Cycle The Backroads Of Sri Lanka

14 days - from $2100

Ride the cool highlands, jungle parks and ancient Buddhist cities of this beautiful island
Sri Lanka is both compact and diverse, offering something for everyone. Through rural surroundings we explore the island by bicycle giving us the best means to see the country, its people and different ways of life. Beginning our journey in its region of ancient cities, we travel along the old King's Route, created more than 1000 years ago. Here we stop to climb the impressive 'Lion's Rock' fortress at Sigiriya and explore the cave temples at Dambulla. We visit Kandy before riding through the tea estates of Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands where the cooler temperatures and lush scenery make for a relaxing ride. In the south we visit Yala National Park where there are leopards, elephants and an abundance of colourful birdlife before ending the trip on the beaches of Sri Lanka's beautiful south coast. This trip covers a substantial part of the island, taking in as much as possible of the scenic and cultural variety that Sri Lanka has to offer.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Colombo; transfer to Sigiriya. 2 Ride to Dambulla cave temple, afternoon climb Sigiriya Rock. 3 Ride to Polunnaruwa, cycle tour of ruins. 4 Ride through foothills of spice growing region. 5 Ride to Kandy. 6 Free day in Kandy. 7 Ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya. 8 Hill country ride to Ella. 9 Descent of 1000m, stopping at the impressive rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagela; to Tissamaharama. 10 Optional morning safari in Yala N.P.; late afternoon ride to Kataragama Temple for the evening Pooja ceremony. 11 Ride through Bundala National Park and the lagoon for spectacular birdlife; continue riding on coast to Hambantota; transfer to Anghama. 12 Free day on beach; optional afternoon ride to Koggala. 13 Free morning on beach; transfer to Colombo via Galle. 14 End Colombo.

Mode of travel: Average daily distance: 75 km (47m) No. of days cycling: 10 - 11 Vehicle Support: 100% Terrain and route: 95% tarmac, 5% unsurfaced road. Terrain is hilly, particularly around Nurawa Eliya and the hill country, but support vehicle available if required. Routes mostly follow quiet backroads with occasional unsurfaced roads. Rides are designed to run door-to-door without transfers.
Group size: Nomrally 6 to 16, plus leader and driver.
Accommodation: 11 nights hotels, 2 nights guesthouses, all en suite. A mixture of comfortable hotels with pools and 1- or 2-star hotels. Guesthouses are simple but in good locations along the cycle route, giving a real flavour of the country.
Food: All breakfasts and 10 lunches included.
Optional Single Supplement: from $542.50
Trip Reference: MIR
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.
Notes: Local Bike Hire: Specialized Rockhopper mountain bikes with front suspension, GBP120, paid on booking
Trip Reference: MIR