Explore Sri Lanka - Cycling Tour Programme
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PROGRAMME |
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Explore Sri Lanka - Cycling Tour Programme |
DURATION |
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12 Nights / 13 Days. |
PERIOD |
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Valid Till 31 st October 2008 |
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Highlights of the Tour
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- Negombo - Little Rome in Sri Lanka
- Cycling the Cultural Triangle. Visit 12 th century ruin capital city Pollonnauwe & World Heritage Site - Sigiriya - the 8 th Wonder.
- Cycling in the Hill capital of Srilanka - Kandy .
- Peddling to little England in Sri Lanka - Nuweraliya
- Leaving to the National Park in the Highest Plateau - Horton Plain's National park. Conquer Satan's Steps on a bike & return River Garden - Belihuloya.
- Cycling in & around the Adventure Capital of Sri Lanka - Belihuloya.
- Udawalawe National Park- Maximum of Maximus viewing !
- Cycling in the coastal belt & exploration of world heritage site Galle .
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TOUR ITINERARY |
- All cycling routes are designed by Eco Team allowing cyclists to ride on village back roads avoiding main roads as much as possible.
- Average riding per day would be about 40km on soft and moderate routes mostly.
- There are steep climbs at hills where clients have the option to get in to the back-up vehicle which will fillow them in all cycling routes.
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Day 1 -
Waikkal - (HB)
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Arrive and proceed to Hotel in Waikkala . 
Just a short drive from the airport. After a chance to relax from the overnight flight there will be the opportunity this afternoon to take a short cycle ride to break in our sturdy mounts for the coming days. Set amongst coconut palms and fishing boats, Negombo/waikkala is a perfect way to start our trip and this evening there should be chance to sample some of the excellent seafood available in this atmospheric fishing town.
Total cycling distance 15km.[2 Hours- Soft ]
Check-in at Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. |
SCHEDULE
- Arrival transfer from the airport to Waikkal and check-in at the hotel.
- After a long journey leisure and relax at the hotel.
- Dinner & Overnight stay at Waikkala.
- Accommodation at Ranweli Holiday Village .
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Day 2 -
Negombo - Giritale - (HB)
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After breakfast Cycle to Kurunegala, and Drive to Girtale via Dambulla Cave Temple 
We cycle to Kurunegala this morning, from where we transfer to Giritale by vehicle.En route we will stop at Dambulla, where a great series of caves have been turned into temples (dating from the 1st century BC). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves are a mecca for crowds of worshippers and we will visit five separate caves, containing a large number of Buddha images, as well as a few sculptures of Hindu Gods. Finally we reach the small town of Giritale where it is possible to take a pleasant evening stroll around the tank, a lake created for irrigation purposes.
Total cycling distance approximately 35km. [5 Hours - Soft & Modarate ]
Check-in at Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. |
SCHEDULE 
- Arrival Drive or Cycle to Kurunegala.
- Visit Dambulla rock temple.
- Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel
- Accommodation at Girithale Hotel
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Day 3 -
Giritale - Polonnaruwa- Sigiriya - Giritale (HB) |
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 After breakast Drive or Cycle to Sigiriya, ascend Lion Rock, continue to Polonnaruwa visit ruins
From our base in Giritale we part drive & part cycle out today to visit Sigiriya, where we will ascend Lion Rock and climb up to the Sky Fortress. The ruins of this 5th century fortress are one of Sri Lanka 's major attractions, a stupendous sight to behold and a feat of consummate engineering skill. A switchback series of steps (sometimes very steep and somewhat precarious) ascends to the top. Halfway up, tucked beneath a sheltering overhang of rock, are the famous frescoes -The Sigiriya Damsels, their colours still glowing and from the summit of the rock palace (200m high) there are magnificent views of the surrounding country. From Sigiriya we continue on to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa , which reached its height of glory in the 12th century.  The city still has many interesting and spectacular buildings and monuments. There is the Royal Palace Group with its Audience Hall, Bathing Pool and Quadrangle-a very compact collection of ruins. Close by is the Circular Relic House, a curious round structure with a beautifully preserved 'moonstone' carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of the deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha known as Galvihara. Here there are three col ossal figures, all of which are hewn out of solid granite - the Reclining Buddha is no less than 14m long! After our visit we return to Giritale by vehicle .
Total cycling distance approximately 40km. [4 hours - Soft] - You have the option of extending cycling sections. |
SCHEDULE
- Arrival Drive or Cycle to Sigiriya.
- Visit Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa Ancient city.
