Kalthota Cycling Trail

Quick Facts

Availability : all year round
Transfer arrangements to be picked up and dropped off to any preferred location could be provided on request
Starting time : 8:00 a.m. at Pambahinna Junction (Belihuloya)
Ending time : 1:00 p.m. at Big Game Camp Udawalawe (Hambegamuwa/Udawalawe)
Duration : 4 to 5 hours (with stopovers)
Cycling distance : 40 kilometres in total
Grading : Soft and moderate
Please Note : Not recommended for children under 14 years unless they have experienced similar excursions.
It is possible to extend the activity with accommodation at Udawalawe.

Why should you book this trip?

A ride from 50 metres to 1200 metres above sea level, passing breathtaking scenery, different vegetation types, different communities and even change in temperature.
Opportunity to engage with local communities. A cycling tour in Sri Lanka gives you the flexibility to stop and experience on a personal level, whether it is to see the traditional lifestyles of people or to take in the landscape.
Some of the tour highlights would be: Samanalawewa reservoir and dam, Kuragala temple and view point, the beautiful Kalthota Pass with its hairpin bends, Doowili Ella Waterfall, Kalthota irrigational canal and the Elephant Corridors of Udawalawe National Park.
You will be accompanied by a guide experienced in day trips in Sri Lanka.

Included in the price

Excluded

Transportation to the starting point and from the end point of the cycle trail (this could be arranged by us at an additional cost)
Any extra beverages, food and snacks consumed
Optional activity costs on the cycling tour
Any personal effects not mentioned in this description
Any tips for the staff
Any others expenses not mentioned in YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES section

Tour in brief

You will meet our guide at the Pambahinna junction at the scheduled time.
After a brief on the cycling tour, safety and pit stop plan, cycling gear is worn and the trail begins. We cycle past the Sabaragamuwa University and some villages to reach the Samanalawewa lake dam which is breathtakingly scenic.
From here, we climb up few kilometres, through the forest reserve, to reach a viewpoint of the magnificent lake.
After a little rest, a few short uphill and downhill stretches are done, to reach the Balangoda/Kalthota road.
This route takes us to Kuragala. Bikes are parked and the climb to Kuragala Rock is taken. This is a sacred place for both Buddhists and Muslims.
Next on the Kalthota cycling holiday, we go down to the scenic Kalthota Pass up to the turn off to the Duwili Ella – a hidden gem of Sri Lanka. We will venture on a walk to see this magnificent waterfall, take photographs and catch a breather.
The following lap of the cycling tour is mostly downhill and flat. Upon reaching the Kalthota hamlet, we cycle along a beautiful canal until we reach a newly-built fairly broad tarmac road.
Our day tour will take us past a changing landscape, as we make our way through an Elephant Corridor.
Eventually we arrive at our final destination: the Big Game Camp at Udawalawe.
Following a short break, lunch will be served and continue the journey on this cycling tour in Sri Lanka.

Important

Lightweight clothes and biking shoes and boots should be worn on the ride , bearing in mind warm, windy and rainy conditions.
Insect repellent and sun lotion are recommended items to carry.
Water bottles and refreshments should be carried at all times.
Dress code for visiting temples: Clothing should cover shoulders down to knee level. Hats, caps and any other head covering should be removed prior to entering a temple.White (with none or minimal motif) is the widely worn color.
Avoid taking photographs without asking or referring signage, as some important religious places do not allow photography or videography.
Maintain low levels of volume while speaking whilst inside the temple.

Things to do in Belihuloya