Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka

Oversikt

Explore the rich history and culture of Sri Lanka by bike

Although a compact island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Exploring on two wheels is the best way to see this rural country and to experience the way of life of the friendly people. We travel from ancient cities and the fortress at Sigiriya to the hill country towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, where the cooler temperatures and lush scenery make for a relaxing ride. In the south we visit Yala National Park, where we search for leopard, before ending on the beaches of the beautiful south coast. Most of the route is a continuous ride, and transfers are kept to a minimum. In many regions of Sri Lanka, bicycle is the most common form of transport, so travelling by bike yourself is a great way to mix with the people and gain access to their world. This trip covers a substantial part of the island, taking in as much as possible of the scenic and cultural variety that Sri Lanka offers. A combination of ancient cities, great rides through beautiful hill country, varied wildlife, and a chance to relax on wonderful beaches, will certainly display the many delights of Sri Lanka.

Highlights

See the magnificent cave temple at Dambulla
Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breath-taking views
Explore the old, ruined city of Polonnaruwa
Discover the fascinating town of Kandy
Ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya
Search for leopards in Yala National Park

Key Information

10 days cycling (including one optional ride) with full vehicle support
95 percent paved roads, five percent unsurfaced
Routes mostly follow quiet backroads, with frequent climbs
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader and driver. Minimum age: 16
11 nights in hotels, two nights in guesthouses, all en suite
E-bikes available to hire

Included

All breakfasts and 10 lunches
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Local bike hire

Ikke inkludert

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations
E-bike hire

Reiserute

Vis alt

Day 1: Start Sigiriya
This Sri Lankan cycling trip begins in Sigiriya. There are no planned activities today, so take time to relax in the hotel and rest those legs before our two-wheel adventure begins in earnest tomorrow. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening helmed by our tour leader; it’s a good chance to get to know the group a little and ask any questions you may have. Accommodation: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
Day 2: Ride to Dambulla cave temple; climb Sigiriya Rock
After breakfast, we 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 impressive Kandalama man-made reservoir, rich in bird life. On arrival to 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 for lunch and a relaxing swim in the pool. In the late afternoon, we climb the fifth-century rock fortress of Sigiriya to see the beautiful frescoes painted onto the rock face (not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo). The ruins of the palace on the summit are surpassed only by the magnificent aerial view of the surrounding jungle. Stay as long as you like, it's only 10 minutes’ walk back to our hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)
Day 3: Ride to Polonnaruwa; cycle tour of ruins
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. Later, we tour the ruined city of Polonnaruwa, which dates from the 10th to 13th century. You will have the option in the evening to join your Leader at a family owned restaurant to experience some local food and culture. Accommodation: Hotel Giritale (or similar)
Day 4: Ride through foothills of spice-growing region
We follow a 4mi (6km) 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. As jungle gives way to plantations, we enter the spice-growing region of Sri Lanka. When we reach the main road, we will dismount our cycles and board the bus for the rest of the day's drive as the road leading to Kandy can get very busy. On the way to Kandy we stop at a spice garden to learn more about the spices used in the piquant Sri Lankan curries. Accommodation: Hotel Thilanka (or similar)
Day 5: Free day in Kandy
A free day to explore. Being the last indigenous and cultural Capital, Kandy has so much to offer. With many attractions, including the wonderful botanical gardens, the Temple of the Tooth, and streets lined with curio shops. The surrounding hills are dotted with wonderful temples. If you walk around the lake in the heart of the city, you will be amazed with the huge water Monitor Lizards, Fruit bats, Palm squirrels and birds such as King fishers, Pelicans, Cormorants, Night herons and more. Don't miss the vibrant fruit and vegetable market which is a real local experience where you see the day to day life in Kandy. Accommodation: Hotel Thilanka (or similar)
Day 6: Challenging ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya
For anyone who doesn't do hills, we strongly recommend the train ride to Nuwara Eliya. 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. 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, which is 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 tea bushes in their vibrant coloured clothes. Tickets for the train journey are dependent on availability on the day (although usually available, there may be the chance the bus will need to be used instead for those who don't fancy the hill). Accommodation: Mirage King's Cottage (or similar)
Day 7: Morning ride to Nuwara Eliya town and tea factory; Afternoon free
Nuwara Eliya was a popular hill station during the British era and is situated in the cool highland air at 1890m. Known locally as 'Little England' it is dotted with British style houses and parks and features a golf club and a racecourse! After a leisurely breakfast, we ride in to Nuwara Eliya town and then continue our ride to a tea factory through little villages and patches of vegetables. As we twist and turn on the undulating windy road, we get to see the views of the town from different viewpoints. After understanding the journey from leaf to cup, we ride back to the hotel through lush green tea plantations. A free afternoon to explore Nuwara Eliya described as a misplaced English Village with the 18 hole Golf Course, Race course, Gregory's Lake and the old colonial buildings. Some hotels here are locked in time trying to hold on to that colonial era that existed hundred years ago. Accommodation: Mirage King's Cottage (or similar)
Day 8: Hill country ride to Ella
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. On arrival into Ella we will stop for a late lunch before check-in. We will 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 visit a local family to have a truly Sri Lankan dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)
Day 9: Descent, stopping at the rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagela; to Tissamaharama
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. Accommodation: Chandrika Hotel (or similar)
Day 10: Morning ride to Kataragama Temple; afternoon drive to Yala National Park for safari
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 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). Accommodation: Chandrika Hotel (or similar)
Day 11: Ride through Bundala National Park and by the lagoon for spectacular birdlife; continue riding on the coast to Hambantota; transfer to Ahangama
Leaving early to avoid the heat of the dry zone, we ride along the boundary of Bundala Bird Sanctuary. During certain times of the year, thousands of flamingos wade in the brackish shallows, eyed up by crocodiles basking in the early morning sun. 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. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)
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 along rural roads to Wandurugama village where you will 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 beautiful residence. After the visit you will return to the hotel via Koggala Lake. This afternoon is free to explore the beach or swim and laze by the pool. 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. Accommodation: Insight Resort (or similar)
Day 13: Transfer to Colombo via Galle
Leaving early after breakfast, we stop to visit Galle. The fort here was built in 1663 after the Dutch took the island from the Portuguese. The old ramparts and small back streets bring alive some of the history of the fight for colonial domination of this prized island. You’re free to find your own lunch, meeting back at the bus mid-afternoon for the two-hour drive to Colombo. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool or shop along the main street. For the last evening meal, we can choose from one of the many restaurants in Colombo. Accommodation: Hotel Mirage (or similar)
Day 14: End Colombo
Our Sri Lankan cycling adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Unless, of course, you’ve booked onto our ultra-relaxing post-trip extension to the Maldives with your sales representative.

