Holidays
Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour

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4 reviews

Holidays

Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour

Sri Lanka

4 reviews

Available Departures: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jul, Sep, Nov, Dec

12 days from

US$3,900

without flights

View Dates & Prices

Cycle

Guided Group

CHALLENGING

A road cycling holiday, north to south across the exotic island of Sri Lanka

Trip Code: SEMB

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Section:

Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour

Name: Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour
Brand: KE Adventure Travel
Rating: 5 (4 reviews)

Highlights

This is the ultimate Sri Lanka road cycling holiday
From Jaffna to Dondra Lighthouse - experience the many wonders of this paradise island
Rice paddies, tea plantations forest-cloaked mountains and Indian Ocean beaches
Visit Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla and the ‘hill capital’ of Kandy

At a Glance

Group Size 4 to 14
9 days biking
760 kilometres
100% road - 100% vehicle supported
Max. Altitude 1500 metres
Join In Negombo

Accommodation & Meals

11 Breakfasts
9 Lunches
10 Dinners
8 nights Hotel with swimming pool
2 nights Hotel
1 nights Guesthouse

Overview

Suspended like a teardrop at the southern tip of the Indian Subcontinent, tropical Sri Lanka is one of the most vibrant and colourful of travel destinations and the perfect place for a very different kind of road cycling holiday. This unique and exciting cycle tour crosses the island from north to south, end to end, and takes in many of the country’s finest historical sites, whilst traversing many of the diverse landscapes which make Sri Lanka so special.

After a rural introductory ride from Negombo to Kathupotha on Day 2, we transfer north to Jaffna and on the next day ride a loop around the Jaffna Peninsula and surrounding islands where there is a unique mixture of colonial charm and vibrant Tamil culture. Then, after dipping our tires in the Indian Ocean, we ride south across the northern plains, stopping off at little-visited Mannar Island. Heading inland and cycling through the flatlands of Sri Lanka’s rice bowl, we pass a breath-taking mix of temples, monasteries and other highlights, such as the 5th century citadel at Sigiriya. A rest day in Kandy, during which we can visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, allows us to prepare for the hills. For the next 2 days we cross an area dominated by tea production, climbing on winding roads through the central highlands. What goes up must come down and we descend to end our journey at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka at Dondra Point where we can commemorate the occasion with another dip of our tires in the Indian Ocean. Combining 9 days of road cycling on surprisingly good roads, with fantastic cultural and natural insights and delicious local cuisine, this is one of the best ways to experience Sri Lanka.

Is this holiday for you?

ROAD CYCLING. The first 5 cycling days of this tropical tour are on primarily flat terrain where we average around 90 kilometres per day. We then split the day's ride to the ‘hill capital’ of Kandy, where we have a rest day. A couple of cooler and hillier days follow, as we cross the central highlands and swoop down to the island’s south coast. In total, we cycle just over 760 kilometres in 9 days of riding, with a total of around 7000 metres of ascent and descent. The trip is fully supported and our guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you’ll always know what’s coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks and fresh fruit. This trip is on paved roads that are in good condition, though there maybe occasional short rough sections. To get the most out of this road cycling tour you need to have a good level of physical fitness. However, the bus is always close at hand for those who need to take a break. BIKE HIRE AVAILABLE LOCALLY

Why KE?

Itinerary unique to KE!

Small and perfectly formed, with an amazing assortment of colourful highlights, Sri Lanka provides the setting for a brilliant and very achievable end-to-end road cycling challenge. And... KE is the only UK tour operator offering this amazing holiday. The itinerary has both coastal and inland cycling and a nice balance between level roads and some hillier rides. Enjoy !

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

Day 1

Meet at the group hotel in the coastal resort town of Negombo.

Show Details

Your holiday starts at the hotel in the resort town of Negombo which sits beside the coastal lagoon of the same name. Airport transfers are not provided on arrival. Taxis from Colombo Airport are low cost and the journey time is 30 minutes. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some time to relax, take a stroll along the beach or make use of the hotel pool. You should make sure that you reassemble your bike today. At 5pm the guide will meet the group in the lobby of the hotel and will brief the group on the days ahead before sitting down to dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

Hide Details

Day 2

Cycle from Negombo to Katupotha, then transfer to the northern tip of the island at Jaffna.

