Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean with Beruwala Beach Extension
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Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean with Beruwala Beach Extension
16 Days Starting and ending in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Visiting: Colombo, Habarana, Minneriya National Park, Sigiriya, Hiriwaduna, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Matale Spice Gardens, Kandy, Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Beruwala, Galle, Kosgoda
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SLSRLA
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 27
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Beach Tours, Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, with a special extension to the serene Beruwala Beach. This tour offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from the bustling streets of Colombo to the tranquil landscapes of Minneriya National Park, where elephants roam freely. Discover the ancient wonders of Sigiriya's Lion Rock and the historic city of Polonnaruwa. Delight in the aromatic Matale Spice Gardens and the lush tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. In Kandy, explore the revered Temple of the Tooth and enjoy a unique dining experience at Sthree Café. Relax on the golden sands of Beruwala, with opportunities to visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and the historic port city of Galle. With a dedicated holiday director and no single supplement, this tour promises a seamless and enriching adventure in Sri Lanka.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 UK - Colombo
Location: Colombo
Today fly to Colombo, arriving on day 2.
Day 2 Colombo
Location: Colombo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel Colombo
Meals Included: Dinner
On arrival transfer to your hotel in Colombo where the rest of the day is at leisure. This evening join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant where you'll eat traditional Sri Lankan food from a menu that has been exclusively curated for Just You, served with local beer and wine.
Day 3 Colombo - Habarana
Location: Colombo, Habarana, Minneriya National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Habarana Village - Habarana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, a short sightseeing tour will introduce you to the city's highlights. Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo is a bustling metropolis boasting an attractive blend of old and new. Grand colonial-era buildings and Buddhist temples rub shoulders with modern skyscrapers, fine restaurants and high-end boutiques. We will then head to Habarana. This afternoon, we will visit Minneriya National Park, which is home to sambar deer, leopards and elephants.
Day 4 Sigiriya & Hiriwaduna
Location: Sigiriya, Hiriwaduna
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Habarana Village - Habarana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka's seven World Heritage Sites and is situated in the heart of the island's Cultural Triangle. This spectacular rock fortress Kerala which is home to water gardens, moats and the impressive Lion Rock - the entrance to the original fortress was through the mouth of a carved lion. All you'll see today are two huge paws but they are still an incredible sight.
Later today we'll visit the ancient Hiriwaduna Buddhist Temple before crossing a jungle rivulet by catamaran to reach a farmer's 'wattle and daub' house.
Day 5 Habarana - at Leisure
Location: Habarana, Anuradhapura, Dambulla
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Habarana Village - Habarana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is free for you to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, why not join our optional excursions? This morning, you could choose to visit UNESCO-listed Anuradhapura, the first capital and the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. This ancient buried city is full of stone carvings and sculptures, and a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals. Anuradhapura is also home to the oldest historically documented tree on earth - The Sri Maha Bodhi - which is over 2,200 years old and is respected by Buddhists all over the world.
This afternoon you could take the optional excursion to Dambulla cave temples that contain more than 150 images of Buddha.
Day 6 Polonnaruwa
Location: Polonnaruwa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Habarana Village - Habarana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s cities and you can discover more on this morning's included excursion here.
Day 7 Habarana - Kandy
Location: Habarana, Matale Spice Gardens, Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we head to Kandy. The aromatic Matale Spice Gardens are our port of call en route to the city. Nutmeg, pepper, cloves and cinnamon, all of which are regularly used in Sri Lankan cuisine, grow here.
Day 8 Kandy
Location: Kandy, Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kandy was the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and the Royal Botanical Gardens at nearby Peradeniya are a delight to explore. First planted for King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1780), and covering some 150 hectares, you'll see towering trees, elegant lawns, flowering shrubs and exotic crops such as coffee, tea and nutmeg during our visit here. Highlights include a palm avenue planted by the British in 1905 and an enormous Java fig grown from a sapling brought over from the East Indies.
Today, you will visit Sthree Café for lunch. The Sthree Café, supported by Planeterra, works with women in the local community to increase their income, strengthen their financial independence, and help them become economically empowered. The Sthree Café employs local women from WDC's Kandy forum as well as differently-abled persons, providing them with a fair wage and the skills and training needed to work in the service sector. The café serves fresh, locally sourced, seasonal vegetarian cuisine and provides a traditional Sri Lankan dining experience.
You'll then tour Kandy, where highlights include the temple housing the famous Tooth Relic of Buddha and the Market Square. The Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic, commonly known as 'Sri Dalada Maligawa', is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century, this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. The Sri Dalada Maligawa is the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka, where thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty.
Day 9 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
Location: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Blackpool
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Nuwara Eliya, which we reach by a combination of train and road, is an area carpeted in lush green tea plantations and the home of the famous Ceylon tea.
Day 10 Beruwala
Location: Beruwala
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we will visit a tea plantation. During a plantation visit we'll get to see how the leaves for England's favourite brew are picked by hand and taste a cup in its purest form. Later we will continue to Beruwala, where you can spend the next three days at leisure. Our hotel is located right on the beach and boasts an inviting pool and a rooftop spa. It's also close to the town, where there are plenty of restaurants, cafés, bars and shops.
