Sri Lanka Cycle
Cycle over 340km across Sri Lanka, stopping to visit iconic landmarks along the way!
Bike through Sri Lanka’s stunning landscapes on this breathtaking adventure! Take in the country’s natural beauty and immerse yourself in rich culture while you pedal your way across diverse terrain, visiting iconic landmarks along the way.
Our challenge starts with a climb up Yapahuwa Rock for sunset on foot before we embark on the start of our cycling challenge the following day. Once our cycle gets underway, we’ll bike through small villages, lush forests and rolling hills, pausing to explore temples and historic sites throughout our adventure.
From the picturesque tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya to the wildlife-rich plains of Udawalawe, each day will bring new sights and experiences. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or new to the world of challenge events, this adventure is sure to leave you with memories that will stick with you for years to come!
296km
Approx. distance
Tough (2)
Challenge Grading
10 days
Challenge Duration
Sri Lanka
Challenge Location
Challenge Highlights
Watch the sunset from Yapahuwa Rock, an ancient fortress
Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist shrine
Explore the Ancient City of Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set atop Sigiriya Rock
See Udawalawe National Park, known for its wildlife – including a large population of elephants!
Challenge Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart UK
We depart the UK on our flight to Sri Lanka, arriving the next day.
Day 2 - Arrive Sri Lanka
We arrive in Sri Lanka and transfer to our hotel in Negombo. After some time to relax, we’ll have a bike fitting before dinner and afterwards, a briefing on the challenge ahead!
Day 3 - Negombo to Anuradhapura
Our day starts with a transfer to Anuradhapura! After checking in to our hotel and stopping for lunch we will have a short warm up ride before our evening visit to the Bodhi Tree and a blessing before we start in earnest in the morning.
Day 4 - Anuradhapura to Sigiriya
Our first day of cycling! Starting from our hotel, we bike along tarmac B-roads for the first 10km. From there we head into smaller village back roads, winding through farmland, small forests and reservoirs. We return to the B road and continue along tree-lined village roads until we reach Dambulla, before following the main road to Sigiriya.
This evening we’ll make sure we get to bed early as we will be up at around 5:00am to visit the awesome Sigiriya Rock– an ancient fortress towering almost 200m over the surrounding plains. Passing through the imposing Lion’s Gate before tackling the steps to the top, once there we’ll be treated to unbeatable views of the landscape below and witness sunrise. Don’t forget your camera!
Cycling distance – approx. 76km
Day 5 - Sigiriya to Kandy
Following our climb to Sigiriya Rock we begin our cycle whcih takes us along canals and villages, before we stop for lunch and a visit to Nalanda Gedige – a stone temple considered to be the geographical centre of Sri Lanka. We then transfer to our hotel in Kandy before heading out for a visit to the Temple of the Tooth. Set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Sacred City of Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth is a sacred shrine said to hold the tooth of Buddha.
Cycling distance – approx. 40km
Day 6 - Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Our day starts with a transfer out of busy Kandy town, before beginning our cycle – today and tomorrow are tougher than previous days, with plenty of climbs in store! The first part of our day takes us to the town of Walapane, where we’ll enjoy lunch. From here we transfer to the Pedro Tea Estate for a factory tour, before heading to our hotel.
Cycling distance – approx. 50km
Day 7 - Nuwara Eliya to Bandarawela
Another hilly day awaits, as we start cycling from our hotel towards Horton Plains. After starting on relatively busy hill roads we reach the beautiful Hakgala Reservoir, before biking through the idyllic Ambewela farms until we reach the Pattipola railway station.
Our next section is a very steep climb to the top of Horton Plains. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, this area is known for its beauty and biodiversity! From Horton Plains it’s mainly downhill until Boralanda, where we stop for lunch. Our climb then continues until we reach our hotel, where we can enjoy some much-deserved rest!
