Sri Lankan Escape to Serenity 14 Days 13 Nights

 

Click on the tabs below to view our partner Hotels and Resorts.

These are our selected Hotel Partners and after you have Booked your Great Journey we will contact you seeking your preference of hotels. We cannot guarantee your preference and in the unlikely chance that all of our Partner Hotels are unavailable we reserve the right to provide an alternative comparable hotel. If you are not satisfied with the available alternative then Guests may cancel their booking and receive a full refund.

GREAT JOURNEY’S

Exclusions

• Visa fee
• Flights & airport taxes
• Other personal expenses
• Beverages
• Other activities
• Tips, and all services not clearly mentioned
• Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
• Travel Insurance which is required

Guide surcharge:

Guide Type	Individual	Group
French speaking guide	$80 per day	$80 per day
Chinese speaking guide	$110 per day	$110 per day
German Speaking guide	$80 per day	$80 per day
Spanish speaking guide	$80 per day	$80 per day
Russian speaking guide	$80 per day	$80 per day
Italian speaking guide	$80 per day	$80 per day
Japanese speaking guide	$110 per day	$110 per day

 

Remarks

• Prices are net per person in United States Dollars (USD) and are subject to change without prior notice
• Prices are based on twin-share basis except solo travellers and are subject to room availability upon Package booking
• No refund for any un-utilized Package
• Surcharge for other languages speaking guide (Advise at time of booking)
• Airport transfer surcharge of USD 5 per person each way for pick-up or send-off from 21:00 hrs to 06:00hrs (adjust based on group size)

Child policy

• Child under 2: Free of charge
• Child under 12 years old sharing room with adult: 50% of package cost for Adult twin share price
• Child 12 years old and above: 100% of adult cost

CANCELLATION: 

• Period before arrival* Amount of Cancellation of the holiday price
• More than 60 days before arrival- Free Of Charge (FOC)
• More than 45 days before arrival– 30%
• Less than 21 days before arrival – 50%
• Less than 14 days before arrival – 80%
• Failure on traveling date at point of arrival 100%

Local Culture

The Sri Lankan people are very modest, so avoid wearing clothes that are too short or revealing in public and in particular at religious or culturally significant places.

Ask permission before taking someone’s photo.

Due to the nature of travel in Asia, a backpack is more suited to this trip than a suitcase.

Local Dress

In Sri Lanka, the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing, try to choose long, loose, lightweight, clothing that will keep you comfortable in the mostly hot and humid Asian climate.

Local Flights

There are no flights on this Package

Joining Hotel

For details of your joining hotel, please refer to your Green Cultural Travel tour voucher. Alternatively, contact the Green Cultural Travel office or your travel agent.

Arrival Complications

We don’t expect any problems, and nor should you. However, if you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled for any reason, please contact us immediately. Please refer to our emergency contact details.

Emergency Contact

If you need to contact us in an emergency, it is best to call either the Green Cultural Travel Local Representative or our Green Cultural Travel Local Office first. If you don’t receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message with your contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

Emergency contact numbers

Emergency contact: +94 70 3 012 221

General contact number: +94 11 3 633 950

Office hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30 pm

Passports

You must have your passport with you at all times in Sri Lanka. Before leaving home, check that it will be valid for at least six months after you plan to leave Sri Lanka.

Visas

Transit visas good for 48 hours are free. Thirty-day visitor visas cost US$25 to US$100, depending on your nationality. Apply in advance online (www.eta.gov.lk).

Obtaining a Visa

Before visiting Sri Lanka, do the following to get a 30-day visa:

Visit the Sri Lanka electronic visa website (www.eta.gov.lk) several days before arriving.

Follow the online application process and pay with a credit or debit card.

Once approved, print out the visa confirmation

What to Take

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit during your entire vacation. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible.

Most travellers carry a small to medium size backpack or rolling bag or suitcase.

You will also need a day pack or bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like iPods and mobile phones.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others, while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs. Consider your likely spending habits when budgeting for drinks, shopping and tipping.

