- Guaranteed Available PackagesSaturday6th March 2027Monday15th March 2027£230072Available
Your ultimate Sri Lankan cycling holiday
FINISH!
Description
Early Bird Discount
Ride SriLankan doesn’t fit into any 1 genre. It’s not pure road biking, it’s not pure gravel biking, but it is THE BEST way to see Sri Lanka.
The primary focus of Ride SriLankan is fun and inclusion for everyone. If you want to ride hard, you can; if you want to ride at a more relaxed pace, chat with locals or take photos, you can. Even if you are a non-cyclist and want to accompany your cycling friends whilst still enjoying an amazing Sri Lankan experience, you can.

SriLankan Airlines has, for several years now, been hosting and supporting a plethora of island-wide cycling events, including Rumble in the Jungle MTB, BikingMan endurance, the Asian Enduro Series and has used its wealth of experience and unrivalled knowledge of the island to put together the ultimate Sri Lankan cycling adventure.
With the might of the nation’s national carrier behind Ride SriLankan, you can expect a level of luxury unattainable through other tours at a cost that last year’s riders found hard to believe was possible!

PHOTO GALLERY
Event Highlights
- 10 day package with 6 days of riding
- 9 nights in 4 and 5* hotels
- Back country roads linked together by gravel and off road trails
- Luxury coach transfer from airport
- GPS route marking
- Full medical support, including qualified doctors
- Bike wash facilities
DAY BY DAY
Welcome to Ride SriLankan 2027
Return to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean for the most extraordinary cycling adventure on the planet.
Ride SriLankan is Sri Lanka's premier multi-terrain cycling event — a journey unlike anything else in the world of adventure cycling. Winding through ancient temples, golden coastlines, misty highland tea estates, and red-dirt jungle tracks, every kilometre reveals a new side of this breathtaking island. This isn't a race. It's an experience.
Now in its latest edition, Ride SriLankan 2027 brings together riders of all levels — from seasoned endurance athletes to first-time adventurers — united by a shared love of cycling and a desire to explore somewhere truly special. Whether you push hard on every stage or take your time soaking in the scenery, Sri Lanka will leave its mark on you.
Backed by SriLankan Airlines and built on years of delivering world-class editions, the event combines challenging multi-terrain riding with exceptional hospitality — luxury hotels, curated routes, dedicated support, and the legendary warmth of the Sri Lankan people.
Your cycling paradise awaits. Ride SriLankan 2027 — come and discover yours.
To learn more about the ride destinations and the awesome hotels you'll be staying at, jump on over to SriLankan Airlines dedicated Ride SriLankan microsite
On arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met by the team from SriLankan Airlines and escorted to the luxury air conditioned coach waiting outside the airport. The transfer to Galle will take around 1 hour 30 minutes. Once at the beach side resort hotel you will be checked into your room, with the rest of the day to relax around the pool, on the beach or to explore the town / surrounding Dutch architecture
Overnight – Jetwing Lighthouse
Before the riding begins you’ll have a day to build your bike, relax by the pool, swim in the sea or even grab a massage at the in house spa ( we can recommend all these!).
There’ll be a mechanic on hand to assist with any bike building problems and we’ll arrange an optional short spin around the area to test the legs and bikes before the first days riding.In the evening there will be an informal get together to introduce the team, go over the route and plans for the following day and to answer any questions you may have.
Overnight – Jetwing Lighthouse
Day 1: Galle to Rekawa
Day 1 opens right in the heart of Galle, with the ramparts of the old Dutch fort as the starting line and the Indian Ocean already in view. From here, the route runs 101.6km down Sri Lanka’s south coast to Rekawa, with a rolling elevation profile that totals around 1,340m of climbing — nothing steep, but a steady stream of short rises and drops that keep the legs honest all day.

There are two ways to ride Day 1:
Full course — Galle to Rekawa, 101.6km, ~1,340m elevation gain
Short course — Galle to Naduugala, 53.9km, ~785m elevation gain
Beyond Galle at the start and Rekawa at the finish, this stretch of coast doesn’t have standout named landmarks along the way — it’s a day defined more by the rhythm of the ride itself: palm-fringed straights, fishing villages, and the ocean rarely out of sight.
