Compare Sri Lanka Encompassed by G Adventures vs Sri Lanka Tip to Tip by Road Bike by SpiceRoads Cycling
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 1,719 | $ 3,700 |
| Price Per Day | $ 123 | $ 308 |
| Highlights |
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N/A
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner | N/A |
| Description |
For most travellers, Sri Lanka has been off the map for too long. Well, it's back. Discover the vibrant colours, diverse cultures, and swaying palm trees of this tropical jewel. Explore tea plantations and rock fortresses on this 14-day tour, which is designed to please. This tour is about more than just beaches and stunning views; it's about the inspiring people you'll meet along the way. |
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. |
Day 1 Colombo
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2 Colombo/Negombo
Enjoy a guided city tour of Colombo before heading to Negombo. With evening free time, explore the stunning Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
Day 3 Negombo/Sigiriya
Begin the day visiting the seaside and observe fisherman sorting through their haul ashore. Board a boat to glide along the Dutch canal and get a closer look at the lives of the locals. Travel to the Dambulla province and visit the cave temple before watching the sun set over the lake.
Travel through the countryside to Sigiriya in Dambulla, the central province of Sri Lanka. Visit the the World Heritage Site of the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla. In the evening, try to catch a beautiful sunset over the Kandalamma Lake.
Day 4 Sigiriya
Guided tour of the rock fortress of Sigiriya — a World Heritage site. Meet locals and share a meal in a nearby village.
Enjoy a walking tour of a local village to learn about residents' way of life while getting a chance to try the local cuisine at a lunch prepared by the families of the community. Later, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built in the fifth century, this rock fortress boasts well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces with beautiful wall motifs. In the afternoon, opt to go for a tour of Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where you can cycle through the ruins.
Day 5 Sigiriya/Kandy
Drive through the Knuckles Mountain Range and visit a spice plantation en route to Kandy. Stop for lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. Take a guided visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth.
En route to Kandy, stop at the herbal centre of spices. Students of Ayurveda will explain different uses for each herb. Arrive to Kandy in the afternoon. Go for a stroll around Kandy Lake and visit the famed Temple of the Tooth. Enjoy an included lunch at G Adventures supported-Sthree Craft Shop and Cafe. In the evening, opt to attend a Kandyan Cultural Dance.
Day 6 Kandy/Digana
Enjoy a free morning in Kandy then travel to Digana. Arrive at the nature resort for lunch before embarking on a guided village walk. Stop at the home of a jewellery maker who handcrafts delicate Kandyan jewellery and the cottage of a local woman making incense. Learn to make Sri Lankan bread or sweets while helping out with dinner.
Accommodations at a nature resort homestay are simple and authentic. Rooming will be in twin and triple-share rooms.
Day 7 Digana/Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy a free morning of exploration before transferring to Nuwara Eliya. In the afternoon, explore a traditional tea plantation in the central highlands. Gain insight into the process of growing tea and its effect on the Ceylon region.
The town, also known as 'Little England', offers a lot of options for visitors. Explore the nature trails, visit the plantations, or go golfing or horseback riding.
Day 8 Nuwara Eliya/Ella
Spend a free morning hiking in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve or strolling local markets. Later, hop on the local train and take the scenic route to Ella.
Use free time to explore the area. Opt to stay close to the city, wandering local markets or head further afield. There's a 9km (6 mi) trek in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve. Wander around Victoria Lake and take in the views.
Day 9 Ella
Enjoy a free day in the charming town of Ella. Opt to tour the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, admire views of Ella Rock, or simply relax and wander around town.
Day 10 Ella/Yala National Park
Opt to hike Little Adam's Peak with a free morning. In the afternoon, travel to Yala National Park and enjoy a safari.
Day 11 Yala National Park to Mirissa
Enjoy one last morning visiting Yala NP then bid farewell and travel south to idyllic Mirissa Beach.
Day 12 Galle
Take a day trip to Galle and tour the colonial city and historic fort before returning to Mirissa.
Day 13 Mirissa
Enjoy a free day in peaceful Mirissa. Opt to relax on the beach or take a surfing lesson.
Day 14 Mirissa
Depart at any time.
The Colombo airport can be reached by private taxi or bus. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer. Please note that it will take about 2.5 hours to get to Colombo from Mirissa.
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.
