Sri Lanka Motorcycle and Jeep Tour                                                           Contact us for Details

Your Host/Guide: Mark Wyndham

Mark has 25 years of dirt and road riding under his belt, with seven years touring experience in SE Asia. He started running bike tours with the idea of offering short adventure packages for travelers from around the globe, young or old, so they can enjoy the amazing experience of motorbike touring in the mountains of Vietnam. Mark and Jim have shared a few beers together in Vietnam and work together across the border, Laos/Vietnam from time to time.  Uniquely Australian, Mark is one of our favorite motorcycle tour guides in Southeast Asia.

 
Upcoming Tour Dates:   24th February, 09 June, 06 October 2013
Itinerary:

Day 1: Negombo

Ayubowan, welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon touching down at Bandaranaike International airport your driver will be waiting to transfer to your beachside hotel in Negambo, so you can enjoy a relaxing evening by the sea.

O/N Rani Beach Hotel
(D)

Day 2: Negombo to Dambulla

Get on yer bikes! Today is the first day of your motorbike journey around Sri Lanka and we set off early to make the most of the daylight hours. We start at the Neagambo fish market, one of the country’s busiest, to witness the organized chaos as hundreds of buyers come to get their hands on the day’s freshest catch.

We then leave the coast behind and head east on quiet roads making our way toward Dambulla. The change in scenery is dramatic and there are plenty of chances to stop for photos as we cruise through the Sri Lankan countryside. At midday we’ll reach Dambulla and hop off our motorbikes for lunch.

The afternoon is spent visiting some of the sights around Dambulla including the famed ‘Buddha Cave’ which houses more than 150 Buddha statues, some dating back to the 1st century. Then we trade our motorbikes for a slower form of transport- an elephant! Climb on the back of one of these gentle giants for a ride through the jungle, experiencing Sri Lanka from a different perspective.

After this exhilarating day into the heartland of Sri Lanka it’s time to relax. Check in to your resort and put your feet up, reflecting on the day’s adventure while enjoying a sunset drink.

O/N Sorowwa resort and Spa ****
(B,L,D)

Day 3: Dambulla - Polonnaruwa via Sigiriya

Today’s drive to Polonnaruwa is a short one but full of interesting stops along the way. Start with a visit to Sigiriya, a century-old temple that is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous religious monuments. Continue east to Polonnaruwa, arriving in time for lunch. Polonnaruwa was a thriving commercial and religious capital 800 years ago and this afternoon we’ll spend exploring the temples and sites from that era.

O/N: Suduaraliya hotel ***
(B,L,D)

Day 4:  Polonnaruwa - Kandy via Knuckles Range

It’s days like today that make you remember why you started riding in the first place: the open road, stunning rural scenery, winding mountain passes and adventures at every turn.

The journey takes us from the flat lowlands and through jungles as we enter the base of Knuckle’s Mountain Range. As we climb higher and higher we’ll get deeper into dense mountain jungle, an atmospheric backdrop for our motorbike adventure. While other travelers frequent this route, few get to experience the dramatic landscapes by motorbike.

This afternoon we’ll arrive at Victoria Golf & Country Resort, our stop for today.

O/N Victoria Golf & Country Resort ****
(B,L,D)

Day 5:  Golf & ride: Hunnasgiriya – Meemure

This morning we get a chance to relax before our afternoon ride. Opt for a round of golf at the Resort or lounge poolside.

After lunch we get back on the bikes for an off-road ride to a tea plantation. Tucked higher up in the Knuckle’s Range, the plantation is one of the more remote ones in Sri Lanka. The ride is challenging but short and you’ll be rewarded with fabulous views and an insightful tour at the tea plantation.

Continue to Corbett’s View - an eco-lodge nestled high in the mountains. Surrounded by breathtaking views and blissfully removed from the trappings of the modern world, this lodge is the ideal place to relax and soak in the beauty of Sri Lanka.

O/N Corbett’s View Eco Lodge
(B,L,D)

Day 6: Jungle Ride, Corbetts Lodge - Kandy

It’s hard to say what is more exciting about today’s itinerary: the journey or the destination. It’s another challenging ride as we make our way to Kandy, the last ancient capital of Sri Lanka.

The route follows jungle tracks deeper into the mountains. We’ll be surrounded by dense highland forest, rarely seeing another person for most of the day.

Late this afternoon we will emerge from the jungle and return to civilization as we approach Kandy.

O/N Hotel Thilanka ****
(B,L,D)

Day 7:  Rest day - Kandy

After two challenging riding days we take a well-deserved break in Kandy with a day at leisure. If you’re feeling energetic we highly recommend checking out the Tooth Temple, one of the most sacred spots in Sri Lanka where the first tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. Kandy also is home to stunning Botanical Gardens, filled with exotic plants and flowers indigenous to the island. Cultural shows- such as traditional dance- are also on offer or just enjoy sipping tea with the locals at one of the many cafes in the town centre.

