Your itinerary
Day 1
Adventure starts in Sigiriya
Welcome to Sigiriya, where our cycling adventure begins. There are no planned activities today, so there’s time to settle into the hotel and relax before we get on our bikes tomorrow.
Around 6pm say ayubowan to your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner for your first taste of Sri Lankan cuisine.
Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Climb Sigiriya • Ride to Dambulla cave temple (4 hours cycling)
Rise early to climb the fifth-century rock fortress of Sigiriya. As we make our way up, we pass ancient frescoes on the rockface before continuing to the summit, where we explore the palace ruins and take in far-reaching views over the jungle.
Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and then ride along gravel roads following an old irrigation canal to Dambulla, a second-century BCE Buddhist cave temple. On the way, we stop by the Kandalama reservoir, which is rich in bird life. Arriving in Dambulla, it is well worth the walk to view the five caves, which contain many ancient Buddha statues, some carved from the solid rock. Returning via the busy market town, we take another quiet backroad through chilli and rice fields before cycling back to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 3
Ride to Polonnaruwa • Cycle tour of ruins (5 hours cycling)
This morning, we have a long ride along a quiet backroad, which is part of the Sigiriya nature reserve where you often come across monitor lizards and monkeys, before joining the highway to Polonnaruwa and riding to our hotel. After around 15mi (24km), we take a 15-minute bus transfer to avoid a stretch where wild elephants roam, before getting back on the bike to complete our ride.
The second stretch of the ride winds through small villages and lush rice paddy fields. We pass a couple of tranquil reservoirs and an irrigation canal running parallel to the road – look out for mongoose, kingfisher, storks and birds of prey amongst the rural scenery.
Later, we tour the ruined city of Polonnaruwa, which dates from the 10th to 13th century. You have the option in the evening to join your tour leader at a family-owned restaurant to experience local food and culture.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 4
Ride through foothills of spice-growing region (6 hours cycling)
We follow a 6mi (10km) long artificial dam and canal to the source of a local lake, the Amban Ganga River. The afternoon ride is flanked by the Kalanduwa hills on one side and Wasgomuwa Wildlife Park on the other. And as jungle gives way to plantations, we enter the spice-growing region of Sri Lanka. The ride starts at an elevation of 328ft (100m) and the destination is at an elevation of 820ft (250m).
When we reach the main road, we dismount and board the bus for the journey as the road to Kandy can get very busy. On the way, we stop at a spice garden to learn more about the spices used in the piquant Sri Lankan curries.
During today’s ride, we also visit a special roadside tea shop near Polonnaruwa. After the stall fell into disrepair, our Sri Lankan tour leader Ruwan Balasuriya donated the prize money he won entering the our Leaders’ Hall of Fame to help the owner family renovate the stall, making it a welcome stop for all passers by.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 5
Free day in Kandy
Enjoy a free day to explore. Kandy has so much to offer, including the wonderful botanical gardens, the Temple of the Tooth, and streets lined with curio shops. The surrounding hills are dotted with wonderful temples. Walk around the lake in the heart of the city to see huge water monitor lizards, fruit bats, palm squirrels, and birds such as kingfishers, pelicans and night herons. Also don’t miss the fruit and vegetable market for a chance to see busy Kandy in full swing.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Challenging ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya (9 hours cycling)
For those who feel like a challenge, it’s 52mi (84km) – climbing up to 6,562ft (2,000m) above sea level – to reach this most favoured hill station.
A short drive from the hotel will take us to the beginning of the ride, enabling us to bypass Kandy’s busiest roads. For the first part of the ride, we take the old road, a far more pleasant route, and one of the few places where you see terraced paddy fields. Beyond is tea country, reputed to produce the finest teas on the island. We cycle through thousands of acres of tea crops, where you will spot the tea pickers moving swiftly between the bushes in their vibrant clothes.
