Sri Lanka Adventure
Temples, trains and turtles in Sri Lanka!
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Group Size: Max 22
Trip code: SRLA
Duration: 12-16 days
Jet over to sunny Sri Lanka and discover the beautiful landscapes, beaches and cultural sites of this incredible country. Starting in Negombo, this tour ticks off the biggest and best sights, including Sigiriya Rock, Udawalawe National Park and Mirissa. Along the way, you’ll get involved with fantastic included activities, including a whale-watching cruise, a cooking class and a turtle sanctuary visit. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to just relax and soak up the glorious sun!
Trip highlights
- Climb the incredible Sigiriya Rock and enjoy breathtaking views from the summit
- Learn how to prepare 4 Sri Lankan curries at an included cooking class!
- Travel from Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train – voted one of the best journeys in the world!
- See wonderful wildlife on safari in Udawalawe National Park
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- 11 nights’ accommodation
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
- All transport between included activities
- Arrival transfer
- Welcome dinner
- Sigiriya rock visit
- See the Dambulla Buddhas
- Temple of the Tooth visit
- Beautiful train journey in Kandy
- Tea plantation visit
- Udawalawe National Park Safari
- Climb Little Adam’s Peak
- Curry cooking class
- Turtle sanctuary visit
- Both a local and Western guide
- 24 hour emergency support
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Most meals
- Optional activities
- Return airport transfer
- US$30 whale watching tax - (September to May)
Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka. Touch down in Sri Lanka and meet your tour guide in the airport, who’ll transfer you to your starting accommodation - right on the beach! Tonight, get to know the rest of your group over a welcome meal and drinks in town. Dinner included.
Day 2: Negombo/Dambulla. Wake up and grab some breakfast before heading to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon by the pool. Enjoy an evening visit to the impressive Dambulla Caves. Breakfast included.
Day 3: Sigiriya and Pidurangala. Wake up before the sunrise to climb the magnificent Sigiriya Rock and then visit the peaceful Buddhist monastery of Pidurangala. Look out over the gorgeous Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, home to elephants and leopards. Tuck into a delicious meal prepared by a local family and then spend the rest of the day as you wish. Breakfast included.
Day 4: Sigiriya – Kandy. Wander a fragrant spice garden en route to Kandy. Hone your Asian cooking skills with a Sri Lankan curry making class. You’ll learn how to whip up 4 different curries, and also how to prepare poppadoms and coconut sambal. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 5: Temples and Trains. Visit the Temple of the Tooth, a sacred shrine that is said to house the tooth of Buddha! It’s then time to journey into the mountains. Stop off at a tea factory to see where your morning brew comes from and then climb aboard the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. This beautiful train journey has been described as the best journey in the world! Breakfast included.
Day 6: Free time in Ella. After a free morning, take a tour of the area, discovering hidden gems such as 9 Arch Bridge and Ella Gap, with its views of the Sri Lankan plains. You’ll then enjoy an unforgettable sunset on Little Adam’s peak. Breakfast included.
Day 7: Udawalawe National Park. Continue south towards Udawalawe National Park for a safari. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys, eagles, hawks and peacocks. Next up, a BBQ dinner at our amazing glampsite - complete with swimming pools and amazing safari-style tents. Does life get any better than this? Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 8: Beach Bliss in Mirissa. Enjoy a tour of the exotic flora and fauna that can be found in the area. After some breakfast, you’ll journey on to Mirissa, a stunning beach town. Breakfast included.
Day 9: Whale Watching. A real treat today! Wake up early and head to the beach for a whale watching boat trip. Look out for gorgeous blue whales and relax on deck, before heading back to the shore for some beach time. Breakfast included.
Please note: During the months between June and August, due to poor weather conditions, whale watching will be replaced with an extra safari on day 3.
Day 10: Hikkaduwa. Enjoy a seafront breakfast and then visit the stunning colonial buildings of Galle Fort. Take a bike ride through the surrounding villages and rice paddies and learn how to make coconut rope. The rest of the day is yours to explore, shop and relax. Breakfast included.
Day 11: Turtles and Colombo. Visit a turtle sanctuary, where injured and newborn turtles are nurtured and cared for before being released back into the wild. Arrive in Colombo and explore. Tonight, say farewell to your group over a meal and then party long into the warm night. Breakfast included.
Day 12: Tour ends. Exchange contact details with your group and then head over to the airport. Your incredible Sri Lankan tour has come to an end! Breakfast included.
Want to add a visit to the Maldives to this trip? Contact a travel advisor for more information on our 4 night Maldives Add-On! Internal flight not included.
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £832 July, 2023
Arrive into Bandaranaike International Airport on day 1. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation with your guide.
The tour ends in Colombo on day 12. A return transfer is not included but is easy to arrange locally.
11 nights’ shared accommodation are included. You will stay in twin share rooms in modern hotels, local guesthouses and safari glamping camps. Below is an example of the types of accommodation you may stay in during this trip (subject to change):
Negombo - Beacon Beach Hotel
Sigiriya - Kasaapa Lions Rock
Kandy - Queens Hotel
Ella - Ella Gap Hotel
Udawalawe - Athgira River Camp
Mirissa - Randiyah Sea View resort
Hikkaduwa - Coral Sands
Watalla/Colombo - Pegasus Reef Hotel
11 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included. You will need to purchase the majority of your meals yourself. This is a great way to soak up Sri Lankan culture by sampling local delicacies and speaking to local people in restaurants and food markets.
Our local team have installed safe refillable water stations at every overnight stop on this tour and also at many of the activity destinations as well. In an effort to reduce the use of single use plastics, we ask that you bring your own refillable water bottle with you on this trip.
The minimum age to join this tour is 18.
All tourists visiting Sri Lanka can apply for a 180-day visa through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) website. The fee for this is 50 USD. You can also obtain an on-arrival visa in Colombo Airport at a cost of 60 USD, but this visa will only be for 30 days. If you are planning to stay in Sri Lanka for longer than 30 days, we recommend that you apply for your visa in advance, so you don't have to extend your visa with the Immigration Department during your stay.
Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for up to date information.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.