Cultural highlights and places that are far away from the tourist streams. Together we get to know the traditional Sri Lanka.
Pricing
| Motorcyclist: | €3,690.00 $3,812.32 ? |
| pillion rider: | €3,250.00 $3,357.74 ? |
| Single room supplement: | €450.00 $464.92 ? |
Included
| Transfers Colombo Airport - Hotel and back |
| All overnight stays |
| Rental motorcycle incl. insurance Property damage to third parties |
| Multilingual (German/English/Sinhalese) travel companion on the motorcycle (Dylan Wickrama) |
| Escort vehicle and luggage transport |
| mechanic |
| travel security note |
| travel guide |
| Sri Lankan driving Permit |
| Visa (Visa on arrival at airport 35,- USD) |
| Petrol |
| entrance fees |
| Optional excursions |
| food and drink |
| Foreign health and accident insurance incl. return transport |
| travel cancellation insurance |
| Pocket money - 550 Euro (This amount is an indication of how much money you will need for this trip. It includes food, drink, souvenirs, optional excursions and gasoline.) |
| International flight - Colombo and back |
More details
| Minimum number of participants: 6 |
| Maximum number of participants: 12 |
| Maximum number of passengers: 2 |
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| Motorcycles: |
| During this trip we ride on Honda 250 ccm or equivalent motorcycles. In the event of damage to the vehicle caused by the user, the material costs must be borne by the party responsible. Seat height approx. 86-88 cm. Sri Lanka has left-hand traffic. |
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| Tour character: |
| During this tour we will not rid up to any notable heights and also not through very deserted areas. We ride on light motorcycles on both well-developed roads and side roads with not always good asphalt and some gravel and forest roads. Offroad experience is therefore recommended. An offroad basic training is very useful as preparation. You learn how best to handle a motorcycle in the country. The Pilot Tour is not suitable for inexperienced motorcyclists. The daily stages are not long, which offers the possibility to visit or photograph different villages on the way. An inconvenience is perhaps the traffic density in and around the cities. Every day many motorcycles, scooters, tuktuks and bicycles make their way through the streets. On the main road (which we avoid as much as possible), consider the lorries, because the traffic rules are mostly hidden to European eyes. |
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| Clothing: |
| A helmet is compulsory, as are protective clothing with protectors, good gloves and boots or sturdy shoes. Especially in spring and autumn it can get very warm in the lower regions. Therefore we recommend to wear breathable protective clothing. On the higher parts in the mountains you may wear extra warm clothing under your motorcycle clothing. Because of the dust it is advisable to have a pair of glasses with you. We plan our trips before or after the monsoon season. Nevertheless, we must expect short rain showers at all times. In the end, the temperatures in the mountain regions can fall up to 5 C in winter, so it is advisable to take warm clothes with you. |
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| Travel documents: |
| You need a passport that is valid for 6 months after the return date. German citizens need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. The visa must be applied for in advance as "Electronic Travel Authorization" (ETA) in the online procedure at www.eta.gov.lk, cost 35 USD. For this trip you will need a valid international riding licence and a 'Sri Lankan riding permit' which we will organise for you. |
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| Travel companion Dylan Wickrama: |
| We are very happy to offer the motorcycle tour with the adventurer Dylan Wickrama from Sri Lanka as our tour guide! Dylan arrived at the end of the road, at the Darién obstacle - an almost impenetrable area in Panama's jungle - after three years riding his motorcycle around the world. He built a raft powered by his BMW R 1150 GS and made his way across the Pacific towards Colombia. Together with Martina Zürcher, he has written a very inspiring book about his journey: 'Am Ende der Straße'. A journey with Dylan guarantees adventure! |
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| More details about the trip and what to take with you can be found in the manual that you will receive about 1 month before departure. |
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| Language: This offer is usually suitable for English and/or German speaking participants. Please enquire for language options. |
| Mobility: The offer is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please contact us for more information. |
Description
Whoever travels with adventurer and author Dylan Wickrama Sri Lanka, the beautiful and varied island in the Indian Ocean, will discover his former home country in an unconventional and adventurous way. We will experience people, nature and wonderful motorcycle routes with open senses.
The journey starts in the coastal town of Negombo and leads us over small roads into the interior. Via the old town of Anuradhapura we continue towards the east coast, where we can explore the beach, hot springs, a huge Dutch fort and a colourful Hindu temple in Trincomalee.