Show Details

Today, we head north to the tip of the island, starting out with a great introductory ride. Starting from our seaside hotel, we head inland, weaving along quiet backroads through a labyrinth of lush coconut plantations and rice paddies. Coconuts are a Sri Lankan pride, and we'll be sure to sample a refreshing king coconut during a morning break. You'll also notice Catholic churches dotting the region, a legacy of Portuguese influence dating back to the 17th century. The route occasionally gets busier as we pass through buzzing market towns and our inaugural ride culminates in a 15 kilometre section on a straight, narrow rural road where you can set your own pace to the finish line near the village of Katupotha. Here we hop in the support vehicle and begin our road trip to the north of Sri Lanka. Thirty minutes in, we stop for lunch before continuing for another five hours to Jaffna. We break up the long journey with a visit to a civil war memorial site near the infamous Elephant Pass, a causeway connecting mainland Sri Lanka to the Jaffna Peninsula, the site of fierce battles during the height of the conflict. We reach our elegant hotel in Jaffna City, the capital of the Sri Lankan Tamils, in time for dinner.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

545 M

Descent

480 M

Time

4 hrs cycling

Distance

65 KM

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Day 3

Peninsula and islands loop ride from Jaffna.

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We ride through Jaffna town with its lively markets, and small fishing port, passing the old Star Fort built by the Portuguese in 1618 to defend the Peninsula. Crossing the causeway to Kyats Island we head north along a straight road, ride as fast or as slow as you like! There are plenty of colourful water birds to see or even photograph, such as painted storks and red-wattled lapwings. Regrouping at the ferry, we cross to Karaitivu Island and continue northwards to Casuarina Beach at the tip of the island. Here, we stop for a picnic lunch and a swim in the warm waters of the Palk Strait which separates Sri Lanka from India. We can also take the opportunity to dip our rear tyres in the sea, as a symbolic start to our journey to the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. We then cycle back to the Jaffna peninsula across another causeway, with a final 20 kilometres through the countryside and busy city streets. We have lunch at a local restaurant shortly before returning to the hotel, with the early afternoon at leisure. The late afternoon is set for an off-saddle visit to Ballur Kovil, a beautiful Hindu temple deeply revered by Sri Lankan Tamils, and to the Jaffna Fort, an impressive star-shaped Dutch colonial-era stronghold. We spend a second night at our Jaffna hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

110 M

Descent

110 M

Time

4 hrs cycling

Distance

65 KM

Hide Details

Day 4

Starting our southward journey across the island, we cycle from Jaffna to Mannar.

Show Details

This morning we cycle south across the plains of the Jaffna peninsula before we cross a causeway spanning the shallow lagoon waters. Reaching the Sri Lankan mainland at around the 30 kilometre mark, we settle in for a long and flat ride along the A32 national road, passing through sparsely-populated, sun-drenched shrublands interspersed with farms, forests, and the occasional herd of cows. We break for a picnic lunch at around 80 kilometres and prepare for the final stretch to Mannar Island. There's some rougher, bumpier surfaces to tackle though culminating in a smooth finale across the causeway leading to Mannar. Our ride ends at the site of a massive baobab tree, brought to the island by Arabian traders many centuries ago, from where we transfer twenty minutes to a nature-based resort. The rest of the day is yours to relax in the shade of the swaying palmyra palms accompanied by the gentle cacophony of chirping birds. Mannar is considered a birdwatching paradise, particularly well known for the annual migration of flamingos during the winter months.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

250 M

Descent

250 M

Time

6 hrs cycling

Distance

118 KM

Hide Details

Day 5

Cycle inland to Anuradhapura. Afternoon sightseeing in this former Sinhalese capital.

