Sri Lanka doesn’t disappoint, and this 9-day cycling tour is one of the most complete ways to see it. We ride from the west coast up into the misty hill country and back down toward the wild south, along quiet backroads through fishing villages, irrigation canals, and tea estates that cling to the highlands. Between riding days, we board the iconic Kandy-Ella hill train, go on safari in Yala National Park, and visit the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This amazing country has a way of getting under your skin, and this is exactly the kind of trip that lets it.
This 9-day guided cycling tour through Sri Lanka links the island's most iconic landscapes along quiet backroads that most visitors never find. Starting on the west coast near Colombo, we ride through fishing villages, the cultural triangle, and up into the misty hill country, with a legendary train journey on the Kandy–Ella line and a visit to the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress along the way. From the highlands, we descend toward Yala National Park for an early-morning jeep safari, then follow the coast to historic Galle. Handpicked hotels at every stop, a dedicated support vehicle, quality touring bikes, and optional e-bike upgrades make this as comfortable as it is adventurous.
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
To join this Sri Lanka cycling tour, a good level of fitness is needed. Expect cycling up to 50 km (31 mi) per day, with the most demanding day covering 49 km (30 mi) and 1,029 m (3,376 ft) of elevation gain through the highlands.
The terrain varies from flat coastal roads to hill country climbs with real elevation. Sri Lanka is a warm to hot country, so having some baseline fitness will help you get the most out of each day on the bike.
Sri Lanka has a warm to hot tropical climate. This tour is scheduled outside the island’s main monsoon seasons to provide comfortable and reliable travel conditions. Expect warmer temperatures along the coast and in the lowlands, with cooler, refreshing conditions in the hill country.
Cycling is planned for the most comfortable times of day, with support vehicles, optional e-bikes and swimming pools at many hotels helping ensure a relaxed and enjoyable experience.
The e-bikes on this tour are quality MTB-style bikes, well suited to the mixed terrain we ride across Sri Lanka. They work just like a regular bike but with an added battery that provides pedal assistance when you need it most, making hills much more manageable without taking away from the fun of cycling.
They come with gears, brakes, and a comfortable seat, and are easy to ride from the get-go. A low crossbar can be sourced on request. If interested, you can rent an e-bike at checkout.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Clothing:
Gear:
A “bring your own” bike is possible if preferred (a hardtail mountain bike or similar is recommended). Dress comfortably and for the weather. Sri Lanka is warm to hot, so lightweight, breathable fabrics work best.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Sri Lanka cycling tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Sri Lanka cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. Please leave a note at checkout if interested.
The starting point of your Sri Lanka cycling tour is Colombo. To get there, most people fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). From there, you’ll be transported to Colombo, and then to the coastal town of Negombo, where the first hotel is located.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
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Everything was well organised, and we saw, dined and stayed at some great places along the trail. We will also be sure (and have already done so!) to recommend this ride to our friends. It was a fantastic experience, well planned and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us. We hope to catch up with you again on another ride soon