From CAD 2,525
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
On a 10-day active adventure in Sri Lanka, you’ll see the best UNESCO World Heritage sites and varied landscapes of this beautiful country. Cycle through tea plantations, kayak down rivers and hike to ancient fortresses from Negombo to Colombo. Explore Sigiriya’s Lion Rock, wander through the Knuckles Mountain Range and feel the breeze in your hair as you fly past the Golden Valley of Ceylon on two wheels. Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations and it’s not hard to see why – with expansive coastlines, ancient ruins, rugged mountain peaks and wildlife-filled national parks, it’s a dream for travellers who like to get outdoors and experience a truly wild landscape.
Highlights
- Kayak down the Gin River on a half day paddle through Sri Lanka’s ever-changing landscape. Float past forests, sandbanks and plantations while keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.
- Come face with one of Sri Lanka’s most storied sites as you hike to the ancient carved rock fortress of UNESCO World Heritage site – Sigiriya, which rises dramatically from the surrounding plains.
- Hike through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Knuckles Mountain Range and encounter Sri Lanka's lush scenery and amazing biodiversity. Visit the observation point ‘Mini World’s End’ and see the sheer drop into the Thelgamuwa Valley and its forest floor below.
- Cycle a mostly downhill route through the green heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country in ‘the Golden Valley of Ceylon’.
- Get to know the layered history of Galle during a walking tour, uncovering the city’s maze of streets, historic buildings, lighthouse and the famed 17th-century fort.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2194
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle,Jeep,Taxi,Kayak,Mountain Bike
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: HPXM
Starts: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Finishes: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (9), Lunch (5), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights),Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2525 (CAD 252 /day)
Itinerary
Ayu-bowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the beachside town of Negombo with a welcome meeting at 5.30 pm. Known for its centuries-old fishing industry, Negombo is a historic port city close to Sri Lanka's international airport. If you arrive early, maybe watch the fishing boats head out to sea, stroll along the beach to see the daily catch drying in the sun or indulge in a seafood feast. The surrounding countryside, with its network of canals, is a fascinating slice of Sri Lankan rural life and is best explored by bicycle.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave bright and early this morning and travel to Dambulla – home to the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. After checking into your accommodation, make the short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya for your first activity – a hike up the 1200 steps of the famed Lion Rock. This ancient carved-rock fortress rises dramatically above the surrounding plains, elevating Sigiriya high into the air. On the way you’ll visit the water and boulder gardens, frescoes and the mirror wall. The next section of the climb takes about half an hour along steep walkways and steps all the way up to the rocky plateau, which soars 200 m above the jungle. From here, the views over the surrounding area and the nearby Pidurangala Rock are jaw-dropping. Make your way back down and head back to Dambulla for a relaxing evening.
Included Activities:
- Sigiriya - Lion Rock Fortress Visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll head out on a relaxed jeep safari for about 3 hours through the nearby Minneriya National Park. The park is home to a mix of evergreen forest and scrublands – look out for sambar deer, leopards and elephants roaming the wild. After the safari, travel by private vehicle to the Knuckles Mountain Range – your home for the next two nights. Named after its striking visual likeness to human knuckles, this UNESCO World Heritage site features 34 mountains that range from 900 to 2000 m. Surrounded by dense forest, waterfalls and terraced rice fields, they are home to some of Sri Lanka’s best hiking trails. Tonight, get closer to nature as you set up camp next to the pristine waters and natural rock pools of the Thelgamu Oya stream. To keep you fresh for tomorrow’s hike your activity is limited to an evening walk around the village before relaxing by the riverside with a group dinner.
Included Activities:
- Minneriya National Park
- Knuckles Mountain Range - Village Walk
Accommodation:
- Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll head out early for a full-day guided hike along the Manigala Trek through the Knuckles region. Start hiking after breakfast and wind your way through emerald forests and hillsides, past cliffs and alongside fast-flowing rivers. Maybe stop to explore a few of the villages along the way, which are surrounded by sweeping rice terraces. Have lunch by the river and continue up the stone and dirt trail all the way up to the imposing Manigala Rock, for the panoramic views of the peaks and valley below. After taking in the views, make your way back down to camp to enjoy a hearty dinner after a long but rewarding day of hiking.
