International flights, visas, mandatory travel insurance, bike hire, lunches and dinners not specified as included, alcoholic and bottled/soft drinks, personal spending money, tips and gratuities, and any activities outside the listed itinerary are not included.

Mixed Terrain Cycling Holiday Sri Lanka Experience

Q: Do I need a mountain bike for this trip?

Yes. This Mixed Terrain version includes around 80km of technical off-road trail across the week, so you'll need a mountain bike and confident bike-handling skills. If you'd prefer to ride on sealed roads throughout, our Road Version follows the same overall route on a gravel bike.

Q: How fit and experienced do I need to be?

This is a downhill-focused trip, so the physical demands are lower than a traditional climbing tour — but riders need to be confident controlling speed on technical mountain roads and loose or uneven off-road surfaces, particularly on the longer off-road descents on Days 4 to 7. A reasonable base level of cycling fitness and prior off-road experience is recommended.

Q: How big is the group?

This is a small, bespoke trip for between 2 and 4 riders, so you'll get plenty of personal attention from your guide and driver throughout.

Q: What's included in the price?

Your trip includes 7 nights' accommodation (half board at Jetwing Blue, Jetwing Kaduruketha and Jetwing St Andrews; bed & breakfast at Kevan Casa), full vehicle support with a crew cab and minibus, an experienced cycling guide on every riding day, the Horton Plains National Park entrance fee, and airport transfers on arrival and departure.

Q: Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance covering off-road cycling activities is mandatory for all riders on this trip.

Q: Will my luggage be transported for me?

Yes. Our crew cab and minibus support vehicles travel with the group each day, so your main luggage is transported between hotels while you ride — you only need to carry what you want with you on the bike.

Q: What's the best time of year to do this trip?

Sri Lanka's hill country and southern regions are best ridden outside the main monsoon periods, and off-road sections are more technical when wet. Get in touch and we can advise on the best window for your travel dates.

The Vertical Escape – Sri Lanka (Mixed Terrain)

Descend through paradise on The Vertical Escape, a downhill-focused, luxury-supported mountain bike journey through Sri Lanka’s most breathtaking landscapes. Starting high in the cool mist of the central highlands, riders flow down through tea country, rainforest, and village backroads to the tropical coast — all with premium accommodation, gourmet local cuisine, and expert vehicle and mechanical support every step of the way.

This Mixed Terrain version blends quiet sealed roads with technical singletrack and off-road descents, so a mountain bike and confident bike-handling skills are essential. The Vertical Escape is adventure reimagined for those who want the thrill of technical descending with the comfort of world-class hospitality.

The Vertical Escape – All terrain

We drive you up, you ride down.

Descend through paradise on The Vertical Escape, a downhill-focused, luxury-supported mountain bike tour through Sri Lanka’s most breathtaking landscapes. Starting high in the cool mist of the central highlands, riders flow down through tea country, rainforest, and village backroads to the tropical coast — all with premium accommodation, gourmet local cuisine, and expert vehicle and mechanical support every step of the way. As a true mixed terrain cycling holiday in Sri Lanka, this version blends quiet sealed roads with off-road descents, so a mountain bike and confident bike-handling skills are essential — think of it as part gravel and MTB tour, part off-road cycling holiday. Run by MTB Worldwide, the company trusted by SriLankan Airlines to manage all their cycle tour logistics, this Sri Lanka mountain bike tour is backed by the same on-the-ground expertise that make travelling to Sri Lanka with a bike effortless. The Vertical Escape is adventure reimagined for those who want the

Organised by MTB Worldwide — the company trusted by SriLankan Airlines to manage all their cycle tour logistics

