Others

Local bike hire

Guide

Our Sri Lankan team of leaders have proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Sri Lankan culture than letting a local leader show you around their country. Depending on group size, there may be two cycling leaders.

Transport

Transfers to and from the airport are in a private bus. All your luggage and personal belongings will be carried by the support vehicles. The support vehicle will follow the riders for the majority of the rides allowing you to cycle as much or as little as you like. There may be some minor exceptions where road conditions are not passable by vehicle however, these occasions are brief and your leader will advise in advance. Please Note: For the optional train ride on day 6 of the itinerary, your leader will endeavour to secure train tickets from Kandy to to Nuwara Eliya at your request. Due to the Sri Lankan rail booking system, we are unable to purchase and reserve tickets in advance (for any class carriage), they must be purchased on the day of travel from the railway station ticket office. Seats also cannot be reserved in advance. During peak holiday seasons/busy periods, if the train is sold out or overcrowded, you will have the alternative option to ride in the support vehicle following the cycle group.

Meals

All breakfasts and 10 lunches included. We suggest allowing about 7,000 rupees (US$23) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in Sri Lanka and your leader will provide recommendations for where to eat locally however, the options may not always be suited to larger groups. Some locations you stay may have limited local restaurant choice, in which case meals will be at the hotel. Hotel meals are generally buffets; the majority offer an à la carte menu, but service can be slow. Where suitable, your tour leader will be happy to arrange a shuttle transfer into the local town or, if you prefer to be more independent, take a tuk tuk or taxi. Your leader can help recommend some good places to eat. Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating reflection of the island’s heritage; there is a unique fusion of fresh local produce with spices brought to the island over the centuries by Malays, Arabs, Indians as well as the Dutch, Portuguese and English. Despite (or perhaps because of) these influences, Sri Lankan cuisine is often referred to as simply rice and curry. This is the staple dish in most restaurants and is usually a serving of rice accompanied by assorted meat and vegetable curries as well as various pickles, sambols (condiments), and a handful of tiny poppadum – all using the contrasting flavours of coconut, chilli, curry leaves, cinnamon and garlic. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent in Sri Lanka. For example, wheat- or dairy-free options outside of hotels are limited. Please be prepared for this and you may need to bring these from home. Spicier food can be avoided easily and lots of the hotels will serve Western options alongside traditional food. Mineral water is provided by our local operator in large containers throughout the trip so please bring a bottle with you to refill. Please note, restaurant service can be quite slow.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this cycling trip is a mixture of hotels (some with pools) and local guesthouses. The guesthouses are modest but in good locations along the route and provide a real taste of the country. The normal accommodations used on this trip are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay. Sigiriya: Hotel Sigiriya (nights 1-2) This four-star property surrounded by nature is the perfect place to begin our adventure. Ease into the trip with a dip in the freshwater pool (which has near-unbeatable views of Sigiriya Rock) and relax in your spacious room with garden views. Nuwara Eliya: Araliya Green Hills (nights 6-7) Araliya Green Hills, nestled in the misty mountains and lush tea hills of Nuwara Eliya, combines colonial charm with modern comforts. It has a range of cozy accommodations, delightful restaurants, and stylish bars, all while showcasing genuine Sri Lankan hospitality. Located near the island’s highest point, it’s the perfect base to explore the captivating highlands and attractions. Ella: Hotel Country Comfort (night 8) Experience Sri Lankan hospitality with a stay at this traditional 20-room guesthouse, where the rooms are simple, and the welcome is warm. It has a 40-seat restaurant serving a mix of cuisines (specialising in traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry) and a bar with local and international drinks. Yala: Chaarya Resort & Spa (nights 9-10) Retreat into the wilderness at this four-star property close to Yala National Park, which has spacious chalet-style bedrooms with private balconies. Cool off in the pool, an oasis between the trees, or visit the spa for a welcome massage. The resort also has an al fresco and indoor restaurant serving international and local cuisines. Ahangama: Insight Resort (nights 11-12) Enjoy a spot on the beach, where it is possible to swim in the sea most of the time. Spacious rooms offer sea views and the quiet fishing village is an easy walk for those wishing to explore a local community. Worth knowing Wifi is available at most accommodations, either in the rooms or the communal areas. Paying the single supplement may not mean you receive a double or twin room for sole use. The room you are allocated may differ from hotel to hotel, and on some nights a smaller room for ‘one person’ may be allocated. The Nuwara Eliya hotel (Mirage Kings Cottage, nights 6-7) was selected for its character and pretty grounds, but the level of service is not always at the standard of the other hotels on this itinerary.