Viktig Informasjon

The trip destination

— 10 days cycling (including one optional ride) with full vehicle support — 95 percent paved roads, five percent unsurfaced — Routes mostly follow quiet backroads, with frequent climbs — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader and driver. Minimum age: 16 — 11 nights in hotels, two nights in guesthouses, all en suite — E-bikes available to hire

Food

All breakfasts and 10 lunches included. Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating reflection of the island’s heritage; there is a unique fusion of fresh local produce with spices brought to the island over the centuries by Malays, Arabs, Indians, Dutch, Portuguese and English. Despite, or perhaps because of, these influences, Sri Lankan cuisine is often referred to simply as ‘rice and curry’; this is the staple dish in most restaurants and is usually a serving of rice accompanied by assorted meat and vegetable curries, plus various pickles, sambols and a handful of tiny poppadums – all using the contrasting flavours of coconut, chilli, curry leaves, cinnamon and garlic. The variety is constant and this, along with the abundance of fresh seafood and fish, ensures the cuisine is a constant highlight of the trip. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, the availability of certain products in Sri Lanka is minimal or non-existent (for example, gluten-free or dairy-free) so please be prepared for this as you may need to bring these from home. Spicier food can be avoided easily and lots of the hotels serve Western options alongside traditional food. All lunch and tea stops are subject to change dependent on the cycling speed of the group and weather conditions.

