Sri Lanka
Luxury Sri Lanka Travel Package
Travel Style: Experiential
Service Level: 5 Star hotels
Trip Type: Small Group, 10 travellers
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Testimonials
The people who know best
Really good experience. Everything went very smoothly and was really well organised. Me and my family learnt a lot and really ate a lot – food was tooo good. Really one of the best tours we have been on. Very good selection of hotels. Guide was very informative. We had lot of fun travelling with others in group. Thank you
Rating ★★★★★
Great tour, great experience, great people. Really never expected this to be as good as it turned out to be. Was initially skeptical about my family travelling with others, but it really was so much fun. Everyone was just fab and I have made new friends for the rest of my life. Hotels were stunning.
Rating ★★★★★
WOW! What a holiday we had! Thank you Indian Expeditions for such a lovely experience. Everything – from start to finish was just simply superb. The hotels and food were just GREAT. Whale watching . . .OMG, I will never forget that day ever! Thank you thank you thank you!
Rating ★★★★★
Luxury Sri Lanka Travel Package from Chennai
No longer just the sprawling city you have to endure on your way to the beaches, Colombo has become a worthy destination in its own right
Explore Yala National park, which boasts of the highest density of leopards in the wild.
Escape to the picture perfect beaches of Bentota
Leisure day at Bentota. Go whale watching in Mirrisa, or check out Bentota’s exciting water sport scene.
Return to Chennai
Luxury Sri Lanka Tours from Chennai
No other Sri Lanka Tours can match this Sri Lanka package for value and for experiences. Join us on a small group tour of Sri Lanka with like minded people, led by expert guides.
We only offer luxury tours that feature 5 star hotels, top notch vehicles – and what really sets us apart is our trip leads – who are not merely guides, but travel partners who have academic backgrounds in art, history, archeology and architecture. Come join us on this Sri Lanka holiday packages and make memories and new friends that you will cherish for a lifetime.
SO MUCH included in price
- Accommodation in 5 star hotels and resorts .
- Return Flights - Chennai - Colombo Chennai.
- Daily breakfasts and dinners.
- Sri Lankan Visa.
- Modern, air-conditioned coaches throughout in Sri Lanka.
- Services of an experienced and expert local Tour Manager throughout.
- All entrance fees where applicable.
- 1 wildlife Safari in Yala, 1 deep sea whale watching expedition in Mirrisa.*
- Site seeing in Sri Lanka.
*Subject to availability and weather conditions. No refund if unable to undertake
What is not included
- Travel insurance
- Camera fees where applicable.
- Anything that is not explicitly mentioned in the what is included section.
Detailed Itinerary of Sri Lanka Trip
Depart Chennai in the morning and arrive in Colombo. Check in to Lake side Colombo and go on an expedition to explore the sights and sounds of Colombo. In the evening, check out Colombo’s most exciting night haunts.
Depart Colombo after a leisurely breakfast and drive to Yala. The drive takes about 4 hours and is very scenic.
Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most visited and most rewarding wildlife reserve. Yala covers an area of 1260 square kilometres, and boasts of the highest density of leopards in the wild. The park’s dry-zone landscape is impressively wild and unspoilt, especially when viewed from the vantage points offered by the curious rock outcrops which dot the park. From there you can look out over a seemingly endless expanse of low scrub and trees dotted with brackish lakes next to the dune-covered coastline – particularly magical from Situlpahuwa.
You will be staying in one of South Asia’s finest wildlife resorts – Cinnamon Wild or Jetwing Yala. Enjoy the afternoon and evening in the resort and get pampered in the wild.
Embark on an early morning safari into the wild and hope to spot Leopards, elephants, crocodiles and water bison. With a number of water holes, there is a variety of birdlife to spot too. Then depart to Bentota, visit Galle en route.
You may see the iconic stilt fishermen plying their trade in the surf. Discover the city’s colonial heart and wander around the rampart walls of the Galle Fort. There are a few small museums you might like to visit as well as a number of imposing Dutch churches.
Bentota boasts of some of the best and most picturesque tropical beaches in the world. Explore the region at leisure and partake in water sport fun if that is your thing. There are hosts of activities in Bentota that will keep all ages engaged and mesmerised. Visit turtle hatcheries, or explore the waterways in a dugout or spend time at the pool sipping cocktails. If you are upto an early start, we’ll drive you in the morning to Mirrisa, 1.5 hours away, where you can get on a deep sea expedition to spot whales and dolphins. Truly worth the early morning start. Remember, whale watching depends on many factors beyond our control, like weather and sea conditions and we may not be able to undertake the activity.