Cycling distance – approx. 50km
Day 8 - Bandarawela to Udawalawe
Following an early start, we set off from our hotel for our final day of cycling! First up is a climb to Haputale, with the rest of the day mostly downhill. The first part of our route takes us along the main road, while later in the day we follow a small jeep trail along the reservoir. Once we reach the plains, we cycle along mud tracks alongside Udawalawe National Park until we reach the main road where we will then transfer to our hotel.
Cycling distance – approx. 80km
Day 9 - Free day at Udawalawe National Park / Optional Safari
After some free time in the morning, we have the option to visit the Elephant Transit Home in the afternoon. The elephant orphanage is operated by the wildlife department, and aims to rehabilitate orphaned elephants before returning them to the wild. Following this we can embark on a safari adventure at the Udawalawe National Park! Offering an incredible opportunity to see some of Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife in their natural habitat, we could be lucky enough to see leopards, water buffaloes and various bird species – and elephants of course!
Spanning over 30,000 hectares, the park is renowned for its large population of elephants – the perfect spot for elephant enthusiasts! Prepare to be amazed by the park’s breathtaking natural beauty – grasslands, forests, and the picturesque Udawalawe Reservoir all provide a stunning backdrop for wildlife sightings.
Day 10 - Depart Sri Lanka
We transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK, arriving the same day.
Please note, this is a complex itinerary and is subject to change.
Challenge Inclusions
What's Included
Before Your Challenge
- Your own personalised account hub that houses all your challenge support information to ensure you are fully prepared for your challenge
- Support documents to aid your preparation including but not limited to further information about your challenge, detailed challenge itinerary, kit lists, training plan/schedule, fundraising advice
- Discount vouchers with affiliate partners such as Nomad Travel
- A dedicated Customer Care team supports each participant from registration and is always on hand to answer queries
- Financial Protection
- Risk Management including but not limited to challenge specific risk assessments, emergency management plans and medical screening.
On Your Challenge
- Return flights from a London airport to Sri Lanka
- All transfers per the itinerary including to and from the in-country airport
- 8 nights accommodation, in hotels, on a twin share and private bathroom basis.
- All meals including celebratory dinner, starting from dinner on Day 2 through to breakfast on Day 10
- Support vehicles for the cycling days
- Bottled drinking water and snacks for all cycling days
- Entrance fees where relevant
- Local English-speaking cycling guides
- Global Adventure Challenges Leader from the UK
- Full and comprehensive first aid / medical kits
- Local medic
- Local bicycle hire
- Challenge Medal
- GAC 24 hour emergency on call team
What's Not Included
- Visa for Sri Lanka
- Personal travel insurance
- Optional safari on day 9 in Udawalawe National Park, which costs $55 and is payable in cash whilst on the challenge.
- Alcoholic drinks and drinks during meals
- Tips and gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m interested... What do I do now?
You can register online below – payment of the registration fee is due at time of booking. Once your registration is received we will get in touch with further information on what to expect from this awesome adventure! Your charity will also be in contact to discuss your fundraising.
Is this trip for me?
ABSOLUTELY! This cycle is suitable for all ages with the correct training. The minimum age for this cycle is 18 years old (14-17 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). The one thing everyone will have in common is a great sense of adventure and a desire to help a charity. Whether you are taking part as an individual or as a team with friends, team spirit will be flying high on the challenge.
How fit do I need to be?
This cycle ride has been graded as Challenging (1) on our challenge grading scheme, and is designed to be challenging but achievable by anyone as long as you have fitness trained beforehand. Remember you are cycling for 7 – 8 hours a day for 5 days – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy this challenge. Cycling training tips can be found on the Global Adventure Challenges website to point you in the right direction and why not sign up for one of our training weekends – it’s a great opportunity for you to meet our team and fellow participants!
Our policy is to encourage and support as many people as possible to take part in our challenges. But they may not be suitable for all people due to restriction posed by limitation in mobility, physical or cognitive disability, pregnancy or other various medical conditions. If you have any doubts regarding your suitability for your challenge please contact our office to speak to one of the team.
What is the challenge grading scheme?