Over 11,500m of pure downhill riding, including around 80km of technical off-road trail, through Kandy, Hunnasgiriya, Mahiyanganya, Badulla, Moneragala, Wellawaya, Ella, Koslanda, Talawakele, Naranthalawa and Horton Plains
Ride the legendary "18 Bends" descent from Hunnasgiriya to Mahiyanganya
Tackle the biggest descent of the trip — 48km and 2,400m down to remote Naranthalawa
Cross the wild Horton Plains and drop through tea estates, rainforest, and highland villages via technical off-road trail
Stay in premium hand-picked properties throughout, including Jetwing Blue, Jetwing Kaduruketha and Jetwing St Andrews
Full vehicle support and an experienced cycling guide/mechanic on every stage
Gourmet local cuisine and half-board accommodation included at every stop
8 days, 7 nights descending from the misty highlands of Nuwara Eliya to the tropical coast at Negombo
Hire Bikes availble. Hire an e-bike to make exploring the island even more effortless

Day by Day - Mixed Terrain Version – Mountain Bike Required

Expand all

This 8-day, 7-night descent is available in two versions. The Mixed Version (detailed below) blends sealed roads with technical off-road descents and requires a mountain bike and good bike-handling skills. The Road Version follows the same overall route but stays on sealed roads throughout, and is suitable for a gravel bike. Please check which version you've booked before choosing your bike.

Day	Route	Distance	Off-Road	Descent	Overnight
1	Arrival – Negombo	–	–	–	Jetwing Blue
2	Hunnasgiriya → Mahiyanganya (18 Bends)	21km	–	1,000m	Kevan Casa
3	Badulla → Moneragala; Ella → Wellawaya	65km	–	2,750m	Jetwing Kaduruketha
4	Dambetene → Koslanda; Poonagala → Wellawaya	44km	22km	2,700m	Jetwing Kaduruketha
5	Nuwara Eliya → Talawakele	23km	17km	1,000m	Jetwing St Andrews
6	Nuwara Eliya → Naranthalawa	48km	24km	2,400m	Jetwing St Andrews
7	Horton Plains → Kaluphana → Negombo	27km	17km	1,700m	Jetwing Blue
Total		228km	80km	11,550m

Day 01 :

Arrival in Negombo

On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you’ll be met by our team and transferred directly to the beachfront resort of Jetwing Blue, on the golden sands of Negombo. This stylish 4-star property blends contemporary design with a relaxed tropical feel — open-air lobbies, a large free-form pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, and rooms with private balconies or terraces. The perfect spot to shake off the flight and meet the group before the riding begins. Overnight: Jetwing Blue.

Dinner + Breakfast

Day 02 :

The 18 Bends: Hunnasgiriya to Mahiyanganya

Drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a morning of sightseeing: the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a stroll around Kandy Lake, and — time permitting — the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. Continue to Hunnasgiriya, where the bikes come out for the legendary 18 Bends — a thrilling 21km, 1,000m descent through hairpin turns down to Mahiyanganya. Overnight: Kevans Casa, a small, homely guesthouse with simple, comfortable rooms and a warm welcome.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 03 :

Badulla, Moneragala and Ella

Drive to Badulla, a historic hill-country town with colonial-era buildings and a lively local market, then ride the descent to Moneragala (37km, 1,450m descent) through rural Uva Province scenery. Check in at your hotel in Wellawaya, then head up to Ella — the laid-back hill town famous for the Nine Arches Bridge and views from Little Adam’s Peak — for a second descent back down to Wellawaya (28km, 1,300m descent). Overnight: Jetwing Kaduruketha, an eco-luxury resort set amid paddy fields and surrounded by the Namunukula mountain range, with villa-style rooms, an infinity pool, and its own working farm supplying the kitchen.

