Sri Lanka

NYE 2025
10 day itinerary

Elephant Safaris, Beaches and Waterfalls

Dates: Dec 27th – Jan 5th

Cost: 2,450

Country: Sri Lanka 

After hosting FIVE AMAZING trips to Sri Lanka over the past 3 years, Janet’s Journeys is launching another unforgettable trip to this magical country this NEW YEARS EVE!

This trip is a mix between adventure, culture and relaxation as we have an 10-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 – staying in amazing 4 and 5 star hotels around the country, swimming, hiking, visiting waterfalls and doing 2 elephant safaris – plus the chance to see leopards at sunrise!

What’s Included

All Transport

All Accommodation

Airport pick-up the day the trip starts

All activities, as stated

Meals, as stated

Local Sri Lankan guide

Janet’s Journeys Trip Leader

 

Excluded

Visa fees (if applicable)

Unspecified meals

Personal expenses

International Flights

Travel Insurance

Tips for guides

Accomodation

Throughout our stay in Sri Lanka, we will stay in a mixture of 4-star & 5-star hotels.

All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends! You’ll be moved around to pair up with a new friend every couple of nights.

All rooms will be twin-sharing, private rooms. 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka! You will arrive in the capital Negombo, home to beautiful palm tree-lined beaches! A driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel.

As people arrive at different times throughout the day, we will have a relaxing day by the pool so everyone can get acquainted!

Come sunset, we will embark on a boat ride over the lagoon, where we will sip cold beers and nibble on fresh fruit. Welcome to the good life!

Meals: Group dinner

Day 2 - Dambulla

After breakfast, our mini bus will transfer us to Dambulla where we will stop off at the incredible Dambulla Rock Cave, and hike up the steps to get to this enchanting cave temple situated at tge top of a local hill. Be prepared for steps but the view is worth the climb!

We’ll check into our lodge and get ready for an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park where we are guaranteed to see Asian Elephants!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Sigiriya

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 ancient archaeological site where you can hike up and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside at the top!

In the afternoon, we will have lunch in a traditional local restaurant, and take a boat ride to a nearby to visit a local village.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast we will head to one of the most iconic photo spots in Sri Lanka, Ambuluwawa Tower in Gampola!

We’ll then make our way to Sri Lanka’s “tea country”,  in the highlands of Nuwara Eliya.

We can explore Nuwara Eliya  –a village that looks like an old English countryside town!

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Ella

In the morning, our bus will drop us at the Nuwara Eliya train station for us to take the famous “Kandy to Ella train”.

Our bus will keep our big bags and meet us at the Ella station so we can enjoy the ride, and take way too many photos!

Upon arrival in Ella, we’ll check into our hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant in town.

The town gives ‘Bali vibes’ as it’s super geared towards backpackers and has so many great bars and restaurants. It’s the backpacking epicentre of Sri Lanka!

We’ll do some sightseeing in the afternoon and there’s an opportunity to do a zipline and have some chill time in a pool club.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Yala National Park

Today, we have an early wake up call and we start our  hike up Little Adams Peak (30 mins, don’t worry!) to catch the sunrise. This is one of the most spectacular views in all of Sri Lanka.

After breakfast, we will drive to Yala National Park! Make sure to keep an eye out to 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!

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Mirissa

Today we head towards Mirissa, a super famous surf spot and beach on the south coast.

En route, we will stop off at The Doctors House for lunch and some famous photo spots such as Coconut Tree Hill and some beautiful south coast beaches!

We’ll then drive on to our luxury hotel in the Galle Distrcit, where we’ll get to spend 2 nights on one of Sri Lanka’s best beach for a bit od DOWNTIME!

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8 - Galle

Chill time! We can spend the day relaxing at the beach with an option to take a surf lesson in the morning! We can also pay a visit to the famous beach swings on Unawatuna beach – a top Sri Lanka bucket list destination.

