10 days Cycling Tour: No mountain too high

Schedule:

• Meet at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

• Overnight stay at Fairway Hotel, Colombo (BB)

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Colombo where you will spend your first night. Relax at your accommodation or stroll around in the capital of Sri Lanka before having a pre-dinner meeting with your cycle guide(s) in order to discuss the cycling programme.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Salawa – Kitulgala

  • Distance: Approx. 72 km

  • Time: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs

  • Grading: Hard

• Dinner and overnight stay at Plantation Hotel, Kitulgala (HB)

In order to avoid the busy traffic around Colombo you will first be transferred to Salawa about 55 kilometres land inward. A short visit at the Salawa rubber estate to show you one of Sri Lanka’s main export products. South America remained the main source of latex rubber used during the 19th century. The rubber trade was heavily controlled by business interests, but rubber tree seeds were smuggled from Brazil and delivered to Kew Gardens in England. Seedlings were then sent to India, British Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and other colonies. After the plantation visit a hard first cycling day awaits you, since you’ll have to climb the first mountain tops up to 600 metres above sea level. Kitulgala, considered to be one of the most important holdings of the country’s biodiversity will be the first place where you will stay overnight.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Kitulgala – Nallathanniya

  • Distance: Approx. 45 km

  • Time: Approx. 4 to 5 hrs

  • Grading: Hard

• Dinner and overnight stay at Slightly Chilled Guest House, Nallathanniya (HB)

We’ll start the day with some other activity than cycling, nothing less than rafting! Kitulgala’s climate is humid throughout the year which makes it an ideal destination for white water rafting. The thrilling adventure on the white-water sections of the Kelani River is enjoyable for both beginners and professionals. Make sure you save some energy because the cycling programme consist of climbing 1163 metres in a 45 km distance. You will arrive and stay overnight in Nallathanniya, where you can feel the vibes of people preparing to climb the Adam’s Peak.

Schedule:

• Climb the Adam’s Peak

• Dinner and overnight stay at Slightly Chilled Guest House, Nallathanniya (HB)

The island's fourth highest peak at 2243 metres, Sri Pada, also known as Adam’s Peak, has been a pilgrimage site for more than 1000 years and it offers spectacular views of jungle-covered hills and clouds lying 500 meters below. The memory of a magical scenery over the mystic peak will outlive the aches and pains you may feel from the climb!

Legend has it that the mountain features a footprint originally made by the Buddha on his third visit to the island. Some Christians and Muslims believe it may be the spot where Adam first set foot on earth after he was banished from the Garden of Eden. Similarly, others claim it to be the footprint of St. Thomas the Apostle. Hindus too, believe it to be Lord Shiva’s footprint.

It takes about 2-4 hours to reach the summit based on fitness, crowds, and breaks. Most climbers begin the ascent at night to witness the magical sunrise from the summit. The pilgrimage season runs from Unduwap poya (Full Moon Day of December) to Vesak poya Festival (in May). At this time, there is a constant stream of pilgrims and the top can get crowded. Climbing Sri Pada is possible during the off-season too. However, due to the weather conditions, we recommend climbing the mountain during the daytime only.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Nallathanniya – Kandy

  • Distance: Approx. 90 km

  • Time: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs

  • Grading: Moderate

• Visit Drum making village

• Overnight stay at, Thilanka Hotel, Kandy (BB)

Today you’ll get back on your bicycle. You’ll do an easier cycle train towards Kandy consisting mostly of descents. Your cycle guide will take you to some hidden places before entering Kandy. You’ll visit a 14th century shrine where you must see the splendid ancient wood carvings. The next stop will be at a hidden village community that is well known for making drums and during this visit you will have the opportunity to view the entire drum making process which includes bringing the ‘hide’ or skin from slaughterhouses, cutting of wood from local trees and the opportunity to partake in the creation of a drum yourself! If there is time, you may visit other places in Kandy such as the Temple of the Tooth Relic or the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Teldeniya – Hunnasgiriya