Overnight – ShangriLa Hambantota
Day 2: Hambantota Loop (via Ridiyagama Tank)
Day 2 is a loop ride starting and finishing right at the Shangri-La Hotel in Hambantota — no transfers needed, just roll out the front door and back in again at the end of the day. The route heads inland from the coast, climbing gently up through Ridiyagama and around the scenic Ridiyagama Tank, before continuing north to Padalangala and Madunagala and looping back down to the coast.

At 73km with around 380m of elevation gain, this is a shorter day than Day 1, but don’t let the modest elevation total fool you — the profile is a steady stream of small rollers rather than one or two big efforts, which tends to add up in the heat. The loop passes close to Ridiyagama Safari Park and the tank itself, giving riders a good chance of spotting local wildlife and birdlife along the water’s edge.
Because the route returns to the same hotel, it’s a great “home base” day — kit, luggage and anything you don’t need for the ride can stay put, and there’s no need to think about transfers at the end of the day.
Start / Finish — Shangri-La Hotel, Hambantota (loop)
Distance — 73.0km
Elevation gain — ~380m
Terrain — Rolling inland loop via Ridiyagama Tank, max elevation 63m
Overnight – ShangriLa Hambantota
Today we leave the south of the island and head towards the hill country with a final destination of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka.
A short transfer will take us to the boundary of Yala national park where a section of gravel, described as “champagne” during the 2024 ride routes us towards Diyaluma waterfalls, the 2nd highest on the island.
The short course will finish here after 53km but for those brave and fit enough there lies another 85km and 3000m of ascent ahead for Ride SriLanka’s first ever ride into Nuwara Eliya.
Short Course = 53km with 680m ascent
Long course = 138km with 3500m ascent
Overnight – Jetwing St Andrews or Blackpool Hotel
The hill country is reknown for it’s tea plantations and that’s where will be heading for the 4th day of Ride SriLankan.
An easy 3km climb with see us cross the highest point of the event at 2010m above sea level. From here there will be a 1250m descent over 27km down to Ramboda Falls. As the saying goes, what goes down must go up (in the cycling world anyway!) and at this low point of 750m we’ll have a 25km climb back up to the high point we crossed earlier and then an easy ride back to the hotel.
Of course, if a 25km climb doesn’t appeal to you, then you can always sit out this loop and soak up the colonial atmosphere of Nuwara Eliya.
Loop = 60km with 2250m ascent
Overnight – Jetwing St Andrews or Blackpool Hotel
Sticking with sayings, “What goes up, must come down” and today we’re doing just that, maybe with a little bit of up!
We’ll be leaving the cooler climates of Nuwara Eliya and descending to Randenigala Reservoir. Cited as being the largest reservoir in Sri Lankan, it has a capacity of 861 million ㎥ and is home to an abundance of wildlife.
The short course will finish at the reservoir whilst the long will continue onto the important Buddhist city of Mahiyanganaya where we will transfer to Dambulla by coach.
Short course = 54km with 1150m ascent
Long Course = 97km with 1375m ascent
Overnight- Jetwing Lakeside
As with every loop day it’s up to you whether you want to ride, or do your own thing, but as this is the last day, and it’s at least 60% gravel, we’d totally recommend ride!!
Today’s ride is a beautiful fairly flat 86km loop that follows shady waterways, borders massive lakes and passes by the iconic landmarks of Sigiriya and Pidurangala. It’s undoubtedly one of our favorite routes in Sri Lanka!
The afternoon is free to relax around the pool, do any necessary bike maintenance or explore the surrounding area.
Overnight- Jetwing Lakeside
There’s no better way to conclude a holiday in Sri Lanka than with some capital city opulence.
After breakfast, we will leave Dambulla for the 3 hour drive to Colombo. Once checked in there will be ample time, with mechanics available to assist, to clean and pack your bike ready for departure the following day.
At around 6pm everyone is invited for cocktails by the pool with an amazing view of the Lotus tower and a closing ceremony, where video’s and photos from the previous days adventures will be shown, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Overnight Cinamon Lakeside Colombo
It’s time to say your farewells for now. A vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to the international airport for your flight home and we know you will be leaving with a heart full of wonderful memories and be returning very soon. Ayubowan.
