HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO SR I LANK A - Trailfinders

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS
GUIDE TO SR I L ANK A
Trailfinders prides itself on the first hand knowledge that we can pass on to our clients. We want
you to benefit from our experience and have as carefree a holiday as possible so please take a
few moments before you go to read through our “Holiday Essentials”. If you know what to expect
in advance it will allow you to pack and plan accordingly thus ensuring you have an enjoyable
trip. We suggest you take this guide with you in your hand luggage since it has useful contact
numbers and information you might need.
Sri Lanka boasts a fascinating blend of history, culture, wildlife and stunning scenery and offers a
wealth of wonderful experiences and friendly people. Your trip has been planned to maximise
your enjoyment and you will have the support of our local representatives at each destination.

V is a & Im m u n is a t io n s
Please refer to the Essential Information on your booking confirmation for important details of visa
requirements and immunisation recommendations. The Trailfinders Visa Service and Travel Clinic
can provide further information and advice.
Trailfinders Visa Service – in the UK please call 020 7368 1504 or visit trailfinders.com/visas
and in Ireland call 01 8814949 or visit trailfinders.ie/visas. Enjoy a discount off our service
charge as a valued Trailfinders client.

Trailfinders Travel Clinic – receive a discount of 20% off immunisations when you book your
travel with Trailfinders. Our clinic is based at 194 Kensington High Street, London W8 7RG and
no appointment is required. In the UK please call 020 7938 3999 or visit
trailfinders.com/services.

In s u r a n ce
At Trailfinders we believe that comprehensive travel insurance is an essential part of your travel
package. Please contact your travel consultant for a personalised quote. Regardless of whether or
not you choose Trailfinders Travel Insurance, please ensure you are comprehensively covered for
the duration of your holiday.

It in er a r y & Gu id es
You will be met on arrival at the airport by one of our local representatives and driven to your
hotel. In the unlikely event you cannot spot your driver please locate the Walkers Tours airport
representative who will be near the Cinnamon Hotels desk or ask at the desk for assistance. It is
likely that the driver/guide for your tour will meet you at the airport but you may instead be met
by a transfer driver who will advise what time your driver/guide will meet you on the day your
touring begins. If you have booked a beach stay at the end of your tour, it is likely that the
transfer to the airport will be with a different driver.
On the day your touring begins you will be met by an experienced driver who will also act as
your guide. Your guide will generally provide guiding expertise throughout your tour, but due to
restrictions at certain historic sites, he may introduce you to a specialist local guide at these sites.
Your guide will advise you at the start of the tour if this will happen. During peak periods you
may instead be accompanied by a separate guide and driver. While staying at certain lodges
your activities will be lead by the lodge's own specialist guides.

Your guide will speak English and have an excellent knowledge of the country’s sights and
history. He/she will be aware of the itinerary planned for each day but there is flexibility so you
can start earlier or later, skip sites, cut visits short or linger longer depending on your mood and
you can discuss with your guide what impact this will have on subsequent visits. You cannot add
or substitute sites since the tour will have been costed according to the original itinerary, but a
short detour (e.g. a market stop) may be possible. If you would like to be taken somewhere not
mentioned on your itinerary, for example to a restaurant for dinner, then additional mileage can
be arranged with your driver locally at a cost of US$ 0.45 per kilometre. We suggest you check
the mileage at the start and end of this journey. If you would like your driver to be available in
this way, please discuss this with him at the earliest opportunity.
In the very unlikely event that your driver/guide is not understanding or adhering to your wishes
please call our local representative listed at the bottom of this document.
On game drives in national parks you will be accompanied by either the jeep driver plus a
tracker or just the jeep driver who is experienced in tracking wildlife. Although their English may
be limited your driver/guide will also be on hand to help translate. Vehicles used for safaris are
very basic and generally open-sided but will be suitable for the terrain. Please be aware that
whilst we will book the best safari vehicles available, they will will not be up to the standards you
may have experienced on game drives in Africa, and some vehicles may not have seatbelts.