O/N Hotel Thilanka ****
(B)

Day 8:  Kandy – Ramboda falls, Worlds End, Haputhale

We’re back on the motorbikes today, making our way to Yala National Park. The landscapes will continue to amaze you with tea plantations, lush mountains, steep precipices and waterfalls serving as the backdrop for your ride. Mid-morning we’ll stop off at Rampoda falls, a series of 4 waterfalls fed by clear mountain springs. We also travel through what is known as ‘Worlds End’, the highest point in Sri Lanka. Depending on the day’s weather you’ll either have endless vistas or the chance to witness the fog sweeping across the lands below.

Our last stop in the highlands is Numeria Eliya, a charming town still reminiscent of the colonial era, where we’ll have lunch. We then descend down the mountains toward Yala National Park and the town of Haputhale, our stopping point of today’s ride.

O/N Olympus Plaza Hotel. ***
(B,L,D)

Day 9:  Haputhle, Tissa, Yala Safari

We trade in the motorbikes for 4WD Jeeps today for a safari-style excursion through Yala National Park. The park is the country’s second largest and is home to a mind-boggling number of wildlife species from butterflies to the famous Sri Lankan Elephants. Get up close with some of these exotic animals and marvel at the sheer beauty of Sri Lanka as you travel through the park in your jeep.

O/N Hotel Chandrika. ***
(B,L,D)

Day 10: Yala – Thissa – Mirissa

Leave the jungles and mountains to follow the majestic coastline of southern Sri Lanka to Mirissa.

Having made our way through Sri Lanka’s interior, today it’s time to return to the coast. Shortly after leaving Yala we’ll hit the shoreline and then head west around the southern tip of the country. The ride is an easy one, flat quiet roads which run parallel to the sea, but nevertheless spectacular.

In the afternoon we’ll reach Mirissa beach where we spend two nights relaxing in style. The crescent-shaped beach is known as one of the best sunset viewpoints in Sri Lanka – what better way to celebrate today’s journey with a cocktail on the beach as the sun dips low into the water.

O/N Paradise Beach Resort ****
(B,L,D)

Day 11  Mirissa free day

Relax and unwind on the beautiful beaches of southern Sri Lanka before enjoying a cold drink watching the sunset over the Indian ocean.

Today is what holiday is all about! Pristine beaches, clear waters and a laid-back island atmosphere. Swim, relax and enjoy your day in Mirissa.

O/N Paradise Beach Resort ****
(B)

Day 12: Mirissa - Galle-Fort Ratnapura (gem town), Kuruwita Bopath Falls

Today begins with a drive to Galle on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka. Galle is one of Asia’s best examples of a fortified city which was built by the Dutch in the 18th century. We’ll spend time exploring this historic town before turning inland on the bikes to Ratnapura. Known as the ‘City of Gems’, Ratnapura is the country’s chief source of precious stones such as rubies and sapphires and we’ll stop to watch the skilled gem cutters at work- a rich tradition in this trading town.

The last leg of today’s journey takes us to Bopath waterfalls. Located on a hill overlooking the waterfall, our hotel for the evening offers a million-dollar view.

O/N Bopath Falls Hotel. ***
(B,L,D)

Day 13:  Kuruwita – Kithulagala

After a leisurely morning near the falls we’ll head inland to a rafting camp. Deep in the jungle, the property is dominated by the Kelaniya Ganga River which we’ll explore by raft tomorrow.

O/N Borderlands rafting camp
(B,L,D)

Day 14: Kithulagala - Negombo

To cap off our two week adventure we’ll get one last adrenaline rush with a day of rafting and canyoning. Under the guidance of an expert paddler, we’ll white water raft down the Kelaniya Ganga River passive over class three rapids and popping over to the shore on occasion for a chance to swim. Back on dry land it’s time to explore a narrow canyon near the Kalaniya River. With full harnesses and expert guides we’ll descend down deep into the canyon jumping into plunge pools along the way.

After all this excitement we return to the tranquility of the coast for our final night in Negambo. We’ll head out for a special farewell dinner- celebrating two weeks of Sri Lankan adventure.

O/N Rani Beach Hotel
(B,L,D)

 

 

Tour Prices: 

US$4,000 per person riding motorbike
US$4,150 per passenger in Jeep

 

How to Book:

If you need more information or are ready to book, please email us and we'll send all the details you need quickly.

