Safaris, Beaches and Waterfalls
Dates: 2nd – 10th December
Country: Sri Lanka
Cost: €1,950
Availability: 1 spot left
After hosting three AMAZING trips to Sri Lanka, Janet’s Journeys is finishing off 2023 with another unforgettable trip to this magical country!
This trip is a mix between adventure, culture and relaxation as we have an 8-day jam-packed itinerary hitting all of Sri Lanka’s hotspots!
Join us on this extraordinary journey as we explore the enchanting wonders of Sri Lanka and embark on an epic adventure!
What’s Included
All Transport
Meals, as stated
All Accommodation
Airport transfers
All activities, as stated
Excluded
Visa
Meals that are not specified
Personal expenses
International Flights
Travel Insurance
Tips for guides etc
Additional adventure activities
Itinerary
This is the full itinerary for my 2023 trip to Sri Lanka.
Please read the itinerary in detail, and if you’re interested in joining send me an email to janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com telling me in short why you would like to join
How to applyIf accepted, you will receive an email and have 5 days to pay the 500 euro deposit. The balance will be due 6 weeks before the trip start date. Payment in instalments is an option if you desire
Day 1
Arrival and transfer to Negombo, a beach resort area north of Colombo, home to beautiful palm tree lined beaches. As people will be arriving at different times throughout the day, this day will just be a relaxing day by the pool.
Hotel: Jetwing Blue, Negombo.
Meals: Group dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast out mini bus will transfer is to Dambulla where we will stop off at the incredible Dambulla Rock Cave and Temple en route. We’ll check into Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and get ready for an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park where we’re guaranteed to see Asian Elephants!
Hotel: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3
After an early hotel breakfast (their buffets are incredible!) we’ll make our way to one of the most famous sites in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya. This is a huge rock fortress and anicent archaeological site that you can hike to the top of with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
In the afternoon, after we have lunch in a very traditional local restaurant, we’ll take a boat ride in a small traditional boat, crossing a nearby lake full of lily pads and visiting a local village.
Hotel: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 4
After breakfast we will proceed to Kandy to visit the very famous “Temple of the Tooth Relic”. We will then visit one of the most iconic photo spots in Sri Lanka, Ambuluwawa Tower in Gampola.
We will then proceed to make our way to Sri Lanka “tea country”, the highlands of Nuwara Eliya where is can get a little chilly at night. We can explore Nuwara Eliya on foot – it looks like an old English countryside town!
Hotel: Galway Heights
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5
Our bus will drop us to the Nuwara Eliya train station for us to take the famous “Kandy to Ella train”. Our bus will keep our bug bags and meet us at the Ella station so we can enjoy the ride, and take way to many photos!
Upon arrival in Ella we’ll check into our hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant in town. The town gives me Bali vibes as its super geared towards backpackers and has so many great bars and restaurants. The backpacking epicenter of Sri Lanka! Lunch and dinner not included today as there are so many nice restaurants in town to explore.
We’ll do some sightseeing in the afternoon to Nine Arch Bridge and some local waterfalls to go swimming.
Hotel: Resort Myriad Hotel, Ella
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
We’ll get up super early and hike up Little Adams Peak (30 mins, don’t worry!) to catch the sunrise. One of the most spectacular views in all of Sri Lanka.
After breakfast we will drive to Yala National Park. En route you often see wild elephants walking along the road!
In the afternoon we’ll do a jeep safari in Yala, where you can see wild elephants, incredible bird life and leopards! We’re staying at one of my favourite hotels in Sri Lanka as it’s practically INSIDE the National Park and often has some very large visitors at night. There’s even a lake on the grounds full of crocodiles…and yes sometimes they do come walking out looking for some snacks.
Hotel: Cinnamon Wild Yala
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Proceed to Mirissa, a super famous surf spot and beach on the south coast. En route we will stop off at some famous photos spots and beautiful south coast beaches.
Checking into a hotel with beach views (still confirming which hotel for now.)
Hotel: TBC
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. Get your own lunch along the beach.
Day 8
Relaxing day at the beach. Option to take a surf lesson if you like!
We will organize a bus tranfer to Galle in the late afternoon, an old Dutch fort city that feels like a step back in time. Amazing for shopping and souvenirs. And lots of amazing restaurants too!
Hotel: TBC
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. Get your lunch in Galle.
Day 9
Airport transfer / flight out.
Meals: Breakfast included
To note:
These trips will not be led by Janet but by a Janet’s Journeys regular. There will be a local guide and driver, and your trip leader will be there to answer questions, curate the epic playlist, and ensure the group has a ridiculous amount of fun each and every day.
Refund policy:
Your deposit, in theory, is non-refundable. As the tour company requires it to book all the hotels etc. However if I can find someone to take your place, I’ll refund you in full, minus bank charges.
For the balance of your payment, the tour company can refund this up to 6 weeks before the trip should you have an emergency/illness / need to cancel. Anything closer than 6 weeks, and they cannot refund you. However, again, if I can find someone last minute to fill your spot, then yes you get your money back. Case by case basis.
I suggest you take out travel insurance that covers trip cancellations, that way should something awful happen like you get Covid, you will get a full payout from your insurance company.
*All rooms on all trips are shared. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends!
