14 DAY / 13 NIGHT – CYCLING TOUR

DAY 1 – AIRPORT/NEGOMBO 30 minutes drive

Welcome and assistance on arrival at the Colombo International airport. Transfer to Negombo. Arrive at your hotel, afternoon free on the beach of Negombo with a short briefing by your guide on the itinerary, for those who like they can cycle around the fishing village late afternoon.

Dinner and night hotel

 

DAY 2 – NEGOMBO /CHILAW/YAPAHUWA (45 Kms cycling on flat minor road along the beach)

Morning after breakfast collect your bikes then leave for Chilaw another small fishing village. Riding along the small roads and the beach, arrive at the Rest house for a local lunch visit the market and continue by vehicle to Yapahuwa. Dinner and night at the hotel. It is possible to visit an Ayurveda center for a traditional Sri Lankan massage.

 

DAY 3 – YAPAHUWA / ANURADHAPURA (40 Km by cycling)

Morning proceed to visit the fortress of Yapahuwa built around a huge granite rock rising up to 100 mts in 1272 BC and return to the hotel.  Cycle in the village and lunch at a village house and ride up to small village from where you will board the vehicle to drive towards Anuradhapura. The ancient sacred city, it was the cradle of Buddhism being first introduced by Buddhist monk Mahinda who came from India to the Sri Lankan King Devanampiyatissa it was the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka in 5th century BC.

Dinner and night at your hotel

 

DAY 4 – ANURADHAPURA / AUKANA / SIGIRIYA (40 km by cycling)

Morning visit the old capital by cycle or by vehicle – Anuradhapura –visit this sacred city that was established around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment’, the Bo tree, brought here in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, was a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years and was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is UNESCO World Heritage site.

Then proceed to Aukana to see the great statue of the buddha, which was sculpted in rock and then ride up to Madatugama , through the villages and paddy fields. Pick up from Madatugama and drive towards Sigiriya, arrive at hotel for dinner and night.

 

DAY 5 – SIGIRIYA / PIDURANGLA / SIGIRIYA (15km by cycling)

After breakfast proceed to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the 8th Wonder of the World, it is a palace built on top of a rock rising up to 600 feet. This rock fortress was built by the parricide King Kasyppa in the 5th century AD. On the ascent to the summit of the rock see some of the marvels of this ruined palace, such as the rock paintings or “frescoes” and from the summit one will have a panoramic view of the surrounding.

In the afternoon ride up to Pidurangla to do a short trek to see an ancient temple and a spectacular view of the area from the summit of this mountain.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

 

DAY 6 – SIGIRIYA /DAMBULLA / MATALE / KANDY (25 km by cycling)

After breakfast, cycle up to Dambulla, through village. Then visit Dambulla, the 5 cave temples each of which has murals depicting scenes of Buddha ‘s life and gilded statues in various positions. Then proceed to Matale to visit a spice garden where all the spice grown and used in the local cuisine in Sri Lanka can be seen, you can taste an authentic Sri Lankan lunch here. Afternoon short trek in the woods with a local guide passing through a Tamil village alongside a river which will take you up to Rattota where you meet your driver to proceed to Kandy for dinner and night.

Trek: 7km, 2h

 

DAY 7 – KANDY / PERADENIYA / KANDY

Kandy is the hill capital of the last King which fell to the British in 1815 after surviving 2 centuries of colonial rule by the Portuguese and Dutch. It is home to the Sacred tooth relic of lord Buddha enshrined in the temple” Dalada Maligawa”. Each year In July or August the tooth relic is taken in spectacular procession with caparisoned elephants, dancers and Kandyan drummers around the streets of city for 10 nights. A visit to the temple is a must when in Kandy. Afternoon leave for Peradeniya to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens once the pleasure garden of the Queen has one of the finest collections of tropical flora and beautiful orchid garden. Evening free to stroll around the city and return to hotel for dinner and night.

 

DAY 8 – KANDY / NANU OYA/ NUWARA ELIYA

Morning after breakfast leave for the Kandy railway station to board the local train which passes through the beautiful mountain region. Nuwara Eliya is a famous hill town known for the famous Ceylon Tea, arrive at the Nanuoya Station to meet your driver and vehicle who will drive you to Nuwara Eliya. Afternoon visit the old English style town with colonial buildings. Dinner and night at the hotel.

 

DAY 09 – NUWARA ELIYA / WELIMANDA / ELLA (30km by cycling)

After breakfast leave for Welimanda and cycle up to Ella via Hali-ela. Then proceed to visit small Adam’s peak, which offers a panoramic view of the region. Rest of the day visiting around Ella including city and “Nine Arch Bridge”.

Dinner and night at hotel.

DAY 10 – ELLA / WELLAWAYA / BUDURUWAGALA / BUTTALA (35km by cycling)

After breakfast proceed to Wellawaya, from there ride up to visit Buduruwagala to see a giant image of Lord Buddha sculpted onto a natural rock face. Then continue cycling up to Buttala for dinner and night over in a rustic traditional style bungalow. Take the lunch at a restaurant on the way.

Dinner and night in bungalow.

DAY – 11 BUTTALA / KATARAGAMA / YALA (40km by cycling)

Morning after breakfast, cycle up to Kataragama, the holy city for all religions where pilgrims from all the religion’s Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam visit this holy site. Have lunch and leave for Yala the most popular national parks, this park is well known for the big cat the Leopard as well as elephants, deer etc. visit the park by jeep.

Dinner and night at the hotel.

DAY 12 – YALA / TANGALLE OR MIRISSA

Morning after breakfast leave for down south and arrive at Tangalle or Mirissa coastal towns with beautiful palm fringed beaches.

Afternoon free for relaxation dinner and night at hotel.

 

DAY13 – TANGALLE / MIRISSA

Day free on the beautiful golden sandy beach of the southern coast, free for lunch.

Dinner and night at hotel.

(It is possible to do dolphin and whale watching, excursions are offered by the hotel)

 

DAY 14 TANGALLE /MIRISSA / GALLE/ COLOMBO/ AIRPORT

Morning leave for Galle the Old Dutch city that is a World heritage site. Visit the old Dutch fort and have lunch. Then leave for Colombo, stop at Ambalangoda to see a Mask factory on the way. Late afternoon transfer to airport via Colombo.