Amazing Sri Lanka On Bike
Amazing Sri Lanka On Bike
Amazing Sri Lanka On Bike
13 Days Starting in Negombo and ending in Colombo
Visiting: Negombo, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Hatton, Udawalawe National Park, Mirissa, Galle, Colombo
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
35-79
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an exhilarating journey with the "Amazing Sri Lanka On Bike" tour, where you'll cycle through 575km of Sri Lanka's diverse landscapes, from lush paddy fields and tea plantations to serene hill countrysides and vibrant rural villages. This adventure offers a perfect blend of challenging terrains and breathtaking scenery, allowing you to explore the rich heritage, history, and culture of Sri Lanka. Highlights include cycling through the historic sanctuary of Polonnaruwa, the colonial town of Galle, and the wildlife haven of Udawalawe National Park. Enjoy the warm hospitality, diverse cuisines, and the unique local-host experience, all while staying in excellent 4-star accommodations.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Negombo Arrival (D)
Location: Negombo
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Suriya Resort
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Sri Lanka. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Negombo.In the afternoon, we will have a trip briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2 : Negombo - Dambulla (B,L,D)
Location: Dambulla
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Thilanka Spa & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we start riding directly from the hotel along the old coast road. Keeping the sea on our left, we pass the distinct patchwork sails of the Karavas fishing community. Their boats pulled up along the beach or sailing just off the coast make for excellent photos as does the many fish markets you’ll cycle past.After cycling for 30 km, we will head inland on quiet back roads that give you a flavour of Sri Lanka.After 50 km, we rack up the bikes and transfer 3 hours to Dambulla, breaking for lunch at Kununegala Lake. Dambulla, the 2nd century Buddhist cave temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country and contains more than 150 Buddha statues.Once we have taken in the views from the caves, we have a short transfer or ride to our peaceful hotel situated amongst mango trees and paddy fields.Riding distance: 54 kmUphill: 402mDownhill: 364m
Day 3 : Dambulla Loop (L,B,D)
Location: Dambulla
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Thilanka Spa & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We ride through the countryside on a mix of tarmac and red dirt roads, passing orchards, paddy fields, and elephant grass. Riding along the shores of Kandalama Lake, we have excellent views of the ancient 5th century rock fortress Sigiriya (Lion Rock), our destination.We park the bikes and walk through the old water gardens before climbing 300 m to the view the ruins of King Kasyapa’s summer palace on the summit.After our descent, we head to a local restaurant for lunch. Our afternoon ride follows an old irrigation canal, and we cycle on red dirt roads, framed by long green grass, and see lots of people bathing as we head back to our hotel in Dambulla.Riding distance: 60kmUphill: 500mDownhill: 578m
Day 4 : Dambulla - Polonnararuwa
Location: Polonnaruwa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Deer Park Hotel
Riding from the hotel, we have a bit of an ascent over the Kaladuwa Hills. The riding is on a good road surface, but wild elephants have been known to cross the road on the descent. We ride on a tree-lined road that is part of a forest reserve until we reach Polonnaruwa Tank, a very large manmade lake, and lunch at a local hotel.We then ride through the historic park of Polonnaruwa, the 10th century capital and best preserved of the ancient cities. Abandoned in the 13th century, it was rediscovered in the 18th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the chiselled stone monuments show us the glory of the ancient Rajarata Kingdom.After seeing the main sites, we have a 20-minute transfer to our hotel on the banks of the reservoir.Riding distance: 78kmUphill: 538mDownhill: 655m
Day 5 : Polonanaruwa - Kandy (B,L,D)
Location: Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Thilanka Hotel Kandy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short transfer takes us back to Polonnaruwa, where we ride around the huge lake known as the Sea of Parakrama, named after the great king who built it.Part of the ride is through Angammedilla National Park, built to protect the water source. This small forest reserve is an elephant corridor linking Minneriya and Wasgomuwa National Parks. Here we retrace part of yesterday’s ride, following the Ambon Ganga (river) back towards its start point in the foothills around Naula, said to be the centre of the Island.We end the ride here to avoid busy roads and transfer to lunch in Matale, situated in Sri Lanka’s spice-growing region, and on to Kandy, the spiritual and cultural capital of the hill country and Sri Lanka’s second largest city.Riding distance: 75kmUphill: 620mDownhill: 381m
Day 6 : Kandy Rest Day (B)
Location: Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Thilanka Hotel Kandy
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nestled among hills and centred around a lake, picturesque Kandy has long been an important religious centre of the Sinhalese and a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists.Today, enjoy your free day to explore the town centre’s old shops, antique and gem specialists, or the bustling market. A must see is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic, a tooth of the Buddha.
