14 days: North to South Cycling Expedition

Schedule:

• Arrival at Colombo.

• Meet the cycling guide and discuss about the programme.

• Familiarisation ride in Colombo City in the evening.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Colombo.

Cycling distance - Approx. 10 km

Time – Approx. 2 hour

Grading – Soft

Cycling in Colombo city gives you the opportunity to explore a city that is rapidly developing. This comprehensive cycling tour will take you to some of the main attractions of historical and cultural significance, within the beautiful metropolis, making you feel a part of its splendour.

Once home to Count August Carl Van Ranzow, visit the Dutch Museum built in the latter part of the 17th century. Also explore the Neo-Baroque-style Old Parliament building which was built during the British rule and housed the country's Legislative Council until 1983.

At the iconic Galle Face Green enjoy some fresh pineapple; visit a typical Sri Lankan home and receive a blessing at a Hindu Kovil. Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka gives you the chance to get an up close and personal experience with the city while avoiding traffic - and getting a good workout.

The Colombo city cycle tour covers several other historical and cultural sites such as the: Railway Museum, Old Law Court, Kathiresan Kovil, Jamiah-ul-Alfar Mosque, Fort Railway Station, Galle Face Green, a Buddhist temple, Green Path Art Gallery, Colombo Museum, the Planetarium and concludes with the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

Schedule:

• Leave for Colombo Fort Railway Station with a packed breakfast

• Get on board the Intercity Express Train to Jaffna by 5.35 am.

• Get off from Jaffna Railway station and transfer to your hotel in Jaffna.

• City Ride in Jaffna in the evening.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel in Jaffna.

The JAFFNA District, the northernmost region of Sri Lanka, is one of the oldest districts in South East Asia. The peninsula, is separated from India by the Palk Straits on the west and overlooks the Bay of Bengal on the east. A shallow lagoon where elephants used to wade across, lies between Jaffna and the rest of Sri Lanka. Nowadays, Jaffna is home to 900,000 people and makes it one of the most densely populated areas of the island. For visitors, Jaffna has it all - friendly people, a culture steeped in colour and tradition, salubrious climate and a rustic, picturesque island - indeed making it a veritable traveller’s paradise.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Cycling in Jaffna

• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Jaffna

Cycling distance - Approx. 61 km

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

After breakfast at the hotel, first we will ride upto Jaffna Fort which is just 3.5 km from your hotel and visit the remains from the colonial era. Another 3.5km on, is Nallur Kandaswamy Temple which is one of the most significant Hindu Temples in the Jaffna District. Following the temple visit, we ride along the streets passed villages and great scenery, and reach Kadurugoda viharaya which is one of the few Buddhist Temples in Jaffna. Next we head to Keerimalai and visit the Keerimalai Natural Springs located just by the sea. This pool is built with only a wall separating the sea from the pool and is a must visit sight for all. At the same time, you will visit the ancient Hindu Temple dating back to the 6th century BCE; Keerimalai Naguleswaram Temple. From Keerimalai, the tour takes on 24 km mostly along the northern beach, to reach the Northern Point of Sri Lanka, Point Pedro. Take some snaps to capture your visit while taking a break with Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka here. Another few kilometres on will take us to the Point Pedro Lighthouse - from where we travel in our vehicle to the hotel.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Ride from Jaffna to Paranthan

• Vehicle transfer to Kilinochchi

• Check in at the Guest House in Kilinochchi for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 60 km

Time – Approx. 4 ½ hours

Grading – Soft

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our expedition to Paranthan via Elephant Pass. The ride along A9 road on this day will be mostly through less inhabited areas with few villages/ towns to pass by. Elephant Pass War Memorial and the Hasalaka Gamini Memorial are two monuments to visit on this day. If you are keen, you could ride off road to see a day in the lives of the people in this area. Hindu Temples are a common sight on this route and the straight roads in this stretch will make your ride easy and enjoyable. The total journey will be on carpeted roads and will have some traffic if your ride falls on a weekend.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the guest house.

• Tour around Kilinochchi which was the capital of LTTE’s de facto state

• Ride from Paranthan to Mullaitivu.

