East Coast Sailing Diving Tour in Sri Lanka (12 Days)
Book this Package now, just for FREE, and be pampered with the fascination of the island with Next Travel Sri Lanka. We assure you of the perfect exploration, with the comforts you desire. Need more additions? Yes, you can even plan your holiday to suit your true favours with our Tailor-Made Tour Packages! We are always here to assist you in planning the best holiday. Simply contact us, if you have any doubts about this package, tailor-made tour packages, or the bookings.
Book With Flexibility Number of Days: 12
From Colombo to Colombo
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Max Group Size 20 |
Private Tour Available |
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Physical Rating Active |
Age Range 18 to 65 |
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Operated In English |
Tour ID NTD2022 |
From $890, Price varies by group size
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Places and Experiences
The Building Palace of the Temple of the Tooth Relic
The Building Palace of the Temple of the Tooth Relic
Excited to Surf!
Excited to Surf!
The Beauty of Nilaveli Beach and its Surroundings at Trincomalee
The Beauty of Nilaveli Beach and its Surroundings at Trincomalee
White Water Rafting at Kitulgala
White Water Rafting at Kitulgala
Sinharaja Rainforest
A Path through the Greenery at Sinharaja
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Shores of Negombo
A Couple Enjoying the Sunset at the Shores of Negombo
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Elephants Bathing at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Nilaveli
The Charming Shores at Nilaveli
Minneriya National Park
Enjoying a Jeep Safari at the Minneriya National Park
Koneswaram Temple
The Statue by the Sea at the Koneswaram Hindu Temple
Kandy
City of Kandy
Kandalama lake, Dambulla
Kandalama Lake, a Main Attraction of Dambulla
Dambulla Cave Temple
The Reclining Buddha Statue at the Dambulla Cave Temple
Colombo
The View of Colombo City
The Scenic Surroundings of Kandy
The Scenic Surroundings of Kandy
Map
Highlights
Relaxing on the Shores of Negombo
Enjoying Wonderful Catamaran Sails
Visiting Koneswaram Temple
Taking Part in a Whale Watching Tour
Enjoying Water Sports
Visiting the Scenic Shorelines around Trincomalee
Enjoying a Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park
Climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Enjoying a Village Tour
Visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple
Visiting a Spice Garden
Visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic
Enjoying White Water Rafting in Kitulgala
Visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
City Tour in Colombo
Itinerary
When you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be able to find one of our representatives from Next Travel Sri Lanka at the Arriving Lounge of the Colombo Airport paging your name. Once your identity is confirmed, we would begin our journey to Negombo, our first destination for the day. However, we don’t have special plans for the day. Thus, you have ample time to enjoy freely by the scenic shores of Negombo. The cool breeze coming from the seas, the rustling waves, and the breath-taking scenery of the surroundings are sure to offer you a marvelous experience. Overnight stay would be at the hotel in Negombo.
Following a delicious breakfast, you would then be heading to the charming coastal town Trincomalee, which is located on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. This is not only a city of charms but also a city with several historical and cultural values. Thus, we are planning to begin our exploration with a visit to the Koneswaram Temple that is located on top of the Swami Rock cliff, a popular vantage point for whale watching. We would begin our catamaran sail during the afternoon hours, and you are sure to catch the sight of the dazzling sunset during this trip. You would also get a chance to enjoy the dinner on board. Night anchorage is in Back Bay, below the Koneswaram Temple.
The third day enhances the delight of this sailing tour furthermore. Following a flavourful breakfast on board, we would be setting sails to catch the sight of some sperm whales and dolphins. The blue waves out there create the perfect atmosphere for a large number of sperm whales, and dolphins, and thus, sighting a few of them is more like an assurance we can make as we sail further. However, while enjoying these amusements, you can enjoy the lunch on board. During the evening hours, we would continue our sail toward Lankapatuna, and the dinner and night anchorage is planned out there
The fourth day of this tour offers you some wonderful opportunities to spend some time in the calm waters. Accordingly, you can choose to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or stand-up paddling. You can enjoy lunch as we head back to the Duch Bay at Trincomalee, and our plan is to disembark at the public beach at around 1 p.m. The evening hours are dedicated to visiting Fort Frederick. Overnight stay would be at the Anantama Hotel in Trincomalee.
