| Number of Cycling Days: 05 Days | Total Cycling Distance: 222 Km |
| Accommodation: Included | Bike Hire: Included |
| Single Supplement: Supplement Charge | Tour Code: SRL |
| Next departure: 02 November, 2025 | Difficulty: Moderate |
Embark on a captivating ride from Negombo, a charming coastal town just north of Colombo, where the rhythm of everyday life is set by the bustling fishing industry. As you pedal away from the shore, you’ll cycle through lush landscapes dotted with coconut palms and rice paddies, offering a peaceful introduction to Sri Lanka’s countryside.
The journey from Negombo to Colombo takes you through vibrant villages, where life unfolds at a relaxed pace, and local farmers tend to their crops. Along the way, you’ll experience the rich sights, sounds, and colors of rural Sri Lanka—passing by street markets, traditional wooden houses, and serene waterways.
As you approach the bustling streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital, the scenery begins to shift to an energetic mix of urban life and colonial-era charm. The contrast between the tranquil rural surroundings and the city’s dynamic pace is striking. Upon reaching Colombo, you’ll find a city steeped in history, where modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously. From colonial architecture and cultural landmarks to the lively streets and beaches, Colombo offers a fascinating blend of experiences.
This cycling journey captures the essence of Sri Lanka, offering a perfect balance of rural serenity and urban vibrancy, all while providing an immersive way to explore the country’s diverse landscapes and rich culture.
Day 1: Arrive in Sri Lanka
Upon your arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, our team will be there to warmly welcome you. We’ll then transfer you to our comfortable hotel in Negombo, where you can unwind and settle in. To kick off your journey, we’ll treat you to a delicious welcome dinner, giving you a taste of Sri Lankan hospitality right from the start.
Day 2: Negombo – Kandy
We begin our journey early in the morning with a transfer from Negombo to the fertile town of Mawanella. From there, we embark on a scenic ride through lush coconut and rubber plantations, passing by rice paddy fields and quaint local villages. After a gentle warm-up, we begin our ascent through the Balana Gap, enjoying the gradual climb surrounded by stunning landscapes.
After reaching the top, we descend to the Royal Botanical Gardens, where we’ll take a break to explore some of the 4,000 species of plants that call this beautiful garden home. This serene stop provides a chance to relax and immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of Sri Lanka.
From there, it’s a short ride to the enchanting town of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred destinations. Nestled between majestic mountain ranges and built around a picturesque lake, Kandy is renowned for its Temple of the Tooth, where a revered relic of Lord Buddha has been enshrined since the 4th century AD, making it a spiritual and cultural hub.
Day 3: Kandy – Dambulla
After a hearty breakfast, we enjoy a short transfer to the town of Matale, famous for its vibrant spice cultivation. From here, we begin our ride towards Dambulla, cycling along a mix of smooth tarmac and scenic red dirt roads. As we pedal, we’ll be surrounded by bright fruit orchards, lush rice paddy fields, and the tall, wild elephant grass that adds to the natural beauty of the landscape.
Our journey culminates at the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This renowned rock temple, dating back to the 1st century BC, is home to a series of stunning caves where King Walagamba took refuge during his 14 years of exile. After regaining his throne, he commissioned the construction of these remarkable rock temples, some of the most magnificent in Sri Lanka.
After exploring this historical gem, we’ll head to our hotel where you’ll have time to unwind, take a refreshing swim, and relax before dinner.
Day 4: Dambulla – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa
Today, we begin our ride by pedaling out of Dambulla, heading towards the stunning Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock), an ancient marvel dating back to the 5th century. As we cycle along the shores of Kandalama Lake, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site that rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape.
Upon arrival, we’ll park our bikes and embark on a rewarding climb to the abandoned royal palace, which was later converted into a Buddhist monastery. Along the way, we’ll pass the iconic frescoes and the Mirror Wall, both of which are famous for their historical and artistic significance. The climb is well worth the effort, as the views from the summit are simply spectacular.
After exploring the ancient site and soaking in the panoramic vistas, we’ll take a short transfer to our hotel in Polonnaruwa, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s adventure.
Day 5: Polonnaruwa – Minneriya National Park – Polonnaruwa
Start the day with an early morning jeep safari as we head to Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large population of wild elephants. This is your opportunity to witness some of Sri Lanka’s signature wildlife in its natural, unspoiled habitat. In addition to elephants, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including wild buffaloes, boar, spotted deer, sloth bears, sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, and an array of butterflies.
After an exciting safari, we’ll enjoy a light snack before hopping back on our bikes. We cycle back to Polonnaruwa along a peaceful, tree-lined road that winds through a beautiful forest reserve. As we approach the Polonnaruwa Tank, a vast man-made lake, we’ll stop for a relaxing lunch and take in the surrounding beauty, recharging before our afternoon adventures.
Next, we’ll explore Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s 10th-century capital and one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the country, earning its place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This fascinating historical site offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s ancient civilization, with stunning ruins and landmarks waiting to be discovered.
Day 6: Polonnaruwa – Anuradhapura
We begin the day with a scenic 2-hour drive to Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated ancient cities and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. From the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura served as the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom until the early 11th century AD. During this time, it was a hub of political power and urban life in South Asia, remaining a symbol of stability and prosperity for centuries.
