Exploration of Sri Lanka

In flight

You will be greeted by a local guide and a driver at the airport. You will be transferred to the coastal town of Waikkal, located on the west coast of Sri Lanka. There, you can relax for the rest of the day to recover from the travel fatigue and the jet lag from your long flight. In the evening, there will be a briefing about the tour followed by a dinner.

Transfer distance: 55 km

Accommodation: Club Hotel Dolphin or similar

Meals: – / – / D

Today, we begin our cycling adventure to discover the delights of inland Sri Lanka. We depart from the hotel and pedal along a picturesque route among many fishing communities before stopping for dinner at a small beach restaurant. After dinner, we will transfer you, along with the bikes, to Anuradhapura, the ancient Buddhist cultural center. Anuradhapura is one of the most revered and holy Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.

Transfer Distance: 130 km

Cycling Distance: 45 km

Accommodation: Heritage Resort or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Today, we will go on a half-day bike excursion to the old town of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Anuradhapura is also a holy place revered by the majority of the local Sinhalese inhabitants. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas, which are brick-built and hemispherical in shape. The most renowned relic of the city is the sacred Bodhi Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Distance by bike: 30 km

Accommodation: Heritage Resort or similar

Meals: B / L / D

The best time to start the ride is at 7 AM, so breakfast is served early in Anuradhapura. You will then continue pedaling through villages and along some picturesque interior roads, passing through verdant landscapes and wildlife reserves. As you move eastward, you will gradually approach the coast, where you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. We will have some refreshments and a lunch break. After lunch, we will head to Trincomalee, famous for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. It is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and perhaps even take a swim after your long ride.

Biking Tour: 50 km

Transfer Distance: 58 km

Accommodation: JKAB Resort or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Today, we will begin cycling from Trincomalee. Enjoy the coastal scenery while pedaling. From Trincomalee, you will head back inland towards Habarana. This part of the journey will take you through rural landscapes, villages, and some nature reserves. After 55 km, we will stop at Lake Kantale for dinner.

After dinner, you have the option of an optional bike ride to Habarana or we take the transfer to the hotel.

Relax by the pool or enjoy Ayurvedic massages at the hotel.

Bike Ride: 50 km

Transfer Distance: 65 km

Accommodation: Elephas Resort & Spa or similar

Meals: B / L / D

As of today, we are trading pedals for walking shoes, and this will be the case for the next few days. Before the sun gets too high, we strongly recommend climbing up to the marvel that is the Sigiriya Fortress. Visiting Sigiriya rock, also known as Lion Rock, is a must-experience for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka.

The ascent to the top of Sigiriya rock involves climbing a series of steep stairs and passages, including narrow stairways and metal staircases attached to the rock face. This can be challenging, especially for those with mobility issues or a fear of heights, but the spectacular views from the top are well worth the effort. Once you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, lush forests, ancient ruins, and distant mountains. Take the time to explore the ruins of the ancient palace complex that once stood atop the rock.

After visiting Lion Rock, we will return to the hotel. After a bit of rest, we will take you to a cooking class. Participating in a cooking session in Sri Lanka can be a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the country’s culture and discover the local cuisine. Here’s what you can expect from such an experience:

In addition to learning cooking techniques and recipes, cooking sessions often provide insights into the cultural significance of food in Sri Lanka. You might hear stories about the history of certain dishes, regional culinary traditions, and the role of food in social gatherings and celebrations. Of course, one of the best parts of a cooking session is tasting the delicious dishes you’ve prepared! So, you will sit down at the end of the class to share the meal and savor the Sri Lankan specialties you have concocted.

Walking Distance: 7 km

Accommodation: Elephas Resort & Spa or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Departure from the hotel after breakfast and transfer to the starting point of the hike at Illukkumbura.

