Kandy, Adams Peak, Nuwara Eliya,
Mirissa, Unawatuna, Galle & Negombo – Dec 2015
PHOTO GALLERY
In December 2015 my friend Debbie and I did 12 days in Sri Lanka before flying to India to meet up with our good friend Rachel, an independent travel writer who was in Kerala to research and update the Kerala chapter for Rough Guides.
Sadly, I didn’t write down a detailed account of what we got up to whilst we were there, and so I’m having to dig deep to write this blog and therefore it’s work in (slow) process.
DAY 1 – Colombo, (Fri 11th Dec 2015)
At 12:40pm we landed at Bandaranaike International Airport, in the suburb of Negombo and got a taxi down to Colombo, where we had our first night’s accommodation booked at CityRest Fort. During the taxi ride I remember feeling a little anxious about the days ahead, as initially it was a bit of a culture shock.
Absolutely knackered from our flight, we checked in, freshened up and had a little (tiny) wander around Colombo. It was good to take it all in and start adapting to traveller life.
We found a nice Thai restaurant and had an early dinner. It felt a bit wrong having Thai, given that we were in Sri Lanka, however it was really good. Ready for our heads to hit the pillow, we headed back to our hostel for an early night, setting our alarms for 5:30am the next morning.
DAY 2 – Kandy (Sat 12th Dec 2015)
Up early, we walked to Colombo Fort Station and got the train to Kandy, where we were going to spend the next three days, using there as our base. Pulling out of Colombo, it’s the first time that we really start to see Sri Lanka’s true beauty.
Arriving in Kandy we got a tuk-tuk to Nature Walk Resort, a lovely (but budget) villa slightly up in the hills. Not wanting to waste any time, we quickly got talking to reception to discuss our plans over the next few days and through them, we arranged to have a driver.
Arranging to have a driver to get you around Ski Lanka is very common, convenient and quite affordable. However it did feel a bit ‘unofficial’.
DAY 3 – Kandy (Sun 13th Dec 2015)
After a quick breakfast, our driver arrived to take us 1 ½ hours east to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage; described as an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants (I’m not sure how you can have captive and wild in the same sentence, but there you go). It was amazing to be around these beautiful creatures and for most, it appeared they were able to wander freely.
Being called an orphanage, it instantly makes you feel like the main focus is the elephants’ welfare, however it’s clearly a tourist attraction and it’s not uncommon for the handlers to sneakily ask you for money whilst you pose for a photo.
Upon reflection, I’m not sure I feel comfortable recommending people go there, and I would say please do your own research. I’ve since read mixed reports with some people saying the animals are restricted in chains and that their behaviours demonstrate distress. We didn’t witness any of this and I’ve loads of photos showing them roaming free, however I would hate to be naïve.
DAY 4 – Sigiriya & Dambulla (Mon 14th Dec 2015)
Today our driver picked us up and drove us 2 ½ hours north to Sigiriya, or sometimes better known as Lion Rock; an 180 metre high ancient rock fortress, located near the town of Dambulla. Despite it being a very hot and humid day, we bought our tickets from the local kiosk and started our climb to the top.
Not for the faint-hearted, there were certain points along the climb that looked a little scary, however it was generally safe with the biggest threat probably being the monkeys. The views from the top were amazing and went on for miles.
After catching our breath, we headed back down and slowly made our way to find our driver who had been waiting for us in the designated carpark, but not before stumbling across an Komodo dragon. I personally thought it was huge, but I’ve since learnt it was probably an adolescent and after a quick Google search, I’m grateful he wasn’t fully grown!
Taking advantage of being in this area, we also went to Dambulla Cave Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site and a place definitely worth visiting.
DAY 5 – Sri Pada (Tues 15th Dec 2015)
We’d read that the train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya was supposed to be amazing and it was something we really wanted to do. We booked our train tickets in advance from the UK (on the 4th Dec) using www.visitsrilankatours.co.uk, however we didn’t do it in advance enough. The trains from Kandy were already fully booked, however we were able to get tickets for the train that left from Peradeniya Railway Station, a mere 7km away. Our first class tickets cost £12 each and was scheduled to depart at 12:31pm and arrive into Nanu Oya (nr Nuwara Eliya) at 3:51pm.
Now here’s where you’d assume we’d parted ways with our driver, but no. Obviously not the most cost-effective or environmentally-friendly decision, but after dropping us off at Peradeniya, our driver went ahead and drove down to Nanu Oya, where he met us several hours later.
Hatton Railway Station is actually the closest to Adams Peak, and I think initially it was our plan to try and depart the train here, however as we needed to confirm a plan with our driver, we opted to go all the way to Nanu Oya. From there it was then a two hour drive to our accommodation, Grand Adams Peak Hotel in Nallathanniya.
There wasn’t much to see or do in Nallathanniya, however that suited us as it was tonight that we’d be waking up in the middle of the night to start the climb to Adam’s Peak, or to give it it’s proper name, Sri Pada, so that we’d reach the top for sunrise.
Wearing many layers, a lightweight waterproof and a hat, and with water, snacks and a torch in our bags, we set off at 2:15am. Being just out of season, it was quite a dark climb but a blessing that it wasn’t overcrowded with tourists, however there were enough people around for it to not feel creepy. In season, the trails are illuminated with little lights and there are rest stops and wayside shops selling refreshments and supplies along the way. No doubt, quite a different experience to ours.
Consisting of thousands of steps built in cement or rough stones, we started climbing the 7,359ft high mountain. Some of the steps were what you would have expected, however some were so steep. It was quite a challenge but totally worth it. We got near the top ahead of sunrise and so with fellow climbers, enjoyed a nice hot cup of tea and a biscuit at a little refreshment stall before taking on the final last few steps.
Reaching the top was AMAZING! We were way above the clouds and the views were truly breath-taking, it was magical. This was by far the highlight of our whole trip and I would strongly recommend doing it if you’re able to.
DAY 6 – Sri Papa (Wed 16th Dec 2015)
We eventually got back to our hostel at 9:30am and by 10am I’d already walked 21,384 steps!
After a hot shower to warm up, for our ‘recovery’ we spent the afternoon on the veranda, drinking beer and playing cards with a lovely bunch of travellers we’d met that afternoon (including Panny and Greg from Australia and AnneLaure from France).
DAY 7 – (Thurs 17th Dec 2015)
DAY 8 – (Fri 18th Dec 2015)
DAY 9 – (Sat 19th Dec 2015)
DAY 10 – (Sun 20th Dec 2015)
DAY 11 – Galle (Mon 21st Dec 2015)
DAY 12 – Negombo (Tues 22nd Dec 2015)
- FLIGHT DETAILS & COSTS
Sri Lankan Airlines = £433
DEPART: London Heathrow (8:40pm) – ARRIVE: Colombo Bandaranaike International (12:40pm)
Sri Lankan Airlines = £77 (LKR 16,520)
DEPART: Colombo Bandaranaike International – ARRIVE: Kochi Kochi International
- ACCOMODATION
Colombo – CityRest Fort / 1 night = £27 (per person, per night)
Kandy – Nature Walk Resort / 3 nights = £16 (per person, per night, breakfast included)
Nallathaniya, Adam’s Peak – Grand Adam’s Peak / 2 nights = £8 (per person, per night)
Nuwara Eliya – Single Tree Hotel / 1 night = £16 (per person, per night, breakfast included)
Mirissa – Paradise Beach Club / 2 nights = £22 (per person, per night, including half board)
Unawatuna – Unawatuna Beach Bungalow / 2 nights = £20 (per person, per night)
Negombo – Dion’s Guest House / 1 night = £16 (per person, per night)
