Enjoy the comfort of having your travel arrangements all to yourself. From the exclusivity of having your own transportation to your own expert English-speaking guide who in most cases will accompany you throughout the entire tour unless stated.
This tour includes return international airfares. See the Fine Print section for further details.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
✓ Includes return international airfares
✓ Private touring - enjoy the comfort and personalised service of a professional, private guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing including a private guided game drive in Yala National Park, scenic boat ride on Madu River, tea plantation factory tour, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress and time to unwind at a south coast beach resort
✓ Authentic travel experiences including a traditional Sri Lankan cooking demonstration and iconic high tea at the Colonial Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
✓ 14 nights in comfortable, central 3-star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 8 dinners
✓ Ride the famed train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
✓ Fully escorted by a private, professional English-speaking chauffeur driver/guide
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transport throughout
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour
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 Colombo!
On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative and escorted to your waiting private chauffeur guide who will be transferred to your Negombo hotel. Check in and relax after your international flight.
Your private chauffeur guide is at your disposal for the duration of your trip. During any free time, your private chauffeur guide is available to take you on any extra sightseeing, shopping, or to a recommended lunch or dinner. You will be given your private chauffeur guide’s mobile number at the beginning of your trip and he or she can be reached at any time during your stay.
Note: any additional costs for entrance fees to sites or meals & drinks not already included can be paid locally.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then meet your private chauffeur guide who will take you on a tour of Negombo. Vist the local fish market and understand the traditional methods of catching and drying fish. See the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort and Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermen’s huts which feeds into the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal.
Following your morning tour, we drive approximately 3 hours to Sigiriya arriving mid-afternoon at the beautiful Sigiriya Jungles resort. Take time to relax and unwind in the hotel grounds, take a dip in the pool or venture to the hotel lookout for incredible views of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Exclusive to Inspiring Vacations guests is a complimentary Ayurvedic treatment at the resort spa. Enjoy a relaxing 20 minute foot, shoulder or head message or upgrade to one of the indulgent treatments using traditional herbs and ancient healing methods.
This evening, enjoy dinner overlooking the hotel gardens.
Note: your complimentary 20 minute treatment is available for use at the Sigiriya Jungles Ayurvedic Spa. Treatment can be redeemed at any time during your stay and is subject to availability, The value can be used to upgrade to another treatment of your choice. Unused vouchers are non refundable.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before we travel approximately an hour to visit the UNESCO site and ruins of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and is known for its well-preserved ruins. Visit the sacred Bo Tree, a spiritual reminder of the beginnings of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the inspiration for Anuradhapura’s great buildings. The ruins themselves are spread over quite a large area, some in woodland settings and others appearing park-like with columns and ponds dotted about.
Travel back to Sigiriya where the afternoon is a leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional tour of Minneriya National Park.
After breakfast, proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and climb ther monolith, one of the most extraordinary artistic complexes of its time (477 – 498 AD). Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1982, this magnificent citadel allures artistic and architectural curiosity from around the globe.
Return to the hotel late this morning with time to relax before we head out this afternoon to visit the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa was declared as an UNESCO heritage site in 1982. After the demise of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the middle historic capital of Sri Lanka (1017 – 1235 AD). In comparison to Anuradhapura, here your private chauffeur guide will show you well preserved remains of temples and ancient homes and describe the meaning behind the relief and carvings that can still be seen today.
Following our tour, travel back to Sigiriya in time for dinner and an evening at leisure.
After breakfast, we leave Sigirya and proceed to Kandy via the Dambulla Cave Temple Built in the first century BC, It is recognized to be the largest cave sanctuaries in the world with its 2000 m2 of walls and ceilings painted more than 150 Buddha images whose largest engraved in the rock reaches 14 metres.
Following this, we visit one of the spice gardens in Matale. Enjoy a tour through the garden as you learn of the different spices that have framed Sri Lanka’s trade history. Learn of the harvesting process and the use of each spice in Sri Lankan cooking and herbal medicines.
We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue our journey to Kandy, “The Hill Capital” (1514 – 1815 AD). Originally known as Senkadagala, the city eventually came to know as Kandy, derived from the word “Kanda” meaning “the Mountain”. Kandy was declared as an 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.
Arrive at the hotel late this afternoon where the rest of the day is at leisure.
This evening, you may wish to join an optional cultural performance followed by dinner.
After breakfast, visit the lake and the beautiful Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, this venerated temple is a deeply spiritual and sacred Buddhist site that contains a fragment of the tooth of Buddha, collected from his funeral pyre.
Following our morning tour, we enjoy an Inspiring Taste as we join a local in their home to learn the art of traditional Sri Lankan cooking. Get an understanding of the locally grown spices and their importance to Sri Lankan dishes, then learn to make five different curries using traditional methods cooked over an open fire in clay pots. Afterwards, enjoy the benefits of your tuition as you enjoy lunch together.
Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
Today ascend by 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 into Nuwara Eliya, we head to the hotel to freshen up and have a short rest.
This afternoon, enjoy an Inspiring Taste at probably the most talked about property in Nuwara Eliya, with an indulgent high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel. The High Tea can be taken at any time from 12pm - 6pm and is included as your lunch today
Note: Sri Lanka Railway tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd class is basic but has air-conditioning. The non-air conditioned 3rd class sometimes is the only option based availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked we’ll conduct the route by road. Your chauffeur guide will transport your luggage to Nuwara Eliya and you will travel by yourself.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning at your hotel.
