7 days: Sri Lankan highlights on 2 wheels

Schedule:

• Meet at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

• Overnight stay at Suriya Arana (or similar), Negombo (BB)

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, you will be transferred to a nearby hotel in the coastal town of Negombo where you will spend your first night. Relax at your accommodation before having a pre-dinner meeting with your cycle guide(s) in order to discuss the cycling programme.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Negombo – Narammala

  • Distance: Approx. 60 km

  • Time: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs

  • Grading: Soft

• Diner and overnight stay at Elephas Resort (or similar), Sigiriya (HB)

After breakfast, you will be transferred north to the ‘start-up point’ of the cycling tour. From there you will start your cycling adventure on a soft graded track up to Narammala. This town located in the Kurunegala District is surrounded by paddy fields and coconut estates. It also holds the world’s first and only betel research lab and institute while boasting a multi-ethnic community predominantly made up of Sinhalese and Muslims. Although temperatures can rise in this part of the country, Narammala is the perfect place to begin your cycling expedition as it offers up beautiful scenery and a hospitable local community. You will cycle mainly on flat terrain with a mixture of tarred roads and concrete/dirt byroads. From Narammala, you will be transported a further 90 km to Sigiriya via vehicle. In Sigiriya, an overnight stay is foreseen for you.

Schedule:

• Visit Lion Rock Fortress

• Cycling:

  • Route: Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa

  • Distance: Approx. 78 km

  • Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs

  • Grading: Soft

• Diner and overnight stay at Hotel Mahanuge (or similar), Polonnaruwa (HB)

After an early breakfast visit the magnificent 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya. This palace and stronghold was once inhabited by renegade King Kashyapa. It is also renowned as one of the best remaining examples of ancient urban planning. Afterwards you will continue the tour by cycling to the second most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa, which dates to the 13th century. The track provides a smooth route on a fairly flat and open terrain as well as taking you through a forest patch. You will cycle along the great Minneriya Tank which was built by King Mahasen. This wonderful feat of human endeavour covers an area of approximately 4,670 acres. After that you will be checked into your hotel in Polonnaruwa. Visiting the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is kept for the next morning.

Schedule:

• Visit Polonnaruwa

• Cycling:

  • Route: Polonnaruwa – Pallegama

  • Distance: Approx. 59 km

  • Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs

  • Grading: Soft

• Diner and overnight stay at Alki Bungalows (or similar), Riverstone (HB)

After breakfast you’ll be cycling through the second oldest city of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is a magnificent historical site that can easily be visited by bicycle. After spending a couple of days in the warm dry zone, there is no doubt that the cooler climates of Sri Lanka’s picturesque hill country will be a welcome change. You will embark on a 59 km cycling journey from Polonnaruwa to Pallegama on a fairly flat terrain. Pedal alongside the Amaban River, which is a branch of the longest river in the country, the Mahaweli River. Pallegama is situated close to the Wasgamuwa National Park, so be on the lookout for some exotic bird species on the way. After a short break, you will be transferred to a cosy accommodation in the Knuckles range where you will spend the night.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Riverstone – Katugastota

  • Distance: Approx. 53 km

  • Time: Approx. 6 hrs

  • Grading: Moderate

• Overnight stay at Thilanka Hotel (or similar), Kandy (BB)

Your trail begins in Riverstone which offers a magnificent view of the scenic Knuckles mountain range. This is one of the most challenging legs of the cycling tour as you will begin a steep descent through the picturesque hillside and a few forest patches as well. A few more ascents and descents await you before you reach the village of Rattota where the track will ease off. Following a brief break, you will pedal on to Katugastota, a suburb in the hill capital of Kandy, situated just 4 km away from the city centre. From here you will be transported to your hotel in Kandy.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Kandy area

  • Distance: Approx. 53 km

  • Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs

  • Grading: Moderate

• Visit Ceylon Tea Museum & Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya)

• Optional: Visit Temple of the Tooth and/or cultural dance show

• Overnight stay at Thilanka Hotel (or similar), Kandy (BB)

Today, you will spend the morning cycling through the charming landscape in Kandy. Tea plantations and quaint rural villages are aplenty in this city and a visit to the Tea Museum in Hantana is also part of the day’s itinerary. After returning to the city, we have organised a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya before taking a tour of the city itself. Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most important cities both historically and culturally. Known as the last bastion of the ancient kings, this hillside heaven is a living museum of the past. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the city on your own or shopping for some of the local crafts that include brassware, batik and lacquer work. Another overnight stay is foreseen in Kandy.

Schedule:

• Transfer to airport

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake in time to catch your flight back home. Take with you a host of memories and experiences of Sri Lanka that will be second to none.