Includes/Excludes
Included in the entry fee
- Luxury coach transfer from airport to Galle (6th March) ** for those booked on SriLankan airlines flight
- 2 nights in 4*+ Jetwing Galle Lighthouse (6th & 7th March)
- 2 nights in 4*+ Double Tree Hilton Weerawila (8th and 9th March)
- 2 nights in 4* Nuwara Eliya (10th and 11th March )
- 2 nights in 4* Jetwing Lake Dambulla (12th and 13th March)
- 1 night 4*+ Jetwing Blue Negombo (14th March)
- Breakfast and dinner (7th – 13th March inclusive). Lunch & Dinner 6th March, breakfast 15th March
- 6 days of fully supported riding
- Transfer of luggage between each stage
- GPS route marking
- Water stations with drinking water, fruits, snacks etc
- Full medical support, including qualified doctors
- Bike wash facilities
- Post adventure closing ceremony and party (8th March)
- VIP Meet and Greet at the airport
- Transfer from Negombo to airport (9th March) **for those booked on SriLankan airlines flight
Not included in entry fee
- International flights
- Sri Lanka entry visas or immigration fees
- Travel & medical insurance
- Private medical services or treatment, emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation fee
- Equipment: including bike, bike spares, helmet, clothing etc.
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Accommodation before 6th March or after 14th March
- Guaranteed Available PackagesSaturday6th March 2027Monday15th March 2027£230072Available
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General
SriLankan Airlines has block reserved seats from various worldwide destinations to Colombo return
The dates and prices for these flights are detailed on the registration form
The flight payment will be made directly to the airline and is not included in the tour package cost.
If you have selected to take this flight on the application form as part of your entry, you will receive details of a dedicated SriLankan Airlines representative to contact to book the flight. To reserve your seat on the flight, the ticket must be paid for at the time of booking
The 2027 entry fee is a one time promotional offer highly discounted and supported by SriLankan Airlines with limited rider numbers. For this reason, once your application has been accepted, payment in full will be required within 7 days to secure your place. Full details will be included in your acceptance email.
We like to call it an adventure. Having hosted countless sporting and non competitive events, SriLankan Airlines realise that everybody’s goals are different.
Timings will be available for those that want to test themselves and push the boundaries but likewise there will be no pressure to race for those that are looking for a more relaxed ride. Ride Sri Lanka is all about inclusivity and introducing everybody to the amazing trails that travel through Sri Lanka’s spectacular landscape.
Ride Sri Lanka 2025 has been designed to be most conducive to gravel biking, but could also be ridden on a mountain bike . The route definitely wouldn’t be suitable for road bikes.
Please check with your local doctor, GP or travel clinic prior to flying to Sri Lanka as this can vary depending on country of origin. The following vaccinations are recommended for people visiting Sri Lanka, but the list is not extensive;
- MMR (and all other boosters and primary vaccinations)
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Japanese Encephalitis
Remember to plan well ahead with vaccinations. Allow up to six weeks to receive the full course, for some vaccinations require more than one dose, and some should not be given together.
Ride Sri Lanka has been carefully designed to be as inclusive of as many abilities as possible
Whilst we wouldn’t accept entries from riders without any biking experience, we would actively encourage both elite riders and those embarking into their first taste of adventure cycling to take on the challenge, assured with the knowledge that safety and comfort of all riders participating is one of our primary objectives.
Most stages also have shorter versions and there is always the option to sit out a stage (or 2) if you don’t fancy it. The route has been selected to be tough enough to challenge the fittest of riders if ridden in it’s entirety but also enjoyable if taken more leisurely. Either way you will get to see some of the most amazing sights of Sri Lanka and to ride trails that very few have ridden before.
Of course!! We would like nothing more than for you to have your family or friends along to enjoy the Sri Lankan experience together. SriLankan Airlines have put together a comprehensive daily tour package for those not so keen to ride their bikes giving an incredible insight to the sights and attractions of each region the event travels through.
Whilst a lot of the Ride Sri Lanka course is on gravel roads and a degree of experience riding off road would be advantageous, there are no technical sections in the 2025 route.
Yes! Most dietary requirements can be catered for. There is a section on the application form to let us know of any specific requirements. Given plenty of notice it is usually possible to fulfil most requests but in the unlikely event it is not possible we will let you know before confirming your place.
