NEW YEAR SALE! 10 day Discover Sri Lanka Guided Tour

Book now and save $100pp
  • history
    DURATION
    9 nights
  • history
    DURATION DAYS
  • history
    DURATION NIGHTS
    9 nights

Book with Travel at 60 by 17 Jan 2020 and SAVE:

  • $100 PER PERSON on any Insight Vacations tour of 14 days or less OR
  • $200 PER PERSON on any Insight Vacations tour of 15 days or more

Welcome to Sri Lanka! You’ll be met with an array of exciting experiences - from taking a walking tour through the backstreets of Colombo with a Local Expert to visiting Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery and a tea plantation. Enjoy travelling with a group of like-minded individuals and a knowledgeable Travel Director, who will be on hand to guide you throughout your trip.

Tour Highlights:

  • Colombo: Take a panoramic city tour of Colombo including all the main sights and Pettah market.
  • Colombo: Explore by Tuk-Tuk old Colombo town and cruise the city streets while watching the sun lower over the Indian ocean. See the city lights come alive for an evening of buzzing activity.
  • Wilpattu National Park: Ascend deep into the lush, dense jungle on a jeep safari in search for Sri Lanka's big four. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of colourful birds.
  • Anuradhapura: With your Travelling Concierge you will visit the former capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. Admire the architectural wonders of this first-kingdom that ruled for a thousand years.
  • Sigiriya: Visit this famous fortress set upon its prominent rocky outcrop.
  • Polonnaruwa: Your visit to the archaeological park will reveal what life in the area was like when the city was thriving, 800-years-ago.
  • Dambulla: See Raja Maha Vihara - the most impressive of Sri Lanka's Cave Temples.
  • Kandy: Enjoy a traditional dance performance in the evening.
  • Kandy: Visit the site of the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple.

Photos

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Tour map

Inclusions/Exclusions

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Your tour includes:

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Dining:

  • Colombo: Join your Travelling Concierge and get to know your fellow travellers during your Welcome Dinner.
  • Nuwara Eliya: Enjoy an evening cooking demonstration of Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine with local chef, before dining on your creations.
  • Nuwara Eliya: Join your Local Expert to visit a tea plantation and learn how this crop is produced. You'll even have the opportunity to experience the traditional technique of tea-leaf picking, before sampling some of the freshest tea possible.
  • Nuwara Eliya: Your mouth-watering Celebration Dinner features the best of Sri Lankan cuisine.
  • Dining Summary: 9 Breakfasts (B), 3 Lunches (L), 2 Dinners (D) and 2 Dinners with Wine (DW). Festive Highlight Dinner: 21 Dec departure includes a Christmas Eve Highlight Dinner in Kandy.

Tour Experiences:

  • Colombo: Head on a leisurely walking tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes, a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, and discover the hidden treasures this city has to offer.
  • Kandy: Meet a practising Buddhist and embark on a guided walking tour through Ritigala jungle and hear tales of the forest dwelling monks, a monastic community, who once inhabited the monastic reserve, devoting their lives to living simply in the forest.
  • Kandy: Visit Rahju’s Contemporary Art Gallery and enjoy a private viewing of his magnificent paintings and discuss his unique perspectives on life over a cup of tea.
  • Sigiriya: Choose between climbing Sigirya Rock or a visit to Sigirya Botanical Gardens.

Itinerary

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DAY 1 - WELCOME TO SRI LANKA

Welcome to Sri Lanka. A land of historic ruins, sweeping beaches and mouth-watering food, you’ve made it to paradise. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel, the Taj Samudra, Colombo. A contemporary, luxury build situated on the seafront, it provides an idyllic ambience at sunset. Unwind and rejuvenate before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director at 7:00pm for a Welcome Dinner with drinks.

