Thanks to our experience and the many tips received from enthusiastic travellers, we are offering you a trip to one of the most popular long-haul destinations for UK holidaymakers² with 4 World Heritage Sites and a stay in a 4-star dream hotel with sandy beach !
Comfortable Emirates flight to Colombo and arrival the following day. You will be warmly welcomed by our English-speaking travel guide and escorted to our comfort hotel in the idyllic fishing village of Negombo. Enjoy all the colonial flair and stunning golden beaches the village has to offer.
Sigirya, the historic fortress of King Kasyapa, sits astride the mighty Lion Rock. Sri Lanka’s unique landmark dating from the 5ᵗʰ century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is regarded as the Eighth Wonder of the World. We will be walking through the giant “lion’s paws” above the royal gardens towards the stunning fortress. In the caves of the Lion Rock are the enchanting “cloud maidens” – unique frescoes of magical beauty. In the associated museum we will take an exciting journey through Sri Lanka’s past. Then we will drive to our beautiful hotel in the Sigiriya region, where will be staying the next two nights.
Look forward to the incredible temple and world-famous five caves of Dambulla, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each of the caves is a true treasure trove in its own right, with wonderful works of art, paintings and no fewer than 150 statues of Buddha. We also offer a fascinating optional trip to Polonnaruwa. Once the capital of Sri Lanka, we will be able to visit and marvel at the many ruins of the former palaces, which are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Especially impressive are the buddhas hewn into the rocks, bearing the names “Standing”, “Sitting” and “Reclining”. The other attractions include the lotus bath, the statue of King Parakramabahu and the former temple of the famous Buddha’s tooth.
In Matale, we will visit a lush spice garden, and over a refreshing herb tea find out more about how spices are used and how they can heal illness. Alternatively, you can take a walk to experience the hustle and bustle of the city. Then it is on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kandy. What a fantastic place! Visit the Temple of the Tooth with its many Buddhist and Hindu treasures. According to legend, this is where Buddha’s tooth is kept – Sri Lanka’s holiest relic. Make your leisurely way through the town centre and dawdle around the colourful bazaars selling arts and crafts. We will bring the day to a close with a performance of the traditional Kandy dance. Watching the drummers, acrobats and fire eaters in action is a truly exotic experience! Overnight stay in Kandy.
Up into the mountains we go! On our way to Nuwara Eliya, we will take a tour of the fresh, green tea plantations and watch the tea pluckers in their colourful saris hard at work. Take the opportunity to visit a tea f actory and see for yourself how the famous Ceylon tea is made. Of course, you can enjoy a plentiful amount of this aromatic drink while you are there! The enchanting small town of Nuwara Eliya, with its typically British architecture, is a living reminder of the colonial era. A walk through its lush fields reveals breath-taking landscapes and scenery. Anyone wishing to can visit the highlands and the stunning mountain range of Sri Lanka on a wonderful optional panoramic train journey, which is arguably one of Asia’s most beautiful rail routes. Overnight stay in Bandarawela or Ella.
We reach the picturesque mountain village of Ella in the highlands of Sri Lanka surrounded by deep gorges and dense jungle. In the vicinity of the small village, there are spectacular waterfalls and green tea plantations. We will then visit the famous Udawalawe National Park. Come with us and see the elephant orphanage, where baby elephants are tenderly bottle-fed and prepared for their future lives in the wild. If you wish to, you can explore this fascinating national park in an open-top, all-wheel-drive off-road vehicle with optional safari, allowing you to watch red deer, water buffalo and jackals roaming wild in their natural habitat. Overnight stay in the Embilipitiya region.
The fairytale south western coast of Sri Lanka awaits. Galle offers us a magical glimpse of what it has to offer: local fishermen sit on small horizontal bars attached to long posts in the sea – pole fishermen! They try to catch sardines and mackerel in this way! Galle is still surrounded by a mighty city wall made from coral and granite. Once occupied by the Portuguese, the Galle Fort is one of the most important attractions in the area and is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also worth a visit are the Dutch Church and Dutch Museum, the oldest building in Galle. Overnight stay in the exclusive 4-star beach hotel.
A week of fairytale recuperation with heavenly cocktails and a spa awaits us! Our 4-star dream hotel ROYAL PALMS is located in the Kalutara region in the south-west of Sri Lanka, in the middle of a peaceful palm grove. Here we can unwind: walk along the ocean, read a book by the attractive outdoor pool and enjoy the beautiful scenery. A transfer brings us back to the capital Colombo on the last day. From there we take the flight back to the UK.
