- Sri Lanka Multi-Centres
- Sri Lanka Wondrous Highlights with 4* Maldives Beach Stay
Combining ancient cultural marvels with awe-inspiring natural wonders, Sri Lanka really is a destination like no other. On this trip you’ll experience the best this tropical island has to offer: from the sacred bodhi trees, to the golden sands; from masterful and mighty architectural structures, to sympathetic stone sculptures of saints and sages from a bygone era of a long since forgotten age. The overwhelming beauty of the expansive, varied landscapes, and the warming hospitality of the local, native people will make sure that when you leave this tour you’ll feel both physically exhilarated, and spiritually uplifted.
And what better way to complement this incredible cultural experience than with a calming stay in the stunning Maldives; a luxurious escape into pure, oceanic paradise. Spend your last few days reveling in the awe-inspiring views of the azure seas, relaxing and absorbing the natural beauty of this stunning island haven.
Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Colombo.
Dinner
On arrival, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to Sigiriya where you’ll spend the rest of the day at leisure – relaxing and unwinding after your overnight flight. You’ll be staying in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle which is an area abound with wildlife, well-tended gardens and ancient stone sculptures.
Breakfast & Dinner
After an awakening cup of coffee, you’ll be taken to see the sunrise meet the mighty Sigiriya rock fortress which was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD. This vast, impressive site of historical and archaeological significance is dominated by a massive column of granite almost 200m high where the ancient ruins of a forgotten fortress sit atop this mighty stone monolith. As you approach through the irrigated gardens you’ll be met by a vast, sprawling banyan tree which is thought to be well over 1,000 years old – although nobody really knows its age as these trees, similar to the British Yew tree, are said to be immortal.
Once you reach Sigiriya rock you can climb the spiral staircase to the summit and enjoy unrivalled vistas of the surrounding region from this elevated perspective. You’ll also have the chance to see the exquisite frescoes of elegant women which adorn the walls of a sheltered section of rock. These magnificent paintings have been drawn in earth pigments upon plaster and have truly stood the test of time, giving you the opportunity to witness this magnificent artistic marvel. On completion of your sunrise Sigiriya tour you’ll be taken back to the hotel for a hearty breakfast. For the rest of the morning, you’ll be at leisure to relax by the pool side and enjoy the local wildlife.
In the afternoon you’ll be taken to visit Polonnaruwa – the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. Here, you’ll have the chance to visit the ruins of the Royal Palace and enjoy many architectural marvels such as the stone-carved ‘Lotus Bath’ which descends into the earth, and the magnificent rock-relief statues of various saints, sages and buddhas, that have stood in this region for the past millennium. After exploring the ancient city of Polonnaruwa you’ll be driven back to Sigiriya to enjoy classic Sri Lankan cuisine for dinner and your overnight stay.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast you’ll be taken with your local guide to spend the day exploring Anuradhapura - the 1st capital of Sri Lanka established in 380 BC.
During this tour you’ll visit a sacred Bodhi Tree which is known to be at least 2,000 years old. You’ll also be taken to see the remains of the Brazen palace constructed by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century B.C; visit Ruwanweli Maha Seya – an immense Buddhist stupa of vast antiquity; see the Samadhi sculpture which is acknowledged worldwide as an artistic masterpiece and presents the Buddha in a meditative pose; and finally you’ll visit the Isurumuniya Vihare which is famous for its rock carvings of “the lovers.”
After your tour of Anuradhapura you’ll return to Sigiriya Village where you’ll spend the afternoon at leisure with the option to embark on a bird-watching trip, or a nature ramble.
Breakfast & Dinner
Today you’ll have the chance to explore the magnificent Dambulla Rock Temple which was donated by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to the Buddhist monks of the region. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s canvases of cave temples. This complex contains over 2000 sq. meters of beautifully painted walls; its mesmerising mosaic ceiling is the largest area of cave painting to be found anywhere in the world. Within this temple you’ll see over 150 images of the Buddha, the largest of which is a colossal carving of rock which spans over 14 metres. Once you’ve finished exploring the caverns, you’ll proceed on to Matale and visit a Spice Garden where you’ll become familiar with the plethora of intoxicating herbs and spices that originate from the Sri Lankan Island, and visit a batik factory to see how these stunning hand-crafted creations are made.
You’ll be checking into your hotel in Kandy before heading out for an afternoon city tour. This culturally significant area is known as ‘the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings’ and carries the designation of a World Heritage Site. Kandy is an extraordinary place that conjures visions of splendour and magnificence from the time since past. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore from here are still lovingly kept alive.
On your tour, you’ll be driven around the vast Kandy Lake which was built by the last Sinhalese King: Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. You’ll also visit the old town bazaar, a local arts & crafts centre, and see locally mined gemstones being carved and polished at one of the city’s lapidaries. Once you’ve experienced all that Kandy has to offer you’ll be taken for dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast you’ll be taken to visit the Botanical Garden in Peradeniya which was first built as a personal garden for a local Sinhala King, and was subsequently expanded by the British into a beauteous public park which is almost 150 acres in size. The garden provides an amazing variety of flora and fauna to enjoy. Once you’ve had a chance to take a stroll across this stunning sanctuary of nature, you’ll continue on to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage where you’ll be able to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals.