For anyone who doesn’t do hills, we strongly recommend the train ride to Nuwara Eliya. Tickets for the train journey are dependent on availability, they can only be purchased on the day and unable to reserve in advance. If unavailable, we can use the bus instead.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 7
Morning ride to Nuwara Eliya town and tea factory • Afternoon free (3hr 30min cycling)
Nuwara Eliya was a popular hill station during the British era and is situated in the cool highland air at 6,200ft (1,890m). Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and even features a golf club and racecourse.
After a leisurely breakfast, we take a short bus transfer into Nuwara Eliya town and then ride to a tea factory through little villages and patches of vegetables. As we twist and turn on the rolling, windy road, we get to see the town from different viewpoints. After understanding the journey from leaf to cup, we ride back to the hotel through lush green tea plantations.
We then have a free afternoon to explore Nuwara Eliya.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 8
Hill country ride to Ella (4 hours cycling)
In the morning, we cycle through hill country towards Ella, stopping for tea in Bandarawela, a trading centre where exotic fruits from the east coast are traded for hill country vegetables. After a refreshing tea break, we take backroads through hundreds of acres of tea plantations and cycle along the edge of the Central Highlands to reach Ella. On arrival into Ella, we stop for a late lunch before check-in. We have the chance to watch the sunset from the Ella Gap viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see the coast shimmering in the distance.
In the evening, we join a local family to share authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and learn firsthand from our hosts about their customs and culture.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 9
Descent, stopping at the rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagela • To Tissamaharama (8 hours cycling)
Descending 3,281ft (1,000m), we leave the breath-taking scenery of the Uva Province for the gentle rolling hills of the dry zone, taking a break en route at the impressive Rawana Ella waterfall before stopping at the rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagala. The 49ft (15m) rock carving of Buddha is flanked by small figures depicting his helpers and a very rare image of Maitreya, the future Buddha, which dates from the 10th century. The tranquillity here is enhanced by the lotus-covered lake; we relax on the banks and eat fresh fruit before riding to lunch. Here we can retreat from the heat of the day, before the final 19mi (30km) to Tissamaharama, the capital of the old Ruhuna kingdom.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 10
Morning ride to Kataragama Temple • Afternoon drive to Yala National Park for safari (3hr 30min cycling)
In the morning, we cycle to Kataragama temple, which lies 10mi (16km) northeast of Tissa. People of all faiths come to seek favour with the god Skanda, who is reputed to restore people’s health. The colourful and noisy pooja (ritual) is always busy, with thousands of pilgrims during the festival season from July to August. Tissa is close to Yala National Park, the best park in Sri Lanka to see leopards.
After lunch, we have a safari in the park, where we may see elephants, deer, wild boars, sloth bears, Asian jackals, lots of birdlife and, if we’re very lucky, a leopard. We explore the lesser-visited Block 5 area, which has denser vegetation than the open plains but the same chances of seeing the elusive leopards and sloth bears, all without having to compete with multiple other game vehicles. After, we return to Tissa for the night
Please note: the sanctuary may be closed for four to six weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. We therefore go to a nearby alternative, usually Lunugamvehera or Udawalawe National Park.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 11
Ride through Bundala National Park and by the lagoon for spectacular birdlife • Continue riding on the coast to Hambantota • To Ahangama (3 hours cycling)
Leaving early to avoid the heat of the dry zone, we ride along the boundary of Bundala Bird Sanctuary. We hit the main road for the final 19mi (30km) to Hambantota, a series of sandy bays fanning out from this typical coastal town. We then take a transfer from Hambantota to Ahangama by coach. For the next two nights we stay in Ahangama.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 12
Free day on beach • Optional ride to Koggala
Today you can pick your own adventure. Either relax at the hotel or join a late-morning ride (15.5mi/25km) along rural roads to Wandurugama village, where you stop at a colonial manor house for high tea and authentic Sri Lankan snack. Today it is known as Thalpe Walawwa Heritage Villa, occupied by a leading family within the local ancient Sri Lanka society. Quite a few prominent personalities were born and spent their childhood in this beautiful residence. After the visit, return to the hotel via Koggala Lake (approximately a three-hour ride).
