Sri Lanka Unesco Bike Tour

SrilankA_Colombo (1)

Overview

The Sri Lanka UNESCO Bike Tour is an immersive cycling experience that takes you through the island's rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. The tour covers key UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, and the sacred city of Kandy. Bike through lush countryside, vibrant villages, and scenic coastal routes, gaining a deep appreciation for Sri Lanka's history, architecture, and natural beauty. The tour concludes at the beautiful coastal town of Mirissa with a ride to Galle on the last day, offering a perfect ending with its pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere.

Start

Negombo | 17:00hrs

Finish

Negombo | 18:00hrs

Lodging

casual

Level

easy to moderate

Avg. dist. cycled

55km or 34mi

Group size

Min. 2, Max. 12

Fly-In

Negombo

Fly-Out

Negombo

Highlights

Highlight Image

Historic Sites

Explore ancient cities and their impressive ruins, including the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress and the Golden Cave Temple in Dambulla.

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

DayPlacecasual Inns or similarMealsDistanceActivity
DAY 1NegomboSuriya Resort & SpaD
DAY 2anuradhapuraRajarata HotelB,L,D40 km / 25 micycling
DAY 3anuradhapuraRajarata hotelB,L,D45 km / 27 micycling
DAY 4polonnaruwaHotel Sudu AraliyaB,L,D70 km / 43 micycling
DAY 5dambullaSigiriana ResortB,L,D50 km / 31 micycling
DAY 6kandyHotel ThilankaB,L,D65 km / 40 micycling
DAY 7MirissaMandara ResortB,L50km / 30mi
DAY 8Negombo via GalleB30 km / 18 micycling

Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary Image

Day 1: Negombo

On the day of the tour, our guide will meet you at your hotel in the evening at 17:00hrs. We'll use this time to do a bike fit to ensure that your cycling experience is as comfortable as possible. After that, we'll have a relaxing dinner together and go over the briefing for the tour.

Negombo is a vibrant coastal town with a mix of Dutch and Portuguese architecture and a bustling fish market. If you have time, we recommend exploring the town's canals, beaches, and historic sites. You could also take a boat ride to the nearby Muthurajawela Marsh, which is home to a variety of bird species and other wildlife.

Meals: D
Accommodation: Suriya Resort & Spa

Day 2: anuradhapura

In the morning, we'll pick you up from your hotel in Negombo and transport you to the starting point of our cycling adventure. We'll commence our ride from Mawanella, navigating away from busy roads and passing through picturesque coconut and rubber plantations, tranquil paddy fields, and local villages.

After covering 40 km along the coastal route, we'll switch to a vehicle for the journey to Anuradhapura. This city, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the epicenter of Theravada Buddhism for centuries. It stands as one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and is among Sri Lanka's eight distinguished World Heritage Sites.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 40 km / 25 mi
Accommodation: Rajarata Hotel
Itinerary Image

Day 3: anuradhapura

After breakfast, set off on a scenic cycling route that winds through lush paddy fields and idyllic villages waiting to be discovered. Marvel at the intricate architecture of iconic landmarks such as the Abayagiri Dagoba, the world's largest Buddhist monument, standing as a testament to Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage.

Take a break midday to indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, where you can savor traditional flavors amidst a relaxed atmosphere. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a leisurely evening, reflecting on the day's adventures and immersing yourself in the serene ambiance of Anuradhapura's historic surroundings.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 45 km / 27 mi
Accommodation: Rajarata hotel
Itinerary Image

Day 4: polonnaruwa

Enjoy a scenic cycling route from Anuradhapura to Ritigala this morning, pedaling through lush paddies, serene man-made water tanks, and dense jungle patches. Savor a delightful countryside lunch along the way before visiting the enchanting Ritigala Monastery, an ancient site nearly 2,000 years old, nestled on a picturesque mountain. After exploring Ritigala, choose to either continue your journey to Polonnaruwa by vehicle or extend your adventure by biking there. In the evening, discover the rich history of Polonnaruwa with a captivating city tour of its fascinating historical sites.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 70 km / 43 mi
Accommodation: Hotel Sudu Araliya
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Day 5: dambulla

After breakfast, begin your cycling journey through the picturesque countryside, traversing a blend of tarmac and rustic red dirt roads that wind past orchards, verdant paddy fields, and swaying elephant grass.

