Cycle Sri Lanka

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Discover the Pearl of the Indian Ocean on two wheels. Taking a circular route around the island, our cycling tour of Sri Lanka ticks off ancient temples and fortresses, tea plantations and sprawling national parks. Pedal through the scenic Knuckles Range, around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and more. Then, search for leopard in Yala National Park before wi...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star

Highlights

    • Discover natural beauty and local life on this cycling adventure of Sri Lanka
    • Ride the backroads through ancient temples and the central highlands to the beach
    • Search for elephant and leopard on optional 4WD game drives

What's this trip about?

    Discover the Pearl of the Indian Ocean on two wheels. Taking a circular route around the island, our cycling tour of Sri Lanka ticks off ancient temples and fortresses, tea plantations and sprawling national parks. Pedal through the scenic Knuckles Range, around the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and more. Then, search for leopard in Yala National Park before winding up on the white sand beaches of Koggala for a well-earned rest. Sri Lanka by bike - Ride the backroads, villages, Knuckles Range and central highlands of this beautiful island. Ancient and spiritual sites - Explore the ancient site of Polonnaruwa, the cave temples of Dambulla and climb the Sky Fortress in Sigiriya. Hill Country - Cycle through the highlands to discover lush tea plantations and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityNegombo
End CityColombo Airport

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Colombo
  • Dambulla
  • Kandy
  • Negombo
  • Nuwara Eliya
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Sigiriya
  • Yala
  • Yala National Park

Activities

  • Cycling

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 20

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour Negombo

Our tour starts today in Negombo, a coastal town that's famous for its fishing industry and golden sands. The perfect introduction to Sri Lankan life, Negombo is a busy coastal town with a lively fish market, traditional ketti-maran (catamaran) fishing boats scudding ...

Day 2 Morning cycle ride. Afternoon visit Dambulla cave temple

Leaving after breakfast this morning, we'll drive for 30 minutes to Dankotuwa. From here, we begin our morning's cycle ride through small backroads, gravel or dirt roads (15 kilometres/9.3 miles) and lovely forest to the outskirts of Kuliyapitya. Please note that the ...

Day 3 Climb Lion Rock, then cycle to Polonnaruwa

First thing this morning, we'll drive the short distance back to Dambulla where we'll cycle (24 kilometres/14.9 miles) alongside lakes and canals to Sigiriya. We'll then leave the bikes as we climb the imposing 'Sky Fortress' of King Kassapa, whose 5th-century ruins a...

Day 4 Pedal to Polonnaruwa archaeological site

Polonnaruwa reached the height of its glory in the 12th century and the city is still blessed with a number of ancient monuments, including the spectacular ruins of its Royal Palace and the Circular Relic House, a curious structure with a beautifully preserved 'moonst...

Day 5 Cycle and drive to Kandy, visit spice gardens en route

Today we'll cycle through the Knuckles Range and on to Kandy, one of Sri Lanka's cultural highlights. We'll start our day's ride at our hotel and cycle alongside Parakrama Samudra reservoir - built by the Singhalese kings in the 12th century - always staying close to ...

Day 6 Explore Kandy on foot

With no cycling planned for today, we'll have free time to enjoy one of the country's cultural gems. Lying in the mountains to the north-east of Colombo, Kandy is renowned as a centre of spiritual and cultural importance. The busy city is home to the famous 'Temple of...

Day 7 Into the beautiful highlands, colonial Nuwara Eliya and tea plantation visit

Leaving Kandy this morning, we'll drive for around two hours through a picturesque landscape of rolling, verdant hills into Sri Lanka's central highlands. On our journey, we'll stop at a tea estate to learn about tea picking and processing and to see the impressive Ra...

Day 8 Highlands cycle. Visit Bambarakanda waterfall

This morning, we'll leave the hotel, cycling out through the highlands towards Badulla. Later changing direction to ride through the tea estates to Haputale on the southern, increasingly lush and tropical slopes of the mountain. Whilst the overall bias is on downhill,...

