Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 - Arrival at Negombo
Schedule:
- Arrival at Negombo
- Meeting with the cycling guide to discuss the program
- Familiarization ride in Negombo in the evening
- Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Negombo
Cycling distance – approximately 10km
Time – approximately 1 hour
Grading – soft
After relaxing at the hotel from your flight, you will go on a familiarization bicycle ride in the evening around Negombo to prepare yourself for the coming days. You can also take this opportunity to discover Negombo, set amongst the coconut palms and fishing boats to taste some of the excellent seafood dishes made with the day’s fresh catch.
Day 2
Day 2 - Ride from Negombo to Narammala and vehicle transfer to Kurunegala
Schedule:
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Ride from Negombo to Narammala
- Drive from Narammala to Kurunegala
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
Cycling distance – approximately 55km from Negombo to Narammala
Time – approximately 5 hours
Grading – soft and moderate
Following a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred north to the ‘star-up point’ of the cycling tour. From there onwards, you will begin your cycling adventure on a soft graded track leading up to Narammala; a multi ethnic town predominantly of Sinhalese and Muslims in the Kurunegala district surrounded by paddy fields and coconut estates – a true beauty for the eyes. This town also holds the world’s first and only betel research lab and institute. While being noted for its rising temperature in the town, Narammala is the perfect location to begin your cycling expedition as it offers an eye catching scenery and very hospitable townsfolk. You will be paying a visit to a clay roof tile manufacturing factory in Sandalankawa and learn that it operates as a labor intensive industry. There onward you will be transported a further 20km to Kurunegala via a vehicle.
Day 3
Day 3 - Ride from Kurunegala to Kekirawa via Avukana
Schedule:
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Ride to Kekirawa via Avukana
- Visit to Avukana Buddha Statue
- Option jeep safari in Kalawewa National Park
- Dinner and overnight stay at a guest house
Cycling distance – approximately 102km from Negombo to Kekirawa
Time – approximately 6 hours
Grading – Moderate & Hard
After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our journey to Avukana through Hiriyala and Polpithigama. After turning through the busy A6 road to B300, you will be greeted by the scenic beauty of rural Sri Lanka paired with the northern railway line which lies along the road for a couple of stretches enabling you to diversify the experience of the trail. The paddy fields of the roadside and remote villages will give you more insight on the daily lives of the villagers as it takes you through the tarmac road. Upon reaching Avukana, we will first visit the Avukana Buddha statue which stands at more than 40 feet and has been carved out of a large granite rock face dating back to the 5th century AD. Afterwards, we will ride to Kala Wewa, a tank constructed by King Datusena during the 5th century AD. Once you reach Ipalogama, you will need to follow through to Kekirawa road which is 6km away to reach for your day’s retreat.
Day 4
Day 4 - Cycling from Kekirawa to Horowpathana via Ritigala and vehicle transfer to Trincomalee
Schedule:
- Breakfast at the guest house
- Ride from Kekirawa to Horowpathana via Ritigala
- Vehicle transfer from Horowpathana to Trincomalee
- Check-in at hotel
- Dinner and overnight stay at hotel
Cycling distance – approximately 90 km from Kekirawa to Horowpathana
Time – approximately 5 hours
Grading – Moderate to Hard
On the 4th day, after breakfast at the guest house, we will begin our day paddling to Ritigala Forest Monastery, an archeological site and a strict nature reserve which dates back to the 1st century BC. After visiting the monastery and viewing the valuable ruins, we will continue cycling to Yakalla through rural villages in the dry zone. After completing 32km, through Ritigala and the many rural villages, we will reach Yakalla and continue for another 23km along the B 33 road. At Konwewa, you will take a turn and experience a completely different lifestyle lead by the dry zone farmers on this stretch, unlike your previous experiences. You’d be able to view many differently sized tanks maintained to cater to the agricultural requirements as well as the communities living in the dry zone. You’d have the opportunity to visit a local village house and experience their heartiest local hospitality of a freshly prepared local snack paired with a herbal drink which will surely be the highlight of your day. Afterwards get into a village tank and have a dip to maintain your body temperature after a ride through these dry lands. After completing 30km along the countryside through Katupotha, we will reach Horowpathana and from there onwards you will be transferred to Trincomalee via a vehicle calling this a great end for a beautiful trek across this versatile island.
