Arrive in Colombo
Flights land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). The Ranch can arrange a private driver from the airport for the whole route.
Plan your trip
Building a Sri Lanka journey around the ride
Riders who fly a long way to Sri Lanka usually want to see more of the island. The Ranch sits in the east, which makes it a natural stop after the hill country and the ancient cities, and before a few days on the east coast.
A route that works
Colombo to the east coast in six stages
One way to combine the island’s highlights with a riding holiday, using places the Ranch works with. Every stage can be shortened, lengthened or swapped.
The hill country
Rangala House is a converted planter’s bungalow on the edge of the Knuckles range, about 75 minutes from Kandy, with cool air, tea estates and good walking.
The Cultural Triangle
Stay at Galkadawala Forest Lodge, in a regrown forest near Habarana, or at The Other Corner, a small lodge across Habarana lake that is well placed for elephant safaris and birding. In the dry season, Minneriya hosts The Gathering, when herds of wild elephants come to the reservoir. Sigiriya and Dambulla are within reach, and Habarana is on the main road east.
The ride
A Signature Riding Holiday at Vonfidel Ranch in Punanai. Three days is the minimum and seven is ideal. Guests stay at the Ranch throughout and ride from field camps nearby.
The east coast
Karpaha Sands is the only resort on Kalkudah beach, with 17 tented suites on a quiet bay. A few days by the sea after the riding, and the Ranch can quote the transfer.
Home
Drive back to Colombo airport, about 5 to 6 hours from the Ranch, or take the Cinnamon Air flight between Batticaloa and Colombo.
Practical
Getting to the Ranch
Times are approximate and depend on traffic and the time of day.
- From Colombo airportAbout 5 to 6 hours by road
- From Batticaloa airportAbout 45 minutes by road, after a Cinnamon Air flight from Colombo
- LocationPunanai, Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. Not in Pasikudah or Kalkudah
- TransportAirport pickup or a driver for the whole journey, quoted separately
- Riding seasonSecond week of January to mid-October
- Beach ridesUsually late February to September, on selected stays
Where to stay
Places the Ranch works with
The Ranch works with these and other properties around the island, and can suggest stays to fit your route and dates.
Rangala House
A small planter’s bungalow in the hills beyond Kandy with views over the Knuckles range and tea country. Walking, birdlife and cooler nights.
Galkadawala Forest Lodge
Forest bungalows in a regrown dry-zone forest near Habarana, convenient for Sigiriya, Dambulla and the national parks.
The Other Corner
A small lodge in dry-zone woodland across Habarana lake, close to Minneriya for elephant safaris and The Gathering, with good birding on the doorstep.
Karpaha Sands
A tented resort on Kalkudah beach, the flagship stay on this stretch of the east coast and an easy close to a riding holiday.
Next step
Send your dates and route
Share your riding dates and the rest of your plans in Sri Lanka. The Ranch will fit the riding holiday to your route and include airport or onward transport in the quote.