Cycling Tour in Sri Lanka
Overview
Sri Lanka is an excellent cycling destination with well-maintained routes, diverse scenery, and a compact size that makes it ideal for two wheels. From ancient religious and cultural sites to rainforests, national parks, mountains, and a magnificent coastline, there is no better way to experience the island than by bicycle. Blue Lanka Tours' cycling itinerary has been designed to cover the finest cycling routes on the island.
Tour Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Negombo
Airport pickup and transfer to Negombo — a lively fishing town just minutes from BIA, making it the perfect base for the first night. Check in to your hotel and spend the evening exploring the beachside promenade, the Dutch canal, and the local seafood restaurants.
Day 2Negombo to Anuradhapura — Cycle the Dutch Canal
An early morning test-ride to the Negombo Fish Market for a glimpse into the island's remarkable dry-fish industry. Cycle north along the scenic Dutch Canal passing fishing villages, coconut plantations, and tile factories. From Chilaw, transfer by vehicle to Anuradhapura — the ancient capital — for an overnight stay.
Day 3Anuradhapura by Bicycle
Explore the vast UNESCO ancient city of Anuradhapura by bicycle — the best way to cover its expansive ruins. Cycle to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree (the oldest documented living tree in the world), Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Isurumuniya Temple with its famous rock carvings, and the royal pleasure gardens. In the afternoon, a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park for leopard and sloth bear sightings.
Day 4Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa — Cycle Through Paddy Fields
Cycle from Anuradhapura through a landscape of ancient man-made reservoirs and paddy fields toward Ritigala — a forest monastery in a remote jungle that feels entirely forgotten by time. Explore the 1st-century BCE ruins on foot, then transfer to Polonnaruwa for an overnight stay.
Day 5Polonnaruwa to Dambulla — Ruins & Lake Cycling
Morning cycling tour of the magnificent Polonnaruwa ancient city, including the Gal Vihara rock-cut Buddha statues, the Royal Baths, and the Medieval Royal Palace. Transfer to Dambulla and visit the UNESCO Cave Temple. In the evening, a leisurely lakeside cycle along the shores of Kandalama Lake — one of the most scenic cycling routes in the country.
Day 6Dambulla to Kandy — Sigiriya & Spice Gardens
Cycle to Sigiriya and climb the Rock Fortress. Continue by bicycle through spice plantations and rural countryside to Matale, passing pepper and cinnamon estates. Transfer to Kandy and check in for the evening — explore the lakeside on foot or by bike.
Day 7Kandy to Nuwara Eliya — Train & Cycle
Begin with a blessing at the Kandy Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Board the scenic highland train from Kandy to Nanu Oya station. Collect your bicycles and cycle the final descent into Nuwara Eliya — a thrilling ride through tea estates and colonial-era villages to the heart of Little England. Enjoy an authentic Tamil tea-workers' meal in the evening.
Day 8Nuwara Eliya Cycling Circuit
A full day of cycling the magnificent Nuwara Eliya highlands: visit a tea plantation and factory for a tasting session, cycle to Ambewela Farm (a dairy farm at 2,000m altitude), continue to a strawberry farm, and complete a circuit of Lake Gregory with views of the surrounding peaks. The old post office and Victoria Park are pleasant detours on the way back.
Day 9Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe — Bambarakanda Falls
An exhilarating downhill bike ride from Haldummulla to witness the Bambarakanda Falls — Sri Lanka's highest waterfall at 263m, plunging from a rocky cliff face into the jungle below. Continue the downhill run to the lowlands of Udawalawe. Check in to your safari lodge and rest after a spectacular day in the saddle.
Day 10Udawalawe to Galle — Coastal Cycling
Morning jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park — home to over 500 wild elephants in open grassland, ideal for close-up encounters. Then cycle south to Mirissa along the beautiful downhill coastal route, enjoying the changing landscape from jungle to paddy to palm-lined beaches. Conclude the ride at Wijaya Beach and transfer to Galle.
Day 11Galle Relaxation Day
A rest day in one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful cities. Morning beach time at a secluded bay near Galle. In the afternoon, participate in a traditional wood-carving workshop inside the fort. Evening stroll on the ocean-side ramparts of Galle Fort to watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean.
Day 12Galle to Colombo
Transfer to Colombo along the Southern Expressway. Optional final cycling session through Colombo's vibrant Pettah market district and Galle Face waterfront. Check in to a Colombo hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at one of the city's excellent restaurants.
Day 13Departure from Colombo
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight — 12 days of Sri Lanka seen from the saddle, an experience impossible to replicate from behind glass.
Gallery
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Contact us to customize this itinerary to your preferences, budget, and schedule.
Book NowWhat's Included
- 12 nights accommodation in handpicked hotels
- Private air-conditioned support vehicle with English-speaking driver
- Daily breakfast at hotels
- All entrance fees to listed sites
- Airport transfers
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