In the early evening, our bus will take us into the old town of Galle, an old Dutch fort city that feels like a step back in time. Great for shopping, sunset and dinner in a vibey restaurant!

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9 - Colombo

After a relaxing morning and lunch on the beach, we’ll jump in our bus to start the drive towards Colombo. We’ll stop off at the fasinating Tsunami memorial en route – a tribute to the lives lost during the 2004 Tsunami.

We’ll aim to get back to Colombo in time to catch a spectacular sunset at ouir tooftop ininfinity pool from one of the nicest hotels the capital city has to offer!

We’ll have our final group dinner and drinks before packing our bags ready for departure!

MEALS: Breakfast and final dinner

Day 10 - Departure

The end of an epic adventure. Bus will transfer everyone to the airport for their flights home,

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Note:

This itinerary is open to small changes depending on the weather. Fear not, if we have to make any adjustments, it will be to swap something out with an equally, if not better, experience!

I’m Ready! How Do I Book?

Ready to go on an unforgettable adventure in Sri Lanka? Click the BOOK NOW button to head to our payment portal and secure your spot with a €750 deposit. The remaining balance will be divided into two equal payments due 2 and 3 months before departure. Need a custom payment plan? No problem! Reach out to us, and we’ll create a plan that works best for you. Remember, spots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!

How many people are on the trip?

This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and this minimum must be met at least 4 months before departure to be guaranteed. If the minimum number of guests is not met by then, a full refund will be issued.

Expect to travel with 6-14 new friends!

Why Are Deposits Non-Refundable?

The deposit for your trip is non-refundable for several important reasons. Once you book, we will start planning and preparing for your journey. This involves engaging staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every detail is perfect. These preparations incur upfront costs from the moment your booking is confirmed. Additionally, the non-refundable deposit ensures that all participants are committed to the trip. We understand that plans can change, so we strongly recommend all travellers have trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that might affect their ability to participate.

What about my other payments? Are they refundable?

All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled. Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. We are a small business at the end of the day, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the need for strict adherence to this policy.

How much money will I need for non-included meals, alcohol, and souvenirs?

All meals are included in the itinerary but you might want to purchase snacks which will not cost much. Alcoholic drinks typically cost €1.50-€3.50 for a beer and €5-€10 for wine or cocktails but they are not very easy to come by. For souvenirs, budgeting is based on personal spending habits.

How does tipping work?

To make things smooth and stress free, we will be collecting a kitty of €100–150 at the beginning of the trip. This ensures all of our incredible on the ground vendors are taken care of including guides, drivers, meals, and activities that are listed in your itinerary.

For any extra meals or personal expenses that are not included in the itinerary, you should expect to tip separately. We will guide you on what is appropriate throughout the trip so you feel confident and comfortable.

How Physically Demanding is the Trip?

This trip is designed to be accessible to everyone in good health. Activities include moderate walks, historical site visits, swimming and optional light hikes. It’s not overly strenuous, but a basic level of fitness will help you enjoy the experiences to the fullest!

NOTE: the hikes / walks are on average 30-45 mins but there are lots of steps, event to the temples, so it would be considered an “adventure” trip.

Can Dietary Restrictions Be Accommodated?

Absolutely! Sri Lankan cuisine is diverse, and we can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Please inform us of your specific needs in advance so we can ensure your dietary requirements are met.

What if I want my own room? 

We believe that rooming is one of the best parts of the experience. It feels a little like adult summer camp and has always been a highlight for our guests, with nothing but positive feedback in the past.

That being said, if you feel that sharing does not suit your travel style, we are happy to discuss the option of a single room supplement. Simply reach out to us at janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.

What are the health and vaccination requirements?

There are no required vaccinations to enter Sri Lanka. However, it’s always wise to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations. Additionally, it’s recommended to consider vaccinations for MMR, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and yellow fever (if traveling from a country with yellow fever risk). Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Who is leading this trip?

This trip will be led by Ciara, who has previously been on our South Africa and Indonesia trips and lead our Vietnam trip last year.

 

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