Return to Chennai on an afternoon flight, or extend your adventure.
HOTELS ON TOUR OF SRI LANKA
At Indian Expeditions, we understand the importance of good hotels throughout a touring holiday. All the hotels on our tours of Sri Lanka have been personally selected by our directors to ensure they meet the highest standards. We have personally stayed in the hotels and experienced first hand how their services are. We have also hosted many groups of travellers in them. Furthermore, we have paid special attention in making sure the hotels we stay in suit the western and Indian traveller. Each hotel on our Sri Lanka Travel Package has its own unique style and character, but all share the same high and excellent standard.
Though our tours are advertised as tours with 5 star hotels, some boutique hotels may not have a star rating, but have the same level of service and comfort as a 5 star.
Due to the growth in tourism in Sri Lanka, it may not always be possible to stay at our listed accommodation and an alternative of equal standards will be found.
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is a 5-star hotel on the waterfront of Beira Lake in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It offers views of the lake, a pool, squash court, and personalised stays. Perfect to recharge after flight to Sri Lanka and to get ready for the tours. Rooms are well-appointed with luxury, contemporary comforts and furnished with local artefacts, and the large picture windows ensure that natural light floods in.
Cinnamon Wild, Yala
Cinnamon Wild is a forest lodge resort that offers luxurious chalet accommodation within a lush jungle, with some of the chalets set right by the beach. You’ll be able to spot a variety of wildlife here, from exotic birds and playful lemurs to passing elephants and maybe even a leopard.
Relax on the beach, head out on safari in the nearby Yala National Park or indulge in a spa treatment, before tucking in to dinner among the trees and hitting the rooftop bar, where you can take in panoramic views of the forest and ocean while enjoying a sundowner. Located within Yala’s buffer zone, this hotel offers modern facilities while allowing you to feel surrounded by nature. It’s also close to the coast, and while it isn’t suitable for swimming, you can sit back in the sunshine and enjoy the views.
Cinnamon Bey, Beruwala
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala is a 5-star, eco-certified hotel and resort in Bentota, Sri Lanka with a Turkish theme and beachfront location. The resort has a garden, terrace, poolside bar, and three outdoor pools, including a large infinity pool. It also has a spa, gym, library and host of other services. The resort has five restaurants serving international cuisine, a kids’ activity area, and late-night live music. Rooms and suites are spacious and have living areas, and some have private plunge pools.
Trip Information
CLIMATE
Sun-kissed – in a word! Glorious sunny days with bright blue skies is the norm. The climate of Sri Lanka is tropical. The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on which part of the country you’re going to. It’s a year-round destination with consistent warmth and lots of sunshine, with temperatures averaging between 31°C at their highest and 22°C at their lowest. It’s normally hotter in coastal areas and the lowlands than it is in areas with higher altitude. Showers can occur at any time. The southwest coast is best between December and April, before their monsoon season starts, while the east coast and the north is less humid between May and September, when their monsoon season is over. The central hills remain cooler all year round and we’d only recommend avoiding them in October and November, when the rainfall is less predictable.
The weather in Sri Lanka is rather complicated for such a small country, due to the fact that the island is affected by two separate monsoons. On the bright side, this means that there is usually good weather somewhere on the island at most times of the year.
The main southwest (“Yala”) monsoon brings rain to the west and southwest coasts and the hill country from April or May to September and is wettest from April to June.
The less severe northeast (“Maha”) monsoon hits the east coast from November to March and is wettest from November to December.
There’s also a inter-monsoonal period of unsettled weather preceding the Maha monsoon in October and November. During this time heavy rainfall and thunderstorms can occur anywhere across the island.
Time difference to GMT
+5.5 hours
Plugs
3 Pin Flat
Religion
Buddhism,Hindu, Islam, Catholicism, Protestant.
Language
English is spoken widely. Other major languages are Sinhala and Tamil. Our tours are conducted only in English.
FOOD AND DRINK
The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more. The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.
Lunch price
£8 / $ 10/ 800 INR
Dinner price
£8 / $ 10/ 800 INR
Beer price
£3 / $4/ 300 INR
Water bottle price
£0.5 / $ .05/ 20 INR
Foreign Exchange
LOCAL CURRENCY
Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR)
RECOMMENDED CURRENCY FOR EXCHANGE
GBP/US$ are the best currency to change into local currency.
