Colombo Trip Overview
Discover the best of Matale in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka in this 2 days all inclusive tour. This diverse landscape is sprinkled with amazing attractions, blessed with the natural wonder that lies in the mountainous heart of the island nation. It was the site of major unrest during the British colonial period in 1848 which was famously known as the Matale Rebellion. The Aluvihare Buddhist temple, located well out of reach from the urban hubbub of the commercial city of Matale, is the historic location where the Buddhist sacred texts, known as the Pali Canon, were, for the first time ever, written down completely on ola (palm) leaves in 29 BCE. Visit the famous Sembuwaththa lake which sits among acres and acres of tea plantations, surrounded by beautiful green mountains blanketed with thick fir tree forests. Trek to Riverston which offers a picturesque and remote landscape of the surrounding area!
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Discover the best of Matale in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka in this 2 days all inclusive tour. This diverse landscape is sprinkled with amazing attractions, blessed with the natural wonder that lies in the mountainous heart of the island nation. It was the site of major unrest during the British colonial period in 1848 which was famously known as the Matale Rebellion. The Aluvihare Buddhist temple, located well out of reach from the urban hubbub of the commercial city of Matale, is the historic location where the Buddhist sacred texts, known as the Pali Canon, were, for the first time ever, written down completely on ola (palm) leaves in 29 BCE. Visit the famous Sembuwaththa lake which sits among acres and acres of tea plantations, surrounded by beautiful green mountains blanketed with thick fir tree forests. Trek to Riverston which offers a picturesque and remote landscape of the surrounding area!
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo/Negombo – Matale
Stop At: Hunnasgiriya Water Fall, Off B461, Matale Sri Lanka
Hunnas waterfall, also known as Hunnasgiriya falls, is a beautiful waterfall located in Matale District near the village of Elkaduwa. It is 48 meters in height and a man-made artificial waterfall which is located on a landscape garden which belongs to the hotel of the same name at the center of the Hunnasgiriya Estate. The location is a popular escape especially for honeymoon couples. The surrounding area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, flora and fauna. Another contributing factor is the damming of the upper reach of the fall, vitiating the volume of the cascade falling to a pool which resembles a bed, thus giving rise to its name.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sembuwatta Lake, Sri Lanka
Sambuwatta Lake is a beautiful man-made reservoir located in Elkaduwa, Matale. The lake is bordered by Cambell’s Land forest reserve and situated at an elevation of 1,140 m. The misty and chilly atmosphere with pine trees and tea-covered slopes surrounding the lake make visitors feel relaxed and tranquil. What puts the lake in the top as a leisure and family travel destination is the plethora of adventure activities available such as zip-lining, swan/motor boat riding, canoeing and hiking.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil – Matale, 608, Sri Mutthu Maryamman Devastanam, 16A Trincomalee Street, Matale, Sri Lanka
Sri Muthumariamman Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Matale. The temple is dedicated to Mariamman who is the goddess of rain and fertility. It is also known as Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman Kovil. The current temple structure was built in 1874 and is used by both the Hindus and the Buddhists. The main religious festivals held at the Sri Muthumariamman Temple includes the chariot festival at the temple celebrated during the month of February or March. There is also a large hall which is used mainly for ceremonies such as weddings.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in Matale
Day 2: Matale – Negombo/Colombo
Stop At: Bambarakiri Ella Falls, Rattota, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Bambarakiri ella is a hidden beauty situated in Matale District near the Rattota town. The falls are mighty and at the same time, pleasant. Two falls subside here. A small fall is hidden inside the jungle and is named ‘Kuda Bambarakiri Ella’ where ‘Kuda’ implies ‘little’. The primary falls allow tourists to sit peacefully and enjoy the sound of splashing water. A rope bridge also exists which stretches over the falls is an excellent addition to the scenic beauty. The falls are an alluring sight for clicking perfect wallpaper pictures. The falls are divided within three cascades that is the tallest slope, the natural pool and the slope at the edge of the natural one, which is a rocky point. Bamabarakiri Ella is an ideal place to visit while you’re in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Riverston, Knuckles Mountain Range, Matale 21400 Sri Lanka
The Riverston Peak in Sri Lanka can be reached by traveling, about 30km away from the Matale town, down the Matale – Girandurukotte Road. This secretive windy road, with its sharp hairpin turns, offers some of the best views to the surrounding countryside; to the extent that it is called the Mini World’s End.The place boasts spectacular view of the highlands around it. The misty peak of Riverston, ends in a sharp 300 m drop from which you can see the surrounding countryside including Thelgamuwa Valley with its terraced fields and the Knuckles range of mountains. The peak, with its peaceful and beautiful surroundings, is also a great place to meditate and relax on your holiday to Sri Lanka. The Riverston trek is a great opportunity for nature lovers and photographers who want a few jaw-dropping clicks.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Aluviharaya Rock Cave Temple, FJXC+3PV, Thotagamuwa, Sri Lanka
Aluviharaya cave temple in Sri Lanka is a rock-cave temple close to Matale where Buddhist monks wrote the Tripitakas during King Walagamba’s rule. At the entrance of the temple is a solid Pandal with an arch constructed out of concrete it leads to a steep climb of stone steps leading to the Meda-midula — the frontage terrace. Then from there, rise stone steps making way to the drip ledge rock caves. The temple also has a library containing a gallery of antiques ranging from Buddhist statues made out of clay, brass, marble, while some of them have been gold plated.
Duration: 45 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
No accommodation included on this day.
