14 Days: Wild Sri Lanka on 2 wheels
Number of cycling days: 12 MODERATE [Soft x 5 | Moderate x 6 | Hard x 1]
Average Km / day: 54 km
A cycling tour combining the best of cycling along with Sri Lanka’s most beautiful nature & visiting national parks in order to see as much as possible wildlife.
Tour Description
Tour Description
This is a complete cycling tour across the beautiful island of Sri Lanka highlighting its wildlife attractions. This tour not only gives you the chance to take an intimate look at the country, it also ensures that you savour all the country’s natural beauty with tours of national parks and authentic camping experiences.
You will first be transferred from the airport to the south west coast of the island. Your first base will be at Beruwala where you can rest up, meet the crew and plan the coming phases of the programme.
The cycle tour starts by heading land inward to the Sinharaja rainforest. A perfect start to see several of Sri Lanka’s endemic bird species. From the wet zone you will go to the dry zone. At Udawalawe you are guaranteed to see plenty of elephants while Yala offers up a spectacle with leopards and sloth bears. Keep an eye out for the countless species of birds that inhabit these areas. At night you will experience authentic camping in the wild.
It’s time to head into the hills next. A change of pace and climate lies ahead as you explore the Sri Lankan hillside. Ella and Nuwara Eliya boast picturesque scenery, misty mountains, waterfalls and tea estates and is a little window to a different hemisphere.
In order to avoid the busy city of Kandy we will defy more mountain ranges such as the Knuckles range. Once you have mastered Sri Lankan’s heights it is time to descend toward the cultural triangle. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress built by renegade King Kashyapa which you’ll be able to see from the nearby Pidurangala rock. Further north, Anuradhapura is without doubt one of Sri Lanka’s oldest kingdoms. Ride through and explore these ancient ruins to learn more about Sri Lanka’s rich past.
Then it’s one last foray into the wild. The Wilpattu National Park is a less frequented but truly impressive wildlife national park. Boasting a long list of beautiful species of flora and fauna, this is the ideal place to get your final taste of wild Sri Lanka. You will make a final stop in Negombo where you can rest and enjoy its golden beaches and warm waters before you head back home.
Don’t miss this chance to visit some of Sri Lanka’s true wildlife highlights as well as explore its heritage. This is a truly multi-faceted cycling tour that promises a comprehensive look at the island’s wild beauty.
Tour Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Airport – Beruwala (Approx. 110 km)
Schedule:
- Transfer airport to Beruwala
- Overnight stay at Muthumuni Beach, Beruwala
Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, you will be transferred to your hotel in the coastal town of Beruwala. Relax at this beachside retreat before having a pre-dinner meeting with the cycle guide and crew members where you can discuss the cycling programme. If you have some more time left, you might go for a walk near the fishermen harbour and with the 8th century Kachchimalai mosque overlooking the town of Beruwala.
Day 2: Beruwala – Sinharaja (Approx. 80 km)
Schedule:
- Cycling:
Route: Beruwala – Weddagala- Distance: Approx. 68 km
- Time: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs
- Grading: Moderate
- Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja
It’s time to set off on this cycle odyssey. After a relaxing stay at the Moragalla beach of Beruwala you will be heading inland towards the Wet Zone where you will cycle to Weddagala. This place lies close to the great Sinharaja rainforest which is renowned for being a biodiversity hotspot in the country. The coastal terrain will be warm but the transition from the Dry Zone to the Wet Zone will bring a welcoming change in climate. You will cross through several forest patches before you reach Weddagala. Here, you will be able to catch a glimpse of several species of birds as well as a colourful array of flora and fauna.
Day 3: Sinharaja
Schedule:
- Full day trek Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve
- Optional: Night walk along the peripheries.
- Dinner and overnight stay at Blue Magpie Lodge, Sinharaja
Following an early breakfast, enjoy a day of exploration (with packed lunches) in the beautiful Sinharaja rain forest where we will search for wet lowland forest birds including endemics. Depending on your interest, our guide will also help you to identify many butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, forest mammals and other wildlife. If you are feeling up to it, you can also do a night walk along the peripheries of the reserve.
