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.
You’ll fly into Sri Lanka and get transported to the coastal town of Negombo, a short drive from Bandaranaike International Airport. The afternoon is free to settle in, meet your guides and fellow travelers, and get a feel for where the next nine days will take you. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, a proper introduction to Sri Lankan flavors and hospitality.
Accommodation: Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo
Meals: Dinner
Our cycling adventure begins along Sri Lanka’s west coast, weaving through fishing villages and palm-lined backroads as daily life unfolds around us. The riding is relatively flat, a great way to find your legs in the Sri Lankan heat. After completing today’s ride, we transfer inland toward the cultural heart of the island and check into our lakeside retreat in Dambulla.
Accommodation: Amaya Lake, Dambulla
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 45 km (28 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +296 m (+971 ft) / -268 m (-879 ft)
A morning ride along peaceful village roads and irrigation canals leads to one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, an ancient citadel rising dramatically above the surrounding jungle plains. Those who wish can climb to the summit for sweeping views across the lowlands. We then ride back through the countryside to our accommodation in Dambulla.
Accommodation: Amaya Lake, Dambulla
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 33 km (21 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +224 m (+735 ft) / -221 m (-725 ft)
We ride through scenic countryside toward Kandy, the island’s historic hill capital. The route weaves through rural landscapes as the terrain gradually rises toward the city. This afternoon, we explore Kandy with our local guides, visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s most important pilgrimage sites, beautifully set beside the calm waters of Kandy Lake.
Accommodation: Hotel Suisse, Kandy
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 40 km (25 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +280 m (+919 ft) / -226 m (-741 ft)
We board the iconic Kandy-Ella Hill Country train, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, winding through misty mountains, tea plantations, and lush highland valleys. Once in Nuwara Eliya, we get back on the bikes for a gentle afternoon ride around this cool-climate hill town, known for its colonial character, manicured gardens, and the surrounding tea estates that produce some of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated teas.
Accommodation: Jetwing St Andrews, Nuwara Eliya
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 27 km (17 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +411 m (+1,348 ft) / -415 m (-1,362 ft)
The standout riding day of the tour takes us through Sri Lanka’s highlands, past botanical gardens, tea estates, and misty ridgelines. There’s real climbing today, but the effort pays off with jaw-dropping scenery. We roll through the charming town of Ella, with the chance to see the famous Nine Arch Bridge from a nearby viewpoint, before descending to the quieter hillside town of Haputale.
Accommodation: Melheim Resort, Haputale
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 49 km (30 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +1,029 m (+3,376 ft) / -1,510 m (-4,954 ft)
Descending from the highlands, today’s ride showcases a dramatic shift in landscape as misty hills give way to warmer, wilder countryside. Along the way, we stop at Buduruwagala, an ancient rock temple with remarkable carved Buddhist figures dating back over a thousand years, and visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home before heading south toward Sri Lanka’s wild coast and Yala National Park.
Accommodation: Chaarya Resort & Spa, Tissamaharama
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 50 km (31 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +535 m (+1,755 ft) / -1,304 m (-4,278 ft)
We rise early for a guided jeep safari through Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife reserves, with the chance to spot leopards, elephants, and a stunning diversity of birdlife. Back on the bikes for a relaxed coastal ride to the historic seaside town of Galle, where we celebrate the journey together over a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Le Grand Galle, Galle
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 36 km (22 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +188 m (+617 ft) / -205 m (-673 ft)
After breakfast, we say our farewells and transfer to Colombo for onward journeys. We leave the hotel around 10 am, arriving in Colombo by midday.
Meals: Breakfast
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.