On arrival, the guests will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel (30mins). They can relax, swim in the pool/sea or even walk around town. We will have a bike fitting in the early evening and a short ride to get used to the bikes. Briefing before dinner. Accommodation: Goldi Sands

On all cycling days it is recommended to start early to avoid the midday heat. Breakfast at 0700 with the ideal time to start cycling around 0730/0800. Today we need to take a 1.5hr transfer out of busy Negombo town to the cycling start point. Bikes will be transferred to the start point and setup before the guest arrival. Cycle north east into the heartland of Sri Lanka to the town of Yapahuwa. Yapahuwa was for a short time the capital of medieval Sri Lanka (1272). The route is through village backroads and small mud-trails. We will be passing through semi-rural settings with small houses and shops along the way. This area is also famous for its coconut plantations and paddy fields. The total cycling distance is 65 kms. The terrain is flat. Surface is a combination of tarred roads, mud-tracks and gravel paths. We will reach the hotel by lunch. Lunch is at the hotel. Guests can then relax and go for a swim. This hotel is also famous for its Ayurvedic treatment. Guests could choose to get a massage. We will meet again as a group at 1700 and visit the nearby Yapahuwa Rock Fortress and climb it (30mins) for some beautiful views of the surroundings and sunset. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Yapahuwa Paradise – It is a basic 3-star hotel and the only one in the area. Clean and comfortable with very warm service.

After an early breakfast start cycling east to the heart of the cultural triangle. The destination is Dambulla. Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area. The scenery is slightly similar to the previous day however it’s more rural as we move away from the more crowded coast. The vegetation starts to change as well. We will cycle up to the Dambulla where the group will have lunch and can change into clothes appropriate for visiting the Cave Temple. The cycling distance to the lunch point is 53 kms. After lunch, the group will be transferred (15mins) by van to the Dambulla Cave Complex. They will then be taken on a guided walk with a local archaeological guide. The tour will take about 2 hours. After the tour they will take a 30min transfer to the hotel which is located right opposite Sigiriya Rock. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Sigiriya – This is an iconic hotel located right opposite the Sigiriya Rock. Accommodation is in individual chalets on a large estate Meal Plan: B D

After an early breakfast, group will be transferred (5mins) to the Sigiriya Rock. Here they will go on a guided walk with a local archaeological guide. The tour takes about 2 hours. Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress. According to Sri Lankan history, this site was selected by King Kashyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure — Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning The bikes will be setup at the exit point of the tour. From here the group will cycle to Polonnaruwa. The route is through the Angamadilla National Park. The total cycling distance is 72 kms. The terrain is flat and mainly mud-tracks. A packed lunch will be had en-route. The group should reach the hotel in Polonnaruwa by 1400/1500. There is also the option of going for a safari at the Minneriya National Park. The best place to see elephants. Supplement cost – USD 45 per person. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Sudu Araliya – This is a comfortable 4-star hotel located on the banks of a reservoir Meal Plan: B D

After an early breakfast group will start cycling south east. Today is one of the most stunning days of cycling. Head from Polonnaruwa down to Maha Oya through the forest reserve. En-route we pass the massive Maha Oya reservoir. We will be cycling in elephant country so need to keep an eye out for elephants on either side of the road. We will cycle up to the small remote town of Maha Oya where the group will have lunch. The total cycling distance is 75 kms. Post lunch the group will be transferred by van to the coastal town of Batticaloa (1hr). Batticaloa is a major city in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, and its former capital. It is the administrative capital of the Batticaloa District. The city is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka and is a major commercial city. While not on the normal tourist circuit, Batticaloa gives you an insight on how the Sri Lankan minorities live. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel East Lagoon – This is a quirky and comfortable 3-star hotel with warm service and good food. It is also situated right on the lagoon Meal Plan: B L D

Today the group goes on a local guided tour by bike in Batticaloa. On the tour the group will visit a local market. They will then visit a local house where they will be taught how to cook some traditional Sri Lankan curries. They will also have lunch at the house. Then they will ride along the lagoon and visit some fishermen who will take them out onto the lagoon for a traditional fishing class. The tour is from 0830 to 1730. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel East Lagoon – This is a quirky and comfortable 3-star hotel with warm service and good food. It is also situated right on the lagoon Meal Plan: B D

We start with an early breakfast. Then take a 45 min transfer out of the busy town to avoid the main roads. We then begin cycling along the coast down to Arugam Bay. Arugam Bay is most famously known as a surfing and beach destination. However, the wildlife and nature inland are pristine. At the south east end of Sri Lanka, it borders the Yala National Park. Due to the 30 year long civil war it remained untouched from the rest of the country. Our cycling starts in the small bustling town of Kalmunai. We will take the concrete beach road along the sea. Now vibrant and busy you can still see some of the leftover scars from the 2004 Tsunami. After about 10 kms we will head inland onto the main coastal road heading south. The scenery is stunning vast fields of paddy and small urban centers. The closer we get to Arugam Bay the route gets more remote. The total cycling distance is 72 kms. Terrain is completely flat. We finally end at the stunning Jetwing Surf hotel. This hotel is probably the highlight of the trip. We will have lunch here. Afternoon is at leisure to go for a swim in the sea. ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Surf – This is a boutique beach resort. Individual chalets right on the beach. Excellent food Meal Plan: B L D

