Day 1 & 2Red Dot will meet you at the airport, probably slightly bleary eyed and in need for some rest. But rather than spend a night recuperating at a sterile airport hotel, we recommend you transfer straight to Giritale in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, an area in the beautiful central drylands that has a rich and ancient history. The drive will take approximately three hours depending upon the traffic. Upon arrival you will check into the Royal Lotus Hotel, a three star property that peers over the magnificent Giritale Tank, an ancient reservoir that is home to an abundant birdlife (particularly from Aug to April), including Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Egrets, Painted Storks and Ibis. Depending up the time of arrival, and the amount of energy still left in your tank, a light optional ride is available in the afternoon before dusk and a cool beer. Next day, fully rested and refreshed after your first full night in the tropics, the cycling begins in earnest with a journey along an ancient irrigation canal to Polonnaruwa, the 10th century capital of Sri Lanka, a once great kingdom and one of the best preserved ancient cities. The city flourished after the decision to move the capital from Anuradhapura in the northeast, a strategic move by the South Indian Chola dynasty to protect against a rebellion from the Ruhunu Sinhalese kingdom in the southeast. By foot or cycle you will be able to explore temples, palaces, huge dagobas and sculptures. For lunch, we stop at a huge lake known as the Sea of Parakrama, which provides a welcome chance to strip off and cool off in the chilled waters. The ride back to the hotel in the afternoon takes you through wide plains of paddy field, once the breadbasket of the Kingdom and to this day a fertile land responsible for feeding a nation.

(Riding Distance: 20km + 10km and 20 km)

Day 3

Today you head to Sigirya.  The active can start the day with an optional 10km ride to the start a 28km jungle ride that follows an old King’s route and a river valley. The single-track journey carries you back into another world. When you arrive in Sigiriya you will check into Sigiriya Village hotel for lunch and a cooling afternoon swim before climbing the magnificent rock fortress in the late afternoon.

(Riding Distance: 10km and 28km)

The spectacular Sigiriya Rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the 5th century and no matter how often you climb to the summit of this one-time fortress of the murderous, maverick, yet brilliant Sinhalese king, Kassapa, the pleasure barely diminishes.  Many scholars believe that Kassapa sought to rule as a God-king. About two hours can happily be spent walking through its water gardens, and then up the steep steps - either hewn out of the rock or on circular iron staircases - past the frescoes. You will be in no rush to abandon the spectacular views at the summit.

Day 4 & 5:
After breakfast and perhaps a swim to ease your aching limbs, we journey south along a mixture of dirt tracks and village paths to the town of Dambulla. The town is now a bustling agricultural market town but is also famous for its beautiful 1st century BC Buddhist cave temples. There are five caves containing Buddhist statues and paintings. You will need to climb up the caves, which lie about 100-150m above the road. Now no doubt hungry, you can cross the road to the Dambulla resthouse, a former colonial stop-off that now offers modern travelers with hearty meals, usually plate loads of rice with a selection of vegetable and meat curries.

We jump in the bus for the next part from the journey to Kandy, the hill-country country. Closer to the town, once the bus has climbed the Knuckles mountain range, we will start a fantastic descent along windy roads and through tea estates into the center of the town where we will check into Thilanka Hotel, a three star hotel that overlooks the lake.

(Riding Distance: 28km and 32km)

Kandy is a beautiful town (officially it is a city), surrounded by hills and built around a lake. It’s also one of the most sacred cities in the country and home to the Temple of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined since 4th century A.D. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) with traditional music and drumming are held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening where guests can participate. 

There is more to Kandy though than the temple: there are the Royal Botanical Gardens, where lovers stroll and chat amongst a variety of local and foreign plants, gem and antique shops, a bustling market and at Victoria, a 20 min drive by car is one of Asia’s most beautiful golf courses. During the morning, we will visit the Temple of the Tooth but thereafter you can explore the town at will. Transport can be arranged to the golf course.

For those cyclists craving some real action, there is the option of a gnarly 23km descent through tea estates, jungle and across rivers. Aptly named the “White Knuckle” descent, its ideal for thrill-seekers and not for the faint-hearted.

