Hidden Sri Lanka
A Royal Enfield loop from Galle’s old fort through tea country and the Knuckles range to the surf beaches of the east coast.
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Hidden Sri Lanka
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12 nights through Sri Lanka
Thirteen days around Sri Lanka on a Royal Enfield, starting and finishing at Galle inside the old Dutch fort. It is a loop rather than a point to point, and it takes in most of what makes the island worth riding.
The climb into the hills is the best of it. From the southern countryside and Udawalawe National Park the route goes up past lakes and forest to 1,500 metres and into tea country, then Horton Plains and the colonial hill station at Nuwara Eliya. Kandy, the old royal capital, gets a rest day for the Temple of the Tooth and the botanical gardens, and then comes the Knuckles range, which is the riding highlight.
The second half drops to the coast. Dambulla and the cultural triangle include the climb up Sigiriya, a rock fortress with a palace on top of it, then the road runs through elephant country to the east coast at Passikudah and the surf at Arugam Bay. The return west crosses national parks to Kataragama, with an option to ride out to the Sithulpawwa rock temple in Yala.
Extreme Bike Tours provide a Royal Enfield 350, twin-share accommodation, all three meals a day, a guide, a mechanic, fuel and oil, spare parts, a support vehicle, airport pick-up at Colombo and all the site and wildlife park entry fees. Flights, visa, insurance and riding kit are separate, and a pillion rate and single supplement are published. For a first guided ride in Asia, this is a gentle and well-supported introduction.
Hidden Sri Lanka (2 of 7)
Hidden Sri Lanka (3 of 7)
Hidden Sri Lanka (4 of 7)
Hidden Sri Lanka (5 of 7)
Hidden Sri Lanka (6 of 7)
Hidden Sri Lanka (7 of 7)
Photography and film: the operator
Hidden Sri Lanka
transfer from Colombo airport to Galle, the start and finish point, group dinner
transfer from Colombo airport to Galle, the start and finish point, group dinner.
inland through the southern countryside to Udawalawe National Park
inland through the southern countryside to Udawalawe National Park.
past lakes and forest, climbing to 1,500m into tea country
past lakes and forest, climbing to 1,500m into tea country.
Horton Plains and on to Nuwara Eliya, the colonial hill station
Horton Plains and on to Nuwara Eliya, the colonial hill station.
ride to Kandy, the old royal capital
ride to Kandy, the old royal capital.
rest day in Kandy (Temple of the Tooth, botanical gardens)
rest day in Kandy (Temple of the Tooth, botanical gardens).
the Knuckles mountain range
the Knuckles mountain range.
down to Dambulla and the cultural triangle, climbing Sigiriya rock fortress
down to Dambulla and the cultural triangle, climbing Sigiriya rock fortress.
through elephant country to the east coast at Passikudah
through elephant country to the east coast at Passikudah.
short ride to Arugam Bay
short ride to Arugam Bay.
west through national parks to Kataragama, option to ride to the Sithulpawwa Rock Temple in Yala
west through national parks to Kataragama, option to ride to the Sithulpawwa Rock Temple in Yala.
back to Galle for the final dinner
back to Galle for the final dinner.
departure
departure. About 4 to 6 hours riding a day.
What's included
- Royal Enfield 350cc
- accommodation (twin share)
- breakfast
- lunch and dinner
- tour guide
- mechanic
- fuel and oil
- spare parts
- drinking water
- first aid
- support vehicle
- Colombo airport pick-up
- historical site and wildlife park entry fees
Not included
- International flights
- visa (online)
- personal medical insurance (required)
- single supplement (US $600)
- riding kit
- alcohol and souvenirs
Ready to drive it?
12 days, from £2,982pp
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