10 Day 5 Star Sri Lanka & Beach Break Premium Small Group Tour
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Add return international airfares from $1299
✓ Small group tour, up to 16 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including Dambulla Rock Caves, the monolith of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the animals within Minneriya National Park, the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, the historical ruins of Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya dubbed ‘Old England’ and many more
✓ 9 nights in elegant 5-star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily & 8 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), please make your way to your accommodation in Negombo. Arrival transfers can be booked during the booking process.
Due to airline flight schedules, some flights arrive very late in the evening. There is the opportunity to book pre tour accommodation in Negombo should you wish.
Check-in: If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary.
After breakfast, we will commence our drive towards Sigiriya.
En route, the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple. Built in the 1st century BC, it is recognised as the largest cave sanctuaries in the world, with 2000m² of walls and ceilings painted with more than 150 images of Buddha. The largest engraving stands 14 metres tall.
From here, continue onto our hotel in Sigiriya.
After breakfast, we will make our way to the monolithic Sigiriya Rock Fortress - best to visit this sight in the morning before it gets too hot.
The rock fortress is regarded as one of the most extraordinary artistics complexes of its time (477-498 AD). This citadel, declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1982, allures artistic and architectural curiosity to all visitors. It is not an easy climb to the top, with approximately 1200 steps (man-made and naturally carved), the walk should take 1 hour.
In the afternoon, set out on an exclusively private game drive at Minneriya National Park to witness the unique phenomenon of Indian elephants gathering. During the dry season (June to September), hundreds of elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank for water. Such a large number of elephants could not be sighted at one place anywhere else in the world!
Depending on the elephant immigration, the game drive will either be at Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park.
Spend this morning at leisure, relaxing by the pool at the resort.
For lunch, we get to try our hand at Sri Lankan cuisine during a cooking class. Take part in preparing 5-6 curries, led by a local who will explain ingredients and the history of each dish. Enjoy what you have cooked in a setting, overlooking the paddy fields or the gardens.
This afternoon, the mediaeval capital city of Polonnaruwa awaits. This ancient city was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1982. After the demise of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the historic capital of Sri Lanka from 1017 to 1235 AD.
Whilst here, we will be guided through the archeological remains, learning about the carvings, history and architecture.
Return to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a short drive north of Sigiriya. It has an interesting history, closely related to that of the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Climbing to the top of the Pidurangala Rock is more strenuous than climbing Sigiriya. If you are fit and adventurous, it is a climb worth making. It will take approximately 2 hours. Atop the rock monolith, you will have beautiful views of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the surrounding jungle, however there are no civilisation remains.
After breakfast, depart Sigiriya and head towards Kandy.
Originally known as Senkadagala, Kandy was declared as a UNESCO heritage site in 1988. The style and character of the Sri Lankan civilization at the time is well articulated in the heart of the city itself, with its lake, the temples including the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the well preserved ruins of the royal palaces.
Some time today, we will be guided into the Temple of the Tooth Relic with the opportunity to view the sacred Buddhist artefact with your own eyes.
This evening, enjoy a typical Sri Lankan cultural performance.
Ritigala is an ancient retreat for Buddhist hermits, where the ruins of a 1st century BC monastery are veiled behind trees and the thick undergrowth of the Ritigala jungle. The altitude at which the monastery sits creates a microclimate amongst the surrounding plains.
Today, ascend by the iconic rail towards the British hill station of Nuwara Eliya. The train journey is truly a great local experience and an adventure in itself. Apart from the breathtaking scenery of the tea country and picturesque waterfalls, it is a chance for you to mingle with the local people.
On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, we will explore the livelihood of the region with a visit to a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy the absolute tea experience, taking you from the moment the young tea leaves are plucked from the plantation to being processed in the factory to make a steamy cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is the best place to purchase good quality tea.
Afterwards, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya, taking in its colonial architecture and persona.
Today we head for the coast, via the capital city - Colombo.
Proceed to Ahungalla where we will check-in and commence relaxing.
