Treasures of Sri Lanka

15 days
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Small Group Tour
Find yourself under Sri Lanka’s spell on a 15-day tour around this beautiful island. Explore the ancient fortress of Sigiriya, discover the aromas of a spice garden, get a glimpse of local life, visit the most important shrine in the country, see cascading waterfalls and hike to incredibly scenic viewpoints. This is a journey abounding in natural beauty, stun...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Visit the birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhism
    • Admire ancient carvings in Polonnaruwa
    • See 1,500-year-old frescoes at Sigiriya
    • Explore the Matale Spice Garden
    • Wander local markets in Kandy
    • Sample delicious local tea in Nuwara Eliya
    • Take in stunning views from World’s End
    • Discover incredible wildlife in Yala National Park

What's this trip about?

    Find yourself under Sri Lanka’s spell on a 15-day tour around this beautiful island. Explore the ancient fortress of Sigiriya, discover the aromas of a spice garden, get a glimpse of local life, visit the most important shrine in the country, see cascading waterfalls and hike to incredibly scenic viewpoints. This is a journey abounding in natural beauty, stunning landscapes, ancient history, mesmerising landmarks and enchanting wildlife.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • High Adventure

Destinations

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
    • all other activities are optional and at your own expense
    • If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
    • the cost will not be refunded

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Wattala

Begin this Sri Lankan adventure in beachside Wattala, just north of Colombo. Explore town – by bike or on foot – or head down to the beach for a swim.

Day 2 Anurad'a

Journey out to Mihintale, the birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhism. Count the 1,840 stone steps up to age-old pagodas, monasteries and caves atop this incredible mountain peak before driving out to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, home to the sacred Bodhi tree.

Day 3-4 Polonn'a

Jump on a bike and pedal through quaint villages on the way out to Dambalawewa Lake. See locals washing their clothes in the traditional manner, listen to the chatter of birds and take in the scenic surrounds. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch before he...

Day 5-6 Kandy

Hike up endless steps to the summit of Sigiriya - a remarkable citadel boasting 1,500-year-old frescoes, tranquil ponds and stunning vistas. Later, visit the Dambulla Rock Temple and the Matale Spice Garden before continuing on to Kandy where you’ll enjoy a traditiona...

Day 7 Kithulgala

A small town in the west of Sri Lanka, Kitulgala is the perfect place to take a dip in the refreshing Kelani River. See where the classic film, The Bridge on the River Kwai, was filmed and then keep eyes and ears peeled on a nature walk.

Day 8 Nuwara Eliya

Travel over the impressive Ramboda Pass to the old British hill station of Nuwara Eliya. See Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain loom in the distance as you sip some delicious local tea and later, if time permits, hike out to the majestic Lover’s Leap Waterfall.

Day 9 Beragala

Wake with the sun and hike through montane forests and tea plantations to World's End. Be entranced by the mesmerising views of the plains below – on a clear day you can see all the way to the Indian Ocean. Then travel through cloud forest and remote villages en route to Beragala.

Day 10 Kataragama

Enjoy another day of incredible hiking before visiting Diyaluma Falls, the second-highest waterfall in the country. Afterwards, drive out to Athuthusevena in time to witness the feeding of some adorable baby elephants.

Day 11 Galle

Keep your eyes peeled for mongoose, porcupine, eagle and storks in serene Yala National Park. Later, carry on to colonial Galle, where you can visit a historic fort.

Day 12-13 Induruwa

Learn about local turtle species at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery before carrying on to the beachside town of Induruwa. Unwind on sandy shores or maybe take a dip in the Indian Ocean.

Day 14-15 Colombo

Choose to start the day with a yoga session, a refreshing swim or a run through lush forest. Afterwards, head out to Sri Lanka’s largest city. Explore the harbour, do a spot of shopping and in the evening, why not hit the town.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Peregrine Adventures

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It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.

We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.

Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.

At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.

We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.

What they’re known for
Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Royal Lotus or similar (2 nts), Hotel Topaz or similar (2 nts), Hibiscus Beach Hotel or similar (2 nts), Hotel (1 nt), Pegasus Reef Hotel or similar (1 nt), Galway Miridiya Lodge or similar (1 nt), Kithulgala Rest House or similar (1 nt), Windsor Hotel or similar (1 nt), Melheim Resort or similar (1 nt), Lady Hill or similar (1 nt), Hotel Sapphire or similar (1 nt)

Transportation & Flights

Taxi, Minibus, Boat, Auto rickshaw,

Transportation & flights

Taxi, Minibus, Boat, Auto rickshaw
Guides
All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader 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 places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Requirements
Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey. OUR LOCAL PARTNER: This trip is operated by Peregrine Adventures and you will be joined by other like minded Intrepid and non Intrepid travellers. Single travellers will share accommodation with another traveller of the same sex.,A single supplement is available on this trip, please refer to your booking agent for further information.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Please go to our website for links to various travel insurance providers:
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: SWIMMING POOLS: You may stay at hotels with unfenced pools and no life guard on duty. LOCAL LODGINGS: On this trip you will be staying in some restored houses and local lodges - these are one of the charms of this journey, but their staircases, balconies and passages etc may not always comply with western safety standards. Please do not expect elevators in these properties as they are preserved to their original state. BIKE HELMETS: Please note that helmets are not always provided for sightseeing on bicycles. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. WATER SAFETY: Please take care when taking part in any activities in the ocean, river or open water, where waves and currents can be unpredictable. It's expected that anyone taking part in water activities is able to swim and have experience in open water. All swimmers should seek local advice before entering the water. Array
Meals Included

Meals introduction

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

Meals

14 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Style descriptions

‘Comfort travel’ means encountering all that the real world has to offer, but with an added degree of, well… comfort. We use more private transport, the travel pace more relaxed, the accommodation a touch nicer. And by paying a little more up front, you’ll be treated to more included meals, more leader-led activities and get a greater immersion in all things local.

Alternate Finish point

  • For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
  • 22 May 2016 (HYKL160522), 19 Jun 2016 (HYKL1606192), 17 Jul 2016 (HYKL160717), 14 Aug 2016 (HYKL160814), 11 Sep 2016 (HYKL160911), 25 Sep 2016 (HYKL160925), 23 Oct 2016 (HYKL161023), 20 Nov 2016 (HYKL161120), 04 Dec 2016 (HYKL161204)
  • Ozo Hotel Colombo
  • No. 36-38, Clifford Place
  • Marine Drive
  • Colombo
  • Colombo 04
  • SRI LANKA
  • Phone: +94 11 255 5570
Trip ID
peregrine-HYKL

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