Sri Lanka, the 'Teardrop of India', is a collection of ancient and natural delights that will bedazzle visitors as you move from religious to monarchical to colonial sites. Left behind by Buddhists, Hindus, the British, Dutch, Portuguese, and Indians, these influences are seen throughout the trail of historical and cultural sites.
SpiceRoads CyclingYou visit five of Sri Lanka's eight UNESCO World Heritage sites as you cycle through the backroads and absorb a very traditional, grassroots feel of Sri Lanka. The ride starts by rolling into the beautiful old town of Kandy, home to the famed Temple of the Tooth and located on a picturesque lake. You next head into open abundant countryside, riding towards the caves and statues of Dambulla's Golden Temple. The dominating rock fortress of Sigiriya will be in view most of your ride as you cycle towards it.
After a climb to the top you walk through one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. At Minneriya National Park you will find plenty of elephants on a jeep safari. The next fascinating stop on this trail of Sri Lanka’s most ancient cities, Polonnaruwa, is an immense former capital created in the 12th century. Hidden in dense jungle for many years, Anuradhapura, the last UNESCO Heritage site of the tour, is a treat; with palaces, monasteries and monuments and one of the principal shrines of Buddhism.