Trip Info
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426 km
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Accommodation in the hotels/campsites mentioned.
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Katunayake
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Katunayake
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All meals as indicated per itinerary
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10
Overview
This comprehensive 14-day cycling tour of Sri Lanka is designed to showcase the island’s major highlights, from its rich history and diverse wildlife to its stunning scenic landscapes and vibrant culture. The best way to truly experience this island paradise is from the saddle of a bicycle, allowing for an intimate tour that makes exploring a real adventure.
The journey begins with your arrival in Negombo, a coastal city with historical buildings and a lively fishing community. From there, you’ll embark on your cycling adventure, riding a soft-graded track to Narammala, a town surrounded by paddy fields and coconut estates. Afterward, you’ll be transported to Sigiriya, home to the magnificent 5th-century rock fortress.
The tour continues with a ride to Polonnaruwa, the second-oldest kingdom in Sri Lanka, where you’ll cycle past ancient ruins and along the great Minneriya Tank. The route then takes you to Riverston, offering awe-inspiring views of the Knuckles mountain range. This is followed by a challenging descent through the picturesque hillside to Kandy, the hill capital and a living museum of the past. In Kandy, you’ll have time for a city tour, a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Tea Museum in Hantana.
A scenic train ride will take you to Nuwara Eliya, known as “Little England” for its vast tea plantations and colonial estates. You’ll then be transported to Horton Plains National Park for a walk before a thrilling descent known as “Satan’s Steps”.
The tour delves into Sri Lanka’s wildlife highlights with safaris in Udawalawe National Park, home to large herds of elephants, and Yala National Park, where the Sri Lankan leopard is commonly found. You will also have the unique experience of staying in glamping tents.
The final legs of the tour take you to the golden beaches of Unawatuna for relaxation and a ride to the Galle Fort, where you can see various influences from the colonists on the city’s architecture and history. This intimate tour allows you to feel part of the communities and attractions you visit, an experience that cannot be enjoyed from the confinement of an enclosed vehicle.
Highlights
- Get into the wild at Udawalawe and Yala National Parks. Udawalawe guarantees elephant sightings on every drive , while Yala is known as one of the best places in the world to see leopards
- Visit the 5th-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the Dambulla Cave Temple
- Explore the 13th-century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa and its ruins. You'll also witness age-old Buddhist rituals and try your hand at traditional arts and crafts in Kandy, the hill capital. The tour also includes a visit to the Galle Fort to see various colonial influences.
- Experience the entire Ceylon Tea making process and enjoy a hot cup of pure Sri Lankan Tea