The hiking trails at Illukkumbura offer some of the most stunning landscapes in Sri Lanka. You will traverse dense forests brimming with diverse flora and fauna, rushing streams, and panoramic views of mist-covered mountains. The region is renowned for its dazzling natural beauty and serene atmosphere. We will start our hike from Illukkumbura towards Manigala Mountain through the lush evergreen montane forest along the Knuckles Valley until we reach the summit of Manigala Mountain. Once at the summit, you will enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the Knuckles mountain range. We will spend some time up there before descending back to our hotel.

Hike Distance: 9 km

Transfer Distance: 100 km

Accommodation: Arangala Forest Lodge or similar

Meals: B / L / D

We will leave after breakfast and start the hike towards Bhanalla. We will walk through the forested valley. On the way, we will visit a family that has been living in isolation in the forest for more than 40 years. We will continue our hike until the lunch break near the Pathana Falls, a beautiful waterfall in the heart of the forest. Then, we will continue our hike towards the northern slope of the Knuckles Mountain Range to return to the bungalow.

Hiking Distance: 14 km

Accommodation: Arangala Forest Lodge or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Today, we will resume the bike ride from your bungalow towards Kandy. Cycling from Illukumbura to Kandy will be an adventurous journey through the picturesque landscapes of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. From Illukumbura to Rattota, you will pass through lush tea plantations and wind along mountain roads. Enjoy the fresh mountain air as you pedal through the beautiful countryside. From Rattota, continue towards Elkaduwa, exploring the rural landscapes of the region, with its rivers and waterfalls. On the way to Kandy, take your time to soak in the natural beauty of the region.

Distance by bike: 60 km

Accommodation: Hotel Topaz or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Today, we take the train to the tea capital, Nuwara Eliya. It’s a picturesque journey as the route winds through winding hills and tea plantations. In the evening, we can take a bicycle tour of the tea factory. Nuwara Eliya, the “Little England” of Sri Lanka, is set in a beautiful landscape of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and tea plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places on the island, like an English spring day, though the temperature drops at night. All around Nuwara Eliya, you will see traces of British influence: houses resembling country cottages or Queen Anne-style mansions. Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a walk or a picnic, and it is also great for bird watching as you can see some rare species there. The seasons might be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can distinguish them by the flowers that bloom in spring (March to May) and autumn (August and September).

Distance by bicycle: 20 km

Train journey: 4 hours

Accommodation: Yara Nuwara or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Cycling from Nuwara Eliya to Ella will allow you to discover other beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka, but it is quite an ambitious journey due to the distance and changes in altitude. Today, we will leave the hotel a bit earlier, heading towards Welimada. This part of the route includes uphill sections as you move towards the central highlands. Enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside while cycling through small villages and lush forests. From Ettampitiya to Ella, the route is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, including tea plantations, waterfalls, and mist-covered mountains. As you approach Ella, be prepared for difficult climbs, but the panoramic views from the top will be well worth it.

Cycling distance: 60 km

Accommodation: Ella Mount Heaven or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Before breakfast, we will start walking on the railway tracks to admire the magnificent sunrise over Ella Rock, a famous cliff located above the village of Ella. The rock offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding hills and plains.

After breakfast, we will head towards exploring the caves. Ella is wrapped in myths and mysteries, with caves and waterfalls that serve as the backdrop to the legend of the Ramayana. The trail begins at Hulang Kapolla. The shaky ladder at this entrance and the ropes hanging there were installed solely for visitors and hikers, otherwise the village boys simply jump. This is one of the two entrances to this trail. Once you descend this ladder, you will find yourself in a space small enough to accommodate about two people, and the descent to the next stage is narrower than the first entrance. It is essentially a space between two rocks, descending onto another shaky ladder. You can’t see where you are stepping and will have to feel your way. This is the second and last tiny crawl passage, after which you can stand for the rest of the trail. You will find yourself sliding on your buttocks or crawling on all fours to find a foothold in some places. There is a place where you have to press yourself against a wall, as the ceiling drops quite low. In the end, your limbs are covered in dust and a shiny silver, due to the metallic deposits along the cave. Hundreds of meters below the ground surface, we notice a stream along the cave wall. The color does not seem real, not at this depth. We climb the last rocks and a portion of slippery, loose earth before arriving in another small cave. After a descent around several rocks, we arrive at a crystal-clear blue lake, the Nil Diya Pokuna.

