Splendours of Ceylon Small Group
8 Days Starting and ending in Colombo
Visiting: Colombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Ritigala, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, tea plantation
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SR1SG
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
18 - 59 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Travelling with a group of no more than 12 people, our new Small Group trips provide you with more space for your comfort and pleasure. Discover the colourful culture and history, friendly people, and the timeless wonders of Sri Lanka on the 8-day Splendours of Ceylon. An island blessed with green forests, vast sandy beaches and stunning ancient treasures, Sri Lanka is a true hidden gem of South-East Asia. Start your adventure at the metropolitan city of Colombo and explore impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered around the island. Hop on your jeep in Walpattu, Horton Plains and Minneriya to spot elephants or the famed Sri Lankan Leopard. Trek through lush forests, climb up to temples carved in huge boulders and have a sip of exotic Sri Lankan tea.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Colombo
Location: Colombo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fairway Colombo – 4 Star
Meals Included: No Meals
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Look out for sign at Colombo International Airport for the private arrival shuttle to your hotel at 3.00pm. Meet in the hotel lobby around 7pm for an informal welcome meeting with your group and guide. Feel free to explore Colombo on your own pace until then. After the meeting, head out to a local restaurant for an optional tour group dinner and get to know your new travel mates!
Day 2 : Wilpattu National Park Safari, Anuradhapura
Location: Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Palm Garden Village – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Grab yourself a window seat and get ready to head off the beaten track as we head north towards one of Sri Lanka’s biggest reserves, the Wilpattu National Park! Wilpattu has earned its name ‘Land of Lakes’ thanks to the serene natural bodies of water that cover the vast park. Jump in the Jeep and keep your eyes peeled for a healthy population of Sri Lankan Leopards, elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, mongoose, and water buffalo throughout an included safari! You might even get the chance to watch on while predators and prey make the ultimate fight for survival and mother nature takes its course! After an action-packed day of safari, put your feet up at your hotel in Anuradhapura.
Day 3 : Anuradhapura, Ritigala Jeep Safari, Sigiriya
Location: Anuradhapura, Ritigala, Sigiriya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amaara Forest Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, follow your guide to the ancient city of Anuradhapura to learn of one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world! Once home to 113 kings over 1,300 years, the ancient capital city showcases some of Sri Lanka’s richest and most fascinating history. Hear stories of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree and visit the Uwanwelisaya stupa, Samadhi Buddha statue and Isurumuniya Rock Temple with your guide. In the afternoon, put on your hiking shoes for a trek up to the Ancient Ritigala Monastery. Nestled within the dense and lush forest of northern Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Mt Ritigala, lays the ruins of the forest monastery dating back thousands of years. Get your camera ready because the views from the summit are some of Sri Lanka’s best! Finish up a big day in the north at your 5-star Forest Hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 4 : Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Sigiriya
Location: Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Sigiriya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amaara Forest Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fill up on breakfast for the big day ahead! First up, a visit to the Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa for an included bicycle tour with your local guide. The sheer size of Polonnaruwa is enormous, making a bicycle the best way to explore. Visit its UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, including Gal Viharaya or “Rock Temple” where you will see four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone and plenty of ancient palaces and royal baths. In the evening, visit the Minneriya National Park to witness the incredible migration of over 300 elephants! Park your Jeep on the bank of the reservoir, switch off the engine and watch carefully as herds of elephants – one by one – roll on to the grass-covered banks to feed. The park is famed for hosting some of the largest elephant gatherings in the world on a regular basis and is truly a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe.
Day 5 : Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
Location: Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Araliya Red Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we’ll make our way to Dambulla, a city treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C to visit the iconic Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple of Dambulla. These unique cave structures host magnificent drawings and cave paintings with fascinating stories that shape Sri Lankan history. Listen carefully as your guide explains. Next up, we’ll transfer to the city of Kandy to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Last ruled by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe – before it was brought under British rule in 1815, Kandy crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors worldwide. Take a stroll through the small lakeside town – cradled among the misty hills – and shop the bazaars, an arts & crafts centre, and fresh fruit and vegetable markets. Tonight we’ll sleep in 5-star comfort at our hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 6 : Horton Plains Trek &Jeep Safari, Nuwara Eliya
Location: Horton Plains National Park, Nuwara Eliya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Araliya Red Hotel - 5 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Prepare for plenty of ‘oh wow’ moments in the central highlands of Sri Lanka! Today, we’ll head towards the Horton Plains National Park to trek the endless stretches of green pastures at this eco-tourism hideout! Sitting at an altitude of 7,000ft, the plateau is covered in flora and fauna varieties that may be found nowhere else on Earth. Along the trek, watch out for the thundering Bakers Falls, and catch a glimspe of the ‘World’s End’ lookout. Then make the most of an included Jeep Safari across the plains – watch out for Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Otters and the beloved Sri Lankan Leopard. In the late afternoon, enjoy free time back in Nuwara Eliya to wander through the countryside.
Day 7 : Tea Factory, Colombo
Location: tea plantation, Colombo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fairway Colombo - 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
A trip to Sri Lanka wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its famed Tea Plantations! Take a tour to the cold and misty hills blanketed with lush green tea plants and tour the factories as they process the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea. Inhale the heavenly scent arising from these facilities, and then try the perfect blend of pure Celyon tea! Then, make your way back to the commercial capital of Sri Lanka – Colombo. This afternoon you’ll enjoy a Panoramic City Tour through the clean streets edging the crystal white Racecourse, then visit the neighbourhood of Pettah – famous for its open-air floating markets and bazaars. Check out the city’s Independence Square and then finish up in Sri Lanka’s trendiest part of town with time for a quick shop for last-minute souvenirs and designer goods. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore the bustling metropolitan city!
Day 8 : Colombo
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Breakfast
All great things must come to an end! Today, we say our farewells to new travel mates over one last breakfast at the hotel. Check-out of the hotel by 11.00am and feel free to explore the city at your own pace until the airport departure shuttle at 3.00pm.
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 & 4 Star Hotels
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Meals
7 Breakfasts
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Airport Transfer
Arrival shuttle to the hotel at 3.00pm on Day 1. Departure shuttle to the airport at 3.00pm on Day 8.
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Transportation
Air-Conditioned Vehicle, Jeep
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
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Airport Transfer(s)
Arrival shuttle at 3.00pm on Day 1. Departure shuttle at 3.00pm on Day 8.
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access ( where available )
What's Not Included
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Entrance Fees
Sights and museums
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Travel Insurance
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Items of a personel nature
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £
Check out our Q&As
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No children under age of 18 are not allowed
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What is the maximum group size?
35
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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