Day 4: Sinharaja – Udawalawe (Approx. 125 km)
Schedule:
Cycling: - Route: Weddagala – Udawalawe
- Distance: Approx. 66 km
- Time: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs
- Grading: Moderate
- Dinner and overnight stay at Grand Udawalawe Resort, Udawalawe
Next you will head back to the Dry Zone for some quality time with another type of nature. Your next destination will be Udawalawe where one of Sri Lanka’s best national wildlife parks is situated. Udawalawe is simply the best place in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants and you are bound to run into a couple of them along your cycling route from Weddagala to Udawalawe. These magnificent beasts roam these areas freely while the rugged terrain in these parts will test your skills to give you a fun but challenging ride. After freshening up at the hotel and a good lunch you will pass the Udawalawe dam which overlooks the peaceful reservoir, on your way to the afternoon safari at the National Park.
Day 5: Udawalawe – Tangalle (Approx. 60 km)
Schedule:
- Cycling:
- Route: Udawalawe – Ranna
- Distance: Approx. 47 km
- Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs
- Grading: Moderate
- Rekawa Turtle Nesting
- Overnight stay at Ranna 212, Tangalle
After breakfast a visit to the Elephant Transit Home is foreseen. It’s a place where closer to 35 baby elephants are being taken care of with minimum human interaction as they are separated from their mothers. When the elephants are big and strong enough, they are released into the wilderness and start living a “normal” elephant life. Afterwards you will embark on a 47 km ride to Tangalle. The ride will be relatively smooth – going as the terrain between the two locations is primarily flat. The dry zone scenery is haunting and mesmerizing and will keep you thoroughly enthralled throughout the ride. 5 out of 7 species of marine turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka, and all five of them can be observed in Rekawa throughout the year in their natural habitat. Unlike the turtle hatcheries on the west coast, here the eggs are left undisturbed in the sand and protected in site. Even though, there is no guarantee that the marine turtles would come ashore every night, you can be sure to have an exciting night-time adventure on one of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Day 6: Tangalle – Yala (Approx. 85 km)
Schedule:
- Cycling:
- Route: Bundala – Yala
- Distance: Approx. 45 km
- Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs
- Grading: Soft
- Optional: Night walk along the peripheries.
- Overnight stay at Big Game Camp, Yala
In order to avoid the main traffic road, you will first be transferred until Bundala from where you’ll start cycling towards Yala. It's basically an easy ride across the dry zone. The afternoon is foreseen to have some relaxing time. An optional night walk can be organised for you along the park’s peripheries. Yala is commonly regarded as the best place in the world to see leopards and is home to many other animal species including the elusive sloth bear.
Day 7: Yala – Ella (Approx. 105 km)
Schedule:
- Morning safari Yala National Park
- Cycling:
- Route: Yala – Wellawaya
- Distance: Approx. 62 km
- Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs
- Grading: Moderate
- Overnight stay at Ella Flower Garden, Ella
In the early morning you will go for a safari at Yala National Park in search for more wildlife. After that you’ll head out of the wilderness into the misty mountains of Sri Lanka. You will head towards Ella, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. This scenic locale has the climate of a pleasant English summer and boasts some of the most picturesque scenery on show. After breakfast you will make your way through a part of the Yala National Park all the way to Wellawaya. This 62 km stretch is flat and, with a bit of luck, will serve you up some close encounters with the many endemic animal species that reside in the surrounding areas.
Day 8: Ella – Nuwara Eliya (Approx. 80 km)
Schedule:
- Train ride Ella – Pattipola (Subject to availability !)
- Cycling:
- Route: Pattipola – Nuwara Eliya
- Distance: Approx. 24 km
- Time: Approx. 2 hrs
- Grading: Moderate
- Overnight stay at Heaven Seven, Nuwara Eliya
You will set off on a train ride from Ella to Pattipola. Afterwards you will ride through misty forests all the way to Nuwara Eliya. On this trail you will be covering some of the remotest mountainous terrain on the island while we recommend you pack a jacket as the climate gets much cooler up here. This short 24 km trail will serve up some exquisite natural sights as well as possible glimpses of Sambar deer, leaf monkeys and giant squirrels. You will ride past the Ambewela farm where you can make a quick stop and try out some of the fresh dairy products on offer.
