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Journey to the heart of this captivating island, boasting an incredible variety of highlights from undiscovered pristine beaches in the East, to ancient civilisations and sacred pilgrimage sites in the Cultural Triangle. Journey high up into the tea plantations of Sri Lanka's hill country and then down to Udawalawe and Yala to experience Sri Lanka's stunning wildlife, and discover the country's rich history in Colonial Galle and the capital, Colombo.
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Colombo.
On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Colombo for a welcome dinner.
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a bustling, cosmopolitan city whose colonial history is still very much evident along wide, shaded boulevards and among its Victorian churches and tumbledown cafes. An introductory half-day city tour visits the vibrant temples and bazaars of Pettah, selling seemingly everything from traditional jewellery to Ayurvedic medicines. A trip to the Old Dutch hospital is a highlight of the newly restored Fort complex, home to some of Colombo's chicest restaurants, cafes and shops. After lunch enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before returning to your hotel for a welcome cocktail and overnight stay.
Today you will leave the capital and head to Dambulla. This afternoon visit the Dambulla Rock Temple, where the impressive caves contain over 2000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings which were once gilded by the ancient King to mark his place of worship. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Today head north to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the spiritual heart of the Cultural Triangle. Before it becomes very warm, visit the somnolent village of Mihintale and its nearby sacred mountain peak and temple complex. Ancient monastic dwellings and meditations spots are connected by beautiful old stone steps amongst rocky hills. After lunch you will embark on a city tour of Anuradhapura. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Anuradhapura's city ruins are one of South Asia's most evocative sites and contain a rich collection of crumbling temples, vast monasteries and elaborate palaces. Learn the fascinating history of the first ancient Sinhalese capital and marvel at the sacred Bodhi tree, the oldest authenticated tree in the world, tended by its dutiful guardians for over 2000 years. Return to your hotel in Dambulla for dinner and overnight stay.
After an early breakfast proceed to Sigiriya. Undoubtedly a highlight of the tour is today's excursion to the awe-inspiring Sigiriya rock fortress. The ancient city of Sigiriya is a World Heritage Site and the city ruins lie on the slopes and summit of the imposing granite peak, towering above the jungle below. Climb up steps carved into the rock face to see the fortified palace and brilliant frescoes or enjoy the spectacular views of the ancient citadel and jungle from the lily-pad-covered moats that surround the rock. Return to your hotel for lunch and to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
After an early breakfast, journey to Sri Lanka's second ancient city. Polonnaruwa became the seat of the Sinhalese kings and Sri Lanka's second ancient capital after the demise of Anuradhapura. Scattered over gently undulating woodland, explore the monumental ruins of the ancient garden-city built by the megalomaniac Sinhalese king, Parakramabahu I, in the twelfth century. Afterwards, continue on to Passikudah where you will spend the next two nights
Today has been left at leisure. With its powder-white sands and emeraldblue waters, Passikudah is the perfect place to relax and enjoy Sri Lanka's laid-back, less-visited East coast.
After breakfast proceed to Kandy via Matale. Here you will explore a typical Sri Lankan spice garden to observe how a variety of spices are grown. After lunch you will continue to the Central Hills Kandy. Head to the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth. The golden-roofed temple houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic - a tooth of Buddha; you will arrive in time for 'pooja' when the heavily guarded room housing the relic is open to both pilgrims and travellers alike.
Cradled amongst misty hills, the small city of Kandy exudes history, culture and beauty with its calm centrepiece lake surrounded by rolling forested landscapes and colourful houses. Explore the famous botanical gardens of Peradeniya, full of exotic palms, colourful orchids and home to over four thousand species of trees and plants. Then enjoy a tour of the city followed by a day at leisure.
This morning you will journey to Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as 'Little England' due to its plethora of colonial bungalows, well-tended hedgerows and pretty rose gardens. The picturesque mountain town is blessed with a salubrious climate and breathtaking views over the surrounding valleys, meadows and peaks. Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest exporters of tea and Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of this industry since the 19th century. En route to your hotel, you will make a stop at a tea plantation to observe the rich traditional process and inhale the heavenly scent of the prestigious Ceylon tea brand.
