Sri Lanka by Bicycle 8 Days/ 7 Nights

Description

Cycle Sri Lanka’s Hill Country to the Coast – A Scenic, Cultural & Wildlife Adventure from Kandy to Galle

Experience Sri Lanka like few travellers ever do—up close, on two wheels, rolling through tea plantations, highland forests, quiet villages, and golden coastlines. This is an immersive journey that blends adventure, culture, nature and relaxation in perfect harmony.

Your adventure begins with a scenic train ride from Colombo into the lush hills of Kandy, followed by an easy cycle into town along rivers, villages and temple-lined streets. In the evening, explore the world-famous Temple of the Tooth, the spiritual heart of Sri Lankan Buddhism, before settling into your first dinner in Kandy.

The journey continues with morning rides through rolling tea country, passing quiet fields, plantations and misty hill landscapes. You’ll board another spectacular train to Nuwara Eliya—an iconic railway journey that reveals the beauty of the central highlands. The next day brings more stunning cycling through strawberry fields, dairy farms, and a tea plantation where you’ll watch the intricate process of turning fresh leaves into world-renowned Ceylon tea.

One of the trip’s biggest highlights follows: a sunrise trek in Horton Plains National Park to the dramatic World’s End Lookout, offering panoramic cliff-edge views. After a traditional roti breakfast, jump onto your bike for an exhilarating descent from 2,100 metres through cloud forests and sweeping tea valleys—one of the most unforgettable cycling experiences in Asia.

From Haputale, the landscape shifts as you ride through Ella’s spectacular scenery and deeper into the lowlands, passing rural villages and rice fields before entering Sri Lanka’s wild south. Keep your eyes open—elephants are often spotted along the roadside as you approach the coast. Your reward is a peaceful beachfront resort where you can unwind after days of adventure.

Next, dive into the wild with a safari in Yala National Park, home to leopards, elephants, crocodiles and exotic birdlife. Whether you choose a morning or afternoon safari, it’s a stunning way to experience Sri Lanka’s richest wildlife sanctuary.

Your final long ride winds through charming southern farming communities, past coconut stalls and colourful village life, ending at the beautiful Wijaya Beach—the perfect spot for a well-earned ocean view and slice of pizza. A short transfer brings you to Galle for the evening.

Your journey concludes with a guided walking tour of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site with Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. After lunch within the fort’s ancient walls, you’ll transfer back to Colombo or onward to your next destination—bringing this extraordinary Sri Lankan adventure to a close.

This is Sri Lanka at its most authentic—adventurous, scenic, cultural and deeply enriching. Ideal for travellers who want more than a vacation: they want a journey of a lifetime.

Includes:

• 7 nights in premium hotel accommodation
• All meals: 7x Breakfasts, 8x Lunches, 7x Dinners  
• Snacks, local treats, hydration drinks, fruit and water while riding
• Quality well-maintained bicycle and helmet
• Expert local guide and naturalist
• Full vehicle support
• All ticket, activity and entry costs included in the itinerary
• Custom country-themed jersey and water bottle as mementos 

Itinerary summary 

Day 1: Colombo to Kandy (Cycling: 26km | 16mi) 
Early pick-up from Colombo hotel to board the train that takes your group up into the hills towards Kandy. The scenic journey takes 3-4 hours. Travellers then cycle from Kandy train station into the centre of town, pedaling down small roads, along a river and its local villages. In the evening, there is time to visit the Temple of the Tooth and enjoy the first dinner in Kandy.  

Day 2: Ride & train to Nuwara Eliya (Cycling: 26.5km (short) or 43km | 16-27mi) 
A beautiful morning of cycling along scenic hills and quiet tea plantations. Travellers stop at Gampola railway station for a stunning train journey to the next destination, Nuwara Eliya. 

Day 3: Explore the highland tea plantations – Nuwara Eliya (Cycling: 43km | 27mi) 
Another beautiful ride through tea plantations and dairy farms, with visits to a strawberry farm and a dairy (if time allows) and a tea plantation visit. Here guests see the process that transpires after the pickers turn in their baskets full of tender leaves.   

Day 4: Hike to World’s End Lookout, bike to Haputale (Cycling: 41km | 25mi) 
A very early start for a drive up to Horton Plains National Park, followed by a lovely walk through grassy highlands to World's End Lookout and its astonishing views. After a local breakfast of roti and sambal, the group commences a truly thrilling bike ride, descending from 2100m above sea level to about 930m: a beautiful route that starts in cloud forest and montane grassland, and descends back down in tea plantation country.  

Day 5: Haputale to Yala National Park (Cycling: 35-50km | 22-31mi) 
Scenic drive to Ella, where travellers take to their bikes. The ride passes through tea plantations and flatlands, and includes lunch in a local village. After lunch, guests hop into the van for a drive between two national parks, where they’re likely to encounter elephants along the road. We reach the coast and the stunningly located beachside resort around mid-afternoon. Rest of afternoon at leisure.  

Day 6: Safari at Yala National Park 
Morning or afternoon guided safari through Yala National Park, in search of its mysterious, beautiful leopard. Rest of the time to enjoy at leisure. 

Day 7: Ride to the beach (Cycling: 78km | 48mi) 
A meandering ride through lowland farming communities of the Southern Province. Here guests will encounter golden-coloured coconuts sitting under thatched shelters, and various small stalls selling daily essentials. The day’s scenic ride concludes at Wijaya Beach, a lovely spot overlooking the sea, with good pizza for an afternoon snack. Short vehicle transfer from here to accommodation in Galle. 

Day 8: Guided walk of Galle and conclusion of tour 

The day begins with a two-hour guided walking tour of Galle, a fascinating historic city with Portuguese, Dutch and British traces. Tour concludes with lunch in the Galle Fort, and transfer to Colombo accommodation, airport, or onward destination.