Malwatte Maha Vihara Mangos

Sri Lanka by Bike

Good for: Email:srilankadaniel@gmail.com, Tel: +94 714804632, Please contact Guide Daniel, For organize your trip, With Valuable Price

All content by World Expeditions

11 days (Colombo)

Destinations visited: Sri Lanka, Colombo

Grading:

Introductory level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

from
USD$2,290

Book now

A land of misty highlands, tea plantations, dense jungles, national parks and a wonderful coastline, Sri Lanka is ideally suited to cycling

A land of misty highlands and tea plantations, dense jungles and national parks, Sri Lanka is ideally suited to cycle touring. From the palm fringed west coast, we cycle inland through a multitude of Buddhist and Hindu monuments and colonial heritage that characterises the country’s rich cultural history. Our journey leads deep into the rain forest of central Sri Lanka where monks conduct prayers in harmony with the forest before continuing to the hill town of Kandy with its splendid botanical gardens and lush tea plantations. We continue to the rock fortress of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa - the medieval capital of Sri Lanka, where we swap our bikes for jeeps and take a wildlife safari in the Minneriya National Park. We end our journey in Pinnawela with a memorable visit to the elephant orphanage to view the world’s largest herd of domestic elephants.

Highlights

Experience remote regions of Sri Lanka
A relaxed pace with time to immerse yourself in the culture
Time spent in the hill capital of Kandy
Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers
Dambulla Cave Temple
Minneriya National Park
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Colombo, transfer to hotel.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the group hotel, approximately an hours drive from Colombo International Airport and close to the beach. This afternoon we will be fitted for our bikes in readiness for our first day of cycling tomorrow.

Day 2 Commence cycling to Induruwa (33km)

After breakfast we commence riding to Induruwa in the south. We travel through small villages full of friendly smiling faces. Induruwa Beach Resort is the perfect place to end the day with a cool drink by the beach.

Day 3 Cycle to Koggala (77km)

Today we follow the National Cycling Trail along the scenic southern coastal belt. A highlight today is a visit to the 400 year old Dutch Fortress in Galle, which is listed as a World Heritage site. As we cruise along we may also be able to see ‘Stilt Fisherman’ as they go about their daily life. Tonight is our last night by the coast so we will relax over dinner and enjoy the sea breeze.

Day 4 Cycle to Uda Walawe (75km)

The route today takes us through a variety of landscapes. We cycle on muddy tracks and some paved roads through a changing landscape of dry zone jungle, tea plantations and paddy fields. We will pass by the Uda Walawe National Park, and if we are lucky we may be able to spot peacocks and perhaps an elephant or two!

Day 5 Cycle to Banadarawela (45km)

Today we will drive through rural surroundings to Wellawaya where we commence cycling. The ride today will be challenging as there is a considerable amount of uphill cycling to reach our destination. At these higher elevations we are surrounded by lush green tea plantations, the climate is cooler, and you will feel refreshed and relaxed.

Day 6 Kandy (80km)

En-route to Kandy we visit a tea factory and get the opportunity to taste pure unblended Ceylon tea. We also pass by the majestic Mt Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka. Once we reach Kandy the afternoon will be at leisure to explore the town and markets. This evening there will be a cultural performance by traditional Kandyan dancers, drummers and firewalkers.

Day 7 In and around Kandy

Sri Lanka’s hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, Kandy is the country’s most beautiful town. It is 488 metres above sea level and next to Colombo is Sri Lanka’s most visited place. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Our tour this morning visits the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, Upper Lake Drive (for a great view of the city), the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, and a Gem Museum. Kandy is an exciting place for shopping and you can pick up some great souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery and rush and reed-ware can also be purchased.

Continue reading ...

Day 8 Cycle to Sigiriya (70km)

Today we cycle towards Dambulla where we visit the famous cave temple complex. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area, however the major attractions are spead over 5 caves filled with statues and paintings relating to the Lord Buddha. After exploring these impressive caves we continue on towards Sigiriya. Sigiriya is the 5th Century Royal Citadel well known for its paintings of bare breasted women. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and widely considered as the 8th wonder of the modern world. Our accommodation tonight is set before a large lake where we may see wild elephants drinking and bathing in the water.

Day 9 Cycle to Polonnaruwa (40km)

Our final day of cycling we head towards Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (11th century AD). The scenery today is breathtaking as we ride beside the Sea of Parakrama, a vast man made reservoir. Polonnaruwa is a well preserved city of beautiful parks, ancient dagobas and stunning statues. The majestic King’s Council Chamber, the Vatadage Relic House - lavished with moonstones, guardstones and sculptured railing, and Gal Vihare (rock temple) are a few of the memorable sites we will explore by bike. Returning to our hotel we pack away our bikes for the final time.

Day 10 Transfer to Negombo via Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

We take an early morning jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park to view wild elephant. Returning to the hotel for breakfast we have the chance to freshen up before one of the highlights of our trip, our visit to the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela. The orphanage was set up to save abandoned and orphaned wild elephants, in most cases babies who have been separated from their parents. From here we drive to Negombo where we celebrate our riding efforts with a farewell dinner.

Day 11 In Negombo, where trip concludes

Our trip concludes after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.

Additional Information

Inclusions

10 breakfasts, 10 dinners
transfers on Day 1 & Day 11
all internal transport by private vehicle
English speaking local leader
sightseeing and site entry fees as listed

Summary

11 day trip
7 day cycle
10 nights hotel

Trip Main Activities

cycle
Wildlife safari

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket or weather gear, water bottle and camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

from
USD$2,290

Book now

Why we recommend World Expeditions

Pioneers in responsible travel.
No local payments.
True adventures in every sense.
Expert guides and support.
Quality facilities and transport.

Customer care

World Expeditions is a global company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada, all staffed with experienced adventure travellers.

Contact World Expeditions customer service

In our shop

Sri Lanka travel guide

Buy the book Sri Lanka travel guide

Buy PDF chapters Sri Lanka travel guide

Sinhala phrasebook

Buy the book Sinhala phrasebook

See all shop products

Sri Lanka