Detailed Cycling Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Airport – Negombo (Approx. 10 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Arrival to Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to Negombo.
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Check in to a hotel in Negombo.
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Spend a relaxing afternoon on the beach.
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Pre-dinner meeting with your cycling guides.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Negombo (BB).
Arrive at Negombo, a fishing town with a fascinating colonial past. British, Dutch, and Portuguese all fought over this town as it was a lucrative source of cinnamon, what was a highly sought after product in the spice trade. The cinnamon impacted the economic future of this town, but a stronger influence came from the colonizer’s historic Catholic church. Catholicism had such a strong influence on the society that it became known as “Little Rome’.
Today, Negombo is alive in its own blend of culture and religions. Colonial-style architecture remains in many of the buildings in Negombo, like the church, but local traditions appear to have outlived the colonizers. Negombo is an ideal place to start your trip from - to find your Sri Lankan feet and relax, to take a stroll on the beach and enjoy the lively fish markets.
Day 2
Day 02 - Negombo – Wilpattu (Approx. 210 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Giriulla.
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Cycling to Ambanpola.
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Transfer from Ambanpola to Big Game campsite in Wilpattu.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 90 kms (from Giriulla to Ambanpola)
DURATION: Approx. 6 hours
GRADING: Soft
After the breakfast, you will be transferred to Giriulla, nourished by the Maha Oya River, where your cycling adventure will start from. The 91-km cycling trail will take you through fairly flat terrains on both tarred and byroads in the country’s dry zone, ideal for warming you up for what lies ahead. In these regions, you will discover the beauty of the Sri Lankan countryside, quiet villages and vast, green paddy fields. Keep an eye out for exotic birds as a vast array of species inhabit these areas. The trail will end in Ambanpola from where you will be transported to the Big Game Campsite that offers you an authentic safari camping experience by the border of Wilpattu National Park.
Day 3
Day 03 - Wilpattu – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya (Approx. 65 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the campsite.
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Cycling to Anuradhapura.
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Transfer to Sigiriya.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 50 kms (from Wilpattu to Anuradhapura)
DURATION: Approx. 3-4 hours
GRADING: Soft
After the wilderness adventure in Wilpattu, it’s time to hit the road again. The day will start by cycling along the outskirts of the Wilpattu National Park, the Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest park, that is home to elephants, leopards and sloth bears. Gravel and tarred roads will lead you to the small villages where you will get a chance to meet the locals and experience the rural lifestyle. The cycling trail will end in the ancient city of Anuradhapura that has some the Sri Lanka’s most important historical sites dating as far back as the 4th century BC. Then, from Anuradhapura, you will be transferred to your hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 4
Day 04 - Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa (Approx. 65 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Early breakfast at the hotel.
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Visit the Sigiriya Lion’s Rock.
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Cycling to Polonnaruwa and visit the ancient city.
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Check in to a hotel in Polonnaruwa.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Polonnaruwa (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 65 kms (from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, including a visit in the ancient city)
DURATION: Approx. 4 hours
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 5
Day 05 - Polonnaruwa – Pasikudah (Approx. 73 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Cycling from Polonnaruwa to Pasikudah.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a beach resort in Pasikudah (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 73 kms (from Polonnaruwa to Pasikudah)
DURATION: Approx. 5 hours
GRADING: Soft
Today, you will cycle to Pasikudah boasting one of the most gorgeous beaches in Sri Lanka. Situated on the eastern coast of the country, about 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Pasikudah is known to have one of the longest stretches of shallow reef coastline in the world. Along the way, you will travel across the over 300-meter-long Manampitiya Bridge. In this area, the weather is hot and dry weather, so remember to drink enough water.
Day 6
Day 06 - Pasikudah – Dambana (Approx. 100 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Karadiyaru.
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Cycling to Dambana.
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Visit a traditional Veddah village.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a local guesthouse in Dambana (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 65 kms (from Karadiyaru to Dambana)
DURATION: Approx. 5-6 hours
GRADING: Soft
From the golden beaches of Pasikudah, you will cycle 20 km along the coastline before heading to the heartlands of Sri Lanka. In Dambana, you will have a chance to discover the Sri Lanka’s indigenous roots and the ancient traditions of the native Veddah tribes. These days, Dambana is one of the last havens for the indigenous Veddah population and their moribund language.
Day 7
Day 07 - Dambana – Kandy (Approx. 95 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the guesthouse.
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Transfer to Gurulupota.
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Cycling to Kandy.