We don’t have a partner policy with any specific insurance company but have found that Yellow Jersey
provides cost effective and complete cover for most cycling needs
Yes. Nearly all nationalities need a visa to visit Sri Lanka. An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) can be applied for in advance here for a fee of $20 USD for residents of SAARC countries, or $50 USD for other countries for 30-day visas. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your arrival date in Sri Lanka. More details can be found on the eta.gov.lk website and you can check with your local embassy.
For riders arriving on the flight from London Heathrow on the 1st of March there will be a coach waiting at the airport to transfer you to the hotel in Trincomalee ( approx 4.5 hour transfer). For riders arriving at other times please let us know your flight details and a private vehicle will be arranged for your transfer to Trincomalee ( extra fees may be incurred)
If you are arriving a few days earlier and would like to arrange your own transport to Trincomalee or would like a transfer from somewhere other than the airport then please let us know.
Yes! The route passes through some very remote area of Sri Lanka. In the event of an emergency, helicopter evacuation maybe necessary. This is a very expensive procedure so it is essential that all competitors and companions have insurance that will cover this and any medical treatment that may be required whilst in Sri Lanka. Proof of insurance (including helicopter evacuation), for both riders and companions, is an entry requirement . Any riders or companions without adequate insurance will not be allowed to participate.
Your bike box / bag will be transported with you from the airport to the first hotel in Trincomalee. Once you have built your bike the box / bag can be handed over to one of the team and it will be waiting for you at the hotel in Colombo on the final day.
Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka is the only international airport in Sri Lanka.There are a number of airlines that fly to Sri Lanka, including Sri Lankan Airlines, Qatar, Emirates and Etihad (this list is not exhaustive).
Seats on the flight from London Heathrow on 28th February to Colombo returning 10th March are available to the first 30 riders to sign up at a cost of £700. As SriLankan airlines are hosting this event they will be offering discounts on other flights from a number of countries on their route. Please contact us for more details.
Your bike will be transferred between destinations in the back of a large secure truck. In January 2023 SriLankan Airlines hosted a large group of some of the world’s best endurance riders so they have first hand experience of how precious and valuable your bikes can be and how to pack and transport them in the most appropriate manner.
Riders and companions are restricted to 1 piece of luggage for the duration of the tour. This can be up to 80ltrs in capacity and must not weigh anymore than 20kg.The reason for this because the tour changes hotels regularly through out the10 days and it is a lot of work for the baggage handlers to move heavy items or multiple small bags.
Bags must be clearly labelled with the riders name so that it is easily identifiable.
Wifi is available at the majority of the places we stay but it can sometimes be slow, especially when all riders and companions have returned to the hotel. SIM packages with data are available at the airport from Sri Lanka’s biggest mobile network supplier, Dialog and if you are planning on using the internet a lot it would be worth while investing in this local sim card. Just remember that your phone needs to be unlocked and able to accept sim cards from different providers.
Yes! Each evening riders will be briefed on the following days ride. It is mandatory that ALL riders attend this briefing from a safety perspective as important information regarding weather and trail conditions will be discussed, together with details relating to start times, route deviations etc. Briefings will generally be carried out before dinner at 7pm and timings and locations will be displayed on the race notice board in a prominent position in the hotel. Briefings will be conducted in English, and so you must be able to speak and understand English language or have somebody that can translate for you.
Buffet breakfast, lunch and evening meals are included in the ride entry fees for the duration of the race (as set out in the race itinerary). All meals will be tailored towards an endurance athletes needs with lots of carbs, fresh fruits, vegetables, soups, breads, pasta, noodles, curries etc.
For the Ride Sri Lanka ’25 there have been no half measures. You will be staying in the very best accommodation on offer. All hotels are at least 4*.
The hotels used during Ride Sri Lanka, whilst being the biggest and best in the area still have limited capacity. Rooms will allocated on a first booked basis and where the first choice hotel is full, alternate hotels will be allocated, which may be a lower quality and involve longer transfers.
* SriLankan Airlines reserve the right to change advertised hotels without prior notice.
Links to all the hotels can be found under the “Whats included” section
Whilst we use the biggest and best hotels in the area, accommodation is still very limited. We endeavour to accommodate couples in private rooms and keep friends together. Rooming will be on a twin share occupancy.