Anuradhapura holds immense spiritual significance for Buddhists, and we’ll visit the revered Bodhi Tree, said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The city’s ruins are fascinating, and as we cycle through this ancient landscape, you’ll experience a flat and captivating route, with the ruins offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich past.
After a day of exploration and cycling through this historic site, you can unwind and relax with a refreshing cool-down at the hotel pool, the perfect way to end the day’s adventure.
Day 7: Anuradhapura – Colombo
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Colombo, where you’ll either catch your onward flight or, if you’re continuing your adventure, begin your trip extension to Galle.
What’s Included
What’s Excluded
Guides
Your trip will be led by our local cycling tour guide. For a group of less than 5, there will be one English-speaking cycling guide and a driver. For a group of 6 or more, there will be a Cycling Tour Leader, an English-speaking cycling guide, drivers, and assistants. All of our guides are well-informed about the history, culture, and religions of the area where you will be biking and are skilled at sharing that knowledge with you.
Bikes & Repairs
The bikes you will be riding are well-known makes of hybrid bikes or mountain bikes. The ones you receive depend on the type of tour.
During the tour, your guide will carry a reliable toolkit and help you in fixing any bike problems, so you only need to bring a daypack for your camera and other necessities. However, please note that we cannot guarantee being equipped for all types of repairs. If you are bringing your own bike, it is crucial to ensure that it is in good working condition before the tour. In case of any doubts, we recommend having it fully serviced by a bike shop before you embark on your journey.
Support Vehicle
Throughout the tour, you will have the security of a backup vehicle that will be with us at all times. The vehicle will transport your luggage, which we’ll move by support vehicle from each overnight stop to the next, and it can carry you if needed. The backup van will accompany us throughout the day, stopping roughly every 15 kilometers.
Safety
For your safety, wearing a helmet is mandatory during all of our biking adventures, and we strongly recommend it. If you refuse to wear a helmet, you will not be permitted to cycle. While your tour guide is well-trained in first aid and emergency rescue, it is important to note that you are largely responsible for your own safety while riding.
Terrain
The terrain featuring mainly hills, flat paths that follow a combination of tarmac and dirt roads through the countryside and rural villages. You will cycle on back roads that offer stunning, unobstructed views of the landscape, and we’ll make frequent stops every 15 kilometers to rest, snack, take pictures, and enjoy drinks.
Our guides are experienced in accommodating riders of all skill levels. In the event that you are unable to complete the distance, you can always hop into the support vehicle.
Fitness level
Our tour is designed to cater to cyclists of all levels of experience, fitness, ages, and backgrounds. We encourage all of our cyclists to embrace the challenges of the tour while respecting everyone’s individual limits.
Our tours are designed to accommodate each rider’s pace, and it’s important to note that this is not a race. We want everyone to enjoy the journey and take in the beautiful scenery at their own leisurely pace.
Health & Medical Conditions
As our tours are physically demanding, it’s essential that you are in good physical health and able to fully participate in the group tour. Before the start of your tour and at every stop during the trip, we require all travelers to provide details of any pre-existing medical conditions or to inform the tour guide if they feel unwell.
Disclosing this information is crucial to ensuring that we can respond effectively in case of an emergency. We take the safety and well-being of our travelers very seriously and appreciate your cooperation in providing us with the necessary information to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Drinking
At our company, we take hydration very seriously and strive to keep you completely hydrated throughout your tour. As you ride, we provide cold water, locally sourced fruit for energy, and soft drinks—all of which are included in the tour price.
Please note that soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included in the tour price. While beer is readily available throughout the tour, it is not included in the price.
Extra Expenses
Our package tour includes most things, but we recommend budgeting for food and drinks if you choose to venture out at night or partake in additional activities. The cost of these activities will vary depending on what you choose to do.
We suggest bringing a small amount of cash, around US$30, for incidentals such as souvenirs or small purchases throughout the tour. Please note that this is only a recommendation, and you are free to bring more or less cash as you see fit.
Insurance
Yes, it is mandatory that all participants are well-insured for the full duration of the tour. This includes coverage for personal injury, medical expenses, death, repatriation, helicopter or aircraft rescue, loss of luggage or equipment, cancellation, or curtailments. It is important to ensure that your insurance policy does not have any exclusion clauses that limit protection for the type of activities included in your tour.
In the event of any claims related to matters for which you are insured, you should contact your insurers directly. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance at the time of booking your trip to ensure that you are covered in the event of cancellation.
Deposit
Once the tour is confirmed, we do require 30% deposited to secure the booking with us, the other 70% will be required one month before departure date. For the tours less than a month to the departure date, we will require full amount of the total tour cost.
Balance
The remaining balance must be paid 30 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.
Final Tour Confirmation
Upon confirmation, our team will send you a final tour confirmation containing your personal details, including flight information, advice on visa application, a suggested packing list, and a detailed tour itinerary. Additionally, we will provide you with a checklist to help ensure you have everything you need for your upcoming holiday.
Could not find what you are looking for?
We can tailor-make your adventure exactly how you want it. Whether it is tweaking an existing itinerary, booking a standard tour on a different date, or creating your own unique one!
