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Colombo · Western · Sri Lanka
14 Day Trip - Cycle The Back Roads Of Sri Lanka
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From $3,846.76 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Explore rich Sri Lankan history and culture by bike. Although a compact island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Exploring on two wheels is the best way to see this rural country and to experience the way of life of its friendly people. We travel from ancient cities and the fortress at Sigiriya to the hill country towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, where the cooler temperatures and lush scenery make for a relaxing ride. In the south, we visit Yala National Park, where we go in search of leopards, before ending the trip on the beaches of the beautiful south coast. Most of the route is a continuous ride, and transfers are kept to a minimum. In many regions of Sri Lanka the bicycle is the most common form of transport, so traveling by bike yourself is a great way to mix with the people and to gain access to their world. This trip covers a substantial part of the island, taking in as much as possible of the scenic and cultural variety that Sri Lanka has to offer. The combination of visits to the ancient cities, great rides through the beautiful hill country, the varied wildlife, and a chance to relax on one of the many wonderful beaches will certainly give you a taste of serendipity.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- See the magnificent cave temple at Dambulla
- Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views
- Explore the old, ruined city of Polonnaruwa
- Discover the fascinating town of Kandy
- Ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya
- Search for leopards in Yala National Park
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Colombo
Start Sigiriya: The group flight from London typically arrives at Bandaranayake International Airport around lunchtime and we transfer to Sigiriya (approximately 4 hours) where we stay for the next 2 nights.
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Colombo
Meals included: lunch.
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Colombo
Hotel Sigiriya or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 2
Kandy
Sightseeing at Dambulla Cave Temple. Ride to Dambulla cave temple; climb Sigiriya Rock: After breakfast we ride along gravel roads following an old irrigation canal to Dambulla, the 2nd Century BC Buddhist cave temple. It is well worth the walk to view the five caves, which contain many ancient Buddha statues, some carved from the solid rock
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Colombo
Relaxation & Fun. Returning via the busy market town we take another quiet back road riding through chilli and rice fields before cycling back at our hotel for lunch and a relaxing swim in the pool.
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Matale
Rock Climbing at Sigiriya Fortress. In the late afternoon we climb the 5th Century rock fortress of Sigiriya to see the beautiful frescoes painted onto the rock face (not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo). The ruins of the palace on the summit are surpassed only by the magnificent aerial view of the surrounding jungle. Stay as long as you like, as it's only 10 minutes walk back to our hotel.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Hotel Sigiriya or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 3
Polonnaruwa
Sightseeing at Polonnaruwa Vatadage. Ride to Polonnaruwa; cycle tour of ruins: A long morning ride along a quiet back road which is part of the Sigiriya nature reserve where you often come across Monitor Lizards and Monkeys before joining the highway for travelling east towards Polonnaruwa a short distance, riding all the way to our hotel. For those who fancy a swim, the hotel also has a swimming pool, a pleasant place to spend the hot early afternoon. Later we tour the old ruined city of Polonnaruwa, which dates from the 10-13th centuries.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
The Village Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 4
Matale
Sightseeing at Wasgamuwa National Park. Ride through foothills of spice growing region: We follow the local lake's man-made 6km dam and feeder canal to its source, the Amban Ganga River. The afternoon ride is flanked by the stunning Kalanduwa hills on one side and the borders of Wasgomuwa Wildlife Park on the other.
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Colombo
Eco Tour. As the jungle gives way to plantations, we enter the spice growing region of Sri Lanka. The night is spent in a family-run guest house with small cabanas dotted around the estate. It’s basic but the home cooking in clay pots on wood fired stoves gives you the real flavour of Sri Lanka. If you would like to find out more about the spices used in the piquant Lankan curries, the owners can arrange a visit to one of the renowned spice gardens a short walk down the road.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Countryside Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 5
Colombo
City/Town Tour. Ride to Kandy: Today is tougher as we head for the hills and Kandy, the spiritual and cultural capital of the hill country. Those who feel like an easy day can jump onto the bus for the 50km trip to Kandy, while the rest of us pedal away, riding through the Moorish town of Matale.
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Colombo
Local Flavor. Its inhabitants, descendants from Arab spice traders, still control most of the spice market, which is a good place to pick up some freshly ground curry powder. As Kandy's roads are as old as the city itself, we may have to drive the last few kilometres to avoid the traffic.
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Kandy
Sightseeing at Temple of the Tooth. Surrounded by hills, the town is centred around a small lake and the Temple of the Tooth.
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Colombo
Local Flavor. The afternoon is free to wander through the streets and markets.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Hotel Thilanka or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 6
Colombo
Eco Tour. Free day in Kandy: A free day to explore the town. Kandy has many interesting attractions including the wonderful Botanical Gardens.
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Kandy
Sightseeing at Temple of the Tooth. View the famous Temple of the Tooth, and streets lined with interesting curio shops. The surrounding hills are dotted with wonderful temples.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast.
