Ceylon, the Island of a Thousand Faces by Motorcycle

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12 days

1400 KM

Self drive

€3,190.00

Route Date/Price

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Negombo - 1400 KM - 12 days by motorbike - Starting from €3,190.00

Drive between the jungle and mountains of Ceylon
Observe wildlife in the national parks
Travel along the tropical coasts of Sri Lanka

Ismaël Motorcycle specialist Sri-Lanka

Travel the legendary roads of the ancient island of Ceylon.

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Your Itinerary at a Glance

You discover Sri Lanka by motorcycle, the island formerly known as Ceylon, amid verdant mountains and lands steeped in history. The route winds through the tea plantations of the highlands, reaches heritage-listed ancient cities and cuts through dense nature—jungle and rice paddies. As the kilometres pass, Buddhist temples, traditional villages and winding roads create a gentle, transporting immersion. Each stage reveals a different face of the island—spirituality, tropical landscapes and millennia-old heritage—for a smooth, deeply sensory motorbike journey.

The stages of your motorcycle route

Day 1: - Negombo -

Upon your arrival at Colombo Airport, the local team will welcome you and take you to the port of Negombo, located a few kilometres away. You will have time to settle in and recover from the journey. The day is free and allows you to enjoy Negombo's beaches, observe the activity in the port, or simply relax before the start of the road trip. Overnight stay at a hotel in Negombo.

Day 2: Negombo - Kalpitiya - 110 km of roads and sandy tracks – 4 hours of riding

This first day of riding begins with getting familiar with your Royal Enfield. You then head north, following the coastline through open tropical landscapes. The route alternates between roads and red sandy tracks. You pass fishing villages and see shrimp farms that shape local life. By the end of the day, you reach the Kalpitiya peninsula, bordered by a lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other. Overnight at a hotel on the peninsula, away from mass tourism.

Day 3: - Kalpitiya - Sigiriya - 160 km of roads – 5 hours of riding

Early wake-up for those who wish to observe dolphins off the coast of Kalpitiya. You then head back out toward the center of the island. Riding your motorcycle, you pass through a great variety of landscapes: forests, lakes, rice paddies and tropical plantations. You ride along the Balalu Kalawewa reservoir before arriving in Sigiriya, in the heart of a laterite plain dominated by the famous Lion Rock. Overnight at the hotel in Sigiriya.

Day 4: Sigiriya Loop - Polonnaruwa - 140 km of roads - 1 hr 30 min driving

You depart from Sigiriya on a loop to Polonnaruwa. En route, you pass along the Minneriya Reserve, known for hosting large gatherings of elephants depending on the season. You continue along the Giritale reservoir before reaching Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You have lunch there and discover local cuisine prepared by the locals. After visiting the site, return to Sigiriya. The end of the day is free, with the option to go for a walk or to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: - Sigiriya - Trincomalee - 140 km of roads – 4 hours of driving

Early departure to explore the Sigiriya fortress. From the summit you enjoy a wide panorama over the surrounding plains. You then continue by motorcycle through plantations and forested areas, taking a recently built road that crosses the forest to the east. Arrival in Trincomalee is in the early afternoon. You have the rest of the day to enjoy the city and its beaches, explore the bay, or head to Pigeon Island to observe marine life. Overnight in Trincomalee.

Day 6: - Trincomalee - Knuckles Range - 280 km of roads – 8 hours of driving

You leave Trincomalee Bay and take a main road heading toward the Knuckles Range mountains. The driving is smooth at first, across the plains and coastal areas, up to Passikudah. You then head west and begin to draw closer to the range. As you approach the mountains, the road becomes narrower and more winding, snaking between dense forests and cultivated land. You reach your accommodation in the heart of the Knuckles Range at the end of the day. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Knuckles Range – Nuwara Eliya – 140 km of roads – 5 hours of driving

You set off again towards the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The route follows small winding roads and gradually gains altitude to about 1,400 metres. The scenery consists of streams, verdant hills and vast tea plantations. A stop is planned at a tea factory to discover traditional tea-processing methods. You arrive in Nuwara Eliya in the late afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in this charming colonial town.

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya - Ella - 90 km of roads – 1h30 driving

You leave Nuwara Eliya to travel to Ella. The distance is short, but the drive is particularly pleasant. Along the route you pass through mountain and valley landscapes completely covered with tea plantations. On arrival in Ella you check in to your hotel and enjoy the town's relaxed atmosphere. If you wish, a walk to Little Adam's Peak offers views of the surrounding area. Overnight in Ella.

Day 9: Ella - Uda Walawe - 170 km of roads – 2 hr 30 min driving

You leave the Ella area and head to Uda Walawe National Park. The landscape gradually changes: tea plantations give way to rice fields and banana groves along laterite tracks. After checking in at your hotel, you can go on a safari in Uda Walawe National Park. This reserve is known for its large elephant population and its open, savanna-like landscapes. Overnight near the park.

Day 10: - Uda Walawe - Matara - 95 km of roads – 3 hours of riding

Last day of motorbike riding. You leave Uda Walawe and head toward the southern coast. The route crosses lakes, rice paddies and various plantations before reaching Matara, a coastal town shaped first by Portuguese and then Dutch influences. At the end of the day, enjoy the beaches and the maritime atmosphere for this final evening on the bike. Overnight in Matara.

Day 11: Matara - Galle - 40 km by car

This day is spent traveling by vehicle along the southern coast. You stop at Mirissa, a seaside resort known for its beaches, then at Weligama, a small fishing port. You then continue to Galle, an old fortified town and a major port during the colonial era. You will discover a lively town blending European architecture with South Asian influences. Overnight in Galle.

Day 12: - Galle - Negombo - Road transfer

You make your way by road to Negombo and the airport for your return flight. This transfer marks the end of your motorcycle journey in Sri Lanka, after a full crossing of the island along the coast, through mountains, plantations and natural parks.

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Departure dates and prices