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Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Kandy (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 65 kms (from Gurulupota to Kandy)
DURATION: Approx. 4-5 hours
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
Today, you will have a challenging task on your hands as it is the time to switch gear and tackle the hills of Kandy. The trail will start will start with the winding ascent to Hunnasgiriya, from where you will descend to the Mahaweli River and continue all the way down to Kandy. This city, nestled in the mountains, is the capital of the hill country and the last bastion of the ancient kings with fascinating history and colorful traditions.
Day 8
Day 08 - Kandy
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Cycling tour in the suburbs of Kandy.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 53 kms (in the suburbs of Kandy).
DURATION: Approx. 4-5 hours
GRADING: Soft / Moderate
The morning will be dedicated for cycling in the charming sceneries of rolling hills, tea plantations and quiet little villages in the suburbs of Kandy. During the cycling tour, you will have a chance to visit also a Tea Museum by the Hanthana mountain. Afterwards, you will be taken to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, famous for its fine collection of orchids and beautiful spice gardens. Later on in the afternoon, you can take your time exploring the city itself on your own, or for shopping for some of the local crafts such as brassware, batik and lacquer work.
Day 9
Day 09 - Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (Approx. 75 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Scenic train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya.
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Cycling to Nuwara Eliya.
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Check in to a hotel.
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Free time to explore the centre of the town and the colonial Victoria Park in the afternoon.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 7 kms (from the Nanu Oya railway station to Nuwara Eliya).
DURATION: Approx. 30 min
GRADING: Moderate
A scenic train ride will take you through the mountains to Nanu Oya, 7 km from Nuwara Eliya that is the heart of the Sri Lanka’s Tea Country. The hilly paradise is known for the gorgeous mountain sceneries, vast green tea plantations, colonial estates and cool climate. Colonized by the British, and often referred to as ‘Little England’, Nuwara Eliya still retains the feel of the ‘old world’. Famous for horse racing, the town also boasts an impressive Golf Club which dates back to 1889 and several hotels with grandiose colonial style.
Day 10
Day 10 - Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains – Belihuloya (Approx. 80 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Horton Plains.
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Nature trail in the national park.
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Cycling to Kalupahana.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort / campsite (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 23 kms (from Horton Plains to Kalupahana).
DURATION: Approx. 3 hrs
GRADING: Moderate
After a couple of relaxing days, it’s time to get back on the road again. Nestled in the misty mountains of Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains is the highest plateau in the island and home to 24 mammal species, such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard, along with an array of migratory birds. Since cycling is not allowed within the national park, we will take you for a nature walk through the plains. Afterwards, you will get back on your bike and descend through so called “Satan’s Steps”, known for its hairpin turns. The trail leads you to the Bambarakanda Waterfall, that is the highest in Sri Lanka, before arriving to Kalupahana. From there, you will be transferred to Belihuloya.
Day 11
Day 11 - Belihuloya – Udawalawe (Approx. 67 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel / campsite.
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Cycling to Hambegamuwa.
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Transfer to Big game safari campsite in Udawalawe.
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Optional: Half day safari (approx. 4h) at the Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the Big Game (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 69 kms (from Belihuloya to Hambegamuwa).
DURATION: Approx. 5-6 hrs
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
Today, 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 12
Day 12 - Udawalawe – Sinharaja (Approx. 100 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Godakawela.
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Cycling to Vaddhagala.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel by the borders of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve (HB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 44 kms (from Godakawela to Vaddhagala).
DURATION: Approx. 5 hrs
GRADING: Moderate / Hard
After exploring a whole range of terrains and sceneries in the dry zone, it’s time to make a foray into the wet zone of Sri Lanka and forest of Sinharaja. In this region, a mixture of rugged terrain will give you quite a challenge, but the cool climate and astonishing sceneries will help you cope with the strains of the trail. Sinharaja Forest Reserve, with its impressive array of bird and plants species, is a Sri Lanka’s biodiversity hotspot, designated designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is said that in Sinharaja one square mile may have higher biodiversity than the entire North American continent.
Day 13
Day 13 - Sinharaja – Galle (Approx. 150 kms)
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Transfer to Neluwa.
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Cycling to Galle.
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Visit the Galle Fort in the evening.
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Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Galle (BB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 62 kms (from Neluwa to Galle).
DURATION: Approx. 5-6 hrs
GRADING: Soft / Moderate
Today, you will head from the cool forests of the Sinharaja rainforest to the bustling port city of Galle, Sri Lanka's first international commerce and trade center and the capital of Southern Province. The historical Galle Fort overlooking the ocean is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. On three sides the 36-hectare fortress is surrounded by the ocean, its ramparts protecting the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. On the south coast, the climate is hot and dry, so make sure you drink enough water.