As you realize through your explorations, there are several stunning beaches around these wonderful coasts of Trincomalee. So, we are planning to visit some of the beautiful shorelines located in the vicinity. Accordingly, we would certainly visit Nilaveli, a major attraction in this beautiful town, and spend some good time out there. It is also a perfect place to enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving. So, you have ample opportunities to enjoy this delight as well. Besides, the swarms of colorful fish that you observe through the crystal clear waters out there are sure to add some beautiful memories to this wonderful visit. Overnight stays would be at the Anantama Hotel, Trincomalee.
The seventh day of this tour is to offer you a different experience, as we would be heading towards Central Sri Lanka on this day. After checking in at the hotel in Sigiriya, we would continue our journey to the Minneriya National Park. As you might already know, this is one of the most popular national parks on the island and it houses an extensive range of wildlife, having elephants, and leopards as the star attractions. However, the best would be to explore this land of greenery in a jeep safari. Hence, we have planned for a jeep safari at Minneriya, and this ride is sure to offer you some exciting experiences, and perfect photographic opportunities. Overnight stay would be at the Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel, in Sigiriya.
The delight of this tour would continue for this day as well since you would be enjoying some more exciting experiences on this day. The day would begin with a climb to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the majestic ancient palace from the past, which is also considered the eighth wonder of the world. The journey to the top of this rock, where you can find the ruins of the ancient rock fortress, will take approximately 2 hours, and during this climb, you will also get the chance to observe the mirror wall, as well as the Sigiriya Frescoes Paintings. So, the charm of the surrounding environment, as well as the cultural values that this attraction holds, are sure to surprise you beyond a doubt. Following this visit, you would then get a chance to enjoy a tour in a village named, Hiriwaduna. Enjoying the scenic environment out there, observing the life of Sri Lankans’ lives, and the cottage industries will certainly offer you a unique experience. Overnight stay would be at the Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel, in Sigiriya.
The ninth day of this tour is going to create some wonderful opportunities to explore the Sri Lankan cultural heritage. Dambulla Cave Temple would be our first stop for the day, and exploring the five caves out there would be a wonderful experience. The statues that they house, the murals, and the ancient paintings that their walls adorn, are sure to provide you a perfect insight into Sri Lankan history, as well as to the values of the traditional arts and crafts of Sri Lanka. Next, we would begin our trip to Kandy, the scenic mountain town of Central Sri Lanka, and on the way, we would be visiting a spice garden. Observing the wide array of plants in this garden would provide you with good knowledge about the spices from Sri Lanka, as well as about the herbs used for the Ayurvedic treatments. Finally, we would be visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the most sacred religious attraction of Buddhists! Overnight stay would be at the Thilanka Hotel in Kandy.
The tenth day of this tour is indeed special, especially for adventure seekers! Following a wonderful journey through the lush greenery and the misty mountains of the Kandy suburbs, you would arrive at Kitulgala, a wonderful village with pleasing surroundings. The Kelani river flows through the scenic settings of this village with major rapids, and thus, Kitulgala is famous as the best place for white water rafting on this island. Yes, you guessed it right! You are getting that amazing opportunity to enjoy a perfect water rafting experience on this day. Following this thrilling, yet fun-filled activity, you would also get a chance to explore the charm of the surroundings on a bicycle or by foot. Overnight stay would be at the Thilanka Hotel in Kandy.