• Check in at the Guest House in Mullaitivu for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 58 km

Time – Approx. 4 ½ hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

Soon after the breakfast at the guest house in Kilinochchi, Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka will take you to important landmarks in Kilinochchi by vehicle. Kilinochchi was the administrative centre and de facto capital of the LTTE until 2009 when the Sri Lankan Army recaptured the city. The remains of Kilinochchi Water Tower which was destroyed by LTTE during the final phase of the civil war, is a stark reminder of the 30 year conflict and now is a monument. The War Memorial is another important landmark on A9 road, a must visit place in Kilinochchi. Later you will be transferred to Paranthan from where you cycle up to Mullaitivu on A35 road. On your cycling tour, you will visit Puthukkudiyiruppu War Museum and see the dark history of the 30 year civil war. Monument of Victory is right next to the War Museum, commemorating the victory of the end of the civil war. Continue the ride along paddy fields and several villages, witnessing the day to day life of the people. Your cycling tour for the day concludes at Mullaitivu, a fishing village situated on the north-eastern coast of the island.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the guest house.

• Cycle to Puliyankulam via Nedunkerny

• Vehicle transfer from Puliyankulam to Vavuniya

• Check in at the Hotel in Vavuniya for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 50 km

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

Following breakfast, we will start cycling to the fishing villages, to watch their day to day busy activities, in the excitement of fresh catches and sales. A visit to the Mullaitivu Beach will be rewarded with the remains of the grounded MV Farah III which was a cargo ship en route to South Africa from India with tons of rice and was captured by the LTTE. We will cycle on to Puliyankulam after visiting the communities in Mullaitivu. Our journey will take us along Nanthikadal Lagoon where the LTTE leader succumbed during the final days of the civil war. Passing Nanthikadal Lagoon, the next town will be Mullivalai and after passing this town, your ride will be mostly along the jungles and the rice fields up to Nedunkerny. Mathiyamadu is the next village you pass by on this stretch, all the way through shrub and jungles - until we reach Puliyankulam. From here, you will be taken by vehicle to your hotel in Vavuniya.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Vavuniya

• Cycle to Horawapathana

• Vehicle transfer from Horawapathanh to Trincomalee

• Check in at the Hotel in Trincomalee for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 46 km (Vavuniya to Horawapathana)

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will start our day’s stretch from Vavuniya to Horawapathana. Passing several kilometres of busy road along A29 road, the route will be through dense jungles, paddy fields and chena cultivations - which captures agricultural livelihood of the people in this area. Kebithigollewa town is your next destination, with similar terrain. This part of the tour will mostly be one experiencing the landscape and agrarian lifestyle of the local population - a variation brought in by Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka on the trail. On reaching Horawapathana, you will board your vehicle and be transferred to Trincomalee.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Trincomalee.

• City Cycling in Trincomalee

• Ride from Trincomalee to Kathiraveli

• Visit Kinniya Hot Water Springs & Seruwawila Ancient Buddhist Temple

• Vehicle transfer from Kathiraveli to Chenkaladi

• Check in at the hotel in Chenkaladi for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 68 km (Trincomalee to Kathiraveli)

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

Our journey along the east coast will start right after breakfast from Chenkaladi - on a rather historical leg organised by Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka. Our first stop will be the Kanniya Hot Water Springs, which dates back to Ravana era, according to the epic Ramayana. Riding along the border of China Bay Airport, you will ride across the Kinniya Bridge which has a length of 396 metres and the longest bridge in the country. Our next stop will be Seruwawila Ancient Temple; one of the sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. Built in 2nd century BC, it contains the Sacred Relics of the Forehead Bone of Lord Buddha. After visiting Seruwawila Temple we head towards Kathiraveli from where you will be transferred to Chenkaladi. You will pass Vakarai - a stronghold of terrorists of the LTTE since 1985 until they were pushed out by the Sri Lankan Army in 2007.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Chenkaladi

• Ride from Chenkaladi to Karaitivu

• Visit a Handicraft Village in Mylambaveli

• Vehicle transfer from Karaitivu to Arugam Bay

• Visit a Handloom Weaving Factory in Palamunai

• Check in at the hotel in Arugam Bay for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 59 km (Chenkaladi to Karaitivu)

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

We will start the day’s ride after breakfast at the hotel. After cycling about 7 kms, we will arrive at a handicraft manufacturing community in Myrambaveli and experience the making of handicraft by Palmyrah leaves. Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka sees this stop as a great opportunity to interact with local people and experience how they generate humble earnings. You are encouraged to buy their handicrafts as souvenirs which in turn will help their livelihood. Next on the tour, we continue towards the south and you will arrive in Batticaloa which is one of the major cities in Eastern Province and the administrative capital of Batticaloa District. Passing Batticaloa town we will ride passing Kanthankudi and Kalmunai which are some of the Muslim majority towns in the country. Then we will arrive at Karaitivu Junction from where you will be transferred to a vehicle and driven to Arugam Bay. En route you will be visiting a Handloom Weaving Community in Palamunai. This part of the tour will enable you to meet very talented handloom weavers, who create beautiful sarees, linen and crafts - all in great artistry. An ancient crafting method, you can support this unique workmanship by purchasing their goods and promoting their talent.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Arugam Bay