R oa d Tr a v el
Road travel is a great way to see the countryside and will give you a real flavour of how the
locals live. Roads are generally well maintained, though in more remote areas there are rough
unpaved tracks and some roads may have fallen into disrepair with potholes. Most roads are
single carriageway and in the hill country can be narrow and winding so road travel may be
slow. During the wet season journey times can be longer due to traffic delays and occasional
detours due to impassable roads; please see the Climate section below for a guide to wet
seasons around the country. Driving can be erratic with potential hazards such as animals and
people wandering into the road but please be assured your driver will be familiar with local
conditions and is trained to drive with due care and attention. There is considerable current
investment in the road infrastructure throughout Sri Lanka so road works will affect some journeys,
but some roads have already been improved and the Southern Expressway motorway enables
quicker journey times between Colombo and Galle.

Air Tr a v el
Domestic air travel is available on Cinnamon Air who operate wheeled and amphibious Cessna
light aircraft. At Colombo, Mattala, Trincomalee and Sigiriya you take off from/land on land but
at other destinations it will vary between land or water (lakes & reservoirs). These flights are
sometimes subject to short notice delays and cancellations which are beyond our control,
however we will do all possible to minimise the inconvenience should delays occur. If the flight is
unable to operate due to weather conditions, you will travel by road instead. Some flights will
have ‘touch downs’ before they reach their final destination.

The checked baggage allowance for Cinnamon Air is 23kg and hand baggage 5kg.
Occasionally due to operational issues your luggage may need to be transferred on a later flight
or by road. It is therefore recommended that you pack essential items in your hand luggage. If
departing Sri Lanka your baggage may need to be collected several hours (or perhaps the
evening) before your flight. You will be advised if this is the case at the earliest opportunity.
Clients who weigh in excess of 110kg will be required to pay for an extra seat. Please advise
your consultant if this is the case.

Tr a in Tr a v el
With an extensive rail network and some very scenic routes, travelling by train is a fascinating
way to see Sri Lanka. If your itinerary includes any train travel, please refer to the separate 'Train
Travel in Sri Lanka’ page in your documentation.

Tr a v ellin g w it h Ch ild r en
If you are travelling with young children please speak to your consultant about infant or booster
seats. It is generally accepted that children aged 5 years and under do not have a good concept
of danger. Children must be supervised at all times, especially when near any type of pool, when
on a boat or near water in general.

Clim a t e
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons that can be unpredictable. The
southwest coast and central hills have most rain from April to June and September to November,
while the dry season here is December to March. The north and east are comparatively dry, but
experience most rain from October to February, while the dry season is May to September.
Temperatures in coastal areas hover around 25-30°C year round, often climbing well into the
30°Cs during the hottest part of the day, while the hill country is cooler and wetter due to its
higher elevation, with Nuwara Eliya averaging a daytime temperature of 16°C. Humidity is high
throughout the country, averaging 60-80%, but rising to 90% in the southwest at times.

Wh a t t o t a k e w it h y o u
Casual dress is acceptable everywhere, however hotels generally prefer men to wear long
trousers for dinner. When visiting religious buildings or ancient sites with a religious heritage you
should ensure upper arms and knees are covered and remove shoes, socks and hats. Generally
loose cotton clothes are best for tropical climates, although you will need to bring some warmer
clothing for the hill country, particularly for evenings around Nuwara Eliya. If you are doing any
hiking or rainforest walks you should take sturdy walking shoes and long trousers.
We suggest you take important items in your hand luggage in case of delay/loss of bags on
international flights. We recommend your main luggage is packed in one bag but that you also
take a light shoulder bag for day trips and sightseeing.