  • Distance: Approx. 38 km

  • Time: Approx. 5 hrs

  • Grading: Hard

• Dinner and overnight stay at Dumbanagala Chalet, Hunnasgiriya (HB)

Today will be another challenge for you as you can really test your cycling skills. Take on a challenging track to Corbet’s Gap, a deep valley in the Knuckles mountain range. This windy and picturesque location is scattered with a gorgeous blend of vegetation with many of its forest trees being stunted and gnarled. Begin the day’s proceedings from Teldeniya, which lies close to the spectacular Victoria Reservoir, and make your way up to Hunnasgiriya. From here you will cycle across open areas as well as through thick forest patches to your destination. There will be frequent pit stops to help you with the acclimatisation to the elevation.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Hunnasgiriya – Rikillagaskada

  • Distance: Approx. 55 km

  • Time: Approx. 3 to 4 hrs

  • Grading: Hard

• Dinner and overnight stay at Marabedda Gardens Resort, Rikillagaskada (HB)

It’s time to make your way from Hunnasgiriya to Rikillagaskada. You will be riding through a combination of ascents and descents through the hillside of Kandy. This track includes some demanding uphill slopes which will keep you on your toes until you reach your destination. You’ll cross the Victoria Dam and ride along the Mahaweli River which is Sri Lanka’s longest river and past different types of crops which sustain the local population. This gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the locals and their traditional lifestyles. An overnight stay will be organised at a local guest house or local house in Rikkillagaskada.

Schedule:

• Cycling:

  • Route: Rikillagaskada – Nuwara Eliya

  • Distance: Approx. 60 km

  • Time: Approx. 5 to 6 hrs

  • Grading: Moderate

• Dinner and overnight stay at Heaven Seven, Nuwara Eliya (HB)

Today you will be transported to another side of Sri Lanka as you make your way from Rikillagaskada to Nuwara Eliya which is commonly known as ‘Little England’. This place has a climate unlike anywhere else in the country as its cool weather and chilling breeze offers cyclists the ideal environment to explore its beautiful surroundings. Many of the buildings and hotels still stay true to its colonial roots while tea estates are spread across its grand landscapes. Nuwara Eliya also boasts the impressive Golf Club which dates as far back as 1889. Visit the clubhouse to view some of the photographs that portray life back in the old days. Heavily influenced by the British colonists that once lived in these parts, this romantic location will make you fall in love with it. The track will hold some uphill climbs and take you past some of the most picturesque tea plantations on offer while the constant cooling breeze will ensure that you stay comfortable throughout the ride.

Schedule:

• Visit Horton Plains National Park

• Cycling:

  • Route: Horton Plains – Kalupahana

  • Distance: Approx. 38 km

  • Time: Approx. 3 hrs

  • Grading: Hard (Technical)

• Dinner and overnight stay at River Garden, Belihuloya (HB)

Following a relatively relaxing previous day it’s time to get back on the road. After breakfast and a warm pot of Sri Lankan tea you will be transported to Horton Plains. Situated around 2100m above sea level, Horton Plains is a large plateau situated snugly in the misty mountains of Nuwara Eliya. Keep an eye out for Sambar deer and Leaf Monkeys during the ascent. Since cycling is not allowed here, we will conduct a nature walk through the Horton Plains National Park which is around 10,000 hectares. Elk, deer, squirrels, wild boar, hares and porcupines reside within the Park along with an array of migratory birds. You will then get back on your bike and descend through what’s known as “Satan’s Steps”. This steep descent gets its name from the hairpin turns along its path. After a brief stop at Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall, Bambarakanda, a further 6 km descent awaits you. You will then be transferred to your accommodation in Belihuloya.

Schedule:

• Transfer to airport or beach

Depending on your choice, you will be transferred to either the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake or the east coast, south coast or west coast. Take with you a host of memories and experiences of Sri Lanka that will be second to none.