A morning tour of Nuwara Eliya begins today, driving through the lush green tea plantations dotted with the colourful saris of the women working in them. Lunch will be served in a local village, Ella, with far-reaching views over the misty landscapes beyond before continuing to Udawalawe.
Udawalawe national park is renowned for its elephant viewing opportunities against the stunning backdrop of the surrounding hills. Rising early this morning, embark on a jeep safari to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. As well as being home to over 250 elephants, deer, water buffalo, monkeys and a variety of bird species can also be found in the park. Just outside the park is the Elephant Transit Home, an inspirational project started to rehabilitate orphaned elephants. After this visit, depart for Tissamaharama to enjoy lunch and the rest of the day at leisure.
After some free time this morning, a jeep safari in the nearby Yala national park awaits. Covering a vast 1200 square kilometres, Yala is Sri Lanka's largest national park boasting a uniquely stunning oceanfront setting. Journey through the heartland of wildlife, home to elephants, sloths, deer and, with the highest density of leopards in the world, you may even be lucky enough to spot one of these beautifully elusive animals.
Departing Tissamaharama, you will travel to the sleepy coastal resort of Mirissa. The idyllic crescent of beach, fringed with coconut palms is the perfect place to crack open a coconut and relax on the soft golden sands by the calm turquoise waters.
This morning will be at leisure for you to further relax or choose an optional whale watching excursion (only available Nov-Apr). The south coast of Sri Lanka is arguably the best place in the world to see planet earth's largest ever creatures, the Blue Whale. Alternatively, visit the nearby Hikkaduwa preschool to see a charity project funded and supported by Mercury Holidays. Late this morning you will travel to Galle, a fort area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national treasure has been inhabited by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, all of whom left their distinctive marks visible in the walled Galle Fort and through the sleepy streets strewn with colonial buildings, restaurants and small boutique shops.
After breakfast transfer to Colombo airport for your flight back to the UK.
A visa is required for entry into Sri Lanka. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote "Mercury Holidays". The cost of the visa is from £63. The visas take around 10 working days to issue and are only valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel, however, please be aware that your passport will be required for the application so make sure that you will not need it during this time. Alternatively, you can visit The High Commission of Sri Lanka at 13 Hyde Park Gardens, London, W2 2LU.
Please note: If you have chosen to add the 'Kerala Beach Stay' or 'Highlights of Kerala' extension to the end of your tour, you will need to obtain an Indian visa prior to your UK departure. The Travel Visa Company offers a service which takes can take up to 15 working days at busy times. The cost is approximately £134. Alternatively, you can apply for your own visa. You can apply in person or by post to the Indian Embassy in London: 142-148 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DU. There are also regional centres elsewhere in the UK. Full details on the process can be found on the Indian Embassy website www.in.vfsglobal.co.uk.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight is to Colombo Airport is with Sri Lankan Airlines (UL), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 3. Each passenger is entitled to 30kg of hold luggage and hand luggage that you are permitted to carry one item of hand baggage (max 5kg - 56x36x23cm) in addition to one small personal item on-board the aircraft. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure.
Airport Extras
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras - Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches. Please note there are approximately 1,300 steps to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 30. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour with local guides throughout ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Rupee, LKR. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of Sri Lanka. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in Sri Lanka should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £400 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are! Tipping is customary in Sri Lanka. Should you wish to tip, this will be collected by your guide at the end of your tour for your convenience. We would recommend approximately £3-5 per person, per day for the driver and guide and £4 per person, per day for the national guides. It is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange.
