Itinerary
Welcome to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka! Join us for 5 nights and 6 days running 85km of some of the most spectacular trail running in Sri Lankan hill country. The island has so much to offer - we're spoilt for choice. Your time with us will feature cities, world heritage sites, cultural engagement, untouched hidden gems, local cuisine and so much more. The trails you'll be running is focussed primarily in Sri Lanka's iconic hill country, a region rich in history, culture, wildlife and landscapes. Running these areas and gives us the chance to show you this wonderful region in an off-the-beaten track itinerary.
We'll follow the famous Pekoe Trail, a route that traverses Sri Lanka's central highlands and winds through historic tea estates, jungles, rural communities, and varying terrains. Each day looks completely different. The beginning of the trip is built around experiencing local culture and running between world-famous heritage sites in the ancient city of Kandy. However, a short run leads us away from the hustle-and-bustle of the city and into the peaceful and pristine hill country in the central provinces. Each day the distance and elevation will vary so you can expect a steady chatting pace, some hiking and plenty of stops to taste the delicious local food. We always run together, so there's no pressure on pace. It's about the journey not the destination right? In Sri Lanka's hill country, the most challenging stages are rewarded with incredible panoramic views. Your accommodation is a mix of luxury hotels and guest houses. We'll transport your luggage for you, so you'll just need a running back with enough capacity to hold at least 2 litres of water. Our team and drivers will make sure you're taken care of. While we won't have access to transport during the runs themselves, we'll meet them to load the rest of our luggage before setting off for the trail.
Day 1 - Tuesday 3rd March
Welcome to Colombo - 10km shakeout
Once you land in Colombo make your way to our five star accommodation in the city centre (we'll send you the necessary details once your booking is confirmed). You'll have some time to check in and get settled. We ask you to arrive between 14:00 and 17:00 ahead of our first run together at 18:00. Your Run Weekends crew will also give your first of six daily briefings outlining the days events. Today's run is a cultural awakening around the city - a chance to get to know each other and begin to acclimatise to the humidity. As the sunsets we'll have our first group meal of rice and curry in a local traditional restaurant (many food options are available). Tomorrow we swap urban Sir Lanka for rural.
Day 2 - Wednesday 4th March
Colombo to Kandy & Run - 10km
Bright and early on day two we will jump on the train from Colombo to Kandy having feasted on breakfast at the hotel. The traditional train journey today will give us our first look at Sri Lanka's diverse landscapes as we speeds through paddy fields, cities, rolling hills and eventually reach the historic city of Kandy. Here we'll meet our support vehicle which will ferry us from the station to our rural cosy guest house for the evening. Throughout your time with us we'll use the support vehicle to drop and collect us at necessary sections of the trail to ensure we see the best bits. This also means your luggage can be transported rather than having to run with it (please only pack a backpack not a large hard case). Having dropped our bags at the guesthouse it's time to have a bite to eat and head out for a steady jog taking in the Royal Botanical Gardens and a local temple. We'll loop back around to finish before a home cooked dinner and drinks. The guesthouse is hidden away in the highland suburbs of Kandy and so there's plenty of opportunities for photos. The Pekoe Trail starts tomorrow.
Day 3 - Thursday 5th March
Pekoe Trail - The Lizard's Back - 20km + 550m
Waking up to the lush green views over the surrounding tea estates we'll have breakfast together along with a briefing. For the next few days your main luggage will be transported by vehicle to our next accommodation. Today you'll just need a running backpack with enough space for some snacks, 2 litres of water, and the essentials. From our bungalow in the hills, we'll reach the Ceylon Tea Museum where we'll pop in for a cuppa. We'll run in the shade of the tall trees along the edge of Hanthana Tea Estate, one of the oldest and largest tea estates in Sri Lanka, before following the trail along Katsu Konda "The Lizard's Back". We'll have clear views of the Knuckles Mountain Range as we navigate our way through local villages, rocky peaks and untouched hills, all while accompanied by Sri Lanka's diverse birdlife. Having clocked up 20km well reach the small village of Galaha. Our support vehicle we'll meet us so we can change our clothes and have lunch together before a short journey to our bed for the night. Tonight is a luxury hotel nestled in the mountains looking out over the misty hills. Have dinner, relax by the pool, explore the surrounding area, or just head to bed
Day 4 - Friday 6th March
Pekoe Trail - The Holy Mountain - 18km + 750m
Today we start and bright and early as we explore further into some of the most remote parts of the hill country. A 45 minute journey to the head of the trail, we'll back our bags as we did yesterday. We start running on the old and forgotten Dimbula Road, a trail meant for horses and bullock carts built over 150 years ago. As we continue navigating through the mountains, Sri Pada ("Adam's Peak") will emerge on the horizon. A holy mountain famous for local pilgrimages, the view serves as a reminder of the cultural heritage embedded in the region. The remainder of the trail winds through forests and tea fields complete with waterfalls, which can be a nice spot to cool off in the heat! We can even have snacks here too.
After a hilly day we arrive sweaty into the busy town of Tawalanetenne, where we will be met by our driver who will take us to our accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. A quick bag drop and change of clothes and we'll take a short stroll to a special serving of High Tea at the Grand Hotel, a snapshot into Sri Lanka's colonial past. The rich history of this region is clear to see; Nuwara Eliya is decorated with bungalows, cottages and parks that date back over 150 years when the town served as a holiday resort for British colonial leaders. We'll have time to explore the historic town in the afternoon before enjoying some of the island's finest Indian cuisine. They do great cocktails here.
