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Sri Lanka Spice Trails

Price from
US$ 2,900
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Distance
575 km
Tour Code
LKA-SST
Next departure
13-Oct-2024
Number of Cycling Days9
Average Distance Per Day: 64
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 687
0
2,250 m
Total Cycling Distance575 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 340, SCOTT E-Bike*: US$ 715
Single SupplementUS$ 715
Client Rating (based on 71 reviews)
*E-bikes are in limited supply, please enquire to reserve one.

About this Cycle Tour

Sporting the name Ceylon in its days within the British Empire, Sri Lanka, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” has known many identities on its journey to modernity. Famous for its peaceful Buddhist ruins, including the beautiful palace and frescoes of the 5th-century fortress Sigiriya, Sri Lanka enjoys year-round sunshine and breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean from every shore.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Meet at the hotel for a trip briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2

Riding along the coast, we pass the distinct patchwork sails of the Kara-vas fishing community. Turning inland on quiet back roads, we head to Dambulla to visit a 2nd century Buddhist cave temple.

Day 3

Ride on a mix of tarmac and red dirt roads passing orchards, paddy fields and elephant grass, we cycle to the ancient 5th century rock fortress Sigiriya, where we walk up 300 m to view the ruins of King Kasyapa's summer palace. After our descent, our afternoon ride follows an old irrigation canal.

Day 4

Watch out for wild elephants as we descend out of the Kaladuwa Hills. We ride through the historic park of Polonnaruwa, the 10th century capital and best preserved of the ancient cities

Day 5

We transfer back to Polonnaruwa and ride around Parakrama and through Angammedilla National Park, a small forest reserve that is an elephant corridor linking two parks. Here, we follow the Ambon Ganga (river) to the foothills around Naula, said to be the centre of the Island. Lunch in the spice growing region of Sri Lanka before transferring onto Kandy.

Day 6

A rest day in picturesque Kandy -- an important Sinhalese religious centre and a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. Explore old shops, antique and gem specialists, or the bustling market. A must see is the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Day 7

Prepare to tackle Sri Lankan hill country. Those who find hills a bit too challenging can take the train after cycling 21 km. From Gampola, we start to see the tea carpeted slopes of hill country and can stop to take photos of brightly dressed tea pickers and colourful Hindu temples. We then descend to reach Hatton.

Day 8

There is a long climb with an easy gradient up to Bogowantalawa that takes us to a remote pass with dramatic views. The reward for the long climb is a stunning descent through small villages and tea country, ending close to Banlangoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to our hotel on the edge of Udawalawe National Park.

Day 9

We cycle to Udawalawe National Park, one of the best parks to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka. You may also see wild buffalos, crocodiles, sambur deer, and monkeys. There are also lots of water fowl and hawk eagles to keep the photographers happy. After lunch, we cycle along an irrigation canal back towards our hotel.

Day 10

We bike through a network of back roads for some fantastic cross-country riding. It’s a quite a long, undulating ride with lots of fruit stops to break up the day. We try to get to the beach by early afternoon, so there is some free time to enjoy the beach or a nearby surf camp.

Day 11

Riding through open paddy fields and cinnamon estates, we arrive in Galle mid-morning with plenty of time to explore the fort. You are free to choose your own lunch venue, and we meet up again for a farewell dinner.

Day 12

We transfer hours to Colombo for the airport or hotel.

Elevation Profiles

Day 2 - Negombo - Dambulla Ride 54km. +402m / -364m.
Day 2 - Negombo - Dambulla Ride 54km. +402m / -364m.

Reviews

The route was fantastic - a combination of historical sites, cultural highlights, and natural scenery. Tough - but enjoyable.

Jeanette JaneMarch 2024

very good programm (good mix)

Nello LeonardiNovember 2023

This tour offered a great variety of biking, scenery and historic sites. Excellent food and wonderful people. And an amazing variety of wildlife; birds, reptiles and mammals.

Leslie WalkerDecember 2019

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