Sri Lanka Highlights 10 Days

Day 1 Departure

Today your adventure begins...
You will leave for enchanting Sri Lanka - a country full of fragrance, color, warmth and surprises. For seven days you will drive through tropical landscapes, meet hospitable people, taste authentic flavors and discover the soul of the island.
In ten days you will return - richer in memories, stories and unforgettable moments that you will carry with you forever.

Day 2 Arrival Colombo/Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Depending on the airline, you will arrive at Colombo airport in the morning or afternoon. From here it is only a 20-minute drive to our cozy hotel in the heart of Negombo.

In the afternoon, the motorcycles are delivered to the hotel and we are introduced to our guide: the mechanic/driver who will accompany us throughout the trip. A first introduction to the adventure ahead - the feeling of freedom really begins now.

Day 3 Negombo - Kalpitiya ( lagoon )

We soon leave the hustle and bustle of Negombo behind us. As soon as we exchange the main road for narrow, secondary roads, peace returns. We drive a scenic stretch along the coast, where numerous shrimp farms add a characteristic touch to the landscape.

Slowly we dive into the hinterland, along dusty, dirt paths between endless rows of swaying palm trees. It feels like we are slipping further and further away from civilization - on our way to the serene, still unspoiled north of Sri Lanka.

Our destination is Kalpitiya, an emerging paradise for kite- and windsurfers. We stay at a small, cozy resort surrounded by white sand and warm breezes. Within walking distance is the beach, and from the lagoon the colored sails of surfers dance in the wind - a beautiful sight to contemplate.

In the evening we enjoy a tropical barbecue on the beach, under a starry sky, with the sound of the waves in the background. A day that makes you silent with happiness.

Day 3 Kalpitiya - Dambulla

After a leisurely breakfast on the beach, we get back on the motorcycle and head inland, heading east. Soon we leave the main road behind us and meander along narrow, less passable back roads. Here and there we even exchange the asphalt for a bit of dirt, which only makes the ride more adventurous.

The landscape around us changes slowly. We drive through a region filled with ancient water tanks and endless rice fields, glistening in the sun and forming an enchanting vista. This is the real Sri Lanka: pure, green and serene.

In the late afternoon we arrive at our hotel, on the outskirts of lively Dambulla. With a swimming pool and a cozy pool bar, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy after this wonderful ride.

Day 4 Dambulla - Kandy

The day begins with a leisurely drive along the impressive Parakrama Samudra Lake, a huge man-made body of water from ancient times that continues to be a vital lifeline for the region. The morning sun casts a warm glow over the glistening waters as we ride into the silence of the countryside.

We meander on through authentic villages where daily life still takes place as it has for generations. Driving toward the Knuckles Forest Reserve, we slowly ascend an old, winding road. Along the way, we stop frequently to enjoy breathtaking panoramas of green valleys, misty peaks and lush jungle.

Even before entering Kandy, we make an extra loop through an enchanting landscape of tea plantations. The smell of fresh tea hangs in the air, women with colorful cloths on their heads pick the leaves in a rhythm that resembles an ancient ritual.

In Kandy, a spiritual highlight awaits us: the sacred Temple of Tooth. Housed in the royal palace complex, the temple exudes a deep, serene tranquility. Here is kept the relic of the tooth of Buddha - a symbol of power and faith that has been the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka for centuries. Behind the temple is the fascinating Museum of World Buddhist, where ancient images and stories bring to life the origins and spread of Buddhism.

Our hotel is located just outside the city center, high on a hill with sweeping views over the valley of Kandy. A refreshing dip in the pool or a drink on the terrace overlooking the setting sun is the perfect end to this rich day.

Day 5 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

We leave bustling Kandy and dive into organized chaos traffic one more time, complete with honking tuktuks and sooty old buses groaning up the hills in slow motion. But soon we leave the hustle and bustle behind. After taking no less than 18 hairpin turns, we begin to smile again - calm returns as soon as we turn onto a charming winding road that winds its way between shimmering rice paddies.

Through the Victoria Randenigala Rantembe Sanctuary, we begin to climb again. The landscape changes slowly and the temperature drops noticeably. The smell of pine forests and damp earth fills the air. And then, suddenly, there again lie the endless carpets of tea plantations at our feet - symmetrical and enchantingly green.

By late afternoon we reach our hotel, idyllically located just outside Nuwara Eliya. This former hill station was once called "Little England" by the British - and that is exactly what it still exudes.

