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14 Day Best of Sri Lanka

Our itinerary is packed with fantastic cultural adventures. Tea plantations, stilt fishing, rock fortresses and meals with the locals. Delicious!

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StartsNegombo, Sri Lanka
EndsColombo, Sri Lanka
RegionAsia
Duration14 days
Tour OperatorGadventures
Tour CodeASSL 22811
Overview PDFDownload PDF
Tour Map
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Itinerary

Day 1 - Starting: Negombo & Finishing: Negombo

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2 - Starting: Negombo & Finishing: Negombo

Visit the seaside and watch the process the fishermen go through to haul their catch ashore. Board a boat to glide along the Dutch canal and get a closer look at the lives of the locals. With free time, explore the city and check out the beautiful Portuguese and Dutch architecture.

Day 3 - Starting: Negombo & Finishing: Sigiriya

Travel through the countryside to Sigiriya in Dambulla, the central province of Sri Lanka. Visit the the World Heritage Site of the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla. In the evening, try to catch a beautiful sunset over the Kandalamma Lake.

Day 4 - Starting: Sigiriya & Finishing: Sigiriya

Enjoy a walking tour of a local village to learn about residents' way of life while getting a chance to try the local cuisine at a lunch prepared by the families of the community. Later, visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built in the fifth century, this rock fortress boasts well-laid out gardens, caves, monasteries, and palaces with beautiful wall motifs. In the afternoon, opt to go for a tour of Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where you can cycle through the ruins.

Day 5 - Starting: Sigiriya & Finishing: Kandy

En route to Kandy, stop at the herbal centre of spices. Students of Ayurveda will explain different uses for each herb. Arrive to Kandy in the afternoon. Go for a stroll around Kandy Lake and visit the famed Temple of the Tooth.

Day 6 - Starting: Kandy & Finishing: Kandy

Opt to take a walk in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, exploring the 300 varieties of orchids of Sri Lanka or visit an Ayurvedic hospital to learn about Ayurvedic oil massage treatments. Explore the well-laid out walkways of the city and don't miss the famed Palm Avenues. In the evening, enjoy a Kandyan cultural dance performance.

Day 7 - Starting: Kandy & Finishing: Nuwara Eliya

The town, also known as 'Little England', offers a lot of options for visitors. Explore the nature trails, visit the plantations, or go golfing or horseback riding.

Day 8 - Starting: Nuwara Eliya & Finishing: Nuwara Eliya

Use some free time to explore the area. Opt to stay close to the city, wandering local markets or head further afield. There's a 9km (6 mi) trek in the Horton Plains Nature Reserve or a chance to experience the beautiful surroundings on horseback. Wander around Victoria Lake and take in the views.

Day 9 - Starting: Nuwara Eliya & Finishing: Kudaoya

Drive down from the hill district towards beach country, near the famous Udawalawe Reserve. Elephants are in abundance here and come strolling alongside the roads. Make several stops to observe these mighty creatures before arriving for the evening. Stay at an eco-lodge in a tented camp in Kuda Oya, on the banks of the river near the reserve. With some luck, witness elephants walking along the river.

Day 10 - Starting: Kudaoya & Finishing: Hikkaduwa

Enjoy a walking tour through the wilderness and see a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Meet local farmers and learn about their way of life. Later, drive to Hikkaduwa beach for some serious relaxation. Hikkaduwa is the perfect beach destination for a whale watching tour, surfing, and other water sports.

Day 11 - Starting: Hikkaduwa & Finishing: Hikkaduwa

Visit stilt fishermen near Galle. The fisherman, already on their poles, will be waiting patiently to catch fish. Later, visit the famous Galle Fort in this charming colonial city. Return to Hikkaduwa for the night.

Day 12 - Starting: Hikkaduwa & Finishing: Hikkaduwa

Enjoy a free day on this pristine beach. Opt to go windsurfing, fishing, snorkelling or just enjoy relaxing on the coast.

Day 13 - Starting: Hikkaduwa & Finishing: Colombo

Drive to Colombo, a trading town with 2,000 years of history. Enjoy an orientation tour of the fort area and Pettah Bazaar in the afternoon.

Day 14 - Starting: Colombo & Finishing: Colombo

Depart at any time.

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More Information

What’s Included

Fishing village walking tour (Negombo). Dutch canal boat ride. Dambulla Cave Temple visit (Sigiriya). Sigiriya Rock Fortress tour. Village tour with local lunch. Spice plantation visit. Temple of the Tooth guided tour (Kandy). Cultural dance performance. Tea factory visit. Wilderness walking tour (Kuda Oya). Galle Fort tour. Beach time in Hikkaduwa Beach. Colombo orientation walk. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Highlights

Explore Sigriya rock fortress, enjoy local flavours at a village meal, gain insight into the national heritage at a tea plantation, relax on pristine beaches

Dossier Disclaimer

Itinerary Disclaimer

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes

Max 16, avg 12

Meals

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Transport

Private van, boat, train

Solo Travellers

Accommodation

Hotels (12 nts), tented camping (1 nights).