Included Activities:
- Knuckles Mountain Range guided trek
Accommodation:
- Camping (with basic facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Begin the day with a moderate hike through the forest to Knuckles’ renowned Mini World’s End – an observation point overlooking the Thelgamuwa Valley and a sheer drop of 1192 m (4000 ft) to the forest floor below. The panoramic views over the misty valley and distant mountain peaks are truly spectacular, you’ll want your camera today! After the hike, you’ll drive to Kandy, passing the gorgeous scenery along the way. Lying in the hills of the Kandy plateau, this city previously served as the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries – maybe visit the golden roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Housed inside, the relic of the tooth of the Buddha has played an important role in local politics due to the belief that whoever holds the relic holds governance of the country. Kandy’s temple and its status as the last city of the Sri Lankan Kings have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Included Activities:
- Knuckles Mini World's End Guided Trek
Optional Activities:
- Kandy - Temple of the Tooth (7 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start your day with a scenic train journey to Hatton. When you arrive, cycle from the train station to the small village of Norton Bridge, passing vast tea estates and scenic, tree-lined hills along the way. Check in to your hotel and if you’re still feeling energetic, maybe opt to hike up to Adam’s Peak. The peak is often visited by pilgrims who climb a candle-lit trail in the evening, passing shrines and food stalls along the way. Or you can simply put your feet up with a nice cup of Ceylon tea – the afternoon is yours.
Included Activities:
- Hatton Tea Country Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Kandy - Scenic train ride from Kandy to Hatton
Optional Activities:
- Adam's Peak Trek - per group (20 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, it’s back on your mountain bike for a mostly downhill ride through the heart of tea country. Pedal from Hatton through Bogawantalawa – home to premium Ceylon Tea – to Balangoda. Cycle through the sculpted green hills of ‘the Golden Valley of Ceylon’. Your ride will be broken up with snack breaks and a lunch stop, providing plenty of fuel (and photo opportunities) for your ride. Then, transfer to the delightful coastal town of Mirissa. This town is part fishing village, part beachside resort and is the perfect place to sit back and relax by the beach after a few active days. For those looking to keep their heart rate up, you can visit nearby Weligama – the ideal place to hit the waves at one of the local surf or bodyboarding schools.
Included Activities:
- Golden Valley of Ceylon Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start your day with a short drive to the small town of Unanwitiya – your starting point for an exciting day of kayaking down the Gin River. After instruction from your expert guides, you’ll cruise down the clear waters as it winds its way downstream. Paddle past dense forests, sandbanks, tea plantations and rice paddy fields while keeping an eye out for monitor lizards, birds and the occasional troop of monkeys. After kayaking, head to the boathouse for a delicious local lunch and then head to UNESCO World Heritage city of Galle. Once the main port for local cinnamon trade, this city features a maze of streets with mansions, ancient churches, a lighthouse and the imposing 17th-century fort. Surrounded on three sides by the ocean, this is surely one of the most dramatic structures in all of Sri Lanka. Start your exploration of Galle Fort on a walking tour along the ramparts and winding streets of the Fort and end it with an included dinner before heading back to Mirissa for a well earned rest.
Included Activities:
- Galle - Galle Fort Walking tour
- Gin River Kayaking
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Mirissa after breakfast and transfer to Colombo. When you arrive, check into your hotel and then take a leader-led walk past the bustling Petta Bazaar, Independence Square, Parliament, and the National Museum. Your walk finishes with a shopping opportunity at the Barefoot fairtrade store. Here, you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. Tonight, there's an optional group dinner to celebrate your journey – if you opt in, you’ll go on a fun food crawl along the city's many market stalls.