Before dinner, we get ready for a special outing. We spend the evening at the stately Grand Hotel, a masterpiece of colonial architecture from the 19th century. Everything here truly breathes history: from the dark wood-clad corridors to the ornate chandeliers to the 150-year-old billiard tables, which were once transported - on the backs of elephants - from Colombo to this altitude. As we dine in the classic dining room, surrounded by the spirit of the British past, we imagine ourselves for a moment in another time.

Day 6 Nuwara Eliya - Ella

We leave Nuwara Eliya behind and plunge once again into the world of velvety green hills. Soon we exchange the main road for narrow mountain roads that lead us through endless tea plantations. The views are breathtaking - like driving through a postcard. The road winds up and gradually gets worse and narrower, as if to challenge us to take one more turn.

Just past the mountaintop, we turn onto a barely visible path that first winds its way through a densely wooded stretch. The light here filters through the foliage, and it smells of damp earth and eucalyptus. Then the landscape opens up again and we pass small villages where life is simple and pure. People smile and wave as they bustle about in the surrounding tea fields, their hands discolored from picking.

The descent toward Ella is a feast of winding roads and spectacular vistas - weather permitting, you get a panorama here that makes you silent. In the distance loom the mountains of the southern highlands, surrounded by wisps of mist that give the landscape a mystical atmosphere.

Ella itself feels like a breath of fresh air. A friendly mountain village with cozy restaurants and coffee bars, popular among travelers yet relaxed. We spend the night on the edge of the center, in the middle of the forest, where you can enjoy the tranquility at night, the song of night birds and the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind.

Day 8 Ella - Udalawale

After breakfast, we start the bikes and head south. We enjoy the quiet mountain roads for a while longer, where the morning fog slowly lifts and the sun gently makes its way through the tops of the hills. The route winds past babbling brooks and tea gardens, until we finally descend to the main road via a small and remote road.

We drive towards Lunugamvehera National Park, an area where nature still rules. Here you have to be careful - wild elephants can cross the road at any moment. An encounter that makes your heart beat faster.

For those who want even more adventure, we leave the main road again to continue on an off-road route to Udawalawe. The dusty trails lead us through rugged forests, small villages and vast fields, where the smell of earth and vegetation hangs in the air.

In the late afternoon we arrive at our accommodation: an attractive resort just outside the village, beautifully set up with luxury safari tents and charming cottages. The pool beckons after a day of driving and at the bar or restaurant you can chat about the day's adventures while enjoying a refreshing drink. Here, under the starry skies of Udawalawe, the jungle truly comes alive.

Day 9 Udalawale - Mirissa

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a special and moving visit: the elephant orphanage, near our overnight stop. Here orphaned and injured elephants are lovingly taken care of and cared for, with the goal of eventually releasing them back into the wild. It is impressive to witness their recovery process and the dedication of the caretakers from so close up. An encounter that stays with you.

After this precious moment, we once again get on our motorcycles and head south. Once again we choose the small, winding roads that take us past lush palm tree plantations, vast rice paddies and lively villages. The smell of tropical fruit is in the air, children wave enthusiastically along the road, and a warm breeze blows through the helmet - it is a ride to be enjoyed.

In the afternoon we arrive in Mirissa, a tropical coastal town where the atmosphere immediately changes. You feel the closeness of the sea even before you see it. Our hotel is just 300 meters from the beach, surrounded by cozy beach bars, colorful restaurants and hammocks gently swaying among the palm trees.

Time to swap the motorcycle boots for flip-flops, grab a cold drink, and watch the sun slowly sink into the ocean with your feet in the sand. The smell of salt, the sound of breaking waves, and the tropical evening air - this is the ultimate vacation feeling.

And with that, this unforgettable adventure slowly comes to an end.

Day 10 Departure and arrival home

Unfortunately, this adventurous motorcycle adventure also comes to an end. After days of off-road trails, tropical beaches, mysterious rainforests, tea plantations and impressive wildlife encounters, it is time to say goodbye to Sri Lanka.

From relaxed Mirissa, travel by cab in about three hours via toll road back to Negombo, where the international airport is located. A drive to see the tropical landscapes pass you by one more time - this time from the back seat.

When booking your flight, make sure it doesn't leave too early so you can start your return trip relaxed and in no hurry.

With a head full of memories, a camera full of photos and hopefully a heart full of satisfaction, you will return home.

Thank you for the adventure. Sri Lanka will certainly not be soon forgotten.