Show Details

With an action-packed day ahead, this morning we skip breakfast at the hotel, opting instead to head out at the crack of dawn (06.00). After transferring around 25 minutes back to the mainland, we begin our morning ride into the 'rice bowl' of Sri Lanka, with paddy fields sprawling in all directions. At the 25 kilometre point, a roadside gourmet breakfast awaits to fuel our energy. From there, we continue deeper into the countryside, the terrain becoming hillier as we skirt the edge of Wilpattu National Park where a network of backroads takes us past jungle-clad ridges and scenic reservoirs (locally known as tanks). After around 95 kilometres we reach the final approach to Anuradhapura, with some busier traffic to contend with before arriving at our city hotel. In the mid-afternoon we embark on a locally guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed sacred city of Anuradhapura which was the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom until the beginning of the 11th century AD and has some of the oldest and largest Buddhist monuments in Asia. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centres of political power and urban life in Asia. We will visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree reputed to be 2000 years old, as well as the mesmerisingly colossal, white-washed Maha Thupa stupa.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

500 M

Descent

410 M

Time

6 hrs cycling

Distance

116 KM

Hide Details

Day 6

Ride from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya. Afternoon hike to the top of the Lion Rock.

Show Details

Leaving Anuradaphura, we quickly find ourselves immersed in the gentle rhythm of the Sri Lankan countryside, gliding past canals, water tanks, rice paddies, villages and palm trees. At the 30 kilometre point we switch to a provincial road and pick up the pace to reach the halfway point of today's ride: a large reservoir where we stop to admire views over lush wetlands framed by jagged, low-rising mountains. Continuing along the main road for another 20 kilometres we face some mild ascents and descents before joining a narrow, forest and farm-lined minor road hugging the edge of Minneriya National Park. From here it is only a short distance to Sigiriya, Sri Lanka's iconic giant granite massif rising dramatically from the plain. In the afternoon, after lunch at the hotel and some R&R, we set off to explore Sigiriya on foot. Guided by a local expert, we tour the UNESCO World Heritage-listed remnants of a 5th-century fortress and pleasure palace carved into the rock. Reaching the top requires a steep ascent, but the reward is unparalleled views and the remains of an ancient sky palace. After climbing back down we head for an authentic dinner prepared in a community home.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

545 M

Descent

430 M

Time

4 hrs cycling

Distance

81 KM

Hide Details

Day 7

Cycle to the Dambulla Cave Temple and onwards via the Keppitigala Pass. Short transfer to Kandy.

Show Details

The day begins with a leisurely 23 kilometre cycle through Sigiriya's countryside, including a picturesque stretch along the shores of the huge Kandalama Reservoir. We end the morning ride at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, home to a resplendent collection of centuries-old Buddhist statues and wall paintings. Led by a local guide, we'll delve into the history of the five caves before transferring around one-hour south. Refuelled with lunch at a local restaurant, we then head off into the beginnings of Sri Lankan hill country. Our afternoon ride takes us through the valley of the Dedura River, surrounded by low-rising, forested ridges. The first 30 kilometres are along rolling, minor roads but after we cross the river we face a 7 kilometre climb (8% average gradient) up to the Keppitigala Pass. The road quietly coils up the hillsides covered in rubber plantations and we call it a day once we reach the junction with a busy throughfare. After some refreshments to cool down we hop in the support vehicle and transfer around one-hour to Kandy - Sri Lanka's second-largest city, its spiritual heart, and the gateway to the tea-growing highlands - where we settle in for the next two nights.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

400 M

Time

4 hrs cycling

Distance

60 KM

Hide Details

Day 8

A rest day in Kandy, with the chance to visit the Temple of the Tooth.

Show Details

Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake at its centre, Kandy is a bustling town known as Sri Lanka's 'Hill Capital'. It was an important religious centre of the Sinhalese and is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. We spend a rest day here and have the chance to explore the town old shops, antique and gem specialists and colourful market streets. An absolute must-see is the 'Temple of the Tooth' an UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Buddha's tooth, known simply as 'the relic' is kept. Today we can make our own decisions about where to take lunch and dinner and pay for these meals directly. We spend a second night at our Kandy hotel.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

Hide Details

Day 9

A great day of cycling, through the heart of 'tea country' to Hatton.

