We leave for Sri Lanka from our chosen departure airport arriving into Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) the next day.

• Meals: Dinner

Following arrival we head north to Chillaw (on Sri Lanka’s west coast)journey time is approx. 2.5 hours. It’s around 50kms away and is a great place to rest-up after a long flight. With most flights arriving by early afternoon we’ll meet-up as a group for bike sizing and dinner early evening.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 700 Metres Approx.

After breakfast we take an initial transfer (2 hours / 70 kms) northwards to Nawagattegama a small town situated in the North Western province.

From here we set our sights on Anuradhapura, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization it is one of the ancient capitals and dates back to the 5th century BC. The scenery for the day is one of constantly changing vistas – forests, paddy fields and lakes. Terrain wise we are still pretty much on the flat, with just one very slight climb to test the legs a little.

Late afternoon we’ll check out the ruins of Anuradhapura one of Sri Lanka’s most evocative sights and containing a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders. This includes the oldest living human-planted tree in the world (249BC), the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which is said to be part of Sri Maha Bodhi under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

NB – Depending on the progress of the group we will either transfer (after lunch) the final 21kms to Anuradhapura or continue all the way to the hotel by bike.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 475 Metres Approx.

An early start ensures we get a shaded start to the day and are well placed to appreciate the bird-life of this lovely area.

Our cycling today takes place pre-dominantly on quiet rural roads dotted with small villages, lakes and paddy fields skirting the Ritigala Nature Park.

Situated a short distance from Habarana our accommodation tonight is one nature lovers will simply adore. Should we arrive in good time there is the option to take a late afternoon jeep safari and admire the elephants of Minneriya for those interested.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.

Our day starts with an early morning visit to the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site of Sigiriya (Lion Rock). An ancient rock fortress that is dominated by a massive 200 metre high column of terracotta and grey rock. Built in the 5th century, the complex is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction and is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It’s a great place to wander around and if you choose, you can walk up the narrow walkway that clings to the side of the rock and scale its lofty heights. From here you will be rewarded with superb views of the surrounding area.

Once safely back at ground-level, we commence our cycling. As with yesterday we are very much on the flat for the day with our ride taking in some lovely peaceful sections close to Kandalama Lake and alongside the irrigation channels which dissect the rice paddies. We end the ride in Pallepola where we’ll have another delicious Sri Lankan meal in the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 1500 Metres Approx.

A challenging day in the saddle, but as with all days, there will be plenty of space in our support vehicle(s) for those looking to take things a little easier.

Our initial riding sees us enjoying a lovely undulating route (15kms) along the quiet narrow backroads that weave their way around the base of the Knuckles mountain range. From here it’s time to start heading up towards the hills and so expect a few ‘cheeky climbs’ along the way. We’ll be snaking our way up the Knuckles and during today’s ride will gain around 1100 metres. The highest point is at 650 metres and occurs at the mid-point of our ride.

We’ll now be surrounded by tropical rainforest which contrast dramatically with the previous forest scenery we’ve encountered and the ride ends at the town of Wattegama following a superb winding descent.

So as to avoid a busy road section we’ll transfer from here to Kandy (10kms) and our centrally placed hotel. It’s a quick turn-around once there in order to make the most of the city. Our first place of interest is the Kandyan Cultural Centre where we enjoy a display of traditional Sri Lankan dance, drumming and fire walking. This is followed by a visit to one of the most sacred places of Buddhist worship – The Temple of the Tooth, which like Anuradhapura and Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our evening meal is taken at the hotel and for those with still a little energy to spare Kandy is an interesting place to explore.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 1500 Metres Approx.

Today we’ll be heading to the Hill Station of Nuwara Eliya on a ride which is without doubt the most challenging of the trip. During the course of the 50kms we’ll be ascending nearly 2000 metres. Whilst some will want to tick off each and every km, our support vehicle is always close at hand if you fancy hopping aboard for any of the steeper sections.

Avoiding once again the busy traffic of Kandy we have a short transfer (30 minutes) to Haradama where our cycling commences. An initial downhill will warm up the legs then its onwards and upwards to lunch. Today’s scenery includes plantations of tapioca, banana, guava and mango, as we cycle up the winding roads with their beautiful views of the area’s famous tea plantations.

On the ride up we’ll stop at bustling small towns including Padayapelella where we’ll take a snack-stop and enjoy a wander through its ramshackle streets.

Lunch is taken at the 50km mark and for many this will mark the end of the day’s cycling. For those with the legs there is an optional 10km section that will see them edging further up the mountain range.

Once we’ve loaded up the bikes we round off our day’s activities with a visit to the Pedro Tea Plantation for a guided tour of their facilities and a post-tour cuppa. Boasting strong ethical credentials, it’s the perfect place to buy your supplies of their Lovers Leap blend.

Nuwara Eliya with its colonial buildings and bustling market makes for a pleasant place for a wander pre-dinner which is usually taken at the accommodation.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 1000 Metres Approx.

Our cycling today takes us from the Hakgala Forest past Kande Ella (the highest lake in Sri Lanka) and is one of changing vistas throughout the day.

We soon leave the tea estates behind replacing them with lush hillsides filled with vegetables. Our next section takes us through Ambewela (also referred to as Little New Zealand) a place famed for its dairy farming and milk production. After 20Kms we leave these lush rolling meadows and climb steeply for 4kms, through teak and rhododendron forest to reach Horton Plains National Park. Situated at an altitude of just over 2,000 metres these atmospheric grasslands are amazing to cycle through and totally different to anything you’ll have encountered so far. It’s a lovely rolling route through the park and which then descends through winding pine forests to Ohiya.

