Trip Information

Is This Trip Right for You?

  • The Rock Fortress (or Lion Rock) of Sigiriya is spectacular. However, those with a fear of (or even an aversion to) heights may wish to sit the excursion out. Scaling the rock involves walking up lots of rough, narrow steps and tight walkways.
  • There are a couple of long travel days on this trip. Journeys may take up to five hours, but are a great opportunity to get to know locals, fellow travellers and the diverse scenery.
  • Tourism in Sri Lanka is booming, resulting in a huge increase in visitors to Yala National Park. Overtourism and lack of sustainable management practices are of major concern to Intrepid, so in order to reduce our impact on wildlife and the environment we are trialling visits in a less-touristed section of the park known as Block 5 or Veheragala. If we determine that Block 5 is also too crowded to visit responsibly, we will change our itinerary to visit Udawalawe National Park and Bundala National Park. Udawalawe is home to wild elephants, wild buffalo, sambar deer and leopards. Bundala is home to crocodiles and birds. This is the same itinerary we follow from September to mid-October when Yala National Park is closed annually for infrastructure development and rejuvenation.
  • Check local guidelines before travel

Joining Point

Pledge Scape Hotel
No. 5 Seneviratne Place, Kudapaduwa Negombo, Western 11500, Negombo, SRI LANKA

Instructions

  • Pledge Scape Hotel is a design hotel located on the beach front near Negombo town. The hotel features comfortable, well designed rooms with a swimming pool, interactive kitchen, rooftop view bar and gym. I is only 10 mininutes, walk to the town, about 10 km to the airport and about 35 km to Colombo city.
  • Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
  • Bandaranaike International Airport is located in a suburb of Negombo, approx. 35km north of the capital Colombo.
  • For your confirmed arrival transfer please head towards the travel counters in the arrival hall where you will see your driver with a signboard displaying the Intrepid logo and your name. Please identify yourself to the transfer rep, they will assist you to the vehicle for your onward transfer to your hotel. If you have any trouble locating your transfer representative wait near the Dialog mobile counter at the rear of the arrivals hall.
  • In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly:
  • Taxis are easy, safe and cheap. A taxi from Bandaranaike International Airport takes approx. 15 minutes and costs approx. 5000 LKR (15 USD). If you are staying in Colombo prior to the tour, it is approximately 30km from Colombo, which will cost about LKR10000 (USD30)

Finishing Point

The Kingsbury Hotel
48, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01, Colombo, SRI LANKA

Hotel Description

  • Intrepid can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to the start of your trip. If you have a confirmed departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends. Alternatively, you can book a taxi locally to Bandaranaike International Airport through the assistance of your tour leader or hotel staff.

Problems and Emergency Contact Information

For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist. For further contact details please use the following page:

Contact Us

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

Available for phone or WhatsApp call on: +94 76 831 6000

Instructions

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to the start of your trip.

If you have a confirmed departure transfer, your leader will advise your pick-up time the day before your trip ends.

Alternatively, you can book a taxi locally to Bandaranaike International Airport through the assistance of your tour leader or hotel staff.

Itinerary Disclaimer

ITINERARY CHANGES

Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist.

Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Passports, Visas and Entry Requirements

PASSPORT

You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here: Intrepid Visa & Entry Requirements

INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR SRI LANKA TRAIN TICKET BOOKINGS

Train tickets in Sri Lanka must be booked with passport numbers. Please make sure you provide us with your correct passport number no later than 60 days prior to departure. If you have to renew your passport after booking, please notify us as soon as you have a new passport number.

Medical and Health Information

GENERAL HEALTH

All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements.

MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES

All regions of Sri Lanka can experience outbreaks of dengue fever, with cases more prevalent in the west of the country. There is no vaccination against it, but there are preventative measures that you can take such as wearing long clothing, using repellent, and being indoors particularly around dusk and dawn. If you have a fever or feel unwell, please let your leader know right away. Outbreaks of other mosquito-borne diseases (including chikungunya fever, Japanese encephalitis, and filariasis) occur regularly. Protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses by taking measures to avoid insect bites.

Accommodation

Hotels: 12 nights

Guesthouse: 1 night

Permanent Tented Camp (with basic facilities): 1 night

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS

Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME

Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION

If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

AIR CONDITIONING

All hotels on this trip have fans, but not all will have air conditioning.

Transport

Private Vehicle, Public Bus, Train, Bicycle

During your trip in Sri Lanka, you'll be using a variety of transport options, including private vehicles, public buses, trains, and bicycles to explore different destinations and enjoy the local culture.

MOTORCYCLES

Your travel insurance policy is unlikely to cover you when riding a motorcycle. We do not include or offer motorcycle activities on any of our trips in Sri Lanka.