Show Details

It's time to tackle Sri Lanka's Central Highlands, renowned for producing high-quality Ceylon tea. The estates here, some dating back to British colonial times, remain a vital part of the country's economy. After a 45-minute transfer from Kandy, we begin with 15 kilometres through villages on an undulating road, before passing the market town of Gampola. From Gampola, our journey parallels the route of the historic and still operational Hill Country Railway Line, as we wind through farmlands towards the next major market town of Nawalapitiya. By the 45 kilometre point we are deep into the tea mountains, ascending for around 25 kilometres at 3 to 4% gradients, making it a sustained but manageable effort. The road twists upwards through tea fields, surrounded by mountains and dotted with villages and Hindu temples and Christian churches of tea-picker communities. Tonight's accommodation is an elegant highland hideaway at over 1000 metres elevation, located on the outskirts of Hatton, one of Sri Lanka's founding tea plantation districts. Sip on some fresh mountain air (and perhaps a cup of tea or beer!) while enjoying the cool temperature and lovely views.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1415 M

Descent

600 M

Time

5 hrs cycling

Distance

68 KM

Hide Details

Day 10

Continue our journey southwards from Hatton to the Udawalawe National Park.

Show Details

Setting off from Hatton in the morning, the first 10 kilometres trends gently downhill and we can look across to the striking, conical Adam's Peak (2243m) Sri Lanka's holy mountain. A pilgrimage route leads to the top of this peak where there is a rock formation regarded by Buddhists to be Buddha's footprint. The road then climbs steadily, with a few rough sections of tarmac, up through the tea estates and on to a remote pass within a wilderness forest reserve which is home to the shy purple-faced langur. We are more likely to hear this monkey than see it. This pass at around 1500 metres is the high point of our journey across the island. We then begin our long descent, stopping at a lookout point with fine views across the southern part of the island. If it is clear, we may even get a glimpse of the sea. Continuing on back roads we reach our lunch stop overlooking a small stream which you are welcome to jump in for a cool off. The last 20 kilometres of the day's ride is on a good straight (and slightly busier) road and ends at our safari resort accommodation on the edge of the Udawalawe National Park. Please note: Part of this route is currently affected by road works. A vehicle transfer may be required to bypass a bumpy section between 20 - 40 km or a busy highway after the 60 km point.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1150 M

Descent

2385 M

Time

6 hrs cycling

Distance

111 KM

Hide Details

Day 11

Cycle out to the island's southern tip at Dondra Lighthouse. Overnight at Mirissa.

Show Details

The Udawalawe National Park is well-known for its herds of elephants, crocodiles and many species of exotic birds. There is the option for early risers to take a safari drive into the park with a naturalist guide - this is optional and not included in the holiday price. If you want to do this, it will have to be reserved and paid for the evening before. The tour guide will help to arrange this. Those not involved in the game drive can have a leisurely breakfast and a couple of hours free time. Then, in the late morning, we set off to complete our tip to tip traverse, riding through south Sri Lanka's rural heartland, where the landscape is filled with endless greenery, bustling towns, local schools, and small Buddhist temples. The terrain features gently rolling hills, offering plenty of ups and downs to keep our legs active, but nothing too challenging. Our journey concludes at Dondra Head, a rocky promontory crowned by one of Sri Lanka's tallest lighthouses, which is the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. Following a seaside celebration we transfer around 45 minutes to our final night's beach resort in Mirissa where the late afternoon is yours to relax by the pool or take a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean (or both!). We reconvene for a farewell dinner in the evening.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

Ascent

725 M

Descent

800 M

Time

5 hrs cycling

Distance

80 KM

Hide Details

Day 12

Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer to Colombo Airport is provided.

Show Details

Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer to Colombo Airport is provided, timed to arrive at the airport around midday.

Meals

Hide Details

Download Trip Notes

The Route

Airport

Point

Direction

Bike

Transfer

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

An experienced local English-speaking cycling guide
A single group transfer from Mirissa to Colombo Airport on Day 12
Support vehicle and driver
All accommodation as described
Meals as per the Meal Plan
All activities as described

What's not Included

Travel insurance
Visa (if applicable)
Colombo Airport transfer on Day 1
Tips for local crew and drivers
Some meals as per the Meal Plan
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc
Optional morning game drive at Udawalawe on Day 11
Bike Carriage on the flights - please check with your carrier for charges

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

The group will meet at the hotel in Negombo.

Airport transfers from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport are not provided on the day of arrival. Taxis are readily available and low cost. A transfer back to this airport from Mirissa is provided on the final day of the Land Only itinerary, leaving Mirissa after breakfast and arriving at the airport at midday.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Meal Plan

All meals are included in the trip cost, with the exception of lunch and dinner on the free day we spend at Kandy on Day 8.