WHERE TO EXCHANGE
We strongly advise you not to exchange you at airports on arrival as they give very poor rates. Your Tour Leader will advise you on the best places in each town. Both GBP and USD cash are easy to exchange. It’s not possible to change money using a credit or debit card.
ATM AVAILABILITY
ATMs are available widely. You must inform your bank that you are travelling to Sri Lanka and ask them to enable your cards to have withdrawal / transactions enabled for Sri Lanka.
CREDIT CARD ACCEPTANCE
In most establishments that are medium to large.
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
Opportunities to exchange are limited.
CLOTHING
Sri Lanka is a tropical region with high humidity. Lightweights are needed all year round with some warmer clothes for the cooler winter evenings (November to February) in hill stations such as Kandy and Ella. Casual clothes are the most practical: tight fitting garments, brief shorts and skirts should be avoided, since they attract unwelcome attention. Swim wear can be worn in very few beaches but in all resorts and hotels if you are using the pool. Bring a light and easy to carry water bottle.
FOOTWEAR
Walking shoes or trainers and sandals are recommended. Note that temples do not allow footwear to be worn inside, and footwear must be left at the entrance of temples. You can wear socks inside.
LUGGAGE
While our maximum cap on luggage per person is 50 KG – two main pieces of luggage and day sac, we highly recommend that you do not overload yourself. One main piece of baggage and a day sac per person are recommended. Most hotels where we stay at offer express laundry services for about USD 1 – USD 2 per piece.
EQUIPMENT
Binoculars, torch, sun screen, insect repellent.
TIPPING
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff (like in hotels, or drivers) will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group’s tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Accordingly, you should allow GBP35 / $ 40 approx. 5000 Sri Lankan Rupees for group tipping.
For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.
Transport Information
All vehicles used will be in excellent condition, fitted with individual bucket seats and with air conditioning. The type of vehicle used will be at our discretion, though if you have any preference do send us an email and we will try to accommodate your request.
Accommodation notes
Accommodation in Sri Lanka is as varied as the region itself but has high standards. We have chosen the best of the best resorts and hotels for your adventure.
All rooms are twin-share and they have their own bathroom attached.All towels and bedding are provided.
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.
Visa and Passport Information
India: Holders of passports endorsed British citizen, as well as Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders may be eligible for the e-Tourist Visa to enter India.
The visa can be applied for through the official Indian government visa website only – https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Please check all eligibility criteria that can be found on the website but important points are listed below –
You must be arriving into one of 29 selected entry points which can be found via the official Indian Government website link above. However, you can exit from any of the authorised immigration check posts in India.
Passports must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for stamping. Visa applications will take approximately 4 days to process.
Those applying for a 30 day electronic visa can only apply within 30 days of arrival for your visa to be valid. Furthermore double entry is permitted and you can only obtain two 30-day visas in a calendar year.
Please note these costs are subject to frequent change so you should check on the official Indian government visa website mentioned above. Biometric data will be collected on arrival in India.
If you are not eligible for the e-Tourist Visa, please refer to VFS Global to apply for your Indian visa – https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html
Whilst the online form offers a relatively quick way to apply for a visa, some applicants have reported difficulty in completing the form. If you would like to use a visa service to process your visa on your behalf, we recommend CIBT Visas. They have expert knowledge in visa requirements, and are dedicated to ensuring that obtaining your visas is as efficient and hassle-free as possible.
CIBT provide various levels of visa service, including detailed information about which visas and documentation you and your party require, clear and user-friendly application forms, and a full concierge service to manage your application from start to finish. There is a team of experts on hand to offer advice, and liaise with embassies on your behalf.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Booking conditions
Before booking your Indian Expeditions trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Your safety and enjoyment on tour
We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Your Tour Leader
We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments on trip – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Indian Expeditions that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. Please ensure that you are covered for the full duration of your holiday, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy.
Vaccinations
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Tetanus, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid and Polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Dates & Pricing
| Dates | Availability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| May 17 - May 21, 2024 | Partly Available | CONTACT US |
| May 31 - June 04, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jun 07 - Jun 11, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jun 14 - Jun 18, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jun 21 - Jun 25, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jun 28 - July 02, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jul 05 - Jul 09, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jul 12 - Jul 16, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
| Jul 19 - Jul 23, 2024 | Available | CONTACT US |
To be announced
