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Sri Lanka Spice Trails

Day 1 Meet in Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! In the afternoon, we meet at our tour hotel in the coastal region of Negombo for a bike fitting, trip briefing, and welcome dinner. Located closer to Sri Lanka’s international airport than the capital, Colombo, and known for its relaxed seaside atmosphere, Negombo is the ideal starting point for our cycling adventure. Please let us know if you require assistance with airport transfers and pre-tour hotel bookings.

Suriya Resort
Dinner

Day 2 Negombo - Dambulla

Starting directly from the hotel, we hit the ground running (well, cycling!) with an inaugural ride through the coastal plains of western Sri Lanka. After a brief stretch on the main road, we manoeuvre onto the coast-hugging 'beach road,' following it for 20 km, passing fishing communities and towering palm trees. Catholic churches dot the region, a legacy of Portuguese influence dating back to the 17th century. The second part of the ride takes us inland, weaving along quiet backroads through a labyrinth of lush coconut plantations. We saddle off after around 41 km, where, appropriately, a refreshing reward of king coconuts awaits! From here, we hop in the support van for a three-hour transfer to Dambulla, stopping for lunch along the way. Dambulla is well known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed cave complex, home to a resplendent collection of centuries-old Buddhist statues and wall paintings. Led by a local guide, we’ll delve into the history of the caves before a short transfer to a rural resort, our base for the next two nights

Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 41km
+164m
-151m

Day 3 Sigiriya Lion Rock Loop

Today’s ride follows a broad loop through the countryside surrounding one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured cultural attractions: Sigiriya, or Lion Rock. From our resort in Dambulla, we cycle around 35 km along a mix of paved and unpaved dirt roads, passing through small villages, rice fields, fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and elephant grass. Much of the route runs alongside a winding irrigation canal, ultimately bringing us to the base of Sigiriya — a giant granite massif rising dramatically from the plains. After a home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch served in a traditional wooden house, we set off on foot to explore Sigiriya, where a local guide leads us through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed remnants of a 5th-century fortress and pleasure palace carved into the rock. Reaching the top requires tackling a steep ascent, but the reward is unparalleled views and the remains of an ancient sky palace. After descending, we hop back on our bikes for the 30 km return ride to Dambulla, skirting part of the way along the rim of an expansive water reservoir (or water tank as they call them in Sri Lanka).

Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 66km
+305m
-307m

Day 4 Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Giritale Tank

Leaving from Dambulla, we retrace part of yesterday’s route for 14 km before joining a provincial road through a national park. This forest is an important wildlife corridor for elephants, though we’re more likely to spot road signs warning of elephant crossings than the animals themselves! The road trends upwards for 5 km with a steep finish before descending to the banks of a long canal which we follow on a smooth road, keeping an eye out for kingfishers or sunbathing crocodiles. We then veer off onto backroads through rice paddies, villages, and tropical foliage to reach the Sea of Parakrama, a vast ancient reservoir. By 75 km we arrive at our lunch spot near the equally ancient city of Polonnaruwa where, after indulging in some tasty local cuisine, we enjoy a guided afternoon tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. By foot and vehicle, we explore the ruins of palaces, temples, and monuments built over a millennium ago. Following the visit, you can either transfer 30 minutes to tonight’s hotel or opt for a 20 km afternoon ride on rural gravel roads, culminating in a short climb to our accommodation overlooking the scenic Giritale Tank.

Giritale Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 75-94km
+486m
-538m

Day 5 Giritale Tank - Ambana - Kandy

We cruise downhill from the hotel to the rim of Giritale Tank, then weave through farmlands and forests until we rejoin the banks of the Elahera Canal, a familiar waterway from yesterday’s ride. Following it in the opposite direction for nearly 30 km, we reach its source: the Moragahakanda Reservoir. This man-made lake sits in the foothills of the central highlands, and a 2 km climb at a 5-6% gradient gives us a cheeky welcome to the hillier terrain ahead! We pause at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the waters for a breather and refreshments before continuing along the undulating road. A final stretch on quiet side roads takes us through rice fields framed by rugged mountains. After around 63 km, we finish at a shady spot near the Amban River, where a well-earned picnic lunch awaits. With full bellies and tired legs, we jump in the support vehicle for a three-hour transfer to Kandy — Sri Lanka’s second-largest city, its spiritual heart, and the gateway to the tea-growing highlands — where we settle in for the next two nights.

Thilanka Hotel Kandy
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 63km
+541m
-474m

Day 6 Kandy Rest Day

Today is a free day to explore Kandy at your own pace. Though Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-largest city, its historic centre, which stretches around a serene central lake, is surprisingly compact and ideal for a leisurely stroll. A must-see is the Temple of the Tooth Relic, an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists that houses the revered relic of the Buddha's tooth. Be sure to visit the nearby royal palace grounds, where the Kings of Kandy once ruled for centuries before the British takeover in the early 19th century. Kandy is also an important hub for tea production. If you're interested, we can arrange a visit to a tea factory on the edge of town, where you can learn about the process from leaf to cup and pick up some high-grade brews to take home. For those seeking a more laid-back day, Kandy boasts several rooftop lounges (including at our hotel!) where you can unwind with a drink or two while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Lunch and dinner are on your own today, but your guide will be happy to offer recommendations.

