Best of Sri Lanka

Experience Overview

In Sanskrit, Sri Lanka was nicknamed Ratna-Dweepa, the Gem Island, for its abundance of precious stones and sparkling jewels. But our expert tour leaders want to share its true treasures with you. Join them on this highlight-packed adventure to enjoy priceless experiences: climbing the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress in the early morning, spotting elephants on safari, cycling through rural villages as the people wave to you, and tucking into the flavoursome cuisine. The adventure ends in seaside Negombo – the perfect opportunity to extend your stay and enjoy a few days relaxing on the beach.
Profile
— Accommodation: 7 Superior nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by private bus/minibus and train
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 7 Superior nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by private bus/minibus and train
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us. Suitability: This is not a demanding trip, although there are a few long drives on bumpy, twisty mountain roads; regular stops break up the journeys and the buses we use are comfortable and air conditioned. Some included activities, such as walking up the Sigiriya rock fortress, are of Moderate difficulty. They’re done at a relaxed pace but may not be suitable for someone with reduced fitness or mobility issues. Your tour leader can advise on the trip if you have any concerns. Sigiriya: When visiting Sigiriya, the final ascent is on metal open stairs fixed against the side of the rock. There are handrails on either side but, if you have a strong fear of heights, you may prefer to stay on the lower level (by the lion ‘paws’). You can rejoin the group when they return from the plateau.
Group Description
Our Sri Lankan team of leaders has proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Sri Lankan culture than letting a local leader show you around their country.
Eating Drinking
Allow about 7,000 rupees (US$23) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in Sri Lanka and your tour leader provides recommendations for where to eat locally; however, the options may not always be suited to larger groups. Some locations you stay may have limited local restaurant choice, in which case meals will be at the hotel. Hotel meals are generally buffets; the majority offer an à la carte menu, but service can be slow. Sri Lankan cuisine is a fascinating reflection of the island’s heritage, a unique fusion of fresh local produce with spices brought to the island over the centuries by Malays, Arabs and Indians plus the Dutch, Portuguese and English. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent in Sri Lanka. For example, wheat- or dairy-free options outside of hotels are limited. Please be prepared for this – you may need to bring these from home. Spicier food can be avoided easily and lots of the hotels will serve Western options alongside traditional food. Mineral water is provided by our local operator in large containers throughout the trip so please bring a bottle with you to refill.
Transportation
We use an air-conditioned minibus or coach depending on the size of the group. Vehicles in Sri Lanka tend to have limited legroom, so we try to stop for comfort breaks as needed.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Ramada Colombo, 30 Sir Mohomad Macan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 00300 Phone: +94 112 422 001 Recommended arrival time: Aim to arrive at the start hotel before 3.30pm for the welcome briefing Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Catching your return flight There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.
Weather Information
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with two distinct wet seasons or monsoons. The southwest monsoon brings rain to that area of the island between May and August. The northeast monsoon takes place from October to January and only really affects the north and east coastal regions. Generally, expect rain at some time but with plenty of sunshine. On the plains, day- and night-time temperatures are warm to hot with Colombo having an average daytime temperature of 30C (86F). The temperatures drop as we go higher into the hills.
Spending Money
For small purchases, particularly at local shops and markets, cash is generally preferred and easier for transactions than credit cards. Allow at least 2,200 Sri Lankan rupees (US$6) per day for personal expenditures such as small souvenirs and soft drinks. Some sites may charge a small fee for camera use. Shopping opportunities in Sri Lanka are endless and we suggest you take money for souvenirs. Optional excursions Additional optional activities are as follows: — White water rafting in Kitulgala: 9,800 rupees (US$30) per person — Optional tuk tuk in Giritale: 6,000 rupees (US$20) per tuk tuk
Tipping
Tipping is part of the culture in Sri Lanka. Tipping kitty: To make things easy, your tour leader offers to arrange and look after a tipping kitty, which will be used to tip hotel staff, local guides, bus drivers, and other support staff on the trip (optional excursions are not included in the group kitty). Your tour leader will suggest how much to contribute, but it is usually about 12,000 rupees (approximately US$40) per person. At any time during the trip, your tour leader will happily show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed. Tour leader: Tips for the leader are not included in the kitty and are at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation, around 1,300-1,800 rupees (US$4-US$5) per person per day would be appreciated. Where possible, please try to tip in the local currency.

Highlights