Aerial view of Jetwing Kaduruketha eco-luxury resort

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 04 :

Dambetene to Koslanda, then Poonagala to Wellawaya

Drive to Dambetene and take on a technical off-road descent to Koslanda, a small village near the dramatic Diyaluma Falls (15km, 13km off-road, 1,200m descent) — good bike-handling skills essential here. Continue to Poonagala for a further descent on to Wellawaya (29km, 9km off-road, 1,500m descent). Overnight: Jetwing Kaduruketha.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 05 :

Into tea country: Talawakele

Drive up to Nuwara Eliya, then ride out to Talawakele, right in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country and a gateway to some of the region’s best cloud-forest trails (23km, 17km off-road, 1,000m descent), before returning to town. Overnight: Jetwing St Andrews, a former colonial golf clubhouse turned hotel, with country-house charm, open fireplaces, manicured gardens and views over the town’s golf course.

Colonial-era grounds of Jetwing St Andrews, Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 06 :

Big off-road descent to Naranthalawa

The longest and most demanding day of the trip: a 48km descent to the remote village of Naranthalawa, with 24km off-road and 2,400m of descent through forest and estate roads, before driving back to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight: Jetwing St Andrews.

Breakfast + Dinner

Day 07 :

Horton Plains to Kaluphana, then Negombo

Drive to the entrance of Horton Plains National Park — famous for World’s End, a sheer 870m escarpment drop, and Baker’s Falls — then take on the final technical descent to Kaluphana, a small village on the park’s fringe (27km, 17km off-road, 1,700m descent). Transfer to Negombo for your departure. Overnight: Jetwing Blue.

Day 08 :

Bon Voyage and Ayubowan

If you’re short on time we’ll reluctantly take you back to the airport for your return flight. BUT everyone would be happier if you stayed a little longer, and we’re happy to help with that if needed.

Breakfast

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Expand all

Do I need a mountain bike for this trip?

How fit and experienced do I need to be?

How big is the group?

What's included in the price?

What isn't included?

Do I need travel insurance?

Will my luggage be transported for me?

What's the best time of year to do this trip?

Sandro M

EXPERIÊNCIA ÉPICA Super recomendo, tive uma experiência épica em um stage race de 6 dias de muito mountain bike,organização perfeita e super atenciosos com alimentação ,hospedagem e deslocamento.

855domenico

Yak Attack 2026 Wir haben mit Mtb worldwide bei dem Radrennen Yak Attack 2026 mitgemacht. Es war ein unglaubliches Erlebnis und das Highlight war die Überquerung des Thorong La Passes. Trotz der widrigen Umstände und teilweise fehlenden Infrastruktur hat es das Team geschafft eine einwandfreie Logistik sicherzustellen, inklusive Radservice. Die Routen für das Rennen waren stets gut erkennbar markiert. Neben dem Rennen war das Team immer hilfsbereit und für uns ansprechbar. An dieser Stelle nochmal ein sehr sehr grosses Dankeschön an das Team! Neben dem Radfahren haben wir auch eine gute Community gebildet und Freundschaften geschlossen. Ein tolles Erlebnis!

Chris Dawson

Sri Lanka cycling trip with MBW 6 days of cycling in the sun of Sri Lanka, staying in the best hotels on the island. What’s not to like? The organisation by Sri Lankan airlines and Mountain Biking Worldwide was excellent with a welcome reception on the first day, an afternoon tea and a closing ceremony to round things off. On the rides we had 6 motorcycle outriders who held up traffic at the few major roads we had to cross and generally made sure the whole group was safe. There were feed stations about every 30km to keep you hydrated and fed. I’ll definitely be going back and recommend this trip to any cyclists out there.

Arthur R

Ride Sri Lankan 2026 - a memorable cycling experience Fantastic variety of cycling routes with really interesting locally catered feed stops made for a really great cycling trip. Combined with luxurious hotels, optional excusions and activities which allowed more insight to Sri Lanka resulted in a truly wonderful holiday. First holiday with Mtb worldwide - thoroughly recommend them, they are brilliant at what they do.

Ben C

Ride SriLankan 2026 First time cycling outside the UK and first experience of an organised bicycle tour. Organisation was first class, most routes were challenging but interesting and enjoyable. Overnight accommodation and food were first class. Food and hydration stops during the day were well planned and well stocked.

