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NEWS & EVENTS | Cycle Sri Lanka (Coast
to Coast) | Itinerary |
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Itinerary |
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This page can be downloaded as a word document:
Cycle Sri Lanka
2005 - Itinerary (Word document, csl05_itinerary.doc) |
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Day 1, Fri 14th Oct: Depart London
We depart London on overnight flight to Colombo.
Day 2, Sat 15th Oct: Arrive Sri Lanka � Colombo
We arrive into Colombo 15.40 where we are met by our guides and
are driven by private bus to Negombo (15/20 minutes). Here we check
into our Hotel followed by a briefing and bike fitting with our
guides on the challenge ahead and then dinner before finally collapsing
after an exhausting day.
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Day 3, Sun 16th Oct: Negombo to Kithulgala
For the first leg of our challenge we leave early in the morning
to make the most of the cooler air and start by cycling south along
the coastal roads with the ocean on one side and the ancient lagoon
and canals, built by the Dutch, on the other. We rest at regular
intervals at monasteries and markets to take photos and top up with
water and after about 40km we pass the village of Gampbaha. This
is the beginning of the mountainous central highlands region that
we shall be cycling through over the next three days. We will stop
for an early lunch in a coconut or rubber plantation where we are
taught a little about the local trades. Back in the saddle once
again we start the serious business of climbing into the foothills
of the highland region all the way to Ruwanwella where we meet our
transfer vehicles that will take us to Kithulgala. This was the
site for the filming of David Lean`s masterpiece �Bridge on the
River Kwai� and we stay in the Kithulgala Rest House that overlooks
the magnificent Kalani River. For those with enough energy there
is the chance to take a guided trip over the river and into the
forest on a tour of the local communities. For our meal tonight
we have a magnificent buffet of local delicacies. Approx distance
95km
Day 4, Mon 17th Oct: Kithulgala to Nuwara Eliya
This is one of our toughest days as we will be making our way into
the heart of the central highlands. We start with a short transfer
to Hatton through the Ginigathena Pass, avoiding a climb of over
20 miles on the main road. Here we start our days challenge with
a tough hill almost immediately and by mid morning we arrive at
the Devon planters` bungalow on the Thalawakelle tea estate where
we stop for a cup of the finest Ceylon Tea, overlooking the magnificent
Devon and St. Clair waterfalls. Our route will be off the main roads
as much as possible but there will be tea estate traffic and on
our down hill sections we should exercise extreme caution. We end
the day with a descent to Nanu Oya where the minibus will take us
the last steep 7 mile climb to Nuwara Eliya. The ultra-keen can
do this leg on their bikes and meet us at the Galway Forest Lodge
where we will be staying. Approx distance 65km.
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Day 5, Tues 18th Oct: Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
We leave Nuwara Eliya for our last day in the tough Central Highlands.
Coming out of town we take on 7km of hill immediately and then a
great 13km downhill all the way to the Labukelle Tea Estate, where
we are taken around and shown the leaf preparation process. Here
we are transferred to Delpitiya where we cycle on almost deserted
roads for the next 60km with the most spectacular views. We should
stop for lunch close to the village of Pukuressa with its wonderful
waterfalls and in the afternoon we make our way through Gallaha
and all the way to Kandy. We arrive into town along side its beautiful
University and continue on to our Hotel in the centre of this lovely
and relaxed city. Approx distance 90km.
Day 6, Wed 19th Oct: Kandy to Habarana
After a great breakfast we make our way to Wattegama situated just
at the top of a hill outside Kandy and it is here that we start
our challenge today. For our morning section we are once again on
quiet roads, descending from the hill country to the flat �dry zone�,
with great views of the Knuckles mountain range to the east. From
Matale the roads are flanked by giant fig trees, that provide welcome
shelter from the sun, and we stop for lunch at a local spice garden
where we can see the abundance of fresh fruit and veg that is produced
in this region. Our last section today is to the famous Dambulla
Cave Temples where we visit this important Sri Lankan religious
site. After a good break we are transferred to our hotel in Habarana
and have the rest of the afternoon to relax by the pool or take
an optional visit to the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya or an
Elephant safari by jeep in the Minneriya Girital Sanctuary. Approx
distance 72km.
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Day 7, Thurs 20th Oct: To Trincomalee
Our final day will be almost totally on the flat and so although
it is a long way it should be very quick work. We should also find
very little traffic as this area is just recovering from the effects
of more than 20 years of civil war and the 2004 tsunami. By the
time we get there it will only just be re-opening to business, tourism
and traffic. We have our lunch at Kantale by the side of the huge
reservoir, one of the oldest and biggest in Sri Lanka. Today we
shall also pass Kandurukanda Mountain and a small section of the
Somawathie Chaitiya Sanctuary. Along the last section of road as
we come into Tampalakamam, just outside Trincomalee, we also pass
the Naval Headwork Sanctuary. Our hotel will be ready for our arrival
and this evening we mark the end of the challenge with a typical
Sri Lankan BBQ celebratory meal on the golden sandy beaches of Trincomalee.
Approx distance 84km.
Day 8, Fri 21st Oct: Back to Negombo
Finally we have a late breakfast for those that wish to relax after
the long challenge. There will be a last chance to take a swim before
an early lunch after which we start the long journey back to Negombo
where we will spend the night.
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Day 9, Sat 22nd Oct: International Childcare Trust projects
visit/Back to Colombo
We will have breakfast and then visit 2 of ICT`s projects where
we can see the results of our fundraising before returning to Colombo.
We arrive into our hotel in the capital in the early evening where
dinner will be waiting for us. There will be a chance also to see
Colombo by night or just to relax in the hotel with a beer overlooking
the ocean.
Day 10, Sun 23rd Oct: Return to UK
Flight back to the UK in time for work on Monday!
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