Day 11 Beruwala
Location: Galle, Kosgoda
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A city tour of Galle today will introduce you to the port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka in 1505, while a visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery allows you a privileged view of these endangered creatures.
Day 12 Beruwala - at Leisure
Location: Beruwala
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is yours to spend as you like, you may choose to relax at your hotel or you could head out to explore a little town of Beruwala.
Day 13 Beruwala - at Leisure
Location: Beruwala
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today has been left free for you to spend at leisure. Perhaps spend some time relaxing on the beach or beside the hotel's pool, alternatively you may wish to book a treatment at the hotel spa. This evening we'll gather as a group to enjoy a special barbecue dinner.
Day 14 Beruwala
Location: Beruwala
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy this beautiful area where you can discover more of the sights at your own pace. Beruwala boasts an array of fantastic destinations and is situated in an ideal location for the end of your holiday in Sri Lanka.
Day 15 Beruwala
Location: Beruwala
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is another day to relax in our beachside resort or explore the local town.
Day 16 Colombo - UK
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll transfer to the airport for our return flight to the UK.
What's Included
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Just You Holiday Director as your host
A dedicated Just You holiday director will accompany you throughout the trip.
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Return flights from London
Return flights from London are included in the package.
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Use of an airport lounge in the UK
Access to an airport lounge in the UK is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional excursions
Optional excursions such as visits to Anuradhapura and Dambulla cave temples are not included.
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as shopping, spa treatments, and additional activities are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with return flights from London, overseas transfers, and other transportation including a scenic train journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya. Enjoy the convenience of an airport lounge in the UK and porterage services throughout your journey.Accommodation
Enjoy 12 nights of half-board accommodation in luxurious 4 and 5-star hotels, plus an additional night in flight. Experience the comfort of Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo, Habarana Village in Habarana, Cinnamon Citadel in Kandy, The Blackpool in Nuwara Eliya, and Cinnamon Bey in Beruwala.Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can be seen at Minneriya National Park?
Minneriya National Park is home to sambar deer, leopards, and elephants.
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What is special about the Sthree Café in Kandy?
The Sthree Café, supported by Planeterra, works with women in the local community to increase their income and strengthen their financial independence. It employs local women and differently-abled persons, providing them with a fair wage and skills training. The café serves fresh, locally sourced, seasonal vegetarian cuisine and offers a traditional Sri Lankan dining experience.
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What can visitors expect to see at the Kandy Botanical Gardens?
Visitors to the Kandy Botanical Gardens can expect to see towering trees, elegant lawns, flowering shrubs, and exotic crops such as coffee, tea, and nutmeg. Highlights include a palm avenue planted by the British in 1905 and an enormous Java fig grown from a sapling brought over from the East Indies.
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What is unique about the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy?
The Temple of the Tooth, known as 'Sri Dalada Maligawa', is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists worldwide. It houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. The temple complex has been expanded by successive rulers, with the latest addition being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed.
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What experience does the tea plantation visit offer?
During the tea plantation visit, guests will see how tea leaves are picked by hand and have the opportunity to taste a cup of tea in its purest form.
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What activities are available during the leisure days in Beruwala?
During the leisure days in Beruwala, guests can relax at the beachside resort, explore the local town, enjoy the hotel's pool, or book a treatment at the hotel spa. There is also a special barbecue dinner in the garden on one of the evenings.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
All the people in your group will be solo travellers and will share your sense of adventure and passion for travel. There’s usually a good mix of ages too, so you’ll meet a variety of solo travellers who have more, or in some cases less, life experience. We find the overall mix of people really adds to the whole experience and there are certainly plenty of l
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
A few years ago we set up Just You Cares, a programme that gives back to some of the places we love. We have always believed in taking care of the communities we visit, and have taken the time to really get to know the local people and understand the challenges they face. Some of our holidays give our Customers the chance to see how the money from their trips has been spent.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Just You, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accommodate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - just make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, and all of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
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Will I eat alone?
We find there’s always a social element to dining, so you’ll never eat alone, unless you want to! Every holiday includes a welcome get-together, all breakfasts and many other meals. When a meal is not included we find travellers meet and dine together.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, given the nature of our holidays, it is not possible to join the tour once it has departed.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Just You has been operating solo holidays for more than 15 years.
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Am I guaranteed a room of my own?
Of course, you’ll always have a twin or double room all to yourself. It’s great to have that space to relax and reflect at the end of the day. In some hotels you can also pay a little extra to upgrade for more space or a lovely sea view.
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What is the typical age range on a Just You holiday?
Typically, our customers are solo travellers in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but it’s quite possible you could meet 20-year-olds or 70-year-olds (or anyone in between)... After all, age is just a number!
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have received the World Travel and Tourism Councils (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world. The 'Safe Travels' stamp provides you, with assurance and peace of mind that we have implemented enhanced health and hygiene prprotocols on all holidays.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Once you book, you will receive a confirmation invoice within 7 days, prior to departure, we will send you further information to help prepare for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Just You is exclusively for solo travellers, every tour includes a twin or double room of your own, with no single supplement.
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Just You requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of just you charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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