Detailed Cycling Itinerary
Day 1
Day 01 - Kandy
SCHEDULE
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Arrival in Kandy and meet the cycling guide.
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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 2
Day 02 - Kandy – Hatton
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Cycling to Hatton via Nawalapitiya.
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Check in to the hotel in Hatton.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Hatton (HB).
DISTANCE: 75 kms
DURATION: 6 - 7 hrs
GRADING: Moderate / 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 3
Day 03 - Hatton – Horton Plains – Belihuloya
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 4
Day 04 - Belihuloya
SCHEDULE
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Early breakfast at the hotel.
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Start the cycling trail to Kosgama at 7:00 am.
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Lunch at River Garden Resort.
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Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort (FB).
CYCLING DISTANCE: 22 kms (to Kosgama and back via Ambalathenna and Marangahawela)
DURATION: 4 - 5 hrs
GRADING: Soft / Moderate
Today, you will take an early departure to a 33 km cycling trail takes you through small towns and villages, paddy fields and forest patches. The first section is rather easy 9 km ride River Garden Resort to Ambalanthenna along the main road and past the Sabaragamuwa University. From Ambalanthenna onwards, the trail continues on smaller and rougher roads in the forests before entering the village of Kosgama, surrounded by beautiful sceneries over the paddy fields. And then comes the real challenge - the 6 km steep uphill ride from Kosgama to Marangahawela. Here, the lush forests will provide you with a cool shade and, after the tiring climb, you will get to enjoy an easy 12 km downhill ride from Marangahawela back to River Garden Resort along the main road.
Day 5
Day 05 - Departure
SCHEDULE
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Canoëing in Samanalawewa.
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Departure.
Surrounded by rugged mountain sceneries, the still calm waters of the Samanalawewa reservoir offer an idyllic location for canoëing. Whether you want to go for a relaxed little paddle for a couple of hours, venture out to the mouth of the Belihuloya River or spend an entire day exploring the perimeter of the reservoir, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. A well-experienced guide will provide you with the right technics, safety instructions and modern life jacket.