Day 7 : Kandy - Hatton (B,L,D)
Location: Hatton
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Argyle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a day of rest, we are ready to tackle hill country.For those who enjoy riding but find hills a bit too challenging, there is the option of taking the train for the final part into Hatton. A short 8-km transfer takes us out of town to Peradeniya, famed for its Botanical Garden and university. Starting the ride from the campus, we wind our way along a river valley with some short climbs opening out to the surrounding vistas, with our first tea stop in Gampola 21 km away; the optional train journey begins here.From Gampola, we start to see the tea carpeted slopes of the hill country. Riding at a gentle pace, you can stop to take photos of brightly dressed tea pickers and colourful Hindu temples. We regroup at the tea outlets brewing the best tea on the island, fresh from their respective estates. Reaching Hatton, we descend to one of the old colonial tea planter bungalows set in lovely gardens. Those taking the train will be met at the station and shuttled to the bungalow.Riding distance: 78kmUphill: 1530mDownhill: 891m
Day 8 : Hatton - Udawalawa (B,L,D)
Location: Udawalawe National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Udawalawe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s ride will be along tea estate tracks, through the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea growing region. You’ll be greeted by the pickers at work and their children as we head towards the Peak Wilderness and the distinctive triangle shaped mountain, known as Adam’s Peak. The long climb with an easy gradient up to Bogowantalawa gets tougher for the last 10 km to a remote pass with dramatic views.The mountain pass is part of the Peak Forest Reserve; its distinctive stunted forest contains many rare, endemic plants as well as the shy bear monkey more often heard than seen. The reward for the long climb is a stunning 30 km, 1000 m descent through small villages and tea communities, ending close to Banlangoda.After lunch at a local restaurant, we pack our bikes and transfer to our hotel on the edge of Udawalawe National Park, set on the banks of a lake.Riding distance: 58kmUphill: 1040mDownhill: 1675m
Day 9 : Udawalawe Loop (B,L,D)
Location: Udawalawe National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Udawalawe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Riding from the hotel, we cycle 21 km to Udawalawe National Park, one of the best parks to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka. The park, centered around a reservoir, has approximately 400 elephants in small herds scattered around the park, and mid-morning is a good time to see them close to the water’s edge.We may also see wild buffaloes, crocodiles, sambur deer, and monkeys. There are lots of resident waterfowl and hawk eagles to keep the photographers happy. We lunch in a nearby eco lodge and then mount our bicycles to follow an irrigation canal back towards our hotel.Riding distance: 52kmUphill: 415mDownhill: 414m
Day 10 : Udawala - Mirissa (B,L,D)
Location: Mirissa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Mandara Mirissa Resort (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Riding from the hotel, we use a network of back roads for some fantastic cross-country riding. Here you get to experience southern Sri Lankan charm – lots of smiling faces and a slow pace of life. It’s quite a long, undulating ride, with lots of fruit stops to break up the day. Try one of the 14 varieties of bananas in Sri Lanka, each with its own taste and medicinal qualities, to give you energy.We try to get to the beach by the early afternoon, leaving you free time to enjoy the beach or a nearby surf camp. We will dine at one of the many nearby restaurants in the evening.Riding distance: 81kmUphill: 844mDownhill: 932m
Day 11 : Galle Loop (B,L,D)
Location: Galle
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Mandara Mirissa Resort (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cycling through open paddy fields and cinnamon estates, we arrive in Galle mid-morning, giving you plenty of time to explore this historic masterpiece. The Dutch expanded the original fort to its present size, and later the British added the court complex and several other outstanding buildings. The different architectural and cultural influences meld to create a magnificent sight.Riding distance: 39kmUphill: 237mDownhill: 233m
Day 12 : Mirissa Free Day (B,L,D)
Location: Mirissa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Mandara Mirissa Resort (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, enjoy your free day at leisure.
Day 13 : Mirissa - Departure (B)
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Breakfast
We transfer 1.5 hours to Colombo where we can drop you at the airport or to a hotel if you are extending your stay in Sri Lanka.
What's Included
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First-Class Service
24/7 local assistance and travel guidanceAirport Meet-and-Greet welcome service with local tour guideGuaranteed departures with Just Two GuestsSmall group with maximum 16 guestsA unique "local-host" experience exclusively offered by Tweet World Travel
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Accommodation
Accommodation in excellent 4-star hotels with daily breakfasts, as below or similarNegombo: Suriya Resort (4-star)Dambulla: Thilanka Spa & Resort (4-star)Polonnaruwa: Deer Park Hotel (4-star)Kandy: Thilanka Hotel Kandy (4-star)Hatton: The Argyle Hotel (4-star)Udawalawa: Grand Udawalawe (4-star)
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BIKE & EQUIPMENT
Lightweight 24 to 27-speed gearing, disc-brakes mountain bikesBiking equipment: helmet, first aid kit, bike repairs kitSupport vehicle throughout the tour
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Sightseeing
Entrance fees at monumentsComprehensive sightseeing as per itineraryAll government royalties, taxes
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Transportation
All airport transfers in private air-conditioned vehiclesAll land transfers during the tour in air-conditioned vehicles
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Tour Guide & Tour Leader
Locally based professional driverEnglish-speaking tour guide who is an experienced cyclistFor group more than 10 people, a tour leader will accompany the group
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Meals
Meals as per itinerary: 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinnersWater and snack during the tourA Unique & Varied Dining experienceWelcome & Farewell Dinners
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International airfare to and from Sri Lanka is not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included but highly recommended.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature such as additional meals, drinks, tips, laundry, souvenirs and other personal expenses are not included.
