Sri Lanka Cycle Tour – Immerse yourself into the Sri Lankan culture travelling at your on pace on two wheels
Destinations: Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Kandy – Numara Eliya – Hikkaduwa – Columbo
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Tours Available Year Round – Need a minimum of 4 people per booking
Price: Starting at $2,700 plus 5% GST per person (double/triple occupancy)
Next Small Group Tour: *April 13 – 29, 2019 (maximum participants is 12 people)
Tour Deposit: To secure your booking a deposit of $500 is required.
*For the group tour you must arrive on April 13 at the Columbo International Airport. Travel Roots can provide assistance with booking flights if needed.
Tour Overview
Your Sri Lanka Cycle Tour will help unfold the mysteries of Sri Lanka, as we take you on a unique cycle adventure to explore ancient archaeological cities, rural towns & villages, Hill stations in the highlands, and tranquil beaches. Sri Lanka is a fascinating island paradise and a destination where a traveller will experience rich culture, scenic beauty, incredible history, and a wide range of places to explore and delicious culinary cuisine.
This will be a moderately challenging journey since you will be cycling, hiking, and walking throughout the experience. You will have a local team of professionals that will get you safely to each destination and ensure all your needs are met.
- Cycle through the rural countryside and experience traditional farmers lifestyle and culture
- Mingle with locals and try traditional foods and unique tea blends
- Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress - one of the most iconic sites in Sri Lanka
- Tour the sacred city of Polonnaruwa by bike
- Experience elephants in their natural habitat in the Minneriya protected area
- Journey to the beautiful region of Kandy in the highlands of Sri Lanka
- Discover the culture, history and heritage of Kandy including the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha
- Cycle to Nuwara Eliya on a scenic route through the tea plantations
- Trek to Little Admas Peak and experience tea plucking
- Travel on a First Class ticket by train through one of the most scenic regions in the country
- Cycle through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Horton Plains an ecotourism paradise with lush vegetation, incredible wildlife, and waterfalls
- Spend your last few days in the tranquil beach community of Hikkaduwa
DAY 01: AIRPORT – PINNAWALA - SIGIRIYA
Meet and assist on arrival at Airport by our Representative. Transfer from Airport to Pinnawala.
As you enter the 25-acre coconut property, do not be surprised to witness baby elephants being bottle fed or moving around freely causing absolutely no harm to anyone. It is rightly a sincere sight to observe how these gentle giants - orphaned and sometimes three-legged - are taken care of since 1975 at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Up to date, over 20 calves have been born here, and it is surprising to hear that some of its inmates have even seen their grandchildren during the past few decades! Watch as they feed at 9:15 am, 1:15 pm & 5:00 pm and take a river bath twice a day at 10:00 am & 2:00 pm respectively for an experience that could never be felt anywhere else on earth!
Transfer from Pinnawala to Sigiriya
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Hotel Sigiriya
DAY 02: SIGIRIYA – HIRIWADUNNA - SIGIRIYA
Breakfast at Hotel Sigiriya.
Cycling countryside and experience people traditional farmers living style and local lunch at Chief farmers house.
You will start the cycle along the countryside and experience traditional Sri Lankan countryside village function, people living style and customs. You will canoe to farmers’ house and chief famer will welcome you with traditional way with foods and forest cup of tea. He will take you around his Chena and offer you Sri Lankan lunch at his house. It is 25 – 35 Km distance and soft terrain.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Hotel Sigiriya
DAY 03: SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA - SIGIRIYA
Breakfast at Hotel Sigiriya cycling to Sigiriya rock fortress.
Cycling countryside and Dambulla.
Approx. distance 40 – 60 Km and it is flat terrain.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Hotel Sigiriya
DAY 04: SIGITIYA - POLONNARUWA
Breakfast at Hotel Sigiriya proceed to Polonnaruwa.
Polonnaruwa sacred city tour by bike. Cycling through to Polonnaruwa and it is soft and flat cycling tails and temperature would be day time 33 – 35 C. Evening cycling in Polonnaruwa Countryside through the water tank and paddy filed area. Total Cycling distance approximately 40 – 60 km. [Approx. 3 - 4 Hours]
Dinner and Overnight Stay at The Lake
DAY 05: POLONNARUWA – MINNERIYA - POLONNARUWA
Breakfast at The Lake.
Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya.
If you're up for a serious rumble in the jungle, then Minneriya is your Colosseum! Spreading over 8800 hectares, this is a sanctuary for elephants. Minneriya is home to herds of deer and ample birdlife, but its spotlight remains between swaying trunks & flapping ears. Park your jeep on the bank of the reservoir and switch off its engine. Watch carefully as herds of elephants - one by one - roll on to the grass-covered banks, to feed on tender shoots. In fact, this is the largest elephant gathering in the world - over 300 at a time - which has garnished the park to become a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe.
Transfer from Minneriya to Polonnaruwa
Dinner and Overnight Stay at The Lake
DAY 6: POLONNARUWA - KANDY
Breakfast at The Lake.
After breakfast you will cycle through the Polonnaruwa water tank to Bankamunuan Junction about 45 Km. it is flat route and you will ride countryside and wilderness area. You will start the cycling 5 Km away from Hetipola Junction and it is warm up ride in flat route before start the climbing. Hetipola to Top of Knuckles there is 21 Km and route will get mostly climbs but in between there are few flat areas. The elevation is approximately 1400 meters above the sea level. This is the one of most scenic cycling trail in Sri Lanka.
There is water stream and natural rock pool and if you like you can have a swim there.
Cycling to Matale via Knuckles range.
Total Cycling distance approximately 60 - 80 km. [Approx. 4 - 5 Hours]
Proceed to Kandy.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Emerald Hill Hotel
DAY 7: KANDY – HANTHANA - KANDY
Breakfast at Emerald Hill Hotel.