We would be leaving the splendid town of Kandy on this day, and our first stop for the day would be the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This is a place that houses a large number of orphaned elephants, of all ages, and the best would be to visit there at the times where the elephants are bathed and fed. Following this visit, we would then head to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Evening hours are dedicated to exploring this vibrant city, and a city ride in Colombo would create the perfect opportunity to observe colonial-era architecture, cultural and religious attractions, scenic surroundings, as well as the glamour of modern constructions. Following this city ride, and the small shopping tour, the schedules for the day would end, and the overnight stay would be at the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo.
This wonderful tour in Sri Lanka would reach the end following a delicious breakfast on this day. Thereafter, you can proceed to the airport to board your flight.
After all, we believe that this tour package features the best of the island, satisfying the true flavors. Besides, if you prefer to make your dream trip in Sri Lanka a reality, in exactly the way your heart desires, we are here to offer you tailor-made tour packages as well. Contact us for more information.
Happy and Safe Travelling!
What is included
Let it be a stay by the golden stretches, a chill amidst the cool breeze, or a holiday surrounded by the lush greenery! Whatever your heart desires, the wide array of star-class hotels in Sri Lanka are ready to cater to you. And this tour includes accommodation at the mentioned hotels, in double rooms, on a half-board basis.
Of course, there is so much on this island to explore, and getting around this country is not an issue at all! Throughout this tour, we would be offering you transportation in an air-conditioned luxury limousine or Japanese minivan with a driver/guide, apart from the catamaran sails that you would take part in.
Dishes in Sri Lanka are a true delight! Hence, you should never miss a chance to experience the authenticity and the exclusivity of the mouth-watering Sri Lankan tastes. However, this package offers you breakfasts and dinner, and meals on a full-board basis on the sailing catamaran. Yet, you have nothing to worry about the rest of the meals because our representatives would help you arrange the meals upon request. Further, any of the Sri Lankan hotels/restaurants would allow you to choose among the below selections, for each of your main meals.
Also, please note that these are the general food items that any of the hotels would offer you, and there may be a wide variety of additional dishes depending on the hotel you dine at. Further, this tour offers Vegetarian and Halal food options on request.
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It is true that one can visit the attractions on this island on their own. Still, let us assure you that having a travel guide makes your journey more wonderful, and stress-free. In fact, they know about this island like the back of their hands. They are capable of enlightening you about each and every place you visit. Going beyond, they would turn out to be a companion of yours, inspired with a passion to fulfill your expectations on this beautiful island. Hence, we make sure to provide you with the service of an experienced, English-speaking driver/guide with the required guiding permit. Further, French, German, Russian, Italian, and Japanese-speaking guides can be booked for a small surcharge.
Additional Services
The following services are included in this tour package.
- Driver Accommodation & Meals
- 24/7 Customer Hotline
This package includes full vehicle/passenger insurance, but not medical / travel insurance. Tourists are responsible for choosing the medical / travel insurance packages that suit them the most and getting themselves insured. You can arrange the travel insurance through an agent of your choice.
You may need to pay an entrance fee to visit some of the attractions in Sri Lanka. However, it is a must note that this package does not include any entrance fee unless specified.
Of course, you will be provided with accommodation. Still, it is up to the travelers to bear personal expenses for pre and post-tour accommodation. Further, the travelers should bear their cost for anything that is not mentioned in the Itinerary, such as the rest of the meals, alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, visa fees, tips, and portage, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grabbing out the best essence out of a wonderful holiday destination indeed requires a good plan. Yet, proper planning surely requires a good knowledge about the destination as well. In that case, you will certainly need a helping hand to know more about what to expect, how to get ready, and mostly, to clear out your doubts. However, as an experienced team working close to the hearts of our travellers, we clearly understand what troubles your mind, and your desire to travel with peace of mind. Thus, we have answered the most frequently asked questions, so that you can easily clear out your doubts just in a second. So, why not? Have a look at the below section, and we are sure that we have answered your question!
Abiding by the new normal, Sri Lanka is now open for tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, quarantine measures are different for the vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists.
