Cycling Holiday in Sri Lanka

Fly from wherever you are to Sri Lanka. From the UK the best option is overnight with Sri Lankan Airlines.

We will be waiting to greet you on your arrival in Colombo. Meet your cycling guide and chauffeur guide who will be with you for your entire trip in Sri Lanka. You also have a backup vehicle to transport your bicycles on the days you’re not riding. Your first stop is a nearby hotel on the coast near Negombo, where you can freshen up and relax after your journey. Pop out to the beach or explore the local markets.

Today’s cycling will follow the flat coastal route north from Negombo up to the beach at Chilaw, passing through towns and villages along the way. It usually takes about an hour or two. At Chilaw check into your hotel and reward your efforts with a stroll along the beach or relaxing by the pool.

Today starts with a short drive to the starting point of your cycling route at the market in the small town of Pallama. You'll be cycling about 30km eastwards through this pretty agricultural region to Nikaweratiya, where you'll take a breather, pack your bikes into the backup vehicle and continue by road to Sigiriya to climb the famous rock citadel.

You'll be staying two nights in Sigiriya.

Today’s cycle route from Sigiriya to the ancient cave temples at Dambulla is about 20km. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an incredible collection of 2000 year old cave temples with painted walls and huge carved Buddha statues.

You can opt to return to your Sigiriya hotel either by bicycle or car.

Set off early today for the cycle route to Minneriya National Park (about 45 minutes) where you can drive out in jeeps to see elephants gathering to drink by the ancient royal reservoir. It’s then another hour by road to Polonnaruwa, where you can cycle around the ruins of Sri Lanka’s 11th century capital. You'll be spending the night in Polonnaruwa.

Today’s cycling from Polonnaruwa to Kandy usually takes about 4.5 hours, but you can shorten this if you like and do part of the way by road. The route takes you through a beautiful landscape of rice terraces, and you can stop at a spice garden on the way in Matale for a cooking demonstration. At Kandy check into your hotel for the next two nights, put your feet up and congratulate yourself on your achievements so far.

A day off cycling today as you explore the charming hill town of Kandy, formerly the capital of Sri Lanka. Visit the Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Botanical Gardens, and in the evening enjoy a performance of traditional Kandyan dance.

Get ready for one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The journey from Kandy takes about four hours through green hills, forests and tea plantations. Your destination is Nuwara Eliya, where you'll be staying for the next two nights. It's a British hill station from the colonial period that still feels like a bit of olde England frozen in time. Notice how the climate is much cooler.

This morning head out to cycle around the tea plantations surrounding Nuwara Eliya, and stop off at a tea factory to find out how the world’s finest tea is produced. You'll get to taste some too of course! Spend the rest of the day exploring the town at your leisure.

Cycle up to Horton Plains National Park, a beautiful area of high grasslands and cloud forests. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and bicycles aren't allowed inside the national park, but there are some very beautiful walks to be enjoyed.

Depending on your energy levels you can continue to Dickoya by car or cycle, where you'll check into your hotel and relax for the evening.

Spend the morning cycling up and down through tea plantations until you reach Balangoda, where you can hop into your vehicle to proceed to Udawalawe National Park for a jeep safari. This is one of the best spots to see wild elephants, and there’s lots of other wildlife to spot as you drive around in open-top jeeps. You'll be staying overnight at Udawalawe.

The final cycling stretch of the tour takes about 3 hours as you approach Hiriketiya beach, from where you can continue to your hotel at Tangalle by car. The hard work is over and it’s time to party, so put your feet up and sip a well-deserved coconut whilst watching the sun set from a palm-fringed beach. Tangalle will be your home for the next couple of nights.

Actually we were just kidding, you can do another cycle tour this morning if you like. Up to you. Otherwise relax and enjoy your final day by the seaside.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. If you prefer we can arrange a final night closer to the airport, for a shorter and more relaxed journey home.