Food & Dr in k
Sri Lankan cuisine shares many similarities with Indian food, with the staple meal being “rice and
curry”, which will include 4 or 5 dishes of curried fish, meat or vegetables and rice and may
need to be pre-ordered earlier in the day. Hoppers (thin pancakes made from fermented rice
flour) served with curry are often eaten for breakfast along with a cup of tea, the national drink.
Street side huts sell kotthurotti, unique to Sri Lanka, which consists of chopped rotti pancake,
vegetables and a choice of meat and vegetables.
It is not recommended that you drink the tap water. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good
standard hotels and restaurants when made from purified water but it is best to avoid it on street
stalls or in country areas.
Hotels will generally offer a western breakfast with some local items. Most of the larger hotels will
offer buffet meals in the main restaurant (or set menu if occupancy is low) but an à la carte menu
may also be available. If your hotel stay is on a half board, full board or all inclusive basis,
included meals will generally be taken in the hotel's main restaurant. Some hotels may offer a
wider choice of dining options and this will be confirmed at check-in. Please be aware that
restaurant inclusions are always subject to change and out of high season, during periods of low
occupancy or religious festivals, it is possible that not all restaurants will be open. Please see the
Full Moon Poya Days section below for details of alcohol restrictions on cetain days

During the day if you stop for lunch while sightseeing most meals will be Sri Lankan — an
excellent opportunity to sample the many local specialities.

L a n gu a ge
There are two national languages of Sri Lanka: Sinhala (spoken by the majority Sinhalese
population) and Tamil (spoken by the minority Tamils) but English is widely spoken in tourist areas
and towns, with simple English understood by most locals. If you take the time to learn a few
simple words or phrases of Sinhala or Tamil the effort will be much appreciated.

Mon ey
The Sri Lankan currency is the rupee (Rs), divided into 100 cents. Please check with your bank or
local currency exchange bureau for an up to date exchange rate.
There are ATMs at the airport and in all but the smaller towns and many hotels will provide a
money changing facility for cash. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted in
hotels, larger shops and top end restaurants, however smaller shops and restaurants may only
accept cash. We recommend you obtain some small change for tips when exchanging money.
Unlicensed moneychangers are uncompetitive and unreliable so we recommend you use ATMs
instead. Please note it is not permitted to spend or exchange any bank notes which have
damaged or defaced in any way (e.g. torn or written on).

Tip p in g
Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. You may feel you wish to tip your driver/guide at the
end of your tour. We recommend an amount of 1300-2000 rupees per day per couple (approx
US$ 10-15) if you have been satisfied with the service. For jeep drivers on game drives we
suggest 700-1500 rupees per couple (approx US$5-10), and the same for a tracker if you have
one. At public toilets (washrooms) a tip of 50-100 rupees is expected. Tips can be paid in US
dollars or the equivalent amount in local currency. In many hotels and restaurants a 10% service
charge will be added to your bill, in which case additional tipping is at your discretion. Most
hotels pool tips amongst all staff so consider tipping upon departure.

Socia l Gr a ces & Cu s t o m s
Sri Lanka has an incredibly rich culture, full of time honoured traditions and customs. If you’re
ever in any doubt about how you should behave simply watch what the locals do, or ask.
“Ayubowan” (may you have a long life) is the traditional greeting said while placing your hands
together as if in prayer.
Both men and woman should dress modestly outside hotels and away from beaches, although
shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. When visiting temples, knees and shoulders should be covered
and shoes removed. You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph or if
in a place of worship. It is considered disrespectful to pose with your back to a statue or picture
of the Buddha. Topless and nude sunbathing is prohibited.

Fu ll Mo o n P o y a Da y s , P u b lic Holid a y s & Fes t iv a ls
In Sri Lanka every poya (full moon) day is a public holiday when most business will close. On
poya days, over Sinhala & Tamil New Year, Christmas Day and certain other dates, the sale and
consumption of alcohol in public areas is prohibited with the possible exception of hotel mini
bars. Dates may be subject to late notice change as many are based on the sighting of the moon.
Expected dates for 2019 are: 14 & 21 Jan, 4 & 19 Feb, 4 & 20 Mar, 13, 14 & 19 Apr, 1, 18
&19 May, 5 & 16 Jun, 16 Jul, 12 & 14 Aug, 13 Sep, 2, 13 & 27 Oct, 10 & 12 Nov, 11 & 25
Dec.

