Sri Lanka, Ceylon, Serendip – This island emerald of a nation nestled between India and Southeast Asia in the Indian Ocean has carried many names over the past 2,000 years. Sri Lanka, the country’s name since the 1970’s, seems to exemplify its characteristics better than the others: ‘Sri’, meaning ‘resplendent’ and ‘Lanka’, the Sinhalese word for ‘island’ and you know exactly what you are getting. 

Our experience starts and ends in the charming colonial capitol of Colombo where a relaxing night at our heritage class hotel directly on the Indian Ocean helps soothe your jetlag. Then you’ve united with your new best two-wheeled friend for a nice and easy coastal ride to the backwater beach town of Kalpitya. Next we turn to the interior and wind up the hills to the beautiful UNESCO sites of Sigiriya, The Knuckles Range and the gorgeous, chilled out hill station of Ella. Now we head toward the south coast for some safari time at Yala National Park. A couple of nights at our 5 star resort on the beach will recharge you and a jeep safari in the park will acquaint with the country’s wildlife. Finally, we head along the coast with a beautiful night under a canopy of palms at Tangalla Beach and night at the ancient colonial fort town and World Heritage Site of Galle will round out or tour before heading back to Colombo.

The colonial splendour of the Galle Face Hotel, the only 5 star hotel directly on the beach in Colombo awaits you. Refresh after your long flight. Use your first day for a massage, a dip in the ocean-front pool or simply join hundreds of Colombans for a stroll along the Galle Face Promenade. A day reserved to explore this pristine city on

the Indian Ocean includes a guided tuk tuk tour, visit to a park and the local food markets. After an afternoon of chill time, we’ll meet for an orientation session and a group meal at one of Colombo’s finest restaurants.

Today you get acquainted with your new best friend, your Royal Enfield. From Colombo we set off on an easy, loping ride along the coast to Kalpitiya. The visual accompaniment will include endless palm plantations, charming colonial

churches and beautiful villages. We arrive late afternoon for an evening in a 5 star resort directly on the beach and enjoy a seafood dinner as we watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Today we leave the Indian Ocean views for the interior of the island. The road to Sigiriya is filled with winding lanes through palm plantations and jungle as we gradually increase our elevation. The route takes us through a wildlife sanctuary where wild elephants grazing on the roadside is not a rare occurrence. Our destination is one of the most famous sites in Sri Lanka: the 300 meter high Lion’s Rock.

Sometimes, the journey is incredible, but the destination Is sublime. The Villa Rosa is one such destination. We reach this mountain-top tea estate after a day of leaning our bikes through tropical forest while the mist covered hills provide a beautiful backdrop. The final 15 kilometres are the icing on the cake. With a series of hairpins we climb ever higher until we arrive at one of the prized accommodations of the experience. After parking our bikes and being greeted by the wonderful staff, we step onto the covered terrace and stand in awe at the view of tea plantation valleys and the Knuckles Mountain Range in the distance.

Most of our clients comment that this segment of our ride is not only their best day motorcycling in Sri Lanka, but the best they’ve ever experienced anywhere on Earth.

A single, newly paved track sinuously carves its way through kilometres of tea plantations, with the rolling greens creating saturated colours our cameras have difficulty in rendering. And at the end of a perfect day, we arrive at a perfect little

town: the hill station of Ella, one of the jewels of Ceylon.

Need a lie in? Today's the day. From our tranquil nest in the hills, we sleep late and have an easy, breezy breakfast on the terrace. Once replenished, we'll ride down to the Ella train station for a half day trip to the hill station of Haputale. From there, we commandeer a fleet of tuk-tuks for the serpentine ride through undulating fields of tea to the highpoint of Lipton's Seat, a modest monument to the eponymous founder of bad tea worldwide. Here, the journey is the destination. The grand finale is the ride back on the open-doored, vintage train to dangle from the doorways as we cross the infamous 9 Arches Bridge and back to Ella Station.

Today’s ride takes a turn for the wild. We depart from the cool, early morning air and begin winding our way downward to the southern plains. A couple of hours into the ride, we cross through the northern entry gate of Yala National Park and 1,300 square kilometres of grassy plains and lagoons with elephants and leopards. After 2 hours of two wheeled exploration, we arrive at one of Sri Lanka’s finest hotels directly on a beach where elephants regularly roam. Even bikers need a day off and we’ve chosen this location to enjoy it. Your morning includes a 3 hour jeep safari and, after spotting leopards, elephants, crocodiles and countless deer, the day is yours to relax on the beach, take a swim in the pool or get a massage.

An easy ride today takes us first inland to visit one of the country’s most ancient Buddhist sites, the 1,000 year old Sandagiri Stupa. After lunch, we set a course for one of the chilliest spots on our route, Tangalle Beach. Our cabanas directly on the Indian Ocean are shaded by tall palms. Take a stroll on the beach at sunset and join us for a seafood dinner before turning in.

Our last stop before heading back to Colombo is the Jewel in the Crown of Sri Lanka: the UNESCO World Heritage City of Galle. Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the walled fort is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on three sides, and is a beautiful place to stroll along the ramparts of the cobbled lanes at the town’s core. Our hotel for the evening is a beautifully restored Dutch colonial building in

the heart of the town.

An easy stride along the coastline brings us full circle back to the capitol. We meander through coastal villages and rustic resort towns and arrive back in Colombo in time for Happy Hour and a final group meal in a hip, beachside

spot. You’ll have a final night in our majestic hotel before prepping for your flight back home. After a restful final night in Colombo, you'll depart on Day 12.