Splendours of Ceylon

Splendours of Ceylon

2,318 Views
8 Days From

$1746

$934

Splendours of Ceylon

8 Days Starting and ending in Colombo

Visiting: Colombo, Wilpattu National Park, Anuradhapura, Ritigala Strict Natural Reserve, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, tea plantation

Tour operator:

Travel Talk Tours

Tour code:

SR1

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

13 - 35

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-59

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Active, Adventure Tours

Interests:

History, Wildlife Tours

From:
$1746
$934 Operator discount: -$786 Exclusive Tourhub Discount: -$26 -47%

NB: Prices correct on 08-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

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Tour Overview

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

  • Witness the incredible migration of over 300 elephants from the banks of Minneriya National Park Reservoir

  • Visit iconic sites including the Royal Cave Temple of Dambulla and sacred Temple of the Tooth

  • Experience pinch-yourself moments while trekking the highlands of Horton Plains

  • Watch out for the thundering waterfalls and the beloved Sri Lankan Leopard on an included Jeep safari

  • Take a tour to the lush hillside of Sri Lanka’s famous tea plantations

Itinerary

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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 Strict Natural Reserve, 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

  • Accommodation

    5 & 4 Star Hotels

  • Airport Transfer

    Arrival shuttle to the hotel at 3.00pm on Day 1. Departure shuttle to the airport at 3.00pm on Day 8.

  • Meals

    7 Breakfasts

  • Transportation

    Air-Conditioned Vehicle, Jeep

  • Tour Guiding

    Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism

  • Airport Transfer(s)

    Arrival shuttle at 3.00pm on Day 1. Departure shuttle at 3.00pm on Day 8.

  • Free Wi-Fi

    Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access ( where available )

What's Not Included

  • Entrance Fees

    Sights and museums

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Travel Insurance

  • Items of a personnel nature

  • Optional activities

  • Other services not stated in the itinerary

Add Ons

Local Payment: £

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the maximum group size?

    35

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    No children under age of 18 are not allowed

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Over 20 years

Reviews of this operator

Jessie Mae Sia  

My travel talk experience was great and memorable

24-Feb-2021

My travel talk experience was awesome and fantastic. Me and my husband was on their Morocco and Turkey tours in 2019, they operated their tours in a culturally fun manner and the tour guides were very nice and very approachable. It exceeded our expection, we love to come back with them in our future travel. Thank you travel talk you made our 2019 as one of our memorable year!

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Leigh Anaru (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished the 10 day...

30-Apr-2024

Just finished the 10 day ANZAC tour in Türkiye. Wow what an experience! The tour although busy was jam packed with amazing experiences made all the more richer by our highly knowledgable and very funny guide Aykut. The bus was full of 44 Aussies and Kiwis which would've been no easy feat to control. Aykut and our drivers Naci and Sevki were kind and patient making our long drives enjoyable. Gallipoli was a bucket list of mine, and what a beautiful humbling experience it was, especially the following day tour of the cemeteries. Other than that highlight, the early morning hot air balloon and all the other sites the Kapadokya offers was pretty special too. I will be using Travel Talk again. 5 stars!

Bec Wood (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 11 Day...

26-Apr-2024

We did the 11 Day Anzac Tour of Turkey. It. Was. Phenomenal. My husband and I absolutely love Turkey and were excited to explore the country. Highlights were definitely the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia and the privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. A bucket list item ticked off. This was my second Travel Talk in 2024 and I would absolutely do another one in the future. The tour was organised and our guide, Mustafa, was fantastic.

Scarlett Lily  

One of the best holidays I’ve had

25-Feb-2021

We went on a tour of the Balkans and it was above our expectations. Bojan was the best tour leader gave us so much information about the places we were visiting but also a great laugh! The tour ran so smoothly and was the perfect way to see the area in a little amount of time. It was one of the best holidays I have been on, I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to book another tour with travel talk. They are great value for money!

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James Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

Just completed the exotic Morocco...

29-Oct-2023

Just completed the exotic Morocco tour with our excellent guide Abdul! He was one of the best tour guides I have met, he brought so much energy and knowledge on the tour and could not imagine doing the tour without him. The tour itself was so diverse, seeing so many different landscapes. It has been one of the best trips I have done. Would highly recommend!

Danica Dee (Google Reviewer)  

I would 100% recommend the...