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Colombo
Hotel Thilanka or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 7
Colombo
Local Flavor. Challenging ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya: For anyone who doesn't do hills, we strongly recommend the train ride to Nuwara Eliya. For those who feel like a challenge, it’s 84km, climbing up to 2000m above sea level to reach this most favoured hill station. For the first part of the ride we take the old road, a far more pleasant route, and one of the few places where you see terraced paddy fields. Beyond the paddy fields is tea country and the area is reputed to produce the finest teas on the island. Tickets for the train journey are dependent on availability on the day (although usually available, there may be the chance that the bus will need to be used instead for those who don't fancy the hill).
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Mirage King's Cottage or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 8
Colombo
Eco Tour. Hill country ride to Ella: In the morning we visit a tea factory on the edge of the town, and then cycle through hilly country towards Ella, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant and later tea in Bandarawela, a trading centre where exotic fruits from the east coast are traded for hill-country vegetables.
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Colombo
Leisure. Arriving in the late afternoon, we watch the sunset from the famous view point, Ella Gap. On a clear day you can see the coast shimmering in the distance.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Hotel Country Comfort or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 9
Colombo
Sightseeing at Buduruvagala. Descent of 1000m, stopping at the impressive rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagela; to Tissamaharama: Descending 1000m we leave the breathtaking scenery of Uva Province for the gentle rolling hills of the dry zone, stopping at the impressive rock-cut Buddha Statues at Buduruvagala. The giant 15m rock carving of Buddha is flanked by small figures depicting his helpers and a very rare image of Maitreya, the future Buddha, which dates from the 10th Century. The tranquillity of the place is enhanced by the lotus-covered lake where we will relax on the banks and enjoy some fresh fruit before riding on to lunch. Here we can retreat from the heat of the day, before the final 30km to Tissamaharama, the capital of the old Ruhuna Kingdom.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Chandrika Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 10
Colombo
Sightseeing at Kataragama temple. Morning ride to Kataragama Temple; afternoon drive to Yala N.P. for safari: In the morning we cycle to Kataragama temple, which lies 16km northeast of Tissa. People of all faiths come to seek favour with the god Skanda, who is reputed to restore people's health. The colourful and noisy pooja is always busy, with thousands of pilgrims during the festival season from July - August.
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Colombo
Eco Tour at Yala National Park. Tissa is close to Yala National Park, the best park in Sri Lanka to see leopard. After lunch we have a safari in the park, when we may see elephant, deer, wild boar, sloth bear, Asian jackal, lots of birdlife and if very lucky a leopard. (please note that the sanctuary may be closed for 4-6 weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals.
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Colombo
Sightseeing at Udawalawe National Park. We therefore go to an alternative area close by, usually Lunugamvehera or Udawalawe National Park).
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Colombo
We return to Tissa for the night
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
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Colombo
Chandrika Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 11
Colombo
Sightseeing at Bundala National Park. Ride through Bundala N.P. and the lagoon for spectacular birdlife; continue riding on coast to Hambantota; transfer to Ahangama: Leaving early to avoid the heat of the dry zone, we ride along the boundary of Bundala Bird Sanctuary. During certain times of the year, thousands of flamingos can be seen wading in the brackish shallows, eyed up by crocodiles, basking in the early morning sun. We hit the main road for the final 30km to Hambantota, a series of sandy bays fanning out from this typical coastal town.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast lunch.
Day 12
Colombo
Sightseeing. Free day on beach; optional ride to Koggala: Relax at the hotel or join a late morning ride along rural roads to the village of Wandurugama before returning via Koggala Lake and back to the hotel to end our riding.
Day 11
Colombo
Transfer from Hambantota to Ahangama by coach. For the next 2 nights we stay in Ahangama. Insight Resort or alternative accommodation in the area
Day 12
Colombo
Leisure. This afternoon is free to explore the beach area or swim and laze by the pool. In the late afternoon we can view the stilt fishermen climb their poles to catch a few bites for supper. From November to April we can also go whale watching off Dondra head, near Mirissa, which is one of the best places in the world for seeing Blue and Sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins are also often seen accompanying the boats.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast.
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Colombo
Insight Resort or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 13
Galle
City/Town Tour. Transfer to Colombo via Galle: Leaving mid morning, we will stop to visit Galle. The Old Dutch fort was built in 1663 after the Dutch took the island from the Portuguese. The old ramparts and small back streets bring alive some of the history of the fight for colonial domination of this prized island. You’re free to find your own lunch, meeting back at the bus at around 2.30pm for the 2 hour drive to Colombo. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool or shop along the main street. For the last evening meal we can choose from one of the many restaurants in Colombo.
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Colombo
Meals included: breakfast.
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Colombo
Hotel Mirage or alternative accommodation in the area.
Day 14
Colombo
End Colombo: If you are travelling on the group flight we will have a morning transfer to the airport for the daytime flight to London. The arrangements for those not flying with the group end after check out.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
- All transport and listed activities - Tour leader throughout - Airport transfers (for group flights only) - Local bike hire
Not Included
- Travel Insurance - Single accommodation (available on request) - Airport transfers (for land-only bookings) - Visas or vaccinations - Flights
Meeting & Pickup
Pickup upon your arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport.
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 16 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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