Day 1: Negombo
We suggest that you arrive in Sri Lanka at least one day in advance and settle in at your hotel in Negombo near the Bandaranaike International Airport to recover from your flight journey.
Our guide meets you at your hotel at 17:00hrs. We do bike fit and convene over dinner tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Dambulla
Meet you tour leader, at your hotel in Negombo and get ready for a ride to Dambulla. An easy paced ride will take us through the rural hamlets Sri Lanka and we finally arrive in Dambulla.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi*
Shuttle: ~ 2.5hrs
Day 3: Dambulla
Have an early morning breakfast and get ready to take a classic loop around Sigiriya visiting Dambulla cave along the way. We start the exploration in the backdrop of the large Lion Rock after which the town was named. We ride along gravel roads following an old irrigation canal to Dambulla, the 2nd century BC Buddhist cave temple. One has to walk up some distance to see the five caves, which still house many ancient Buddha statues.
Post-lunch, head to the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. Sigiriya is a small town named after the huge ‘Lion Rock’. It was here that King Kasyapa decided to forge his roots, build a palace on high rock and embellish its sides with frescos. The last part of climb, starting from the ‘lion paw’ is quite steep. The ruins of the palace on the summit are surpassed only by the magnificent aerial view of the surrounding jungle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 45km / 27mi
Day 4: Polonnaruwa
History awaits to be explored today, as we ride to Polonnaruwa, an ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, which came into existence during the 12th century. The initial stretch is through a forest, with lots of greenery. The ride is mostly flat with few rolling patches in between. Post-lunch, we explore the remains of this architectural wonder and later return to the hotel to relax rest of the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 80km / 48mi*
Day 5: Kandy
Wake up to the rhythm of nature and to the music of birds. Back on the saddle, we ride through a forest, with lots of greenery. For sometime, we ride along a large water tank in Minneriya. The ride is truly extraordinary.
Our next base to explore Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, Kandy. Perched amongst the tea-clad hills of the Kandy Plateau, this is home to one of the most significant sites for Buddhists: the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic. Before we visit this, we arrive into a luxurious boutique hotel, Kandy House through country roads. An erstwhile abode to Kandyan noblemen, the hotel has enough cosy spaces to settle in with a book, or go for a spa treatment or just indulge in the great food. For all the cycling that is planned for you, there is enough time to enjoy the Sri Lankan hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 70km / 42mi*
Day 6: Kandy
Today you can plan your own day. If you wish, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic after lunch, a temple held in great Buddhist veneration, and located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Of the rituals performed in this temple, the one held on Wednesday is of great importance. The tooth is washed with a herbal concoction, which is said to have healing powers; the water is distributed amongst devotees.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya
Today is the most spectacular ride past tea plantations to Sri Lanka’s old British tea valley, Nuwara Eliya. With gradual climbs and few steep hills to conquer, it is a beautiful journey which takes us to the hill country of Sri Lanka with a climb of about 1,400m. The biking may be hard sometimes and the only thing that will keep you going is picturesque scenery, reservoirs, waterfalls and panoramic views of beautiful mountain ranges.
For those who are not up for hills today, a spectacular train journey can be taken to Nuwara. Second class ticket in train can be booked in advance, however, 1st class tickets are only available closer to departure and the availability depends on that day. Though usually available, there may be chances that those who’re not up for cycling have to take a journey in a shuttle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 65km / 40mi
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya
It’s a classic loop today around Nuwara past tea plantations and waterfalls. Clumpy green hills covered in a moss like carpet of bright tea shrubs, keep us company through the ride. Nuwara is known as the hilly respite from the plains of Colombo, so expect clean crisp cool air to refresh you completely.
On our ride, we encounter tea pickers, undulating hills, small villages and small shops on the corners of the roads. Feel free to strike up a conversation. You will be delighted at the eagerness and warmth of Srilankans, to make guests feel at home.
In the evening, enjoy a stroll in the town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 35km / 21mi
Day 9: Ella
Our next stop is the hill town of Ella.
Riding from Nuwera Eliya, we pass through grasslands, forests, dairy farms, wind mills to reach Ella. Standing at an elevation of 1,041m, Ella is a little off-beat town when compared to Nuwera Eliya with views of green mountains around.
You can explore the town of Ella on foot.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 55km / 33mi*
Day 10: Udawalawe National Park
Ella is an excellent place for a walk and short hike. We recommend to take an early morning hike to the nearby areas such as Little Adam’s Peak or Rawana Falls.
Have a late morning start and ride to Udawalawe National Park along gravel roads, through forests with grass lands, shrubs and teak plantations of Sri Lanka. Be careful while riding through an initial descend as we drop from about 900m to 80m within a short distance. After a long patch of flat terrain, finally enter the Udawalawe National Park, home to hundreds of Sri Lankan Elephants and other wild animals.
A true jungle experience with well planned safaris and knowledgeable staff, the national park helps you assimilate the wildlife at close quarters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi*
Day 11: Tangalle
Go on an early morning safari in Udawalawe in search of Elephant herds. And, then off to Tangalle, following one of the irrigation canals flowing towards the south. Time for an infusion of something different in the topography – bananas! The crisp air of the countryside and the rural setting is perfect to understand and enjoy the interiors of the country. As we near to Tangalle, is when we hit the main road. And that’s when the warm clammy seaside air hits you, sometimes heavy with the weight of the smell of fish. If we stick to timing, there will be no better way to spend the evening than to see the sun descending into the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi*
Day 12: Galle
Ride to Galle through coastal and interior trails. Post-lunch, explore Galle Fort on foot. Erstwhile Gimhathiththa, the town is rife with Dutch and Portuguese architectural remnants, museums, cathedrals and a beautiful coastline to enjoy the sunny beaches.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi*
Day 13: Colombo
Extend at Galle and spend the days at leisure or transport to the Colombo International Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
*With shuttle – short transfers