26-Apr-2024

I would 100% recommend the ANZAC Travel Talks tour, just finishing the 11 day tour here in Istanbul with our guide Mustafa. I travel alone and have done multiple tours with other well known and popular travel companies and this has hands down been the best!!! INFORMATION! Haha So much engaging history and knowledge from our guide, I found the tours of the palace and ruins with Mustafa very enjoyable. The freedom to skip a museum or tour to explore the city was encouraged. Meet back points and day plans were clearly communicated making it easy to have autonomy in a group setting. I felt like I was in charge of my own holiday and tour experience, which as a solo traveller who loves to do her own thing was perfect! We visited such amazing places on this tour that were bucket list items and once in a life time experiences! A hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, walking the ruins in Ephesus & Troy. The dawn service at ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine Gallipoli. I am still in awe of the amazing things we have done and seen in these last 11days! The country of Turkey itself is absolutely beautiful and the people here even more so. Very generous and kind, I always felt safe as a female travelling alone. The food AMAZING! Baklava, doner kababs, rice stuffed muscles and Turkish delights to name a few, will make you fall in love! Accommodation was big beautiful mostly 4-5 star hotels in great locations on the beach, in the city! Comfortable beds, ample space and an abundance of food! Most of our accomodation provided buffet breakfast and dinner. Not having to worry about where to eat at the end of a long day or before an early start was very convenient. The work placed into the ANZAC service, security and protection was hands down phenomenal. Multiple check points for security, Turkish workers handing out water, offering first aid, and clearly communicating and directing crowds for the services. All my anxieties for the day were put at ease seeing the work and dedication put in by the Turkish people and government. I honestly cannot fault this tour and want everyone to experience Turkey the way I have gotten to experience this beautiful country. This ANZAC tour will forever be in my memories and my heart as one of the best trips I have ever done! Truely, thank you, teşekkür ederim, Travel Talks Tours.

Caroline Barrett (Google Reviewer)  

My partner and I thoroughly...

25-Dec-2023

My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our 9 Day Essential Turkey tour with Mustafa as our guide. His attentiveness to the group's needs was amazing, going above and beyond to ensure an stress-free experience. Mustafa provided valuable local insights, guiding us on the best areas to visit and helping us find good local deals. Overall, we found the tour to be excellent value for money, and we were particularly impressed with traveltalks accommodation choices—clean, spacious, and offering great meal options. Additionally, the inclusion of two drivers for our safety during long journeys added an extra layer of reassurance to our memorable trip. Thank you to Mustafa!

Tegan Bull (Google Reviewer)  

Unforgettable Turkey Essentials: A Journey...

25-Dec-2023

Unforgettable Turkey Essentials: A Journey with Travel Talk I recently had the pleasure of embarking on the Turkey Essentials tour with Travel Talk, and let me tell you, it was an adventure like no other! From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient wonders of Ephesus, this tour was a perfect blend of culture, history, and pure fun. Travel Talk ensured that every aspect of our trip was well-planned. The accommodations were comfortable, the transportation was smooth, and the itinerary was perfectly curated to showcase the best of Turkey's rich history and vibrant culture. If you're looking for an incredible adventure in Turkey, I wholeheartedly recommend Travel Talk. Their attention to detail, knowledgeable guides (Mustafa), ensure a seamless and unforgettable journey. Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply seeking a thrilling travel experience, Travel Talk has got you covered. Thank you, Travel Talk for an extraordinary tour that surpassed all expectations. I'll cherish the memories and stories from this adventure for a lifetime.

Diane Horsman  

Fantastic tour, personable experiences

19-Oct-2021

My first tour with Traveltalk to Jordan was fantastic. Everything was very well planned, the itinerary was timed to perfection and jam packed with amazing experiences. The tour guide Issa went above and beyond to make everyone happy and have the best experience possible, taking us to local restaurants and telling us the best things to eat. Our bus broke down on the way to the Dead Sea and he dealt with it really quickly, and a replacement bus arrived in less than an hour. He treated us all like his friend rather than just a job which make the tour even more special. The hotels were fab and had everything that we needed, all I great locations to local attractions. I booked another tour but had to cancel due to Covid and Traveltalk have placed my deposit aside ready to use on the next trip. I can’t wait to book again with them.

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Eric Gunther (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 12 day...

12-Sep-2023

We did the 12 day Turkey tour with the Gullet option, and loved it! The price was super reasonable, Travel Talk was always extremely responsive whenever I reached out. Most importantly, we visited an amazing array of impressive historical sites, saw the profound and varied natural beauty of Turkey and enjoyed incredible experiences like hot air ballooning and paragliding. Mustafa was the best tour guide we have ever had. His knowledge and organizational skills were top notch, he helped with everything (even with arranging laundry services) and was hilarious as well. The food was tasty, the hotels were good and the boat trip was fun and relaxing with beautiful scenery and a lot of swimming. The cabins on the boat weren’t air conditioned and were pretty hot at night, so some people slept on deck where there were plenty of places with cushions where you could stretch out and get a good nights rest. I highly recommend this tour!!

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Operator discount: -$814

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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