Included Activities:
- Colombo - City walking tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Rebecca - Traveled, April 2024
What a way to see and experience Sri Lanka. From start to finish the trip was fantastic. The people really made it special, not just the group but every person we met along the way. (Note that the cycling is more challenging than the description suggests and you can’t take your bag to the camp, only an additional day pack). It was an add tire I’ll never forget.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2024
Roger - Traveled, April 2024
This very varied trip through Sri Lanka gave me a very good impression of the country and its people. We had really good tour guides. The safari was one of the many highlights. It should be borne in mind that the tour is somewhat more demanding than advertised due to the full program. Due to the heat and humidity, hiking, biking and kayaking tours are strenuous.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2024
Yvette - Traveled, April 2024
Simply the best holiday! Sri Lanka is beautiful and the option to hike her mountains, and cycle her luscious tea plantations is a wonder to experience. Come ready to have fun, see some amazing sights, and eat yummy food - but leave your expectations of five-stars at home.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/16/2024
Peter - Traveled, March 2024
Sri Lanka hike, bike & kayak tour was brilliant. Add culture, nature, camping & fantastic food and this tour gets even better. All effortlessly brought together by our amazing tour leader Sam! A great way to experience Sri Lanka and if you’re lucky enough to get Sam as your leader then your are in for awesome time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2024
Kylie - Traveled, March 2024
Highly recommend for those who love an action packed holiday. Camping and hiking in the glorious Knuckles mountain ranges is amazing and cycling through tea plantations and small villages was a great way to see sights that you wouldn't see otherwise.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/08/2024
Peter - Traveled, March 2024
Sri Lanka hike, bike & kayak tour was brilliant. Add culture, nature, camping & fantastic food and this tour gets even better. All effortlessly brought together by our amazing tour leader Sam! A great way to experience Sri Lanka and if you’re lucky enough to get Sam as your leader then your are in for awesome time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2024
Iain - Traveled, March 2024
An excellent tour for active people. As long as you can handle some heat and humidity, then I highly recommend a visit to Sri Lanka. Add on the Maldives and make it a perfect holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2024
Kerrie - Traveled, March 2024
Cham was an amazing tour leader . Would highly recommend if you’re looking for an active holiday while seeing & experiencing many of the sights beautiful Sri Lanka and its people has to offer
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/11/2024
Emma - Traveled, March 2024
Sri Lanka - hike, bike and kayak. A great trip to get out in the fresh air and explore the mountains, tea plantations and waterways. A great variety of activity whilst learning about Sri Lanka and meeting the locals who were very friendly and welcoming
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2024
Dale - Traveled, March 2024
A culturally diverse trip with so many activities travelling through varied landscapes with such a passionate and accommodating guide. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2024
Ellie - Traveled, March 2024
If you’re an adventure lover, I can’t recommend this trip enough! It’s jam packed with incredible activities for a non stop but thorough immersion into Sri Lanka. The trip was organised very efficiently and our guide Cham made the trip what it was. He was so knowledgeable and positive you couldn’t help but fall in love with Sri Lanka. Cycling through the tea plantations was breathtaking but all of the activities are outstanding. It’s challenging but incredibly rewarding and worth every penny.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2024
Diane - Traveled, February 2024
5* trip - sam was exceptional and passion for sri lanka stood out. This is a full on fun and active trip and a good level of fitness needed to enjoy fully.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/04/2024
Victoria - Traveled, February 2024
Trip of a lifetime through the glorious landscapes of Sri-Lanka. Loved camping, walking, cycling was challenging for me. Superb gide, well supported. Intrepid trips bring you close to the community in a hassel free way that is not possible to replicate independently.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Andy - Traveled, February 2024
The hike, kayak and bike trip in Sri Lanka was a great experience with an excellent local guide,
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Emma - Traveled, March 2024
Sri Lanka - hike, bike and kayak. A great trip to get out in the fresh air and explore the mountains, tea plantations and waterways. A great variety of activity whilst learning about Sri Lanka and meeting the locals who were very friendly and welcoming
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2024
Jodie - Traveled, March 2024
This was an amazing tour. If you want to see the authentic Sri Lanka do this tour! The country side is amazing and people are divine. Take a head torch, travel towel and travel pillow to camp. It is a bit more challenging then expected but was so rewarding!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/13/2024
Emily - Traveled, March 2024
I had a fantastic time on this trip. It’s very physical in some places but if you have a good level of fitness you’ll be fine. I wish id brought more active wear with me as you do get very dirty! Cham was incredible, his knowledge and enthusiasm was amazing. Also the food! Incredible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2024
Caroline - Traveled, February 2024
A truly fantastic and enjoyable trip - would highly recommend. Our leader Sam was brilliant and a credit to Intrepid. Thank you also to Ruan and Ramesh.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/07/2024
Anne-Marie - Traveled, February 2024
An action packed adventure tour, reaching parts of sri lanka I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Very full on itinerary, with plenty of exercise! Need to have a good level of fitness to fully enjoy. Couldn't have asked for a better guide in Sam, so knowledgeable and passionate. Ruwan was a great driver, keeping us kept us very safe. Fabulous trip that I'd recommend
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/04/2024
Alice - Traveled, January 2024
Normally I travel independently but this trip converted me! It allowed me to see parts of Sri Lanka I wouldn't have reached alone, to do activities I may not have attempted, and to learn about Lankan history and culture. The wonderful local team made us feel like a family.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/27/2024
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