Priser / Datoer

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TILGJENGELIGE DATOER	PRIS (1 VOKSEN)	PRIS (1 BARN)	STATUS REISE
søn, 12 feb 2023 / lør, 25 feb 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 09 apr 2023 / lør, 22 apr 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 23 jul 2023 / lør, 05 aug 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 06 aug 2023 / lør, 19 aug 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 sep 2023 / lør, 30 sep 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 15 okt 2023 / lør, 28 okt 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 05 nov 2023 / lør, 18 nov 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 12 nov 2023 / lør, 25 nov 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 19 nov 2023 / lør, 02 des 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 10 des 2023 / lør, 23 des 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 des 2023 / lør, 30 des 2023	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 31 des 2023 / lør, 13 jan 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 07 jan 2024 / lør, 20 jan 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 14 jan 2024 / lør, 27 jan 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 21 jan 2024 / lør, 03 feb 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 04 feb 2024 / lør, 17 feb 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 11 feb 2024 / lør, 24 feb 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 18 feb 2024 / lør, 02 mar 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 25 feb 2024 / lør, 09 mar 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 10 mar 2024 / lør, 23 mar 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 24 mar 2024 / lør, 06 apr 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 31 mar 2024 / lør, 13 apr 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 07 apr 2024 / lør, 20 apr 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 21 jul 2024 / lør, 03 aug 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 04 aug 2024 / lør, 17 aug 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 15 sep 2024 / lør, 28 sep 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 13 okt 2024 / lør, 26 okt 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 03 nov 2024 / lør, 16 nov 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 10 nov 2024 / lør, 23 nov 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 nov 2024 / lør, 30 nov 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 01 des 2024 / lør, 14 des 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 08 des 2024 / lør, 21 des 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 15 des 2024 / lør, 28 des 2024	NOK 28 730	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 29 des 2024 / lør, 11 jan 2025	NOK 28 730	På forespørsel	På forespørsel

TILGJENGELIGE DATOER	PRIS (1 VOKSEN)	PRIS (1 BARN)	STATUS REISE
søn, 12 feb 2023 / lør, 25 feb 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 09 apr 2023 / lør, 22 apr 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 23 jul 2023 / lør, 05 aug 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 06 aug 2023 / lør, 19 aug 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 sep 2023 / lør, 30 sep 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 15 okt 2023 / lør, 28 okt 2023	NOK 26 335	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 05 nov 2023 / lør, 18 nov 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 12 nov 2023 / lør, 25 nov 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 19 nov 2023 / lør, 02 des 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 10 des 2023 / lør, 23 des 2023	NOK 24 540	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 des 2023 / lør, 30 des 2023	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 31 des 2023 / lør, 13 jan 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 07 jan 2024 / lør, 20 jan 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 14 jan 2024 / lør, 27 jan 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 21 jan 2024 / lør, 03 feb 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 04 feb 2024 / lør, 17 feb 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 11 feb 2024 / lør, 24 feb 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 18 feb 2024 / lør, 02 mar 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 25 feb 2024 / lør, 09 mar 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 10 mar 2024 / lør, 23 mar 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 24 mar 2024 / lør, 06 apr 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 31 mar 2024 / lør, 13 apr 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 07 apr 2024 / lør, 20 apr 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 21 jul 2024 / lør, 03 aug 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 04 aug 2024 / lør, 17 aug 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 15 sep 2024 / lør, 28 sep 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 13 okt 2024 / lør, 26 okt 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 03 nov 2024 / lør, 16 nov 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 10 nov 2024 / lør, 23 nov 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 17 nov 2024 / lør, 30 nov 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 01 des 2024 / lør, 14 des 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 08 des 2024 / lør, 21 des 2024	NOK 27 535	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 15 des 2024 / lør, 28 des 2024	NOK 28 730	På forespørsel	På forespørsel
søn, 29 des 2024 / lør, 11 jan 2025	NOK 28 730	På forespørsel	På forespørsel

Vi vil komme tilbake til deg med et tilbud på den forespurte reisen/pakken I løpet av 48 timer. Alle tilbud er uforpliktende og er vanligvis gyldige i 7 dager. Vi gjør oppmerksom på at reserverte tjenester kan bli kansellert innenfor disse 7 dagene og at pris kan endres inntil en endelig bestilling er mottatt.

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Antall dager	14
Pris fra	NOK26,335.00
Destinasjoner	Colombo
Turkode	MIR
Aktivitet	Sykkelturer,Tema & kulturreiser,Dyreopplevelser & fotoreiser,Villmarksopplevelser,Aktive reiser
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Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka

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