- Sri Lanka Multi-Centres
- 4* Sri Lanka Beach Stay and Maldives Beach Stay
Enjoy time at leisure in Sri Lanka to explore the enchanting natural beauty the country has to offer. Embark on optional excursions to explore the island, or make use of your hotels’ facilities and relax on the golden beaches. From here travel onto the Maldives for a chance to indulge in pure escapism. Enjoy spectacular views of the crystal-clear ocean from all directions whilst you unwind on this island of paradise. Snorkel among coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, indulge in local and international cuisine, or treat yourself to a treatment in your resort’s tranquil spa.
Depart on your overnight flight to Colombo.
On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel where you can rest and unwind before heading out to sample some delectable culinary delicacies like kukul mas, polos, and ambul thiyal curries which are native to this particular region. The sunsets here are spectacular, and a wonderful way to begin your Sri Lankan sojourn.
The next week will offer you the opportunity to explore the treasures to be found across this richly diverse region. From ancient temples and stupas, to the caves of Fa Hein; from rejuvenating ayurvedic spas, to stunning gems and jewels only found in this specific part of the world – there’s plenty to pique your interest beyond the beachside bars and restaurants. And, for the more adventurous travellers, you could also take a day trip to Bentota where there are a range of water-sports on offer like jet-skiing, diving, windsurfing and parasailing.
Now that you’ve had a chance to soak in the splendour of Sri Lanka, you’ll next be taken to the airport to catch your flight to the heavenly island of the Maldives for an indulgent few days on the golden beaches, soaking in the sparkling, tropical blue seas.
This time is at leisure to spend how you wish, Why not embark on a dolphin cruise to spend some time with these magnificent sea-faring mammals, go on an exploratory walking tour around these beauteous isles, or strap on your fins and glide with the shoals of tropical fish within this richly biodiverse, aquamarine paradise beneath the waves.
After breakfast at the hotel you’ll be taken to the airport to catch your return flight back to the UK, giving you time to reflect on the wondrous experiences you’ve just had within these two spectacular destinations.
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If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
British passport holders are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travel to Sri Lanka. To apply, please visit the official website: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ where ETA applications are currently free of charge.
Alternatively, if you would prefer assistance with the application process, we recommend The Travel Visa Company, who can apply for the ETA on your behalf for a service fee. Please call 01270 250 590 and quote “Mercury Holidays”.
Passports must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of arrival into Sri Lanka.
Visa and entry requirements are subject to change. Obtaining the correct documentation for travel is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend checking with the Sri Lankan Tourist Board, Embassy, or the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office prior to departure for the latest visa and passport validity requirements.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www. hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR) and it is a closed currency. This means it is not possible to buy Sri Lankan money in the UK before you travel. It is important to budget carefully as you should not take any Rupee (LKR) out of Sri Lanka when you depart. There are foreign exchange offices and cash machines available in most places during your tour. Your tour guide will assist you at the start of your tour with currency exchange. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some shops and restaurants; a charge is sometimes added for using them.
The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiya. The Maldivian Rufiya is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of the Maldives. US Dollars are also widely accepted in these destinations, should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Therefore, it is very important that you budget carefully.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks.
We have no minimum number of passengers to run this holiday. If we are not able to operate your departure date for any other reason, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
For this holiday, you will not be escorted by a tour guide. Your time here will be free to do as you wish. Details of your departure transfer will be confirmed by a representative in the hotel and you can book sightseeing trips through the hotel or representative.
Please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK.
Western and international food will be served however some establishments will serve traditional meals giving you a chance to experience local flavours. Vegetarian and Vegan options available, please request prior to departure. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels/lodges.
During a full moon and religious holidays alcohol shops are closed and it is prohibited by law to serve liquor in any establishment on that day. However, it is not prohibited to drink alcohol purchased prior to full moon, but you need to do so in a private space.
In Sri Lanka they celebrate various festivals throughout the year, Vesak Poya is considered one of the most important Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka and is celebrated on the full moon poya day falling in May. The celebrations begin on the full moon day and continue for a week, where every corner has magical and colourful lanterns. Thai Pongal is the equivalent to a thanksgiving festival usually celebrated in January, followed by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which is usually celebrated in April, it is a festival were people ensure their houses are clean, purchase new clothes, and prepare many traditional sweets.
It is seen as respectful to cover your shoulders and not to expose too much skin in Sri Lanka, so it would be advisable to pack a shawl or similar for women to cover up, including wearing up to/covering your knees when entering religious buildings etc.
Please note that plastic bottles are banned in the national parks so keep a reusable water bottle for your tour.
On your arrival in Colombo you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Aitken Spence, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Aitken Spence representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.
On arrival in the Maldives, after collecting any hold luggage and passing through Customs, please look for one of our friendly representatives in arrivals holding a Mercury Holidays sign, who will show you to your transfer vehicle. If you have a seaplane booked, the luggage allowance is 20kg. Please refer to your confirmation invoice to check whether you have a seaplane transfer included.
Sri Lanka -
If you need to contact Aitken Spence during your stay the details are:
Aitken Spence Travel (Colombo): 4th Floor, Aitken Spence Towers 02 315, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka.
Contact number: 0094 112 499623
Emergency contact information:
Rizmika - 0094 772 916461, Kushani - 0094 760 530644
Email - mercury@aitkenspence.lk, rizmika@aitkenspence.lk
Maldives Beach Stay -
Emergency number: Nuwan Dissanayaka (Ace Travels Maldives): 00960 7782396
Airport contacts (local agent):
Airport hotline number – 009607920058, Sujeewa – 009607920053, Maadhin – 009609809990