This afternoon is free to explore the beach, laze by the pool or join an optional boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation and monkey island on Koggala Lake. In the late afternoon, we can view the stilt fishermen climb their poles to catch a few bites for supper. From November to April, we can also go whale watching off Dondra head, near Mirissa, which is one of the best places in the world to see blue and sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins often accompany the boats.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
To Colombo via Galle Fort
After an early breakfast, we travel to Galle, where there is time to discover its historic fortified old town. Galle Fort reflects centuries of colonial history, with much of its fortifications developed by the Dutch in the 17th century. Wander along the old ramparts and through the narrow streets before finding your own spot for lunch.
We meet back at the bus in the mid-afternoon for the approximately two-hour drive to Colombo. On arrival, the rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or explore independently. This evening, we can choose from one of Colombo’s many restaurants for our final dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14
Adventure ends in Colombo
You’ve explored Sri Lanka from the saddle, summited mighty Sigiriya and been on safari in Yala National Park, but today the adventure comes to end.
Alternatively, if you’re craving a little R&R, speak to your sales representative about a post-trip adventure in the Maldives or time relaxing on the golden sands of Sri Lanka.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Food
We suggest allowing about 7,000 rupees (US$23) per day for lunches and dinners that aren’t included.
Eating out in Sri Lanka is generally affordable, and your tour leader can recommend local places to eat. In some locations, restaurant choices may be limited or unsuitable for larger groups, in which case you’ll eat at the hotel. Hotel meals are generally buffet-style, although many also offer an à la carte menu. Where practical, your tour leader can help arrange transport into the local town, or you can travel independently by tuk tuk or taxi.
Sri Lankan cuisine combines fresh local produce with aromatic spices and flavours influenced by the island’s diverse cultural heritage. Rice and curry is a staple, typically consisting of a selection of meat or vegetable curries, pickles, sambols (condiments) and poppadoms. Coconut, chilli, curry leaves, cinnamon and garlic feature prominently in many dishes.
Vegetarians are well catered for, but please let us know before departure about any dietary requirements. Some specialist products can be difficult to find, particularly outside hotels, and options for certain diets, including wheat- or dairy-free, may be limited. If you rely on particular products, you may wish to bring suitable alternatives from home. Spicier food can usually be avoided, and many hotels offer Western options alongside traditional Sri Lankan dishes.
Drinking water is provided by our local operator in large containers throughout the trip. Please bring a reusable bottle to refill.
Bundala Wetlands Birdlife Ride
Set out early to ride beside Bundala National Park, following lagoon edges and dune-backed scrub alive with calls. Spot waders, storks and raptors while the lagoons alive with birdlife shimmer in low morning light, with seasonal flocks of flamingos a highlight.
This Ramsar-listed mosaic of saltpans and marshes excels for photography and quiet observation. The gentle coastal gradients and sea breeze make for relaxed, wildlife-rich cycling.
Ella Gap Sunset Viewpoint
Walk to the ridge to watch sunset from Ella Gap, where the Central Highlands fall away to the southern plains. As shadows lengthen, valleys haze blue and the coast shimmering in the distance emerges on cloudless evenings.
This natural balcony on the edge of the Central Highlands pairs mountain breezes with golden light ideal for photography. It’s an unhurried, contemplative close to a day of hill-country riding.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress Ascent
Climb the fifth-century stronghold of Sigiriya, ascending iron stairways past the famed Mirror Wall frescoes to reach palace ruins crowning a sheer basalt outcrop. At the summit, wander water gardens and ramparts as panoramic views over the jungle plains unfold in every direction.
Discover the story of King Kashyapa’s sky palace and enter through the monumental Lion’s Paw Gate, a symbol of power carved into the rock. This UNESCO-listed citadel fuses engineering and artistry, offering a dramatic window into Sri Lanka’s royal past.