Walking Distance: 6 km

Accommodation: Ella Mount Heaven or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Transfer to the Nayabedda viewpoint for a hike through phase 13 of the Pekoe. This route takes you to the Haputale station, one of the main towns in the tea country, and to one of the most famous landmarks in the tea country where Sir Thomas Lipton would oversee his favorite estates. Then, descend towards the Thotalagala-Dambatenne valley via beautiful trails between mountains, cool and humid forests, and various tea cultivation fields. You will pass through an estate producing organic tea up to the spot known as Lipton’s Seat.

Walking distance: 14 km

Accommodation: Melheim Resort or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Today, we will cycle down to Tissamaharama. On the way, we will visit the Buddha statues carved into the rock at Buduruwagala, dating from the ninth or tenth century. They consist of seven ancient Buddhist figures carved directly into the facade of a large cliff. The tallest measures 51 feet high, making it the largest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. After lunch at the hotel, transfer to Yala National Park for a jeep safari. Located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, embracing the Indian Ocean, Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and a national park in 1938. Ironically, when the country was under British rule, the park was originally used as a hunting ground for the elite. Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammals and 215 species of birds. Among its most famous residents are the largest concentration of leopards in the world. You will also encounter elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted deer, peacocks, and crocodiles. The best time to visit Yala is between February and July, when the water levels in the park are quite low, attracting animals into the open.

Distance by bike: 50 km

Transfer distance: 50 km

Accommodation: EKHO Safari Tissamaharama or similar

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, we begin our last bike ride to Bundala National Park, along the lagoon, to observe a spectacular birdlife. After lunch, we head to Hikkaduwa. Free time on the beach. In the evening, you can visit the Sea Turtle Hatchery and Rescue Center, a center aimed at preserving certain endangered turtle species worldwide. This is just one of the many turtle hatcheries on the southern coast of the island. Originally a community project to protect the biodiversity of the southern coast, it is now a full-fledged turtle breeding and rescue center with dedicated teams working day and night to study, treat, and protect several species of turtles.

Distance by bike: 35 km

Accommodation: Citrus Hikkaduwa or similar

Meals: B / L / D

We will head to Udugama to spend 6 to 8 hours exploring the Gin Ganga River. You can enjoy the crystal-clear waters to take on the adventure of whitewater kayaking.

Local guides and instructors will be available to assist you and ensure your safety throughout the adventure. They will provide you with essential kayaking techniques, safety instructions, and the best ways to overcome the river’s challenges, allowing you to make the most of your time on the water. Besides the thrill of navigating the rapids, whitewater kayaking in Udugama also offers a unique opportunity to closely appreciate the region’s natural beauty. While paddling, you’ll have the chance to observe diverse wildlife, admire colorful bird species, and soak in the serenity of the surrounding jungle.

Kayaking Program: 6 to 7 hours

Accommodation: Citrus Hikkaduwa or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Today, we are heading to the beautiful coastal city of Galle. After breakfast, we will visit the Galle Dutch Fort. The main city on the southern coast is Galle, whose oldest monument is the imposing Portuguese and Dutch fort, designated a “World Heritage Site.” Some scholars believe that it is the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant ships, and where Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90 acres of the Galle Fort show no evidence of its Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese north wall into a large rampart in 1663. A second, higher wall was built inside. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion to the two half-bastions of the fort overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, including underground brick-lined sewers that were cleared twice a day by the rising and falling tides. The original gate of the fort was on the harbor side. It is still there, marked by British coats of arms in the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) coats of arms with a rooster on the inner side of the fort. In the evening, there will be a celebration dinner with the group.

Accommodation: Citrus Hikkaduwa or similar

Meals: B / L / D

Transfer to the airport for your flight. Your vacation in Sri Lanka ends here.

Transfer distance: 140 km

Meals: B / – / –