We ride back inland and visit the caves of Dambulla with thousands of Buddha statues and the Lion Rock at Sigiriya. We continue inland via Polonnaruwa and visit the famous tooth temple of Kandy, the tea plantations of the plateaus and the national parks in the south. Of course a relaxed stay at the beach is not to be missed. Over small and varied roads we ride back over the highlands along Adam's Peak towards Negombo.
The traveller never gets bored in Sri Lanka. Especially when he is accompanied by the adventurer and author Dylan Wickrama, who grew up in Sri Lanka, and enjoys bringing his home country closer to other people and giving them a special insight into everyday life. Experience authentic everyday life and explore Sri Lanka up close on extremely handy 250cc enduros.
TOURIST:
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO, CONTINUE TO NEGOMBO
After about half an hour of riding you will reach the coastal town of Negombo where you will meet the rest of the group. If there is enough time we will do a first test ride with the still unusual machines in Sri Lankan left-hand traffic. On the beach you can watch the fishermen catching their catch and preparing it for trade. Negombo's trademark are the outrigger boats with their brown sails, called Oruwa.
DAY 2 - NEGOMBO - MAHO (130 km)
We leave the busy Negombo and head north inland. Soon the traffic becomes a bit quieter and the roads run through coconut plantations. In a small village we visit a well-known family of Dylan and learn more about their life.
DAY 3 - MAHO - ANURADHAPURA - VIA AUKANA (120 km)
Along a river landscape we ride to the ancient Buddha statue of Aukana and have the opportunity to observe the life on the river. We ride on small roads to discover the authentic Sri Lanka. We stay overnight in Anuradapura on the shore of a small lake. Anuradhapura was once the capital of Sri Lanka. The many temples and huge stupas (dagobas) bear witness to the long and mainly religious history of this city. At the holy Bodhi tree there is a lively bustle.
DAY 4 - ANURADHAPURA - TRINCOMALEE (120 km)
Before breakfast we visit the big stupa of Anuradapura. With 103 meters it is the biggest in Sri Lanka. In the early hours we see the Buddhist pilgrims at their ceremonies. After breakfast we always head east. Our day's destination is the port city of Trincomalee, situated on a peninsula, and the sea! Vanakkam - this is how you are welcomed in the Tamil culture.
DAY 5 - TRINCOMALEE - REMAINING
Today is our first day of rest, but we are not bored. For culture lovers we visit the colourful Hindu temple Koneswaram, where numerous divine statues and a huge golden statue of Shiva decorate the sanctuary. Due to its unique location, the view from the rock Swami offers a beautiful view along the coast with postcard flair. The fishermen come back from their tour in the morning and it is very lively. In the afternoon you can swim, enjoy the beach and the peace and quiet or take a small motorcycle tour along the coast.
DAY 6 - TRINCOMALEE - POLONNARUWA (140 km)
Today the first off-road track is scheduled. Those who feel safe enough will ride from the coast through the jungle towards Polonaruwa. Those who prefer to ride on the tarred road have the possibility to take a longer, but easier detour with the support vehicle. Today we reach the so-called "cultural triangle" of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is the second ancient Singhalese royal city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city took over the status of capital of Anuradhapura in the 10th century. Polonnaruwa was long overgrown by lush jungle and thus protected.
DAY 7 - POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA (90 km)
In the morning we visit the ruined city of Polonaruwa. The former royal city of Sri Lanka is so extensive that a visit by motorcycle is ideal. In the afternoon we continue through the hot dry zone of the country, along artificially created reservoirs towards Sigiria. In the evening we climb Piturangala, a bizarre rock formation and enjoy the sunset over an enchanting landscape and the famous Lion Rock.
DAY 8 - SIGIRIYA - REMAINING
If you want, you can visit the Sigiriay rock fortress, which is a world heritage site. It is possible to visit a temple complex that is half engulfed by the jungle. In addition to the ruins, we meet impressively large trees. Then we visit a local village, which is building an existence by showing the traditional Sri Lankan way of life and traditional cooking over a wood fire. The food tastes delicious. On the way back we visit the impressive cave temples of Dambulla. 364 steps lead up to the caves. The view into the distance, as well as the thousands of golden Buddha statues and paintings on the rock walls form an impressive conclusion to the days in the "cultural triangle" of Sri Lanka.
