Compare Sri Lanka Tip to Tip by Road Bike by SpiceRoads Cycling vs Sri Lanka in 8 days - Temples, Treasures & Spiritual Retreats - LUXURY by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 12 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,700 | $ 2,799 |
| Price Per Day | $ 308 | $ 350 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 7 breakfasts. *** |
| Description | Sri Lanka is an often overlooked holiday destination – mostly due to the recently ended civil war – but it is now a vibrant and safe island to explore with a commendable collection of ancient and natural sights and amazing beaches. For much of the past three decades, large areas of the north were off limits, but this final frontier is now open, and Sri Lanka is now ready for you to explore its hidden treasures from the northern most tip down to the southernmost point. |
Land in Colombo and witness breathtaking views from the top of the Lion Rock in Sigiriya. Discover the wildlife of Minneriya National Park, explore the cave temples of Dambulla and enjoy the majestic architecture and tea plantations of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Finally, find your own personal slice of paradise on the pristine beaches of Beruwala and Seeduwa. |
Day 1
Meet at the hotel for a trip briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2
We start riding from the hotel inland along minor roads at a relaxed pace, experiencing rural Sri Lanka that most tourists seldom see. After lunch, we transfer to Jaffna, stopping to stretch our legs at Killinochi, the former headquarters of the LTTE, or Tamil Tigers.
Day 3
We ride through Jaffna with its small fishing port, passing the old Star Fort built in 1618. Crossing to Kyats Island, we head north. At Casuarina Beach at the northern tip of the island, we dip our rear tires and maybe ourselves in the Indian Ocean, a symbolic start to our journey south.
Day 4
Cycling south to Ponneryn, we cross another causeway, and our road sees little traffic now but saw some major battles during the conflict era. We stop for lunch at Iluppaikkadavai, where the road first greets the sea. We end our ride at a 700-year-old Baobab tree, brought by Arabian traders, on Mannar Island.
Day 5
We head back to the mainland riding inland through Giants Tank, a wetland habitat reserve. We reach our hotel for lunch and rest before heading out for an exploration of the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
Day 6
We start with a relaxed ride on a route dotted with temples and stupas. We turn off the main road towards Ritigala, a nature reserve. We end the morning ride at our hotel. In the late afternoon, we climb up Sigiriya Rock, a 5th century citadel.
Day 7
We cycle on quiet country roads past Kandalama Lake to Dambulla, the largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. We transfer to Melsiripura and then cycle through the spice growing region. We pass through Matale to start climbing up the Wattegama valley with terraced paddy fields and jungle covered hills.
Day 8
A rest day in picturesque Kandy -- an important Sinhalese religious centre. Explore the town’s old shops, antique and gem specialists, or the bustling market. A must do is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 9
The route will be hilly from here as we ride through the heart of tea country. We follow the Mahaweli River and cycle up to Hatton, one of the country's early tea plantation districts.
Day 10
More climbing, with a few rough sections of tarmac, up through tea estates. The last 30 km is on a good, straight flat road and ends close to Uda Walawe National Park.
Day 11
There is an option of an early morning safari in Uda Walawe park. Late morning, we start our last day cycling along scenic green paddy fields to Dondra Lighthouse, the most southerly point of the island. Here we again dip our tires in the ocean, marking the end of our tip to tip ride!
Day 12
Transfer to your Colombo hotel or extend your stay in Galle.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrival at US departure airport ready to check-in for an overnight flight to Colombo. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: In-flight
Day in-flight.
Day 3: Colombo - Seeduwa
Arrive at Colombo International Airport and transfer to Seeduwa, on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy your beautiful surroundings or take a relaxing stroll along the idyllic coastline. Known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka exudes natural beauty and tropical charms. Overnight stay in Seeduwa.
Day 4: Seeduwa - Sigiriya - Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, travel to the Sigiriya region and, on arrival, set off to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as Lion Rock. Within its triple-moated defence, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a sumptuous palace and gardens complete with an ancient swimming pool. Head back down to ground level and transfer to Dambulla, a historic town in the centre of the island. Get settled at the hotel and overnight stay in Dambulla.
Day 5: Dambulla - Minneriya - Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure, sightseeing in the city or relaxing at your own pace. We recommend an optional excursion to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, one of Sri Lanka's most breathtaking archaeological sites.* In the afternoon, we recomend an optional excursion to Minneriya National Park. ** Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Dambulla. * Optional Excursion to the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa: Drive for approx. 1.5 hours to the ancient medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, filled with timeless archaeological sites. Situated on the Parakrama Samudraya Lake, explore the fascinating ancient ruins, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. ** Optional Excursion to the Minneriya National Park: enjoy an exciting jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, famous for its large population of elephants. Experience excellent game viewing as you travel through the fertile plains of Minneriya, watching for herds of elephants, water buffalo, monkeys and birdlife. $40 to be paid in destination in concept of entrance fee and jeep for the safari at Minneriya National Park.
Day 6: Dambulla - Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off for Dambulla to visit the Golden Temple, a sacred 2,000-year-old pilgrimage site carved into the rocks. The walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues in its interior. Next, en route to Kandy, enjoy a tour of the Spice Gardens and an authentic Batik Factory. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the afternoon before arriving in Kandy, set on a plateau surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Transfer to the hotel. In the evening enjoy an entertaining cultural performance for a taste of Sri Lankan folklore. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 7: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Nuwara Eliya for an afternoon of sightseeing. Nuwara Eliya is known as the 'Little England' of Sri Lanka and is a beautiful region, filled with lush-tea plantation and typical farmlands. Visit a traditional tea plantation to learn about the production process and savour the flavour of authentic Sri Lankan tea, which makes up for around 25% of global tea exports! Enjoy sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya to admire its typical colonial architecture and cool climate before heading to the train station to take a scenic train ride back to Kandy. One of the most popular experiences in Sri Lanka, take in the amazing countryside views as the train weaves its way through plantations and mountains. Arrive in Kandy and spend the evening exploring this charming city at leisure. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 8: Kandy - Beruwala
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the highlands behind for the idyllic shores of Beruwala, a famous resort town with a large number of hotels, providing first-class facilities and stunning beaches. Beruwala is also famous for water sports such as sailing, water-skiing, para-sailing and water scooters. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax on the beautiful beaches and soak up the tropical landscapes. Overnight stay in Beruwala.
Day 9: Beruwala
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying the facilities of your hotel or relaxing on the beach. We recommend an optional excursion to Galle Fort and a Turtle Hatchery.* Overnight stay in Beruwala. * Optional Excursion to Galle Fort & Turtle Hatchery: Head to Galle, a major city of Sri Lanka's south coast, to explore the huge Galle Fort, dating back to the 17th-century. With elements of Dutch and Portuguese architectural influences, learn about this period in the island's history. Afterwards, head to the Ahungalla Turtle Hatchery, where visitors have the unique opportunity to watch newborn turtles preparing to be released into the wild.
Day 10: Beruwala - Colombo - Night on board
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicted time, transfer to Colombo International Airport for your return flight back to the US. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 11: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.