Hotel: Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo

Meals: Dinner with Wine

DAY 2 - EXPLORE COLOMBO

There’s no better way to get to know a city than to walk through its back streets and experience it like a local. In the morning, head on a leisurely walking tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes, a photographer and wildlife enthusiast, and discover the hidden treasures this city has to offer. Journey through a myriad of buildings that date back from 17th century and were erected mainly during the Dutch & British rule. Visit Pettah Market, where locals head to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables, garments and jewellery. This market place is older than the buildings around it and an area best explored with a local. Later, board your customised Tuk-Tuk and head out to explore the hustle and bustle of an afternoon in old Colombo town as it rolls into sunset. Cruise the city streets while watching the sun lower over the Indian ocean and enjoy the chaos as the workday winds down and the city lights come alive for an evening of buzzing activity.

Hotel: Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3 - RELAXED START - WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

After breakfast, begin your journey to Wilpattu National Park. A unique complex of over fifty wetlands and gravel roads that trace watering holes, the perfect place to observe wildlife. On arrival, check into your luxury safari camp located on the boarder of the park, a quintessential glamping experience and satisfying blend of comfort and nature. Enjoy relaxing in your spacious living room, with views of the lush, green jungle just steps away. In the evening, venture deep into the thick wilderness. Explore the park by jeep safari, taking the back roads in search for Sri Lanka's big four — leopards, elephants, sloth bear and deer.

Hotel: Mahoora Safari Camp, Wilpattu National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 - JUNGLE SAFARI

Today you will enjoy a full day of journeying through the jungle.

Hotel: Mahoora Tented Camp, Wilpattu National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 - WILPATTU TO SIGIRIYA

In the morning head south making your way to Sigiriya. Stop on your journey at Anuradhapura complex temple, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, sprawling with a rich collection of archaeological wonders. Now a World Heritage site, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its ancient ruins with your Travel Director. After, meet a practising Buddhist and embark on a guided walking tour through Ritigala’s jungle-enveloped paths. Hear tales and secrets of the forest dwelling monks, who once inhabited the monastic reserve. Begin your gradual ascent, making your way through seemingly endless paths and flights of carved stairs. This was once a place of meditation, congregation, teaching and general life for a monastic community who devoted their lives to living simply in the forest.

Hotel: Hotel Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 - EXPLORING SIGIRIYA'S ANCIENT KINGDOM

Surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens and reservoirs, Sigiriya is steeped in history. Explore Sigiriya with Insight Choice. Choose between climbing Sigiriya Rock or a visit to Sigiriya Botanical Gardens. Later, visit the historic city of Polonnaruwa by tuk-tuk, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, where you will explore remains of ancient temples and tombs. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site for yourself before heading back to your hotel.

Hotel: Hotel Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 - COLOURFUL CAVES AND RAINFORESTS

Today you’ll visit the colourful Dambulla Caves. Also known as the Golden Temple caves, this World Heritage Site is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Take in its mighty artwork dedicated to Gautama Buddha as you explore with your group. Stop at Matale Spice Garden, home to exotic plant species and spice trees, and find out how those spices are used in the preparation of local dishes. Later, arrive in Kandy. Surrounded by mountains, rainforest and tea plantations, this sacred city if famous for its Buddhist sites, such as the Temple of the Tooth shrine. Once here you’ll enjoy a cultural evening of drums and dance performance. Your accommodation for the evening is, Mahaweli Reach. Located next to the mighty Mahaweli River, this traditional hotel is based in the hill capital of Sri Lanka and offers incredible culture, history and authentic dining options.

Hotel: Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 - RELAXED START - TEA COUNTRY HILLS

In the morning head to the Sacred Tooth Relic. Located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic, a tooth of Buddha is located here. Later, visit Rahju’s contemporary art gallery. Enjoy a private viewing of his magnificent paintings and discuss his unique perspectives on life over a cup of tea. Continue to Nuwara Eliya. A city in Sri Lanka’s tea country hills, this pretty destination is famous for Seetha Amman Temple, a Hindu shrine and Galway’s Land National Park. In the evening, participate in a cooking demonstration, where you’ll learn to cook Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine with a local chef before indulging on your hard work.

