Sri Lanka by Bike – Cycle, Hike & Safari Sri Lanka’s Natural Wonder
Discover Sri Lanka by bike over 8 days, cycle touring from the capital, Colombo, through lush highlands to the coast. Along the way, you’ll enjoy South Asia’s best cycling, nature-packed hikes and safaris through national parks, luxurious hotels, delicious cuisine and the rich history and culture of Sri Lanka’s welcoming people.
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Highlights
6
Itinerary idea in detail
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1
Today, we’ll pick you up early from your hotel in Colombo. Then, we’ll go to Colombo Fort station to catch a train heading towards Kandy, a hilly area. The train ride is very beautiful and lasts about 3-4 hours. When we get to Kandy around lunchtime, we’ll meet our support team and get our bikes. To start off, we’ll ride from the train station into the town center, avoiding busy streets. Along the way, we’ll see a river and some local villages. In the evening, we can visit the Temple of the Tooth, where there’s a special Buddha tooth. There, you can learn about its history in a prayer hall. Later, we’ll have dinner together in Kandy.
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2
Today, we’ll ride on quiet back roads, starting from Kandy. Soon after leaving Kandy, we’ll start climbing uphill. As we go, there will be fewer people around, and we’ll see more tea plantations. Keep an eye out for small shops by the road where you can buy tasty snacks like fresh dates and dried corn crackers. Today, we’ll also have some downhill stretches and encounter different types of road surfaces, but there won’t be much traffic.
We’ll end our ride at Gampola railway station, where we’ll catch a train to go higher up into the mountains. The train journey is really beautiful, and the seats are comfy. We’ll get off at Nana Oya and then take a short car ride to Nuwara Eliya. It’s colder up here, so make sure to bring warm clothes. But don’t worry, the hotel has a cozy fireplace and serves a delicious dinner.
If you’re in the shorter ride group, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a quick van ride to the starting point of your ride. After that, both groups will follow the same route.
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3
Today, we’re going on a loop ride. First, we’ll have a fun downhill ride, then we’ll pedal up a hill through tea plantations. Along the way, we might see women wearing colorful clothes, carrying baskets on their heads and picking tea leaves.
When we reach the top, we’ll pass through Ambewela, an area known for its dairy farms. We’ll stop at a strawberry farm and, if we have time, visit a dairy. After a break for tea in charming Ambewela, we’ll ride along the ridge back to Nuwara Eliya, enjoying the beautiful green scenery.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit a tea factory on a plantation. There, we’ll see how tea is processed after it’s picked. We’ll also learn a bit about the history of tea in Sri Lanka and, of course, get to taste some tea.
Later, we’ll head back to our comfy hotel in Nuwara Eliya for another relaxing evening.
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4
Today starts very early as we’ll need to take a vehicle ride up to Horton Plains National Park. We’ll have some light snacks to kickstart our day. Once there, we’ll walk through grassy highlands to reach World’s End Lookout, where we can see amazing views over the valley from the cliff.
While walking, keep your eyes open as we might spot some deer and monkeys along the way. After the walk, we’ll have a local breakfast of roti and sambal back where we started. Once we’ve warmed up with a cup of tea, we’ll begin an exciting bike ride. We’ll start at 2100m above sea level and descend to about 930m.
The ride isn’t all downhill though; there will be some ups and downs to keep our legs moving. The route is beautiful, starting in cloud forests and grasslands, then descending through Eucalyptus and cedar trees, and finally ending up in tea plantation areas. The scenery is stunning, and by the time we reach our next comfortable hotel, you’ll probably be ready for a relaxing afternoon.
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5
“We’ll go on a drive through a really pretty area. Then, we’ll stop at a small town called Ella and ride bikes along a ridge with deep valleys on both sides. We might see people working in tea fields. After riding uphill for 15 kilometers, we’ll start going downhill until we reach flat ground. We’ll have lunch in a small village and you’ll notice the change in the area.
The people in the flatlands move slowly because it’s warm there. We’re in the southeast part of Sri Lanka now. We’ll get into a van and drive between two National Parks, Yala and Lunugamvehera. Sometimes we see elephants on the road, and we give them bananas.
In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at a beachside resort. You’ll have time to rest, take a walk on the beach, and have a drink while watching the sunset before dinner.”
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6
Today is safari day. We’ll listen to our local experts to decide if we’ll go in the morning or afternoon. They’ll consider where the animals are moving and the weather. This will give us the best chance to see wildlife.
No matter when we go, the safari will be about 2.5 to 3 hours long. We usually see lots of animals, especially leopards. Our guide knows the park well, so we’ll avoid crowded areas and wait quietly for animals to come to us.
After the safari, you have the rest of the day to relax. The hotel has a big swimming pool, and the beach is safe with lifeguards from Australia. You’ll have your meals at the hotel, and they’re flexible with timing.
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7
For our last day of riding, we’ll start by driving away from busy coastal roads. Then, we’ll hop on our bikes and pedal through farming villages in the Southern Province. You’ll see golden coconuts and small shops selling everyday things. You can grab a coconut to drink and chat with the vendors.
We’ll take a leisurely ride, stopping for coconuts, snacks, and drinks. Our ride ends at Wijaya Beach, a nice spot with pizza for dinner. It’s perfect for enjoying a cold drink by the ocean.
After a short ride in a vehicle, we’ll reach our hotel in Galle, Sri Lanka’s second-largest city. Tomorrow, we’ll explore Galle more with our guide. It’s a historic place famous for cricket in Sri Lanka.
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8
The story of Galle Fort is really interesting and goes back to before the 16th century when the Portuguese built the first walls. Then, the Dutch came and made the fort stronger, and later the British took over. Throughout these changes, the people who lived there became a mix of different ethnicities because Galle was an important trading port. Today, many families in the fort have been there for generations. It’s a story worth spending two hours on, as we walk through the old streets and along the walls with the ocean crashing below.
After a lovely lunch in the fort, our tour comes to an end. The support vehicle will be ready to take you back to Colombo City. But if you want to stay longer at the beautiful beaches of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, or Bentota, don’t worry. We can arrange transport for you. Please remember, we only provide transport to these specific areas. If you have other places in mind or need help booking a ride back, just give our customer service team a call. They’re happy to help with your travel plans.
Accommodation options
The itinerary price includes suggested accommodation. However, My Way Travel are fully customizable, and a specialist can help you choose the best option for your preferences and budget.
Booking Policy
- 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 bike and helmet
- Expert local guide and naturalist
- Full vehicle support
- All ticket, activity and entry costs included in the itinerary
- Grasshopper souvenir jersey and water bottle as mementos
We'll help plan your trip based on you like and want to do. We know a lot about the place you're gomg. so we can give you good advice. WIIether you're into history, food, or culture, ue'll make sure your trip is just right for you. With us. your travel will be easy and fun!
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What our clients say about us
Alice B
22 March 2024 ★★★★★Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!
Kyle M
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.
Garethbradburn
12 April 2024 ★★★★★This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.
Leslie
16 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Dzintars Naglis
24 April 2024 ★★★★★Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.
Stuart S
18 December 2024 ★★★★★We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.
Scott
5 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Kyle
18 January 2024 ★★★★★Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!
