Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday

Tour Overview

Sri Lanka – is an often overlooked gem in the Indian Ocean. It boasts dense rainforests, endless tropical beaches, breath-taking highlands, abundant wildlife, and a vibrant cultural history. We want you to experience and explore ALL THIS in ONE TRIP – our Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday! Our trips are designed to give you the most of each day but to do so in a comfortable and relaxed manner. This Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday trip is custom curated to immerse you in an ACTIVE, AUTHENTIC and LOCAL holiday.

Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday

Day 1: Arrival in Srilanka and transfer to Chillaw: On Day 1 of your Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday, you will be met at the airport and transferred to Chillaw. You can relax at the hotel to recover from your long flight. Sit by the beach or relax by the pool and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Early evening is for meeting up as a group for bike-sizing followed by dinner.
Day 2: Chillaw to Anuradhapura: After breakfast you take an initial transfer (2 hours / 70 kms) northeast to Nawattagategama a small town situated in the North West province. From here you head north-east setting your sights on Anuradhapura. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilisation, it is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and dates back to the 5th century BC. The scenery for the day is one of constantly changing vistas – rural villages, paddy fields and lakes. Terrain- wise you are still pretty much on the flat. On arrival enough time will be ensured to check out the oldest living human-planted tree in the world (249BC), the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which is said to be part of Sri Maha Bodhi under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Day 3: Anuradhapura to Sigiriya: You leave the ancient city of Anuradhapura and start heading south to the famed Sigiriya. Your route takes you through rural farmlands and acres of paddy. Village life is on display throughout. It’s a peaceful and gentle ride to Sigiriya town. In the evening you can climb Pidurangala Rock and watch the sunset.
Day 4: Exploring Sigiriya & Dambulla: This day of Srilankan Cycling Holiday starts early morning, to beat the crowds. You visit the famed Sigiriya Rock in the morning followed by the Dambulla Cave Complex. In the evening you can get on your bikes for a short ride to warm up before the coming cycling days. Sigiriya: –a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, summerhouse, Boulder Gardens and the Caves should not be missed. Dambulla Cave Temple: –a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they have been painted over during the Kandy period. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people.
Day 5: Cycle Sigiriya To Pollonaruwa: You get on your bike from the hotel and get onto village back roads heading to Pollonaruwa. It is a really amazing day as you go completely off main roads. You cycle alongside the Angamadilla National Park before coming out at Pollonaruwa. You then rest up at your hotel before going for a walk in the ancient city ruins to observe the local families of monkeys. You can first try to locate the purple-faced langur troops or the larger troops of grey langurs. Around 5pm there would be many birds for the bird lovers as well as a chance to see the deer grazing in the underbrush in forest areas where only the field guides venture. You now have the opportunity to watch a troop of toque macaques enjoy the last feeding of the day, play and groom, and get into their sleeping trees and huddle together for a good night’s sleep. Polonnaruwa – another “World Heritage Site” was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankoth Vehera and Kirivehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and together with the Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carvers’ craftsmanship. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of Sri Lankan artists.
Day 6: Cycle Pollonaruwa to Mahiyangana: Today is another beautiful day of cycling. You start with a short transfer (30 mins) out of Pollonaruwa before you get on your bikes. Your route today is through the scenic Madhura Oya National Park. The Park is full of elephants and you will need to be careful. En route youe will stop at the Madhura Oya Reservoir for a picnic lunch.
Day 7: Mahiyangana|Hasalaka|Kandy: You rest your legs today and transfer to the small village of Hasalaka. You spend the morning exploring the nearby waterfalls and rivers. You could take a swim at the base of the waterfalls before returning to the village. You will partake in a meal prepared by the locals before heading on to Kandy. In Kandy, after resting for a bit, you can take a walk to the famed Buddhist Temple of the Tooth. Kandy – the hill capital is another “UNESCO Heritage Sites”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule although it was finally ceded to the British in 1815. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see the dance & music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.
Day 8: Train ride to Nuwara Eliya | Evening Cycling: Today you take the train to the tea capital Nuwara Eliya. It is a scenic ride as the train snakes up through the winding hills and tea estates. In the evening you can cycle around the town center. Nuwara Eliya: - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against the beautiful backdrop of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like English country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for birding as you get some rare birds in this Park. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and fall (August and September).
Day 9: Cycle Nuwara Eliya To Bandarawela: Today is a surreal day of Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday. You transfer from your hotel to the mountain grasslands of Horton Plains. You walk around for a bit before getting onto your bikes for the downhill ride to Bandarawela. It is an absolutely beautiful ride first through the cloud forests and then down to the lower pine forests.
Day 10: Cycle to Wellawaya| Safari at Udawalawe: Another day of beautiful downhill cycling! However today’s views are scenic valleys and tea estates. You are on back roads that are rarely used. You cycle up to Wellawaya town from where you get into the car and are transferred the remaining distance to Udawalawe. After lunch and a refreshing shower you head for a Safari at Udawalawe National Park.
Day 11: Cycle to Mirissa: Today is your last day of cycling. You cycle through the plains from Udawalawe to the beach town of Mirissa. You will be cycling through paddy fields and farms. Your route takes you through small villages and really gives you a glimpse of rural Sri Lanka. Today is a longer day but with a lot to experience. Your stop is the beautiful Mirissa beach where you can relax after your active day of Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday.
Day 12: Beach Day at Mirissa: Today you do nothing. Absolute relaxation is a must. Lounge by the pool or take a dip in the sea. If you are still feeling restless you could take the short drive to Galle to explore the old Dutch Colonial Fort.
Day 13: History at Galle | Cook with a local: On your penultimate day of Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday, you head to the beautiful coastal town of Galle. You check into the iconic hotel, the Jetwing Lighthouse. Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, one of Sri Lanka’s most esteemed architect. At around 3pm you meet up with a local resident and learn to prepare a delicious meal. Whether it’s a Biryani, a Seafood feast or hot hoppers with accompaniments, she will take you through an unforgettable culinary journey. Galle Dutch Fort: - The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort. It is a “World Heritage Site”. Some scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastion’s overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, on the inner side of the Fort.
Day 14: Departure Day: You are transferred to the airport in time for your next flight. Your Sri Lanka Cycling Holiday ends here.

Inclusions

• 13 nights’ accommodation on twin sharing basis
• Meals on Half Board Basis (Breakfast and Dinner at the Hotel).
• All transportation in an AC coach.
• Cycling guide
• All equipment (cycles, helmets, support vehicles)
• All entrance fees and tickets for activities listed
• Airport transfers
• Assistance on arrival and departure at each destination