This is the first episode of my 3-part Sri Lanka video series, covering the adventurous opening days of our 14-day trip with Karl Watson. If you want to read about the full itinerary and my overall experience, check out my 14-Day Sri Lanka Itinerary: Knuckles, Ella, and South Coast.
This episode focuses on the cultural and adventurous highlights of our first five days: climbing ancient rock fortresses, counting elephants on safari, and tackling a challenging 17 km trek through the Knuckles Mountain Range.
Featured in this video
Negombo Fish Market: We started at the local fish market, watching fishermen at work and learning how they preserve fish within just 2 days in good weather. A raw, authentic introduction to Sri Lankan life.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress: We climbed all 1,203 steps to reach this 5th-century palace perched on a massive rock. Monkeys kept us company, and the panoramic views from the summit were absolutely stunning.
Safari at Hurulu Eco Park: My first ever safari. We made a bet about how many elephants we’d spot – winner buys beers for everyone. Final count: exactly 21 elephants, including a rare male with tusks. The bet was incredibly close.
Pidurangala Rock: Right after the safari, we hiked up Pidurangala Rock, scrambling over steep sections to reach the top. The views across the valley and back to Sigiriya Rock made every step worth it.
Knuckles Mountain Range: This was the biggest physical challenge – a 17 km hike reaching 1,090 meters elevation. We trekked through dense forest, open ridges, and stunning mountain terrain. The trail took us to two summits, and coming down was its own adventure with our guide practically running in flip-flops while we carefully picked our way through thorny paths. And, about 12 dogs adopted us along the way.
A basic camping experience: We camped at a basic site below the mountains – outdoor showers with beautiful views and simple facilities. After the long hike, we enjoyed an incredible curry dinner and watched a traditional cultural performance arranged by the camp owner.
Pitawala Pathana (Mini World’s End): On our final morning in the Knuckles area, we hiked to this dramatic cliff that drops 500 meters straight down. A spectacular final stop before heading to Kandy.
Why these opening days exceeded my expectations
This was my first organized group tour, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would I enjoy traveling with strangers for two weeks? But from the first dinner in Negombo, I knew this group was special. Everyone shared the same sense of adventure and openness to new experiences.
Sri Lanka‘s nature blew me away. From climbing the ancient Sigiriya Rock with monkeys playing around us to trekking 17 km through the changing landscapes of the Knuckles Mountain Range – dense forests, open ridges, beautiful peaks – every day brought something stunning.
These first five days set the perfect tone: challenging hikes, and an unbelievable scenery.
And what is coming up?
Check out the video above to see it all come to life.
Episode 2 will cover Kandy, the scenic train ride to Ella, and some serious adventure activities including an 80 km/h zipline. Stay tuned.