Day 5 - Saturday 7th March
Pekoe Trail - Namunukula - 27km + 1400m
Today is spectacular and well worth the effort to reach this point. We'll travel the 90 minutes or so by bus to reach the best and most challenging stages of the Pekoe Trail. We lace up in the town of Haputale before beginning a climbing high into the clouds to a plateau home to a patchwork of green tea fields and small villages. There's plenty of opportunities here to stop along the way. Frankly this section of the 'trail run' might better resemble a hike as we slow down to save our legs and take in the panoramic views. You will spot Namunukula, "Nine Peaks", which is one of Sri Lanka's most famous mountains that once acted as a historic reference point for fleets navigating to Sri Lanka in the 15th Century.
Our run concludes at our accommodation for the evening; an organic farmhouse homestay that spans over 130 acres of mountains, waterfalls, caves, forests and tea fields. A hearty meal await us on arrival with the afternoon spent relaxing in the natural pools, tasting the locally produced food and teas, or exploring the vast estate. For our final evening together, we will head into the town of Ella, which has a variety of restaurants, bars and shops. We will have returned to the beaten track with a huge appreciation for Sri Lanka's authentic hill country. Over a big meal and plenty of drinks we'll have a chance to reflect together.
Day 6 - Sunday 8th March
Travel to Colombo and Goodbyes
This morning we'll have a leisurely breakfast, pack up our things, and make the 5 hour transfer back to Colombo. No doubt we'll all be ready for a nap. We'll stop for lunch on the way home for a final meal together. Once back in Colombo you're free to take onward travel from around 16:00. Perhaps a trip to the beach. You won't be back in Colombo before 15:00 and so if you intend to stay in Sri Lanka for longer please let us know any travel arrangements in advance. The Run Weekends team will send you your trips photos and videos once you're back home. Thank you
Highlights
Included
Accommodation
5 Nights Accommodation
2 x 5* Hotels
3 x Guest houses
Running
Day 1 - 10km - 150m
Day 2 - 10km - 150m
Day 3 - 20km - 550m
Day 4 - 18km - 750m
Day 5 - 27km - 1400m
Meals
5 x Breakfast
5 x Lunch
5 x Dinner
Travel
During your time with us we will travel to and from the trails by bus
Activities
5 x Trail Runs
Pools, & Leisure Facilities
Temples Visits and Access
Tea Museum
Photos
Your Run Weekends team will be taking photos throughout the trip. You'll be sent these via a link.
Not Included
Travel
You must make your own way to and from your Run Weekend location. We start and finish in Colombo Sri Lanka.
Travel Insurance. You must come prepared with appropriate travel insurance.
Extras
All drinks.
Additional food.
Snacks on run route.
Accommodation upgrades
Extra meals
Kit
Run gear, mountain clothes, spare socks, swimwear and towel. Sun cream and insect repellent. Any bags or bottles etc you may want for the runs. Your main luggage will be transported.
Getting to us
Meeting Point
Your Run Weekend will commence with a welcome briefing at 17:00 in Colombo. If you intent to arrive early or late please let us know.
Arrival & Departure Times
Please arrive between 14:00 - 17:00 on 3rd March.
Your Run Weekend will conclude at 16:00 on 8th March back in Colombo. If you need to travel earlier, you'll be available from 15:00. You may just miss our final farewell lunch. If you have onward travel please let us know so we can help if possible.
Useful: Please travel with a soft case for luggage. We will transfer your main luggage for you but you're required to run with a running bag with capacity to hold 2 litres of water and food.
Getting to Colombo, Sri Lanka
There are a number of options to reach Sri Lanka's largest city, Colombo. (Please note these are suggestions only, we cannot guarantee travel routes) It's your responsibility to get to us.
Suggested Flights: (Remember - we do not cover your travel to and from your Run Weekend)
From the UK: London or Birmingham (Or Transit)
From the US: JFK or Newark via Qatar
Important: Trip Confirmation
This trip operates with a maximum number of 16 guests and will be confirmed once a minimum number of 10 guests have booked. We will inform you once this number has been reached. If you wish to book travel in advance, please ensure your travel booking is fully refundable. We do not hold liability for loss of flights if this trip doesn't run. If the trip doesn't run your deposit along with any balance paid will be fully refunded.
Packing List
Suggestions:
-
Running Shoes (Trail)
-
Socks x 2 or 3
-
Shorts x 2 or Running Leggings
-
T-Shirt / Vest x 2
-
Lightweight Waterproof / Windproof x 1
-
Long Sleeve Breathable x 1
-
Running Bag (2-3 litres minimum)
-
Swimwear & towel
-
Medical / Allergies Card
-
Head Torch
-
Hand Sanitizer & Sun Cream
-
Foil Blanket & Whistle
-
Warm Jumper
Optional
-
Sun Cream
-
Medical Kit - Blister plasters etc
-
Watch & Charger
-
£50 - £100 Local Currency
-
Lightweight Battery Pack & Cable
-
Gloves and or Cap
-
Extra casual evening outfit
-
Extra snacks or drinks
-
Painkillers / Anti Inflammatories
-
Waterproof phone case
-
Top Tip: Backup your phone before you come incase you drop it
SECURE YOUR RUN WEEKEND
DEPOSIT ONLY 20%
Pay in full, or just 20% at checkout and the rest no later than 60 days before your Run Weekend.
Are you coming?
Visit our FAQ'S for more info.
Email Us
Got a questions?
Browse our upcoming weekends