Cycling_srilanka

Arrival – Bolgoda.
On arrival at Colombo airport, you will be met by our chauffeur who will take you to Thotupola, a lakefront resort in
Bolgoda. Bolgoda is the largest freshwater lake in Sri Lanka which spreads over 400 square kilometres, located
approximately 40 kilometres from Colombo. In the evening, you will be free to go on a familiarization tour in the
village. You may visit the village temple or go on a canoe ride in the Bolgoda Lake. Then return to the hotel and
prepare for the cycling expedition the following day.

Bolgoda – Kithulgala.
The day’s ride will commence after an early breakfast. The destination
will be Kithulgala, a small village located on the west of the capital
hills. The Academy Award-winning ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ was
filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala and this is the only place in
the country which conducts white water rafting tours. Passing
Piliyandala, the route will pass villages and take the road to Padukka,
at which point the vehicle will be used to travel to Avissawella. From
Avissawella, we will cycle along the A7 road to Karawanella, where the
ascent will start. An A grade road, there will be some traffic (but less compared to other A grade roads), and the
day’s hardest ride will be this 24 kilometre stretch up to Kithulgala. At Kithulgala, we will take part in another
thrilling event – white water rafting in the Kelani River. In the evening, we will ride to the Beli Lena Cave, in which the 12,000 year old skeletal remains of the prehistoric ‘Balangoda man’ (Homesepiens Balangodensis) have been
found. Accommodation will be at the campsite located on the banks of the Kelani River.

Kithulgala – Horton Plains – Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, we will drive up to Hatton from where we will start the day’s ride to Horton Plains via Ambewela.
Riding along the tea plantations and small towns, you will be able to
see different people who follow different lifestyles. Don’t forget to
stop at the Devon and St. Clare’s waterfalls in Thalawakela where
you can visit a tea factory and taste a cup of Sri Lankan Tea.
Peddling towards Nuwara Eliya, you will encounter the up-country
railway track at Thalawakele and Nanu Oya.
We will proceed to Ambewela where we will get into our vehicle and
drive up to Horton Plains. Horton Plains is the highest plateau in Sri
Lanka and is also a national park. Home to endemic flora and fauna,
Horton Plains offers its visitors a remarkable experience with World’s End and the Baker’s Falls. On completion, we
will ride to Nuwara Eliya if time permits. If not, we will drive to Nuwara Eliya and check in at the hotel. In the
evening, you will be free to go on a ride/walk around the city. Visiting Victoria Park in the middle of the city or riding
a horse in Nuwara Eliya are some activities that can be indulged in.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya – Ella.
From here, the descent will commence. We will start descending after a ride of a few
kilometres. Along the day’s ride, you will encounter more tea plantations and tea
factories. The vegetable farms and plots will be the day’s highlights while visiting
the Hakgala Botanical Garden will add an educational aspect to your riding holiday
in Sri Lanka. Passing Bandarawela town, we will at the end part of the day’s ride. At
Kumbalwela junction, we will head towards Ella, a famous resort in Sri Lanka. Ella is
famous for its fascinating views of the Ella Gap and the Rawana Ella waterfall which
is believed to be the place where Queen Sita was hidden in the caves of the waterfall
by King Rawana, the ruler of the Sri Lankan Kingdom according to the Mahawamsa.
Your day’s retreat will be located on the border between the highland wet zone and
the lowland dry zone, just downhill from the popular tourist town of Ella. In
harmony with the unspoilt nature, your stay will be complemented by soothing activities that will bring about
contentment through harmonizing the mind, body and soul with nature. This is an ideal location for yoga and
meditation.
Overnight stay at Ella Adventure Park.