July 2024 - TaraTravels

How Many Days Are Sufficient to Tours in Sri Lanka

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When you think of visiting Sri Lanka as your next travel destination, the above question is the very first question you will get. This is a difficult question as Sri Lanka has a lot to offer to a traveller. (Please read about a detailed article on travel in Sri Lanka) As a travel professional, I have designed a tour programme of 31 nights which had only Jaffna & Sigiriya for 3 nights but rest are either 2 nights or single night stays. Therefore, I know for a fact that you can even have a few months of a busy travel schedule visiting various places around Sri Lanka. Based on air travel time and the type of your travel, I would like to make following suggestions on sufficient days to visit Sri Lanka If you are a regular visitor ( Business visit or regular beach holiday maker) or a person who lives in a country where you can reach Sri Lanka within 3 hours of flight time, then, you can have short trips to visit some iconic places located all around the country. I would say 3-4 days are enough for a short holiday. If you are a holiday maker who is looking to have a memorable experience for your annual long holiday and you are going to have a long flight which may take more than 6-7 hours air travel time, it is recommended to allocate 10-14 days minimum to have the best experience in Sri Lanka. Alternatively, let me suggest what sort of tours you can have based on the allocated time period to travel in Sri Lanka. Please note that I have the following assumptions when writing this article. Any leisure stays are not counted (Beach or Hill Country) during the tour. All these suggestions are for generic tour plans in Sri Lanka. Suggestions are to cover major attractions but off the beaten sites have suggested only after visiting the main sites. The tour suggestions are not specialised to wildlife or culture but mix of everything. It is advised to customise any of your travel plans to suit your exact requirements. All the tour suggestions will start from Colombo or Airport and ending at Colombo or Airport Day Tours in Sri Lanka If you have only one day to visit the country, there are enough Day excursions available. If we assume that you are in a transit stay or having one day break after a business visit to Sri Lanka, you have the following options. Colombo City Tour Galle & Bentota visit Pinnawala & Kandy Cultural & Religious places around Colombo Negombo City Tour Cave temple visit in Western Province 1 Night / 2 Days Tours in Sri Lanka Again, 2 days might be too short to visit Sri Lanka, however you can stay one night outside of Colombo / Airport and have a great experience in Sri Lanka. Some of the great 1night / 2 days travel ideas in Sri Lanka are given below. Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa cultural & wildlife exploration Kandy the mid-hill tour Yala & Galle visit Hill Country & Highlands Tour in Nuwara Eliya In depth study of City of Colombo Explore the untouched Cultural Sights of North Central Province 2 Nights / 3 Days Tours in Sri Lanka 2 nights stay in Sri Lanka can be an option where you can have a glimpse of the beautiful Sri Lanka. If you would like to visit many places, you can stay in 2 places for the 2 nights or else you can stay in one place and visit the places. Both ideas are given below. There are few cultural and wildlife hotspots in Sri Lanka where you can stay 3 days (2 nights) and explore the areas. Especially, ancient kingdoms of the country were located in the Northern central dry zones and you could visit the area by staying at the same place. Hill countries also have many things to offer to enjoy within a shorter period. South of Sri Lanka is also one of the best options. Travel 2 nights staying in a single place Stay Colombo – Visit Galle & Kandy Stay Sigiriya – Visit Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura Stay Kandy – Visit Kandy & Sigiriya Stay Kandy – Visit Kandy & Nuwara Eliya Stay Galle – Visit Mirissa, Bentota, Kanneliya Rainforest Travel 2 nights, Staying in two seperate places Anuradhapura & Sigiriya Sigiriya & Kandy Kandy & Nuwara Eliya Kandy & Knuckles Yala & Galle Sinharaja & Galle Kitulgala & Ella Riding by train the scenic mountain track from Nuwarelia to Colombo Travel in Sri Lanka within 5 Nights / 6 Days You can arrange your 5 nights tour in Sri Lanka in various ways. Some of the ideas are given below. Have a glimpse of the most famous tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Sample itinerary has been published on our website in Discover Sri Lanka – 5 nights. This is a generic itinerary to follow and you will have a tight schedule. Since you are covering lots of areas, the travelling time is also high. However, the itinerary covers most of the famous sights such as Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwaraeliya and Galle. Explore the northern parts of Sri Lanka. Far north of Sri Lanka is comparatively unexposed due to the civil war in Sri Lanka. Main city in north of Sri Lanka is Jaffna which is located in the peninsula, the area has different experiences to offer to its visitors not only geographically, but also culturally and socially too. Jaffna and northern province is predominant by hindu culture whereas southern part by Sinhala buddhist culture in Sri Lanka. Spending 3 nights in Jaffna and 2 nights in other places such as north central province or north west beach would be a great idea. Historical Hotspots in North Central province and Eastern province Historical ruins of the ancient civilisation of Sri Lanka mainly located in north central and eastern provinces in Sri Lanka. If you are a fan of history, heritage, and culture visiting