TAXIS

Use the taxi services from within the arrivals terminal at the airport or taxi services arranged through your booking agent. If you have a local SIM card, ride-sharing services such as Uber are available in major cities.

Money Matters

SRI LANKA MONEY

The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR). You can use your credit/debit card in ATMs, which are common throughout Sri Lanka. Credit/debit cards aren’t accepted for small payments, so please ensure you have LKR cash to cover daily expenses. Clean banknotes in small denominations are most useful. Major credit cards are accepted in larger shops and restaurants in big cities.

SPENDING MONEY

When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

TIPPING

If you're happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. Although it can be difficult to source, we advise you to carry small notes of local currency each day to make tipping easier.

The following amounts are per person suggestions based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:

  • Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants - round your bill up to the nearest US$1. More up-market restaurants suggest 10% to 15% of your bill.
  • Local guides: US$2-US$3 per day for local guides.
  • Drivers: US$4-$5 per person per day for bus and staff drivers.
  • Your Tour Leader: US$5 - US$6 per person, per day.

We recommend you budget approximately US$13-US$15 per day of your trip to cover tipping. At your group meeting on Day 1, your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a group tipping kitty. This allows everyone to contribute an equal amount for tips, and your group leader will handle the payment while keeping a record of all monies spent. Any remaining money will be returned to the group at the end of the trip.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS

We try to plan for every eventuality, but some things are beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. The additional costs of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please ensure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies, such as severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, or transport strikes. This may be required if itinerary changes necessitate last-minute decisions or additional costs. The recommended amount is listed in USD, but local currency may be needed once in Sri Lanka to cover these costs.

Suggested budget for meals not included: USD$350

COMMISSIONS

Intrepid understands that the receipt of commissions in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. To manage this, we have established a centralized fund for contributions from recommended suppliers so these can be collected and distributed back into the business. This helps us maintain the level of quality you expect on our trips. If you have feedback on this, please let us know after your trip via the feedback form.

Packing

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting, and when you are travelling. We recommend packing lightly and making sure you can carry your luggage for short distances.

ESSENTIALS

  • Lightweight clothing (including long shirts and pants for mosquito protection)
  • Closed-in shoes for protection while walking
  • Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses

RECOMMENDED

  • A light, warm waterproof jacket for cooler hill country
  • Hiking boots, socks, and moisture-wicking clothing
  • Personal medical kit (painkillers, Band-Aids, insect repellent)
  • Water bottle (at least 1.5L capacity)
  • Camera / phone

OPTIONAL

  • Earplugs
  • A good book, journal, or music player

LUGGAGE LIMIT

Please keep your luggage to a minimum: one small soft-sided bag plus a day pack (no more than 15-20kg). Hard suitcases are not recommended.

VALUABLES

Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, and use your hotel safe. It's a good idea to use a money belt and photocopy important documents.

BATTERIES/POWER

Most trips have access to power to recharge devices. Carry an extra battery for your camera or a small portable power bank.

For more packing tips, check out our Ultimate Packing List.

Phone and Internet Access

Most hotels in Sri Lanka offer excellent WiFi connections, including free WiFi in public areas and in-room WiFi. Your tour leader will provide advice on internet access in remote areas.

You can purchase a local SIM card at the airport on arrival. Dialog and Mobitel are the main operators with the best nationwide coverage.

Climate and Seasonal Information

Sri Lanka Weather

The weather in Sri Lanka can vary depending on the time of year and region. The monsoon season is from December to March in the northeast and May to October in the southwest. Flooding and landslides can occur, causing delays in land travel or re-routes to avoid affected areas. The summer months can be very hot with short monsoons in the southwest, so use adequate sun protection and stay hydrated.

Perahera Festival

The Perahera Festival, held annually in July or August, is a 10-day event featuring processions to honor the Sacred Tooth in Kandy. Intrepid does not include this event due to our stance on elephant cruelty.

Group Leader

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders or local representatives. Their role is to make your travels hassle-free and help ensure the best experience. While they are not traditional guides, they will have general knowledge of the places you visit, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

In addition, your group leader can recommend local guides if you want to explore a particular site or location in more depth. Local guides have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit.

Safety

We strongly recommend checking your government's latest travel advice before departure to ensure your travel insurance covers all destinations and activities on your trip. For more details on travel alerts, visit our safety page here: Travel Alerts.

General Safety Tips

  • Use a neck wallet or money belt to securely carry your passport, flight tickets, cash, and valuables.
  • Leave your jewellery at home as you won’t need it while travelling.
  • Many hotels provide safety deposit boxes to store your valuables securely. A lock is recommended for luggage security.
  • Your group leader or local representative will assist you during included activities, but optional activities are not part of the itinerary and their safety is not guaranteed. Please use good judgement when selecting an activity.

For further information, review our safety policies on the website: Safety Guidelines.