Thilanka Hotel Kandy
Breakfast

Day 7 Kandy - Castlereagh

It’s time to tackle Sri Lanka’s central highlands, renowned for producing high-quality Ceylon tea. The estates here, some dating back to British colonial times, remain a vital part of the country’s economy. After a 45-minute transfer from Kandy, we begin with 15 km through villages on an undulating road, before passing the market town of Gampola. We then ascend into tea country, where the scenery shifts from wild forests to rows of neatly manicured tea bushes. At 32 km, we reach nearly 1,000 m ASL before descending to Nawalapitiya town and continuing through farmlands to our lunch stop. In the afternoon, we ride deeper into the tea mountains, covering 30 km with mid-gradient climbs (4-5%) and a few refreshing downhills. The final 10 km is a highlight, riding on a narrow road twisting upwards through tea fields, surrounded by mountains and dotted with villages and Hindu temples of tea plucker communities. Tonight’s accommodation is a simple highland lodge at over 1,000 m ASL, overlooking the beautiful Castlereagh Reservoir.

Castlereagh Summer House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 80km
+1639m
-991m

Day 8 Castlereagh - Balangoda - Udawalawe National Park

We continue our journey through Sri Lanka’s tea-growing region. The first 30 km are breathtaking, winding through endless tea estates that blanket the hills and passing lively highland towns, and colorful temples and churches framed by mountains looming in the background. Riding through this area in the morning offers a glimpse into the tireless work of Sri Lanka’s tea pluckers, skillfully harvesting the leaves by hand, row by row, as they navigate the steep hillsides. As we ascend to over 1,500 m ASL, there’s plenty of climbing to be done, though the gradients are generally mild (with a few exceptions!). The uphill effort is rewarded with a long, continuous 30 km descent, cruising along a narrow, mixed-surface road that coils through dense forests and the final frontier of tea plantations before transitioning into the plains. We stop for lunch at a local house and finish the day's ride at a major road junction — our cue to jump in the support vehicle and transfer the rest of the way to our next destination, Udawalawe National Park, where we’ll be based for the next two nights. The drive takes about 1.5 hours.

The Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 57km
+869m
-1476m

Day 9 Udawalawe National Park Cycle & Elephant Safari

After two challenging days in the hills, today in Udawalawe offers a more relaxed pace, yet still filled with adventure to make the most of our time in this rustic, wildlife-rich region of Sri Lanka. We begin with a gentle early-morning ride through the countryside outside the national park, cycling past a reservoir and along backroads through sugarcane fields and rice paddies. By late morning, we return to the resort for some downtime by the pool before heading out for lunch and the afternoon jeep safari. Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka, with over 500 of these gentle giants roaming across grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. We’ll explore the park for around two hours, sitting comfortably in the back of a jeep while keeping an eye out for elephants and other wildlife such as water buffalo, crocodiles, wild hogs, jackals, and exotic birds. Please note that Udawalawe can be busy with other safari jeeps, and while the elephants are accustomed to human presence, they remain wild and unpredictable. It’s important to follow the safety instructions of our driver. After the safari, we return to the hotel for more relaxation and dinner.

The Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 49km
+243m
-243m

Day 10 Udawalawe National Park - Mirissa

Our route today takes us to Sri Lanka’s southern beaches. We begin with a scenic 15 km ride on a mix of gravel, dirt, and broken road, following an irrigation canal lined with banana plantations, coconut farms, and rice fields. Watch for water buffaloes crossing the road or cooling off in the water! We then transition to paved roads, riding through south Sri Lanka’s rural heartland, where the landscape is filled with endless greenery, bustling towns, local schools, and small Buddhist temples. The terrain features gently rolling hills, offering plenty of ups and downs to keep our legs active, but nothing too challenging. We stop to regroup and refresh every 15-20 km until we reach our lunch spot at the 75 km point. After lunch, you have an option: continue cycling for another 30 km to our hotel in Mirissa or take a 45-minute transfer in the support vehicle. Either way, the late afternoon is yours to relax by the pool or take a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean (or both!) Mirissa’s beaches are famous for their soft, white sands and gentle waves washing up against the shore.

Mandara Resort Mirissa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 74-103km
+831m
-903m

Day 11 Mirissa - Galle - Mirissa

A final "cool-down" morning ride in the south awaits. Starting from Mirissa, we weave through a labyrinth of backcountry roads that twist and turn through rice fields, wetlands, cinnamon estates, black pepper farms, and spice-filled shrubbery. We take it slow to savour the scenery and learn about spice cultivation up close. Our ride ends just a few kilometres outside Galle, where we rack up the bikes and pat ourselves on the back for completing an epic 9 days of cycling in Sri Lanka! We then drive about 15 minutes into the heart of the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial architectural styles, evident in its fortified walls, bastions, cobbled streets, and charming shophouses. We treat ourselves to lunch at one of our favourite restaurants in Old Galle before enjoying some free time to explore the town at your own pace. There are plenty of quaint cafes, boutique shops, and museums to dip into if the heat gets the better of you! We then transfer back to our resort in Mirissa via a one-hour drive, where we reconvene for a farewell dinner in the evening.

Mandara Resort Mirissa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 41km
+256m
-214m

Day 12 Mirissa Departure

Time to say goodbye! We’ll organise a shared group transfer from Mirissa to Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport. If you're extending your stay at another beach resort en route, we can drop you off there as well. If you're flying out today, please book a late afternoon or evening flight. The journey typically takes three hours from Mirissa to the airport, but it could take up to 5 or 6 hours if we make stops to drop off others at various beaches and in Colombo first. If you'd prefer a private transfer, it can be arranged at an additional cost. Please let us know if you need assistance with post-tour hotel bookings or private airport transfers.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.