Just southeast of India, Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise waiting to be explored. Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” this stunning island is packed with history, culture, and jaw-dropping landscapes. Think golden beaches, lush green mountains, vibrant wildlife, and ancient sites that tell stories of centuries past.
On this 9-day cycling adventure, you’ll ride through breathtaking coastal roads, charming villages, and misty tea plantations. You’ll soak in the island’s rich heritage, feast on delicious local food, and experience the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality. Whether you’re chasing ocean breezes or mountain views, every pedal stroke brings a new discovery.
Ready to explore Sri Lanka on two wheels? Let’s ride!
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival – Kandy (-/-/D)
- Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport.
- Explore Vacations Representative will page you by your name.
- Thereafter you will be assisted to the Coach Park to begin your journey as per the itinerary.
- Proceed to Kandy
- Optional – En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Arrive in Kandy and Check into the hotel
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 2: Kandy (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Meet the cycling guide.
- Full-day cycling tour in the suburbs of Kandy.
- The full-day suburban cycling tour will take you to experience the historical and traditional landscapes of Kandy and its outskirts. During the tour, you will have a chance to visit little rural temples, a tea and railway museum, ateliers and home-based workshops of local artisans, Dawson Tower and the 80-hectare Gannoruwa Agro Farm displaying fruit, vegetable, and herbal gardens, and an insect zoo. A traditional Sri Lankan home-cooked lunch will be arranged at a local house.
- Lunch in a village along the way in a Local Restaurant. (Exclude)
- Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy
DISTANCE: 50 – 70 km
DURATION: Approximately 6 – 7 hrs
DAY 03: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out from the hotel.
- Cycling to Nuwara Eliya via Nawalapitiya.
- Today, you will head to Nuwara Eliya, which is famous for Ceylon Tea. These parts of Sri Lanka’s hill country offer the most scenic, mist-wrapped sceneries of dramatic mountain peaks and rolling hillsides, carpeted with tea plantations. A world away from the tropical beaches and sweltering cities in the lowlands, the peaceful highlands with the emerald green landscapes and the cool climate are a nature lover’s paradise.
- Lunch at the local restaurant (Exclude)
- Check in to the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DISTANCE: 90 – 100 km
DURATION: Approximately 7 – 8 hrs
DAY 04: Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains – Belihuloya (B/L/D)
- Early departure to Horton Plains with packed breakfast.
- Arrival at the Horton Plains National Park around 7:00 am.
- 6 km trail to Baker’s Fall and World’s End.
- The famous Horton Plains is a nature reserve characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. The highest plateau in the island, spanning approximately 10,000 hectares, is home to 24 species of mammal – such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard.
More about the trekking trail in Horton Plains:
- In Horton Plains, you will first visit the Baker’s Falls. To reach them, you will deviate from the main trail and go approximately 500m on a steep downward path. From the waterfall, you will continue to the World’s End – the famous escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands of the southern region of the island. When the clouds clear up, the misty cliffs boast a fabulous view of the tea estates below and out to the distant southern coastline.
- Lunch will be provided in a suitable location.
- Cycling trail to Bambarakanda Waterfall.
- After the trek in the national park, you will head on to Bambarakanda Waterfalls, 21 km from the park’s entrance. You may go all the way by bike or car, or take the vehicle for the first 6 km to Udaweriya Estate Junction and start cycling from there.
- The 15-km trail from Udaweriya to Bambarakanda, going through Kingslyn and West Haputale Estates, is demanding, but the sceneries at the majestic waterfall will be the most rewarding! Bordered by steep rocks and dark green forests, the 240-meter-high Bambarakanda is Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall, and you may have a refreshing bath in the deep pool underneath it.
- From the waterfalls, you will cycle 6 km to Kalupahana, from where you may go by car, or cycle, 14 km back to River Garden Resort.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel
TREKKING DISTANCE: 6 km trail in Horton Plains National Park
CYCLING DISTANCE: 15/21 km to Bambarakanda Waterfall, and 20 km back to Belihuloya
DAY 05: Belihuloya (B/L/D)
- Early breakfast at the hotel.
- Start the cycling trail to Kosgama at approximately 7:00 am.
- Today, you will be taken for a 30-40 km cycling trail through small villages, forests, and paddy fields in the gorgeous sceneries of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The trail starts from the River Garden Resort and takes you first to the little village of Seelogama, from where you will take a single track steep down to Belihuloya River. After crossing the river (depending on the water level, you might need to carry your bike across), you will continue to Samanalawewa reservoir and steep uphill on a paved road to Kinchigune Eco Lodge, where you can take a little break enjoying some refreshments and the beautiful views.
- Start again and ride 1.5 km uphill to the village of Pambahinna. From there, you will cycle around 9 km on gravel to Kosgama – a picturesque little village surrounded by paddy fields and lush green forests. Along the way, we will pass by a small village school to which we can pay a visit, with the principal’s permission, if it is a school day. From the village, the trail continues a couple of kilometres mostly uphill to Kosgama River, and then comes the real challenge – the 4.5 km steep uphill ride to Marangahawela. Here, you will cycle on a narrow paved road, and the lush forests will provide you with a cool shade. After the tiring climb, you will get to enjoy an easy 12 km downhill ride from Marangahawela back to River Garden Resort along the main road. On the way, you may have a break at the Surathali Ella Waterfall.
- Lunch at the hotel
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel
CYCLING DISTANCE: 30 km (to Kosgama and back via Seelogama and Kinchigune)
DURATION: 5 – 6 hrs
DAY 06: Belihuloya – Udawalawa (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out and cycle to Udawalawa
- Check in to the hotel in Udawalawa.
- From Belihuloya, you will head to Udawalawe. With approximately 400 elephants residing within the area of 31,000 hectares, it is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, and monkeys.
- Lunch at the Local restaurant. (Exclude)
- Optional: Half-day safari at Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
CYCLING DISTANCE: 70-80 km (from Belihuloya to Hambegamuwa)
DURATION: 5 – 6 hrs
DAY 07: Udawalawa – Unawatuna (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Cycling to Urubokka and transfer to Unawatuna
- Unawatuna Beach is a picturesque semicircular bay that stretches no more than one kilometre. With palm-lined beaches, turquoise waters, and a good selection of restaurants, it is a great place to take it easy and enjoy the sun. Take your time relaxing on the beach, or go snorkelling in the clear waters. For those seeking pure relaxation, Ayurvedic massages, with natural herbal oils, are highly recommended.
- Check in to the hotel
- Relaxing time at the hotel
- Dinner and Overnight stay in a hotel in Unawatuna
CYCLING DISTANCE: 60 km (from Udawalawe to Urubokka)
DURATION: 5 – 6 hrs
DAY 08: Unawatuna – Galle – Unawatuna (B/-/D)
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit the Galle Fort by cycle or by car.
- The bustling provincial capital and administrative centre of the south, Galle, was Sri Lanka’s first international commerce and trade centre. The Galle Fort overlooking the ocean is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. The 36-hectare fortress is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, its ramparts protecting the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses, and the Arab quarter. Even as the city of Galle modernizes, its remarkable collection of ancient structures transports visitors to another time.
- Return to the hotel
- Enjoy the beautiful sunset at the beach
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Unawatuna
DAY 09: Unawatuna – Departure (B/-/-)
- After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Airport.
- Goodbye from Explore Vacation.
