Exotic Sri Lanka Bike Tour (12 Days)

Arrive in Sri Lanka and settle in at your hotel in Negombo near the Bandaranaike International Airport to recover from your flight journey.

Today morning, meet your tour leader at the hotel in Negombo. After a long transfer, we get ready for the day’s cycling. 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 large 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 rock converted into a Buddhist monastery after the King’s death, right until the 14th century.

Settle in at the Water Garden Sigiriya Hotel. The hotel is ensconced between paddy fields, with earthy brown walls and cottages.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 30km / 18mi*

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. 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: ~ 40km / 24mi

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*

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, Kings Pavilion 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*

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.

A short easy ride along the countryside of the picturesque Kandy can also be taken.

Meals: Breakfast Distance cycled: ~ 20km / 12mi* (optional)

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.

We arrive at Nuwara Eliya and check in at the Heritance Tea Factory Hotel, remodeled from an old tea factory that used to be present in the days of the Raj. The place still retains its old world charm with wooden lofts, old brass fans and even an original engine that was the main source of power in those days. Perfect ambience coupled exquisite comforts to transport you back to the colonial times of Srilanka.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi

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: ~ 30km / 18mi

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: ~ 30km / 18mi

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*

This morning it’s off to Tangalle. 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 close in to Tangalle, 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

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.

Extend at Galle/Tangalle and spend the days at leisure or transport to the Colombo International Airport for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast Distance cycled: ~ 40km / 24mi* (optional)

*With shuttle – short transfers