Proceed to Hanthana Tea Plantation.
Cycling through Hanthana Tea Plantation.
After the lunch city tour in Kandy.
Last ruled by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe - before it was brought under the British rule in 1815, Kandy - the World Heritage Site & last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings - crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors across the globe. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across this small lakeside town - cradled among the misty hills - will feature the Kandy City Centre - bundled with latest and world class brands, bazaar, an arts & crafts centre, as well as a gem museum & lapidary. Walk in colour as you glide through fresh fruits and vegetables in the Kandy market. Fine tube your evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music & drumming amplified by a cultural show enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Emerald Hill Hotel
DAY 8: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at Emerald Hill Hotel. Transfer to Gampola.
Cycling to Nuwara Elliya and explore Kothmalee Counrtyside and tea planation.
Evening enjoy a time of leisure & relaxation at the hotel.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Royal Hills
DAY 9: NUWARA ELIYA – ELLA - NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at Royal Hills. After breakfast cycling to Ella and explore 9 arch bridge.
Trekking to Little Admas Peak and experience Tea plucking.
Returning to Nuwara Elliya by Train (First Class A/C compartment)
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Royal Hills
DAY 10: NUWARA ELIYA – HORTON PLAINS - NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at Royal Hills. After breakfast proceed to Horton Plains and Trekking in Horton Plains.
Cycling to Belihul Oya via Devil Staircase and en-route visit to Babarakanda waterfall Horton Plains, UNESCO World Heritage Site, trekking paradise & Eco-tourism hideout in the heart of the isle, painted with unending stretches of green pastures marks one of the healthiest wet montane evergreen forests in Sri Lanka. With an altitude above 7000ft, the plateau sweeps to a robust 3169 hectares sheltering flora and fauna varieties that may be found nowhere else on earth. As the tributary of Belihul Oya - Bakers Falls - thunders down rocks head
along the 9km trekking path - across frost-covered grass - to feel the icy-cold wind against your face. You may even gaze down World's End, a head-spinning 3700ft drop towards the Southern end or drive carefully through herds of sambar deer, shy to human touch & birdlife chirping across the plains. If you're cautious enough you may be greeted by the sights of a grunting wild boar, a pouncing fishing cat, otters or even the 'Spotted-Ghost that haunts the plains', the Sri Lankan Leopard.
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Royal Hills
DAY 11: NUWARA ELIYA – HIKKADUWA
After Breakfast proceed to Hikkaduwa for a time of relaxation by the beach & hotel.
Studded with palm-fringed beaches kissed & twisted by waves crashing against solid rocks, Hikkaduwa boats of a friendly, but tranquil atmosphere. Grab your fins and goggles before you plunge into the blue for a colourful snorkelling experience through schools of reef fish. Hikkaduwa proves to be a true bliss as you take a glass-bottomed boat ride observing a flashy marine life painted with an abundance of corals. Witness complete rest and relaxation as everything goes silent underwater. Or jump into a pair of beach shorts for a staggering head-bang at Hikka Fest - the largest beach festival in Sri Lanka - unfolding in April promising an ultimate fiesta of coastal night life.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Lavanga Resort & Spa
DAY 12: HIKKADUWA – GALLE - HIKKADUWA
After Breakfast proceed to Galle for a city tour.
Galle, the epic Southern capital, is the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk the Dutch-haunted streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions today flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Its original ramparts and bastions preserved up to date showcase evidences of a heritage preserved for more than 3 1/2 centuries. Walk clockwise within the fort to observe the 'old gate' carrying the British coat of arms. Flanking the old gate is the Zwart bastion - the oldest of all - and the lighthouse standing 18 feet in its glory next to the Point Utretcht Bastion. This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas. Hop into the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex to be mesmerized by an array of souvenir selections. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Dutch fort remains a working community with its usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches and Southern folks frequenting its streets bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle!
Transfer to Hikkaduwa
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Lavanga Resort & Spa
DAY 13 & 14: HIKKADUWA
After Breakfast proceed for a time of relaxation & leisure by the beach. (Transportation & Guide will no be allocated)
Studded with palm-fringed beaches kissed & twisted by waves crashing against solid rocks, Hikkaduwa boats of a friendly, but tranquil atmosphere. Grab your fins and goggles before you plunge into the blue for a colourful snorkelling experience through schools of reef fish. Hikkaduwa proves to be a true bliss as you take a glass-bottomed boat ride observing a flashy marine life painted with an abundance of corals. Witness complete rest and relaxation as everything goes silent underwater. Or jump into a pair of beach shorts for a staggering head-bang at Hikka Fest - the largest beach festival in Sri Lanka - unfolding in April promising an ultimate fiesta of coastal night life.
Dinner and Overnight Stay at Lavanga Resort & Spa
DAY 15: HIKKADUWA – AIRPORT
After Breakfast proceed to the Airport for departure at the appropriate time.
Tour Inclusions:
- Accommodation for 14 nights in standard rooms on Half Board Basis
- Breakfast & lunch included throughout the touring part of the experience.
- Transportation by A/C Vehicle as per the Itinerary
- Service of English Speaking National Guide
- All sightseeing as per program
- Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary
- Cycling Logistics – mountain bikes, management of the cycling route – cycling guide – supporting staff and first aid assistance – cycle carrier vehicle and spare bikes
Tour Exclusions:
- International Airfare to Columbo
- Travel Insurance (mandatory)
- Beverages, alcoholic beverages and Dinner throughout the tour
- Activities and excursions which have not been mentioned in the itinerary
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Tips
- Any other services not specified above.
- Early check-in and late check-out