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — E-bike hire

Flights

International flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Sigiriya (Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Sigiriya (Lunch)

This Sri Lankan cycling trip begins in Sigiriya. There are no planned activities today, so take time to relax in the hotel and rest those legs before our two-wheel adventure begins in earnest tomorrow. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening helmed by our tour leader; it’s a good chance to get to know the group a little and ask any questions you may have. Accommodation: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Ride To Dambulla Cave Temple; Climb Sigiriya Rock (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Ride To Dambulla Cave Temple; Climb Sigiriya Rock (Breakfast,Lunch)

After breakfast, we ride along gravel roads following an old irrigation canal to Dambulla, a second century BCE Buddhist cave temple. On the way we stop by the impressive Kandalama man-made reservoir, rich in bird life. On arrival to Dambulla, it is well worth the walk to view the five caves, which contain many ancient Buddha statues, some carved from the solid rock. Returning via the busy market town, we take another quiet backroad through chilli and rice fields before cycling back to our hotel for lunch and a relaxing swim in the pool. In the late afternoon, we climb the fifth-century rock fortress of Sigiriya to see the beautiful frescoes painted onto the rock face (not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo). The ruins of the palace on the summit are surpassed only by the magnificent aerial view of the surrounding jungle. Stay as long as you like, it’s only 10 minutes’ walk back to our hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Ride To Polonnaruwa; Cycle Tour Of Ruins (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Ride To Polonnaruwa; Cycle Tour Of Ruins (Breakfast,Lunch)

This morning we have a long ride along a quiet backroad, which is part of the Sigiriya nature reserve where you often come across Monitor lizards and monkeys, before joining the highway to Polonnaruwa and riding to our hotel. Later, we tour the ruined city of Polonnaruwa, which dates from the 10th to 13th century. You will have the option in the evening to join your Leader at a family owned restaurant to experience some local food and culture. Accommodation: Hotel Giritale (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: Ride Through Foothills Of Spice-Growing Region (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Ride Through Foothills Of Spice-Growing Region (Breakfast,Lunch)

We follow a 4mi (6km) long artificial dam and canal to the source of a local lake, the Amban Ganga River. The afternoon ride is flanked by the Kalanduwa hills on one side and Wasgomuwa Wildlife Park on the other. And as jungle gives way to plantations, we enter the spice-growing region of Sri Lanka. The ride starts at an elevation of 328ft (100m) and the destination is at an elevation of 820ft (250m). When we reach the main road, we dismount and board the bus for the journey as the road to Kandy can get very busy. On the way, we stop at a spice garden to learn more about the spices used in the piquant Sri Lankan curries. Accommodation: Hotel Topaz (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Free Day In Kandy (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Free Day In Kandy (Breakfast)

Enjoy a free day to explore. Kandy has so much to offer, including the wonderful botanical gardens, the Temple of the Tooth, and streets lined with curio shops. The surrounding hills are dotted with wonderful temples. Walk around the lake in the heart of the city to see huge water monitor lizards, fruit bats, palm squirrels, and birds such as kingfishers, pelicans and night herons. Also don’t miss the fruit and vegetable market for a chance to see busy Kandy in full swing. Accommodation: Hotel Topaz (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Challenging Ride Through Tea Estates To Nuwara Eliya (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Challenging Ride Through Tea Estates To Nuwara Eliya (Breakfast,Lunch)