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Dates | |||
| 07 Sep 2022 | 23 Sep 2022 | £2199.00 | Book Now |
| 14 Sep 2022 | 30 Sep 2022 | £2149.00 | Book Now |
| 21 Sep 2022 | 07 Oct 2022 | £2149.00 | Book Now |
| 05 Oct 2022 | 21 Oct 2022 | £2149.00 | Book Now |
| 02 Nov 2022 | 18 Nov 2022 | £2149.00 | Book Now |
| 09 Nov 2022 | 25 Nov 2022 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 23 Nov 2022 | 09 Dec 2022 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 2023 Dates | |||
| 04 Jan 2023 | 20 Jan 2023 | £2999.00 | Book Now |
| 11 Jan 2023 | 27 Jan 2023 | £2669.00 | Book Now |
| 18 Jan 2023 | 03 Feb 2023 | £2529.00 | Book Now |
| 25 Jan 2023 | 10 Feb 2023 | £2529.00 | Book Now |
| 01 Feb 2023 | 17 Feb 2023 | £2529.00 | Book Now |
| 08 Feb 2023 | 24 Feb 2023 | £2499.00 | Book Now |
| 15 Feb 2023 | 03 Mar 2023 | £2499.00 | Book Now |
| 08 Mar 2023 | 24 Mar 2023 | £2399.00 | Book Now |
| 15 Mar 2023 | 31 Mar 2023 | £2249.00 | Book Now |
| 19 Apr 2023 | 05 May 2023 | £2199.00 | Book Now |
| 26 Apr 2023 | 12 May 2023 | £2199.00 | Book Now |
| 24 May 2023 | 09 Jun 2023 | £1999.00 | Book Now |
| 07 Jun 2023 | 23 Jun 2023 | £2099.00 | Book Now |
| 21 Jun 2023 | 07 Jul 2023 | £2099.00 | Book Now |
| 26 Jul 2023 | 11 Aug 2023 | £2999.00 | Book Now |
| 09 Aug 2023 | 25 Aug 2023 | £2649.00 | Book Now |
| 06 Sep 2023 | 22 Sep 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 13 Sep 2023 | 29 Sep 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 20 Sep 2023 | 06 Oct 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 04 Oct 2023 | 20 Oct 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 18 Oct 2023 | 03 Nov 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 01 Nov 2023 | 17 Nov 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 08 Nov 2023 | 24 Nov 2023 | £2299.00 | Book Now |
| 22 Nov 2023 | 08 Dec 2023 | £2349.00 | Book Now |
A limited number of rooms on selected dates are available with no single supplement. Once all single rooms are sold, a single supplement starts from just £629pp.
If the group departure dates are not suitable for you and you would prefer a more personal and flexible experience then you can choose to book a private guide for your tour at a reasonable supplement.
Please note that Yala National Park may close during September and October. If this does occur, you will visit the nearby Lunugamwehera National Park instead.
Sri Lankan Rupee
10-14 hours
18 °C / 34 °C
Sinhala, Tamil, English
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
All hotels were 100% excellent, with the exception of The Palm Garden Village in Anuradhapura.
Quality accommodation
All very good.
With such a comprehensive Itinerary, all meals included, great value for money. Guide, hotels, meals, organisation all excellent.
We enjoyed every one of the hotels. They were different but all good quality.
Great selection of a variety of hotels all providing excellent comfortable accommodation, great food and superb hospitality .
The hotels could not be faulted. Some were different but a pleasure to stay in them.
Excellent holiday, special thanks to Kusum guide/ driver. Superb hotels and well organised.
Generally excellent, but some variability, especially with lunch stops.
Some of the hotel rooms & around the pools could have been a bit cleaner. The food & hotel staff were excellent.
This was one of the best tour holidays we have taken. The size of the group was perfect as we were able to get on & off the coach quickly & was more friendly with a small number people. The food could not be faulted & the places we ate, other than the hotels, were such a good choice.
All hotels were of a good standard
The guide did not always give clear instructions leading to some confusion, i could have been better prepared for future events of the day especially relating to heat and visits to temples.
Very high standard of hotels throughout the tour. Meals in all the hotels were excellent with a very good choice of Sri Lankan or western food. The excellent and knowledgeable service provided by the tour guide, assisted by the coach driver and his assistant, made this a very memorable tour.
No comments
all good
All the hotels were excellent, the rooms were terrific in all locations. Most of the service was of a high quality although there were occasional lapses due to lack of training. The buffets were generally well presented and fulsome. The tour was amazing value for money and the guide Lathif was exceptional and ensured the tour exceeded all our expectations.
Most of the Hotels were very good. All reviewed on Trip Advisor individually
No comments
Socks/slipper socks needed at religious places as the ground gets very hot.
All the hotels were of a very good standard with all staff being friendly and helpful.
All the hotels varied in style which made the trip all the more enjoyable.
Sudesh our tour guide was outstanding and after many tours around the world, he is probably the best guide we have ever met.