- Overnight stay at the Hotel
- Accommodation at Girithala Hotel
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Day 4 -
Giritale - Kandy (HB) |
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After breakfast Cycle or Drive to Kandy via Pallegama and the Yoda Ela 
Using a combination of pedal power and car we travel to Kandy , passing villages, rivers and mountain summits en route. Heading first for Pallegama we pass by the Yoda Ela, before driving up into the highlands and then cycling down to nearby Matale. From here we drive again to the town of Kandy . Lying in the mountains, 112km northeast of Colombo , Kandy is in climatic terms, a world apart due to its altitude of 500m above sea level. The town was captured by the British in 1815, and is known more for its cultural and spiritual importance rather than its history. Buddhists from all over the world, come to this delightful old highland town, specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa. The costly jewelled shrine of the holy tooth (said to be 3.5cm long by 1cm thick and Buddha's left canine) is kept in the upper floor of the original building. This relic was brought from India 1,500 years ago and every year, at the time of the August full moon, it is paraded round the town with great pomp and circumstance.
During this ten night festival of Perahera, the tooth (or a simulacrum) is borne along on a richly caparisoned elephant, surrounded by saffron-robed monks and Kandyan dancers. Kandyan dancers can be seen performing every night at one or two locales around town.There will be an opportunity this evening to visit the Temple of the Tooth.
Total cycling distance approximately 55km. [5 hours - Modarate ] You have the option of extending cycling sections. |
SCHEDULE
- Drive or Cycle to Kandy .
- Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic.
- Overnight stay at Swiss Residence.
- Accommodation at Swiss Residence.
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Day 5 -
Kandy (HB)
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After Breakfast take part in Cycling in the Hantana Hills.
Afternoon do a city tour of Kandy and also visit the Royal Botanical Gardens. |
 Driving to the foot of the Hantana Hills we spend this morning cycling through a landscape of tea plantations and rural villages, also including a visit to the Tea Museum situated in Hanatana, returning to Kandy this afternoon. On our return to the city we wander through the lush Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, located just outside the city, before taking a tour of the city itself. Kandy is a living museum to its traditional past; the last capital of the Sinhala Kings, it retains much of its old world charm and its streets are a wonderful eclectic mix of noise and bustle. The rest of the day is free for personal exploration of this city. Shopping is good at the Kandyan Art Association's workshops, which has plenty of brassware, batik, lacquer work and other craft items.
Total cycling distance approximately 30 km. [4 hours -Moderate ]
On completion return to Hotel. |
SCHEDULE
- Arrival Drive or Cycle to Hantana Hills in Kandy .
- Visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
- Overnight stay at Swiss Residence
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Day 6 -
Kandy - Hatton (HB) |
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After breakfast Cycling through tea plantations to Hatton area 
Leaving Kandy this morning we drive part of the way to Nawalapitya, from where we will begin cycling along tea plantation roads that crisscross this landscape. Riding via Nawalapitya towards Hatton we travel through a scene of rolling hills covered in verdant green.
Total cycling distance approximately 50 km. [5 hours - Hard] You have the option of extending cycling sections. |
SCHEDULE
- Arrival Drive or Cycle through Tea plantations to Hatton
- Dinner and Overnight stay at Upper Glencarn Bunglow.
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Day 7 -
Hatton (FB)
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After breakfast, visit Tea Factory OR optional walking and cycling
 We have a full day on the tea plantation today with a number of activities on offer. We include a visit to the factory for a fascinating look at the production of this most British of drinks. The rest of your time here is free to explore at your leisure. At our location on the tea plantation we have an ideal spot from which to explore the surrounding countryside and mountains. There are numerous relaxing walks and cycle rides along the tea covered slopes. An optional trek to Adam's Peak (an overnight ascent, only during the pilgrimage season from December to April) is possible, though the number of pilgrims making the ascent often makes progress slow. The entire trip will generally involve a 4-hour return bus journey and a 3-4 hour round trip walk to the peak. At the top of the mountain is a 'footprint', believed by Muslims to be that of Adam (hence the name) and the site has been a place of pilgrimage for over a millennia. After a delicious dinner, this evening should present a perfect opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of the region under a stunning night sky, which is particularly impressive at this altitude. Lunch at the hotel. |
SCHEDULE
- Full day at leisure or optional rides on Full Board basis at the Hotel.
- Accommodation at Upper Glencarn Bunglow
Cycling is optional and you may easily do about 30km moderate ride on this day. |
Day 8 -
Hatton - Belihuloya (HB)
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After breakfast Cycle or drive to Belihuloya. 
