Overnight stay
Le Maas Tota
Nikapotha, Koslanda, Sri Lanka
Fixed expedition / Private 4x4
Devil's Staircase Overland Trail
Baker's Bend, Samanalawewa, Lipton's Seat, Haputale, Ohiya and the legendary Devil's Staircase descent.
03 days
Hill country
Moderate / technical
Route overview
A highland crossing built around mist, tea ridges, lake light, and the raw staircase descent.
The Devil's Staircase Overland Trail is a 3-day private highland journey through some of Sri Lanka's most dramatic mountain roads, remote viewpoints, reservoir landscapes, tea-country ridges and hidden village routes. Designed for travellers who want to move beyond the standard tourist circuit, this route connects the wild beauty of Baker's Bend, the edge-of-the-world scenery around World's End Trail, the calm waters of Samanalawewa, the misty tea country of Beragala, Lipton's Seat and Haputale, and the rugged descent through Ohiya and the legendary Devil's Staircase.
Your journey begins with mountain views, forest edges and the sweeping landscapes around Baker's Bend before continuing towards Samanalawewa for a kayaking experience surrounded by still water and hill-country scenery. The first night is spent near Bambarakanda, close to Sri Lanka's tallest waterfall region, giving the route a peaceful mountain-resort stop before the trail climbs deeper into the central highlands.
On the second day, the route moves through Beragala, Naketiya and Lipton's Seat, one of Sri Lanka's most iconic tea-country viewpoints. Rather than rushing from one famous location to another, this section is designed to be enjoyed slowly, with winding estate roads, village scenery, tea fields, cold mountain air and wide views over the southern plains. The night is spent in Haputale, a quiet hill-country town known for its mist, viewpoints and old-world mountain atmosphere.
The final day is the most adventurous part of the journey. From Haputale, the trail continues through Boralanda and Ohiya before reaching the rough, scenic route of Devil's Staircase. This section gives the trip its true overland character, with narrow mountain roads, remote landscapes, sharp drops, forest patches and unforgettable views before descending towards Kalupahana. It is a route built for travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
This experience is ideal for guests looking for a private, adventurous and scenic Sri Lankan highland route with a mix of soft adventure, local landscapes, tea-country culture, kayaking, mountain roads and hidden viewpoints. It is not a typical sightseeing tour - it is a carefully planned overland journey into the quieter, wilder and less-seen side of Sri Lanka.
Devil's Staircase Overland Trail
Route Map
Day 1: Non Perial Estate, Baker's Bend and Highland Waterfalls Non Perial region | Estate communities, mountain views, Baker's Bend and optional waterfall or kayaking experience
Begin the journey in the quiet highland surroundings of Non Perial, where the route opens with a visit to Non Perial Waterfall and the scenic Hirikatu Oya trough. From here, guests can experience wide views of the surrounding mountain ranges, valleys and layered landscapes that make this region one of the most atmospheric parts of the hill country.
The day also includes time around the Non Perial estate community, offering a closer look at the lifestyle of the people who live and work in this remote mountain environment. Rather than only passing through the landscape, this part of the route allows travellers to understand the human side of the highlands - the estate roads, small settlements, daily routines and local surroundings that are often missed on standard tours.
From there, the route continues towards Baker's Bend, one of the most scenic points of the journey, known for its dramatic bends, highland air and sweeping views. Depending on time, weather and guest preference, the day can then continue with either a kayaking experience at Samanalawewa or a visit to Bambarakanda Waterfall, Sri Lanka's tallest waterfall.
- Non Perial Waterfall and Hirikatu Oya scenery
- Estate community experience and mountain lifestyle
- Baker's Bend with optional Samanalawewa kayaking or Bambarakanda Waterfall visit
Day 2: Beragala, Naketiya and Lipton's Seat via Monarakanda Estate Haputale highlands | Estate roads, isolated villages, tea-country views and local landscapes
Overnight stay
Olympus Plaza Hotel Roshini
Haputhale, Sri Lanka
Day two follows a scenic highland route from Beragala to Naketiya, continuing towards Lipton's Seat through Monarakanda Estate. This section of the journey is designed to be enjoyed slowly, with winding estate roads, changing mountain views, tea-country scenery and quiet village surroundings along the way.
As the route climbs through the highlands, guests will see a different side of Sri Lanka's hill country - not only the famous viewpoints, but also the remote roads, isolated villages and everyday lifestyles of the communities living among the estates and mountain slopes. The journey offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural observation, giving travellers a deeper understanding of how people live in these less-visited highland areas.
The route towards Lipton's Seat brings together wide southern-plain views, cool mountain air and beautiful tea-estate landscapes. It is a day focused on scenery, slow travel, local life and the quiet beauty of Sri Lanka beyond the usual tourist path.
- Beragala to Naketiya scenic highland route
- Monarakanda Estate roads, tea fields and village landscapes
- Lipton's Seat views and isolated hill-country communities
Day 3: Devil's Staircase Descent to Kalupahana Kalupahana route | Rugged mountain roads, remote landscapes, isolated villages and adventurous descent
The final day takes the journey into its most adventurous section as the route follows the legendary Devil's Staircase towards Kalupahana. This part of the trail is known for its rugged mountain roads, steep terrain, sharp bends and dramatic landscapes, giving the route its true overland character.
Along the way, guests will pass through remote highland scenery, isolated village areas and mountain communities that reveal a quieter and more untouched side of Sri Lanka. The route is not only about the road itself, but also about the landscapes and lives shaped by these mountains - the small settlements, hillside paths, forest patches and wide valley views that appear throughout the descent.
One of the most memorable parts of the day is seeing how the roads are cut through the adventurous mountain terrain. The narrow tracks, steep drops and changing scenery make this section both exciting and scenic, creating a strong ending to the 3-day overland journey.
- Devil's Staircase mountain descent
- Remote villages, forest patches and highland landscapes
- Rugged roads cut through adventurous mountain terrain
Starts from $246 Onwards
A booking deposit is required to confirm the route. The remaining balance can be paid before the trip or on the first day, depending on the agreed booking terms.
- Final pricing is confirmed after your travel date, group size, pickup point, accommodation needs and any optional experiences are reviewed.
- The listed price is the per-person price for a group of 4 guests sharing one private vehicle with food and listed accommodation. For groups of 1-3 guests, the trip can still be arranged privately, but the per-person price will be higher because the fixed vehicle and route costs are shared among fewer travellers.
What's included
- Private 4x4 vehicle for the planned 3-day route
- Experienced driver and guide
- Fuel and transport for the planned route
- 2 nights' accommodation
- Meals included as per the confirmed package
- Pickup and drop-off from Colombo, Kandy, or Kurunegala
- Choice of one Day 1 experience: Samanalawewa kayaking or Bambarakanda Waterfall visit
- Route planning, local coordination and weather checks
- Entrance fees and standard route-related fees included in the confirmed package
- Basic first-aid support and essential recovery gear
- Curated viewpoints, photography stops, estate-community stops and local route experiences
What's not included
- Travel insurance
- Additional pickup or drop-off locations outside Colombo
- Extra activities not included in the confirmed package
- Additional hotel services such as laundry, minibar, room service, upgrades or personal purchases
- Personal expenses, shopping, snacks and alcoholic drinks
- Route extensions, extra stops or major changes requested during the trip
- Tips and gratuities