Grant B

Luxury gravel cycling done right in Sri Lanka 🚴‍♂️🌴 We’ve just come back from a luxury cycling tour of Sri Lanka with Multi Terrain Biking, and honestly, it was a pretty special experience. The whole trip was incredibly well put together, hotels were consistently excellent, food was great throughout, and the level of service really stood out. Logistics ran smoothly from start to finish, and having a medical team there gave real peace of mind without ever feeling intrusive. Big shoutout to Corinne, Ajay and Phil, they absolutely made the trip. Super knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly passionate about what they do. My wife Fiona and I did this as our honeymoon, and it struck a really nice balance between proper riding and genuine luxury. You’d finish a ride and be straight into a great hotel, good food, and time to properly relax. If I’m being picky, I’d have loved a bit more gravel, but appreciate there are always constraints with routes, safety, and the wider group. Worth noting on the group, we’re in our 30s and there were around 10 others similar age, but the majority were more in the 50–60 range. Maybe 20–25% female. Not a negative, just useful context depending on what you’re expecting. Overall, a really memorable trip and one we’d absolutely recommend.

Curiosity48878407375

The best of Ride Sri Lanka First time on an international cycling tour didn’t now what expect but seriously it was the best cycling tour I’ve been on, from start to finish the level of service was excellent. The routes by the route master Phil Evans were just amazing everyday was different and exciting. The briefing and taking care of all our needs was brilliantly done by Wonder Woman Corinne Evans. I went for a cycling tour fell in love with Sri Lanka and the people. Oh before I forget to mention the most calm mechanic Ajay who was totally hands on. A big Thank you to the whole team. Love you guys , Raj Savani.

Newquaygreen1

1st rate experience and support from MTB We have just returned from our 2nd Ride Sri Lanka gravel bike tour led by Multi Terrain Biking. Both of these tours were an amazing experience on many levels. The rides that Phil from MTB created and proof rode just before we started showed the commitment by him to make sure the route was the best it could be and safest also. No detail was left to chance by the brilliant organisation by Corinne from MTB and supported by a dedicated team on the ground in Sri Lanka. From the moment we made our commitment to sign up and to the final checks before we departed to fly home they were with us all the way. Everything in-between ran so smoothly which when you are managing around 100 cyclists and companions is by no means an easy task. Detailed daily briefings covering safety, distance options, route support and if needed mechanical support as well. Their enthusiasm for Sri Lanka certainly has rubbed off on me!

Rupa S

Highly Recommend it, Great fun laughter , seeing this beautiful country Sri anka Just back from our 1st tour with MTB. So well worth it . Great think to do as couples or family. One does cycling and other does touring as Companions or do both. I got to hand it to then it was so well organised with hotels, foods, do to little thing for both riders and Companion, would mend over back words for anything or anyone. Never saw anything like this, If you into to cycling or sight seeing then this trip you must do at least ones in your life. What lovely place to do in Sri Lanka. I have fallen in love with is country. Have made new friends and had great laughter, fun as Companions and rider. Corinne and every ones from Sri Lanka Airlines was amazing, Got to hand it to them all with hand of applause. Will be think of doing again for such. Thank you for give us lovely experience something we never expected MTB.

Lauren C

Highly Recommended Tour 👌🏻👌🏻 Me and my partner loved our experience of the Ride Sri Lanka tour! So much so, we are definitely planning on returning for the 2027 event. Hotel options, food options and route options were fantastic with everything meticulously planned behind the scenes by Phil and Ajay. Up front, with a friendly smile, Corrine was always on hand and happy to help too! A perfect collaboration between MTB and Sri Lankan Airlines.

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Organised by MTB Worldwide — the company trusted by SriLankan Airlines to manage all their cycle tour logistics

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Gallery - Ride Sri Lanka 2025

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