Cycling from Nuwara Eliya

(SKU: LK770097A5) This tour takes you on a ride through the picturesque streets of Nuwara Eliya and shows you the beautiful colonial architecture that makes it special. Cycle along the shores of Gregory Lake. Visit the perfectly landscaped golf course. Bike by the pretty colonial era post office with its brick walls and gabled roofs. Look at the some of the many Hindu Temples in the area

Highlights:

• Lake Gregory.
• Golf Course of Nuwara Eliya.
• The Nuwara Eliya Post Office.
• Hindu Temples.

Includes:

• Cycles and Cycling guide/ supporting crew.
• Back up vehicle (Cycle Carrier)
• Water and refreshments during the ride

Experience:

You will be starting your cycling ride at 9:00 am at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse. You will be accompanied by a cycling guide and backup vehicle. There will be regular breaks where you will be provided with water and refreshments. Nuwara Eliya is a city which was once the highland holiday resort of the British. Many British lords and ladies of the colonial era, visited the cool hills of Nuwara Eliya during the heights of summer in Britain. They created quaint little cottages, colorful gardens and large colonial mansions. Their legacy still remains making the city one of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka.

The race course of Nuwara Eliya is the last active horse racing arena left in Sri Lanka. Standing at 1868m above sea level, it is also one of the highest horse racing courses in the world. The course was built in 1900, though racing was officially inaugurated there in 1875. You will be able to cycle along the 9 furlong (1800m) race track, with its 333m straight stretch.

After this you will be visiting Lake Gregory. The area where Nuwara Eliya is now, was once dominated by a swampy bog due to a stream. The lake was created by the Governor at the time Sir William Gregory when he had a stream dammed to create more stable land for construction. The lake later became a popular region for romantic courtships. Cycling by the lake will show you its serene beauty with misty hills in the backdrop.

Your next destination would be the golf club. The 18 hole golf course was built in the late 19th century and is one of the oldest golf courses in the country. A private golf club runs it nowadays. You will be able to enjoy watching its finely landscaped greens and challenging course.

While biking through the city one of the most prominent buildings you will pass is the old red brick post office with its little clock tower. The post office too hails from the colonial era and sells some nice and inexpensive picture postcards, that you can take home as a souvenir if you so wish.

The Seetha Amman temple is just 5km away from the city and is an important place you will visit. The site is said to have been the place where Sita, wife of Lord Rama from the Hindu iterary epic Ramayana, was imprisoned by the Sri Lankan King Ravana who kidnapped her. You will be able to see the traditional Hindu temple that has been constructed at the site in respect to her as a goddess. If you have time left you may also visit a colonial era church in Nuwara Eliya. You will return to the race course in the city by 12:00 pm completing your tour. The cycling distance for this tour is about 23km.