Day 1 - Depart London
We departed London on overnight flight to Colombo

Day 2 - Arrive Sri Lanka – Colombo
We arrived in Colombo at 15.40pm where we were met by our guides and driven by private bus to Negombo (15/20 minutes). Here we checked into our Hotel followed by a briefing and bike fitting with our guides on the challenge ahead and then dinner before finally collapsing after an exhausting day. 

Day 3  - Negombo to Kithulgala
For the first leg of our challenge we left early in the morning to make the most of the cooler air and started by cycling south along the coastal roads with the ocean on one side and the ancient lagoon and canals, built by the Dutch, on the other. We rested at regular intervals at monasteries and markets to take photos and top up with water and after about 40km we passed the village of Gampbaha. This was the beginning of the mountainous Central Highlands region that we would be cycling through over the next three days. We stopped for an early lunch in a coconut/ rubber plantation where we were taught a little about the local trades. Back in the saddle once again we started the serious business of climbing into the foothills of the highland region all the way to Ruwanwella where we met our transfer vehicles that took us to Kithulgala. This was the site for the filming of David Lean’s masterpiece “Bridge on the River Kwai” and we stayed in the Kithulgala Rest House that overlooks the magnificent Kalani River. For those with enough energy there was the chance to take a guided trip over the river and into the forest on a tour of the local communities. For our meal at night we had a magnificent buffet of local delicacies. 
(Approx distance 95km) 

Day 4 - Kithulgala to Nuwara Eliya
This was one of our toughest days as we made our way into the heart of the central highlands. We started with a short transfer to Hatton through the Ginigathena Pass, avoiding a climb of over 20 miles on the main road. Here we started our days challenge with a tough hill almost immediately and by mid morning we arrived at the Devon planters’ bungalow on the Thalawakelle tea estate where we stopped for a cup of the finest Ceylon Tea, overlooking the magnificent Devon and St. Clair waterfalls. We ended the day with a descent to Nanu Oya where a minibus took us the last steep 7 mile climb to Nuwara Eliya. The ultra-keen had the opportunity to do this leg on their bikes and meet the rest of us at the Galway Forest Lodge where we were staying. 
(Approx distance 65km)

Day 5  - Nuwara Eliya to Kandy 
We left Nuwara Eliya for our last day in the tough Central Highlands. Coming out of town we took on 7km of hill immediately and then a great 13km downhill all the way to the Labukelle Tea Estate, where we were taken around and shown the leaf preparation process. Here we transferred to Delpitiya where we cycled on almost deserted roads for the next 60km with the most spectacular views. We stopped for lunch close to the village of Pukuressa with its wonderful waterfalls and in the afternoon we made our way through Gallaha and all the way to Kandy. We arrived in town alongside its beautiful University and continued on to our Hotel in the centre of this lovely and relaxed city.
(Approx distance 90km) 

Day 6 – Kandy to Habarana
After breakfast we made our way to Wattegama situated just at the top of a hill outside Kandy and from there we started our challenge for the day. For our morning section we were once again on quiet roads, descending from the hill country to the flat “dry zone”, with great views of the Knuckles mountain range to the east. From Matale the roads were flanked by giant fig trees, that provided welcome shelter from the sun, and we stopped for lunch at a local spice garden where we could see the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables that are produced in this region. Our last section was to the famous Dambulla Cave Temples where we visited this important Sri Lankan religious site. After a good break we transferred to our hotel in Habarana and had the rest of the afternoon to relax by the pool or take an optional visit to the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya or an Elephant safari by jeep in the Minneriya Girital Sanctuary. 
(Approx distance 72km)

Day 7 - To Trincomalee
Our final day was almost totally on the flat and so although it was a long way it was relatively quick work. We found very little traffic as this area is just recovering from the effects of more than 20 years of civil war and the 2004 tsunami. By the time we got there it was only just be re-opening to business, tourism and traffic. We had our lunch at Kantale by the side of the huge reservoir, one of the oldest and biggest in Sri Lanka. We then passed Kandurukanda Mountain and a small section of the Somawathie Chaitiya Sanctuary. Along the last section of road as we came into Tampalakamam, just outside Trincomalee, we also passed the Naval Headwork Sanctuary. Our hotel was ready for our arrival and this evening we marked the end of the challenge with a typical Sri Lankan BBQ celebratory meal on the golden sandy beaches of Trincomalee. 
(Approx distance 84km)

Day 8 - Back to Negombo
Finally we had a late breakfast for those that wish to relaxed after the long challenge. There was a last chance to take a swim before an early lunch after which we started the long journey back to Colombo where we spent the night.

Day 9 (Sat 22nd Oct) - International Childcare Trust projects visit/Back to Colombo
After breakfast we visited two of ICT’s projects where we saw the results of our fundraising before returning to Colombo. We arrived at our hotel in the capital in the early evening. This gave us a chance also to see Colombo by night or just to relax in the hotel with a beer overlooking the ocean. 

Day 10 (Sun 23rd Oct) - Return to UK
Flight back to the UK in time for work on Monday!

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