For those adventure seekers, you may wish to join an optional hike to the incredibly scenic Horton's Plains and World's End (see below for more detail).
Today we tour Nuwara Eliya. Often referred to as ‘Little England’, this genteel highland community we see the rose-tinted colonial-era bungalows and its beautiful gardens and lake. Also today, we visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy an absolute tea experience, taking you from the moment young tea leaves are plucked to being processed in the factory to make a steaming cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is the best place to purchase high quality tea.
Return to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
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.
Start time: 5:30am departure from hotel
End time: 12:30pm return to hotel
Distance: 7.5km round trip - 150m elevation gain
Inclusions: return transfers, entrance into Horton Plains National Park, packed breakfast, private escort
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.
This morning after breakfast, depart for Yala National Park. Enroute, travel through incredible landscapes and make several stops at stunning local waterfalls before continuing to Ella and onto Yala.
On arrival, enjoy lunch before proceeding into the National Park to spend the afternoon on a private guided game drive. Being one of the largest parks in Sri Lanka, it is the ideal place to possibly sight elephants, sloth bears and the elusive leopard.
Return to your hotel and enjoy dinner.
Note: Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period, Yala National park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park, while still being able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park.
This morning, enjoy another safari in the Yala National Park by private jeep to spot the diverse wildlife which calls the park home.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and enjoy a free day to relax.
Visit a typical farm to witness how local people use traditional methods to make buffalo curd. End your lesson with a tasting of this popular and delicious Dessert.
Continue east today along Sri Lanka's picturesque coastline.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing by the pool or in the sea. We recommend heading to a local restaurant or beach bar and enjoying the coastal scenery.
Today is free to relax by the pool, walk along the beach or try a local cafe or restaurant for some tasty treats.
If a day of relaxation is not your thing, your private chauffeur guide is at your disposal to show you around the local area, or to take you to one of the local restaurants or bars.
Enjoy breakfast overlooking the ocean before we head to Galle and enjoy a tour of the Galle Fort. This is a city that exudes an essence with a perfect blend of past and present. Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1988, the presence of Portuguese, Dutch and British is evident in the fascinating architectural styles of the fort. Walk the relaxed residential streets inside the fort and keep an eye out for some great local shopping and cafes as well as some excellent photo opportunities.
Enjoy lunch at one of the local colonial styled restaurants before you check into your beautiful heritage property situated in the heart of the city of Galle inside the historic Dutch Fort.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to wander the narrow streets of this beautiful heritage town filled with museums, boutiques, cafes and antique stores.
After breakfast head north towards Colombo. Along the way, visit the small town of Balapitiya where you will take a boat trip on the Madu River and its 64 scattered islands. Cinnamon Island, locally known as “Kurundu Doowa” is one of the islets you’ll visit to get an informative experience of cinnamon production. Sri Lanka is the largest producer of pure cinnamon in the world.
On arrival into Colombo, check into your hotel located in the heart of the Galle-Face district and enjoy some time to relax and wander the local streets.
This evening, tour the capital of Sri Lanka, whose long history as a port on the ancient east-west trade route, was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. This heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls.
Enjoy a final dinner to celebrate your time in Sri Lanka.
Checkout from the hotel is 10:00AM. Please bring your bags to reception to have them stored. Flights mostly depart in the afternoon. Store your luggage and enjoy the local area before farewelling Sri Lanka to board your homeward flight.
Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares please ensure you provided your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel or your transfers won’t be able to be confirmed.
Please note: If you are departing the destination later and have made your own arrangements post to your tour, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing post-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacation airport transfers will still be provided for departure
Arrive home today after an Inspiring Sri Lankan private adventure.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.
Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.
Pay In Full Option:
Installment Payment Plan Option:
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.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
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 categorised as a”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. 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 AUD$35 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 AUD$6 per person per day for your guide and AUD$3 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 $1,208.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
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 traveller'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.
An e-visa is required for entry into Sri Lanka. The Department of Immigration and Emigration launched a system called "Electronic Travel Authorization - ETA" in order to grant prior approval for a visa online for foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka. You can visit http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ to purchase your visa online.
E-Visa's are only valid for 30 days, so you can only apply closer to your travel dates. please do not apply for your visa until you have your travel documentation. It will take 3 business days to be approved. The cost is US$50 per person.
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.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2 people, this tour is a private departure for your selected group size.
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
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.
Please note that Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period, as defined in the departure dates listed below, Yala National park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park, while still being able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park. Please refer to the itinerary.
Although smaller in size to Yala National Park, Udawalawe National Park is considered one of the world's best places to see wild elephants. Largely comprised of grasslands and bush forest, Udawalawe is also one of the best national parks in Sri Lanka for game spotting and being far less crowded than Yala, it makes for a more enjoyable experience for travellers and therefore, we believe is a more than suitable alternative for one safari day. You will still be able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park, so you are able to experience both.
Wondering what to expect when you visit the iconic Yala National Park? Click HERE to learn more about Yala
Click HERE for more information on weather in Sri Lanka
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