- Sri Lanka Multi-Centres
- Sri Lanka Wildlife Adventure with 5* Maldives Beach Stay
Embark on an enchanting Wildlife Safari, providing an exclusive chance to observe the diverse and thrilling island wildlife up close. This exceptional adventure is enhanced by glimpses of traditional Sri Lankan cultural sights, crafting a comprehensive and immersive journey. After delving into the cultural and natural wonders, proceed to the Maldives for a tranquil escape in one of the most awe-inspiring locations on the planet.
Depart on your scheduled overnight flight to Colombo.
Dinner
Upon arrival, you will be greeted and picked up from the airport. Proceed to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, proceed to Yala with a stop for lunch (payable locally) en route. Embark on an exciting jeep safari at Yala National Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka.
During the safari, you'll traverse diverse landscapes, with a chance of spotting leopards lounging on tree branches, wild elephants roaming in herds, and sloth bears foraging for food. Watch for wild boar and wild buffalo grazing, deer leaping through the foliage, and crocodiles basking near water bodies. The park is also a haven for bird watchers, with large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds creating a vibrant display.
After your thrilling safari, return to your hotel for a dinner and an overnight stay.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, proceed along the scenic south coast to Galle. Embark on a captivating city tour of Galle, exploring its historic fort, charming streets, and vibrant markets. Continue your adventure with a river safari at the Balapitiya River, where you can enjoy the diverse aquatic life and lush surroundings.
Next, visit Ambalangoda to see a skilled mask carver at work, learning about the traditional art of mask making. En route, stop by the fascinating turtle hatchery, where you may have the chance to witness turtles being released from their eggs and learn about conservation efforts.
Continue your journey to your next hotel for check in, dinner and an overnight stay.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the Maldives. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of your time here is at leisure to spend how you wish.
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.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
The stylish Villa Nautica, Paradise Island is a warm and welcoming resort with a chic, cosmopolitan feel. Set on the island of Lankanfinolhu in the North Malé Atoll, boasting sparkling lagoons and soft white sands. Conveniently located just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.
Surrounded by bright, swimmable waters and wide stretches of beach, Villa Nautica is the perfect place to unwind. Spend your days relaxing by the resort’s award‑winning infinity pool; the lively social heart of the island, or stretch out on the pristine shoreline beneath the warm tropical sun.
For a deeper sense of tranquillity, retreat to Araamu Spa, tucked within lush gardens, where soothing massages, Ayurvedic therapies and indulgent wellness journeys promise pure relaxation.
For guests seeking a little more, the island offers a range of watersports, from kayaking and sailing to motorised adventures and world‑class diving in the surrounding reefs. Land‑based facilities include tennis, squash, a fully equipped gym, beach volleyball and more, ideal for keeping active between leisurely hours on the beach or by the pool.
Dining at Villa Nautica is a relaxed yet refined experience, with a variety of venues offering everything from generous buffets to à la carte options inspired by global flavours. Guests can enjoy beachside lunches, atmospheric overwater dinners and freshly prepared dishes made with produce sourced from surrounding waters and nearby markets. Throughout the day, cafés and bars offer light bites, coffees and refreshing drinks, ensuring you’re never far from something delicious.
Superior beach bungalows are all beach facing with a veranda. All accommodation features air‑conditioning, complimentary Wi‑Fi, tea and coffee facilities, a minibar, luxury amenities and 24‑hour room service, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay. A wide selection of upgraded villa categories is also available for those seeking something extra special.
The luxurious Villa Nautica Paradise Island is a warm and welcoming resort with a cosmopolitan feel. It is conveniently located on a scenic lagoon in the North Male Atoll on an island locally known as Lankanfinolhu, just 20 minutes by speedboat from the capital, Male.
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
Please be aware that Yala Game Park is closed for 30 days in September/October. During this period, the safari will be redirected to Udawalawe Game Park, situated approximately 50 miles inland from Yala Safari. Rest assured, suitable accommodations will be provided for an uninterrupted and immersive safari experience.
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.
A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. While on the Safari you will be having early mornings, having to get in and out of safari vehicles and drive along bumpy reserve roads. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
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 your tour portion, you will have a guide/driver with you during your excursions.
For the beach portion of your 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 your guide at the end of your safari or by a representative in the hotel.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but 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. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
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.
Alcohol is not allowed on entry to The Maldives. If you have bought liquor, beer or related items containing alcohol from a duty free shop while on route to the Maldives, these products must be bonded in the airport’s customs department upon arrival. These goods will be returned before depart.
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