(Riding Distance: 23km)

Day 6 & 7

Enjoy an early breakfast and prepare for another day of breathtaking scenery. The bus starts the journey, ferrying us to the top of the Hantane Massif, the southern escarpment that towers over Kandy town. The bike starts, trailing through verdant green estates producing the world famous Ceylon Tea. The group can spilt into two after reaching a tea worker’s village: there is a technical single track descent for the more experienced cyclists or a more leisurely descent via a winding tarmac road with spectacular views that leads into Galaha, a small town. Pitawella rock pools and waterfall provide a perfect picnic spot and the chance for a cooling dip. The 10km uphill journey there may be taken in the bus or by bike – remember though that there’s more cycling in store in the afternoon!

After lunch, and perhaps a short siesta, start the journey to Nuwara Eliya along more tea trails. Stop en route at a tea factory for a refreshing cuppa and a possible tour. Drive the remainder of the journey to Nuwara Eliya (City of Light), a hill-station resort town popular during the steaming hot summer months, and check into the Grand Hotel, a former governor’s private house.

(Riding Distance: 14km + 9km (optional) + 21km)

After a night relaxing in Nuwara Eliya, enjoying the log fires and leather armchairs of the hotel, we will rise early to travel to Horton Plains, an undulating 2000m high plateau 28km south of Nuwara Eliya. Keenner cyclists can climb the steep ascent on bike; others can take the bus. The grassy plains, which are interspersed with small patches of forest, are home to leopards, sambur deer, bear monkeys and a rich array of birds, including some endemic species. The most dramatic feature of the national park is “World’s End” where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops nearly a 1000m straight. The best way to explore the park is on foot. It’s a round trip of about 9.5km that takes approximately three hours. We aim to start as early as possible though because by late morning a thick mist will have descended to blank out the magnificent views. We travel to Plantation Bungalow to rest our tired feet in front of a warm log fire.

(Riding Distance: 28km (optional)

Optional walk – Those who travel between Dec and May you have the option of climbing Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), which some legends say is the first place that Adam set foot on earth after being cast out of heaven while others say is blessed by a ‘Sacred Footprint’ from Buddha. Some Hindu’s even claim the giant footprint at the summit to be that of Lord Shiva, the powerful Hindu god. The mountain has been a pilgrimage centre for over 1000 years. Pilgrims climb during the night and there are two routes: an arduous but less travelled seven-hour climb or a shorter three-hour ascent. Just after sunrise, at approx 6:30am, the sun casts a triangular shadow off the peak across the misty clouds. Those that wish to climb will have to sleep early after Horton Plains and be ready to leave for Adams Peak by 1:30am.

Day 8When the Adam’s Peak walkers have returned, we start our journey out of the hills. The descent is spectacular, along windy roads that cut through mist-cloaked forests. We have to traverse a remote pass and then descend again, either through bumpy tea estate trails or along a tarmac road, before arriving in Hatton and jumping onto the bus. We transfer then to Kitulgala, a riverside town surrounded by lush jungle that has two claims to fame: being the location for the Oscar-winning epic Bridge on the River Kwai and the main white-water rafting centre in Sri Lanka. Indeed, the last few kms of the journey can be finished with an optional rafting trip. The trip will take approx 1.30hrs and is suitable for first time rafters (grade 2/3 rapids depending upon the time of year and weather). When you eventually arrive in Kitulgala, check into the Resthouse. Today brings to a close the cycling part of your holiday.

(Riding Distance: 21km and 17km)

Day 9, 10, 11 & 12The journey is drawing to a close and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean now beckon. Head to Unawatuna, one of the finest bays in Sri Lanka, and check-in to Rockside Cabanas situated on a beautiful stretch of beach and offering cabana style accommodation set amidst gardens scattered with swaying coconut trees. The journey is drawing to a close and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean now beckon. But there is still more cycling to be done as the countryside flattens and the temperatures rise. We ride through gem country and rubber estates before hitting the tarmac road that leads to the famous palm-fringed beaches of the southwest coastline. We take the last hour of the journey in the bus, avoiding the busy Colombo-Galle highway, and head to Unawatuna, one of the finest bays in Sri Lanka, checking into Rockside Cabanas situated on a beautiful stretch of beach and offering  cabana style accommodation set amidst gardens scattered with swaying coconut trees.

