Luxury Night Cycling Tour of Colombo

The Night Cycling tour consists of a 4 - 5 hour adventure through the bustling yet vibrant streets of the commercial hub of Colombo. Covering a distance of 17 kilometers, this tour allows you to explore the busy streets, admire the scenic sights, and discover the old capital's rich history and culture along the way. With the relevant safety gear and proper guidance, you can enjoy a safe yet exhilarating experience while you cruise the streets of Colombo.

Highlights

• A comprehensive, well-narrated tour through the city
• Exploring main heritage sites in the city

Includes:

• One-night cycling session
• Tour host/escort
• A bottle of water and other refreshments (snacks, tea/coffee, or drinks)
• Cold Towels
• Helmets, safety glasses, and reflector jackets (safety of our guests is our first priority)
• A backup vehicle and spare bicycles are available for two guests and above.
• All taxes and service charges

Excludes:

• Dinner
• Gratuities (optional)
• Expenses of personal nature

The Experience

The tour begins from Independence Square at 1730 hrs (5.30 pm), where you get the opportunity to be familiar with the cycles and, of course, listen and adhere to the safety briefing. You will also be provided with helmets, safety glasses, and reflector jackets to ensure safety at all times. The route is as follows.

• The Independence Square: Consisting of the Independence Memorial Hall and the surrounding gardens, this is considered a national monument. Opened in 1953, this hall is based on the architecture of the Royal Palace Complex in Kandy.
• Lunatic Asylum: Constructed in 1889, this was previously known as the Jawatta Lunatic Asylum. Now, many years later, it's known as the Independence Arcade, which houses a modern shopping complex with high-end clothing brands, chic cafes and restaurants.
• Race Course: Built in 1893, the race course was initially used as a temporary airfield during World War II. It went on decline after that but was renovated and converted into an international-level rugby ground with a shopping complex.
• Victoria Park and the Municipal Building: The largest and oldest park in Colombo, the Victoria Park has been renamed as the Viharamahadevi Park (Queen Viharamahadevi was the mother of King Dutugamunu). Built by the British Colonial Administration, this park was occupied by the British Army during World War II and reopened to the public in 1951. The Municipal Building, which is located on the opposite side of the park, is also known as the Town Hall of Colombo. The design has been inspired by Neoclassical Architecture.
• Gangaramaya Temple: One of the most significant temples in Sri Lanka, the Gangaramaya Temple exudes a combination of modern architecture and cultural essence. The architecture is an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Indian, Thai, and Chinese architecture. A part of the temple is located on Beira Lake.
• Slave Island: A suburb of Colombo that is home to the Beira Lake and is now mostly a commercial area with office spaces and shopping centers. This was also a holding area for African slaves during the Dutch rule, while some descendants are permanent residents in the area as well.
• Dutch Hospital: Considered the oldest building in the Colombo Fort area, the Old Colombo Dutch Hospital dates back to the Dutch Colonial Era. It is now a much-loved heritage building and a shopping and dining precinct. Initially built as a hospital to serve the Dutch seafarers, the building was later used for several different purposes.
• Grand Oriental Hotel: Built in the late 1800s, this hotel is a heritage hotel that speaks volumes of a rich and vibrant history. It also offers a scenic view of the Colombo Harbour and is located in the heart of Colombo Fort.
• Old Colombo Lighthouse: Now functioning as a clock tower, the Old Colombo Lighthouse was constructed in 1857. An important part of the city, it still remains a heritage site. This 29-meter-tall tower was the tallest structure in Colombo at that time.
• The Prison of the Last King of Ceylon: A few minutes away from the Dutch Hospital and from the Clock Tower, the prison cell of the last king of Sri Lanka, Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe, is eerily located opposite the Bank of Ceylon Headquarters.
• Galle Face Green and Galle Face Hotel: The Galle Face Green is a long stretch of coastal land area that was cleared by the Dutch to fix cannons of their fort. The original green was larger than the area that is visible today. The Galle Face Hotel, which is found towards the end of this green area, is one of the oldest hotels east of Suez.

Once we complete this route, we will cycle back to Independence Square and finish the tour at approximately 2230 hrs (10.30 pm).

Notes: Comfortable walking/cycling shoes are recommended while the journey and time duration may change due to unpredictable road traffic. Photography stops can be arranged but within locations with reasonable parking facilities.