Best of Sri Lanka

Best of Sri Lanka Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Destination: Sri Lanka
Programmes: Culture
Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: ASK

Trip Overview

See how bright the Gem Island sparkles on this compact adventure packed with authentic experiences

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.

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

Highlights

Search for elephants on an unforgettable game drive
Cycle through rural Sri Lanka and enjoy a traditional village lunch
Climb Sigiriya rock fortress in the cooler early morning
Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
Explore the tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya and taste authentic Ceylon tea

Is This 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.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Group

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.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Colombo
End City: Negombo, near Colombo

Land Only Itinerary

Begin your adventure in Colombo, the energetic capital of Sri Lanka.

At 3.30pm, say ayubowan to your tour leader and fellow travellers at our hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. That’s followed by an orientation tour around the city.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Sri Lankan welcome by arranging dinner and cocktails at the historic Galle Face Hotel, where we can watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.

Want to explore Colombo further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Ramada Colombo (or similar)

Meals included: Dinner

Bid farewell to Colombo and transfer (4hr 20min) to Sigiriya this morning, an essential stop on any tour of Sri Lanka.

After dropping off our bags at the hotel, head into Minneriya National Park this afternoon. Riding in open-sided 4x4s, we search for the park’s large elephant herds, while also keeping an eye out for sambar deer, wild buffalo, sloth bears and more.

Alternatively, if your tour leader’s intel reveals the safari is better in Hurulu Eco Park or Kaudulla National Park, we go there instead – ensuring the best safari possible based on where the elephants are gathered.

End the day at Hotel Sigiriya, which has an excellent view of the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress from the pool area.

Overnight: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We’re off to the small city of Girithale this morning, a 55-minute drive away, where we hop on bikes for a leisurely cycle through small villages and past lakes, which should take around two hours. If you’d prefer not to cycle, you can hire a tuk tuk (approximately 6,000 rupees/US$20) and follow the group.

Along the way, we see the local people going about their daily routine – expect smiles and waves as we go! We should also spot plenty of bird life, including egrets, brahminy kites, kingfishers and bulbuls. Breaking up the journey, we stop for lunch in a traditional village before returning to our hotel in Sigiriya by late afternoon with time to enjoy a post-ride dip in the pool.

Overnight: Hotel Sigiriya (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early this morning to climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, before the strongest heat of the day. Probably the standout attraction in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya comprises the ruins of a fifth-century palace, which crowns an imposing granite peak. We drive to the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens. We then take the route to the top, via a series of steep steps and gangways, ascending 655ft (200m) and passing an overhanging rock, under which portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall. On the flat-topped summit are extensive remains of the King’s Summer Palace.

Returning to the hotel for breakfast, we then set off to Dambulla, where we visit the magnificent Cave Temple, taking the back entrance, where there are fewer steps. Among the most impressive sights in Sri Lanka, it is home to colourful, well-preserved paintings and Buddha statues, which date to the first century BCE.

Finally, we transfer (2hr 40min) to Kandy, where we stay for the next two nights.

Overnight: Hotel Suisse (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

We visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most important Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from his funeral pyre in 543 BCE and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the fourth century CE. Hundreds of worshippers visit the temple each day and in August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our August trips should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until five months before the event.

Later, we take a leisurely stroll around Kandy Lake, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and taking in views of the city and hills.

Overnight: Hotel Suisse (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we leave Kandy and transfer (approximately 2hr 30min to 3hr) to Nuwara Eliya, a popular hill station during the British era, situated in the cool highland air. Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and features a golf club and racecourse.

Here, we visit a tea factory to discover the fascinating process of tea production, from plucking fresh tea leaves to processing and packaging. Enjoy the aroma of freshly brewed tea and enjoy a tasting session to experience the rich flavours of Ceylon tea.

After, we enjoy a scenic drive through Nuwara Eliya, admiring the lush tea plantations, beautifully manicured gardens and rolling hills.

Overnight: Galway Heights (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Leave the tea hills and transfer (4hr 50min) to the coastal city of Negombo, a short drive north of Colombo.

There, you can relax at our beachside hotel, either in the pool or on the sands. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Kitulgala for a white-water rafting adventure (see the Optional Excursions section of the Trip Notes for more details).

In the evening, our tour leader will arrange a group dinner, where we can share our favourite moments from the trip.

Overnight: Jetwing Blue Negombo (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The adventure ends in Negombo today, and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively,speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Negombo and enjoying some downtime by the beach.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

A selection of hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Food & Drink

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.

Transport

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.

Weather & Seasonality

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.

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.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Colombo
Location end: Negombo, near Colombo

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Water bottle (ideally with a wide mouth)
Sunhat
Sunscreen
Light casual clothing
Warm sweater/fleece
Sandals
Light waterproof
Swimwear
Hand-washing gel
Small personal first-aid kit
Small backpack for carrying items during the day

Especially when visiting temples, clothing should cover shoulders and be on or below the knee. Women especially should always dress conservatively to avoid unwanted attention and not to cause offence.

Practical Information

Visa

Sri Lanka

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Travellers from most countries can obtain a 30-day ETA (US$50) at www.eta.gov.lk. We strongly recommend that you do this prior to travel to avoid any complications and delays on arrival. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Local customs and laws: You should be aware of local laws and customs in Sri Lanka (see: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/local-laws-and-customs). The mistreatment of Buddhist images and artefacts is an offence; please note, people have been refused entry to Sri Lanka because of visible tattoos of Buddha.

Vaccinations and Health

Sri Lanka

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice. Additionally, dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

For detailed health and vaccination advice, visit:

UK: The Travel Health Pro website
US: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
Canada: ⁠The Canadian government’s travel health page

Local Time

Sri Lanka's time zone: Asia/Colombo (UTC +05:30)

Electricity

Sri Lanka's electricity: Plug type G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz – is by far the most common type in Sri Lanka. The electricity supply is not 100 percent reliable but is usually only off for short periods

Money

Sri Lanka's currency: All foreign passport holders can make payments for purchases in the local currency, Sri Lankan rupees (LKR). This is applicable to hotels, restaurants, shops and for any other services. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and most established shops. If you wish to exchange any cash upon arrival into Sri Lankan rupees, it is advisable to exchange British pounds, euros or US dollars upon arrival at Colombo Airport where authorised bank money exchanges are open 24-hours a day. Hotels can change money as well, but the rates will probably not be favourable. Your Tour Leader will be happy to direct you to the appropriate exchange services if you wish to change money during the trip. You are no longer required to produce your receipt of foreign exchange when making payments in Sri Lankan rupees, as was previously the case. However, we suggest you retain receipts of foreign exchange which will help should you wish to change back any unused rupees at the time of departure.

ATM Availability

There are ATMs in many of the main towns in Sri Lanka with Visa, Mastercard and American Express widely accepted. There is often a 3%-4% fee on top of your withdrawals. It’s worth informing your bank before departure that you are travelling to Sri Lanka and carry the relevant telephone number with you in case they put a block on your card.

Extra Expenses & 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.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

Seatbelts

All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

Version 1