Ancient Kingdoms and the North: Sri Lanka

Thirteen days from the colonial south through the Cultural Triangle to Jaffna, a part of Sri Lanka that has seen little tourism since 2009.

Stradora Partner

From£3,661pp

Duration12 days

StyleGuided

Best suited toExperienced riders

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12 nights through Sri Lanka

Thirteen days, guided, from the southern coast to Jaffna on a Royal Enfield 350 Classic, with a rest day at the northern tip of the island.

This route is built around the parts of Sri Lanka that the standard loops leave out. It takes in the Cultural Triangle and the hill-country town of Nuwara Eliya, known as Little England, before heading north to Jaffna. The operator describes that region as undeveloped by tourism because of the three decades of war that ended in 2009, so the ride gets quieter and less polished the further north it goes.

The first day is spent in Galle, at the Galle Face hotel, one of the island’s colonial landmarks. Rather than start riding from there, the group takes the train to Kandy, which the operator calls one of the classic train journeys of the world, and has the afternoon in the old royal capital. The riding then climbs through tea country to Nuwara Eliya and its golf club, loops through the Knuckles range, where Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge is the stop, and drops to Dambulla for Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. The route then runs to the east coast at Trincomalee, across to Mannar and up to Jaffna. After a rest day there, the ride returns south through Wilpattu National Park, where the operator says leopards may be seen on a safari with some luck, and finishes in Colombo.

The price is per rider and covers the motorcycle, fuel and spares, accommodation in good standard hotels and guesthouses on single occupancy, all meals, local and international guides, a support vehicle with crew and mechanic, airport transfers and entrance fees. Flights, visas, insurance and alcohol are not included. An International Driving Licence and a Ceylon AA endorsement are needed, which the operator obtains once the booking is confirmed.

Style

Guided

Duration

A fortnight (11-15 nights)

Region

Asia

Vehicle provision

Vehicle provided

Group size

3 - 10

Departures

April - May