Food & Water

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Sri Lanka’s rich history includes several periods of colonisation which has created an exotic cuisine with influences from Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, Malay and a host of other world food traditions. The staple food of Sri Lanka is rice, which is boiled or steamed and served with a variety of curries ranging from very mild to very fiery. A typical Sri Lankan meal would consist of a main curry of fish, beef, chicken or mutton, accompanied by several other side dishes made with vegetables or lentils, pickles, chutneys and 'sambols' - a spicy condiment made of ground coconut or onions mixed with chilli, dried fish and lime juice. Other Sri Lankan foods include Hoppers - rice pancakes commonly eaten for breakfast and lunch, and lamprais - a dish of Indonesian / Dutch origin comprising of rice cooked in a meat stock and slowly baked in a banana leaf with a variety of meat and vegetable sides. In the majority of tourist hotels including the ones we shall be using for this holiday it is also usual to find several Western dishes offered on the menu.

Special Diets

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets. Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Accommodation

Throughout the holiday we will stay in a variety of very good and comfortable 3-star and above tourist hotels. Some of these hotels are resort-style, some have individual twin-share cabin accommodation, most have pools and some are actually on the beach. There is one night, at Hatton, where we stay in guesthouse accommodation in a converted tea plantation residence. All accommodation is in twin-share rooms with en-suite facilities. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Depending on availability it may be possible to book a single room for some of the hotel nights. For additional hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website.

Group Leader & Support Staff

The group will be accompanied throughout by a professional English-speaking local biking leader. Groups of 8 persons or more will have a second biking leader. There will also be a support vehicle and driver.

Altitude

This holiday does not involve any significant ascent to altitude and we would not expect any altitude issues with this trip.

Spending Money

A total of about £200 should cover your taxi transfer on arrival (approx £10), the 2 non-included meals, the £40 you might reasonably pay for tips to local staff, as well as miscellaneous personal expenses including your bar bills. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect). Also, if you expect to buy considerable quantities of soft drinks or beer, you should make an allowance for this. Allow a further £50 if you intend to take the optional morning safari in Udawalawe National Park. It is not necessary to obtain local currency (the Sri Lankan Rupee) prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange. You can also obtain cash using ATM’s at the airport on arrival and in all major towns. When changing your travel money you should try to obtain a quantity of small bills for tips to hotel staff.

Guidance on Tipping

Tips are the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to your local support staff. For your guide and driver we recommend that you give a tip if you feel that their services have met your satisfaction. We suggest that tips to local staff are presented from the group as a whole and suggest a contribution of approximately £40 in equivalent local currency will provide a sufficient pool to provide good tips to your local staff plus incidental tips to hotel staff etc. As a rough guide, tips to other people who do you a service should range from Rs 10 to someone who minds your shoes when visiting a temple to Rs 20 for a the hotel porter who carries your bag to the room.

Your Bike

We recommend that your bike is fitted with suitably low gearing and suggest that you fit reasonably high volume tyres (28mm for instance) which will provide a bit more comfort on the variable road surfaces typically found on our Road Cycling holidays.

Since you are depending on your bike to transport you throughout your holiday, it’s important to ensure it is in good working order. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bicycle dealer to service it for you.

Please contact us if you are unsure about the suitability of your bike.

