Private Tour

Knuckles Mountain Hiking

Overview

Available languages

English

24 hours

Mobile ticket

A beautiful hike through tea fields, areas covered with bamboo, the cloud forest, and along a river until it pours out on a platform into the valley. A hike that is versatile and also demanding but it will reward you with a wonderful view and amazing scenery.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, in the Districts of Matale and Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District. The higher montane area is often robed in thick layers of cloud. Knuckles Conservation Forest was included in UNESCO natural world heritage list in 2010 as part of Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Knuckles mountain range features 34 peaks ranging in height between 1900 meters and 900 meters. Five high mountain peaks of the range having formed in the shape of a clenched fist, the British in Ceylon named the mountain range Knuckles.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

Bottled water

Picnic Lunch

Snacks

Rain Jackets, Leech Socks, Hat/Cap, Sunglass, Hiking shoes, Hiking Stick

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Knuckles Peak One Day Trek

Activity: • Adventure Hiking. • Climbing. • Bird watching.
Duration: 1 day: It takes about one and a half hours to the starting point from Kandy. and 7 hours a walk. (Depending on walking Speed)
Food and Water: • Picnic Lunch • Bottled water • Snacks
Main Route: Kandy to Starting Point Starting Trek to knuckles Returning to the starting position in the same way Back to Kandy
Pickup included

One Night Camping and Trek

In the Camping Site: Travelers can stay one night in the knuckles range at the camping site.
Bonfire | Wildlife: Wake up in the morning in a peaceful and serene environment with a beautiful view and watch the endemic birds in the range.
Duration: 2 days: It takes about one and a half hours to the camping site from Kandy. and 7 hours a walk. (Depending on walking Speed)
Food and Water: • Camping Dinner • Camping Breakfast • Hiking Lunch • water tea and snacks.
Two Options: 01). First Day night camping and Second Day hike. 02). First Day hike and Evening camping & leave the next day.
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

31 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

The Best guide Knuckles Forest
Dream04490029112,,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thank you, Niro, for this experience. The hike itself was beautiful and breathtaking. I did the waterfall hike. In Knuckles Forest, you definitely need a guide! The route can be quite ‘dangerous’ at times, but with a guide like Niro, you don't have to worry about anything. Every step of the way, Niro was there to hold my hand and ensure everything went smoothly. He also had leech socks and protective gear! even though the description says it's not included. Niro is a kind and sweet person. He was very patient. He told me when to look up, for example, to see a leaf-nose lizard. The lunch was delicious. His friend, a tuk-tuk driver, also picked me up in Kandy, which was a very pleasant and safe experience. Thanks again, Niro, for the wonderful hike, and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to explore the beautiful Knuckles Forest.
Great Trip!
Klara U,,Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did a two day Trekking tour with Niro and it was the absolute best! Although we are two women (24, 32) traveling together we never felt unsafe or uneasy at any point, thanks to Niro. We made a very spontaneous decision the night before and booked the trip at 09:00 pm with pickup the next morning at 07:00 :) Niro was not only very spontaneous as well, but very professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and a careful guide who guided us through the mountains safely. The first hike was the high peak trek, which was challenging and a lot of fun. we stayed at a very nice campsite with cute little cabins with electricity, hot water and really good (and as we wished: vegetarian) food. The next day we hiked the village to wilderness trek and learned a lot about the plants and spices of Sri Lanka. Great guide and great Experience, thank you :) We definitely recommend booking his tours! :)
Fabulous day
KatePurdy,,Apr 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a fabulous day with Niro. He was so knowledgeable and told us so many interesting things about the areas we were hiking through. We had lunch at a beautiful waterfall spot where we could paddle or swim. Niro looked after us very well and took the hike at our pace. He was very vigilant about removing leeches (of which there were many!) and provided leech socks for my husband who had not brought any. Thanks so much for our day, Niro - it was a great adventure.
Beautiful
OdileP365,,Mar 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a beautiful day spent with our guide Charuka! He is very professional, adapts to your desires and knows his mountains by heart. We learned a lot about the flora and fauna of this region while crossing dream landscapes. Different tours are offered according to your desires, Charuka adapts to you. We recommend 100%.
Perfect Hike
jacobrV7889SO,,Feb 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Perfect hike with Niro! We had so much fun and he explained everything very well! He was super nice and even took us to a tea factory to buy Tea there. 10/10 would recommend to everybody thinking of going trekking in the Knuckles!
Highly recommend Niroshan hike
madisonf576,,Feb 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had an awesome experience with Niroshan hiking in the knuckle range mountains, he was knowledgeable, professional, and enjoyable to be around. He took us on a beautiful five hour hike through the forest, exploring stunning waterfalls, we even got to swim in one pool, and he was helpful in navigating through leeches and other wildlife. Felt super safe Would highly recommend.
100% recommended
martapO9262DT,,Aug 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We loved the hike! We started through stunning light green rice fields, to then get into the forest, take a bath in a waterfall and then discover beautiful tea fields. The guide was super nice and you could also tell he was a nature expert, as he showed us the characteristics of every single tree or plant and knew the area like his own house. I would totally recommend!
water falls trek with niro
T8151LG ,,Aug 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
we had very spacual day with niro, he took us to the waterfalls trek. one of the best days in our trip in this beutifull country!!!!
Knuckles amazing trip with Niro
Dream65279648775,,Aug 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing trip in Knuckles. Nero is a charming, helpful and very professional guide, with a lot of knowledge and in-depth and detailed explanations for everything we asked, and all this in fluent and clear English. The trip included transportation from Kandy and back, coffee, tea, snacks, a delicious lunch and water that they carried for us. The route was stunning and was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my trip. I highly recommend a trip to Knuckles in general and Nero as a guide in particular.
Nero is a wonderful guide
Vacationer785737,,Aug 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nero is a wonderful guide with a lot of knowledge. He was recommended by a friend. He has a flair for working with people. Along the way, he explains and shows many things about plants and animals. I haven't noticed this in other guides who were there with other people. All in all, a great experience. Great views! Drinks and food are always available to you. He even accommodated us by taking us to buy black tea because we expressed a wish.