Driving to Bogowantalawa this morning and then we cycle through the Peak Wilderness Natural Reserve to Balangoda / Belihuloya , where we arrive for lunch. Belihuloya is a climatically transitional area, which links the dry and wet zones at an altitude of less than 1500m. As a result, the vegetation it consists is moist semi-evergreen forests, tropical savanna forests, dry patana grasslands and montane temperate forests. The vegetation in this environment has made this location an exciting one for the serious as well as the casual nature lover. The average temperature in the area is about 28.3 degrees Celsius and the mean annual rainfall is between 1,875 and 2,500mm.
Total cycling distance approximately 50 km. [4 ½ hours - Modearate & Hard] |
SCHEDULE
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Day 9 -
Belihuloya - Horton Plains (FB) |
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After a very early breakfast or preferably with packed breakfast we travel to Horton Plains in our vehicle.
 Nature walk in HORTON PLAINS NATURE RESERVE , which is approximateli 10,000 Hectares in extent, is haunted by Elk, Deer, Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Wild Hare , Porcupine, and a variety of Migratory birds, unique to this region. According to a recent count there are 16 Leopards in Horton Plains. If you are very lucky you may get a glimpse of a Leopard during your sojourn in the Horton Plains.
SATAN'S STEPS TRAIL STARTING FROM THE HORTON PLAINS ENTRANCE.
Finishing the walking trail [unfortunately cycling is not allowed inside the park] you would start today's cycling section. Colonial planters has named a section of this trail as Satan's Steps due to some serious hairpin bends. First we c ycle across the plains and then start our amazing descend though a very remote tea estate. Our packed lunch will be taken at the Bambarakanda fall, Sri Lanka 's highest waterfall. From here it is still about 7 km of exciting downhill till we reach the main road. From here we have the option of cycling up to the Hotel or get in to the vehicle.[ 14 km]
BAMBARAKANDA FALLS 
Within a majestic basin-shaped valley bordered by huge steep rocks and dark green forests of pines and tropic trees the highest waterfall of Sri Lanka [ 240.8m] plunges with two silver ropes over a vertical dark grey wall from the green saddle between Mt.Welihena and Mt. Bambaragala into a deep pool only 500m walking distance from the trail.
Total cycling distance approximately 40 km. [ 4/5 Hours - Moderate & Hard ] |
SCHEDULE
- Drive to Horton Pl ains after the brea kfast.
- Cycle downhill to Bambarakanda and drive to Belihuloya.
- Dinner and Overnight stay at Ri ver Ga rden Cottages.
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Day 10 -
Udawalawe (HB)
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After breakfast we cycle to Udawalawe National Park . 
We return to our bikes for part of the way this moring as we head for the Udawalawe National Park . On arrival we will settle in to our camp and then later we will have an evening game drive through the park. Designated a national park in 1972, Udawalawe covers some 31,800 hectacres. Surrounded by mountains the park is a mix of rolling grasslands, teak plantations, rain forest and scrub. Reknowned for its large herd of elephants (this is in fact one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see them), the park is also home to deer, wild boar, buffalo, jackal, even the odd leopard and its resident bird population is second to none.
Total cycling distance approximately 45km. [ 4 hours - Soft and Moderate ]
You have the option of extending cycling sections.But on tarmac roads.
Dinner and Overnight stay at tented camps at the Udawalawe National Park . |
SCHEDULE
- Drive or Cycle to Udawalawe National Park
- Visit Udawalawe National Park by jeep.
- Dinner & Overnight stay at U dawalawe Mahoora Standard Camp
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Day 11 -
Unawatuna - (HB)
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After breakfast Drive and Cycle to Unawatuna Beach
After another game drive this morning we drive OR cycle to Unawatuna.Situated to the south of the capital Colombo, Galle is the most important town in the south.Once an important trading centre and reputedly to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, it is close to our destination for this evening.Unawatuna is the ideal place to finish our tour, with time to relax on the beach, or snorkel in the clear waters.For those seeking pure relaxation, local Ayurvedic massages with natural, aromatic herbal oils are highly recommended.
Total cycling distance approximately 60km. [6 Hours- Hard]
Check-in at Unawatuna Beach Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. |
SCHEDULE
- Arrival Drive or Cycle to Unawatuna.
- Overnight stay at the Unawatuna Beach hotel
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Day 12 - Unawatuna - (HB) |
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Whole day free for exploration or relaxation, depending upon your mood. Morning is free for you to enjoy some time on the beach, whilst for those with a hankering for more culture. 