Hotel: Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 - EXPLORING NUWARA ELIYA

Rise early this morning for an excursion to Horton Plains for a trek to World's End, where a stunning escarpment that plunges 880 metres down to the jungle floor. World’s End is situated in one of the most popular National Parks in Sri Lanka and is the only one where you can are able walk freely as there are no elephants. Stand in awe and capture incredible views of the expansive plateau before mist and cloud obscure the scene. In the afternoon, you will be treated to an special experience when you visit a tea factory and tea gardens. Walk in the plantation during plucking time and spend time with a tea plucker to learn about their life, before enjoying a tasting session with a tea expert. In the evening, toast to your travels with your new friends over a Celebration Dinner at your hotel.

Hotel: Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

DAY 10 - GOODBYE COLOMBO

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your journey comes to an end. You’ll be driven back to Colombo airport for your onward flight. A stop will be made in Colombo for those extending their stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Dates and Prices

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Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking or until sold out and may change without notice.

Tours operate regularly between August 2020 and March 2021 - please call 1300 414 198 for additional dates.

NEW YEAR SALE! Book through Travel at 60 by 17 Jan 2020 and SAVE! The following prices are based on 12 and 26 September 2020 departures:

  • Twin share - WAS from $5025 pp / NOW from $4925 pp
  • Solo Traveller - WAS from $6815 / NOW from $6715

Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat! Why not extend your stay? We can also assist with flights, additional accommodation and travel insurance.

Accommodation

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Your accommodation includes:

HOTEL TAJ SAMUDRA, COLOMBO (CONTEMPORARY)

Taj Samudra Colombo is located in the heart of the Colombo city, overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Bright and airy, elegant rooms are stylishly designed with classic wood furnishings, creating a luxurious and comfortable retreat for guests.

MAHOORA SAFARI CAMP, WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK (CONTEMPORARY)

The luxurious Mahoora Safari Camp is located on the border of Wilpattu National Park, known for its Leopards. A quintessential glamping experience and satisfying blend of comfort and nature, enjoy relaxing in your spacious living room, with views of the lush, green jungle just steps away.

HOTEL ALIYA RESORT AND SPA, SIGIRIYA (CONTEMPORARY)

An artful blend of contemporary architecture and minimalistic style with an authentic Sri Lankan touch, the Aliya Resort & Spa is set in the lush forests where elephants roam free. Rooms have been uniquely designed with the colours and motifs of Sri Lankan batik that come equipped with all modern comforts, illustrating a discreet opulence.

MAHAWELI REACH HOTEL, KANDY (TRADITIONAL)

Nestled beside the mighty Mahaweli River, Mahaweli Reach Hotel is layered with refined luxury and old-world charm of an ancient kingdom. The property offers spacious rooms that combine traditional Sri Lankan style with luxury comforts.

GRAND HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA (HISTORIC)

Maintaining the British Colonial architecture, Grand Hotel has graciously evolved to perfectly blend with the tranquillity and beauty of Nuwara Eliya. Understated rooms surrounded by tropical greenery offer an elegant space and ambience.

FAQs

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Airport Transfers:

Complimentary transfers are available from/to Colombo Airport (CMB) on the first/last day of this trip or with pre/post trip accommodation however flight information is required.

Visas:

Australian Passport Holders are required to obtain a visa prior to departure from Australia to enter Sri Lanka. To obtain the visa (also known as Electronic Travel Authorizations), you will need to go online to visit www.eta.gov.lk

T&Cs

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Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only.

NEW YEAR SALE! Book any Insight Vacations tour through Travel at 60 by 17 Jan 2020 and SAVE:

  • $100 PER PERSON on any Insight Vacations tour of 14 days or less OR
  • $200 PER PERSON on any Insight Vacations tour of 15 days or more
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