Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka

4.8Based on

Bicycle Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

14 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Ends

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Highlights

Discover Sri Lanka by bike, meeting the friendly people and exploring the incredible landscapes

Challenge yourself on a ride through emerald tea estates to Nuwara Eliya

Enter Dambulla’s sacred cave temples to walk among ancient Buddha icons

Summit the mighty rock fortress at Sigiriya for unforgettable views over the central plains

Game drive through Yala National Park in search of the elusive leopard

Itinerary

Discover Sri Lanka in the most authentic way—by bicycle. The "Cycle the Back Roads of Sri Lanka" tour is a challenging 14-day adventure designed for experienced travelers ready to embrace the island’s diverse beauty on two wheels. Starting in Sigiriya and finishing in Colombo, the journey takes you through tea hills, safari parks, and golden coastlines.

Pedal along quiet roads, wave to friendly locals, and test yourself in the scenic hill regions of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Along the way, visit iconic sites like the Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla’s sacred cave temples, and Yala National Park in search of elusive leopards. The trip culminates on the sun-drenched beaches of the south coast—a perfect reward after days of cycling adventure.

The unique selling point of this trip package is its off-the-beaten-path approach, allowing for genuine interaction with local culture and landscapes, all while enjoying the camaraderie of a small group. Accommodation, transport, meals, and expert support ensure a seamless, exhilarating journey.

day 1 - Adventure starts in Sigiriya

This Sri Lankan cycling trip begins in Sigiriya. There are no planned activities today, so take time to relax in the hotel and rest those legs before our two-wheel adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.

Around 6pm say ayubowan to your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Sri Lankan welcome by arranging an optional group dinner.

Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Meals:Lunch

Accommodation:Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)

day 2 - Climb Sigiriya • Ride to Dambulla cave temple

Rise early to climb the fifth-century rock fortress of Sigiriya before the crowds arrive. The palace ruins on the summit and rockface frescoes are surpassed only by the magnificent aerial view over the jungle. Please note, this is not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and then ride along gravel roads following an old irrigation canal to Dambulla, a second-century BCE Buddhist cave temple. On the way, we stop by the Kandalama reservoir, which is rich in bird life. Arriving in Dambulla, it is well worth the walk to view the five caves, which contain many ancient Buddha statues, some carved from the solid rock. Returning via the busy market town, we take another quiet backroad through chilli and rice fields before cycling back to our hotel.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)

day 3 - Ride to Polonnaruwa • Cycle tour of ruins

This morning, we have a long ride along a quiet backroad, which is part of the Sigiriya nature reserve where you often come across monitor lizards and monkeys, before joining the highway to Polonnaruwa and riding to our hotel. After around 15mi (24km), we take a 15-minute bus transfer to avoid a stretch where wild elephants roam, before getting back on the bike to complete our ride.

The second stretch of the ride winds through small villages and lush rice paddy fields. We pass a couple of tranquil reservoirs and an irrigation canal running parallel to the road - look out for mongoose, kingfisher, storks and birds of prey amongst the rural scenery.

Later, we tour the ruined city of Polonnaruwa, which dates from the 10th to 13th century. You have the option in the evening to join your tour leader at a family-owned restaurant to experience local food and culture.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Hotel Giritale (or similar)

day 4 - Ride through foothills of spice-growing region

We follow a 6mi (10km) long artificial dam and canal to the source of a local lake, the Amban Ganga River. The afternoon ride is flanked by the Kalanduwa hills on one side and Wasgomuwa Wildlife Park on the other. And as jungle gives way to plantations, we enter the spice-growing region of Sri Lanka. The ride starts at an elevation of 328ft (100m) and the destination is at an elevation of 820ft (250m).

When we reach the main road, we dismount and board the bus for the journey as the road to Kandy can get very busy. On the way, we stop at a spice garden to learn more about the spices used in the piquant Sri Lankan curries.

During today's ride, we also visit a special roadside tea shop near Polonnaruwa. After the stall fell into disrepair, our Sri Lankan tour leader Ruwan Balasuriya donated the prize money he won entering the Exodus Leaders' Hall of Fame to help the owner family renovate the stall, making it a welcome stop for all passers by.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Hotel Topaz (or similar)

day 5 - Free day in Kandy

Enjoy a free day to explore. Kandy has so much to offer, including the wonderful botanical gardens, the Temple of the Tooth, and streets lined with curio shops. The surrounding hills are dotted with wonderful temples. Walk around the lake in the heart of the city to see huge water monitor lizards, fruit bats, palm squirrels, and birds such as kingfishers, pelicans and night herons. Also don't miss the fruit and vegetable market for a chance to see busy Kandy in full swing.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Topaz (or similar)

day 6 - Challenging ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya

For those who feel like a challenge, it’s 52mi (84km) – climbing up to 6,562ft (2,000m) above sea level – to reach this most favoured hill station.

A short drive from the hotel will take us to the beginning of the ride, enabling us to bypass Kandy's busiest roads. For the first part of the ride, we take the old road, a far more pleasant route, and one of the few places where you see terraced paddy fields. Beyond is tea country, reputed to produce the finest teas on the island. We cycle through thousands of acres of tea crops, where you will spot the tea pickers moving swiftly between the bushes in their vibrant clothes.

