Going back of beyond, in the hill country of Sri Lanka is invariably a pleasant experience. Let it be the mountains, the beach, or perhaps attractive high forests with tenacious lianas or sanctuaries that are a haven for a wide range of wildlife, we are ever ready to pack our bags and go on an adventure. Besides, most of us being ardent fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Lord of the Rings, every time an adventure springs out of thin air, at least one of us is sure to burst out saying, “I’m going on an adventure!”
And just like humble versions of dear Mr. Bilbo Baggins, a recent visit to the hill country took place with some of us spirited ladies from Authenticities, embarking on a trek along the foothills of Bogawanthalawa all the way to Norwood, a 16km trek. Considering where we spent the previous night (the beautiful, Uga Halloowella) it only made sense to do the trail in reverse from Bogawantalawa Valley to Norwood. So, we passed the golden valley of tea and made our way through the stunning Maskeliya Valley and caught glimpses of Adam’s Peak across the lake somewhere along the way.
The experience was nothing short of exhilarating: exhilarating because it involves a satisfying length of walking, but not so much as to make the experience tedious or irksome. A great deal, it needs hardly be stated, depends on the mood and the open-mindedness of the trekker. For instance, though the encounters with pockets of local communities or village hamlets were fewer, one could easily enjoy the landscape viewpoints and highlights such as distant yet stunning views of Adam’s Peak, Norwood & Kotiyagala tea estates, as well as a tea factory and the Church of St. Mary’s. What we could take from our journey across the valleys and tea estates was truly the highlight for our group that day, but what made the experience truly special was the part when we had a team of trained female guides to navigate the routes so splendidly! The guides, Abiya and Imshani, were stellar in terms of guiding theory, practical hiking skills, first aid and being overall championing women as leaders in outdoor adventure and sustainable tourism.
We are beyond grateful to be a part of the change and support a more inclusive future for travel in Sri Lanka.
P.S. For the Curious: At the start of our trekking adventure, the warm-hearted local ladies guided us to a nearby shrine, where we participated in a small pooja ceremony that blessed us for a safe journey ahead. If you are interested in booking your next trekking adventure in the scenic hill country of Sri Lanka, please write to us and we will share all the best-kept secrets.
