Aug 9, 2024
Top - Piwi - We did the trek 2 days - 1 night with Lakmal, it is a unique experience. We came back delighted: walking, landscapes, explanations, swimming, everything is there. And the meals offered were very very good 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 7, 2024
Lakmal is a very experienced guide with a deep understanding of plants! Intermediate 2-day hike - 53 things we saw/did/ate during our 2-day hike led by the incredible Lakmal:
1. Knuckles 1&2 summits
2. Leeches
3. Leopard poo
4. Green, yellow, pink coconuts
5. Green Vanilla beans
6. Sweet Cinnamon tree
7. Itching mongoose
8. Flower exchange w local child
9. No electricity cabin
10. Cold water showers
11. Cardamom seeds
12. Tamarind
13. Jackfruit
14. Starfruit
15. Breadfruit
16. Rice seedlings
17. Irrigation canal
18. Coffee beans/cherries
19. Cacao beans
20. One of 25 banana varietals
21. Avocado tree
22. Guava
23. Kingfisher
24. Lemongrass
25. Peppercorn (green/red)
26. Tea villages, factories, fields
27. Bamboo (shoots and stalks)
28. Betel nut tree
29. Hibiscus flower
30. Wild raspberry
31. Pomegranate
32. Trumpet flower
33. Bird of paradise flower
34. Chameleon
35. Skin eating fish
36. Koi pond
37. Waterfalls
38. Sugarcane
39. Pineapple tree
40. Clove leaf
41. Doggos
42. Cassava
43. Mango
44. Red and orange papaya
45. Elephant
46. Water buffalo
47. Monkeys
48. Chickens
49. 2-story leaning house built on a truck
50. Village road being poured
51. Curry rice lunch box wrapped in plastic
52. Arrack coconut rum cocktails
53. Ginger biscuits
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 29, 2024
Fantastic 2 day hike in knuckles mountains - My partner and I did the one night camping, two day hike in the knuckles mountains with Lakmal from Nature Paradise tours, and it was fantastic! Lakmal is an excellent guide, he has great knowledge of the local animals, flowers, and vegetation, regularly pointing out and giving us fruits and spices to taste and smell!
The hike was very rewarding, on the first day we hiked to the top of the knuckles, and the ascent and descent was quite challenging in places. We had great weather and had amazing views from the top.
On the second day we hiked to waterfalls, had a lovely swim and then continued down to a village, which was amazing.
The food on the hike was excellent, especially the lunch on the second day in the village!
We were very lucky and got an upgrade on our accommodation to a posh tent / glamping (as all the standard tents were in use), but we would have been very happy with the standard tents.
There are leeches on the trail but Lakmal has leech socks that help protect you.
Overall, I highly recommend a trip with Lakmal, he is an amazing guide and the knuckles mountains are such a beautiful and slightly less touristy place to go!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 14, 2024
Amazing and unique wilderness adventure! - An absolutely amazing adventure. The first day of the hike (~20km) was tough but went deep into the park including the highest point of the Knuckles. Very few other operators actually go into the wilderness, which was a special treat. We also hiked through tea plantations, paddy, Tamil and Sinhalese villages, and swam in two amazing natural swimming holes. The campsite and meals were also great. 100% recommend without hesitation - worth every penny!
Review provided by Viator
Apr 6, 2024
Two day one night hike Knuckles - I did the ‘two days one night hike’ in Knuckles Forest as a solo traveler. Lakmal is a really good guide. He has a good eye for spotting small animals. Also I learned a lot about plants what I really liked and tasted wild growing fruit and spices. Also the meals were really good and in the evening we had good conversation! He even bought glue to fix my shoe sole which got loose and helped me with my fear of leeches :). He did really his best to make it a good experience!
The hike itself was really beautiful, but it was hard! I am beginner with some (shorter) hike experience! But I managed and wil do again :). The next day hike was easier. Also took swims in waterfall and natural pool. With free foot spa from the fish haha.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 17, 2024
Exceptional hiking trip in the mountains - Amazing trip with friendly and knowledgeable guide
We had an unforgettable experience on this beautiful trail full of nature
We stayed in an ecolodge on top of the mountain
Though amenities were basic, everything was taken care of exceptionally by our guide Lakmal with the assistance of the local caretakers of the lodge.
They provided us with hot water for bath manually, cooked amazing meals full of variety and fresh ingredients , even gave us free bottle of local Arrack to enjoy!
Lakmal is an exceptional hiker himself apart from being a great host.
Highly recommend this hiking tour to anyone who wishes to explore the beautiful landscape of the Sri Lankan wild forests
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 31, 2023
Perfect overnight hike - Lakmal took me on an overnight trip through knuckles. He shared his knowledge and experience as he pointed out wildlife and all of the local vegetation and a waterfall of course! From pepper to cinnamon it was amazing how much they grow in this small area. Our trip was capped off by a great swim and lunch with a local family. If you like hiking this is a tour for you! Cant recommend enough. I also hiked in Horton Plains with Lakmal and recommend it as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 15, 2023
Great guide! - We had a really good time! It was beautiful. The weather on the first day wasn’t so good, the clouds abstracted the veiw, and the rain made many leaches come out. But with good protection provided to us, we were fine. The guide was great, knew to tell us all about the plants and some animals along the trek.
The campsite was really nice as well. And the food that we got was delicious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 20, 2023
Great tour through beautiful nature - Great experience! The views are amazing and the tour is well organized. Lakmal shares a lot of knowledge about the surroundings. I would recommend this tour if you would like to be in nature.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 6, 2023
Amazing 2 days tour in Sri Lanka - Amazing tour! 2 days surrounded by nature, jungle and beautiful landscapes, sleeping in a nice camp, delicious food and the best guide.
Thanks Lakmal for everything! I enjoyed a lot :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
