Have you always wanted to explore the paradise tropical island of Sri Lanka by motorcycle but didn’t have the time to travel for 3 weeks? Then we now offer you the opportunity! Our Sri Lanka motorcycle tour takes you to the most important cultural sights and offers many scenic highlights.
We ride our 250cc Hondas along all kinds of small roads through the countryside, over mountains, and past vibrant green tea plantations and rice fields, through cities and small villages, where we frequently stop along the way to enjoy the delicious food the country has to offer. Discover the colorful temples, ancient Sinhalese royal cities like Polonnaruwa, the legendary Lion Rock in Sigiriya, and Kandy with one of the most important Buddhist relics, the Sacred Tooth, and enjoy the hospitality of the people. A motorcycle tour in Sri Lanka guarantees a colorful variety.
If you have more time, we recommend the trip with Dylan Wickrama and Martina Zürcher. You will discover Dylan’s former home in an unconventional and adventurous way.
Everything you need to know about this tour. Do you have any further questions? Please contact us!
Individual arrival in Colombo. After about half an hour of driving, we reach the coastal town of Negombo, where we will spend our first night. On the beach, you can watch the fishermen as they bring in their catch and prepare it for trade. The outrigger boats with their brown sails, called "Oruwa," are considered a hallmark of Negombo.
From Negombo, we head north at first, then turn inland. We continue through the flat dry zone of the island, where the Wilpattu National Park is located. Anuradhapura was once the capital of Sri Lanka. The many temples and huge stupas (dagobas) testify to the long and primarily religious history of this city. There is a lot of activity around the sacred Bodhi tree, where pilgrims make offerings.
Before breakfast, we visit the large stupa of Anuradhapura. At 103 meters, it is the largest in all of Sri Lanka. In the early hours, we witness Buddhist pilgrims performing their ceremonies. After breakfast, we drive eastward. Our destination for the day is the port city of Trincomalee, located on a peninsula, and the sea! "Vanakkam" – this is how one is greeted in Tamil culture.
Today is our first rest day, but we won’t get bored. A visit to Pigeon Island for snorkeling or diving is worthwhile. For culture lovers, we visit the colorful Koneswaram Hindu Temple, where numerous divine statues and a giant golden statue of Shiva adorn the sanctuary. Due to its unique location, the view from Swami Rock offers a beautiful postcard-worthy view along the coast. In the morning, the fishermen return from their tours, making for a lively scene. In the afternoon, you can swim, enjoy the beach and tranquility, or take a short motorcycle ride along the coast.
Today, the first off-road track awaits us. We continue through the hot dry zone of the country, passing artificial reservoirs toward Sigiriya. We will reach Sri Lanka’s so-called “Cultural Triangle” today. In Sigiriya, the Lion Rock rises from the green jungle, a 200-meter-high massive monolith. Once, the hidden kingdom of King Kassapa was located here. Today, some ruins, world-famous frescoes, and the mirror wall remind us of its former glory. In the evening, we can climb Pidurangala, a bizarre rock formation, and enjoy the sunset over a stunning landscape and the famous Lion Rock.
We head into the highlands. In the Knuckles Mountains, we will enjoy peace and cooler temperatures. We drive along an impressive winding road and relish the adventurous route, leading us deeper into the mountains.
"Sri Lanka is a beautiful travel destination, with great landscapes, beautiful temples and nice, friendly people. The highlights of the trip were the hidden temples and paths that are not in any travel guides. The encounter with the people in the backlands. Because Dylan is very good and speaks the language, we could learn a lot about the country and its people. He was able to open many a door. It should be described that the tour with Dylan is not for beginners or motorcyclists without off-road experience, because especially the steep, bumpy slopes are the most fun."
The journey to Kandy isn’t far, but it’s so beautiful here that we choose the most spectacular route, not the fastest. Kandy, idyllically located at 500 meters above sea level by a lake, has a moderate climate. In Kandy, you can visit the famous Temple of the Tooth. According to tradition, the left canine tooth of Buddha is kept here as a relic. Twice a day, you can witness a Puja ceremony, where the golden tooth is shown to the public, and flowers are offered by devotees.