The package includes 12x dinner as buffet or 5 course menu: only £ 199 per person.
The package includes the three excursions to the “World Heritage Site of Polonnaruwa”, “Panoramic train journey through the highlands of Sri Lanka” and the “Safari in Udawalawe National Park”: only £ 189 per person.
£ 499 per person (subject to availability)
The comfortable 4-star dream hotel is surrounded by lush tropical nature on the outskirts of Kalutara. The town centre is just a few minutes away, while the bustling capital of Colombo is around 25 mi to the north. The traditional style hotel complex has 3 restaurants and several bars. For relaxation, there is a spacious pool area and an extensive array of wellness services in the spa (for a fee). The comfortable and spaciously appointed rooms (approx. 45 yd²) each have a balcony or terrace as well as a bathroom with WC, bath or shower and hair dryer. Room amenities also include air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV, safe, Wi-Fi, minibar (for a fee) and coffee and tea facilities.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 |
| London | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking before your trip. Please check the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk) before your departure.
Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, south of India.
Unitary presidential republic with a parliamentary democracy.
Official: Sri Jayewardenepura – Kotte (seat of government), de facto: Colombo
68% Buddhist (Theravada – Buddhism), 15% Hindus, 9% Muslims, 7% Christians, 1% others
Official languages are Singhalese and Tamil; English is the lingua franca.
There is a tropical humid-hot monsoon climate. Milder in altitudes and near the coast.
230 V alternating current, 50 Hz. An adapter is required.
The difference between local time and GMT is +5:30 in relation to standard time (during the winter). As there is no changeover to summer time, the time difference during the summer is +4:30 hours.
The dialing code 0044 (+44) needs to be added to make calls to the UK. The dialing code 0094 (+94) needs to be added when calling Sri Lanka from the UK.
Behaviour that could be interpreted as religious defiance is punished by the police, including detention for several days. It is forbidden to be photographed with your back to a Buddha statue. Disrespectful photos of religious motifs can lead to heavy fines and even imprisonment. Photographing the so-called “Cloud Girl frescoes” at Sigiriya Rock is prohibited. Failure to comply with this prohibition may result in heavy fines and confiscation of the camera by the Sri Lankan police authorities. Photographing military installations is also prohibited. Temples may only be entered with shoulders covered and trousers or skirts reaching below the knees. Do not display clothing or tattoos with Buddhist motifs as they may be perceived as denigrating Buddhism. Make sure you are allowed to take photographs or ask for permission. Be sure to follow the instructions and regulations at Sri Lankan cultural sites.
British citizens require a visa to travel to Sri Lanka. The visa can be applied for as an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) online via the official website http://www.eta.gov.lk. The eVisa is for Sri Lanka is valid for max. of 90 days from the date of issue for a single entry with a max. stay of 30 days. The visa can be applied for online via the official website https://www.srilankaevisa.lk/At the airport in Colombo, there is also the option to apply for a visa upon arrival. However, the airport only has limited capacities for this and long waiting times can be expected. Furthermore, entry will be denied if not approved. Once the visa application has been approved, please download your eVisa and print it out. The eVisa must be presented upon entry into Sri Lanka along with the passport. Citizens of other countries are requested to contact the British High Commission in London to find out the entry requirements applicable to them. Whilst we endeavour to provide guidance where necessary, we can not be responsible for any problems encountered (whether at any point of entry or elsewhere) in the event that passport and visa requirements are not satisfied.
Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture, etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. Here you will find out all you need to know and useful information about the trip. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that Sri Lanka has to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.
Although your trip already includes a comprehensive package, you also have the option of choosing added extras. We recommend booking the following packages:
Half board: The package includes 12x dinner as buffet or 5 course menu: only £ 199* per person.
Cultural package: The package includes the three excursions to the “World Heritage site of Polonnaruwa”, “Panoramic train journey through the highlands of Sri Lanka” and the “Safari in Udawalawe National Park”: only £ 189* per person.
* Package prices may vary when booking on site.
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Exchange rate (July 2024): 1 GBP = 392,64 LKR; 1 LKR = 0,0025 GBP.
Withdrawing cash from ATMs and paying with credit cards are common, but for more remote regions and smaller shops it is advisable to take cash with you. Cash may only be exchanged at authorised points (e.g. airport), banks and hotels, which confirm the exchange on a form. In Sri Lanka, there are often cases of credit card fraud. It is therefore advisable to use cash for the majority of your purchases. To prepay for potential hospital or doctor costs, it is often necessary to present a credit card even if valid overseas health insurance exists. You should therefore always carry your credit card with you. Foreign bank cards cannot be used in Sri Lanka.
