Discover a world of spice and splendor on a cycling trip across Sri Lanka
Overview
Guided by an expert local leader, this 14-day (9 or 10 days of cycling) trip through Sri Lanka will take you to tea plantations, fishing villages, national parks, cities and lush green jungles. From Negombo to Colombo, you’ll see why Sri Lanka is Asia’s most exciting new destination. With pristine coastline, ancient ruins, rugged peaks and wildlife-filled national parks, it’s a dream for travellers who like to get active. In between two-wheeled treks, you can go on safari to spot leopards, enjoy food crawls, laze on the beaches of the southern coast, ride the rails (a must in Sri Lanka), explore the country’s premier Hindu and Buddhist sites, and see the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya. With days of riding and nights of feasting, Sri Lanka will soon make its way to your heart.
Highlights
Ride to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya – an ancient rock fortress surrounded by lush greenery. Climb the stairs of Lion Rock and be rewarded for your efforts with a morning breakfast at the top with panoramic views.
Cycle to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Anuradhapura and enjoy a guided bicycle tour of the ancient city, riding through woodlands, exploring the ruins and getting a peek of the sacred old Bo Tree.
Step back in time as you explore Sri Lanka’s most important religious and heritage sites, including the Temple of Tooth Relic and Kataragama.
Join food crawls in most locations and connect with the best local street food – from the freshly caught seafood of Negombo to the pulsing night markets of Colombo, this is the best way to experience Sri Lanka’s food cuisine.
After cycling through cities, national parks and historic sites, take the chance to relax on the sandy beaches of the southern coast. Go swimming in the clear waters, take an optional cycle to nearby Weligama to see the colorful fishing boats selling their catch on the shore and watch the sunset.
Accompanied by Niko Leoning, Professor of Chemistry an avid cyclist who will keep the trip interesting with a vibe of a spirit of adventure and intellectual curiosity.
An initial deposit of $500 per person is due now to secure your spot.
Registration will remain open until December 10th, or until the trip has reached capacity.
Group Size 12 to 22 participants
Itinerary
No organized riding today. Daytime rentals can be arranged for those who arrive early.
Ayu-bowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka.
Your adventure begins in the town of Negombo which is located close to the international airport. You can arrive at any time today as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 5:30 pm. Those arriving early can get into the spirit of seaside Sri Lanka by observing the local fishing craft and perhaps feasting on fresh seafood.
Accommodation: Ruvisha Beach Hotel, Negomboor similar
Riding distance: approx. 40kms/25 miles, mostly flat with approx. 170m/560ft of elevation gain.
Rise early and enjoy some breakfast at the hotel. Start off with a test-ride through the city streets then cycle from Negombo to Chilaw (approximately 40 km). Along the way, you’ll encounter quaint fishing villages, the scenic Dutch canal, coconut plantations and various tile factories. Sit down to a picnic lunch on arrival in Chilaw. Afterwards, hop aboard a coach and travel to Anuradhapura (approximately 90 km). Here you can settle into your hotel, relax and perhaps take a swim in the pool. You can join a ‘food crawl’ through the streets and markets of Anuradhapura – a great chance to sample some tasty local cuisine.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel, Anuradhapuraor similar
Riding distance: approx. 37kms/23 miles, mostly flat with approx. 130m/430ft of elevation gain.
After breakfast, cycle to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Anuradhapura (approximately 20 km each way). Enjoy a guided bicycle tour of the ancient city. Among the ruins you’ll see the sacred old Bo Tree – a spiritual reminder of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the inspiration for Anuradhapura’s great buildings. The ruins themselves are spread over quite a large area, with some in woodland settings and others appearing more cultivated with columns and ponds dotted about.
While you’re here you will visit the impressive Isurumuniya Temple. Pay a visit to the Anuradhapura museum, then enjoy a local lunch. Return to the hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the afternoon.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel, Anuradhapuraor similar
Riding distance: approx. 70km/44 miles, mostly flat with approx. 210m/690ft of elevation gain.
Cycle from Anuradhapura to Ritigala, passing paddies, man-made water tanks and jungle patches (approximately 70 km). Sit down to some lunch along the way at a countryside kiosk. Make a visit to the beautiful Ritigala monastery, which dates back nearly 2000 years and is named after the mountain on which it sits. After exploring the site and learning a thing or two about its local mythology, board a coach and travel to Polonnaruwa (approximately 60 km). Relax and unwind on arrival.
Accommodation: Siyanco Holiday Resort, Polonnaruwaor similar
Riding distance: approx. 45km/28 miles, mostly flat with approx. 160m/530ft of elevation gain.