DAY 9 -SIGIRIYA - MONARATHENNA
From the touristy Sigirya we go to a somewhat quieter region. We cross nature parks and may meet elephants on the way. The direct route is not long, which gives us the option of experiencing nature on off-road routes and without the hustle and bustle of tourism. The night in Monarathenna is in a private bungalow, where every room has a garden connection and a view of a lake with thousands of birds.
DAY 10 - EXIT THROUGH THE MADURA OYA NATIONAL PARK
The luggage stays in the room and we ride towards Madura Oya National Park. The jungle region is beautiful and thanks to Dylan's relationships we have the unique opportunity to learn more about survival in the jungle in a military training camp. Which snakes are poisonous? Which plants heal what? Knowing that we can look at nature again with different eyes. After visiting the camp, it is time to go elephant stalk. The animals only come out of the thicket when the sun is no longer that high.
DAY 11 - MADURA OYA NP - KNUCKLES MOUNTAINS (126 km)
We leave the jungle and the humid hot climate: Today we go to the highlands. In the Knuckels Mountains we enjoy the peace and cooler temperatures. We ride via the 18-Bend-Road, the most impressive winding road in Sri Lanka and enjoy the continuation of the journey: on an adventurous route deeper and deeper into the mountains. At the very end the way to our overnight stay today, lonely bungalows in the mountains, will be very challenging. But we are lucky: we don't have to go back for two days.
DAY 12 - KNUCKLES MOUNTAINS - REMAINING
This day is free for hiking tours or a motorcycle trip further down the valley to Mimuree, the oldest village in Sri Lanka.
DAY 13 - KNUCKLES MOUNTAINS - PUSSELAWA / GAMPOLE (100 km)
Now we have definitely arrived in the tea cultivation area. Tea plantations with colourfully dressed tea pickers dominate the landscape. Today Sri Lanka is still one of the largest tea producers in the world. We ride to the region of Pusselawa / Gampole and the dark green shining tea bushes are our companions on the left and right side of the road. This is where Dylan grew up and we visit the Delta Teafactory to see how the picked tea leaves become the tea we drink every morning.
DAY 14 - PUSSELAWA / GAMPOLE - NUWARA ELIYA
Actually we are already relatively close to our goal for today. The direct way to Nuware Elia would be fast, but we choose the smallest roads and ride criss-cross through the tea fields. The fun of riding on the often unpaved roads is great. After arrival it becomes clear why Nuwara Eliya is also called 'Little England' - the buildings offer a typical English atmosphere. The mountainous area lies at an altitude of 2.000 m and is much fresher than the rest of the country. Here we find a nice B&B in colonial style and the possibility to buy souvenirs.
DAY 15 - NUWARA ELIYA - ELLA/WELLAWAYA (88 km)
Devils Staircaise - the devil's staircase. The name of this particularly bumpy road says it all: If you feel like it, you can challenge your skills today and face the devil and some pretty big stones. If there is enough time, or for those who are not looking for such big adventures, we will go on quiet roads to the Buduragalae rock temple, which is located in the middle of nature.
DAY 16 - ELLA/WELLAWAYA - KURUWITIA (140 km)
Now we are slowly moving back towards the west. Our daily goal is right in front of the Bopath Waterfall. Already on the way, nature shows itself once again from its most varied side: We ride along the flanks of Adams Peak, the highest mountain on the island with 2'243 meters.
DAY 17 - KURUWITIA - KITULGALA (70 km)
In terms of riding technique, today is the last time we will face the challenges of the jungle. We enjoy the time without traffic in the morning. Towards evening we have no other choice but to ride along the main roads for a while. The effort is rewarded with a dinner right at the river.
DAY 18 - KITULGALA - REMAINING
Today we build ourselves a raft - or at least almost. A few kilometres along the river who wants to slowtubing à la Dylan: In old truck tyres we drift leisurely along the river and see from the water how strong the river is a lifeline for the people who still live in the simplest conditions.
DAY 19 - KITULGALA - NEGOMBO (100 km)
Today we will return directly to Negobmo, where we will return our beloved bikes and enjoy our last evening together on the beach.
DAY 20 - NEGOMBO - DEPARTURE OR EXTENSION
You will get a transfer to the airport. Individual return flight to Europe.
EXTENSION
Extension: recreation on the beach . At the end of your round trip you can relax a few more days on one of the many sandy beaches in Sri Lanka.
Changes to the route can be adapted to the current conditions on site