Meeting Time and Location

On the first day of the trip, Your Trip Leader will meet you at Colombo Airport.

Please note: Hotels are subject to availability. We will take every effort to block the rooms in the proposed hotels. However final confirmation of proposed hotels will be subject to availability on receiving final confirmation.

Very Important

In rare situations beyond our control—such as geopolitical developments, changes in government regulations, or significant fuel or transport disruptions—we may need to adjust certain elements of the journey.

Any changes will be handled with care, ensuring suitable alternatives of a similar standard wherever possible. While we will always support the best possible outcome, any additional costs arising from such circumstances would need to be borne accordingly.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for all guests.

Climate

November in Sri Lanka is a transitional month between monsoons, bringing a mix of sunshine and occasional short tropical showers. Daytime temperatures range from 26–30°C, with pleasant mornings and evenings.

Humidity can be high in coastal and lowland areas, while the central highlands offer cooler and more refreshing conditions.

Preparing for Your Trip

Getting Active

Terrain and Conditioning Tips

To get ready for this trip, we suggest biking regularly beforehand and hitting a few hills whenever you can. We want you to have the best possible vacation, and while there’s no need for hardcore training, you should feel comfortable riding at least 20–40 miles each day and still have the strength and enthusiasm to get up and do it all over again the next day.

To ride safely along the narrow and sometimes trafficked roads, it is important to ride single file and to develop good balance on your bike. Balance can only be developed by riding on the road. We recognize that not everyone lives in an area conducive to outdoor riding, but please keep in mind that while running, riding a stationary bike, spinning and other aerobic exercise will help improve your strength, endurance and cardiovascular health, these activities will not help with balance.

Bringing Your Own Gear

Don’t forget to bring your helmet and water bottle!

You are welcome to bring your own gear, such as pedals, seat, helmet, toe clips and cyclometer, to use with a bicycle. However, please inform us in advance if you choose to bring any of your own things.

Staying Comfortable

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent soreness while bicycling?

Think padding! Padded shorts make sitting on the bicycle seat a lot more comfortable, and padded.

Should I buy a pair of biking shoes for my trip?

Rigid shoes maximise the power of your pedalling stroke, but there’s really no need to purchase a pair of biking shoes just for this trip. Any athletic shoes — provided they have stiff soles—will be sufficient.

It’s not really going to rain, is it?

As much as we don’t like to think about it, rain is possible no matter where you travel. Your best bet for staying comfortable during a shower is to wear quality rain gear that is both waterproof and breathable. A jacket and pants made of Gore-Tex will keep you dry even in the fiercest downpour.

Does wearing layers really make a difference?

Yes! The trick for staying comfortable in fluctuating temperatures is to wear three basic layers of lightweight clothing: underwear (to wick moisture away from your skin), insulating garments (for warmth) and outerwear (to protect against wind or rain).

Rules of Bicycling Safety

• Wear a helmet. Riding without a helmet is extremely dangerous. Our company requires that all guests wear helmets while cycling.
• Ride predictably, defensively and in a straight line.
• When riding with others, ride single file and maintain several bike lengths between cyclists. Allow more distance when riding downhill.
• Do not use headphones while riding; you might not hear traffic coming up behind you.
• Be as courteous to motorists as you would like them to be to you, and get completely off the road when you stop.
• Keep your speed under control on down hills. Use both brakes simultaneously, but be aware that the front brake is more powerful than the rear. Gently pump your brakes on long descents for maximum effectiveness. Check brakes frequently to make sure nothing is loose or dangling.
• Wet slippery roads require extra caution and greater stopping distance—especially on down hills. Wet brakes must be dried by pumping before they have an effect, so start braking early in damp weather.
• When riding on sand or gravel, downshift into low gear so you can spin your pedals faster while still going slow.
• Obey all traffic regulations. Stop at all stop signs and red lights, yield the right-of-way and use hand signals when turning, slowing down or stopping. Ride on the extreme left side of the road, at a safe distance from traffic.
• Be cautious around road obstacles. It is safest to dismount and walk your bike across railroad tracks and cattle guards. If you decide to bike across them, do so at right angles. Avoid potholes, metal grates, glass, rocks and thorns. Ride at a safe distance from parked cars and watch for vehicles pulling out and/or doors opening in your path.
• You must yield the right of way to pedestrians. Do not ride on sidewalks.
• When making a right turn, it is safest to pull off the road, dismount, look both ways for traffic and then walk your bike across the road. Never follow other cyclists when turning without confirming for yourself that it is safe to do so.
• Listen carefully to approaching motorists. Look over your shoulder only if you can do so without swerving.
• We do not cycle after dark on trips. If you decide to do so on your own, you must bring your own bike equipped with a white light on the front, a red light on the rear and reflectors on the spokes and pedals.
• If a dog chases you and you are not able to ride away quickly, stop your bike and walk out of the dog’s territory, keeping the bike between you and the animal.
• Wear appropriate clothing for bicycling. Brightly coloured clothes make you more visible to motorists.
• Double-tie shoelaces and tuck them inside your shoes.
• You should wear corrective lenses while bicycling if you use them while driving.

Suggested Packing List

Essential Bicycling Clothes & Gear

• Good quality rain jacket for cycling
• Bicycling shoes or stiff-soled sneakers
• Bicycling shorts
• Short-fingered cycling gloves
• Brightly coloured cycling jerseys or synthetic T-shirts
• Lightweight jacket or vest
• Non-cotton base layers of varying weights (tops & bottoms); choose a fabric such as polypropylene, Capilene or Coolmax
• Synthetic bicycling socks
• Sunglasses
• Breathable windproof jacket
• Swimming costume

Other Necessities

• Wallet (credit cards, bank cards, ID, cash)
• One quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag to carry all liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage (and liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3-ounce or smaller containers)
• Medications and copies of prescriptions
• Toiletries
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and lip ointment

Luggage

Please limit your luggage to one soft-sided medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on bag. Mark your luggage with your name, address and phone number.

Recommended Clothes & Gear

• Mid-weight short-sleeved, synthetic undershirt (base layer)
• Appropriate clothing for restaurants, villages and temples
• Fleece jacket/vest or warm sweater
• Synthetic mid-weight socks
• Arm and knee/leg warmers (for biking)
• Bicycling tights
• Long-fingered gloves
• Windproof outer gloves (worn over biking gloves)
• Heavier-weight long-sleeved, synthetic undershirt
• Long-sleeved cycling jerseys and synthetic T-shirts
• Lightweight but warm cycling cap that fits under helmet (skullcap)
• Headband that covers ears (wear under helmet)

Please Note

Our company recommends that you not bring valuable personal electronics including, but not limited to, IPAD, laptop computers and expensive cameras. While we will transport them from place to place during the trip as a convenience, we do not assume responsibility for any damage, loss or loss of function to the devices.

This policy also applies to other items such as expensive jewellery, fur coats and fragile and delicate accessories, whether purchased on the trip or otherwise.