Experience the Central Hills - Free Upgrade to Private Tour Available
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka's Central Hills with our "Experience the Central Hills" tour. Begin your adventure in Colombo, where you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Explore the vibrant city of Kandy, home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, and enjoy a cultural show featuring traditional dances and music. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, known for its lush tea plantations and charming Victorian architecture. Along the way, visit a spice garden, a tea factory, and enjoy a scenic drive through picturesque landscapes. This tour includes accommodation, meals, and guided sightseeing, with a free upgrade to a private tour available. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVAL COLOMBO
Location: Colombo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Grand Oriental Hotel or similar 3*
Arrive at Colombo airport, where a representative will meet, greet, and transfer you to the selected hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Colombo.
Day 2 : COLOMBO – KANDY (130km – 4 hrs)
Location: Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Winter Villa Resort, Hotel Senani or similar 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wake up and get ready for an early transfer to Kandy, Sri Lanka's second largest city. Contemporary Kandy is famous for its beautiful lakeside location, framed by lush hills, and an all-pervasive divinity. En route, visit a spice garden in Mawanella. Afterwards, continue to Kandy for a luscious lunch, followed by check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, go out on a city tour visiting famous Temple of Tooth Relic, an arts and crafts centre, and a gem museum. In the evening, witness a cultural spectacle, offering a blend of traditional dances and music to entertain and present the varied art forms in the country. Complete your second day with a delectable dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Kandy. Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 : KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA – KITULGALA – DEPART COLOMBO (245km – 7 hrs)
Location: Nuwara Eliya
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, head towards the picturesque lakeside town of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’s proud ‘tea capital’ also nicknamed ‘Little England’ because of the preponderance of tidy bungalows with rose lawns. Do a short walking tour and continue to Kitulgala via Hatton. Visit the Tea Castle at St. Claire’s and catch a glimpse of a delightful tea factory. Then, indulge in a savoury lunch at the Tea Castle. Proceed to Kitulgala and, if you desire, have a white-water rafting experience. Afterwards, return to your selected hotel in Colombo for drop-off. White-water rafting is not included.
Breakfast and lunch included.
What's Included
TOUR GUIDE:
- Operated with English-speaking driver-guide
ACCOMMODATION:
- 2 nights' accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 Colombo:
Standard Hotel Category = Grand Oriental Hotel or similar 3*
Day 2 Kandy:
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Senani or similar 3*
MEALS:
- 2 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
- 1 Dinner
TRANSPORT:
- Inbound transfer from Colombo Airport to Colombo Hotel
- Shared transport throughout the tour
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Spice garden in Mawanella, Kandy city tour including Temple of the Tooth Relic, crafts centre, gem museum and cultural show, tea factory tour
OTHER:
- Meet & Greet on arrival at Colombo airport
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenditures
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the programme.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for driver and guide.
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Drinks
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, etc.
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Festival/Peak Season Surcharges
Compulsory festival/peak season surcharges if stated separately.
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Photography Permits
Video camera and photography permits at the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
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Departure Transfer
Departure transfer from Colombo hotel to airport.
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Optional Tours and Activities
Optional tours and activities.
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Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Sri Lanka. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. Clients arriving on early morning flights will have to wait until the last tour participant has arrived.Please Note
- Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice
- Late arrival back to Colombo on day 3. Please book ongoing travel arrangements accordingly
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONSDay 1 Colombo:
- Standard Hotel Category = Grand Oriental Hotel or similar 3*
- Standard Hotel Category = Winter Villa Resort, Hotel Senani or similar 3*
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONSDay 1 Colombo:
- Standard Hotel Category = Grand Oriental Hotel or similar 3*
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Senani or similar 3*
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes sightseeing, excursions, and surface travel as per the program, along with an arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel in Colombo.Accommodation
Enjoy 2 nights' accommodation in comfortable 3-star hotels, including the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo and either Winter Villa Resort or Hotel Senani in Kandy.Check out our Q&As
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What type of guide will be accompanying us on the tour?
The tour will be operated with an English-speaking driver-guide.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour?
Yes, entrance fees to the Spice garden in Mawanella, Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic, cultural show, and tea factory tour are included.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 2 nights' accommodation. On Day 1 in Colombo, you will stay at the Grand Oriental Hotel or a similar 3-star hotel. On Day 2 in Kandy, you will stay at Winter Villa Resort, Hotel Senani, or a similar 3-star hotel.
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Is transportation provided during the tour?
Yes, transportation for sightseeing, excursions, and surface travel as per the program is provided. Additionally, arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel in Colombo is included.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to a spice garden in Mawanella, a city tour of Kandy including the Temple of the Tooth Relic, an arts and crafts center, a gem museum, and a cultural show. There is also a visit to the Tea Castle at St. Claire’s and an optional white-water rafting experience in Kitulgala.
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What should I wear when visiting temples and religious sites in Sri Lanka?
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious, or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house.
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Is the tour itinerary subject to change?
Yes, local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
YES, A friendly and professional tour leader tasked with ensuring the smooth operations of the tour, as well as providing practical support to passengers throughout the entire trip. His role primarily includes assisting with accommodation and transportation between locations while sharing the knowledge about social and cultural splendours of Sri Lanka.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Sri Lanka is a year-round holiday destination with two monsoon seasons so there is a lot of confusion around when is the best time to visit. The weather doesn't run like clockwork here! However, there will rarely be weather so dramatic that it will stand in the way of a brilliant holiday with plenty of warm weather and sunshine. The temperature is constant at around 27°C on the coast, both the air
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What is the tipping policy?
Tipping is not mandatory and it's up tour personal wish.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
yes
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
yes, it is indeed
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
The tour is guaranteed to departure even with a single person. However, in case of any cancellation, we'll inform you in advance and the full refund will be given.
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an official authorization for a Short Visit to Sri Lanka issued via an online system. You need ETA if you wish to visit Sri Lanka as a Tourist, on Business or on Transit. No passport copies, documents or photographs are required to obtain ETA. It will cost USD $30. However, during the sometime of the year government offers FREE visa for tourists.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travellers are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between two people at all times. > Travellers are requested to adhere to recommended hygiene procedures, such as travelling with and wearing a face mask and/or gloves when required to do so. > Keep 70% alcohol rub/hand sanitizer to use frequently.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Fairly good
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Up to 40KG per person
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Sri Lankan Rupees (you can exchange currency at the Sri Lanka airport or tour leader will assist you to exchange at the local banks)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
yes, completely and according to our Health & Safety standards
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Low Deposit
Aitken Spence Travels requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aitken spence travels charges.
At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Experience the Central Hills - Free Upgrade to Private Tour Available
3 Days Starting and ending in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Visiting: Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
Tour operator:
Tour code:
33601
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 2
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
