Detailed Cycling Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Airport - Waikkala
SCHEDULE
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Arrival in the Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Waikkala.
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Check in to a hotel.
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Spend a relaxing afternoon after the long journey.
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Overnight stay in the hotel in Waikkala (BB).
Located on the west coast, a short drive from the airport, Waikkala is a charming blend of sandy beaches, delectable seafood and lush mangroves that thrive along its river and lagoon. Set amongst coconut palms and fishing boats, Waikkala is a perfect location to start the trip and to taste the excellent seafood.
Day 2
Day 02 - Waikkala - Sigiriya
SCHEDULE
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Early breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Dankotuwa.
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Cycling to Narammala.
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Transfer to Sigiriya via Dambulla.
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En route visit the Dambulla Rock Temple.
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Check in to a hotel
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Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Sigiriya (HB)
DISTANCE: 54 kms (from Dankotuwa to Narammala)
DURATION: 4 - 5 hrs
GRADING: Soft
Today, you will visit Dambulla, known for its Cave Temple that has impressive mural paintings and 157 statues, including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. Recognised as a sacred pilgrimage site, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cave monastery is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. This place is worth visiting not only for the cave temple, but also for the beautiful view over the countryside from the caves situated at around 150 meters above the road.
Day 3
Day 03 - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Visite the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
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Cycling to Polonnaruwa.
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Visit the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.
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Vehicle transfer back to Sigiriya.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Sigiriya (HB).
DISTANCE: 56 kms (from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa)
DURATION: 4 hrs
GRADING: Soft
After an early breakfast, you will visit to the magnificent rock fortress of Sigiriya, built by the young King Kasyapa in 5th century. Combining baffling architectural features and sensual artistic values, the Lion Rock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as nominated to be the eighth wonder of the world — along with the Grand Canyon and Ancient Pyramids.
From Sigiriya, a smooth and easy track will then lead you through open terrains and little forest patches to the great Minneriya Tank, built by King Mahasen. This impressive human endeavour covers an area of approximately 4,670 acres. From the borders of the reservoir your cycling tour will continue to Polonnaruwa that was the capital of the ancient kingdom from 11th to 13th century. Today, its ruins are in a resplendent state of preservation.
Day 4
Day 04 - Sigiriya - Kandy
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Cycling from Sigiriya to Kandy.
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Check in to a hotel.
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Visit the Temple of Tooth Relic in the evening.
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Overnight stay in a hotel in Kandy (BB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: 85 kms
DURATION: 4 - 5 hours
GRADING: Soft
Today, you will proceed to Kandy, the capital of the Central province lying in the mountains 112 kms northeast of Colombo. Strategically nestled amidst three mountain ranges and known as the gateway to the hill country, Kandy was initially built in this location as a natural fortress against attack as it was not an easy target for the foreign invaders. Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and known as one of Sri Lanka’s best attractions among both local and international visitors.
Day 5
Day 05 - Kandy
SCHEDULE
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After breakfast
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Full day cycling tour in the suburbs of Kandy.
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Lunch in a village along the way.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy (HB).
DISTANCE: 59 kms
DURATION: 6 - 7 hrs
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
The full-day suburban cycling tour will take you to experience the historical and the traditional landscapes of Kandy and its outskirts. During the tour, you will have a chance to visit little rural temples, tea and railway museum; ateliers and home-based workshops of local artisans; Dawson Tower and the 80-hectare Gannoruwa Agro Farm displaying fruit, vegetable and herbal gardens, and an insect zoo. A traditional Sri Lankan home-cooked lunch will be arranged at a local house.
Day 6
Day 06 - Kandy - Hatton
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Nawalapitiya
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Cycling from Nawalapitiya to Hatton
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Check in to the hotel.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Hatton (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: 44 kms (from Nawalapitiya to Hatton)
DURATION: 4-5 hours
GRADING: Hard
Today, you will head to Hatton, located in the Nuwara Eliya District that is famous for Ceylon Tea. Theses parts of the Sri Lanka's Hill-Country offer the most scenic, mist-wrapped sceneries of dramatic mountain peaks and rolling hillsides, carpeted with tea plantations. A world away from the tropical beaches and sweltering cities in the lowlands, the peaceful highlands with the emerald green landscapes and the cool climate are a nature lover's paradise.
Day 7
Day 07 - Hatton
SCHEDULE
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Optional: Climb up to the Adam’s Peak early in the morning with a well-experienced guide and packed breakfast and witness the magnificent sceneries from the top of the mountain.
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Lunch at the hotel.
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Visit a tea factory, or go for cycling in Hatton in the afternoon.
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Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel in Hatton (FB)
In Hatton, you’ll have a full day to enjoy the beautiful sceneries in the Tea Country. You may go for a short trek, or cycling trail, through tea plantations, where you will see the colorfully dressed Tea-Pickers hard at work on the sloping hills abundantly lush with tea bushes. With incredible dexterity they fill several sacks of tea leaves each day. At a tea factory, you will see the entire process, from tea bush to teapot.
Another option for today is to hike up the Adam’s Peak, located in the south of the central highlands. The famous mountain has been a pilgrimage site for more than 1000 years, and the majority of climbers begin the ascent at night to witness the magical sunrise from the summit.
