Blog
22 Sept 2026
£70,000 and counting for the Tom Smith Screening Fund: 40Tude trekkers go the distance in Sri Lanka
This September, Charlie Richards and Tribal Tracks Leader, Sid, joined 14 trekkers from 40tude: Tackling Colon Cancer for the first Tribal Tracks 100km trek through Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands. Their challenge would take them through tea country, cloud forest and remote communities, into a part of the island that sees few trekkers.
Together, they have raised more than £70,000 for the Tom Smith Screening Fund—and that total is still rising.
It was a journey of steep climbs, extraordinary views and memorable encounters, with a few challenges along the way. But beyond the kilometres and the fundraising was a shared purpose, brought poignantly into focus by the presence of Tom’s wife, Zoe.
"A feast of experience, discovery and engagement - rare and never forgotten." - Michael
The team gathered in Negombo for their first briefing, where the humidity gave us an early taste of what lay ahead. From there, we travelled inland to Hatton, into the highlands that would be our home for the next five days.
Before setting out, we visited Hatton’s Hindu temple for a traditional Ashirvada Pooja—a blessing for the team and a safe journey. Each trekker was included by name in the prayers and chanting. It was a thoughtful, moving way to begin our 100km challenge.
Our adventure began in Kotagala, with 16km of undulating trails through tea plantations and small local communities.
A visit to a working tea factory offered a glimpse into an industry whose processes have changed little in more than a century. Later, a local family welcomed us into their garden for lunch and a much-appreciated cup of Sri Lankan tea.
By mid-afternoon, we had reached the bustling town of Norwood and our colonial-style bungalow. After our first full day on the trail, the simple comforts of a shower, a good meal and a comfortable bed were all we needed.
A truly “hot” challenge (both food and climate!) made special by Zoe’s presence and so many thoughts of Tom, as well as every group member, the incredible team - Charlie, Sid, Dean, Rizan, Hafeel - and all the welcoming invariably smiling Sri Lankan people we passed and met - Jonathan
We set off on foot from our bungalow, passing through Norwood before heading back into the tea plantations. Then the climbing began.
A steep ascent rewarded us with sweeping views across the valley towards Adam’s Peak and back towards Hatton. Along the way, we were introduced to the lesser-known “ice cream tree” and tasted its unusual seeds, which bore a surprising resemblance to miniature ice creams.
Our route continued through Leopard Corridor, though its namesakes remained elusive, a disappointment to some and a relief to others. At Kew Tea Estate, a kindergarten playground became our lunch stop, where a few team members attempted pull-ups on the equipment with mixed success. The local shop supplied sweets and Bombay mix, the latter delivering rather more heat than anyone had bargained for.
That evening, we received a warm welcome at Haritha Guesthouse in Bogawantalawa. With a wedding planner among us, the plain dining room soon became a project. A trip into town yielded decorations and candles, and a little ingenuity did the rest. By dinner, the room had been transformed.
Day three began with Jacob’s Ladder, a steep climb over large boulders that demanded concentration and careful footing. Beyond it, an 8km stretch of dirt road gave us a welcome chance to settle into an easier rhythm.
Then came one of the trek’s most improbable encounters: an ice-cream van, seemingly in the middle of nowhere (yes, it played a tune!). We were its only customers, and the menu was refreshingly straightforward—a cone with a scoop of vanilla. A first for a Tribal Tracks trip, and a very popular one.
We paused for lunch at the headquarters of a local tea plantation as the blue sky disappeared beneath darkening clouds. Rain was on its way.
Ahead lay a 3km forest section that quickly earned the name “Leech Alley”. Our first proper encounter with Sri Lanka’s leeches prompted a range of reactions, few of them enthusiastic. The guides’ anti-leech spray helped, but for every leech removed, several more seemed to find their way onto our boots.
Reaching the road brought considerable relief, followed by a thorough de-leeching before we continued into Dayagama. A short transfer took us to our comfortable guesthouse for the night.
Our longest day called for an early start. By 7am, we were on the trail, with 25km ahead of us.
A long, steady ascent led through villages and tea plantations. A small shrine marked the end of the toughest climb and offered a moment to regroup before another stretch of forest, and another encounter with the leeches.
Having learnt from the previous day, our anti-leech preparations had become considerably more sophisticated. Everyone put on leech socks, sprayed themselves with a Dettol mix, rubbed anti-leech balm onto exposed skin and covered their boots in blue laundry soap. It wasn't particularly glamorous and we smelt a little like a swimming-pool changing room, but it worked and the leeches kept their distance!
At Horton Plains National Park, our support crew waited with lunch, including fresh avocados that felt like a real luxury.
As we began the 9km loop through the park, the clouds broke into torrential rain. Waterproofs went on, heads went down and we pressed ahead. Even so, World’s End rewarded us with remarkable views—a highlight of a demanding day.
Wet and weary, we eventually arrived at Misty Mountain Guesthouse. Rice and curry restored us, followed by an unexpected musical performance from our host, who turned out to be cook and resident entertainer alike.
Breathtaking in all senses…..scenery, challenge, knowledge and people. A privilege to walk to honour Tom with such a fabulous team. - Karen
Our final day proved one of the most memorable. The route brought together cloud forest, vast valley views, remote trails and stretches alongside the railway, with dense woodland adding a final sense of adventure.
It was also a day to remember why we were there.
At a stunning viewpoint overlooking the valley, we paused to remember Tom Smith, the former Scotland rugby player who died from colon cancer. With his wife, Zoe, walking alongside us, we had arranged for a simple plaque to be placed on a tree. It was a quiet, deeply moving moment, and a reminder of the purpose shared by everyone on the trek.
Lunch was at Sri Lanka’s highest railway station before we set off on the final 10km. The forest still had a few challenges in store: fallen trees sent us climbing over, ducking under and finding ways around.
For much of the day, the weather had held. Then, with just 3km (of steep and challenging steps) remaining, the heavens opened. An hour of torrential rain accompanied our final push to the finish line right outside our hotel in Haputale, where we crossed the finish line soaked, tired and ready to celebrate!
First, though, came hot showers and dry clothes.
That evening began with a welcome from two beautiful traditional dancers, followed by a comic performance and music from local DJs. Somewhere along the way, Dolly Parton entered the playlist, and two members of the team made an unexpected karaoke debut. After five days on the trail, there was plenty to celebrate.
Our inaugural Sri Lanka 100km Highland Trek asked a great deal of its first team: long days, steep climbs, humidity, torrential rain and more leeches than anyone cared to count. The 40tude trekkers met it all with determination and good humour.
Our local guides and support crew were central to the experience. Their knowledge of the trails, communities and changing conditions kept us moving, while their warmth and encouragement helped carry us through the harder stretches.
What will stay with us, though, is the experience of exploring this remote corner of Sri Lanka on foot: the welcome in a family’s garden, the unexpected ice cream, the laughter over dinner and the quiet moment looking out across the valley in Tom’s memory.
Congratulations to the 40tude team, the first to complete this challenge with Tribal Tracks. With more than £70,000 raised for the Tom Smith Screening Fund and donations still coming in, their achievement reaches well beyond the trail.
Have a question? Get in touch, our small team will be delighted to help.
