From winding mountain roads to paradise beaches. From Hindu and Buddhist temples to wildlife safaris. Sri Lanka is an island where every day brings a new experience.
Places filled: 2/8
Sri Lanka truly has something for everyone. And the most direct way to get to know this island nation is on two wheels. A Sri Lanka motorcycle tour is not an enduro challenge, but enjoyable ride on asphalt roads, which takes you through lush tropics, mountain bends and places steeped in history. The motorcycle tour is suitable for both experienced riders and those who have just recently discovered cycling for themselves. There is no need to rush here, the goal is to enjoy the motorcycle ride, discovering the local culture and nature step by step.
We drive through the endless tea plantations, we visit the powerful stamps and ancient ruins. Enjoy local cuisine (e.g. kottu roti ja curry) and we experience both chaotic left-hand traffic and winding mountain roads. We explore wild nature parks where you can meet elephant herds, crocodiles, buffaloes, etc. And to end the trip we arrive to a tropical paradise beach.
All this is packed into six days of driving, classic motorcycles on the back.
Overview
Goal: Discover Sri Lanka by motorbike
Dates: 4-11 Dec 2027 (plus flight time)
Starting point of the trip: Negombo, Sri Lanka (flight tickets not included in the price)
Adventure guide: Tanel Tilk (language skills: Estonian, English, Spanish)
Physical difficulty: 1/5
Group size: min 6, max 8 (including guide)
Discounted price until 30.03.2027 — €1590 (passenger price €1390)
Registration 01.04.2027 - 03.09.2027 — €1749
Late registration from 04.09.2027 — €1908
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes
Entire trip organization and on-site guidance
Adventure train (who has previously visited the site, ridden it)
All accommodations include breakfast (3* hotel or guesthouse in 2 rooms)
Motorcycle - Honda Baja 250cc, Royal Enfield Classic 350cc or similar
Fuel for the motorcycle
Motorcycle helmet
Costs related to activities specified in the plan, entrance fees, including:
Pidurangala or Lion Rock
Polonnaruwa Ancient City
Udawalawe Safari
Stylish Elamus+ motorcycle shirt for each participant
Group pharmacy
Price does not include
Flight tickets to Sri Lanka and back (from ~ €900)
Visa costs (e-visa application 50 USD)
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY motorcycle insurance or additional coverage)
Personal riding gear (summer jacket, pants, gloves, boots) and bag
Lunches and dinners
Extracurricular activities and transportation for them
Personal hygiene products and medications
Internet and data packages
Costs of applying for an international driving permit (state fee €33)
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, you must pay a deposit of 20% of the trip cost within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
NB! We recommend that you take out travel disruption insurance immediately after paying the advance invoice so that longer-term health problems are also covered.
Schedule and activities
DAY 1: Arrival
The starting point of the trip is in Sri Lanka, In NegomboThe name of the international airport is Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
There are several options for getting there. It should be noted that it takes over 14 hours to get to Sri Lanka from Estonia, depending on the flights.
Must be present On the evening of December 4th.
Day 2: Negombo -> Sigiriya (150km, 3-4 hours)
After breakfast we can get motorcycles - depending on availability, Honda Baja 250cc, Royal Enfield Classic 350cc or similar. Luggage can be tied to the back seat. It is wise to pack lightly. If you have excess items, you can also leave them with the rental company, from whom you can get them back after 6 days of touring.
Without further ado, we get on our bikes and start riding on Sri Lankan roads. We get used to driving on the left and heavier traffic. The road passes through villages and we dodge roosters and hens as well as tuk-tuks and large buses.
By the end of the first day of driving, we reach the iconic clifftop Sigiriya Fortress Ruins to.
DAY 3: Sigiriya -> Knuckles (200 km, 4-5 hours)
Today is one of the longer driving days. The road passes through several national parks and it is quite possible that you will encounter a wild elephant along the way.
Before lunch we stop in the historical capital of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa at the archaeological ruins. We stretch our legs and admire the temples, monasteries and giant Buddha statues.
We enjoy the colorful life of Sri Lanka and at the end of the day we pass Knuckles National Park winding roads.
Day 4: Knuckles -> Nuwara Eliya (120 km, 3-4 hours)
Today, you can enjoy the motorbike ride for a full price, as we spend the whole day winding along small asphalt roads amidst beautiful lush nature. The route takes you through countless tea plantations and into the highest mountains of Sri Lanka.
We will stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya, the highest city in Sri Lanka, located at an altitude of 1800 meters.
day 5: Nuwara Eliya -> Ella (80 km, 3-4 hours)
We continue our journey through the pleasantly cooler mountainous areas. The road is winding and narrow, and the surface is not the smoothest, so the driving pace is leisurely. The route passes through cloud forests, numerous rivers and waterfalls. Horton Plains National Park.
When we arrive in Ella, we drive Nine Arch Bridgeand if we still make it, we'll end the day with a short walk Little Adam's Peaki viewpoint with beautiful views over the surrounding mountains.