Click the icon to the left and send us an email!

or

Email: Jim@remoteasia.com

 

Bikes and Jeeps

Bikes
We will be riding Honda XR 250 Baja dirt bikes. These bikes are the work horses of the Honda fleet and perfect for on and off road touring. The tour will also include a support van so there is no need to carry luggage on your bike.
It really is a confidence inspiring bike to ride. It's easy to get seen by car drivers because of it's height and bright single (XR), it also makes for excellent visibility. It goes round corners better than most of bikes available in Sri Lanka - faster, more lean angle and really easy to flick side to side.

Jeeps
We offer that you can ride along in style by Jeep being driven by a local driver.
 

Licenses
All riders must bring a full motorcycle international license and a full motorbike license for their home country.
Self drive Jeep clients must send their full drivers license details and passport details to the organizers at least 1 month before the departure date so we can have a Sri Lankan drivers license issued.

 

Sights:

Negombo
Negombo is a town of about 121,933, approximately 37 km north of Colombo, in Sri Lanka. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, about 7 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport. Negombo has a small port, and its economy is mainly based on tourism and its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon, ceramics, and brass ware.

Ancient cities: Polonnaruwa
North of the Hill Country, in one of the driest parts of the country, lies the original heart of Sri Lankan civilisation. During the golden age of Sinhalese civilisation, it was called Rajarata – the Land of Kings. For 1500 years of dynasties, wars, invasions and religious missions to Asia, increasingly ambitious dams and irrigation systems supported two great cities – Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa – and many other magnificent examples of the region’s Buddhist culture. For almost a thousand years the jungle did its best to reclaim them, but major archaeological excavations over the past century have partially restored their glory. Engineers, too, have patched the irrigation system, marvelling at the skill of the original builders.

Central Highlands: Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province (which encompasses the districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya) and also of Kandy District. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of the most venerable places for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka and all around the world. It was declared a world heritage by the UNESCO in 1988.

YALA National Park
one of Sri Lanka 's premier eco tourism destinations, lies 24km northeast of Tissamaharama and 290km from Colombo on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, spanning a vast 97,878 hectares over the Southern and Uva Provinces.
The vegetation in the park comprises predominantly of semi-arid thorny scrub, interspersed with pockets of fairly dense secondary forest. Small patches of mangrove vegetation also occur along the coastal lagoons. The park is renowned for the variety of its Wildlife (most notably its many elephants) and its fine coastline (with associated coral reefs). It also boasts a large number of important cultural ruins, bearing testimony to earlier civilizations and indicating that much of the area used to be populated and well developed.

Southern Beaches: Mirissa
Mirissa and its breathtaking sandy beach pretty much transforms your dreams and visions of a tropical paradise into an everyday reality.
Located close to the Southern tip of the Island of Sri Lanka and only about 200 km from the Equator, this secluded crescent shaped beach is the perfect place to sit back, relax and forget about all the hussle and bussle of your other life that’s a million miles away.
This small sandy tropical beach boasts some of Sri Lanka’s best and most stunning sunsets and sunrises.

 

The Details:

Getting There
The easiest way to get to Sri Lanka is to catch an Asia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bandaranaike International airport, Sri Lanka. We will then have a car and driver waiting to transfer you to our starting hotel in Negombo. (Approx  30 min drive)

Visas
Visas are granted on entry and have no cost involved. You will be given the visa application form on the flight to Sri Lanka which you submit to customs on arrival for them to issue a tourist visa.

Licenses
All riders must bring a full motorcycle international license and a full motorbike license for their home country.
Self drive Jeep clients must send their full drivers license details and passport details to the organizers at least 1 month before the departure date so we can have a Sri Lankan drivers license issued.

Accommodation
Accommodation will be varied with an emphasis on higher end style hotels and resorts in most destinations (3-4 star).
All accommodation is twin share unless a single supplement is required.

Food
As indicated in the itinerary most meals will be included and we like to splurge. The emphasis will be on traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

Money
The national currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. The approximate exchange rate is 1USD = 100 LKR (Sri Lankan Rupee).  ATM’s accepting all major international cards are available in most towns. Most meals and activities on the tour are included so you will only need money for alcoholic drinks, optional activities and souvenirs.

Security and safety
Sri Lanka was plagued by civil war and violence for many years but after a defeat of the Tamil Tiger army in 2009 the country has been at peace with no signs that this will change. Throughout the war the majority of fighting was in the northern areas of Jaffna, nowhere near where we travel.

Support crew
The tour will have a full support crew including a western tour leader, local English speaking guide, tour mechanic and support vehicle.

We will provide the following
• A Sri Lankan motorcycle license.
• A map with the route marked.
• A detailed, day-by-day time schedule.

What to Bring
• Helmet
• Protective jacket
• Riding pants
• Rain gear
• Gloves
• Riding boots or strong footwear
• Goggles or sunglasses
• Appropriate riding pants

Other recommended items:
• Camelpak re hydration system
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen
• Toiletries
• Torch or flashlight
• Battery charger for cameras and so on