In the evening, venture to the awe-inspiring Dambulla Golden Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient caves adorned with magnificent Buddha statues and intricate frescoes, offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka's rich cultural and religious history.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 50 km / 31 mi
Accommodation: Sigiriana Resort
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Day 6: kandy

Indulge in a hearty breakfast and prepare for an exhilarating ride to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya. Pedal through lush jungles, traditional chena farms, and quaint rural villages, soaking in the vibrant landscapes along the way.

Climb Sigiriya Rock, a marvel of ancient urban planning and one of the best-preserved examples of its kind. After a satisfying lunch at a local restaurant, continue your journey towards Kandy, enjoying the scenic route and the changing vistas of Sri Lanka's countryside.

On arrival at Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic, known for its stunning architecture and serene ambiance.

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 65 km / 40 mi
Accommodation: Hotel Thilanka
Itinerary Image

Day 7: Mirissa

We will start our day at 8:00 AM with a shuttle transfer to Peradeniya. From there, we will set off on a picturesque ride through lush tea estates and charming local villages. After covering approximately 50 km, we’ll arrive in Kithulgala, where a delicious lunch at a local restaurant awaits. Following lunch, we will continue our journey with a scenic drive to Mirissa, in approximately 5-6 hours. There, you can unwind and enjoy a relaxing evening on the beautiful beachfront. Please be aware that this will be a full and extended day of travel.

Meals: B,L
Cycling Distance: 50km / 30mi
Accommodation: Mandara Resort
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Day 8: Negombo via Galle

Today, we experience a beautiful coastal and interior trail as we ride toward Galle. The stunning views of the ocean and the gentle sea breeze keep us company throughout the ride. As we make our way toward Galle, we will pass through charming coastal villages and verdant countryside landscapes.

Post-lunch, explore the historic Galle Fort on foot. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the best-preserved colonial-era fortifications in Asia. As we walk through the narrow streets and alleys, we will discover an abundance of Dutch and Portuguese architectural gems, museums, and cathedrals. The picturesque coastline also provides a perfect opportunity to relax on the sunny beaches and soak in the beautiful surroundings.

Extend at Galle and spend the days at leisure or transport to the Colombo International Airport for your onward journey. We aim to reach Negombo by 6 pm.

Meals: B
Cycling Distance: 30 km / 18 mi
Accommodation:

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Map

Dates and Prices

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Essential Info

Inclusions

LODGING

All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).

trip leader

Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need and add meaning to your vacation.

bike

Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.

shuttle

A Van support follows the group of riders and carries all belongings.

meals

Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.

refreshments

Refreshments and mineral water while cycling.

entrance

Entrance fees to most of the monuments and temples.

Exclusions

Airport pickup and drop

We recommend to book direclty from airport or hotel.

Beverages

Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.

Gratuity

Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.

Weather

With a tropical climate, Sri Lanka has two cycles of monsoon which bring rain to the west and south-west coastal lines from May to September, and between October and February, it rains in northern regions and east coastline. Although the rains are generally short, with occasional heavy downpours.

Leaving out the monsoon season, the remaining months receive plenty of sunshine and are mostly dry. Temperatures remain fairly consistent year-round, with coastal regions averaging from 25 to 32°C and the mountain regions from 15 to 20°C. Sri Lanka is humid as well with relative humidity ranging between 60% & 90%.

Predominantly, Sri Lanka is almost a year-round cycling destination and our bike tours run around the year.

January

Good

February

Good

March

Best

April

Best

May

Mixed

June

Mixed

July

Mixed

August

Mixed

September

Good

October

Good

November

Best

December

Mixed

Best

Good

Mixed

Offseason

Visa

Most travelers require a visa to visit Sri Lanka. The process for acquiring one is relatively straightforward. For trips to Sri Lanka of up to 30 days, visas, also known as ETAs (Electronic Travel Authorization), can be obtained from the government’s Department of Immigration and Emigration website. The Electronic Travel Authorization System is available online or at the port of entry. Visitors are strongly urged to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays at the port of entry.

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