Day 6: Ella -> Udawalawe National Park (100 km, 2-3 hours)
Time to descend from the mountains. We head south, where we stop at one of Sri Lanka's many national parks before reaching the sea.
In Udawalawe National Park We exchange our bicycles for a jeep, which a local guide takes us on a wildlife safari. Africa is not the only place where you can enjoy a wildlife safari. In Udawalawe Park, we have a 99% chance of encountering wild elephants, besides which it is also possible to see crocodiles, buffaloes, monkeys, peacocks and mongooses.
Day 7: Udawalawe -> Mirissa (130 km, 3-4 hours)
And finally we reach the southern coast of the island country where it becomes clear that Sri Lanka is a complete paradise. We walk along the coast with palm trees and the sea on our left.
We get our toes wet and check into accommodation near the beach for the evening.
Here we wrap up the motorcycle adventure and give back to our faithful steeds.
Day 8: End of the program
The end of the motorcycle trip on the southern coast of Sri Lanka is planned December 11 until morning.
We recommend extending your trip by at least a couple of days if possible to enjoy the paradise beaches. If you don't feel like just sunbathing, Sri Lanka's beaches are ideal for trying out/practising surfing, and if you're lucky, you can also go whale and dolphin watching by boat.
From here you can take a transfer/train/bus directly to the airport, or if you wish, you can extend your bicycle rental and independently drive back to the starting point of your trip in Negombo.
NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor changes depending on the traveler's wishes or the weather.
Sri Lanka
Capital: Columbo
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) (1 € ≈ 375 Rs, exchange rates may fluctuate)
Traffic: left
National language: Sinhala and Tamil
Population: approx. 23 million
Area: 62,710 km² (1,4x larger than Estonia)
Neighbors: India, Maldives
Sri Lanka is a safe, friendly and well-organized destination for travel. As always when traveling, you should keep an eye on your valuables for possible pickpockets. However, you need to be especially careful in traffic! We will be riding motorcycles on busy highways as well as on winding roads, where locals may also come up on you in the opposite lane on dark corners.
Price level:
Street food / simple local meal: €1–3
Average restaurant: €6–15 per person
Beer at the bar: €2–4
Coffee: €2–3
In the capital, you can also pay by card in restaurants, but mainly during our hike, you will need to have cash on hand to buy food/snacks/drinks.
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is expected and recommended.
Traveling to Sri Lanka
Estonian citizens need an e-visa (50 USD) to travel to Sri Lanka. To apply, use the country's official website -http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
We recommend vaccination against hepatitis A. Further information can be found at vaktsineeri.ee and travel medicine offices.
You can consult with the travel agent regarding flight tickets.
Must be present On the evening of December 4th or at the very least the next morning.
See more also https://reisitargalt.vm.ee/sihtkoht/sri-lanka/
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
passport;
e-visa (see Sri Lanka immigration page);
Category A driving license;
international driving license. Can From the Transport Board as a waiting job. State fee €33. NB! Must be in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic;
travel insurance. Please note: We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your travel registration so that you are covered for longer-term health problems.
additional travel insurance coverage suitable for motorcycling (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable medical insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participation in the motorcycle tour. Check the terms and conditions of your insurance provider.
Read more also travel conditions or feel free to ask the adventure locomotives.
FAQ
How skilled and experienced motorcycle rider do I need to be to participate in the Northern Thailand motorcycle tour?
We ride along 1+1 village roads and winding mountain roads (asphalt), but you don't have to be a circuit rider to take the curves. In Asian countries, the pace of movement is rather calmer. It must be taken into account that we sit on the motorcycle for several hours a day, while taking breaks at reasonable intervals.
On these roads, you may encounter both daring locals (especially bus drivers) and tourists who are riding a scooter for the first time or two. So you have to be very considerate and attentive to your surroundings.
In general, if you have a motorcycle license and have ridden for at least a season or two, you will be fine on a motorcycle trip in Sri Lanka.
What clothes and equipment should I pack?
Mandatory personal safety equipment for riding: suitable shoes, pants, summer jacket, gloves, helmet. The price of the trip includes a helmet with the bike, but we recommend bringing your own.
Weather in Sri Lanka:
Warm on the coast, hot 24-30 degrees, cooler in the mountains 12-20 degrees. In the mountains, consider possible rain, so bring raincoats that can be pulled over your cycling clothes.
Besides driving, we also enjoy other aspects of life and nature, so don't forget your regular clothes - shorts, swimwear, light sports shoes, flip-flops, a travel towel, and a warmer mid-layer for the mountains.
What happens after registration?
After filling out the registration form, we will send you an invoice for prepayment. After the payment, you are registered for the tour. 30 days before the tour, we will send you an invoice for the total cost of the trip. We will create a common chat between the trip participants, where you can discuss everything you need with each other.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