At approximately 5:30am, leave for Horton Plains National Park. This park holds great importance due to the rich and unique biodiversity and being a catchment area feeding some of the main rivers of Sri Lanka. It is also known to be a 'super biodiversity hotspot' and thus declared a UNESCO site in 2010. The national park is most famous for the vista - World's End.
You will be accompanied by a private escort the entire duration of the hike - from the Horton Plains Park Park Office, to World's End (via Mini World's End) and back. Wear strong and comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Bring sunscreen, food and water. The weather can change very quickly on the plains – one minute it can be sunny and clear, the next chilly and misty. Bring a few extra layers of warm clothing.
Meeting Point: Hotel
Includes: Return transfers, entrance into Horton Plains National Park, packed breakfast, private escort
Start Time: 5.30am
End Time: 12.30pm
Note: 7.5km round trip - 150m elevation gain. There are no safety rails available so we recommend this activity for those who are physically fit and go on long walks often. We do not recommend this if you have a difficult time walking along uneven, potentially wet, and rocky terrain.
Today is spent at your leisure.
Embark on a tour of Balapitiya. Spend time with local villagers and explore their way of life. You will also embark on a boat ride through Madu Ganga - a unique biodiverse waterway shrouded in mangroves. From here, you will visit multiple islands including: the shrine on Satha Paha Doowa, Kothduwa and its temple.
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is the biodiversity hotspot of Sri Lanka! The reserve is internationally renowned and has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
The reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, endemic to Sri Lanka. The most common mammals in the reserve are the Purple-faced leaf monkey/langur, Toque macaque and Flame striped jungle squirrel. There are also threatened and endangered species which are rarer to see, including: leopard, Indian elephants, Sri Lanka wood pigeon, green-billed Coucal and the Sri Lanka blue magpie to name a few.
There are numerous walks to suit any ability, however you may wish to consult your guide to find the best places to find certain fauna that call the reserve home.
Today is spent at your leisure.
Kanneliya Forest Reserve or KDN Forest Complex is located approximately 40km inland from Ahungalla. It is a complex designed as a biosphere reserve in 2004 by UNESCO. It is the only one of two remaining rainforests in Sri Lanka.
The reserve has a large number of endemic flora and fauna; with 17% of lowland floral species confined to this forest area and 41 species of fauna living here.
Whilst in the reserve, there are many nature walks you can undertake - the shortest being the Cave Trail which is 1.5km and the longest being the Kabbale Mountain Trail which is 5.5km. We recommend checking with your local guide to discuss which would suit your ability and viewing pleasure.
Spend this morning at your leisure, prior to checking out and ending your time in Sri Lanka.
Departure transfers to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) can be booked during the booking process.
This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.
If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section
Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Baggage
Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:
|
Country of Origin |
Carry-on Baggage |
Checked Baggage |
|
Australia |
7kgs |
20kgs |
|
New Zealand |
7kgs |
20kgs |
|
United States of America |
15lbs |
45lbs |
|
Canada |
15lbs |
45lbs |
|
India |
7kgs |
20kgs |
|
United Kingdom |
7kgs |
20kgs |
Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.
Flight requests, amendments or preferences
We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.
To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service? By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:
If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.
FAQs
For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs section.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorized as a ”4”
Active Tour: A very good level of fitness and mobility is required for you to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary, as this is considered a fast-paced tour. While there is some free time scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, there are many full days of sightseeing with minimal rest and some early starts. You will be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. At the commencement of your tour you will be asked to provide tipping to your guide towards a ‘kitty’, which is then used towards the guide tipping for the services of helpers, hotel staff, restaurants and airport porterage. You will be asked for LKR7000 per person. Please note that this tipping is not for the guide or driver, merely for the guide to tip the services of other local workers during your tour. Tipping towards the kitty is compulsory. Your cooperation in this instance is most appreciated.
Further, tipping for your guide and driver will be collected at the conclusion of their services. To remove the uncertainty and stress of not knowing how much is appropriate to tip we recommend LKR1200 per person per day for your guide and LKR600 per person per day for your driver to be paid in local currency. The amount you wish to contribute is dependent on the services received and at the complete discretion of the guest. Thank you for your understanding.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $525.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Group Size
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 16
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
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