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Choosing a Rent a Car & a Driver in Sri Lanka

After thorough research for your next holiday destination, you have finally decided on the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka. You must have used OTAs to reserve your accommodation, and of course, your itinerary can be developed based on various itineraries available online. The next step is crucial: rent a car with a driver/guide in Sri Lanka to take you around the country. Before searching for a driver/guide in Sri Lanka, please take 5 minutes to read about the general practices in car and driver/guide hire in Sri Lanka. The tourism industry is one of the main industries in Sri Lanka and provides a livelihood for many people. You can find some qualified individuals from government institutes, as well as some experienced people who may not have formal qualifications but possess valuable on-the-ground knowledge. As someone connected to the industry, I know that qualifications are just one point to consider, but not a must. The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management is the sole body to train guides and chauffeur guides in Sri Lanka. Once the extensive training is passed by an applicant, he or she becomes a Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) certified personnel, ensuring a certain level of professionalism and knowledge. These guides fall into two categories: SLTDA Certified Guides National Tourist Guides: They typically handle large groups and travel in tourist coaches with a dedicated driver and a helper. Chauffeur Tourist Guides: These guides cater to small groups and parties of 1 to 7 people, conducting tours in air-conditioned cars (maximum capacity 2 people), similar to Toyota flat roof (maximum up to 4 people) and similar to Toyota high roof (maximum up to 7 people) with the guide serving as the driver. SLTDA Certified guides are well-equipped to provide comprehensive services. They have completed the guide course conducted by The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SITHM), allowing them to drive, guide at formal cultural sites, and offer a fluent English language experience. They also possess extensive knowledge of the country’s geography. English Speaking Drivers. These are individuals who have been in the industry but are not qualified. The majority of service providers belong to this group. Proficiency in English may vary, and you can find both skilled and unskilled individuals. Some drivers go the extra mile to provide exceptional service. Drivers. Drivers who are not proficient in languages other than their mother tongue often work alongside qualified guides to offer assistance to tourists. If you are traveling in a coach, apart from the national guide, there will be a driver and a helper. Language Specialized Chauffeur Guides. Language-specialized guides are proficient in languages other than English and the local language. They may either drive the vehicle themselves or travel with a driver. Due to the high demand for their services, their fees can be on the higher side. How Can You Select a Better Driver/Guide? Now that you’re aware of the options available, here’s how you can choose the best guide or driver for your Sri Lankan adventure: Booking through a Travel Agent or DMC: If you’re booking your trip through a travel agent or Destination Management Company (DMC), they will connect you with local guides who are experts in their regions. These professionals have established relationships with the company, ensuring a seamless experience. Independent Travelers: If you’re planning your tour independently, start by selecting the type of guide or driver you prefer. Then, do thorough research to find the right person. Look for online reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, or check out their social media profiles on Instagram and Facebook. Recommendations: Social media groups often recommend drivers and guides. Ensure that the recommendations come from trusted sources or reputable accounts to make an informed decision. Can You Self-Drive in Sri Lanka? Driving on Sri Lankan roads is not the best experience unless you are well-experienced in driving in a country in South Asia. Anyway, you can find self-drive tuk-tuks and scooters to travel around the country, but it is tough to find a car, van, or any luxury vehicle mainly due to the insurance facilities. Finally, choosing the right guide or driver is a crucial part of ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience in Sri Lanka. Whether you opt for a certified guide, an English-speaking chauffeur guide, or a language specialist, carefully consider your needs and do your research. By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on a journey filled with cultural richness, natural beauty, and unforgettable memories in Sri Lanka. Rent a car with a driver in Sri Lanka and confidently explore this beautiful island.