8 Days / 7 Nights
Colombo – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Haputale – Yala NP – Galle
The essential adventure of Sri Lanka! It takes in the high country where tea plantations stretch out under towering trees, with colourfully dressed tea pickers at work. We mix biking with train rides and include a hike to a lookout that feels like it is on the edge of the world! We seek out wildlife in the south, and wind up in the historic trading port of Galle.
Day 1: Colombo to Kandy (Cycling: 26km | 16mi)
Early pick-up from Colombo hotel to board the train that takes your group up into the hills towards Kandy. The scenic journey takes 3-4 hours. Travellers then cycle from Kandy train station into the centre of town, pedaling down small roads, along a river and its local villages. In the evening, there is time to visit the Temple of the Tooth and enjoy the first dinner in Kandy.
Day 2: Ride & train to Nuwara Eliya (Cycling: 26.5km (short) or 43km | 16-27mi)
A beautiful morning of cycling along scenic hills and quiet tea plantations. Travellers stop at Gampola railway station for a stunning train journey to the next destination, Nuwara Eliya.
Day 3: Explore the highland tea plantations – Nuwara Eliya (Cycling: 43km | 27mi)
Another beautiful ride through tea plantations and dairy farms, with visits to a strawberry farm and a dairy (if time allows) and a tea plantation visit. Here guests see the process that transpires after the pickers turn in their baskets full of tender leaves.
Day 4: Hike to World’s End Lookout, bike to Haputale (Cycling: 41km | 25mi)
A very early start for a drive up to Horton Plains National Park, followed by a lovely walk through grassy highlands to World’s End Lookout and its astonishing views. After a local breakfast of roti and sambal, the group commences a truly thrilling bike ride, descending from 2100m above sea level to about 930m: a beautiful route that starts in cloud forest and montane grassland, and descends back down in tea plantation country.
Day 5: Haputale to Yala National Park (Cycling: 35-50km | 22-31mi)
Scenic drive to Ella, where travellers take to their bikes. The ride passes through tea plantations and flatlands, and includes lunch in a local village. After lunch, guests hop into the van for a drive between two national parks, where they’re likely to encounter elephants along the road. We reach the coast and the stunningly located beachside resort around mid-afternoon. Rest of afternoon at leisure.
Day 6: Safari at Yala National Park
Morning or afternoon guided safari through Yala National Park, in search of its mysterious, beautiful leopard. Rest of the time to enjoy at leisure.
Day 7: Ride to the beach (Cycling: 78km | 48mi)
A meandering ride through lowland farming communities of the Southern Province. Here guests will encounter golden-coloured coconuts sitting under thatched shelters, and various small stalls selling daily essentials. The day’s scenic ride concludes at Wijaya Beach, a lovely spot overlooking the sea, with good pizza for an afternoon snack. Short vehicle transfer from here to accommodation in Galle.
Day 8: Guided walk of Galle and conclusion of tour
The day begins with a two-hour guided walking tour of Galle, a fascinating historic city with Portuguese, Dutch and British traces. Tour concludes with lunch in the Galle Fort, and transfer to Colombo accommodation, airport, or onward destination.
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and stay at the forefront of new product offerings, Discova behind-the-scenes, destination news, travel trends and thought leadership articles from our on-the-ground experts.