Sri Lanka Intro
Mountains, beaches and jungles!
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Group Size: Avg 12-15
Trip code: SLIN
Duration: 12 days
Experience the very best of Sri Lanka on this fantastic 12 day group tour. Taking in all of the country’s biggest and best highlights, you’ll get involved with unique activities and unforgettable excursions. Explore Negombo by tuk tuk, visit a local village, ride the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, go on safari in Udawalawe National Park, discover the historic streets of Galle, & much more! This is the perfect introduction to this amazing country, plus you’ll be staying in unique accommodation, including eco-retreats, riverside glampsites and funky boutique hotels with pools!
Trip highlights
- Visit a local village and see how to prepare authentic Sri Lankan cuisine
- Hike up Little Adam’s Peak and drink in the stunning Sri Lankan landscape
- Spot herds of free roaming elephants on an amazing sunrise wildlife safari
- Relax on Sri Lanka's most beautiful beaches and learn to surf
- Visit a local Buddhist Monastery, spend time with the monks and teach them some English
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- 11 nights’ accommodation
- Airport pick-up
- Tuk tuk ride in Negombo
- Dambulla Rock Cave Temple visit
- Local village excursion
- River boat ride
- Local cooking experience
- Sunset at Sigiriya Rock
- Spice Garden visit
- Temple of the Tooth visit
- Tea Plantation visit and waterfall hike
- Train journey to Ella
- Little Adams Peak hike
- Nine Arch Bridge visit
- Wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Surf lesson on Welligama Beach
- Buddhist Monastery visit and English teaching
- 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- All transport between included destinations
- Dedicated tour guide
- 24-hour emergency support
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Most meals, snacks and drinks
- Optional activities
- Return airport transfer
Day 1: Arrive in Sri Lanka. Touch down into Colombo airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodation in Negombo. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your flight, lazing by the sea and meeting the rest of your group.
Day 2: Negombo/Dambulla. Today, you’ll hit the streets of Negombo in a classic form of Asian transport: a tuk tuk. Soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this city and explore the bustling local fish market. You’ll then journey north to the beautiful town of Dambulla.
Day 3: Temples, villages and Sigirya Rock. Discover the majestic Golden Temple Cave, before making your way to a local village, where you’ll cruise the waterways by boat, then see how delicious Sri Lankan cuisine is prepared, and even try it for lunch! This evening, watch a magnificent sunset over the mighty Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Day 4: Colourful Kandy. Journey south towards Kandy, stopping off to visit a fragrant spice garden. Visit the magnificent white-walled Temple of the Tooth and then explore the streets of Kandy.
Day 5: Scenic Train to Ella. Travel south through lush green tea fields. You’ll stop off at a tea factory and learn how to pick and make tea, before hiking to a spectacular local waterfall. You’ll then climb aboard the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. This train journey has been described as the best journey in the world!
Day 6: Little Adam’s Peak. Enjoy free time this morning to chill out and wander the sleepy streets of Ella. This afternoon, hike up Little Adam’s Peak and gaze out at the jaw-dropping views of green mountain slopes and plunging valleys. After our epic hike, you can enjoy a night out in town with your group.
Day 7: Udawalawe National Park. Today, you’ll tick off a must-see Sri Lankan highlight: the incredible Nine Arch Bridge. You’ll then continue south to Udawalawe National Park, which is home to elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys, eagles, hawks, peacocks, and more!
Day 8: Safari. Discover Udawalawe National Park on safari. Watch the sunrise over the sweeping highlands of the park, and watch free roaming wildlife in the slanting morning sunlight. This afternoon, journey to the south coast and hit some tropical beaches.
Day 9: Tallala Eco Retreat. We'll head to the tranquil gem of Tallala today, where we'll be staying at a hidden eco-retreat! Today is all about rest and relaxation, as you chill out in the amazing beachside location. Try out some optional yoga sessions, or just grab a coconut and stretch out under a palm tree!
Day 10: Learn to Surf. This morning, you’ll enjoy some chill out time on one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches, before hopping along the coast to the laid-back sands of Welligama Beach. Here, you’ll learn to surf like a pro with an included surf lesson.
Day 11: Buddhist Monastery Visit. Today, you’ll visit a nearby Buddhist Monastery and gain a unique insight into Buddhist ways of life. Spend time with student monks, before heading back to Mirissa for a farewell meal on the beach with your group, and one last night out together!
Day 12: Tour Ends. Your tour comes to an end today in Mirissa. Time to say goodbye to your group and head to Colombo airport. Airport transfers are not included but are easy to arrange. Your trip guide will be on hand to help you organise onward travel.
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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: £790 July, 2023
Arrange your flight to arrive into Colombo Airport any time on day 1, where you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodation in Negombo. If you wish to arrive a few days early, you will still be entitled to a free pick up, but extra accommodation will be at your own cost. Speak to a travel advisor for more information.
The tour ends in Mirissa on day 12. You can leave any time. There is a free bus that will travel back to Colombo from Mirissa that will leave on the morning of day 12 and arrive in the late afternoon, then a taxi to the airport from Colombo will cost around £15. You should not book any flights that depart from Colombo before 7pm on day 12.
Accommodation
11 nights of twin-share accommodation are included on this group tour. You will stay in a combination of hotels and eco-retreats, including a night in a riverside glampsite in Udawalawe National Park and two nights in a beautiful boutique hotel with lush grounds and an outdoor pool in Sigiriya.
Meals
10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners are included. You will need to purchase the rest of your meals yourself. This is a great opportunity to sample some of Sri Lanka’s delicious local cuisine!
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. This trip is designed for those aged 18-39.
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.
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.