Cycling in the Hills – 8 Days Cycling Tour in Sri Lanka(Private Tour)

SCHEDULE

• Arrival in Kandy and meet the cycling guide.

• Full day cycling tour in the suburbs of Kandy.

• Lunch in a village along the way.

• Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy (HB).

DISTANCE: 59 kms

DURATION: 6 – 7 hrs

GRADING: Moderate / Hard

The full-day suburban cycling tour will take you to experience the historical and the traditional landscapes of Kandy and its outskirts. During the tour, you will have a chance to visit little rural temples, tea and railway museum; ateliers and home-based workshops of local artisans; Dawson Tower and the 80-hectare Gannoruwa Agro Farm displaying fruit, vegetable and herbal gardens, and an insect zoo. A traditional Sri Lankan home-cooked lunch will be arranged at a local house.

SCHEDULE

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Cycling to Hatton via Nawalapitiya.

• Check in to the hotel in Hatton.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Hatton (HB).

DISTANCE: 75 kms

DURATION: 6 – 7 hrs

GRADING: Moderate / Hard

Today, you will head to Hatton, located in the Nuwara Eliya District that is famous for Ceylon Tea. Theses parts of the Sri Lanka’s Hill-Country offer the most scenic, mist-wrapped sceneries of dramatic mountain peaks and rolling hillsides, carpeted with tea plantations. A world away from the tropical beaches and sweltering cities in the lowlands, the peaceful highlands with the emerald green landscapes and the cool climate are a nature lover’s paradise.

SCHEDULE

• Early departure to Horton Plains with packed breakfast.

• Arrival in the Horton Plains National Park around 7:00 am.

• 6 km trail to Baker’s Falls and World’s End.

• Lunch will be provided in a suitable location.

• Cycling trail to Bambarakanda Waterfall.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort (FB).

TREKKING DISTANCE: 6 km trail in Horton Plains National Park

GRADING: Soft

CYCLING DISTANCE: 15/21 kms to Bambarakanda Waterfall, and 20 km back to Belihuloya

GRADING: Moderate / Hard

The famous Horton Plains is a nature reserve characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, forests, and grassland. The highest plateau in the island, spanning approximately 10,000 hectares, is home to 24 species of mammal – such as elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, wild hare, porcupine, and leopard.

More about the trekking trail in Horton Plains:

In Horton Plains, you will first visit the Baker’s Falls. To reach them, you will deviate from the main trail and go approximately 500m on a steep downward path. From the waterfall, you will continue to the World’s End – the famous escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands of the southern region of the island. When the clouds clear up, the misty cliffs boast a fabulous view of the tea estates below and all the way out to the distant southern coastline.

After the trek in the national park, you will head on to Bambarakanda Waterfalls, 21 kms from the park’s entrance. You may go all the way by bike or car, or take the vehicle for the first 6 kms to Udaweriya Estate Junction and start cycling from there.

The 15-km trail from Udaweriya to Bambarakanda, going through Kingslyn and West Haputale Estates, is demanding, but the sceneries at the majestic waterfall will be the most rewarding! Bordered by steep rocks and dark green forests, the 240-meter-high Bambarakanda is Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall, and you may have refreshing bath in the deep pool underneath it.

From the waterfalls, you will cycle 6 kms to Kalupahana, from where you may go by car, or cycle, 14 kms back to River Garden Resort.

SCHEDULE

• Early breakfast at the hotel.

• Start the cycling trail to Kosgama at 7:00 am.

• Lunch at River Garden Resort.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the River Garden Resort (FB).

CYCLING DISTANCE: 30 kms (to Kosgama and back via Seelogama and Kinchigune)

DURATION:  5 – 6 hrs

GRADING: Moderate / Hard

Today, you will be taken for a 30 km cycling trail through small villages, forests and paddy fields in the gorgeous sceneries of the Sri Lanka’s Hill-Country. The trail starts from the River Garden Resort and takes you first to the little village of Seelogama, from where you will take a single track steep down to Belihuloya River. After crossing the river (depending on the water level, you might need to carry your bike across), you will continue to Samanalawewa reservoir and steep uphill on a paved road to Kinchigune Eco Lodge, where you can take a little break enjoying some refreshments and the beautiful views.

Start off again and ride 1.5 kms uphill to the village of Pambahinna. From there, you will cycle around 9 kms on gravel to Kosgama – picturesque little village surrounded by paddy fields and lush green forests. Along the way, we will pass by a small village school to which we can pay a visit, with the principal’s permission, if it is a school day. From the village, the trail continues a couple kilometers mostly uphill to Kosgama River, and then comes the real challenge – the 4.5 kms steep uphill ride to Marangahawela. Here, you will cycle on a narrow paved road, and the lush forests will provide you with a cool shade. After the tiring climb, you will get to enjoy an easy 12 km downhill ride from Marangahawela back to River Garden Resort along the main road. On the way, you may have a break at the Surathali Ella Waterfall.

SCHEDULE

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Cycling to Hambegamuwa.

• Check in to the Big Game safari campsite in Udawalawe.

• Lunch at the campsite.

• Optional: Half day safari at Udawalawe National Park in the afternoon.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the Big Game camp in Udawalawe (FB).

CYCLING DISTANCE: 69 kms (from Belihuloya to Hambegamuwa)

DURATION:  5 – 6 hrs

GRADING: Moderate / Hard

From Belihuloya, you will head to Udawalawe. With approximately 400 elephants residing within the area of 31,000 hectares, it is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants. In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer and monkeys. When in Udawalawe, you may go for an afternoon safari in the national park, and your accommodation will be arranged at the fully serviced Big Game campsite.

SCHEDULE

• Breakfast at the campsite.

• Cycling to Urubokka and transfer to Unawatuna.

• Check in to the hotel

• Relaxing time

• Overnight stay in a hotel in Unawatuna (BB).

CYCLING DISTANCE: 60 kms (from Udawalawe to Urubokka)

DURATION: 5 – 6 hrs

GRADING: Soft / Moderate

Unawatuna beach is a picturesque semicircular bay that stretches no more than one kilometer. With palm-lined beaches, turquoise waters and a good selection of restaurants, it is a great place to take it easy and enjoy the sun. Take your time relaxing on the beach, or go snorkeling in the clear waters. For those seeking pure relaxation, Ayurvedic massages, with natural herbal oils, are highly recommended.

SCHEDULE

• Breakfast at the hotel.

• Visit the Galle Fort by bike or by car.

• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Unawatuna (BB).

The bustling provincial capital and administrative center of the south, Galle, was Sri Lanka’s first international commerce and trade center. The Galle Fort overlooking the ocean is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1587 and reinforced again by the Dutch. The 36-hectare fortress is surrounded on three sides by the ocean, its ramparts protecting the harbour, old houses, churches, warehouses and the Arab quarter. Even as the city of Galle modernizes, its remarkable collection of ancient structures transports visitors to another time.

SCHEDULE

• Breakfast at the hotel and check out before noon.

• Departure.