Single room occupancy can be purchased for an extra £1000
There will be a full medical team, including a fully qualified doctor, for the duration of the adventure. They will be based strategically on the ride course to assist with any emergencies or accidents that occur and will also be based at the hotel at the end of each day for anything less serious. Please ensure that you complete the medical section on the application form as comprehensively as possible so that our medical team are armed with all the correct information relating to your medical history.
For the majority of the ride, it will be hot & humid!! Temperatures can range from 35°C in the coastal areas and lowlands , to 5°C when we are up in the central highlands. Generally, the rain tends to stay off for the ride but there is always possibilities of rain and high winds on the plains and higher elevation areas. For a more in depth weather review, please read below:
“Arguably the best overall month for optimum weather conditions throughout Sri Lanka, March is expected to showcase the very best of Sri Lanka across every region. A predominantly dry month, with temperatures averaging up around the mid-30s °C. On the east coast, things are also starting to warm up as the monsoon blows itself out, especially later in the month
The Cultural Triangle, as is often the case, is expecting minimal rainfall, and the usual high temperatures. To the south, Kandy and the hills of the Tea Country are also at their finest, as the region experiences some of its lowest rainfall of the year, with temperatures expected to hover around the mid-20s °C”
Yes. Most of the hotels we stay at have Wellness/ Spa / Massage facilities which can be booked and paid for directly at the hotel
A member of the mechanics team will be happy to clean and lubricate your bike for you
Due to the remote locations that Ride Sri Lanka travels through, with limited hospitals and health centres, it would be worth riders and companions to pack the below for ‘just in case’ moments. Plasters (including blister plasters) Bandages Antiseptic spray and/or wash Hand sanitiser and/or hand wash Pain killers i.e. paracetamol, ibuprofen etc. Any prescribed medication (in original containers, clearly labelled: check with your airline whether they should be packed in checked in or hand luggage) – including inhalers / epi-pens Diarrhoea and vomiting tablets Constipation tablets Anti-allergy tablets Throat tablets Water filters and/or purifiers for areas of non adequate drinking water Strong factor of suncream High factor lip salve Good quality sunglasses We would also advise that all riders and companions see their local doctor or GP regarding getting advice and/or medications for the following: Antibiotics or medications for gastroenteritis Antibiotics for wound infections (if these differ) Pain relief Any currently prescribed medication that you are taking For more information on health whilst traveling abroad please visit – FitforTravel
Safe drinking water will be supplied at all water stations during the race. Otherwise water, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks will need to be purchased separately. Please remember that tap water is not safe to drink, unless you have the correct filtration system.
Each rider will be sent .gpx files to the exact course at least one week before the adventure commences. All riders are expected to upload these to their GPS device and use this information to navigate the course. Please ensure this is done prior to leaving your home country, as we may be unable to complete this once in Sri Lanka.
Yes, there will be a bike mechanic based at the hotels and on call during the ride who will carry a comprehensive tool kit and list of spares but if there are any tools / parts that are specific to your bike then it would be prudent to bring them along.
All potential riders need to complete the registration form which is available here –Registration form. Once we have received your completed application we will contact you with whether your application has been accepted or not, and further details on procedures of how to secure your place in the race. Please fill in details on the application form as thoroughly as possible as this will help us to make a speedy decision on your application.
Yes, the race mechanic will have a range of spare parts for sale at local prices (which due to import costs are higher than UK, Europe and USA prices). However, it is advisable to bring any specialist spares and at least 1 spare tyre with you.
At the moment, our preferred method is via bank transfer into either our USD ($) or GBP (£) account. We can accept PayPal payments, however this will have to be in GBP (£) and an additional 5% will be charged to cover fees. Alternatively, if you wish to pay by card you can use a service called Transferwise which offers low rates for transferring money internationally, just create an account fill in our details and they will transfer the money to us directly. Please remember that all transfer fees must be covered by the ordering customer. Full details will be included in the application acceptance letter, but if you do have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.
When in Sri Lanka, the adventure never really finishes! but this particular ride will finish in a town called Dambulla close to the geographical centre of the island. From here you will be transported by luxury coach to Negombo, Sri Lanka’s west coast beach resort to celebrate and bring to a close this amazing experience.
Route Map