The import and export of national currency is not permitted for tourists. The carrying of foreign currency is unlimited, but declaration is required for amounts exceeding 15,000 USD. Foreign currency can be exported up to a value of 10,000 USD, if it was declared upon entry. It is not permitted to import foreign tobacco goods. It is forbidden to import goods that are manufactured from protected animal and plant species. The export of antique goods (all objects older than 50 years) requires official authorization. It is strictly forbidden to import and export weapons and drugs.
More extensive customs information about importing goods can be obtained from the embassy of the country you wish to enter. Only the embassy can provide you with legally binding information.
Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-intouk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain.
Since the terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa on Easter Sunday 2019, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, including foreigners, the security situation has eased. Following the attacks, security measures were clearly and recognisably tightened and the presence of security forces increased nationwide. In general, curfews can be imposed at short notice and social media can be blocked. Heightened security measures remain in place at the airport.
Crime: Violent crime is most common within local societies. Foreigners, especially women travelling alone or in small groups, are occasionally affected by violent, including sexual, assaults, even in tourist centres. Drugs or knock-out drops are sometimes administered via drinks.
The law of Sri Lanka, particularly the criminal law, is also to be observed by foreign tourists in its entirety. Express attention is to be drawn to the provisions for the import and export of foreign currencies, impermissible possession of drugs and weapons as well as sexual offences. Violations, as well as behaviour that can be interpreted as religious defiance, can result in very harsh punishments. Sexual abuse of children (Sexual Offences Act 2003 Section 9) can also be punished in the UK even if the offence was committed abroad.
Vaccination: At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website (https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries). Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, dengue fever, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies and Japanese encephalitis are recommended as travel vaccinations.
Mosquito repellent: Adequate protection against mosquitoes (exposure prophylaxis) is recommended. It includes:
• Wearing long, light clothing impregnated against insects when outdoors
• Rubbing all skin surfaces with a suitable repellent and
• Using impregnated mosquito nets during the night or
• Staying in rooms protected from mosquitoes (fly screens, air conditioning). They protect against other diseases such as dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis.
Diarrhoea and intestinal disorders: Diarrhoea-related illnesses are frequent all year in all areas of the country. Tap water, even in the cities, is not of drinking water quality. It is recommended that only originally packaged drinks in bottles or cans be consumed or that water be boiled thoroughly, filtered or chemically disinfected prior to consumption. Outside of the cities, only drinking water should be used to wash fruit and vegetables or to brush teeth. Raw and unpeeled products should not be consumed. Meat, fish and seafood should also only be consumed if it is properly cooked through. There is an infection risk for salmonella, shigellosis and typhoid, amoebas, lambliasis and echinococcosis throughout the country. General hygiene measures such as regular hand washing or hand disinfection after visiting the toilet and prior to eating as well as keeping flies away from food can reduce the risk of infection.
Geographic and climate-related illnesses: Due to proximity to the equator, it is imperative to ensure good sun protection and sufficient consumption of fluids particularly in relation to older people. Dangerous currents lead to tragic cases of drowning time and again: relevant warnings are to be adhered to on the beaches. Alcohol should not be consumed when bathing or swimming. Beaches contaminated by animal faeces also pose a risk of infection for parasitic skin diseases (Larva migrans cutanea). Sufficient medical care, especially in emergencies or accidents, is not always guaranteed everywhere.
Due to the ongoing economic crisis, there are import restrictions and supply bottlenecks, which also affect the supply of medicines. Especially in rural areas and government institutions, not all medicines are always available. Take any medication you require from the UK with you.
Medical care in the big cities and tourist centres is adequate to good but does not meet European standards in all areas. In Colombo, medical care in specific fields is by all means of a high to a very high standard.
It is strongly advisable to have adequate and valid health insurance coverage including provision for repatriation.
Customers must ensure that they are in good physical and mental health in line with the trip in question. Customers must enquire about the physical mobility and psychological autonomy required for this trip.
All information is subject to change/Last updated: October 2024
At the airport in Colombo, there is also the option to apply for a visa upon arrival. However, the airport only has limited capacities for this and long waiting times can be expected. Furthermore, entry will be denied if not approved.
It is therefore strongly recommended to apply for the visa in advance online.
Important! Ensure that all information is correct. The Sri Lankan authorities will insist on a new visa being issued at the airport if there are even small mistakes (e.g., numbers back to front or the accidental entry of a letter “o” instead of the number “0” in the passport number), for which further charges will be levied.
No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of this information / Updated: May 2024
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