Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

SRI LANKA - CEYLAN : RIDING ON THE PEARL OF THE INDIAN OCEAN...

This is a surprising destination in the world of horse riding tourism who is going to welcome our new trail. English named it Ceylan, the pearl of the indian ocean, an island that evokes smells of spices, teas and flowers.... Now called "Sri Lanka" since 1972, its name means the "resplendent land" in Sanskrit...and people were right to call it so! If you are looking for spectacular landscapes, this tropical island will definitly please you! Photo album of our Ride in Sri Lanka done in February 2008.

ITINERARY

A ride of an incredible wealth: horses Marwaris, temples, plantations of tea, jungle, ricefields, beachesranges of Indian Ocean and archeological sites...
To enjoy the extraordinary variety of the island, we suggest you going hiking in several regions offering landscapes and very different interest: the coast atKalpitiya, the cultural triangle with Sigirya foretress and Nuwara Eliya, in the heart of tea plantations that made the island famous for its Ceylan tea.

The luxurious accommodations, eco-lodge or 5 star hotels, will allow you to like the legendary service of this country, and for a total flexibility, the departures are possible from 2 riders.

Day 1 : Colombo - Kalpitiya
Arriving at Colombo International airport. A warm and truly Sri Lankan welcome with Orchids Garlands awaits us. Transfer to Kalpitiya via Negombo. In this area, there are one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. This peninsula makes an area of marine sanctuary with a big variety of the fauna and the flora: cliffs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangrove swamps of swamps, sand dunes … After a late lunch, we meet our Marwaris horses and leave for our first ride along beaches. There, we also discover the life of the fishermen of this region. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
(3 hours on saddle - 20 to 25km)

Day 2 : Kalpitiya
After breakfast, it's the second ride on Kalpitiya beaches to reach an historic Dutch fort that we can easily see by the road. Then we go back to the hotel after a picnic lunch. Afternoon at leisure in the hotel or optional excursions as whale and dophin watching cruise from November to April. Dinner and night.
(4 hours on saddle - 25 to 30km)

Day 3 : Kalpitiya - Dambulla
Today, we leave for Dambulla. On the way, we visit the ancien capitale of Anuradhapura with the Brazen Palace ans the Sacred Bo Tree, considered to be the oldest historically documented tree on earth. Before the lunch at the restaurant, quick visit of the folk museum. On the afternoon, we enjoy an exciting village tour on an elephant for giving you the opportunity of venturing into the natural surroundings. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4 : Dambulla
This morning we get into saddle to ride around the Kaldiya Pokuna Lake surrounded by jungle and archeological remains of an ancient site served as a meditating center for Buddhist monks. It's also a sanctuary for butterfly and birds. Picninc lunch. Then, we reach the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress. We have a lunch at the forteress. On the afternoon we visit it . This legendary citadel in the sky is a massive rock, which tells a tale of power, intrigue and tragedy. Today, Sigiriya is famous for its "mirror wall”, so called because of its highly polished surface and its galleries with their pockets of frescoes; paintings of lovely maidens done in brilliant tempera on the walls. End of day at leisure. Dinner and night.
(4 hours on saddle - 30km)

Day 5 : Dambulla – Kandy
The morning we leave for Kandalama riding on routes winding through villages, planattions of bananas and vegetables to rural paths framed by tall grass and around the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress. We have a lunch at the forteress. Then, departure by the road for Kandy in the south. On the way, we have a stop at the Rock cave temple of Dambulla (with numerous statues and paintings), and at the "Lakegrove" spice garden in Matale where we could enjoy a wonderful herbal massage with aromatic oils. When we arrive at Kandy to visit the temple of the Tooth, built by king Vimaladarmasuriya, where there is the sacred tooth relic inside. Dinner and night.
(4 hours on saddle - 25 to 30km)