No comments
All hotels were good,they were all very helpful providing gluten free food for my husband and at every meal, Ernest, our guide, spoke to the chef on our behalf. The whole trip was well organised, the hotels were good, everything went beyond our expectations. Thank you for a wonderful holiday.
Well done to Prisanth our guide, Ranga the driver and Sarath the assistant.
All the hotels selected were good and some of a very high class.
All the meals were beyond our expectations
We were most impressed by the standard of hotels used throughout. All were well located, very clean and furnished and appointed to a high standard. We especially enjoyed the Calm Resort at Pasikudah and the Amaya Hills hotel.
Prashen was a star, this was a fantastic tour!
All hotels were good/excellent- generally buffet meals - occasional waiter service for a change would be appreciated. The guide is singled out for special mention for his attention to detail and planning efficiency
it was reassuring to have a good safe driver.
Highly organised with attention to detail and planning. The tour was very well planned with two stops at coastal resorts to ease the pace of the tour. The driver gave excellent service. The hotels generally very good standard.
A fantastic value for money tour, with one of the best tour managers that I have ever met.
Highly recommended.
Most of the hotels were very good quality. I particulary liked the Hotel Palm Garden and The Calm Resort.
No comments
Fantastic good quality 3 and 4 star hotels some with amazing views
Hotels were of a high standard and represented good value for money.
All hotels were excellent. Rooms and food brilliant! All staff very good and helpful.
All hotels were excellent
Excellent Holiday.
Amaya Hills Hotel - public areas excellent.
Amaya Lake Hotel - Rooms exceptional.
Some hotels a bit dated but generally all good
The Guide, Sam did not give us much info on arriving at hotels, just gave out room keys and that was that. We had to ask for details, dinner times, leaving times, where the restaurant was. We did not have comfort stops unless we asked for them. The 1st young lad helped folk of the bottom step of the coach, the replacement didn't, didn't even say good morning. I was annoyed that Sam asked for the questionnaire several times, even though we were not given it until the last evening. Told us to open up our cases when we arrived at the airport, stated that he wouldn't get paid for the tour if we didn't give him the questionnare, even though folk said that they would complete on their return to The UK. Asked me to identify peoples cases, asked me to go onto the coach to see if the folk were on board, this before he even bothered to say good morning. Not impressed by Sam.
Very impressed with Chandraha our driver, he was excellent.
Excellent accommodation and food. Far exceeded our expectations.
The hotels were of exceptional high standard. All in fantastic locations, rooms excellent and food and service extremely good.
Have no negatives at all, very good value.
Generally very good
The standard of the hotels we visited was good . We have no complaints about any hotel .
A good tour.
Excellent tour with great guide and hotels.
Newton the guide was very patient and informative and a wonderful host. The driver was fabulous and made us feel safe even when others were testing him with their bad driving. Chmi was a very pleasant young man and very helpful on the coach getting water with a smile.
Absolutely first class!! The guide was knowledgeable and a great travel companion. Excellent value given the quality of hotels and the small size of the group.
Absolutely first class!! Knowledgeable guides and fantastic tour companions. Exceptional value given the quality of hotels and small size of groups.
All Hotels were excellent with a good range of facilities. Buffet meals were also good with a wide selection.
Explore this fascinating city at your own pace. Colombo is the commercial capital of the island. Its streets are alive with colourful shops and markets, while temples and mosques reflect its multicultural heritage.
View Tour + Extension
Extend your stay with an extension to the wonderful beach resort of Kalutara on the north west coast of the country. Indulge in a calming massage or relax by the beach before returning to the UK. Choose a hotel from our handpicked options or speak to our reservations team about our entire range of hotels available.
View Tour + Extension
Why not continue your trip beyond Sri Lanka with a mini tour of the beautiful Indian state of Kerala from 399pp. This 4 night extension includes a tour of Cochin, one of India's major ports and trading centres and an overnight trip on an authentic Keralan Houseboat.
View Tour + Extension
Indulge yourself with a fabulous extension to the Maldives. Arriving at Male airport you will be transferred to your hotel by speed boat for four nights of pure bliss. Enjoy spectacular views of the bluest seas from all directions whilst you unwind and relax on this island of paradise.
View Tour + Extension