Day 9: Nuwara Eliya – Teldeniya (Approx. 105 km)
Schedule:
- Cycling:
- Route: Ragala – Teldeniya
- Distance: Approx. 82 km
- Time: Approx. 6 to 7 hrs
- Grading: Hard
- Overnight stay at Polwaththa Eco Lodges, Teldeniya
After breakfast a vehicle will transfer you as far as Ragala, where you will begin your cycling trail towards Teldeniya. Ascents and descents will challenge you along this trail while the stunning and tranquil mountains will keep you satisfied throughout this long journey. On the way to Teldeniya you will also be able to see the Victoria dam, which is the largest in Sri Lanka as well as the largest hydroelectric power station in the country. It is important to arrive on time at the destination cause in the late afternoon there is another opportunity to admire loads of different bird species. Often seen endemic species are the yellow fronted barbet, hanging parrot, grey hornbill, Layard’s parakeet, greater flameback and many more.
Day 10: Teldeniya – Riverstone (Approx. 70 km)
Schedule:
- Cycling:
- Route: Teldeniya – Riverstone
- Distance: Approx. 70 km
- Time: Approx. 6 to 7 hrs
- Grading: Hard
- Overnight stay at Alki Bungalows, Riverstone
Another day focussing on cycling in the mountains. In other words, you will defy the Knuckles mountain range which covers an area of about 160 km². With its rugged mountains and spectacular sceneries, it is without a doubt one of the most scenic parts in the Sri Lankan Highlands and a real paradise for those who love hiking and mountain biking. The scenic trails will take you across the mountains, crystal clear rivers and dense forests to flowing waterfalls, lush tea plantations and traditional little villages, surrounded by colourful home gardens and terraced paddy fields, a world away from the fast-paced city life.
Day 11: Riverstone – Sigiriya (Approx. 85 km)
Schedule:
- Cycling:
- Route: Riverstone – Sigiriya
- Distance: Approx. 80 km
- Time: Approx. 6 to 7 hrs
- Grading: Moderate
- Sunset climb Pidurangala rock
- Overnight stay at Kassapa Lions Rock, Sigiriya
Today you will leave the hills and head to Sigiriya. The beginning of the trail will be mountainous with many descends as the rest of the roads will be mostly flat. You will feel the climate change once again. Once you leave the mountains behind, you enter Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. In the late afternoon you will have another challenge that awaits you: climb the Pidurangala rock. It is believed that the history of the Pidurangala temple goes back to the first century BC. Those days Pidurangala was used as a Buddhist monastery but became a prominent place after King Kashyapa asked the monks living on the Lion Rock to move to the nearby Pidurangala. If the weather conditions are good, you can climb the rock and have a stunning view on the Lion Rock with sunset.
Day 12: Sigiriya – Wilpattu (Approx. 100 km)
Schedule:
- Visit Anuradhapura
- Cycling:
- Route: Anuradhapura – Galkadawala
- Distance: Approx. 42 km
- Time: Approx. 3 to 4 hrs
- Grading: soft
- Overnight stay at Big Game Camp, Wilpattu
After breakfast you will be transported to Anuradhapura which is known as the oldest of the ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka dating as far back as the 4th century BC. The ancient ruins found in this place give an insight to the island’s past while representing the great engineering and architectural feats of an ancient civilisation. From here you will ride along a mixture of tarred and byroads across some of the most isolated villages in the country. As you get closer to your destination you will ride alongside the Wilpattu National Park. This park is one of the country’s oldest and largest national parks and is home to elephants, leopards and sloth bears.
Day 13: Wilpattu – Negombo (Approx. 150 km)
Schedule:
- Morning safari Wilpattu National Park
- Cycling:
- Route: Karuwalagaswewa – Andigama
- Distance: Approx. 41 km
- Time: Approx. 3 hrs
- Grading: soft
- Overnight stay at Goldi Sands, Negombo
After experiencing an exciting night at our tented camp, it’s time to head back to Negombo with a soft cycling session. Wind down this epic cycling adventure with a relatively easy track while engaging with the local people and exploring the surrounding areas. Keep an eye out once again for the Dry Zone birds that are sure to greet you along the way. Once you reach the town of Andigama you will be transferred to your hotel thus ending your cycling odyssey.
Day 14: Negombo – Airport (Approx. 15 km)
Today you will be transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake in time to catch your flight back home. Your kaleidoscopic cycling tour ends here but you will surely take hundreds of beautiful memories from Sri Lanka with you.