive away from the airport and five minutes’ walk from Odel Shopping Mall, the most desirable shopping location in the area.

History: Colombo was one of the most popular East-West trade routes in centuries past. The Tintagel, a colonial mansion that takes one back in time, echoes such history.

Service: The Tintagel is widely-known for its unbeatable, bespoke service, and its friendly, warm staff.

See Hotel
Tintagel Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

History: Since the late 19th century, this elegant townhouse has welcomed dignitaries, governors and nobility from all over the world.

Location: Set on leafy Park Street in central Colombo, Uga Residence is an urban oasis.

Service: With years of experience, the hotel’s team is on hand to advise on city excursions, onward travel and anything else that’s required.

See Hotel
Uga Residence Preferred Hotel
Colombo
Colombo

Day 5

Departure

Today make your way to Colombo airport for your flight onward.

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Tintagel
Preferred Hotel

Tintagel

The dramatic and sultry Tintagel property is located in central Colombo, close to Colombo Town Hall, National Art Gallery and Sinhalese Sports Club. The hotel was previously home to three of Sri Lanka’s political leaders, making it an important structure of national heritage. This unique and intimate hotel boasts ten high-ceilinged suites with timber floors, lavishly decorated with a unique blend of color, texture and atmosphere. The spacious bathrooms feature rain showers, bathtubs and large vanities. All rooms include complimentary WiFi, LCD TV screens with DVD/CD players, a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and Egyptian cotton bedding. Selected suites come with a private courtyard or a balcony. There are a range of dining facilities including an alfresco restaurant, a chic indoor restaurant offering international cuisine, a private dining room and a bar with black leather lounges and bronze tables. Other facilities and services of the hotel include a spa with optional in-room service, swimming pool, gym, steam room, library and courtyard.

See Hotel
Uga Residence
Preferred Hotel

Uga Residence

In prime position next to the lake and nearby Buddhist shrine, Uga Residence screams old-world elegance in modern Colombo. Nestled on a verdant avenue, this perfectly-appointed Victorian mansion offers an escape and some peace and quiet within the bustle of the city. Guests can relax in their luxurious suites, bedecked in rich materials and textures, or on their private terraces; alternatively, they may enjoy tranquil walks in the shady gardens. Relaxation and reinvigoration are close at hand with massages available on request and the hotel pool awaiting with cooling waters in a sunny courtyard. A la carte dining is a sumptuous affair at the poolside restaurant, where guests may begin with a cocktail from the adjacent bar and continue with wine from the cellar to accompany the gourmet delights on offer.

See Hotel

Suggested Hotel For Day 2

Camping

Camping

The Sri Lankan highlands offer the island’s best hikes and scenery. Travel through emerald green rolling countryside of farmland, tea plantations, rice fields and mountains and stop at quaint hill country towns. One of the best way to enjoy this escape into nature is to camp within these stunning surroundings. After a day’s hike, travelers can bed down in cozy, comfortable tents and wake up to crisp mountain air.

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

Camping

Camping

The Sri Lankan highlands offer the island’s best hikes and scenery. Travel through emerald green rolling countryside of farmland, tea plantations, rice fields and mountains and stop at quaint hill country towns. One of the best way to enjoy this escape into nature is to camp within these stunning surroundings. After a day’s hike, travelers can bed down in cozy, comfortable tents and wake up to crisp mountain air.

Suggested Hotels For Day 4

Tintagel
Preferred Hotel

Tintagel

The dramatic and sultry Tintagel property is located in central Colombo, close to Colombo Town Hall, National Art Gallery and Sinhalese Sports Club. The hotel was previously home to three of Sri Lanka’s political leaders, making it an important structure of national heritage. This unique and intimate hotel boasts ten high-ceilinged suites with timber floors, lavishly decorated with a unique blend of color, texture and atmosphere. The spacious bathrooms feature rain showers, bathtubs and large vanities. All rooms include complimentary WiFi, LCD TV screens with DVD/CD players, a minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and Egyptian cotton bedding. Selected suites come with a private courtyard or a balcony. There are a range of dining facilities including an alfresco restaurant, a chic indoor restaurant offering international cuisine, a private dining room and a bar with black leather lounges and bronze tables. Other facilities and services of the hotel include a spa with optional in-room service, swimming pool, gym, steam room, library and courtyard.

See Hotel
Uga Residence
Preferred Hotel

Uga Residence

In prime position next to the lake and nearby Buddhist shrine, Uga Residence screams old-world elegance in modern Colombo. Nestled on a verdant avenue, this perfectly-appointed Victorian mansion offers an escape and some peace and quiet within the bustle of the city. Guests can relax in their luxurious suites, bedecked in rich materials and textures, or on their private terraces; alternatively, they may enjoy tranquil walks in the shady gardens. Relaxation and reinvigoration are close at hand with massages available on request and the hotel pool awaiting with cooling waters in a sunny courtyard. A la carte dining is a sumptuous affair at the poolside restaurant, where guests may begin with a cocktail from the adjacent bar and continue with wine from the cellar to accompany the gourmet delights on offer.

See Hotel

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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

A Luxurious Comeback for Sri Lanka

Author
Remote Lands
The tiny island of Sri Lanka has endured a lot, both in the past and in recent memory. Torn apart by civil war and a devastating tsunami, this strong and determined little country has fought its way through the hard times and come out on the other side not only with its beauty and culture intact, but also with its eyes on bigger rewards.
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A couple from San Francisco - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

A couple from San Francisco - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

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A family from California

Our experience with Remote Lands was most positive - from the planning to the trip itself.

Sri Lanka

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