Christmas in Sri Lanka
16 Days
Visiting: Colombo, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawa, Yala National Park Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Kosgoda
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2307
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Level2
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$6267
$5891 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
Operator discount: -$377
Tour Overview
Marvel at magnificent temples, see the World Heritage Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, search for elephants and other wild animals at Yala National Park, discover the fascinating caves at Dambulla and explore the ruined cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.Spend Christmas Day in Sri Lanka's gorgeous tea country, Nuwara Eliya, where you'll take part in an exclusive tea plantation experience wearing a traditional, handmade silk saree dress which you'll get to take home as a memento. After a delicious Christmas lunch, you'll head to the colonial era Grand Hotel for High Tea in their beautiful gardens - the perfect way to spend Christmas Day.
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2: Arrive Colombo
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Dinner
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you have the day at leisure to settle-in, relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Day 3: Sigiriya
Location: Sigiriya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you will travel to Dambulla, visiting Sigiriya rock fortress late this afternoon. This impressive rock, the landmark of Sri Lanka, is thought of as the eighth wonder of the world, amongst the locals. Enjoy magnificent views, rock decorated in colourful frescos and beautiful gardens when you summit.
Day 4: Polonnaruwa
Location: Polonnaruwa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you visit Hiriwaduna for a local village experience, from a catamaran ride on the lake, a tuk tuk trip to a local home, learning to prepare an authentic dish. Next is Polonnaruwa an ancient city, where the impressive stone culture recalls an inspired past.
Day 5: Anuradhapura
Location: Anuradhapura
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set off for Anuradhapura, exploring this magnificent ancient city on foot. Visit the massive Buddhist shrines, splendid palaces, parks and pavilions of this sacred city, dating back to the 5th century BC.
Day 6: Dambulla
Location: Dambulla
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will be taken to visit the most popular religious cultural site, Dambulla Cave Temple. As the largest and best preserved cave temple it is adorned in colourful frescos, Buddhist statues and a colossal Buddha figure carved into the rock and it maintains its legacy, history and beauty despite its continuity of use.
Day 7: Kandy
Location: Kandy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
En-route to Kandy stop at the spice garden in Matale, boasting incredible views of the Aluvihare Mountains. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic followed by an amazing cultural dance show in the evening.
Day 8: Christmas Eve - Nuwara Eliya
Location: Nuwara Eliya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today after breakfast you will be taken to Nuwara Eliya by train, travelling along what is known as one of the most picturesque journeys in the world. Travel through tea plantations, lush forests as you ascend into the mist of the hillside. Relax in the afternoon before the Christmas Eve festivities begin.
Day 9: Christmas Day - Nuwara Eliya
Location: Nuwara Eliya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Merry Christmas! Start the day with a visit to a tea plantation dressed in handmade, traditional silk sarees amongst the locals. Return to the hotel for the Christmas celebrations with a scrumptious Christmas lunch and lots of celebrations, followed later with High Tea in the beautiful gardens of the Grand Hotel, the perfect way to end off this magical Christmas Day.
Day 10: Udawalawe
Location: Udawalawa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast proceed to Yala, with a stop at Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home before participate in the process of curd making. Though buffalo curd is a quintessential favourite in the Sri Lankan pantry, its arduous journey, from teat to table, is often unheeded. Enjoy a fresh sip of milk after trying your hand milking a buffalo and end this experience by relishing a fresh pot of curd sweetened with treacle
Day 11: Yala National Park
Location: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early morning, and later this afternoon, you will be taken for a jeep safari at Yala National park, where you will embark on an adventure safari through the park.
Day 12: Hikkaduwa
Location: Hikkaduwa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading towards Hikkaduwa, you visit a cinnamon plantation, Learn all there is to know about the uses and benefits of cinnamon, before enjoying the breathe-taking view, and the chance to try your hand with the tools of the trade in an Ambalama.
Day 13: Galle Fort
Location: Galle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast you will be visiting Galle Fort, set on the peninsula within the walled remains of a fortress. Walk to the lighthouse on its perimeter and visit the Old Dutch Church with its tombstone covered floor before a stroll along the Rampart.
Day 14: Kosgoda Turtle Sanctuary
Location: Kosgoda
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A visit to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is a must. Witness the exceptional sight of the eggs hatching or the turtles being returned to the sea, moving towards the water as they flap their tiny flippers.
Day 15: Travel To Colombo
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast return to Colombo for a tour around this amazing city. Enjoy the celebrations of New Year's Eve with a dinner at the hotel.
Day 16: Depart Colombo
Location: Colombo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Any time before your flight is free to further explore the vibrant city of Colombo independently. Later, transfer to the airport to board your onward flight home.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Wednesday
Dec 17, 2024 - Jan 01, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Dec 16, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.