Day 9 Cycle to Udawalawe National Park; optional safari

Today we'll cycle through the spectacular southern slopes of the highlands via Rajawaka and Pallebedda until we reach Highway 18 where our ride ends. We'll then drive to the Elephant Transit home (a 30-minute journey) for the chance to see baby elephants being fed. Af...

Day 10 Cycle country roads to Yala National Park; optional safari

Turning southeast this morning, our cycle route leads us to the town of Kataragama where we'll spend the night. We plan to visit the interesting local temple dedicated to Hindu and Buddhist gods. Lying close to the beautiful and abundant landscapes of Yala National Pa...

Day 11 Ride along the coast through Bundala National Park

This morning we'll drive for 30 minutes to the coast and then cycle the first 23 kilometres/14.3 miles section along the coast and Bundula National Park, giving us a good chance to spot crocodiles. We'll then get back in the vehicle and drive for around an hour to a p...

Day 12 Cycle the coastal backroads and visit Galle

We'll cycle from our hotel this morning, through the backroads. We'll explore the coastal and inland backroads, next to Koggala Lake on a bike route that eventually leads us back to the hotel in time for lunch. Later this afternoon, we'll drive for around 40 minutes t...

Day 13 Day at leisure in Koggala

Today has been left free to enjoy the laid-back ambience and turquoise waters of Sri Lanka's southern coast. Rich in biodiversity, colonial history and golden beaches, the area offers a wealth of options to make the most of our last day in the country. There are snork...

Day 14 Tour ends at Colombo airport

The trip ends at Colombo airport. There are 2 transfers planned today. Departing Koggala this morning, we'll drive for around two hours and 45 minutes to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo where our trip ends. The first transfer is planned to arrive ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,770
Price per day$198
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
12 Oct 2025
25 Oct 2025
$2,770
$680
26 Oct 2025
08 Nov 2025
$2,910
$750
09 Nov 2025
22 Nov 2025
$2,910
$750
23 Nov 2025
06 Dec 2025
$2,910
$750
11 Jan 2026
24 Jan 2026
$3,000
$800
25 Jan 2026
07 Feb 2026
$3,000
$800
08 Feb 2026
21 Feb 2026
$3,000
$800
15 Feb 2026
28 Feb 2026
$3,000
$800
22 Feb 2026
07 Mar 2026
$3,000
$800
29 Mar 2026
11 Apr 2026
$3,000
$800

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
M

Martin

Mar 2025

Written on

Cycle Sri Lanka

A great life affirming experience

T

Trusted Customer

Feb 2025

Written on

Cycle Sri Lanka

The holiday was excellent. The organisation, accommodation and cycling were all very good. We packed in a lot of Sri Lanka's top sights and there was plenty of vari...

M

Mike

Feb 2025

Written on

Cycle Sri Lanka

I was part of the group of 16 (great bunch of people) completing this trip in January 2025. It was good that no electric bikes were available for the trip, so we al...

P

Peter

Feb 2025

Written on

Cycle Sri Lanka

A superb trip, incorporating cycling with plenty of opportunities to see various sights and the variety of landscapes around the country. All of the accommodation wa...

F

Female sole traveller

Jan 2025

Written on

Cycle Sri Lanka

We where a large group of 16 people fortunately we cycled at similar abilities our guide and support team were incredibly attentive and couldn’t do enough to look af...

Write a Review

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Darren

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Efficient and easy to navigate online booking

Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...

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Tour Operator

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Bicycle,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Bicycle
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Sri Lanka: All foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka for a short stay of up to six months, including transit passengers, must apply for travel authorization online prior to travel to the country. All UK, EU, US, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian nationals can obtain an eVisa for a fee of approx 50 USD. You must apply for this prior to travel. It is strongly recommended that you print and bring a copy of the eVisa approval notice with you. The Sri Lankan authorities require that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Sri Lanka. http://www.eta.gov.lklvisa/visainfo/center.jsp?locale=en_US In addition to this, Sri Lanka has discontinued the use of paper land cards, and passengers are now required to fill out the following online arrival form, prior to arriving in Sri Lanka: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation/'#/home-page All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A plus Polio and diptheria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. We strongly recommend the wearing long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellents containing DEET as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 13
  • Dinner : 4
  • Lunch : 5
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-CSL

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