Today, we add an extra wheel to our mode of transport and go on a tuk tuk safari (or open top jeeps) in the jungles of Arugam Bay with a local naturalist. We first head to the Panama Tank, go crocodile spotting and a long walk into the jungle. On our way back, we can stop at Elephant Rock and enjoy the sunset before heading back to the hotel for another delicious meal. ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Surf – This is a boutique beach resort. Individual chalets right on the beach. Excellent food Meal Plan: B D

Another beautiful day of cycling, we start through the Lahugalla sanctuary before reaching the small hills of Monaragala. We are on complete back roads only used by the locals. Peacocks and mongoose run across the road frequently. We come out at the town of Buttala from where we transfer the remaining distance to Kataragama. Kataragama is a pilgrimage town sacred to Hindu and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also go there to worship. The town has the Kataragama temple. The town has a venerable history dating back to the last centuries BCE. It was the seat of government of many Sinhalese kings during the days of Rohana kingdom (200BCE). A visit to Kataragama completes our glimpse into Sri Lanka’s 3 main religions. Buddhism in Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, Islam on the east coast and finally Hinduism at Kataragama. The cycling is mostly flat with some climbing in the middle. The total cycling distance is 82kms. We then take a 1hr transfer to the hotel. In the evening, we visit the Kataragama Temple and receive a blessing from the temple priest. ACCOMMODATION: Grand Tamarind Lake – Another stunning hotel located right on a small lake. Excellent for birding enthusiasts. Excellent food as well. Meal Plan: B L D

We cycle to Udawalawe today. Our route starts on a surreal abandoned 4 lane highway. The highway suddenly ends and becomes a mud trail along the Lunuganwera Reservoir. Birds galore! Our route continues through scrub jungles and slowly winds up to Udawalawe. A must stop along the way is for some freshly made buffalo curd sold on the roadside. We will reach the camp for lunch. After lunch, the group will visit the elephant orphanage and then go on a safari in the Udawawale National Park. The accommodation for tonight is in semi-luxury tents. Udawalawe National Park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). It is now an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. Today’s cycling has some sections of single trail mud-roads through remote scrub vegetation. The total distance is 57kms. It is mainly flat. ACCOMMODATION: Jungle Paradise - The accommodation for tonight is in semi-luxury tents. Meal Plan: B L D

Today we head south to the southern coast of Sri Lanka and the beautiful beach of Tangalle. The ride starts with a beautiful section as we head towards the coastal area. Small towns and villages mark our progress, with the final stretch taking in some very scenic roads that are dotted with small ponds bustling with birds. Quiet village backroads then lead us to the Rekawa Lagoon and finally to small coastal town of Tangalle from where it is a short distance to our stunning hotel. In the evening we can visit a nearby turtle conservation center. ACCOMMODATION: Eva Lanka Meal Plan: B L D

The last day of cycling. Riding from the hotel we avoid the busy main beach road and use the network of quieter side roads that will allow you to really experience southern Sri Lankan charm. There is lots to see along the way as we wind our way through the small villages and towns of the area and edge towards Weligama. Like on all other cycling days the group will stop regularly for refreshments and local snacks. On this route we will pass rubber and cinnamon plantations. We stop at Weligama and enjoy lunch at a beautiful restaurant on the beach. We then transfer (45mins) to our hotel just outside Galle Fort. Guests can have a shower and rest for a bit. At 1630 we meet as a group and head to Galle Fort. The Galle Fort was first established in the 1600s by the Portuguese, fortified by the Dutch in the 1700s and then taken over by the British in the 1800s. As a result, Galle has vibrant mix of cultures and influences. Now it is bustling with fashionable boutiques and restaurants while still accommodating local schools, churches, mosques and temples. We will go on a casual guided walk around the fort that will end at a nice bar with a great view of the sunset over the ramparts. Dinner will be at restaurant in the fort. Group will be transferred back to the hotel after dinner. MEALS: Breakfast – at the hotel. Lunch – Voucher at restaurant. Dinner – Voucher at restaurant. (Restaurants for lunch and dinner do not do buffets or set menus. So, we will provide a meal voucher that the guests can use to order from the menu. Vouchers will cover the cost of most main courses and dessert, extras like drinks will need to be paid by the guests.) ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Lighthouse Meal Plan: B L D

No trip to Sri Lanka is complete without visiting Colombo. We will transfer (2hrs) after a relaxed start to Colombo. As the nation’s capital it also has some great restaurants. We will head to a Sri Lankan restaurant to finish of our culinary journey and to try any dishes we missed along our route. Our hotel is in the city center and makes it easy for you to explore the city on foot. ACCOMMODATION: Fairway Colombo – A comfortable city hotel located in the heart of downtown Colombo. Meal Plan: B L D

The airport is 1hr away from the hotel. We will transfer the group for their departure flights.