More about the trek to Adam’s Peak:
The island's fourth highest peak at 2243 meters, Sri Pada has sparked imaginations for centuries, and offers spectacular views of jungle-covered hills and clouds lying 500 meters below. The memory of a magical sceneries over the mystic peak will outlive the aches and pains you may feel from the climb!
Normally, the trek to the summit takes from 3 to 4 hrs, depending on the pilgrimage season that runs from Unduwap poya (Full Moon Day of December) to Wesak poya Festival (in May). At this time, there is a constant stream of pilgrims and the top can get very crowded, and especially from January to February. Climbing Sri Pada is possible during the off-season too. However, due to the weather conditions, we recommend to climb the mountain in daytime.
Day 8
Day 08 - Hatton - Belihuloya
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Bogawantalawa.
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Drive or cycle through Peak Wilderness Sanctuary to Belihuloya.
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Check in to the hotel / campsite.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort / Campsite in Belihuloya.
CYCLING DISTANCE: 51 kms (from Bogawantalawa to Belihuloya)
DURATION: 4 - 5 hrs
GRADING: Soft / Moderate
Today, you will cycle from Bogowantalawa to Belihuloya through the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary that covers over 224 square kilometers around the Adam’s Peak. The elevation of this area varies from 1000 to 7360 feet above sea level, and it has a very unique landscapes and vegetation from moist semi-evergreen forests and tropical savanna forests to dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests.
Nestled amidst the beautiful hill country, Belihuloya is a picturesque little town located in Sabaragamuwa province, 616 metres above sea level. The beautiful hillside location is a climatically transitional area, linking both the dry and wet zones and the hill and low country and making it one of the richest bio-diversity spots in Sri Lanka - and an ideal location for nature lovers! Belihuloya is perfectly in tune with nature and provides a gorgeous setting for all sorts of adventures from climbing to canoeing and trekking.
Day 9
Day 09 - Belihuloya - Horton Plains - Belihuloya (FB)
SCHEDULE
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Early departure to Horton Plains with packed breakfast.
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Arrival in the Horton Plains National Park around 7:00 am.
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6 km trail to Baker’s Falls and World’s End.
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Lunch will be provided in a suitable location.
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Cycling trail to Bambarakanda Waterfall.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort (FB).
TREKKING DISTANCE: 6 km trail in Horton Plains National Park
GRADING: Soft
CYCLING DISTANCE: 15/21 kms to Bambarakanda Waterfall, and 20 km back to Belihuloya
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
The famous Horton Plains is a nature reserve characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. The highest plateau in the island, spanning approximately 10,000 hectares, is home to 24 species of mammal - such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard.
More about the trekking trail in Horton Plains:
In Horton Plains, you will first visit the Baker’s Falls. To reach them, you will deviate from the main trail and go approximately 500m on a steep downward path. From the waterfall, you will continue to the World’s End - the famous escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands of the southern region of the island. When the clouds clear up, the misty cliffs boast a fabulous view of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline.
After the trek in the national park, you will head on to Bambarakanda Waterfalls, 21 kms from the park’s entrance. You may go all the way by bike or car, or take the vehicle for the first 6 kms to Udaweriya Estate Junction and start cycling from there.
The 15-km trail from Udaweriya to Bambarakanda, going through Kingslyn and West Haputale Estates, is demanding, but the sceneries at the majestic waterfall will be the most rewarding! Bordered by steep rocks and dark green forests, the 240-meter-high Bambarakanda is Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall, and you may have refreshing bath in the deep pool underneath it.
From the waterfalls, you will cycle 6 kms to Kalupahana, from where you may go by car, or cycle, 14 kms back to River Garden Resort.
Day 10
Day 10 - Belihuloya – Udawalawe
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Cycling to Hambegamuwa.
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Check in to the Big Game safari campsite in Udawalawe.
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Lunch at the campsite.
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Optional: Half day safari at Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the Big Game camp in Udawalawe (FB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: 69 kms (from Belihuloya to Hambegamuwa)
DURATION: 5 - 6 hrs
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
From Belihuloya, you will head to Udawalawe. With approximately 400 elephants residing within the area of 31,000 hectares, it is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer and monkeys. When in Udawalawe, you may go for an afternoon safari in the national park, and your accommodation will be arranged at the fully serviced Big Game campsite.
Day 11
Day 11 - Udawalawe – Unawatuna
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the campsite.
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Cycling to Urubokka and transfer to Unawatuna.
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Check in to the hotel
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Relaxing time
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Overnight stay in a hotel in Unawatuna (BB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: 60 kms (from Udawalawe to Urubokka)
DURATION: 5 - 6 hrs
GRADING: Soft / Moderate
Unawatuna beach is a picturesque semicircular bay that stretches no more than one kilometer. With palm-lined beaches, turquoise waters and a good selection of restaurants, it is a great place to take it easy and enjoy the sun. Take your time relaxing on the beach, or go snorkeling in the clear waters. For those seeking pure relaxation, Ayurvedic massages, with natural herbal oils, are highly recommended.
Day 12
Day 12 - Unawatuna – Galle – Unawatuna
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Visit the Galle Fort by bike or by car.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Unawatuna (BB).
The bustling provincial capital and administrative center of the south, Galle, was Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trade center. The Galle Fort overlooking the ocean is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. The 36-hectare fortress is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, its ramparts protecting the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. Even as the city of Galle modernizes, its remarkable collection of ancient structures transports visitors to another time.