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Optional Activities
Any optional tours or activities that are not mentioned in the itinerary.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and requirements (a visa is a must for travel to Sri Lanka for most nationalities).
Mode of Transport
All airport transfers and land transfers during the tour are provided in private air-conditioned vehicles, ensuring a comfortable and convenient journey throughout your trip.
Accommodation
Accommodation in excellent 4-star hotels with daily breakfasts, including Suriya Resort in Negombo, Thilanka Spa & Resort in Dambulla, Deer Park Hotel in Polonnaruwa, Thilanka Hotel Kandy in Kandy, The Argyle Hotel in Hatton, and Grand Udawalawe in Udawalawa.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of cycling terrain can I expect on this tour?
You can expect a mix of challenging terrain and spectacular scenery, including quiet back roads, estate tracks, gravel paths, and red dirt roads. The tour covers a total of 575 km of cycling distance.
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Are there any wildlife spotting opportunities during the tour?
Yes, you will have the opportunity to spot a wide range of birds and animals in their natural habitat, especially in Udawalawe National Park where you can see wild elephants, buffalos, deer, monkeys, and more.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 11 dinners. Water and snacks are provided during the tour, and there are welcome and farewell dinners as well.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
Accommodation is provided in excellent 4-star hotels with daily breakfasts. Some of the hotels include Suriya Resort in Negombo, Thilanka Spa & Resort in Dambulla, Deer Park Hotel in Polonnaruwa, Thilanka Hotel Kandy in Kandy, The Argyle Hotel in Hatton, and Grand Udawalawe in Udawalawa.
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Is there a support vehicle available during the cycling tour?
Yes, a support vehicle is available throughout the tour to assist with any needs.
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What kind of biking equipment is provided?
Lightweight 24 to 27-speed gearing, disc-brakes mountain bikes are provided along with biking equipment such as helmets, first aid kits, and bike repair kits.
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Is there an option to take a train during the tour?
Yes, there is an option to take a train for the final part into Hatton for those who find hills too challenging.
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What kind of cultural experiences can I expect?
You will explore the rich heritage, history, and culture of Sri Lanka, including visits to the 10th century capital Polonnaruwa, the colonial town of Galle, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour?
Yes, all airport transfers are included and are conducted in private air-conditioned vehicles.
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What is the group size for this tour?
The tour guarantees departures with just two guests and has a maximum group size of 16 guests.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Founded in 2012, the Tweet World Travel Group is an Australian-owned corporation and one of the country's leading wholesalers for Worldwide River Cruises, Tour Operators, and Travel Technology Providers. With headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia, the company has a wide reach, with local operational offices throughout Asia.
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Are there any health requirements or vaccinations needed for the tour?
Ensuring your health and well-being during your tour is of utmost importance to us. Many destinations may have specific health requirements or recommended vaccinations to help protect both you and the local population from potential health risks. To determine the health requirements or vaccinations needed for your chosen tour destination, we strongly advise consulting with a medical professional or a travel health clinic. They have access to the latest information about health risks in different regions and can provide personalized recommendations based on your medical history and the specific areas you plan to visit. Additionally, some countries may require proof of certain vaccinations, such as yellow fever, before granting entry. It's essential to research and adhere to these requirements to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. If you have any concerns or questions about health requirements for your upcoming tour, feel free to reach out to our team. While we can offer general guidance, we always recommend consulting with a medical professional for personalized health advice tailored to your needs and travel plans. Your health and safety are paramount, and we want to ensure that you're well-prepared and informed before embarking on your journey.
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How can I provide feedback or reviews about the tour experience?
We highly value your feedback and reviews about your tour experience. Your insights help us continuously improve our services and create exceptional travel experiences for our clients. Here are a couple of ways you can provide feedback: 1- Tweet Trip App: If you've downloaded our Tweet Trip App, you can often find a section dedicated to providing feedback or reviews. This streamlined approach ensures that your thoughts are directly communicated to us for consideration. 2- Online Form: We may send you an online feedback form via email after your tour concludes. This allows you to share your thoughts, suggestions, and comments about your experience conveniently. 3- Hard Copy: If you prefer a more traditional approach, some tours may provide a hard copy feedback form that you can fill out and hand over to your tour guide or agency representative. When providing feedback, consider sharing both positive aspects that you enjoyed and constructive criticism that can help us enhance our services. Here are some points to consider: Your overall satisfaction with the tour. The quality of accommodations, transportation, and activities. The professionalism and knowledge of your tour guide. Any challenges or issues you encountered. Suggestions for improvement. Any standout moments or experiences. Your feedback is instrumental in our commitment to deliver exceptional travel experiences. We appreciate your time and honesty in sharing your thoughts with us. Whether you choose to provide feedback through the Tweet Trip App, an online form, or a hard copy, rest assured that your input will be carefully considered to continually elevate the quality of our services.
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Wednesday - Monday
Aug 13, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Tweet World Travel requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 65 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of tweet world travel charges.
Up to 65 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 64 days before tour starts: Forfeit 55% of booking price.
At 39 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.