Cycling in Sri Lanka
In summary
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Sports
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Duration12 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationAsia / Sri Lanka
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions168.57 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
In a few words
This trip to Sri Lanka is an ode to escape and getting away from it all. With your bicycle, explore the picturesque paths of the Cultural Triangle region, the cradle of Sri Lankan culture. Your tour begins in Kurunegala , known for its verdant hills.
Then cycle between rice paddies and lush forests, towards the ancient royal capitals. From Sigiriya to Anuradhapura , immerse yourself in the history of past civilizations, made up of majestic monuments and lost citadels.
You end your journey in Kandy , a sacred place of serenity for Buddhists, gateway to the tea plantations, and home to the famous Temple of the Tooth . An immersive stop to conclude this peaceful cycling trip in Sri Lanka .
The highlights
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A gentle and immersive journey
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A cycling immersion in the Cultural Triangle
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The ancient royal cities of Sri Lanka
Photos
Sport
Level
Leisure Cycling
For those wishing to cycle 50 km a day. The stages are sometimes hilly and follow cycle paths, greenways, and secondary roads. A trip suitable for anyone who cycles occasionally.
In figures
PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Average distance/day: 32 km
Management
The support of a local tour leader from day 1 to 12.
Program
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Colombo-Negombo Airport
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
You will be met at the airport by your driver and taken to your hotel. After settling in, you will attend a briefing with your tour leader, who will explain in detail the different stages of your cycling trip in Sri Lanka.
First night in the small town of Negombo, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean
Day 1 -
Negombo – Kurunegala
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 20 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you depart for Kurunegala.
Then, you hop on your bikes and head to Ridigama. You visit the Ridi Viharaya Buddhist temple, which seems almost crushed by the rock.
You then return to Kurunegala via country lanes through the vegetation of the island's center.
Day 2 -
Kurunegala – Anuradhapura
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 49 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today you are taken to Aukana to admire the giant Buddha statue, an impressive sculpture.
Next, you cycle towards Anuradhapura, passing through villages and historical sites.
You settle in Anuradhapura, the former royal capital, for the night.
Day 3 -
Anuradhapura - Sigiriya
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 17 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
You start the day cycling towards Mihintale. You climb to the top of the sacred hill and enjoy superb panoramic views.
You explore the historical site and then your driver takes you by car to Sigiriya.
Your hotel in the heart of the Sri Lankan jungle is the perfect place to relax.
Day 4 -
Sigiriya
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 30 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today, you will discover the sublime Lion Rock, an iconic archaeological site in Sri Lanka, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The climb takes you to the famous murals and then to the enormous lion paws carved into the rock that give the place its name. And finally, at the summit, a magnificent view over the entire Sigiriya rainforest.
You spend the afternoon exploring the area around Sigiriya by bike, between jungle and villages.
Day 5 -
Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 29 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
You spend the day exploring the ruins of Polonnaruwa by bicycle, discovering ancient temples and royal remains that tell the story of this ancient capital.
Cycle through the neighboring villages to immerse yourself in local life and admire the picturesque landscapes.
Spend your evening in the town of Polonnaruwa.
Day 6 -
Polonnaruwa - Dambulla
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 20 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you take your bicycle towards Minneriya.
Then, you'll set off in a Jeep for a half-day safari in the national park. Renowned for its impressive gathering of elephants, this park is also a refuge for numerous species of birds and wildlife.
At the end of the day, your driver will take you to Dambulla where you will spend the night.
Day 7 -
Dambulla - Kandy
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 48 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today, you will discover the Dambulla caves. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they contain countless Buddha statues as well as religious frescoes, symbolic of the art and culture of Sri Lanka.
Then, you cycle to Matale, known for its radiant spice gardens. You then travel by car to Kandy, a city of great importance to Buddhists, where you spend the night.
Day 8 -
Kandy
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 30 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today, you'll set off by bicycle to explore three iconic temples in the Kandy region, scattered throughout the countryside. You'll also visit the Suriyakantha cultural center and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with local ingredients.
You drive back to Kandy , towards the Temple of the Tooth. You feel the fervor of this Buddhist temple, the most important in the country.
Day 9 -
Kandy - Colombo
- Activity PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Distance 40 km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning, you stroll through the wonderful Peradeniya Botanical Garden, laid out in the English style; it is both charming and spectacular.
Now is the time to get on your bikes and ride to Kegalle, along paths that border rice paddies and tea plantations.
You make a stop in Kegalle and you complete the journey to Colombo by car.
Day 10 -
Colombo
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, preserves an authenticity and vibrant energy that make it unique.
Discover this vibrant city aboard a tuk-tuk, exploring its bustling markets, historical monuments, and colorful neighborhoods. A city too often overlooked by travelers, yet one that has so much to offer.
Day 11 -
Colombo
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
If you have some time this morning, you can do some last-minute shopping.
Then, depending on your flight time, you will be taken to Colombo International Airport. You will take home unforgettable memories of your cycling trip in Sri Lanka.
Welcome back and see you soon on the roads of Asia.
Day 12
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Assistance from your travel expert 24/7.
- Accommodation: in a hotel in a double or twin room.
- Transfers by van with a private English-speaking driver.
- Helmets, first aid kits, spare parts and essential tools.
- Meals included in half-board, from day 1 to 12.
- The support of a local tour leader from day 1 to 12.
- The activities as mentioned in the program.
- Mountain bike or hybrid bike rental.
The price does not include
- International flights and international airport taxes.
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the program.
- The visa and the associated costs.
- Drinks and personal expenses.
- Tips.
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate what formalities are required for entry and stay in the destination country. You can also consult this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
For connecting flights operated by different airlines, also check the formalities for countries you transit through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant, in particular regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to still be valid 6 months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account customs restrictions and other obligations of the destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date — remember to regularly check official websites.