Lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a natural paradise of verdant mountains, rainforests, paddy fields, tumbling waterfalls and sweeping gorges. From ancient Buddhist temples, the fortress of Sigiriya, the hill country towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, the wildlife of Yala National Park (home to one of the highest concentrations of leopards in the world) to the palm-fringed beaches of the south coast, this small island offers incredible variety, made extra special by a laid-back atmosphere and hospitable people.

HIGHLIGHTS

•The magnificent cave temples at Dambulla
•Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views
•Cycle through rice paddy fields and local villages
•Search for leopards in Yala National Park
•Relax on golden sand beaches
•Cycling and walking activities
•Game Drive in Yala/Udawalawe National Park

Sri Lanka is a wonderland for adventurers: Buddhist temples and colonial architecture; tea plantations and spice gardens; safari parks and palm-fringed beaches. Book this Premium trip to explore it beyond the typical tourist track. We join a family to cook traditional curries (which we share with our hosts and local monks) and explore Gal Oya village with a chief from the forest-dwelling Veddha community. Of course, there are a few highlights we couldn’t miss, including the rock fortress of Sigiriya and safari in Yala National Park, and we’ve scheduled downtime in beachside on the south coast for a chance to kick back and relax.

HIGHLIGHTS

•Climb the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya for breathtaking views
•Meet the last indigenous Veddha community, guided by their chief
•Take a boat safari on Senanayake Samudraya, the largest lake in Sri Lanka
•Enjoy a unique glamping experience in an indigenous village
•Hike through Ella Forest, stopping at the Nine Arches Bridge
•Seek out elephants and leopards in Yala National Park
•11 nights in premium hotels and two nights in an epic stay, wild glamping
•One leisurely/moderate trek (two to three hours)
•Boat safari and 4x4 game drives
•Relaxing beach stay
•All breakfasts, five lunches & six dinners
•Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
•Entrance fees to all monuments and activities
•Boat safari in Gal Oya
•Two Game drives in Yala

Sri Lanka is well known for cultural heritage and picture-perfect beaches, but perhaps less known is that it’s one of the best locations in Asia for wildlife. The wide range of altitudes on this small island results in a variation of climates and diversity that is normally only found across a whole continent. Blue whales congregate off the southern coast, elephant herds gather in Udawalawe and the elusive leopard rules in Yala. As well as game drives in the most famous national parks in Sri Lanka, we visit the steamy Sinharaja Rainforest and relax on the south coast, where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap the shore.

HIGHLIGHTS

•Visit Sinharaja Rainforest and Dickwella Beach
•Enjoy the benefit of naturalist guides throughout the tour
•Free group arrival and departure transfers available
•All breakfasts and nine dinners included

WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS
•Whale-watching season: November to April
•Private whale watching from a chartered boat
•Four game drives within Yala and Udawalawe national parks
•Visit the Elephant Transit Home, run by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and supported by the Born Free Foundation. It provides a safe environment for orphaned elephants, who are typically looked after at the home until they reach four years’ old, at which point they are old enough to be released back into the wild.
•Exodus Adventure Travels trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.

Although a compact island, Sri Lanka is incredibly diverse. Exploring on two wheels is the best way to see this rural country and to experience the way of life of the friendly people. You will travel from ancient cities and the fortress at Sigiriya to the hill country towns of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. In the south, visit Yala National Park, where you search for leopard, before ending on the beaches of the beautiful south coast. Most of the route is a continuous ride, and transfers are kept to a minimum.

In many regions of Sri Lanka, bicycle is the most common form of transport, so travelling by bike yourself is a great way to mix with the people and gain access to their world. This trip with Exodus Adventure Travel benefits from their 50 years of cycling tour specialty experience and trained cycle guides. This trip covers a substantial part of the island, taking in as much as possible of the scenic and cultural variety that Sri Lanka offers. A combination of ancient cities, great rides through beautiful hill country, varied wildlife, and a chance to relax on wonderful beaches, will certainly display the many delights of Sri Lanka.

HIGHLIGHTS
•See the magnificent cave temple at Dambulla
•Climb the rock fortress at Sigiriya for breath-taking views
•Explore the old, ruined city of Polonnaruwa
•Discover the fascinating town of Kandy
•Ride through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya
•Search for leopards in Yala National Park

CYCLING INFORMATION
•10 days cycling (including one optional ride) with full vehicle support
•95 percent paved roads, five percent unsurfaced
•Routes mostly follow quiet backroads, with frequent climbs
•E-bikes available for an additional cost