Redesigned

Sri Lanka Heritage by Bicycle

Price from
US$ 2,500
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Distance
240 km
Tour Code
LKA-SHB
Next departure
22-Sep-2025
Number of Cycling Days6
Average Distance Per Day: 40
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 332
0
2,250 m
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance240 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: Included, E-Bike: US$ 230
Single SupplementUS$ 480
Client Rating (based on 24 reviews)
*E-bikes are in limited supply, please enquire to reserve one.

About this Cycle Tour

Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle”, a region in the heart of the island studded with the remains of ancient cities and temples, stands as one of the country’s most cherished travel destinations. Home to five of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many tourists rush to tick them off their bucket list. On this 8-day tour, we invite you to visit these remarkable sites but also slow down, hop in the saddle, and gain a deeper appreciation of Sri Lanka and its people. Each day, we cycle on quiet back roads, immerse ourselves in local life, savor authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and unwind in cosy hotels.

Starting from the palm-fringed western coast of Negombo, we cycle inland and drive north to the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s oldest city where we visit a sacred bodhi tree and a colossal, white-washed stupa. We then head south, riding on quintessential red-dirt roads to Dambulla, home to Sri Lanka’s most resplendent Buddhist cave temples, before we follow an irrigation canal to Sigiriya Lion Rock, a giant granite massif with the remnants of a 5th-century fortress and palace. Then, we skirt along a huge reservoir to reach the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa where we find intricately chiseled stone monuments. Our last two days bring us into the foothills of the Central Highlands where tea bushes cover the mountain slopes and spices like cinnamon and cardamom grow in the gardens. We participate in a tea making workshop, hike to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the Knuckles Mountain Range, and enjoy one last rural ride before driving to Kandy. The tour ends in Kandy with a morning visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Join us on this moderately-paced, heritage-infused bike tour of Sri Lanka! Check out our 2025 blog for an insider look into cycling in Sri Lanka.

Book Your Cycling Holiday

Itinerary

Day 1

We meet at our tour hotel in the coastal region of Negombo for a bike fitting, trip briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2

We hit the ground running (well, cycling!) with an inaugural ride along the coast of western Sri Lanka before turning inland along back roads through coconut plantations. Afterward, we transfer for about 3.5 hours, with lunch along the way, to Anuradhapura, where we explore Sri Lanka’s oldest city.

Day 3

In the morning we hop on our bikes and immerse ourselves in the gentle rhythm of the countryside, gliding past canals, rice paddies, villages, and scenic reservoirs. In the afternoon we explore Dambulla, home to Sri Lanka’s most resplendent Buddhist cave temples, before retiring at a rural resort.

Day 4

Another beautiful rural ride awaits, cycling on quiet canal roads with jungle-clad mountains looming in the background. Our route brings us to Sigiriya, a giant granite massif with the remnants of a 5th-century fortress and palace. We explore this remarkable site and transfer back to our hotel in Dambulla.

Day 5

Today’s ride winds through lush tropical foliage and along the banks of the Sea of Parakrama, a vast ancient reservoir, to reach the historic city of Polonnaruwa. Here, we tour the ruins of palaces, temples, and chiseled stone monuments before settling into a hotel by the shores of Giritale Tank.

Day 6

A morning transfer brings us closer to the Knuckles Mountain foothills. Our ride, gentle at first, culminates in a leg-testing ascent into temperate highlands where Ceylon tea is grown. In the afternoon we unwind at a boutique bungalow and learn about the tea production process from leaf to cup.

Day 7

Early this morning we hike to the top of a nearby viewpoint and enjoy our breakfast overlooking the valleys and peaks of the Knuckles Mountain Range. We then ride downhill and through Sri Lanka’s spice-growing region to reach the city of Matale from where we transfer to Kandy.

Day 8

Before saying goodbye, we visit Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and the former royal palace grounds. The tour ends with check-out from our Kandy hotel, leaving you free to head to the airport for flights home or explore more of Sri Lanka.

Elevation Profiles

Day 2 - Negombo - Anuradhapura Ride 41km. +164m / -151m.
Day 2 - Negombo - Anuradhapura Ride 41km. +164m / -151m.

Reviews

The Sri Lanka Heritage Tour was an experience of a lifetime. Our tour guide and driver were topnotch. They were able to anticipate all aspects of the tour - from our safety on the road to special lunches prepared by local families. This was an adventure that will remain close to our hearts.

Eric FrereFebruary 2025

We loved exploring the back roads through the countryside and the villages of Sri Lanka. The visits to important sites were interesting and informative. There was a good balance of biking, visiting sites and eating local foods.

Rosalind TroopMarch 2024

Sri Lanka Heritage Tour was an excellent combination of cycling, good sightseeing, great food and good accommodation.

Carl WardJanuary 2024

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