The White Gold of Ceylon

We continue down towards the south of the island along the coast on a magnificent road for approximately 50 miles, through lagoons and reservoirs until we reach Gal Oya National Park, our stop for the day. We spend the afternoon before the Peace Pagoda “Shanti Stupa” and we may be lucky enough to spot some wild elephants, which often walk past the building at sunset.

We spend the day exploring the wild, unique Gal Oya National Park. We go on a boat safari on Senanayake Samudra, the island’s biggest lake and spot elephants, buffaloes and crocodiles. Bird watchers will love this park, which is home to more than 150 species. We end the day in Ampara.

This is our last, short ride on the country’s east coast, along the lagoons. We ride to Pothuvil, a few miles north of Arugam Bay, a charming, wild sandy bay, known as the best surfing spot in the country. The carefree atmosphere is immediately appealing and its hinterland provides a vast area to explore.

We leave in the morning and experience a change of scenery as we head back west to the country’s mountains. En route, we will visit Maligawila Buddhist statue. The 22-mile ascent at the end of the leg is refreshing with splendid views of the surrounding mountains.

Still aboard our Royal Enfields, we follow the road through mountainside tea plantations in central Sri Lanka. We visit the small town Bandarawela and head for Haputale. During the journey, we will enjoy the spectacular views over the valley, taking in the tea plantations and waterfalls.

Today, we continue our journey towards the south on a superb country road that leads us to the border of Uda Walawe National Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the country. In the afternoon, you can let your Royal Enfield rest a little and hop on to a jeep for a safari. Uda Walawe Reserve is famous for its diverse animal species: elephants, buffalos, peacocks, crocodiles, etc.

Make the most of this last leg and your Royal Enfield! We head south, then west along the coast. We reach Galle and after roaming around the battlements and parapets of the imposing Dutch fort, you can take some time to wander around the walled city’s alleyways. The renovated Dutch colonial houses, lively cafés, craft shops and artists’ workshops make Galle incredibly charming.

We get back on the road to head for Colombo. You are transferred to the international airport according to your flight schedule. Important: make sure you book an evening flight.