Dambulla Cave Temples & Kandalama Reservoir Ride
Cycle quiet backroads tracing ancient canals to the bird-rich Kandalama Reservoir, then walk up to the Dambulla Cave Temples where five sanctuaries glow with painted ceilings and serene statues. The route threads paddy fields and village lanes alive with kingfishers and storks.
Explore a monastic complex with origins in the second century BCE, where rulers and pilgrims endowed shrines for millennia. Inside, the painted cave shrines immerse you in Buddhist iconography—reclining Buddhas, lotus motifs, and candlelight softening the stone.
Polonnaruwa Ancient City Cycle Tour
Pedal between temples, palaces and bathing tanks as you cycle the ruins of Polonnaruwa, a medieval capital set beside the vast Parakrama Samudra tank. Pause at the sublime Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddhas and the architectural cluster of the Quadrangle.
Hear how 10th–13th-century monarchs engineered reservoirs to irrigate rice kingdoms. Stone colonnades, moonstones and guardian figures reveal a courtly world, while colossal granite sculptures reflect devotional artistry perfected over centuries.
Foothills Ride & Spice Garden Visit
Ride along dams and canals toward the Amban Ganga River, passing coconut groves and village chenas before entering Sri Lanka’s spice country. Stop to visit a working spice garden where cinnamon and cardamom scent the air and traditional processing is demonstrated.
Learn how the island’s spice trade shaped cuisine and commerce, flavouring piquant Sri Lankan curries and lacing the highlands with clove, pepper and nutmeg. The journey blends gentle gradients with rich botanical discovery.
Highlands Ascent Ride to Nuwara Eliya
Tackle the highland ascent into tea country on a rewarding climb from rice terraces to tea-clad slopes. Cool mists drift across ridgelines as tea pluckers in bright saris move through emerald rows and villages perch above tumbling streams.
Arrive in the former British hill station nicknamed Little England, where gabled cottages and a brisk climate recall colonial times. The ride’s shifting scenery and cool hill-country air make this a signature Sri Lankan cycling day.
Scenic Highland Train to Nanu Oya (Subject to Availability)
Board the classic hill-country service to ride the highland train, gliding past tea country, misty forests and village halts. Open windows frame viaducts, tunnels and rolling plantations as vendors carry sweet tea and short eats along the carriage.
Built to move tea to the coast, this British-era railway threads dramatic contours with unhurried charm. Tickets are purchased on the day and seats are limited; when trains are full, a scenic road transfer through the same landscapes is used.
Nuwara Eliya Tea Factory Tour & Plantation Ride
Cycle quiet lanes between tea gardens to tour a working tea factory, tracing the journey from leaf to cup. Watch withering, rolling and firing in aromatic rooms before sampling a fresh infusion of Ceylon Tea.
Learn how altitude, rainfall and soil craft flavour profiles from bright and brisk to floral and delicate. The ride back threads emerald slopes and eucalyptus stands, a gentle counterpoint to your morning tastings.
Rawana Falls & Buduruvagala Rock-cut Buddhas
Pause at the thundering Rawana Ella waterfall before continuing to the forest-ringed sanctuary of Buduruvagala rock-cut Buddhas. Here a 15m standing Buddha and attendant figures emerge from a dark cliff face beside a lotus-dotted lake.
Carved in the 10th century, the sculptures reveal refined artistry and enduring devotion. The quiet setting amplifies chiselled robes and calm expressions, inviting reflection amid birdsong and rustling leaves.
Kataragama Sacred City Visit
Visit Kataragama Temple, a revered multi-faith shrine where Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims gather. Witness a colourful pooja with drumming, conch blasts and oil lamps as devotees offer fruit and incense to Skanda/Murugan.
Set amid shrines and bo trees, this multi-faith pilgrimage site thrums with energy year-round, peaking during festival season when pilgrims walk for days to reach the sacred precinct by river and forest paths.