Saddle up for a morning ride to Polonnaruwa. Arrive at the ancient site of Polonnaruwa, the second oldest of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, and do some exploring. Visit the likes of Vihara temple, Parakrama statue and Siva temple while you are here. Then cycle to Diyabeduma (approximately 45 km). Marvel at the scenery along the way – sanctuaries, man made channels and farm lands – before sitting down to a picnic lunch. Next, travel from Diyabeduma to Dambulla by coach (approximately 40 km). Enjoy some free time on arrival. In the evening you’ll visit the Dambulla wholesale vegetable market, where there’s an option to join in on a food crawl.
Accommodation: Gimanhala Hotel, Dambullaor similar
Riding distance: approx. 50km/31 miles, mostly flat with approx. 150m/500ft of elevation gain.
This morning you will cycle approximately 15km from your hotel in Dambulla to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress perched among lush greenery that strikes an awesome pose against the skyline. Hike to the top and enjoy some well-earned breakfast, taking in the lovely views.
Afterwards, jump back on your bike and pedal your way through the pleasant countryside (approximately 35kms) and reward yourself with lunch at a spice garden near Matale. Enjoy a rest in the support vehicle as we drive the final kilometres to Kandy. In the evening you will sit down to a traditional Kandyan dance performance – a riveting insight into an age-old culture.
The visit to Lion Rock takes around 3.5 hrs. Start around 7am, reaching the lion paw around 8.30 am. On the way visit the water garden, boulder garden, Sigiriya Frescos and the mirror wall. After the Lion Paw its a steep climb with plenty of steps and walkways along the side of the rock. This part of the climb takes around 30 minutes. Those not wanting to go to the top can rest at the lion paw until the rest of the group return.
Accommodation: Oak Ray Serene Garden, Kandyor similar
After breakfast at the hotel you have the option to either head out for some extra cycling in the Hanthana Mountain Range (weather/time permitting) or stay in Kandy and explore. Later in the morning the group will head to Giragama (approximately 15 km) for a guided tour of a tea factory. This is a great chance to learn about how Sri Lanka’s best-known beverage is made. You will also sample some of the delicious varieties on offer. Today’s lunch is something really special – pay a visit to the Hela Bojun Restaurant, a social enterprise founded by the agriculture ministry of the Sri Lankan government to provide employment to women from local communities while training and empowering them.
Try some delicious Sri Lankan dishes prepared by the women while learning a little more about the restaurant and their important mission. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax. In the evening you will visit the Temple of Tooth Relic, the most important Buddhist site in the country. Explore the complex that surrounds it, then return to town for an included food crawl.
The tea factory will be closed on Poya (Full Moon) Days and Public Holidays.
Accommodation: Oak Ray Serene Garden, Kandyor similar
Riding distance: approx. 38km/24 miles, light climb near the start then mostly downhill with approx. 380m/1250ft of elevation gain.
Transfer to Kandy railway station after breakfast. From the station you will embark on a scenic train trip from Kandy to Hatton, then cycle from Hatton station to Maskeliya (approximately 40 km) through leafy tea plantations. For lunch, enjoy an authentic Tamil meal from a local kiosk. Check into your guesthouse, then relax. In the evening, there’s an optional climb of Adam’s Peak, a beautiful, conical, snow-capped mountain (2,243 m). The best time for this activity is from mid-December to early May.
Train tickets are in very high demand. We always try our best to secure tickets, but on the rare occasion that we cannot book them, you will continue your journey by private vehicle.
Accommodation: Castlereagh Summer House, Hattonor similar
Riding distance: approx. 52km/32 miles, uphill at the start then mostly downhill with approx. 720m/2360ft of elevation gain.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before cycling down from Bogawanthalawa to Balangoda (approximately 55 km). This is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in Sri Lanka – it follows a path along the tea plantations and passes lush pine forests. Have lunch at Balangoda on arrival, then transfer from Balangoda to Tissamaharama (approximately 100 km). Wind down and share stories over an included dinner.
Accommodation: Oak Ray Wild, Yalaor similar
Riding distance: approx. 38km/24 miles, lightly undulating with approx. 170m/560ft of elevation gain.
Cycle from Tissamaharama to Kataragama after breakfast (approximately 20 km each way). The holy city of Kataragama is a colourful and vibrant religious centre that rivals Adam’s Peak in terms of national importance. This is where the two-week Kataragama Festival attracts thousands, mostly Hindus, each year in July/August. Afterwards, take a jeep ride through the beautiful Yala National Park, home to elephants, crocodiles, and gorgeous waterbirds such as the great thick-knee. Yala also lays claim to one of the world’s highest concentration of leopards. Return to Tissamaharama for the evening and enjoy an included dinner.