Expected dates for 2020 are: 2020: 11,15 Jan, 4,9,21 Feb, 9 Mar, 8,10,13,14 Apr, 1,7,8,24
May, 6 Jun, 5,31 Jul, 3 Aug, 2 Sep, 2,31 Oct, 14,30 Nov, 25, 30 Dec. Dates for 2021 have
yet to be set.

The colourful Esala Perahera Festival (Festival of the Tooth) is held in Kandy for 10 days in July or
August. It culminates in a spectacular procession of dancers, drummers and elephants, for which
tickets should be booked in advance. Hotels are very busy during this period and prices higher.
In 2019 tentative dates are 6-16 August. During the Perahera period hotels, bars, shops and
restaurants in Kandy are not permitted to sell alcohol. If you wish to buy alcohol to consume in
your room you should do so prior to arriving in Kandy.

Tip p in g

Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. You may feel you wish to tip your driver/guide at the
end of your tour. We recommend an amount of 1300-2000 rupees per day per couple (approx
US$ 7-12) if you have been satisfied with the service. For jeep drivers on game drives we suggest
around 1500-2000 rupees per couple (approx US$8-10), split with a tracker if you have one. At
public toilets (washrooms) a tip of 50-100 rupees is expected. Tips can be paid in US dollars or
the equivalent amount in local currency. In many hotels and restaurants a 10% service charge
will be added to your bill, in which case additional tipping is at your discretion. Most hotels pool
tips amongst all staff so consider tipping upon departure.

Sh op p in g
Sri Lanka offers many beautiful handicrafts including batik textiles, leather goods, wood carvings
and pottery. Many tours will include a visit to a spice garden or tea factory as they offer an
interesting insight into Sri Lanka's produce, but please do not feel any pressure to buy the
products on offer. Unfortunately much as we discourage the guides from taking you to other local
shops/workshops (where they might receive a small commission) unless specifically asked, this is
an ingrained part of tourism in this region. Please politely but firmly tell your guide if you don’t
want to stop or spend just a few minutes having a very quick look around. Gem shops are
common but do use common sense if something seems too good to be true.
Bargaining is common in Sri Lanka, particularly when souvenir hunting. In shops where there is
no fixed price the shopkeeper will start with a high price which you are expected to then bargain
down to a fair price, generally at least a third less than the first price quoted. Bargaining is
normally very good natured and can be a lot of fun, and a smile goes a long way to help the
process. Your guide will be able to give you an indication of a fair price for goods. Most shops
and business are closed from 3pm on Saturdays, on Sundays and public holidays.

Sa f et y
Sri Lanka is a reasonably safe travel destination and crime against tourists is very rare, however
it’s sensible to take basic precautions against petty theft as you would anywhere. Keep your
money and documents close to you, keep photocopies of your passport and travel documents
elsewhere in your luggage, use the hotel safes and don’t put all your money in one place.
Ocean waves and currents can be strong and the sea can often be unsuitable for swimming.
Take note of any red flags and seek local advice if unsure.

Tim e
Sri Lanka is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving.

Elect r icit y

The electrical current is 230V and plugs come in 2 varieties, either British/Irish 3 rectangular pins
or 3 round pins (which can accept a European 2 round pin plug). We recommend that you take
a universal plug adaptor.

L oca l Co n t a ct Det a ils
In the event of any problem or concern please contact our representative on one of the numbers
below. Please note if calling from a landline within Sri Lanka or from a Sri Lankan mobile phone
please drop the country code 94 and replace with 0.

Walkers Tours
Mobile numbers: +94 77 0201353 or +94 77 206 2953 or +94 77 4321086
Office hours are Monday - Friday (except public holidays) 0830 – 1700 & Saturday 0900 –
1230. These numbers may also be called during weekends/public holidays or 24 hours in case
of emergency.
NB if you are unable to reach one of the contacts above you may send a text message.
762 7 Jun 18