Yala National Park Safari Game Drive
Climb aboard 4x4s for a safari in Yala National Park, scanning scrub and rock outcrops to search for leopards and elephants. Peacocks strut, bee-eaters flash emerald and deer move through palu groves as the wild Sri Lankan bush reveals its cast.
Exploring the less-visited Block 5 helps avoid vehicle clusters while keeping wildlife sightings high. During seasonal closures, alternative reserves with similar habitats are used to prioritise conservation and your experience.
Galle Fort Ramparts Walk
Stroll the breezy walls to walk the ramparts of Galle Fort, passing the whitewashed lighthouse, sea bastions and Dutch-era warehouses now housing cafés and galleries. Narrow lanes reveal verandah-fronted homes and coral-stone churches.
Built over Portuguese foundations and strengthened by the Dutch in the 17th century, these Dutch-built bastions guard a living UNESCO World Heritage town where traders, fishermen and schoolchildren share the streetscape with history.
Welcome Dinner & Meet Your Tour Leader
Gather at the hotel to meet your tour leader and travelling companions, sharing a welcome dinner of Sri Lankan rice and curry with sambols and fragrant coconut. Learn how the journey unfolds and pick up tips on riding, culture and local etiquette.
Hear the island greeting “ayubowan” and the stories behind regional dishes, spices and tea. It’s a relaxed, convivial start that sets the tone for camaraderie on the road.
Home-hosted Dinner in Ella
Join a local family to share a home-hosted dinner, tasting hoppers, sambols and spice-laden curries cooked over home stoves. Conversation flows as you learn about Sri Lankan customs, mealtimes and seasonal ingredients.
The intimate setting reveals everyday life in the hills—pride in produce, kitchen rituals and warm hospitality. It’s a flavour-rich cultural exchange that lingers long after dessert.
Stilt Fishermen Viewing on the South Coast
Pause along the shore to watch the stilt fishermen perched above the swash, balancing on wooden poles as lines skim the water. As dusk gathers, sunset silhouettes carve striking forms against the Indian Ocean.
This age-old coastal tradition speaks to ingenuity and the rhythms of sea and season. It’s a contemplative, camera-ready moment that connects cycling days with the salt-sprayed life of the south.
Wandurugama Village Ride & Thalpe Walawwa High Tea
Join a leisurely ride along palm-lined lanes to Wandurugama village, pausing at the Thalpe Walawwa Heritage Villa for a guided look at a colonial manor and a refined high tea. Return via lakeside roads with views across Koggala Lake.
This add-on blends gentle cycling with living heritage—verandahs, ancestral portraits and garden courtyards. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and subject to local conditions.
Koggala Lake Mangrove Boat Safari & Cinnamon Island
Cruise Koggala Lake by small boat, gliding through mangrove tunnels alive with bird calls. Step ashore for a hands-on cinnamon-peeling demonstration and continue to a tiny “monkey island” frequented by toque macaques.
Brackish lagoons, islets and swamps reveal a different side of the south coast’s ecology and spice heritage. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and weather dependent.
Mirissa Whale Watching (Seasonal)
Set out at first light to go whale watching off Dondra Head, scanning cobalt waters for blue and sperm whales. Spinner dolphins often bow-ride the boat as sea birds wheel and dive.
November to April offers the best conditions for sightings in these deep, nutrient-rich currents. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour, with departures weather and season dependent.
Ahangama Beach Barbecue Dinner (Weather Permitting)
Gather by the shore to enjoy a beach barbecue, savouring grilled Sri Lankan seafood as waves lap the sand. Lanterns glow and conversation carries on the breeze in relaxed, feet-in-the-sand dining style.
Menus reflect the day’s catch and local produce, with the ocean as your soundtrack. Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour and weather permitting.
Polonnaruwa Family-Hosted Dinner
Join a family-hosted dinner at a locally run restaurant, sampling home-style Sri Lankan dishes and hearing stories of village life, spice blends and festival traditions. It’s an intimate counterpoint to grand ruins and open roads.
Expect aromatic curries, sambols and sweet treats served with warm local hospitality. Optional experience at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.