For anyone who doesn't do hills, we strongly recommend the train ride to Nuwara Eliya. Tickets for the train journey are dependent on availability, they can only be purchased on the day and unable to reserve in advance. If unavailable, we can use the bus instead.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Others:Araliya Red (or similar)

day 7 - Morning ride to Nuwara Eliya town and tea factory • Afternoon free

Nuwara Eliya was a popular hill station during the British era and is situated in the cool highland air at 6,200ft (1,890m). Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and even features a golf club and racecourse.

After a leisurely breakfast, we take a short bus transfer into Nuwara Eliya town and then ride to a tea factory through little villages and patches of vegetables. As we twist and turn on the rolling, windy road, we get to see the town from different viewpoints. After understanding the journey from leaf to cup, we ride back to the hotel through lush green tea plantations.

We then have a free afternoon to explore Nuwara Eliya.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Others:Araliya Red (or similar)

day 8 - Hill country ride to Ella

In the morning, we cycle through hill country towards Ella, stopping for tea in Bandarawela, a trading centre where exotic fruits from the east coast are traded for hill country vegetables. After a refreshing tea break, we take backroads through hundreds of acres of tea plantations and cycle along the edge of the Central Highlands to reach Ella. On arrival into Ella, we stop for a late lunch before check-in. We have the chance to watch the sunset from the Ella Gap viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see the coast shimmering in the distance.

In the evening, we join a local family to share authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and learn firsthand from our hosts about their customs and culture.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Hotel Country Comfort (or similar)

day 9 - Descent, stopping at the rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagela • To Tissamaharama

Descending 3,281ft (1,000m), we leave the breath-taking scenery of the Uva Province for the gentle rolling hills of the dry zone, taking a break en route at the impressive Rawana Ella waterfall before stopping at the rock-cut Buddha statues at Buduruvagala. The 49ft (15m) rock carving of Buddha is flanked by small figures depicting his helpers and a very rare image of Maitreya, the future Buddha, which dates from the 10th century. The tranquillity here is enhanced by the lotus-covered lake; we relax on the banks and eat fresh fruit before riding to lunch. Here we can retreat from the heat of the day, before the final 19mi (30km) to Tissamaharama, the capital of the old Ruhuna kingdom.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Chaarya Resort & Spa (or similar)

day 10 - Morning ride to Kataragama Temple • Afternoon drive to Yala National Park for safari

In the morning, we cycle to Kataragama temple, which lies 10mi (16km) northeast of Tissa. People of all faiths come to seek favour with the god Skanda, who is reputed to restore people's health. The colourful and noisy pooja (ritual) is always busy, with thousands of pilgrims during the festival season from July to August. Tissa is close to Yala National Park, the best park in Sri Lanka to see leopards.

After lunch, we have a safari in the park, where we may see elephants, deer, wild boars, sloth bears, Asian jackals, lots of birdlife and, if we’re very lucky, a leopard. We explore the lesser-visited Block 5 area, which has denser vegetation than the open plains but the same chances of seeing the elusive leopards and sloth bears, all without having to compete with multiple other game vehicles. After, we return to Tissa for the night

Please note: the sanctuary may be closed for four to six weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the animals. We therefore go to a nearby alternative, usually Lunugamvehera or Udawalawe National Park.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Chaarya Resort & Spa (or similar)

day 11 - Ride through Bundala National Park and by the lagoon for spectacular birdlife • Continue riding on the coast to Hambantota • To Ahangama

Leaving early to avoid the heat of the dry zone, we ride along the boundary of Bundala Bird Sanctuary. We hit the main road for the final 19mi (30km) to Hambantota, a series of sandy bays fanning out from this typical coastal town. We then take a transfer from Hambantota to Ahangama by coach. For the next two nights we stay in Ahangama.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Insight Resort (or similar)

day 12 - Free day on beach • Optional ride to Koggala

Today you can pick your own adventure. Either relax at the hotel or join a late-morning ride (15.5mi/25km) along rural roads to Wandurugama village, where you stop at a colonial manor house for high tea and authentic Sri Lankan snack. Today it is known as Thalpe Walawwa Heritage Villa, occupied by a leading family within the local ancient Sri Lanka society. Quite a few prominent personalities were born and spent their childhood in this beautiful residence. After the visit, return to the hotel via Koggala Lake (approximately a three-hour ride).

This afternoon is free to explore the beach, laze by the pool or join an optional boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation and monkey island on Koggala Lake. In the late afternoon, we can view the stilt fishermen climb their poles to catch a few bites for supper. From November to April, we can also go whale watching off Dondra head, near Mirissa, which is one of the best places in the world to see blue and sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins often accompany the boats.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Insight Resort (or similar)

day 13 - Transfer to Colombo via Galle

Leaving early after breakfast, we stop to visit Galle. The fort here was built in 1663 after the Dutch took the island from the Portuguese. The old ramparts and small back streets bring alive some of the history of the fight for colonial domination of this prized island. You’re free to find your own lunch, meeting back at the bus mid-afternoon for the two-hour drive to Colombo. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool or shop along the main street. For the last evening meal, we can choose from one of the many restaurants in Colombo.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Cinnamon Red (or similar)

day 14 - Adventure ends in Colombo

You've explored Sri Lanka from the saddle, summited mighty Sigiriya and been on safari in Yala National Park, but today the adventure comes to end.

Alternatively, if you’re craving a little R&R, speak to your sales representative about a post-trip adventure in the Maldives or time relaxing on the golden sands of Sri Lanka.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation

Meals

All breakfasts and 10 lunches

Transport

All transport and listed activitiesGroup arrival and departure transfers available

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Others

Local bike hire

What's Excluded

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