Bike Hire

Bike hire is available locally on this holiday but there is not a full range of sizes in any one make and model of bike. There is a small number of Specialized Diverge Elite bikes which are aluminium framed with carbon forks. They have Shimano (and Praxis) components, compact (50/34) cranksets and 10-speed (11/36) cassettes. There is also a mix of carbon framed bikes available from manufacturers including Sunspeed, Specialized, Java and Wilier. The size of bike you require will determine which bike is allocated to you. These bikes have Shimano components, compact (50/34) cranksets and either 10 or 11-speed (11/32) cassettes. Spare parts (tubes, tyre, chains etc.) are included in the price of the bike rental and will be available in the support vehicle along with a tool kit and track pump. The guide will also carry some spares and tools for fixing punctures etc. Each bike comes with a single bottle cage and a Spice Roads water bottle that is yours to keep. If you want to bring a second bottle cage, we can fit it. The bikes are equipped with flat pedals and strap-style toe cages can be supplied if requested. If you prefer to use SPD or clip-in pedals, you will need to bring these with you, along with your regular cycling shoes. Another item which you might choose to take with you on the holiday is your saddle. The hire bikes have standard saddles and anyone requiring more comfort, or a women-specific saddle, should consider taking their own. Hire costs are: $350 for the Specialized Diverge Elite bikes and $450 for the carbon framed bikes (prices subject to change). You should take your own EN1078 compliant cycling helmet, as the locally available helmets do not necessarily meet this standard - which we require. If you want to hire a bike, please contact the KE office and we will pass on your request to the local agent. Payment must be made before travel and should be made directly with the local agent via the following payment link www.spiceroads.com/pay. You must first notify KE of your preferred bike option along with your height and we will make the reservation on your behalf. Once the reservation is confirmed, we will email to you a unique reference code which you need to use when making your payment. Your payment for bike hire does not cover you if you lose the bike or damage it beyond 'fair wear and tear'. We must stress that your hire contract will be with the local hire company and that KE cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from bike hire.

Travelling With Your Bike

Airlines require that you pack your bike properly for travel and for this holiday we recommend that you use a purpose-made soft bike bag. These can be relatively inexpensive. They are also light in weight, easy to handle and, most importantly, can be packed into a small space to allow easy transportation in the support vehicle. You will need to partially dismantle your bike to pack it in your bag.

PLEASE DO NOT USE a purpose-made rigid bike box for this holiday. We do not have the space in the support vehicle to transport these bulky items.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding travelling with your bike.

Vehicle Support

Throughout this trip we have the back up of an air-conditioned minibus, specially modified for cycle touring. On those days when we are moving to a different hotel (every day except one), the group’s baggage will be loaded onto the support vehicle which will follow the group on the day's ride. The biking leader and the support vehicle driver will watch over the group and they will communicate with each other and you can communicate with them by mobile phone. Group members will naturally cycle at different speeds and regular stops will be set to allow the group to reform. The support vehicle will carry water, soft drinks and fruit and will pick up any group members who wish to take a break from cycling at any time.

Baggage Allowance

Apart from your bike in its bag (if you are taking your own bike), you should travel with one main item of luggage, such as a KE Trek Bag or similar holdall, and a small day pack. The day pack can be used to carry valuable items such as cameras and GPS devices whilst travelling, but will also be useful to separate out items you might want to pick up from the support vehicle during the rides, like additional clothing.

Your baggage allowance on the flights will depend on your airline. When choosing your flights, whether booking them directly or through KE, you will need to consider the cost of carrying your bike. These costs are your responsibility.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates (see Health & Vaccinations below), and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check the FCDO for the latest advice for each country visited before travel.

The Sri Lanka visa on arrival costs $60. This fee must be paid in US dollars in good condition, along with a recent passport photo.

An online e-visa is also now available for $50, although this has been withdrawn without notice in the past.

If you would prefer to get an e-visa in advance, to take advantage of the discount available and to limit time spent in the airport on arrival, then you can visit the official website: www.eta.gov.lk

Health & Vaccinations

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. In addition you should check whether any specific vaccinations are needed to the regions that you are travelling to. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

Yellow Fever

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Severe Allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Currency

The unit of currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee.

Preparing for your Holiday

The better conditioned you are the more you will enjoy your trip. We suggest that you adopt a sensible weekly exercise regime and fit in a number of long cycle rides in hilly country to ensure you are physically capable of taking part in this trip - this will also provide you with an opportunity to make sure all your riding kit is tried and tested before you travel. Cycling is obviously the best activity to prepare for this trip, however, running and swimming are also good for developing aerobic fitness and stamina.

Climate

Sri Lanka has a typically tropical climate with average daytime temperature throughout the year of between 25 and 30°C at sea-level. In the 'hill country' it is cooler. Average daytime temperatures at Hatton vary between 18 and 22°C. Night time temperatures can be as much as 10°C below these figures. Because of its location, Sri Lanka is subject to two monsoonal influences which affect different parts of the country at different times. The south-west monsoon can bring rain from May to July to the western, southern and central regions, while the north-east monsoon can bring rain to the northern and eastern regions in December and January. However these monsoons are not as pronounced as the Indian Monsoon and bright, sunny, warm days are common even during the height of a 'monsoon' season. From the point of view of the visitor, Sri Lanka has no 'off season'.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Books

Sri Lanka. Lonely Planet Guide.
Footprint Sri Lanka. Footprint Guides.
Sri Lanka: The Bradt Travel Guide.

