Transfer Distance: 71kms
Cycling Distance: 74kms
Terrain: Flat

After breakfast we take an initial transfer (2 hours / 70 kms) northeast to Nawattagategama a small town situated in the north west province.

From here we head north east and set our sights on Anuradhapura. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilisation, it is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and dates back to the 5th century BC. The scenery for the day is one of constantly changing vistas – rural villages, paddy fields and lakes. Terrain wise we are still pretty much on the flat. On arrival we’ll make sure we’ve time to check out the oldest living human-planted tree in the world (249BC), the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which is said to be part of Sri Maha Bodhi under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Transfer Distance: 15kms
Cycling Distance: 70kms
Terrain: Flat

We leave the ancient city of Anuradhapura and start heading south to the famed Sigiriya. Our route takes us through rural farmlands and acres of paddy. Village life is on display. It’s a peaceful and gentle ride to Sigiriya town. In the evening we can climb Pidurangala Rock and watch the sunset.

Today we start early morning to beat the crowds. We visit the famed Sigiriya Rock in the morning followed by the Dambulla Cave Complex. In the evening we can get on our bikes for a short ride to warm up before the coming cycling days.

Sigiriya: is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour.

The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, summerhouse, Boulder Gardens and the Caves with the enclosed are should not be missed.

Dambulla Cave Temple:  is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island.

In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they have been painted over during the Kandy period.

In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people.

Cycling Distance: 50kms
Terrain: Flat

We get on our bike from the hotel and get onto village back roads heading to Pollonaruwa. It is a really amazing day as we go completely off the main roads. We cycle alongside the Angamadilla National Park before coming out at Pollonaruwa. We then rest up at our hotel before going for a walk in the ancient city ruins to observe the local families of monkeys.

We first try to locate the purple faced langur troops or the larger troops of gray langurs. Around 5pm there would be many birds for the bird lovers as well as a chance to see the deer grazing in the under brush in forest areas only our field guides venture. We now have the opportunity to watch a troop of toque macaques enjoy the last feeding of the day, play and groom, and get into their sleeping trees and huddle together for a good nights’ sleep.

Polonnaruwa – another “World Heritage Site” was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankoth Vehera and Kirivehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists.

Transfer Distance: 55kms
Cycling Distance: 75kms
Terrain: Flat

Today is another beautiful day of cycling. We start with a short transfer (30 mins) out of Pollonaruwa before we get on our bikes. Our route today is through the scenic Madhura Oya National Park. The Park is full of elephants and we will need to be careful. En route we will stop at the Madhura Oya Reservoir for a picnic lunch.

Transfer Distance: 85kms

We rest our legs today and transfer to the small village of Hasalaka. We spend the morning exploring the nearby waterfalls and rivers. We can take a swim at the base of the waterfalls before returning to the village. We will eat a meal prepared by the locals before heading on to Kandy. In Kandy, after resting for a bit, we can take a walk to the famed Buddhist Temple of the Tooth.

Kandy - the hill capital is another “UNESCO Heritage Sites”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule although finally ceded to the British in 1815.

To the Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.

Transfer Distance: 3hr train ride

Today we take the train to the tea capital Nuwara Eliya. It is a scenic ride as the train snakes up through the winding hills and tea estates. In the evening we can cycle around the town center.

Nuwara Eliya: - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of  Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this Park.

Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (march to May) and the fall (August and September).

The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this Park.

Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (march to May) and the fall (August and September).

Transfer Distance: 68kms
Terrain: Mostly undulating downhill. 3kms of a steep climb

Today is a surreal day of cycling. We transfer from our hotel to the mountain grasslands of Horton Plains. We walk around for a bit before getting onto our bikes for the downhill ride to Bandarawela. It is an absolutely beautiful ride first through the cloud forests and then down to the lower pine forests.

Transfer Distance: 75kms
Cycling Distance: 40kms
Terrain: Mostly Downhill

Another day of beautiful downhill cycling. However today’s views are scenic valleys and tea estates. We are on back roads rarely used. We cycle up to Wellawaya town from where we get into the car and transfer the remaining distance to Udawalawe. After lunch and a refreshing shower we head for a Safari at Udawalawe National Park

Cycling Distance: 90kms
Terrain: Flat

Today is our last day of cycling. We cycle through the plains from Udawalawe to the beach town of Mirissa. We will be cycling through paddy fields and farms. Our route takes us through small villages and really gives us a glimpse of rural Sri Lanka. Today is a longer day but with a lot to experience. Our stop is the beautiful Mirissa beach where we can relax after our active holiday.

Today we do nothing. Absolute relaxation is must. Lounge by the pool or take a dip in the sea. If you are still feeling restless we could take the short drive to Galle to explore the old Dutch Colonial Fort.

Transfer Distance: 40kms

On our penultimate day we head to the beautiful coastal town of Galle. We check into our iconic hotel, the Jetwing Lighthouse. Designed by Geoffrey Bawa, one of Sri Lanka’s most esteemed architect. At around 3PM we meet up with a local resident and learn to prepare a delicious meal. Whether it’s a Biryani, a Seafood feast or hot hot hoppers with accompaniments, she will take you through an unforgettable culinary journey.

Galle Dutch Fort: - The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort. It is a “World Heritage Site”. Some scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord.

Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastion’s overlooking the sea.

The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, on the inner side of the Fort.

We will transfer you from your hotel to the airport.