You will head back to the hotel to refresh before heading out in the evening to the globally recognised spiritual site known as the ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’ where the sanctum sanctorum houses a tooth of Guatama Buddha. Here you’ll witness a traditional ‘pooja’ ceremony performed by the resident monks – this is an offering of sound, chants and incense made to the Buddha and is a great way to become receptive to the energies of the space. Following this ceremony, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel for a sample of local delicacies and your overnight stay.
Breakfast & Dinner
Upon leaving Kandy your guide will be taking you to Nuwara Eliya: Sri Lanka's premier hilltop resort and tea plantation, affectionately referred to as “Little England” on account of its architectural, climatic, and aesthetic similarity to the mountainous regions of England. On the way to Nuwara Eliya you’ll be visiting one of the plantations to learn about the tea manufacturing process and, once arrived, you’ll be taken on a short tour of this lush, green market town where – amidst towering cedar trees and cultured gardens – the Sri Lankan people conduct their daily business and worship in the Buddhist temples there. After spending some time relaxing in this quiet, picturesque hilltop town you’ll be taken to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening before beginning your transfer back to Colombo in the morning.
Breakfast & Dinner
After a full breakfast, you’ll then be travelling on to Colombo.
On arrival at Colombo you’ll embark on a half-day city tour of the island’s present capital; a bustling, cosmopolitan city whose colonial history is still very much evident with its wide, shaded boulevards and grand, imposing Victorian churches. You’ll have a chance to visit the vibrant bazaars of Pettah which seem to sell everything imaginable – from traditional jewellery, to ancient artefacts, to Ayurvedic medicines. There’ll also be a chance to stop for refreshments and souvenirs at the old restored Dutch Fort complex, home to some of Colombo’s most chic and highly-rated restaurants, cafes and shops. Then, stepping back from modernity into a more ancient frame, you’ll be able to visit the Gangaramaya Buddhist temple as well as the Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ganesha – a symbol of the diverse and vibrant culture of this lively place.
Breakfast
After breakfast, proceed to the airport in time for your flight to Male. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of your time here is at leisure, allowing you to relax and explore at your own pace.
This time is at leisure for you to spend as you wish. Embark on an exploratory walking tour around the beautiful island, taking in the stunning scenery and vibrant local culture. Alternatively, strap on your fins and dive into the aquamarine paradise beneath the waves, gliding alongside shoals of tropical fish in this richly biodiverse underwater world. Whether you choose to relax on the pristine beaches or explore the marine life, the Maldives offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.
This morning, we’ll take you to your return transfer bound for Male airport, ready to catch your return flight back to the UK.
The picture-perfect resort of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu is a 43-acre oval shaped coral island, covered with thick vegetation and surrounded by a ring of white sand. It has a lagoon ideal for watersports and is close to excellent diving and snorkelling areas. It's the perfect location for a holiday in paradise.
You'll feel a warm welcome from the moment you arrive at the magnificent Adaaran Select Meedhupparu. The beach will feature heavily on this holiday and it's so enduringly beautiful, you'll want to spend so much of your time there simply drinking in the view. If you fancy a little more energetic activity than working on that all-important holiday tan, then you'll find a selection of watersports available to keep you busy. For an underwater buzz, why not take a dive below the surface and explore? Just visit the dive school on site and they'll make sure you have the right equipment and some help if you need it. The island and hotel have been privileged with an amazing house reef, which clients have the opportunity to explore whilst taking up some snorkelling.
You'll feel very comfortable and well-looked after here too. Terraced rooms with partial sea view are air conditioned and all are equipped with a fan, minibar, safe, telephone, satellite television and tea/coffee maker. The best part is that the en suite facilities include indoor and outdoor showers. Taking a cool shower in golden sunshine – or even under a canopy of twinkling stars – has got to be one of the enduring pleasures of a holiday in this beach paradise.
Guests can choose from four individual restaurants, each with their own ambience and menu – and different views too of course. It's pretty hard to beat spending a relaxing evening taking time to savour a delicious meal and perhaps a glass of wine or two, with the waves lapping the beach and the warm breeze gently nudging the palm trees nearby. Just bliss.
Other facilities on site include four bars offering plenty of choice (Albino Bar offers over 100 different cocktails!), weekly entertainment, a small shopping arcade and a laundry service. One thing's for sure – you'll want for nothing at the Adaaran Select Meedhupparu.
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
The picture-perfect resort of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu is a 43-acre oval shaped coral island, covered with thick vegetation and surrounded by a ring of white sand. It has a lagoon ideal for watersports and is close to excellent diving areas. It's the perfect location for a holiday in paradise. Choose from 2 individual restaurants, each with their own ambience.
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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.
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. You will be walking around the sights, and you will be getting on and off coaches, and climbing steps which may be irregular. At sights such as Dambulla Rock Temple and Sigiriya Rock Fortress, there are a lot of steps to climb (up to 1300). 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.
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