For those who feel like a challenge, it’s 52mi (84km) – climbing up to 6,562ft (2,000m) above sea level – to reach this most favoured hill station. For the first part of the ride, we take the old road, a far more pleasant route, and one of the few places where you see terraced paddy fields. Beyond is tea country, reputed to produce the finest teas on the island. We cycle through thousands of acres of tea crops, where you will spot the tea pickers moving swiftly between the bushes in their vibrant clothes. For anyone who doesn’t do hills, we strongly recommend the train ride to Nuwara Eliya. Tickets for the train journey are dependent on availability, they can only be purchased on the day and unable to reserve in advance. If unavailable, we can use the bus instead. Accommodation: Araliya Green Hills (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Morning Ride To Nuwara Eliya Town And Tea Factory; Afternoon Free (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Morning Ride To Nuwara Eliya Town And Tea Factory; Afternoon Free (Breakfast,Lunch)

Nuwara Eliya was a popular hill station during the British era and is situated in the cool highland air at 6,200ft (1,890m). Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and even features a golf club and racecourse. After a leisurely breakfast, we ride into Nuwara Eliya town and then continue our ride to a tea factory through little villages and patches of vegetables. As we twist and turn on the rolling, windy road, we get to see the town from different viewpoints. After understanding the journey from leaf to cup, we ride back to the hotel through lush green tea plantations. We then have a free afternoon to explore Nuwara Eliya. Some hotels here are locked in time, a living museum of the colonial era that existed hundred years ago. Accommodation: Araliya Green Hills (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: Hill Country Ride To Ella (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Hill Country Ride To Ella (Breakfast,Lunch)

In the morning, we cycle through hill country towards Ella, stopping for tea in Bandarawela, a trading centre where exotic fruits from the east coast are traded for hill country vegetables. On arrival into Ella, we stop for a late lunch before check-in. We have the chance to watch the sunset from the Ella Gap viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see the coast shimmering in the distance. In the evening, we visit a local family to have a truly Sri Lankan dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)
Day 9 Day 9: Descent, Stopping At The Rock-Cut Buddha Statues At Buduruvagela; To Tissamaharama (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Descent, Stopping At The Rock-Cut Buddha Statues At Buduruvagela; To Tissamaharama (Breakfast,Lunch)

Descending 3,281ft (1,000m), we leave the breath-taking scenery of the Uva Province for the gentle rolling hills of the dry zone, taking a break en route at the impressive Rawana Ella waterfall before stopping at the rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagala. The 49ft (15m) rock carving of Buddha is flanked by small figures depicting his helpers and a very rare image of Maitreya, the future Buddha, which dates from the 10th century. The tranquillity here is enhanced by the lotus-covered lake; we relax on the banks and eat fresh fruit before riding to lunch. Here we can retreat from the heat of the day, before the final 19mi (30km) to Tissamaharama, the capital of the old Ruhuna kingdom. Accommodation: Chaarya Resort & Spa (or similar)
Day 10 Day 10: Morning Ride To Kataragama Temple; Afternoon Drive To Yala National Park For Safari (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Morning Ride To Kataragama Temple; Afternoon Drive To Yala National Park For Safari (Breakfast,Lunch)