The winding route leads through the picturesque southern highlands. Tea plantations, with brightly dressed tea pickers, dominate the landscape. Today, Sri Lanka is still one of the largest tea producers in the world. Upon arrival, it becomes clear why Nuwara Eliya is called ‘Little England’ – the buildings exude a typical English atmosphere. The mountainous area lies at 2,000 meters in elevation and is much cooler than the rest of the country.
We continue through the highlands. The landscape consists of tropical jungle and tea plantations shimmering in every shade of green. We pass along World’s End Road and the Horton Plains National Park. This hilly plateau, at an elevation of 2,100 to 2,300 meters, is regarded as a “super biodiversity hotspot” due to its rich variety of species, many of which are endemic. The Central Highlands were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list on July 31, 2010. We arrive in the famous tea-growing area of Uva, which owes its rise to colonial merchant Thomas Lipton, who began his tea business here.
The popular mountain village of Ella and its surroundings, with the impressive view through Ella Gap, provide an oasis of relaxation upon arrival. Near the gorge, we encounter roaring waterfalls. Numerous day-trip destinations are within reach. There are definitely exciting mountain trails to explore. You can visit a spice plantation, a tea factory, or climb Little Adam’s Peak.
Today, we’ll ride only on paved roads, but quiet, winding routes away from the main roads. Ratnapura is located at the southern edge of the Sri Lankan highlands. Situated on the banks of the Kalu River, Ratnapura is the country’s most important gemstone center. Its tropical rainforest climate is responsible for a rich diversity of vegetation.
On our last riding day, we leave the highlands behind and head back toward the west coast. We will avoid the major roads but will notice the increase in traffic. It's time to focus once again on driving. Once we arrive in Negombo, we can toast to our wonderful journey at sunset and enjoy our last evening together.
You will be transferred to the airport and fly back to Germany with countless memories.
To conclude your round trip, you can enjoy a few more days of relaxation on one of Sri Lanka’s white sandy beaches.
During this trip, we will ride on Honda 230 / 250 cc or equivalent motorcycles. In the case of vehicle damage caused by personal fault, the cost of materials must be covered by the person responsible. Seat height is approximately 86-88 cm. Traffic in Sri Lanka is left-hand driving.
During this tour, we will not be riding at significant altitudes, nor will we travel through very remote areas. We will ride light motorcycles on both well-maintained roads and smaller side roads, which may not always have good asphalt, as well as some gravel and forest tracks. Off-road experience is therefore recommended. A basic off-road training course is very useful as preparation, where you can learn how to handle a motorcycle in off-road conditions. The daily stages are not long, providing the opportunity to visit or photograph various villages along the way. One potential inconvenience may be the traffic density in and around cities. Every day, many motorcycles, scooters, tuk-tuks, and bicycles navigate through the streets. On the main roads (which we will try to avoid), be mindful of trucks, as traffic rules may often remain hidden to European eyes. We will ride on unpaved roads for about one-third of the time over the course of three days.
A helmet is mandatory, as well as protective clothing with armor, good gloves, and boots or sturdy footwear. Especially in spring and autumn, it can get very warm in the lower-lying regions, so we recommend wearing breathable protective gear. In the higher mountainous areas, you may want to wear extra warm clothing underneath your motorcycle gear. Due to the dust, it's advisable to bring well-fitting goggles. We plan our trips before or after the monsoon season, but short rain showers should always be expected. Lastly, temperatures in the mountain regions can drop to 5°C in winter, so it's wise to pack warm clothing.
You need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. German citizens require a visa to enter Sri Lanka. The visa must be obtained in advance as an "Electronic Travel Authorization" (ETA) through the online process at https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/, costing $50 USD. For this trip, you will need a valid International Driver's License and a 'Sri Lankan driving permit,' which we will organize for you.
This tour will be guided by our local Sri Lankan tour guide for up to 6 participants. This guide has worked as a tour guide in Sri Lanka for many years and knows the area very well. He knows all the routes, hotels, restaurants, and speaks English. For groups of 6 or more, a German-speaking Motor2Travel tour guide will also accompany the tour.
Rider starting at: €2450,-
Pillion: €2150,-
Single room occupancy additional charge: €390,-
Pocket money to bring with you: €375,-*
Minimum number of riding participants: 6
Maximum number of riding participants: 10
Maximum number of pillion riders: 2
Visum (exclusive): 50,- USD
This tour is available on these dates:
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