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.
Day 2: Sigirya
Meet you tour leader, at your hotel in Negombo and get ready for a ride to Sigiriya. An easy paced ride will take us through the rural hamlets Sri Lanka and we finally arrive in Sigriya.
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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi*
Day 3: Sigiriya
Have an early morning breakfast and get ready to take a classic loop around Sigiriya visiting Dambulla cave along the way.
In the evening, we head to the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. 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: ~ 30km / 18mi
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: ~ 50km / 30mi*
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: ~ 60km / 36mi*
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: ~ 60km / 36mi
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya
It’s a classic loop today around Nuwara past tea plantations and waterfalls.
In the evening, enjoy a stroll in the town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 30km / 18mi
Day 9: Ella
Today we explore Horton Plains. After an early breakfast, we transfer to Horton plains for a walk till Worlds end.
Horton Plains is one of Srilanka’s better-known National Parks – a vast stretch of grasslands and thick forests known for its avian life and thickly green vegetation. This is the only national park in the country that you can explore on foot, although on designated trails. It’s here that the country’s three major rivers initiate, making it one of the most fertile lands on this soil. World’s End is a dramatic scenic viewing point in the park, which can be reached by a 4km-walking trail.
We have lunch and further ride towards our destination, Ella.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 45km / 27mi*
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: Tangalle
Spend the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Colombo via Galle
If time permits, explore Galle Fort on foot along the way. 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
Day 14: Departure
Travel further as per your onward plans.
Meals: Breakfast
*With shuttle – short transfers
