Sri Lanka by motorbike: adventure with a capital A

Eric, could you tell us a little about your passion for travelling by motorcycle?

Some years ago, I discovered your motorcycle tours in India and signed myself up with a group that was going to Rajasthan. It was a fantastic adventure where I met some excellent travel buddies, I was seduced by a new way of travelling and discovered an incredible bike. I even bought myself one when I got back to Paris. Hooked to your motorcycle tour concept, I took the same group of friends to the Off-Road Tours in Thailand and Laos. This last time, we set off together in Sri Lanka on a route that was tailor-made for us.

Could you describe your motorcycle tour in Sri Lanka?

We wanted to go for around 10 days and mainly cover small roads and some off-road parts. And that’s exactly what we did! Our guide, Deepak, designed us a 9-day tour packed with full-on riding. There were seven of us: six pilots and a friend of mine was my pillion. It was a challenge for us to tour together, for her as much as me. Nonetheless, we managed to ride around 750 miles (1,200 km) through jungles, rice paddies and tea plantations in the wildest parts of the island. Half of the route was made up of off-road riding, which was often heavy going but just what we wanted, as we got to step out of our comfort zones and help each other out. The other half was only on small roads and was a real delight. We may not have ticked off all the “must-visit” cultural attractions in Sri Lanka but we did explore off the beaten track. And what’s more, we crossed hundreds of villages and had unforgettable experiences meeting plenty of locals.

What did you like the most?

I found that this route was a touch harder for me on the off-road parts, but that might have been because I had a pillion this time. I loved riding off road in Angammedilla National Park. It was great to share the experience with my friend and an adrenaline boost knowing that elephants live in the reserve. But I think everyone’s favourite part was when we reached the heart of the hilly tea plantations. Discovering that lush landscape under the blue sky at the end of the route was a real treat.

Do you have any tips for riders thinking about setting off on a motorcycle tour in Sri Lanka?

Take a good mechanic with you (he laughs)! The local team really took care of us so that we could just think about having fun for 10 days. Deepak was top and my travel buddies were too. After such a full-on motorbike tour, we decided to extend the trip with a well-deserved rest in the Maldives!

Want to ride Sri Lanka with us? Discover On the Roads of Ceylon, our 12-day tour of the island, or another full-on adventure with one of our India motorcycle tours.