Maps

Sri Lanka.. Nelles Guides & Maps

Featuring a new style cover and easy fold system, this map has been revised with the help of local correspondents. It is marked with tourist attractions and public transport systems, and includes inset maps of major cities. The scale of this map 1:450,000 and it includes city maps of Colombo, Anuradhapura, Kandy and Galle.

Private Groups Information

Make this KE cycling holiday your own!

Do our normal group departure dates not fit?
Are you wanting to travel with just your friends or family?
Are you looking to organise a trip for your local cycling club?

We are experts in creating holidays for groups of friends, families, charities, and cycling clubs. Our personal service means you’ll be fully involved as we make the arrangements for your perfect adventure holiday.

Independence with Security

Travelling as a KE Private Group allows you more flexibility and choice, but still with the peace of mind that everything is pre-planned and arranged for your group by a reputable adventure travel company.

To take your first step to an amazing adventure with your friends and family complete the private group enquiry form, or call our Sales Experts on: 017687 73966

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Explore International

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

Equipment List

For this holiday you will need your usual cycling clothing, including shoes, cycling gloves and helmet (which must be worn at all times when cycling).

Whether you are hiring a bike or taking your own, we recommend that you take the usual day-ride essentials of: mobile phone, multi-tool, mini-pump, tyre levers, spare tubes and puncture repair kit.

Bike Wear

Cycling helmet (the EN1078 safety stndard is a requirement)
Cycling shoes
Waterproof overshoes
Padded cycling shorts
Cycling tights or leg warmers
Lycra arm warmers
Base-layer - short sleeve cycling tops
Long sleeved cycling top
Lightweight windproof gilet
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Regular biking gloves
Buff
Sunglasses
Sun cream (inc. total bloc for lips/nose)
Camera

Other Stuff

Travel and off-the-bike clothing and footwear
Wash bag, towel, toiletries
Swimwear
Basic First Aid kit and personal medication
Chamois Cream (e.g. Assos or Ozone)
Water purification tablets
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Spares

If you are hiring a bike you do not need to bring any spares. The hire bikes are provided in good condition and a supply of spares is carried. You may be asked to pay directly for any spares used, especially in the case of crash damage or damage by mis-use. If you are taking your own bike, you should consider taking a minimum of spares, including a couple of spare spokes (for each wheel if they are different), spare brake blocks (or brake disc pads), chain links/chain connector, rear derailleur hanger and any non-standard parts specific to your bike.

Repairs

Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs to your bike e.g. changing an inner tube and fixing a puncture. Your bike guide will be happy to help with repairs and general maintenance, but being able to carry out a simple repair yourself could save the inconvenience of having to wait for assistance.

Hydration and Energy Snacks

You should take 2 standard water bottles (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic) and also consider taking a small supply of the gels, power bars or sports drink mix that you would normally use on a ride at home.

Please contact us if you have any questions about your equipment.

Reviews

5 out of 5 from 4 reviews

An amazing experience ★★★★★

We were absolutely delighted with our holiday. The holiday went so smoothly with such superb guides and non stop with extra trips educating all the way. Superb guide who is so passionate about his country and runs everything so smoothly also nothing is a problem. Still trying to process all the things we did and saw! The tour was an amazing experience.

By Sarah from Sudbury | 04 March 2025

A brilliant road cycling holiday ★★★★★

This is a great road cycling holiday, the hire bikes were good quality, comfortable to ride and well maintained by our guide along the way. The ride is through a variety of landscapes from coastal to hill country, on quiet rural roads and through hectic small towns. A/K, our guide led us sensitively through the busier places and allowed us to cycle on at our own pace on the quieter roads, regrouping at junctions or on the outskirts of town. We were frequently refreshed with tea, cold drinks, fre sh fruit and snacks and cold flannels organised by Chattu, our driver. A/K and Chattu were keen for us to experience the local cuisine, purchasing a variety of spicy savouries in the local tea shops we visited, always mild by their standards, but mouth numbing by ours. By the end of the trip they realised that the brightly iced sponge cakes were more suited to our delicate palates and provided the sugar boost to get us up the next hill. The cycling was pleasantly challenging and with the early morning starts to take advantage of the cooler part of the day we often reached our destination with time for a shower and a cultural excursion before dinner.