• Ride from Arugam Bay to Moneragala

• Vehicle transfer from Moneragala to Yala (Katagamuwa)

• Check in at Big Game Campsite in Yala for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 67 km (Arugam Bay to Monaragala)

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

Our ride of the day will occur from Arugam Bay to Moneragala and will commence after breakfast from your hotel in Arugam Bay. First we will visit Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Pottuvil, a structure over 2000 years old, situated near the beach. After another ride of approximately 15 kms we will arrive at Magul Maha Viharaya Temple. This is the place where the marriage of the King of Ruhuna to Princess Viharamahadevi took place in the 2nd Century BC. A stone inscription dated back to the 14th century AD states that this temple was renovated by many monarchs. We continue our ride along Lahugala National Park which is a lesser known National Park in Sri Lanka. Passing Siyambalanduwa on A4 road we will reach Moneragala town, from where you will be transferred to Yala via Buttala & Kataragama. At Kataragama, you will get to visit Skanda Temple which is one of the most famous religious sites for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at Big Game Campsite

• Optional Jeep Safari in Yala National Park

• Cycling from Yala to Tangalle via Sithulpawwa and Bundala

• Visit Situlpawwa and Kirinde Temples en route.

• Vehicle transfer from Bundala to Tangalle

• Check in at the hotel in Tangalle for dinner and overnight stay.

• Optional Turtle Watching in Rekawa Beach in the night

Cycling distance - Approx. 62 km

Time – Approx. 4 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

Before you start the day’s ride, Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka gives youƒ the option of going for an early morning Jeep Safari in Yala National Park, which has the highest density of elusive leopards in the world, Sloth bears and Asian elephants. After breakfast at the campsite, you will begin your ride to Sithulpawwa Temple along the buffer zone of Yala National Park. The 12 km cycling route will take you to the 2nd century BC Situlpawwa Ancient Temple. A further 24 km and you will reach Yodakandiya and get your left turn to Kirinde Road. Viharamahadevi Temple in Kirinde is another 8 km away and we will continue our ride along the border of Bundala National Park upto Weligaththa - following the brief visit to Viharamahadevi Temple. At Weligattha you conclude cycling and be transferred Heto Tangalle on A2 road.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Tangalle

• Ride to Dondra Head via Mulkirigala, Beliatta & Talalla.

• Visit Mulkirigala Ancient Temple en route.

• Vehicle transfer from Dondra Head to Galle

• Check in at the hotel in Galle for dinner and overnight stay.

Cycling distance - Approx. 56 km

Time – Approx. 5 hours

Grading – Soft to Moderate

Your last leg with Cycling Holidays Sri Lanka, will commence after breakfast from the hotel. First we will ride up to Mulkirigala. This 18 km ride will take you to Mulkirigala and a visit to Mulkirigala Ancient Rock Temple, a 205 m high natural rock surrounded by four other rocks. Mulkirigala rock was called ‘Adam’s Berg’ by the Dutch which led to a confusion with Adam’s Peak - for the Europeans. The route will continue to Dondra Head via Beliatta and Dikwella. This route will be on less trafficked roads, enabling you to admire the beauty of the countryside and the ever changing landscape. The stretch from Dikwella to Dondra will on be on the A2 road which is a slightly busy road. You will ride to Dondra Head which is the southernmost point of Sri Lanka - thus you will complete your amazing ride from the Northern tip to the Southern tip of Sri Lanka. Once you reach Dondra Head, you will be driven to Galle. On the way at Weligama you will be astounded by iconic stilt fishing; a unique fishing method only to be encountered in Sri Lanka. If you are really keen, it can be arranged for you to experience stilt fishing as well - adding to your special experiences on this island.

Schedule:

• Breakfast at the hotel in Galle

• Visit Galle Dutch Fort.

• Transfer to your hotel in Negombo.

• Evening at leisure.

• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Negombo

• After breakfast we will take you to the airport well in time for your departure flight (check out time from the hotel is before 12 noon).

[Please check-in at least 60 minutes before the expected time of departure.]