After so many days on the road you could not be blamed for a day of indulgent sun worship. For some gentle exercise perhaps try out the hotel snorkels. If you decide instead to play cards and quietly sip fresh mango juice in one of the friendly beach bars along the ocean edge, no one will complain.

5km north of Unawatuna, the historic walled city of Galle is well worth visiting. A UNESCO protected Dutch fort, built in the 17th century, it remains a home to some 300 families and is currently undergoing something of a renaissance. There are gem shops and art galleries and a couple of small restaurants in which to relax and unwind. A few magical hours can be spent wandering through the narrow streets along the sturdy ramparts.

They are other inland rides available too: around Koggala lake; through rubber and coconut plantations; past paddy fields and Buddhist shrines. The cycling is flat but rewarding; allowing you to experience the heart and pulse of a rural country.

Day 13

After breakfast and a morning dip in the Indian Ocean, we travel north to the capital, Colombo.  En route we will stop at a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda, one of the many conservation projects in Sri Lanka that are helping this wonderful creature survive in the modern world. In the early afternoon check into the Galle Face Hotel situated at the edge of the sea in Colombo Fort.

The Fort and Pettah, originally built in the 16th century by the Portuguese and then further developed by the Dutch and the British, today, is the main commercial hub consisting of the country’s largest wholesale bazaar with a maze of by lanes and small shops; banks and government offices some which are housed in old colonial buildings; Dutch period churches and museum.  The Crescat shopping mall nearby has several fast food outlets, a food court, and several shops.  There are also several restaurants nearby.

Day 14Time to return home. Red Dot is sure though that you will return – few people can resist the charms of Sri Lanka after their first taste of Serendipity. We leave early for your return flight, arriving at the airport three hours before the scheduled departure.

General Information:

Group size - The group size will be between 4 and 12. Individual itineraries for private groups can be arranged.

Guides - An experienced English-speaking Sri Lanka guide will accompany all groups. For larger guides there will be two guides. A local driver will also accompany the group.

Biking Conditions - Most of the tracks used on this trip are relatively wide dirt tracks. Some off-road experience will be useful but you will not need to be a technical expert. There are some steeper and narrower optional sections for more experienced riders looking for a tougher experience. Reasonable fitness levels will be required, especially when in the hill-country, although the sections in the Cultural Triangle and on the south coast are relatively flat.

Transport - Transfers will in an air-conditioned mini-coach. Luggage and belongings will be carried by support vehicles (for smaller groups we may use one vehicle for passengers and luggage). A vehicle will follow riders most of the time in case you would like a rest at any stage and to ensure that refreshments are readily at hand.

Taking your own bike - Cyclists are welcome to take their own bikes. A £90 discount will be offered to those that do. We recommend that those who wish to take their own bikes make sure that it is properly boxed to avoid damage. Speak to your local cycle shop. Remember though that your bike (which will probably weigh between 15-18kg will be considered as part of your baggage allowance) so you will need to pack carefully and make sure as many of your heavier items are carried as hand luggage. Red Dot cannot be liable for any excess baggage charges. If you are bringing an advanced bike – disc brakes, hydraulic suspension etc. – we recommend that you also bring spares with you. Basic spares and tools will be carried in the support vehicle. Make sure your bike is properly serviced before departure.

Bike and helmet hire - Local ridged bikes are normally supplied. They are maintained in good condition. Those who prefer a Specialized Rockhopper may pay a £6.50 per day hire premium. We recommend you bring your own helmets but these can also be hired locally if necessary.

Safety and insurance - Helmets must be worn at all times when riding off-road. We also recommend that riders use proper cycling gloves and appropriate footwear. All travelers must have an accident and health insurance policy that covers them for cycling. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us.