Afternoon has the opportunity for an optional visit to Galle by car. An old, walled seaside town, Galle was important as a trading port for the Dutch from the 17th century when the fortress was constructed, but it had undoubtedly been a trading centre since ancient times. There is plenty to see, particularly in the old fort area, which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1988. Overlooking the sea, the fort ramparts protect the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. The New Oriental Hotel, originally built in 1684, is the epitome of colonial architecture and worth a visit, if only for the atmospheric bar!
Overnight at the Unawatuna Beach Hotel.
Total cycling distance approximately 60km.[5 Hours - Soft] |
SCHEDULE
- Full day at leisure at Unawatuna or optional for a galle city tour.
- Overnight stay at Unawatuna Beach hotel
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Day 13 -
Departure
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Departure or Extend your beach stay. |
- End of Tour - |
| Our Rates |
No of Pax
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| Rate per person in US $ |
1365 |
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| Discounted Rates are available for 3 Pax and above. |
TRANSPORTATION |
Rate for transportation for both in USD
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- Please note the total mileage calculated for this tour [13 Days] is for 1390 Kms. If exceeded the above quoted mileage a supplement of US$ 00.40 Per km will be charged.
- Transportation throughout the tour, in an Air conditioned Micro Van with English speaking chauffer Guide
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| Cost Includes: |
- Accommodation at Hotels / Camp sites mentioned in the above itinerary.
- Meal plan to be on Half Board basis starting from Day 01 - 13 and on Full board basis on day 09.
- Entrance fee to National Parks, cultural sites, & trekkers.
- Managing the entire cycling route.
- Mountain Bikes in prime condition and Helmets for the entire tour.
- Well experienced cycling guide, his fees, meals and accommodation for the entire tour.
- Backup vehicle for sections it's required.
- Service charges and all Government taxes.
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Cost does not include: |
- Any extra beverages or food.
- Any tips to the staff.
- Transport for the tour. ( Given separately )
- Any personal effects not mentioned here.
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Payment policy: Full payment with confirmation. |
Cancellation Policy: |
- 90 Days to 30 Days - 250 US $ Administrative fee or 10% of the tour fee which ever is higher.
- 14 Days to 29 Days - 250 US $ admin fee will be charged and 50 % of the tour cost will be kept to be utilized for a future booking. Balance will be refunded.
- 8 Days to 13 Days - 250 US $ admin fee will be charged and 75 % of the tour cost will be kept to be utilized for a future booking. Balance will be refunded.
- Less than 7 days - 250 US $ admin fee will be charged and 100 % of the tour cost will be kept to be utilized for a future booking.
Eco Team should receive the cancellation in writing. Tour start day is not considered for computation of the period. |
IMPORTANT NOTES: |
- The facilities at the camp include - accommodation in camping tents (2 persons per tent), sleeping mattresses, sheets, pillows, torches, towels, soap and flushable camping toilet facilities. Bottle water and other beverages will be provided as per request for extra cost.
- Hot meals will be prepared by professional cooks.
- Toilets in camp - facilities with flushable toilet tent with running water while camping
- It is recommended to have sunglasses, sunburn lotions, insect / leech repellent and personal effects for warm / windy / rainy conditions.
- Personal effects for windy/rainy/warm weather conditions should be carried by the clients.
- 2 persons in spacious insect and waterproof tent .
- Insect repellents, sun burn lotions etc, are recommended
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The above mentioned descriptions and programmes have been compiled after long, arduous, exploratory, and expensive work and hence is the property of Eco Team (Pvt) Ltd. Making use of these programmes/descriptions for any public or commercial programmes requires the permission of the said company. |
Naturally our ready made programmes will come cheaper than the tailor make programmes. How ever we are flexible enough to do minor changes to the ready made itineraries, with out any charge.? Please write to us
Do you own programme – Visit the location and activity pages on our site and you will come across mini tours in all of those pages. By combining them you can design your own tour. We will complete it by adding on the hotels and other cultural locations you may require.
Your tour will be handled by an experienced travel consultant who will provide a personalized service.
On certain occasions our standard programmes could be cheaper than a tailor made programme for a specific client. But rest assured that we are flexible enough to effect minor changes to a standard programme as required by you, our valuable clients & offer same at no extra cost. Please contact us at reachme@srilankaecotourism.com we will do the needful.
You also have the facility of designing your own programmes by visiting our location and activity pages on the website and accessing the mini tours segment in those pages & selecting an appropriate combination. Our experienced travel consultants will then add the finishing touches to the programme & provide a costing based on same. |
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