08 Day Cycling Tour of Sri Lanka

Welcome to the Airport & you will meet the driver/guide at the airport lobby. Thereafter proceed to Negombo (15 KM / 0020m) for check-in. (Standard check-in time is at 1400h)

Thereafter engage in a city tour including the famous fish market in Negombo.

Negombo(Duration of visit: approx 1 – 1 ½  Hours)

OLD DUTCH FORT IN NEGOMBO - Originally built in 1672, not far from the coastline, the fort was part of a colonial prison complex. Today the fort itself is largely in ruin, but the gate with its date of construction inscribed on it is still visible. In addition to the fort ruins, there's a lovely Dutch church nearby and other buildings around Negombo dating from this period. A bicycle ride on the path along the canal is a good way to see many of these colonial constructions.

Late afternoon free.

Overnight stay at Negombo

After breakfast proceeds to Dambulla. (140 KM / 0300hrs)

Arrive at Dambulla and proceed to Sigiriya by bicycle and visit the Sigiriya rock fortress.

Approximate riding timing: 0200hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 15 KM

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Duration of visit: approx 3 ½  – 4 Hours) 

Sigiriya Located a few hours’ drives from Colombo, Sigiriya is a magnificent rock fortress built in the 5th century A.D.  This majestic Citadel in the sky was the refuge of King Kasyapa and is world-renowned for its Mirror Wall’, which consists of poems and paragraphs carved by some of the thousands of visitors who visited the rock many years ago, and for its magnificent frescoes, similar to the Ajantha frescoes of India.

Continue to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

After breakfast proceeds to Polonnaruwa. (65 KM / 0130hrs)

Visit Polonnaruwa's ancient kingdom by bicycle

Approximate riding timing: 0230hrs – 0300hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 10 KM

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom (Duration of visit: approx 2 – 2 ½ Hours) 

It would take you a while to fathom that such a city ever existed many years ago and after you return to your true senses the journey through this colossal city would be nothing less than magical. Polonnaruwa is Sri Lanka's second oldest kingdom and features a plethora of ruins and places of religious worship. Some of the many interesting places to visit in Polonnaruwa include the Gal Viharaya (Stone temple), Lankathilake, Tivanka Image House, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, the Audience Hall, and the Vatadage.

Afternoon engages in a jeep safari at Minneriya national park.

Minneriya National Park (Duration of visit: approx 3 ½  – 4 Hours) 

The extent of the Minneriya national park is approximately 8889 hectares. Dry zone plants and Animal Species are common. The elephants are a highlight of the park. Approximately 160 species of birds, 9 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species, and more than 78 butterfly species can also be found here. There are also rare bamboo trees in this park which are unique to Minneriya national park.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

After breakfast depart to Dambulla by bicycle.

Approximate riding timing: 0200hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 15 KM

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Visit Dambulla rock temple.

Dambulla Golden Cave Temple(Duration of visit: approx 1 – 1 ½ Hours)   

Designated as a world heritage site, the Dambulla Temple is located on a gigantic rock towering more than 160 m above the surrounding area. The Rock itself is more than 1.5 km around its base and the summit is at 550 km. The caves on this rock were the refuge of King Walagamba when he was in exile for 14 years and feature a mixture of religious and worldly paintings and sculptures. Several reclining Buddha which includes the 15-meter-long sculpture of the dying Buddha.

Continue to Kandy by vehicle and engage in a city tour in Kandy.

Then visit the Kandy temple for the evening ceremony.

Kandy Temple and City(Duration of visit: approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours)

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The relic has played an important role in local politics since ancient times, it's believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, which caused the ancient kings to protect it with great effort. Kandy was the capital of the Sinhalese Kings from 1592 to 1815, fortified by the terrain of the mountains and the difficult approach. The city is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO, partly due to the temple.
 

Overnight stay at Kandy

After breakfast ride up to Gampola through the University of Peradeniya. Jump into the vehicle and

continue up to Nuwara Eliya.

Approximate riding timing: 0300hrs - 0400hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 30 KM

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

En-route visit a tea factory and a tea plantation where you will learn the whole process of tea.

Thereafter engage in a city tour of Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya City (Duration of visit: approx 40 mins)                                                                                                                                                                    

Nuwara Eliya also known as 'Little' England', was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with its hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and its strict formal dinner attire; the 18-hole golf course, race course, etc., all remind you of 'England'.

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast ride from Nuwara Eliya to Pattipola railway station.

Approximate riding timing: 0500hrs – 05h30hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 20 KM

Difficulty: High

Thereafter board to the train from Pattipola to Ella where your driver/guide waits for you.

If you happen to be taking a train ride in Sri Lanka. no matter where you are traveling to. A ride gives you an unparalleled view and penetrating glimpse both of the scenic beauty and the culture of the hill country as you go along. If you get travel sick, it’s advisable not to take the train journey

Please note – 2nd class tickets will be available and we be sold by the Railway department 30 days before train ride with limited quantity. (Not sold/available online) In case the 2nd class is unavailable by the date of a train ride, clients can travel on 3rd class with locals with no seat reservations. (Seats are not guaranteed but they can travel standing) If clients travel in 3rd class we will refund Sri Lanka rupees (Rs)1500 per person 2nd class seat value on the day of the journey. Alternatively, clients could choose to travel by tour vehicle instead of a train ride. The train system in Sri Lanka is not well organized.  Also, train delays and cancellations could occur without prior notice.

Arrive at Ella and check in to your hotel.

Overnight stay at Ella

After breakfast Cycle to Ravana Caves. And take the downhill up to Wellawaya.

Approximate riding timing: 0130hr - 0200hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 20 KM

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Drive to Galle from Wellawaya to Galle and engage in a Galle city tour.

          Galle (Duration of visit: approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours)

Galle is a town situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) from Colombo. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who developed the harbor at Colombo.

Overnight stay at Galle

After breakfast “Lagoon and Village Visit” by bicycle is planned in Galle.

The Lagoon and Village Cycling Tour go at your own pace – we get off the beaten track with an easy 12 km (7.5 miles) ride from approx. 2.5 to 3 hours (or more) depending on how comfortable you are and how fast you wish to cycle. The tour stays primarily on dirt and gravel tracks and shows you local industries, Lagoon and mangroves, fauna, and flora and also meets the local people. You can also witness the process of catching crabs. If you wish to stay away from the touristy areas and experience the lifestyle of the locals while cycling, this is a perfect tour for you!

Approximate riding timing: 0130 – 0300hrs

Approximate riding Distance: 12 KM

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Proceed to Colombo by vehicle.

Colombo (Duration of visit: approx 1 – 1 ½  Hours)

Places Visited: Galle Face, Petah Bazaar, Town Hall, BMICH, Independence square, and Gangarama Temple.

Colombo tour includes a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. You have a chance to see a Hindu Temple, the famous Buddhist Temple known as the Gangarama, and the Jami Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque of Colombo.

Later we will take you to visit the famous Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall and the well-known Independence Square.

Late afternoon free time in Colombo.

Overnight stay at Colombo

After breakfast proceeds to the airport to drop off.