Cycle Sri Lanka
DAY 1: Arrive Colombo
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel at Negombo beach. Bikes will be set up for you and there is a trip briefing & welcome dinner.
Overnight Negombo hotel.
DAY 2: Dambulla
Ride from the hotel along the old coast road passing distinctive patchwork of sailed catamarans of the Karavas fishing community .Leaving the coast road heading inland these quiet backroads give you a flavor of Sri Lanka. Enjoy a picnic lunch of tasty curry and fresh pineapples under coconut trees. From here we transfer to avoid long hot roads to Dambulla, the 2nd century Buddhist cave temple. The last few kilometers we will ride to our hotel , set amongst a mango plantation surrounded by paddy fields and birdlife.
Overnight Dambulla hotel.
DAY 3: Dambulla
Circular ride through scenic landscapes of paddy fields & elephant grass to the ancient 5th century rock fortress Sigiriya ( Lion Rock). Dismounting we walk through the old pleasure gardens before climbing 300m to view the ruins of King Kasyapa summer place on the summit. Descending to lunch at one of the local hotels and enjoy a refreshing swim if you like. The afternoon ride follows an old irrigation canal back to Dambulla and our hotel.
Overnight Dambulla hotel.
DAY 4: Polonnaruwa
Riding from the hotel we cross the Kaladuwa Hills, part of a forestry reserve en-route to Girtale Tank. It is one of the earliest manmade lakes in Sri Lanka and stunning views for lunch. Afternoon ride along one of the Girtale irrigation canals to Polonnaruwa, the 10th century capital and best preserved of the ancient cities. Now a world heritage site its chiselled stone monument show is the glory of the ancient Rajarata Kingdom.
Overnight Polonnaruwa hotel.
DAY 5: Wasgamuwa
Cycling out of Polonnaruwa we ride along the eastern fringes of Wasgomuwa national park. It is home to a large population of Sri Lankan elephants as well as sloth bears, leopard, deer, wild buffalo and over 100 bird species. The afternoon is free to take a safari within the park.
Overnight Wasgamuwa hotel.
DAY 6: Kandy
Today we climb up through the Laggala pass ( 1000m) often described as the most stunning road in Sri Lanka. We pass through the Knuckles wilderness before descending on the spice road to Matale, the spice centre of Sri Lanka. We transfer by van for the last part into Kandy to avoid busy roads.
Overnight Kandy hotel.
DAY 7: Kandy
Free day to explore the wonderful city of Kandy.
DAY 8: Hatton
A tough day using minor estate roads, the undulating ride takes us through small Tamil communities with colorful Hindu temples and sacred tree shrines. We break for lunch at a tea factory and tour the factory to see the tea making process. After lunch we descend into Kotmale valley a remote place of terraced paddy fields and sheer rock face, before a long climb up a steep mountain road to one of the old colonial tea planters bungalows , perched above the St. Andrews waterfalls.
Overnight Hatton hotel.
DAY 9: Udawalwa
Today’s ride will be along gravel roads and tea estate tracks, through the heart of Sri Lankas tea growing region. You will be greeted by the pickers at work & their children as we head towards the Peak Wilderness. After a downhill start we have a few rolling hills before we descend almost 10km to Norwood Bazaar. It is a gentle climb back up again as we head to Bogowantlawa town with its bustling street market. Then up the Peak Wilderness Forest reserve before descending down a paved switchback road to a picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint. Later we continue our descent to the rolling hills of Balangoda and here we rest as we back the bikes up for the transfer to the hotel.
Overnight Udawalwa hotel.
DAY 10: Katargama
A long morning ride to Tissa the old capital of the Ruhan Kingdom, dotes with 10th century ruins overlooking a giant lake. Riding from our hotel we cycle along the fringes of Uda Walawe National park – keep an eye out for elephants that often graze along the park boundary! We stop at Tammavila village before riding along the border of Lunugamwehara National park, along stunning paddy field tracks ending at Tissa. After lunch the afternoon is free to visit Yala national park or take an afternoon cycle ride to Kataragama, the colorful pilgrimage site worshipped by many religions.
Overnight Katargama hotel.
DAY 11: Galle
Early morning jeep safari in Yala National park, with a chance to spot wild elephants, wild boar, wild buffalo, leopards, deer & crocodiles. Large flocks of migratory & indigenous birds are also found here. Late morning ride through Bundala bird sanctuary. In June thousands of flamingos can be seen wading in the shallow waters being eyed up by hungry crocodiles! We end the ride at Hambantota and transfer by van to Galle to avoid the busy coast road. Spend the evening strolling around the old town of Galle, a fortified city that is now designated a UNESCO heritage site.
Overnight Galle hotel.
DAY 12: Colombo
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then a transfer by van to Colombo. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight Colombo hotel
DAY 13: Airport
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Why not extend your stay in Sri Lanka with some leisure time on one of their stunning beaches?