By Katharine from Preston | 03 October 2019

A super holiday in a wonderful country. Go as soon as you are able to. ★★★★★

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. it was a great feeling of satisfaction cycling from North to South. Most other companies concentrate only on the hillier areas, but it was a treat to visit Jaffna too. The nicest cycling was obviously around the tea plantations and Kandy, but the longer flatter days at the beginning of the trip were rewarding too. All of the people we met en route were deligthful, and little things like stopping for fresh coconut juice towards the end of a long day were simply won derful. The hotels were a lot higher end than I had expected (I normally do trekking trips). Food was good and plenty of opportunities to sample local stuff. Little extras such as safari, climbing up the rock and visiting temples added to the trip. My only criticism is that the roads were more crowded than I had expected with lots of tuk-tuks and dogs. This was Sri Lankan New year though so that might have been why. Guides were brilliant - always one and the front and one at the back, and they kept us very safe. It is a super trip and a fantastic way to see the country. Rest day in Kandy was good - and the crumbly colonial hotel very original. The trip finished just before the tragic events, but I actually stayed longer and was out there when it happened,and they were all very concerned for my safety, even though the trip had finished. Sri Lanka will need tourists even more desperately now, so please do visit this beautiful island as soon as it is deemed safe again - you will not regret it.

By Victoria from Eastbourne | 28 April 2019

Great holiday with physical challenge, local cultures, religions and history ★★★★★

Did need a tourist visa despite information to the contrary from KE. Also kit list from KE not specific to the trip-probably cut and pasted from another biking trip. <em>Local agent</em> ran the trip subcontracted by <em>local agent</em>, very good but communication at the start could have been better. Overall brilliant trip despite the above which could be improved.

By Susan from Oswestry | 01 February 2019

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review. We are glad you had such a brilliant trip. We provide visa information for all our trips, which can be found in the 'Holiday Information' section of the individual trip pages. A visa is required for Sri Lanka and can be obtained online. The equipment list is designed for this trip and although we hope you will not require all the items on the list (for example, wet-weather gear), we advise everyone to bring these items. Better to bring them and not have to use them, rather than the other way round!

5 out of 5 from 4 reviews

An amazing experience

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Sarah from Sudbury | 04 March 2025

A brilliant road cycling holiday

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Katharine from Preston | 03 October 2019

A super holiday in a wonderful country. Go as soon as you are able to.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Victoria from Eastbourne | 28 April 2019

Great holiday with physical challenge, local cultures, religions and history

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Susan from Oswestry | 01 February 2019

KE Adventure reply

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Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: SEMB/07/25/
This trip departs the UK on Fri 5 Dec returning to the UK on Thu 18 Dec

This trip begins on Sat 6 Dec and ends on Wed 17 Dec
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$550
Single Supplement Price: US$1,150 - Includes all group hotel and resort nights.
Download Trip Notes

Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: SEMB/07/26/
This trip departs the UK on Fri 4 Dec returning to the UK on Thu 17 Dec

This trip begins on Sat 5 Dec and ends on Wed 16 Dec
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$550
Single Supplement Price: US$1,150 - Includes all group hotel and resort nights.
Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

Please refer to the 'Joining Arrangements & Transfers' within Holiday Information for further details.

Flights and other transport to your destination should not be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary starting at the hotel in Negombo. Transfers from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport are not provided on arrival. A group transfer is provided back to this airport from Mirissa on the final day of the Land Only itinerary.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Sri Lanka End to End Road Cycle Tour

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

VACCINATIONS

Make this KE cycling holiday your own!

Independence with Security

Bike Wear

Other Stuff

Spares

Repairs

Hydration and Energy Snacks

Reviews

Traveller Reviews

An amazing experience

A brilliant road cycling holiday

A super holiday in a wonderful country. Go as soon as you are able to.

Great holiday with physical challenge, local cultures, religions and history

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DATES & PRICES

2025

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2026

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Land Only Information

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