Itinerary
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 - Program 1st to 10th March 2025
Day 01 - 1st March
Arrival & Transfer to Trincomalee
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met by the team from SriLankan Airlines and escorted to the luxury air-conditioned coach waiting outside the airport. The transfer to Trincomalee will take around 5 hours with a break for refreshments along the way. If the timing aligns, you’ll be treated to a beautiful sunset over Kantale Wewa before being welcomed at the beautiful Trinco Blu by Cinnamon Hotel on the shores of the wonderfully tranquil east coast.
Day 02 – 2nd MarchDay at Trinco Blu, build bikes, acclimatize ride
Before the riding begins, you’ll have a day to build your bike, relax by the pool, swim in the sea or even grab a massage at the in-house spa. There’ll be a mechanic on hand to assist with any bike building problems and we’ll arrange an optional short spin around the area to test the legs and bikes before the first day’s riding. In the evening there will be an informal get together to introduce the team, go over the route and plans for the following day and to answer any questions you may have.
Day 03 – 3rd March
Ride, Trinco to Habarana
- Short Course 50km
- Medium Course 87km
- Long Course 119km
Riding directly from the hotel the route soon leaves the bustle of Trincomalee and travels along quiet sealed roads before diverting onto a network of flat narrow village and gravel road frequented by goats, water buffalo and a large variety of birdlife. For those wanting an easier start or those not quite acclimatized to the heat there is an option to finish after 50km at the stunning Kantale Wewa (lake) and take a transfer directly to the finish hotel.
Carry on riding however and you will soon be treated to 30km of some of the most stunning gravel around following the outskirts of Kaudulla national park. Abundant with Sri Lankan native wildlife including black faced monkeys, peacocks and maybe even elephants, the route also later runs directly alongside the vast expanse of water that is Kaudulla Wewa. This will be the Strava section for the days ride.
At the end of the gravel at approx. 90km there is another option to call it a day and take a ride to the hotel, or for those wanting to maximize their mileage, you can ride a further 30km directly to the hotel.
Everybody should make it to the hotel in time to see the sunset on the glorious sight of Sigiriya and Pidurangala, majestic on the horizon easily visible from the stunning Aliya Resort and Spa, home for the evening.
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 - Trincomalee to Habarana Route Profile
Day 04 – 4th March
Ride, Habarana to Matale
- Medium Course 54km
- Long Course 79km
Starting directly from the hotel the route uses back country and gravel roads to showcase the outstanding views of Sigiriya and Pidurangala before running directly alongside the beautiful Kandamalla wewa (lake). Leaving the lake behind the trail follows pan flat waterways and canals, a hive of activity for villagers and wildlife. Before the climbing starts at around 50km there is a chance to jump on the transfer bus or continue for another 30km to get your first taster of Sri Lankan hills finishing at the National Spice Gardens on the outskirts of Matale.
From here there will be a coach transfer to the cooler climate of Nuwara Eliya, at 1800m Sri Lanka’s highest town, also known as Little England. Overnight stay in Galway Heights Hotel.
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 - Habarana to Matale Route Profile
Day 05 – 5th March
Sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya
Also known as “Little England” due to it’s cooler climate and colonial bungalows, Nuwara Eliya is surrounded by a dramatic landscape on high mountains and tea plantations. At the centre of the town is Gregory Lake and a horse racing track, making Sri Lanka’s highest town also one of it’s quirkiest. The day is yours to do as you please and you are welcomed to join us on a tour of Nuwara Eliya and one the many tea plantations located in the area courtesy of the airline. Overnight stay in Galway Heights Hotel.
Day 06 – 6th March
Ride, Nuwara Eliya to Ella
- Medium Course 52km
- Long Course 80km
Although you’ll be starting from the island's highest town, you’ll be going even higher as you climb up to 2100m to cross one of the most important and revered national parks in Sri Lanka, Horton Plains.
Horton plains sit at an average elevation of between 2100m and 2300m and is home to 24 species of mammals, 87 species of birds, nine species of reptiles and eight species of amphibians many of which are endemic to the region and include Kelaart’s long-clawed shrews, toque macaques, purple-faced langurs, rusty-spotted cat, Sri Lankan leopards, wild boars, stripe-necked mongooses, Sri Lankan spotted chevrotains, Indian muntjacs, grizzled giant squirrels, fishing cats and European otters.
It’s approximately 10km across the national park from where the trail drops over 1000m in 30km to the finishing point for the shorter course.
For those continuing there will be another 25km of undulating back country and gravel roads to take you to the stunning tourist enclave of Ella famous for Mini Adams Peak, Ella Rock and Gap and the architectural phenomena of the 9 Arches Bridge.
Overnight stay in Heaven's Edge By EHI
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 - Nuwara Eliya to Ella Route Profile
Day 07 – 7th March
Ride, Ella to Tissamaharama
- Short course 66km
- Medium Course 95km
- Long course 138km
To climb or not to climb? That is the question! If a 20km on average 4% (but sometimes up to 15%) climb is your idea of fun, then we totally recommend taking on Option 2 today. It’ll be hot, sweaty and hard but the views and ensuing descent make it more than worthwhile. From the highest point of 1460m you will drop 1400m over 90km with virtually no more up to conquer. The first 30km of the descent is particularly rapid, make sure your brake pads are in order!
Option 1 is equally as exhilarating but without the climb. Descend directly from Ella to Welawaya dropping 800m over 28km to join the remaining 75km of flatter roads to Thissamharama.
From Welawaya both options follow the same route, using a network of small village and gravel roads to join up with a B road that runs directly through Yala National Park. Here you will have a very high chance of seeing and riding past wild elephants as well as seeing deer, mongoose and a variety of birdlife.
Overnight stay in Oak Ray Lake Resort.
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 - Ella to Tissamaharama Route Profile
Day 08 – 8th March
Ride, Thissa to Hambantota
- Distance 56km
Short, fast but just as sweet as all the other days. The last day of riding might be the shortest, but it’s packed full of action. Ride along the shore of the Yodha Wewa abundant with birdlife before hitting the palm fringed south coast with views of the Indian ocean and the crashing waves synonymous with the south. Riding through the Bundala National park will give you one last chance to possibly spot wild elephants before you hit the virtually traffic free carpet smooth dual carriage ways that will lead you into the final destination of Hambantota.
Late evening drive to Colombo, commercial city of Sri Lanka and overnight stay in Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 - Tissamaharama to Hambantota Route Profile
Day 09 – 9th March
Rest Day in Colombo
No holiday in Sri Lanka is complete without a visit to the cosmopolitan capital city Colombo. This is one city stay you won’t forget as your last night in Sri Lanka will be spent at the magnificently opulent 5* Cinnamon Grande Hotel, central to all the attractions, sight and sounds of the city, the perfect place to end your Sri Lankan cycling adventure.
Evening gather in the hotel for the farewell ceremony hosted by SriLankan Airlines.
Dinner and overnight in Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.
Day 10 – 10th March
Departure
Breakfast in hotel and proceed to airport for the departure flight