Over tourism and lack of sustainable management practices have become a major concern for us in continuing to visit Yala. In order to reduce our impact on wildlife and the environment we are trialling visiting a less touristed section of Yala, known as Block 5. Should we determine that high tourist numbers at Block 5 also make it difficult to continue visiting responsibly we will change our itinerary to visit Udawalawe National Park, where wild elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards also reside.
Accommodation: Oak Ray Wild, Yalaor similar
Riding distance: approx. 39km/24 miles, flat with approx. 60m/200ft of elevation gain.
After breakfast, cycle from Tissamaharama to Hambantota via the pretty Bundala National Park. After lunch at Hambantota, continue to Mirissa. Enjoy an afternoon of beach splendour in Mirissa. The beach itself is a long curve of sand with lovely clear waters for swimming – a great spot to watch the sunset. Consider cycling to nearby Weligama, where colourful fishing boats bring fresh fish to sell along the shore. The local cottage industry of lace products is also well worth a look.
Accommodation: Palace Mirissaor similar
Note: While the famous stilt fishermen casting lines from their traditional poles are an iconic sight unfortunately this activity has become a real tourist trap, with tourists expected to pay for the opportunity of taking a photo. We advise our travelers to use their best judgement before paying for a photo.
No included riding today
Enjoy a free morning to relax, or you might like to go whale-watching, which is more successful from November through to April. Later drive to Galle (approximately 50 km each way). Lunch at a Local Restaurant. Along the way to drop into a centuries-old Buddhist temple and meet our local artisan friend Mr Sunil. A traditional woodcarving expert, he will take you through a practical demonstration of the craft and encourage you to give it a go yourself. Afterwards, continue to nearby Galle, home to an impressive World Heritage-listed Dutch fort with extensive walls and many interesting old buildings. Spend the evening exploring, enjoying a stroll around the historic fort and watching the sunset from the ramparts before driving back to Mirissa.
Accommodation: Palace Mirissaor similar
No included riding today
Depart Mirissa after breakfast with a transfer to Colombo (approximately 3 hours).
On arrival, check into your hotel and then take a city walk past the bustling Petta Bazaar, Independence Square, Parliament, and the National Museum. Your walk finishes with a shopping opportunity at the Barefoot fairtrade store. Here you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. Tonight, there’s a final group dinner at a nice Sri Lankan restaurant to celebrate your journey.
Accommodation: Fairway Colombo Hotelor similar
Our trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast and the hotel’s check-out time is 11am. Your leader will arrange a transfer to the airport or you extend your stay in Colombo.
There are no meals or activities included on this day.
Cost & Registration
$3,995 per person in a double ($500 non-refundable deposit + $3,495 balance payment);
$4,395 in a single ($500 non-refundable deposit + $4,395 balance payment). Note: there are a limited number of single rooms.
$500 non-refundable deposit per person, deducted from the program fee.
Balance payment of $3,495 per person in a double, $4,395 in a single is due by December 10, 2024 or before. Deposits after December 10th — final payment is due within 5 days.
Additional “pre” and “post” nights can be arranged at itinerary hotels for an additional cost.
Price does not include International airfare, optional tips, most alcoholic beverages, or some small incidental fees like video or photo charges at specific sites, restrooms, etc… Most tips are included but a collection will be taken at trips end for Head Tour Manager and cycle support team. Local tradition would suggest a total of about $200 USD per person for a 12 day trip (optional).
If you would like to Deposit please contact Andrew McPheeters, Associate Vice President Community Education & Travel Programs at: mcpheete@lclark.edu
Faculty Leader
Nikolaus (Niko) Leoning
Nikolaus is a Professor of Chemistry and has been working at Lewis & Clark for twenty-one years. He is an avid cyclist. Professor Leoning founded the student overseas program in Berlin and has accompanied students on the program in 2015, 2019, and most recently in Fall Semester of 2023. He also was the faculty leader for the Australia 2012 student program. Niko has studied at the University of Cambridge, MIT, and in Germany at the Leibniz Institute fur Molekulare Pharmakolgie,
Meet Niko and learn about his research in this video.
Questions, contact Andrew McPheeters, Associate Vice President of Community Education & Travel Programs: mcpheete@lclark.edu or 503-768-7936.