Day 6 : Kandy
On the morning we discover the royal botanical garden, one of the largest and well-kept botanical garden in Asia: about 4000 species being one of the largest collections of flora. Then we reach the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela. At this orphanage you will find elephants of all ages, which are abandoned or otherwise unable to fend for themselves byway of being injured. They are looked after with loving care until such time they are ready to work or be freed back to the jungles. The elephants are also bathed daily in a river located across the orphanage. On our return to the hotel, we explore the main street of Kandy in a auto-rickshaw, known as Tuk Tuk, the most popular three-wheeled taxi service in the island. Before the dinner we assist at a cultural show with traditionnal with dancers and music... Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 : Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
We leave Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, the land of tea plantations. After passing Ramboda wterfallsd, we get Labukelle tea plantation. This estate of 543 hectares over 100 years of old situated in the Nuwara Eliya district, with a work force of 1,100 produces average 550,000 kilos of High Grown Tea annually. After the guided tour of the factory, you will be invited for a factory fresh cup of “Ceylon Tea”. On the afternoon, we go back on saddle to ride accros tea plantations and we enjoy the magnificient views of waterfalls and mountains. Dinner and night.

(3-4 hours on saddle - 25 to 30km)

Day 8 : Nuwara Eliya – Katunayake
For our last day on horseback, we go to discover Mahagastota and Blackpool through small tea villages and vast tea estates.Near 2.00 pm, when we finish our ride, we have a lunch. Go back to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Dinner and night.
(4-5 hours on saddle - 35 to 40km)

Day 9 : Nuwara Eliya – Katunayake
After breakfat , we begin our way back to Colombo by a journey of 2 hours on a local train through the tea plants and mountains. After this journey the drive come to pick us up to follow our way through the blankets of tea, beautiful views of wterfalls and mountains: St Clair's Falls, Devon Falls... Dinner and night at the hotel near the airport. If your return flight is during the night, you could have a shower at the hotel before your transfer to airport.

Day 10 : Katunayake - Departure
According to your flight return, breakfast and transfer to the airport or follow your trip.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

After your trail, you can choose to extend your trip the way you want ! For example, you can climb the Adam Pic, a sacred Montain, or stay in Maldives island for some days... So we propose some extensions on the seaside. For any information please contact us.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
Another highlight of this trip : most of the horses are Marwaris horses with their curved ears imported from India. This horses are surprising by their stamina and their kindness.

Tack
English saddles

Recommended riding level
There is no particular dificulty on this trail. Riders just need to be comfortable at all gaits, and have at least a short experience in trail riding.

Useful information
Maximum weight : 80 kg.

Non riders are welcome. They will visit the island like you, with the car when you're riding. Moreover, they will have more visit than rider in their own programme.

YOUR GUIDES

The trail is guided by local guides and the itinerary is new as their was almost no horses on the island before last year ! Their is one guide leading the ride and one behind. A logistic car will be waiting for the group at all stops with food, luggages and everything riders can need.

ACCOMMODATION

- 2 nights at Resort Ruwala at Kalpitiya, in chalets,
- 2 nights at Thilanka Resort 3* in Dambulla
- 2 nights at Richemond House 4* in Kandy,
- 2 nights at Glendower Hotel in Nuwara Eliya (Histric colonial hotel),
- 1 night at Tamarind Tree Hotel 4* in Katunayake before your return
During the trail, we select good quality hotel. If one of this hotel is not available when you book, you will stay in another hotel with an equal quality.

Single room has to be paid for rider travelling alone. We can refund this extra fees if you agree to share your room and we find somebody for.

Food
During this trail you will have the oportunity to taste Sri Lankan fine food, its local veggies, spicies and fruits.

Lunches will be taken under the shadow of a tent with tables and chairs to help you rest after the ride. Water and beers are included.

DATES AND RATES

- the trail ride as described, on full board basis from dinner of day 1 to breakfast the last day,
- the transfers from and to the airport,
- the mentionned visits,
- the financial guarantee of deposits sent to Randocheval.

- flights to Sri Lanka (contact us to check availabilities from your country),
- airport leaving taxes,
- any other service,
- drinks except water and beer for lunch,
- tips and personnal expenses,
- extra activities,
- extension before or after the trail,
- optionnal insurances : further information...

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Laurie for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Sri Lanka

From 2 to 10 riders.

Equatorial climate, tempered by altitude in the heart of the Island (espacially Nuwara Eliya).

The raining season is from may to august. High temperatures and strong but brief rains.

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
A treatment against Malaria is also recommended. Please contact a doctor before departure.