Starts
Ends
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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
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.
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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
I'll try not to be too gushing about my praise of this but it was a truly excellent trip; at the end we felt like starting again. Exodus at its best, it's all about the bits in-between not the usual tourist sights, though you do see those. Most of the time you are staying in hotels used by other tour groups and you do feel sorry for them being shunted from temple to city to viewpoint in a coach, all looking bored. They do not pass through villages where locals wash themselves and their clothing in rivers or see the smiles which greeted us, gaudily clad aliens in Lyra. Thought the accommodation was the best I've ever had on one of these expeditions.
I’ve been on many Exodus trips and this ranks as one of the very best!
Children (and many adults) universally waved and hollered hellos as we pedaled past--one man giving a few of us a Tour-de-France running push when he saw us struggling up a hill. We had a jam-packed schedule of riding, hiking, visiting temples, photographing elephants on a safari, getting a cooking demonstration (and recipes!), going on an epic train ride, swimming in the Indian Ocean, visiting a tea plantation and processing plant, seeing coconut husks turned into rope; taking tea, stopping for fresh pineapple, eating delicious Sri Lankan curries....it was an amazing adventure with really lovely, fun, game people.
2 weeks of breath taking scenery, superb quiet back roads , being guided round by a superb team , left wanting for nothing, Excellent
Brilliant mix of activity, history, wildlife, religion and culture.
This is a great holiday to see some key attractions of Sri Lanka and enjoy cycling through the landscapes and small villages.
This trip was on the whole a very balanced experience. There was plenty of cycling combined with a wide range of cultural activities and enough free time to explore on one's own. Hotels were all very comfortable. The people were welcoming and friendly and we came away with an impression of a country with plenty to offer. However, to call this trips "back roads" cycling is rather generous. There were plenty of days where cycling was in high traffic conditions and inhaling diesel fumes and pollution was rather unpleasant. Some of the roads were bumpy and dangerous.The cycling on the country roads was delightful. The support team was always on hand to make sure every aspect of the trip went smoothly.
A very diverse bunch of people came together to experience the classic 'cultural triangle' and much more - but in a more in-depth way. Apart from the lovely people we encountered on our travels, the wildlife was one of my favourite aspects. My absolute favourite moment was when a monkey dropped from a tree onto our 'snacks' table and made off with one of the spicy biscuits (good choice!) - chaos/hilarity ensued! Some of the riding days were tough - I hadn't got as much training in as I had planned - but the back-up crew were always there to help! A few of the rides (particularly the big one) are on busy roads so would recommend a 'commuter mask' if your lungs are sensitive. The fumes from the buses can get a bit much. Although the people travelling on them, hanging out the doors and windows shouting encouragement, almost made up for it!
This trip is utterly amazing on every level and most importantly, it provides an immersive experience in the very best Sri Lanka has to offer.
I found Sri Lanka to be an incredibly stunning country. We all felt we got to see so much of it whilst getting an authentic feel to the local way of life through seeing it on a saddle. The itinerary is very well designed, as well as all the cycling we got to climb Lions Rock in Sigiriya, visit spice gardens and ancient ruins in the lowlands, walk through botanical gardens in Kandy, see some of the most beautiful views in Ella and got to relax on the beach, swimming in the Indian Ocean after 9 days of cycling. Being a relatively inexperienced cyclist, I did find some of the cycles challenging yet incredibly rewarding. With the cycling, culture, wildlife, food, lovely accommodation and group you'll share the trip with, this was an incredible way to experience the best of Sri Lanka!
A wonderful two-week journal through a very beautiful country. At times the rides were strenuous. The accommodations and food were excellent. The Sri Lankan group leader, Suresh, is the absolute best.
The best way to fully experience a beautiful diverse country
This was the best way to experience the country of Sri Lanka. The back roads on a bike gave access to the most amazing wildlife, natural beauty and glimpse into the culture and way of life. The cycling was challenging at times due to the heat, humidity and one day of tough climbing. The hotels and food were of a high standard and nothing was too much trouble for our support team.
Eine wundervolle Reise durch Sri Lanka! Die atemberaubende Landschaft, die freundlichen Menschen und die wunderbare srilankische Küche haben diese Reise zu etwas ganz Besonderem gemacht. Ich kann die Tour in Sri Lanka sehr empfehlen! What a wonderful journey! this cycling trip in Sri Lanka was truly an unforgettable experience. The beautiful green landscapes, picturesque villages, very friendly locals and the excellent food made every moment of the journey special. Cycling through the tea plantations in the hill country was a highlight, as well as exploring the ancient ruins and riding along rice fields and tea or banana plantations. the Ayurveda massages, offered at the hotels, were great as well.
This was a great trip. We had a lovely group of people who got on very well and a great team from Exodus well led by Suresh.