HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO SRI LANKA

Transcription

1 HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO SRI LANKA 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. Itinerary & Guides 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 your driver/guide 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. For the duration of your tour you will be accompanied by an experienced driver/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. Alternatively during peak periods those travelling in a group of 3 or more may 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. Visa All travellers must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. UK and Irish passport holders - visas are required for entry to Sri Lanka. If staying for a maximum of 30 days you we recommend you obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance online at at a cost of US$ 30 per person payable by credit card. Visas for stays of up to 30 days can also be obtained upon arrival at the airport for US$ 35 (but may result in

2 significant delay).other passports - a visa may be required so please check with the Trailfinders Visa Service for your particular circumstances. Trailfinders Visa Service - in the UK please call or visit trailfinders.com/visas and in Ireland call or visit trailfinders.ie/visas. Immunisations & Health The following vaccinations are recommended for Sri Lanka: Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. There may be a mandatory Yellow Fever certificate requirement if you have visited certain African and South/Central American countries within the preceding few days. Depending on the nature and duration of your trip as well as your personal medical circumstances, you may be recommended vaccination against, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B. Yellow Fever vaccine may not be suitable for everyone and it is strongly advised that you seek professional medical advice as early as possible regarding vaccinations and other traveller s health issues. Travel insurance is essential. Traveller s diarrhoea can be a problem so you should be careful about what you eat. Avoid salads and fruit that you can t peel yourself and beware of ice cream which is sold on the street. 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. Insurance At Trailfinders we believe that comprehensive travel insurance is an essential part of your travel package. Trailfinders Travel Insurance, developed over some 47 years, has been specifically designed to cater for all type of traveller on all types of holiday. 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. What to take with you While most items are available to buy locally, not everything is, so anything essential you should take with you. We suggest you consider taking the following: camera (with spare batteries or memory cards), adaptor plug, torch, mosquito repellent with Deet, small personal medical kit, spare spectacles/ contact lenses (and a copy of your prescription), sun cream, alarm, ear plugs, binoculars (if visiting a national park) and perhaps a money belt for keeping valuables safe. 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. Clothes 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. 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. You should also take sunglasses and a hat to protect from the strong sun. Bring comfortable shoes since you may be doing a lot of walking and most ancient sites have uneven or rocky pathways. If you are doing any hiking or rainforest walks you should take sturdy walking shoes and long trousers.

3 Accommodation In the main tourist centres the hotels we offer are fully modernised with facilities of an international standard. For travel off the beaten track and in rural areas, accommodation choices are limited so hotels may be more modest and basic than elsewhere. Standard check-in time is 14:00 and check-out time 12:00 but some hotels will vary. Wi-fi is available in most hotels, however it may be at a charge. If your booking is on a Half Board, Full Board or All Inclusive basis, included meals will generally be taken in the hotel's main restaurant on a buffet or set menu basis. 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. In Sri Lanka every poya (full moon) day is a public holiday. On these dates, 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. Please see the Full Moon Poya Days section below for further details. Road Travel 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 Travel Domestic air travel is available operated by Cinnamon Air on board amphibious aircraft capable of landing on land or water. At Colombo airport 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. 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. Train Travel Train travel can be slow and subject to delays and cancellations due to weather conditions but is one of the most fascinating ways to see the real Sri Lanka. We book confirmed seating in comfortable carriages with toilet facilities. The Observation Car is fan-cooled with large picture windows, while other services we book have air-conditioning. Your driver/guide will help you to locate your carriage and ensure you are settled on board. When you disembark the train at your destination your driver/guide will be waiting for you to take you on your onward journey.

4 While we will do all possible to book the train journey and the carriage stated on your itinerary, unfortunately this is not always possible as tickets are often pre-reserved by government officials and groups. Train tickets can only be confirmed approximately 14 days prior to your train journey date and if tickets are unavailable you will travel by road instead. We will be in contact to let you know whether the train is confirmed at this point but if unsuccessful we will continue to try for tickets and your guide will let you know locally if the train has been booked. Game Drives & National Parks Game drives in national parks will be in simple jeeps which are not air-conditioned. Depending on the park 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. Certain lodges and camp provide their own experienced rangers for game drives - please refer to your accommodation details. Travelling with Children 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. Climate 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 C year round, often climbing well into the 30 Cs during the hottest part of the day, while the hill country can be much 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. Food & Drink 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. A wide variety of tropical fruit is also available. We recommend that you avoid drinking the local tap water. Sealed bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available. Beer (both local and imported) is the most common alcoholic drink. Hotels will generally offer a western breakfast with some local items. 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. Most of the larger hotels will offer a buffet in the main restaurant (or set menu if occupancy is low) but an à la carte menu may also be available. Social Graces & Customs 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.

5 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. Full Moon Poya Days, Public Holidays & Festivals 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 2017 are:12 Jan, 4 & 10 Feb, 12 Mar, 10 & Apr, 1, & 26 May, 8 Jun, 8 Jul, 7 Aug, 5 Sep, 5 Oct, 3 Nov, 3 & 25 Dec. Expected dates for 2018 are 1, 14 & 31 Jan, 4 & 14 Feb, 1, 30 & 31 Mar, 13, 14 & 29 Apr, 1, 29 & 30 May, 15 & 27 Jun, 27 Jul, 22 & 26 Aug, 24 Sep, 24 Oct, 6, 21 & 22 Nov, 22 & 25 Dec. Dates for 2019 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 increased. In 2018 it will run from 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 within your room we suggest you do so prior to arriving in Kandy. Shopping 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, which is 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, Sundays and public holidays. Safety 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. Language 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.

6 Money The Sri Lankan currency is the rupee (Rs), divided into 100 cents. Please check with your bank or ask your travel consultant 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 can be found in major tourist centres but they are uncompetitive and unreliable so we recommend you use ATMs instead. Tipping 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 rupees per day per couple (approx US$ 10-15) if you have been satisfied with his/her service. For jeep drivers on game drives we suggest rupees per couple (approx US$5-10), and the same for a tracker if you have one. 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. Time Sri Lanka is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving. Electricity The electrical current is 230V and plugs come in 2 varieties, either 3 round pins (which can accept a European 2 round pin plug) or British/Irish 3 rectangular pins. We recommend that you take a universal plug adaptor. Local Contact Details 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: or or Office hours are Monday - Friday (except public holidays) & Saturday 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. Please be aware that prices are subject to change without prior notification and should be treated as a guide only /12/2017