Completing two weeks upon receiving the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccinations will make you begin travelling on the island sooner. Apart from that, Sri Lanka requires no mandatory vaccinations before arrival.
The natural marvels of the island nation Sri Lanka, which includes the golden shores, charming cascades, scenic landscapes, and diverse wildlife are indeed capable of attracting any tourist. Besides, its rich cultural heritage, delightful festivals, pleasant climate, exclusive cuisines, and extensive range of facilities for affordable prices, simply make tourists go to Sri Lanka, at any time of the year.
Tourists are only permitted to get to Sri Lanka, by air.
Yes, of course! If you are arriving in Sri Lanka for a holiday, for medical treatments, or to take part in an event, you will require a Tourist Visa.
Any foreigner who plans to arrive in Sri Lanka should obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) through http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. The website also contains a full guide on obtaining the ETA, along with the payment details.
The Visa is valid for 30 days.
Yes, you can. Still, you have to apply for a visa extension, before your current visa expires. All you have to do is collect the visa extension form from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration (You can also download the form from here), and submit the duly filled application, along with the following.
- Return Air Ticket
- Details of the place of accommodation
- The application along with a photograph of the applicant
It is always better to have your National Identity Card, and Passport with you when travelling around the island.
In brief, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination. Thus, it always has something to do and somewhere to visit on this island. Still, it is always better to choose a time where the monsoon rains do not impact the area you plan to visit in Sri Lanka. This complete overview of the weather and climate of Sri Lanka, and the official website of the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka will help you with regard.
You can either use public transportation which includes the bus and train services. If not, you can even hire a taxi, a tuk-tuk, or hire a vehicle to drive yourself.
Sri Lanka Rupees (SLR) is the currency used in Sri Lanka.
Not really! If you are using public transportation, enjoying meals from budget restaurants, and taking accommodation at budget hotels, you can experience the holiday at your heart’s core, at a low budget. Thus, the cost depends upon your choices. Still, a holiday in Sri Lanka is simply cheaper than many other tourist destinations across the world.
The best is to wear comfortable materials, preferable cotton, linen, or rayon since Sri Lanka is warm most of the time. Besides, if you are visiting a religious place, the best is to wear something light colour that covers from your shoulders to your knees, to blend with the culture there. Besides, having a shawl will help you to cover yourself in instances where your attire is inappropriate to visit such a place.
As long as you are travelling in a populated area it is safe to travel alone in Sri Lanka. Still, if you are a female travelling alone, the best is to wear an attire that covers your body, and also, wearing a fake wedding ring, acting familiar, etc. will help you avoid unnecessary hassles. However, the best is to avoid night rides, and use google location if you are travelling alone!
Most can! Still, some locals would only be familiar with Sinhala and Tamil languages. However, hand signals will help you in instances as such.
- Simply, cultural and religious values run through the veins of Sri Lankans. So, never disrespect any religion. Avoid posing with funny actions at religious sites. Besides, dresses or tattoos with religious slogans or images might pave the way for unnecessary disturbances.
- Avoid public nudity and kissing.
- Never take photographs without permission.
Good to Know
The delight of a Sri Lankan holiday needs no further exaggerations. Its natural splendours, pleasant weather and climate, welcoming smiles of Sri Lankans, and every other bit of this wonderful paradise are surely going to enchant anyone who visits it. Still, in order to witness the true delight of this wonderful destination, knowing a few more things would certainly benefit you. Keep calm, and have a look below. They will help you make the most out of your time on this splendid island nation!
Electricity is not an issue in the present, especially around tourist hotspots. It is true that some extremely rural areas still lack this facility. Still, we can assure you that those areas are out of the tourist zones.
However, Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50 Hz. Hence, be mindful of bringing compatible devices or voltage converters. Besides, it is always better to have with you a power bank, rechargeable lamp, etc. because emergency power cuts could occur once in a while.