Ohiya is small outpost with little more here than a train station, with its tea shop making for a great place to take a break. We might even be lucky enough to catch a steam train making its journey to Ella. Our ride ends in the town of Borlanda after a great downhill section through the Ohiya eucalyptus forest. From here we load-up the bikes for the final 15kms to Bandarawela, situated at 1245m, some 700 metres lower than this morning. Our accommodation here is a beautiful colonial hotel which makes for the perfect place to unwind after what will have been a memorable day’s cycling.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 675 Metres Approx.

70kms to 97kms (depending on elephants – see below) – Mainly downhill

Leaving bustling Bandarawela we’ve a gradual climb though the tea plantations for a few kms. From here on in the emphasis become a very much downhill affair as we descend for around 20kms to end close to Ella. We then continue our journey downwards to the Southern Plains passing numerous teak, eucalyptus and rubber plantations. The highlights keep on coming and after around 50kms our ride meanders through an area of sugar cane production, with lunch taken at a local house. The area is rich in birdlife so keep your eyes peeled for Hornbills and Peacocks as you cycle along.

Our cycling ends close to the pilgrimage town of Katharagama and once again our hotel is superb, boasting great rooms, lovely grounds and a swimming pool. Early evening we transfer the short distance to main pilgrimage sight Kataragama and which is a holy place for Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and the Veddah people. It’s a great place to visit at sunset. With Puja taking place around this time it’s always a colourful and interesting spectacle.

NB. With elephants free to roam in the area close to Katharagama, the riding distance today may be reduced due to them being on the road. Should we be informed of this the final kms will be made in our support vehicle.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 575 Metres Approx.

Back on the bikes and riding on the flat is very much the order of the day. The vegetation on today’s ride is completely different from our previous days as we explore forests interspersed with sections beside huge lakes, paddy and grasslands.

This is an area famed for its curd (yoghurt) and honey production and with this in mind it would be rude not to stop off at one of the roadside vendors to enjoy a few mouthfuls during our day on the bike.

Our final pedal strokes take us on a spectacular stretch alongside the Udawalawe Reservoir to our wildlife destination of Udawalawe. The National Park here was created to provide sanctuary for those wild animals that were displaced following the construction of the reservoir. Our accommodation tonight is situated just a few minutes away from the National Park and is the perfect place to base ourselves for tomorrow’s Jeep Safari. For those interested we’ve an optional visit to the nearby The Elephant Transit Home, which has helped care for dozens of injured, sick or orphaned baby elephants. Here we’ll be able observe them being fed by the park wardens, which is always an entertaining affair.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

With no major schedule until early afternoon you’re free to take a lazy breakfast, chill-out by the pool and take a wander. Udawalawe is famous for its wild elephants (around 400) that live here and during a visit it is not unusual to see a parade of adults and youngsters feeding, bathing and playing in the water. The park is also home to crocodiles, water buffalo, sambar deer and monkeys. It’s also a location that boasts numerous species of birds including the impressive crested-hawks.

Late afternoon we’ll set-off by 4WD jeep for our open-top safari. With experienced and knowledgeable nature guides with us, you’ll be in expert hands throughout making this an unforgettable experience. We return at sunset, with our evening meal taken at the accommodation a time to discuss who saw what and compare photos.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 550 Metres Approx.

Our ride today starts with a beautiful section as we head towards the coastal area. Small towns and villages mark our progress, with the final stretch taking in some very scenic roads that are dotted with small ponds bustling with birds. Quiet village backroads then lead us to the Rekawa Lagoon and finally to small coastal town of Tangalle from where it’s a short distance to our beachside accommodation. Surely there’s no better way to celebrate our ride today than with a chilled Lion Beer as the sun sets over the horizon!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Ascent: 850 Metres Approx.

Riding from the hotel we avoid the busy main beach road and use the network of quieter side roads that will allow you to really experience southern Sri Lankan charm. There’s lots to see along the way as we wind our way through the small villages and towns of the area and edge towards Mirissa.

Although a reasonably long ride it is a rolling route and we’ll be stopping regularly to replenish ourselves with fresh fruit, snacks and water.

We plan to end the day’s cycling early afternoon so as to enjoy fully our luxurious hotel. Beautifully positioned by a gorgeous stretch of beach it is a fitting place to end your cycling journey through Sri Lanka. The time has come to kick of your cycling shoes and relax and reflect by the pool or on the beach.

• Meals: Breakfast

A relaxing start to the day and after a lazy breakfast we head-off mid-morning towards Colombo. En-route we stop-off at Galle. It’s wonderful Dutch-colonial buildings (within its historic fort area) are crammed full of small boutiques, shops, art galleries and cafes making it a great place to wander around. We’ll take lunch here before continuing our journey to Colombo, which is around a 2-3hour drive.

Our accommodation is situation close to the Old Dutch Hospital a building that was originally a hospital during the Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka, and which is considered to be the oldest building in the historic Colombo Fort area.

Tastefully converted in 2011 there are some superb restaurants here and is where we’ll take our evening meal to celebrate our amazing cycling journey through Sri Lanka.

• Meals: Breakfast

Departure in the morning for Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for onward connections (journey time to airport from final hotel is approx. 1 hour). For those staying on in Sri Lanka the train station is close-by and reached easily from the hotel.