Sri Lanka Holidays

Luxury Sri Lanka Holidays

When you visit Sri Lanka your holiday will allow you to discover this spice-scented country and the gentle charm of its people. A small island in southern asia Sri Lanka is fringed by gently arcing golden sand beaches, with a hilly interior full of cascading waterfalls and verdant tea plantations. Sri Lanka has attracted visitors for centuries with its exotic splendor and mystique. From Sri Lanka’s largest city, Colombo filled with colonial buildings to the National Park in Yala you’ll be provided with an insight into the history and culture of this destination.

Our Sri Lanka Holiday Highlights
• Taking a jeep safari across Minneriya National Park which is full of amazing wildlife including elephants, buffalo and leopards.
• Exploring the Dambulla Rock Cave Temples the largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka with over 80 caves.
• A visit to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Kandy which was set up in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants.
• Taking a stroll down the palm avenues of Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, which holds over 5000 species of trees, plants and creepers

Where is Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka sits to the south of Asia and is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The country lies to the south of India and is separated by the Gulf of Mannar.

Time difference / local time

GMT + 5 ½ hours

Currency

The currency used throughout the tour is Sri Lankan rupees. Currency and travellers cheques can be changed at the hotels and banks. Please note, Sri Lankan currency must be changed prior to your departure back to the UK.

Passport and visa

We have been informed that with immediate effect visas are now required for tourist visits to Sri Lanka. The required documentation is called an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and can be applied for on the internet through the following website: http://www.eta.gov.lk. The visa required is a ‘Tourist visa with double entry for 30 days’. The current price of this requirement is US$20 (approx £13)

There is currently a process available to apply for the ETA on arrival at the airport in Colombo at a charge of US$25, however we would recommend that you arrange this prior to travel to ensure that your ETA is granted. Also we have been informed that that application process at the airport may be discontinued after 3 months. If you decide to arrange this on arrival we can not guarantee that your application would be successful and would therefore not be held responsible if you were refused entry into Sri Lanka.

You must apply for the ETA no more than 3 months in advance for it to be valid at the time of travel.

Flying time to destination

London to Colombo 10 ½ hours

Climate/season

Sri Lanka experiences sunshine all year round and the average temperature in Colombo is around 27˚C. The temperature gradually drops as the land rises towards the hill country, with some parts of the highlands as low as 10˚C, we therefore recommend taking a light jacket and/or jumper for use during this area. The island has two wet monsoon seasons; briefly between May and July in the south west region and between December and January in the north east.

Electricity

220-240 volts / 50 Hz AC. Two and three pin plugs are used mostly.

Health and Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccines; however recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio, Tetanus and Typhoid. Please consult your GP or specialist vaccination centre for more detailed information.

Clothing

We would recommend that you pack light airy comfortable clothing for the day along with a hat for the midday sun and a light jacket and/or jumper for use during the hill country. When visiting the many temples it is a good idea to wear comfortable footwear with a good grip as some of the surfaces can be uneven.  Please note when entering temples and sacred sites it is expected for ladies & gents  to have their shoulders covered and skirts or trousers to be worn below the knee.  As a general rule most sites will expect you to remove your shoes before entering.

Climate data for this region

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Luxury holidays to Asia & the Far East
Asia & the Far East Brochure 2011/2012

Asia & the Far East Brochure 2011/2012

Order a Journeys of Distinction brochure to Asia & the Far East and start planning your next luxury holiday. Tour destinations include China, India and Sri Lanka.

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