Sri Lanka Heritage by Bicycle

Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle”, a region in the heart of the island studded with the remains of ancient cities and temples, stands as one of the country’s most cherished travel destinations. Home to five of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many tourists rush to tick them off their bucket list. On this 8-day tour, we invite you to visit these remarkable sites but also slow down, hop in the saddle, and gain a deeper appreciation of Sri Lanka and its people. Each day, we cycle on quiet back roads, immerse ourselves in local life, savor authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and unwind in cosy hotels.

Starting from the palm-fringed western coast of Negombo, we cycle inland and drive north to the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s oldest city where we visit a sacred bodhi tree and a colossal, white-washed stupa. We then head south, riding on quintessential red-dirt roads to Dambulla, home to Sri Lanka’s most resplendent Buddhist cave temples, before we follow an irrigation canal to Sigiriya Lion Rock, a giant granite massif with the remnants of a 5th-century fortress and palace. Then, we skirt along a huge reservoir to reach the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa where we find intricately chiseled stone monuments. Our last two days bring us into the foothills of the Central Highlands where tea bushes cover the mountain slopes and spices like cinnamon and cardamom grow in the gardens. We participate in a tea making workshop, hike to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the Knuckles Mountain Range, and enjoy one last rural ride before driving to Kandy. The tour ends in Kandy with a morning visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site.

On this tour, riders can expect around 80% of the route to be on paved surfaces, consisting of good-quality tarmac as well as broken, bumpy, and cratered roads. The remaining 20% is made up of vehicle-width gravel and dirt roads. While much of the route is on quiet countryside roads with minimal traffic, we will regularly share the road with cars, motorbikes, buses, tuk-tuks, and, of course, cows! There are a few unavoidable sections along busier main roads, particularly when entering and exiting cities or near popular attractions. Rain is not uncommon in Sri Lanka throughout the year. We generally ride rain or shine, but depending on the guide’s discretion or your comfort level, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!