As you might already know, Sri Lankan Rupees is the currency used in Sri Lanka. The best would be to bring USDs with you and then to exchange them for the local currency once you arrive. Doing so will offer you opportunities to get better exchange rates as well. Besides, Mastercards and Visa Cards are widely accepted, while American Express Cards are also often accepted. Still, it is always better to have cash in hand, since most of the local boutiques around tourist attractions do not have the facilities to accept credit cards.
Also, ATMs are available islandwide. Still, not all of them accept international cards. The daily transaction limit usually ranges between SLR 100,000 to SLR 200,000 and a transaction fee is imposed upon every transaction. Moreover, banks are open on weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM and closed on weekends. Still, some main cities have a few banks that are open 24/7, or either till night hours.
Of course, telecommunication facilities are available almost island-wide, except for the extremely rural areas. If you are planning to stay connected during your trip to Sri Lanka, the best would be to buy a local sim since the mobile service providers here offer perfect tourist plans that would simply save you money. Also, buying a sim in Sri Lanka is not that hard. You can buy one easily from the airport premises, or the outlets islandwide.
As you already know, Sri Lanka holds accommodation facilities that cover an extensive range. Starting with the Home Stays, Guest Houses, Bungalows, to Medium-Scale Hotels, and Super-Luxury Hotels, this paradise island has it all. Of course, the price might vary upon your selections and the facilities they offer. Still, accommodation facilities are indeed cheaper in Sri Lanka, when compared with tourist destinations worldwide.
However, some of the Home-stays, Guesthouses, and Bungalows might not have AC and hot water facilities. Hence, if you are concerned with regard, it is always better to ask about these little things before placing your bookings. Besides, finding accommodation during the off-season might not be that hard. Still, it is always best to hunt for accommodation a few days earlier, just to travel with pace in mind.
Discovering the unique flavours of Sri Lankan Food, seafood, and cultural dishes would simply be a delightful experience that you can ever imagine! Let it be the luxurious hotels that offer you both local and international cuisine, and the small boutiques or the street stalls that amaze you with their mouth-watering tastes, all of them are impressive beyond words. However, local dishes might be a bit spicy. Thus, it is always better to inform the cook earlier, if you prefer less spicy food. Besides, the cost of food in Sri Lanka highly varies depending on the place you choose to dine, and the dishes you select.
Photography and videography are not forbidden in Sri Lanka. Still, make sure you request permission, especially if you are capturing locals, their boutiques, or their houses. Besides, never turn your back to religious statues, or pose with them with funny poses, since Sri Lanka is a country backed with strong cultural values. Also, whenever you visit a religious or a cultural attraction, or a museum, make sure to check for notices. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in certain places, and using the flasher is strictly prohibited in some sites with historical paintings, and murals. Going beyond, photography and videography in some places require prior permission or payments. Hence, making memories is always fine, yet, it is always better to be mindful of the restrictions. And yes, your travel guide will simply help you with these concerns!
As you might already know, Sri Lanka is a country with a rich cultural heritage. Thus, we encourage you to follow the below ethics when visiting religious places in Sri Lanka.
- Most religious places encourage visitors to wear a light colour attire that covers their body, shoulder to knees. Thus, if you are visiting a religious place, make sure that you do not wear shorts, crop tops, skinnies, etc. Also, having a shawl with you will help you cover your body at such times, in order to blend with the culture there.
- Visitors enter the religious place barefoot and caps, hats, scarfs, etc. are removed before entering the site.
- The tranquillity of the religious places in Sri Lanka is simply impressive. Hence, make sure you mind your behaviour.
Indeed, safety is first! So, it is always better to keep an eye on animals, especially on the stray dogs on the roads. Be mindful when feeding them, or touching them. And by chance, if a stray dog or any other animal bit you, make sure you arrive at the nearest government hospital, and they will make sure to treat you accordingly.
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