In the morning, we cycle to Kataragama temple, which lies 10mi (16km) northeast of Tissa. People of all faiths come to seek favour with the god Skanda, who is reputed to restore people’s health. The colourful and noisy pooja (ritual) is always busy, with thousands of pilgrims during the festival season from July to August. Tissa is close to Yala National Park, the best park in Sri Lanka to see leopards. After lunch, we have a safari in the park, where we may see elephants, deer, wild boars, sloth bears, Asian jackals, lots of birdlife and, if we’re very lucky, a leopard. We return to Tissa for the night (please note, the sanctuary may be closed for four to six weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. We therefore go to a nearby alternative, usually Lunugamvehera or Udawalawe National Park). Accommodation: Chaarya Resort & Spa (or similar)
Day 11 Day 11: Ride Through Bundala National Park And By The Lagoon For Spectacular Birdlife; Continue Riding On The Coast To Hambantota; Transfer To Ahangama (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Ride Through Bundala National Park And By The Lagoon For Spectacular Birdlife; Continue Riding On The Coast To Hambantota; Transfer To Ahangama (Breakfast,Lunch)

Leaving early to avoid the heat of the dry zone, we ride along the boundary of Bundala Bird Sanctuary. We hit the main road for the final 19mi (30km) to Hambantota, a series of sandy bays fanning out from this typical coastal town. We then take a transfer from Hambantota to Ahangama by coach. For the next two nights we stay in Ahangama. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)
Day 12 Day 12: Free Day On Beach; Optional Ride To Koggala (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Free Day On Beach; Optional Ride To Koggala (Breakfast)

Today you can pick your own adventure. Either relax at the hotel or join a late morning ride along rural roads to Wandurugama village where you will stop at a colonial manor house for High Tea and authentic Sri Lankan snack. Today it is known as Thalpe Walawwa Heritage Villa, occupied by a leading family within the local ancient Sri Lanka society. Quite a few prominent personalities were born and spent their childhood in beautiful residence. After the visit you will return to the hotel via Koggala Lake (Approximately 3-hour ride). This afternoon is free to explore the beach or swim and laze by the pool. In the late afternoon, we can view the stilt fishermen climb their poles to catch a few bites for supper. From November to April, we can also go whale watching off Dondra head, near Mirissa, which is one of the best places in the world to see blue and sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins often accompany the boats. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)
Day 13 Day 13: Transfer To Colombo Via Galle (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Transfer To Colombo Via Galle (Breakfast)

Leaving early after breakfast, we stop to visit Galle. The fort here was built in 1663 after the Dutch took the island from the Portuguese. The old ramparts and small back streets bring alive some of the history of the fight for colonial domination of this prized island. You’re free to find your own lunch, meeting back at the bus mid-afternoon for the two-hour drive to Colombo. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool or shop along the main street. For the last evening meal, we can choose from one of the many restaurants in Colombo. Accommodation: Hotel Cinnamon Red (or similar)
Day 14 Day 14: End Colombo (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: End Colombo (Breakfast)

Our Sri Lankan cycling adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Unless, of course, you’ve booked onto our ultra-relaxing post-trip extension to the Maldives with your sales representative.

+11

14 days tour

Cycle The Back Roads Of Sri Lanka

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Cycle The Back Roads Of Sri Lanka

Day 1: Start Sigiriya (Lunch)

Day 2: Ride To Dambulla Cave Temple; Climb Sigiriya Rock (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 3: Ride To Polonnaruwa; Cycle Tour Of Ruins (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 4: Ride Through Foothills Of Spice-Growing Region (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 5: Free Day In Kandy (Breakfast)

Day 6: Challenging Ride Through Tea Estates To Nuwara Eliya (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 7: Morning Ride To Nuwara Eliya Town And Tea Factory; Afternoon Free (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 8: Hill Country Ride To Ella (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 9: Descent, Stopping At The Rock-Cut Buddha Statues At Buduruvagela; To Tissamaharama (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 10: Morning Ride To Kataragama Temple; Afternoon Drive To Yala National Park For Safari (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 11: Ride Through Bundala National Park And By The Lagoon For Spectacular Birdlife; Continue Riding On The Coast To Hambantota; Transfer To Ahangama (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 12: Free Day On Beach; Optional Ride To Koggala (Breakfast)

Day 13: Transfer To Colombo Via Galle (Breakfast)

Day 14: End Colombo (Breakfast)

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