The UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve east of Kandy is one of the most dramatically undervisited landscapes in Sri Lanka – cloud forest above 1,500 metres, endemic wildlife, river crossings and village trails through indigenous settlements in a landscape of extraordinary ecological significance. Its name comes from its appearance from the Kandy plain: a series of peaks resembling a clenched fist. It is among the least-infrastructure-heavy trekking destinations in South Asia, which means that every guided trail genuinely feels like discovery. Particularly relevant for Netherlands, German and Scandinavian eco-conscious travellers.