14D Biking Ceylon’s Spice Trails, Sri Lanka
USD $1,950 per person, Single supplement USD $375
Tour cost DOES NOT include international airfares and airport taxes.
Sri Lanka conjures up images of tea plantations, cool highlands, ancient cities and tropical beaches, all of which we’ll see on this diverse bicycle tour. Not to be forgotten are the extraordinary flora and fauna, the religious and cultural beliefs or the tantalizing spices that contribute to making the local cuisine so delicious. With such an astonishing variety of cultural and natural treasures there is truly something for everybody on this tour.
The quiet back roads of this tear-drop shaped island make it ideal for cycling. We start along the west coast catching glimpses of the sails of the local fishing boats, before we cycle inland through a multitude of Buddhist and Hindu monuments. Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was once known, has been influenced by ancient dynasties, Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British, all leaving their imprints and a resulting curious mix of ancient cities, monuments and atmospheric colonial architecture to explore.
We continue to the rock fortress of Sigiriya and the once medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. Here we put the bikes aside for an afternoon and take a wildlife safari in the Wasgomuwa National Park. We take a rest day at the hill town of Kandy so you have time to view the Temple of the Tooth, relax on the lake or walk through the splendid botanical gardens. We then follow rivers flowing down to the south coast and the fortress of Galle.
We overnight in a wonderful range of accommodation, from spa resorts to colonial bungalows on tea estates to remote rustic lodges to the architecturally wonder designed by the famous Geoffrey Bawa.
Be captivated by the romance, color and spice of Sri Lanka, a truly remarkable destination that you’ll never forget!
Trip Highlights
- Visit five of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO Wortld Heritage sites
- Cycle along palm fringed coasts up to cool highlands
- Visit tea estates, learn how tea is processed and taste the final product
- Take a jeep safari through Wasgomuwa National Park, home to elephants, leopards and sloth bears
Itinerary
14 Days/13 nights starting and finishing in Colombo
- Day 01 / Arrive in Sri Lanka and meet at hotel at Negombo beach.
- Day 02 / Ride along coast before heading inland to visit Dambulla, a 2nd century Buddhist cave temple.
- Day 03 / Loop ride to the ancient 5th century rock fortress Sigiriya and climb 300 m to top to view ruins.
- Day 04 / Ride along irrigation canals to ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Day 05 / Cycle along the eastern fringe of Wasgomuwa National Park. Afternoon jeep safari into park to view wildlife.
- Day 06 / Climb up to the Laggala pass at 1000 m, then descend on the so-called spice road to Matale. Overnight at Kandy.
- Day 07 / Rest day to explore Kandy’s town center, bustling market or the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sacred Kandy.
- Day 08 / Bike through tea plantations, stopping to see the tea making process and tasting the result.
- Day 09 / Bike along gravel roads and tea estate tracks, through the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea growing region.
- Day 10 / Descend out of tea country to the jungle covered slopes of the Sinharaja rainforest.
- Day 11 / Ride along the Nilwala river as it flows out of the hills towards the coast and the fortress town of Galle.
- Day 12 / Rest day to wander through the fortified old city of Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on your own.
- Day 13 / Cycle along some quiet inland roads heading north towards Colombo.
- Day 14 / Free time until transfer to airport for onward travel.
Prices
- USD $1,950 Twin
- USD $2,325 Single
- USD $195 for bike hire
Dates
14 Days/13 nights starting and finishing in Colombo.
- Jan 03-16, 2010 (eclipse of the sun plus 10% discount)
- Feb 28 – Mar 13, 2010
- Apr 04-17, 2010
- Jul 04-17, 2010
- Oct 24 – Nov 06, 2010
- Dec 19 – Jan 01, 2011
Trip Profile
Our bicycle journey will be on quiet back roads, estate tracks and gravel paths. We cover 770 kilometers in 10 cycling days, and much, if not most, of the terrain is undulating and there are some days with more than 100 km of riding. When you combine the great variety of cycling with the cultural and natural attractions, there is plenty to delve into and enjoy.
The road surfaces are mixed: most days we ride on reasonably good quality asphalt roads, but there are enough sections on very badly broken or dirt tracks that you will need a mountain bike, and preferably one with front shocks. However, there is nothing technical involved on this tour and anyone, assuming they have a reasonable level of fitness, will be able to join. A support truck is always available to help.
This ride is for those who have some biking experience as well as experts. The beginning of this ride is relatively flat, but there will be hills as we head inland and there are some long distances to cover. Never underestimate the heat and humidity of tropical Sri Lanka, as it will likely ensure things feel hot. This is a true journey through the finest terrain and scenery of Sri Lanka, with the best culture, nature and wildlife thrown in along the way, ensuring you get the very best of everything from your cycling efforts.
Facts & Figures
- Bike Hire USD $195
- Total Distance 770 Kilometres
- Number of Days 14 days / 13 nights
- Number of cycling days 09 full days, 01 half-day
- Road Surface This tour is a mix of good quality tarmac, gravel estate roads or dirt tracks. No technical experience is required.
- Support An air-conditioned bus converted to take bikes and bikers follows the group the whole time.
- Group Size Minimum 02, maximum 12.
- Staff Cycling leader (for groups of 10 or more), plus a local cycling guide, as well as drivers and assistants for all groups. Smaller groups will be led by our local guide and support team
- Accommodation Hotels vary from spa resorts to colonial bungalows on tea estates to remote rustic lodges to the architecturally wonder designed by the famous Geoffrey Bawa. Whenever possible we try to use hotels with charm and local character.
- Meals All meals are included form dinner on Day 01 to breakfast on Day 14 with the exception of 02 lunches and 02 dinners on the rest days.