Current Situation

The recent haven't any terrorist attacks impact tourism in Sri Lanka, The security situation also stable. A high police presence and checkpoints remain, and we continue to follow government travel advisories. Travel times and airport security may be affected.

Political Tension

Demonstrations can turn violent, and curfews may be imposed. It's important to avoid large gatherings and follow your leader's advice. Security forces maintain a visible presence, especially in the northern and eastern provinces.

Petty Crime

Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common, particularly in tourist areas. Carry only what you need and use hotel safes where available. Be cautious when using ATMs and avoid counterfeit goods, particularly jewellery and gems.

Local Laws

Always carry official photo identification, such as a copy of your passport. Smoking and drinking are illegal in most public places.

Women's Safety

Women should exercise caution and respect local customs. Tips for women's safety include:

  • Dress conservatively, respecting local dress codes and customs.
  • Avoid isolated areas, particularly at night.
  • Avoid travelling alone on public transport or in taxis at night.
  • Ensure drivers are properly identified when being picked up from the airport.

Bicycle Helmets

Helmets are not always provided for bicycle sightseeing. You are welcome to bring your own helmet if you wish to do so.

Community Guidelines

Intrepid Travel is committed to ensuring a positive experience for all travelers. We have zero tolerance for violence, harassment (physical, verbal, or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travelers, our teams, or local communities.

Behavioral Expectations

To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final. Any behavior that interferes with the itinerary, violates local laws, or contradicts these guidelines may result in your booking being denied or you being removed from the trip.

Romantic Relationships

Romantic relationships between travelers and the group leader or local representative are not permitted during the trip.

Addressing Concerns

If you have any concerns during your travels, please speak with your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us via the emergency contact number found in the "Problems and Emergency Contact Information" section of the Essential Trip Information.

Travelling on a Group Trip

Traveling in a group means you'll experience both the joys and challenges of sharing space with others from around the world. Patience and understanding of different needs and preferences will enhance everyone's travel experience. We ask you to be punctual and considerate to ensure the group's smooth progress.

Solo Travellers

Rooming is organized on a twin-share basis for solo travelers, paired with someone of the same gender as per the gender marker on your passport. We also offer an optional single supplement for those who prefer their own room, applicable only during the tour accommodation. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation will be single-room basis.

LGBTQIA+ Travellers

We strive to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all travelers. If your gender identity differs from your passport's gender marker, please contact us to discuss rooming options.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all international trips. It must cover medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. For domestic travel, ensure access to the public medical system. We recommend travel insurance that covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage. Before joining the group, proof of travel insurance, including the 24-hour emergency contact number, must be verified by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, provide your group leader or local representative with details of the insurer, policy number, level of coverage, and emergency contact number.

If you're from the EU, Switzerland, or USA, travel insurance isn't compulsory but is highly recommended. If you choose not to purchase it, you must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form acknowledging personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs.

If you need help with insurance or other services, please visit the link below:

Travel Insurance Assistance

Responsible Travel

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip group leaders, local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles, which are core to delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel.

Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: Intrepid Responsible Travel

Local Dress

When packing, be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. In many rural areas in Asia, women will need to wear modest clothing even to swim. Singlets, tank tops, and topless sunbathing are all unacceptable. When visiting religious sites, men often need to wear long trousers and women a long skirt or sarong.

Buddha Images

Posing for a photograph next to a statue of Buddha is considered extremely disrespectful or even illegal, as is mistreatment of Buddhist images. This includes the wearing of tattoos, jewelry, or clothing associated with Buddhism.

Elephant Performances & Elephant Riding

While we respect individual decisions during travel, Intrepid does not include elephant rides or unnatural performance activities on any itinerary. We recommend bypassing these activities if offered. Professional wildlife conservation and animal welfare organizations, including World Animal Protection, advise that many venues cannot provide appropriate living conditions for elephants, which ultimately impacts their well-being. While the money you pay may help support their employment, it also fuels the demand for capturing elephants in the wild or breeding them in captivity. Learn more about elephant welfare on the link below:

Intrepid Elephant Welfare

The Intrepid Foundation

The Intrepid Foundation is our non-profit that helps travelers make a positive impact in the places they visit. We have over 50 partners globally focused on environmental protection, wildlife conservation, addressing inequality, and empowering communities.

Intrepid matches all post-trip donations dollar for dollar and covers all admin fees, ensuring that every cent goes to our partners on the ground. To learn more or make a donation, visit:

The Intrepid Foundation

Support Zero Plastic

This trip supports Zero Plastic, an initiative focused on reducing plastic waste in Sri Lankan communities through education and volunteer programs. Donations help fund the "Team Up To Clean Up" project, which raises awareness about plastic pollution at the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya site and surrounding communities. Intrepid will double your impact with a dollar-matching post-trip donation.

To learn more or donate, visit:

Zero Plastic Fundraiser