All our challenges are graded on a scale from 1 to 3 to indicate the level of difficulty, 1 being the lowest challenge grade and 3 being the most challenging. (1 = Challenging, 2 = Tough and 3 = Extreme).
Do I need specialist kit?
We will supply you with a kit list of what to take once you register to take part. Apart from some broken in trekking boots, you do not need any specialist kit.
Do I have to carry my own luggage?
No. All luggage will be transported between accommodation by our support vehicles. You may wish to bring a small saddle bag/bum bag and hydration pack while cycling, to carry items such as camera, sunscreen, etc.
Food Matters...
All meals will be provided from breakfast on Day 2 through to breakfast on Day 10. We cater for most dietary requirements as long as we know in advance – just fill in the appropriate section on your registration form.
What support is there on the challenge?
There will be a strong support team with a professional Global Adventure Challenges Leader from the UK, as well as local English speaking guides and cycle mechanics. Comprehensive first aid kits will be taken.
Can I stay in Sri Lanka after the challenge?
Yes you can, but this is subject to us being able to amend your booking from our flights inclusive package to our ground only package. For further information on how our ground only packages work, please visit our guide to ground only challenges.
If you have already registered and would like to request a change to our ground only package, please contact [email protected].
What happens if I get tired?
There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks – there is no problem if you need to take more rest stops. We will ensure that no-one is left alone – remember though, this is not a race!
How do I go about raising the sponsorship?
Once you have signed up you will receive a fundraising pack from your charity in order to make your fundraising as easy as possible. You will also receive a few tips and ideas from Global Adventure Challenges to help you on your way.
Request a Call Back
We understand that booking your challenge is a big step, and you may have some questions before you take the plunge! If you'd like to talk to our Customer Care team before you book your space, just click the button below to request a call.
Request a Call Back
Need more information before you book your space? Just enter your details and our friendly team will give you a call back!
If you have any particular questions or would like to request a specific time for your call, please include this in the message section.
Please note, our office hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4:15pm on Fridays.
Request a Call Back
Need more information before you book your space? Just enter your details and our friendly team will give you a call back!
If you have any particular questions or would like to request a specific time for your call, please include this in the message section.
Please note, our office hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4:15pm on Fridays.
dates and costs
Payment Option A - Minimum Sponsorship
This option means the challenge balance of your event cost is met through raising a minimum sponsorship for a charity of your choice.
Step 1 – To join the challenge you pay the non-refundable registration fee directly to us and commit to raising the minimum sponsorship shown on the challenge page.
Step 2 – Start fundraising and send your sponsorship money to your chosen charity as you raise it. Your charity will most likely keep a log of monies you are sending in.
Step 3 – 80% of your minimum sponsorship must be received by your charity no later than 12 weeks before departure. If you have raised the required amount, your charity would then be in a position to pay the challenge balance, which is never more than 50% of the minimum sponsorship figure.
Step 4 – The remaining 20% of your minimum sponsorship should be sent to your charity no later than 6 weeks following your return after the challenge. Some charities may request you send this 20% to them before the challenge takes place – your charity will guide you further on this.
Payment Option B - Self-Funding
This option enables you to fund the entire challenge yourself, which means you do not have to commit to raising a set sponsorship. Although no fundraising is required, we do strongly encourage you to support a charity of your choice and raise as much as you possibly can.
Step 1 – You pay the non-refundable registration fee to us, in order to join the challenge.
Step 2 – Prior to your departure, you will receive an invoice to pay the challenge balance as shown on the respective challenge page.
Step 3 – The challenge balance invoice is to be paid no later than 12 weeks before departure.
2026
Registration Fee
£349
Option A - Minimum Sponsorship
£3,800
Option B - Self-Funding
£1,900
Airport Tax & Fuel Surcharge
£250
Single Occupancy Supplement (Optional)
TBC
When?
2027
Registration Fee
£375
Option A - Minimum Sponsorship
£3,800
Option B - Self-Funding
£1,900
Airport Tax & Fuel Surcharge
£250
Single Occupancy Supplement (Optional)
TBC
When?