We have provided some specific recommendations below to assist you to plan your budget and manage your money while on holiday.

Money Exchange

During your holiday, you will use the Sri Lankan Rupee as local currencies. Because currency exchange rates in South East Asia do fluctuate quite frequently, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date information on exchange rates: www.xe.com

The best way to access local currency in Sri Lanka is from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) with a debit card. ATMs are readily available throughout South East Asia and will usually accept cards from both the Visa and MasterCard international networks. If possible, travel with both a Visa and a MasterCard to provide backup in case of loss or access problems with one card. Please note, your bank will usually charge a fee for overseas withdrawals.

Some Rupee is recommended for those occasions when ATMs are not accessible such as a number of islands and remote provinces. You should bring some cash with you for emergency situations (please refer to our trip dossier) but not a substantial amount as carrying only cash is high risk. The ideal mix is two or more ATM card/s with some cash as back-up.

Credit cards are accepted at some upmarket hotels and restaurants, and some larger stores if shopping for big items. They are of no use at smaller establishments.

Cash advances with your credit card are also possible at some banks. However, the process is time-consuming and tends to attract high fees.

Traveller’s cheques can be tricky, time-consuming and expensive to exchange. While we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, you may choose to bring one or two cheques in case of emergency. Thomas Cook or American Express travellers’ cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange.

Tipping

Depending on the service, it is customary in Asia to tip service providers, such as waiters, approximately 10%. Though not compulsory, tipping is expected and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your holiday. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is an opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides range from $1.5-$3.5 USD per person, per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. If unsure, ask your local Green Cultural Travel representative.

Health

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

We recommend that you carry a small First Aid kit, hand sanitizers or antibacterial wipes, and any personal medical supplies you might require.

Please be aware that for those Packages that are in remote areas and away from medical facilities. For legal reasons, our Green Cultural Travel representatives are prohibited from administering any drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia, pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs available in your home country, but they are usually locally produced and may have different names. To ensure you can access to the right treatment, ask your doctor for the details of the active components and dosage instructions if you think you might need to purchase prescription medication while here.

When selecting your trip, please read the brochure and itinerary carefully to assess your ability to cope with our style of travel.

Safety and Security

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.

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt for keeping your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash, and other valuable items safe. Leave your expensive jewellery at home. You won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables while on tour. We recommend a lock for securing your luggage.

During your journey, you will have some free time to pursue your own interests. You can relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your Green Cultural Travel representative can assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary. We, therefore, offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your personal judgment before selecting an activity in your free time.

Although the locations you will visit on your selected Package are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering about at night. We recommend our guests stay in small groups and take taxis for any night time excursions, including restaurant visits.

Protests and Demonstrations

Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.

Medical Form

As a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their personal luggage. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. These requirements ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to complete their chosen trip comfortably. While our

Representatives work hard to ensure all our traveller’s needs are catered for, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

A Word of Warning

When exploring on your own carry only the necessary minimum with you and use a well-hidden money belt for cash and credit cards. The majority of your valuables, including your passport, should be left in the hotel safe. You can organise use of the safe at the reception of your accommodation. There is no need to get paranoid, just be cautious.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory to participate in any of our packages. Your Green Cultural Travel representative will communicate with you prior to your departure to ensure you have insurance in place and we will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy, please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance, we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name.

Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage, and emergency contact telephone number.

Green Cultural Travel – Community Programs

As we are owned by Green Cultural Travel Hub Limited UEN 201705140R a Singapore registered “Not for Profit” company our profits allow us to continue our support of community projects in the destinations our guests visit.

Purchasers of our Packages will automatically become members of our Green Cultural Travel Hub and Members of our Hub receive a bi- monthly magazine and access to some great travel specials and follow the progress of the community programs we support. Guests can also take the opportunity when booking a Package to make their own donation to Green Cultural Travel Hub Limited.