My Own Room

Joining Hotel

Paradise Holiday Village
154/9, Palangathurai
Kochchikade
Negombo
Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 31 2274588 / +94 31 2274589

Joining Instructions

The airport in Colombo (Katunayake) is around 32km north of Colombo center. Taking a cab is the most convenient way to get to your hotel in Negombo. Taxi drivers are famous to overcharge, so we recommend to use the prepaid taxi service offered at the airport – you can make the arrangements at designated counters outside the baggage-claim area after passing through several Bank Counters.

You will be able to change money into the local currency (Sri Lanka Rupee) at exchange counters open 24 hours at the airport. The Airport Taxi service, supervised by the Airport & Aviation Services, operates a counter in the arrival lobby and accept Sri Lanka Rupees. Please hire the vehicle from this counter & make the full payment. They will provide you an official receipt. Unfortunately scammers have set up similar services, so make sure the counter is operated by The Airport & Aviation Services. Your destination, the time of your arrival and the amount of luggage determine the rate, which you pay in advance at the counter, but should be between SLRS 2000 to 3000 to Negombo. A person will escort you to the designated taxi. If the driver demands more rupees, politely refuse, if they have driven safely you may like to tip him around SLRS 100.

Arrival Complications

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSFER
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures please note that:

Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel.

If your call is specifically concerning Airport Transfer complications please call our local G Adventures Transfer providers directly at:
Colombo Airport:

Ashraf
>From outside Srilanka: +91 7777 885555
>From within Srilanka: 07777885555

Shan Shamsuddin
>From outside Srilanka +94 777790190
>From within Srilanka: 0777790190

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Local Office (Delhi)
G Adventures South Asia Manager, Rishab (Delhi, India)
Emergency number:
>From outside of India: +91 99 7179 5447
>From within Delhi: 99 7179 5447
>From within India, but outside Delhi: 099 7179 5447

G Adventures Office Bangkok, Thailand
During Office hours (Weekdays, 9am-5pm Local Time): +66-02-3815574

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0844 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 01805 70 90 30 00
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Checklist

– Passport (with photocopies)
– Travel insurance (with photocopies)
– Airline tickets (with photocopies)
– USD cash
– Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
– G Adventures vouchers and dossier
– Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
– Camera, playing cards or other favourite games, reading/writing material, binoculars, snorkel gear (highly recommended – although we do provide snorkelling gear on the boat, please ensure you send us your fin size)
– Fleece top
– Windproof/waterproof jacket
– Towel and swim wear
– shirts/t-shirts
– Sun hat
– shorts
– pair of long trousers
– Sport sandals
– Sunblock
– Sunglasses
– Toiletries (biodegradable)
– Watch or alarm clock
– Water bottle
– Purification tablets or filter
– Pocket knife
– First-aid kit (should contain motion sickness medication, lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Visas

Sri Lanka Visa charges USD 30 per person for NON SAARC countries & USD 15 for SAARC countries, can be obtained directly via the internet please visit this site. http://www.eta.gov.lk/
Payments can be paid online with the confirmation document print out will be mailed to you with in 48hrs. The passport is to be submitted only on arrival with the printed document. The passport has to be valid for six months from the day of arrival + return air tickets & sufficient funds or reservations for the holiday should be with you. Children under 12 years free visa on arrival for all nationalities.
All have to obtain a visit visas except for Singapore & Maldivian passport holders.

Spending Money

Money Exchange

As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Mastercard but these are limited to major cities. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee.

Emergency Fund

Tipping

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected – though not compulsory – and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD1-2 per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline USD20-30 per person, per week can be used.

Optional Activities

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES ON TOUR
All prices are per person, in USD amounts and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

Kandy:
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens 1100 Lkr (8 USD)
Visit to Ayurvedic Hospital for Oil treatments (rates depend on hours)

Nuwara Eliya:
One Day Golf pass 1500 Lkr (12 USD)
High tea at the Grand Hotel 750 Lkr (6 USD)
Horton Plains National Reserve 5000 Lkr for van (38 USD)
(6 hour activity- 9 Km hike) 2900 Lkr entrance per person (22 USD)
1000 Lkr reserve guide (8 USD)

Unawatuna
Glass bottom Boat ride 1300 Lkr (10 USD)
Whale watching USD 70 per pax

Hikkaduwa
Surfing Board hire charges USD 10 for the day. or USD 3 per hour.
Motor Boat ride in Madhuganga river through Mangroves visiting native islands on the river SLR 3000 (USD25) per pax.

Health

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our CEO are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Safety and Security

Medical Form

Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility’ is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our CEOs work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gadventures.com/medical-form
.

A Couple of Rules

Travel Insurance

Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation

Feedback

Newsletter

Travel Forum – The Watering Hole

Max Pax

Max 16

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

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