Sri Lanka

woof · 2nd June 2010, 09:50

I have to go the land of Jayasuria’s and Murlidharan’s next week for work.

I will be reaching there on Sunday, and will be back by next Sunday.

So, has anybody been there? If yes, please share your experiences. What are must visit places in and around Colombo? What to do? What not do?

Heard that Maldives is just an hour away from SL. Is it worth going over there to just 2-3 days? (can go only on Friday morning, and have to return back to Delhi on Sunday evening)

HappyWheels · 2nd June 2010, 11:31

Go to Kandy and visit the Buddha temple. They house the tooth of Buddha, which is brought out when there is drought. Legend or belief has it that, bringing the tooth out of the temple brings rain.

Go to Nurelia; good tea estates and a good spot on the top; they have good farm over there.

Go to Galle; the corals are great there (not sure the effect of the Tsunami on it). Great beach.

Sigiriya: A palace built on top of a mountain. Great climb and view. You will find some ancient marvels of architecture there - they actually had a working fountain there!

Apart from all this, if you are into dress shopping, buy! Mens clothing are a steal there.

Thats it from me. Not been to anywhere else. :(

Check if Jaffna is open for tourists. Heard that it is a great place to visit. (Not sure what though)

rangaraj · 2nd June 2010, 12:45

Well there is culture, beaches, hills, wildlife, city..

Colombo has some great places to shop and party - cheap

There are some great beach resorts - There are some dive spots as well, but you may have to watch out for the monsoons through.

The tea estates and the hill country

Lots of Buddhist temples, Hindu temples..

Some casinos as well..

So depends..

woof · 2nd June 2010, 13:38

@HappyWheels & rangaraj... Thanks for the info. Well, I'ld love to go for beach holiday. So, where should I head too? Preferably should not be very far off from Colombo. Any good hotels/beach resorts? And, what should be the mode of travel?

ajmat · 2nd June 2010, 19:31

Check out my travelogue. no flying tigers though

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ing-tiger.html

woof · 3rd June 2010, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Check out my travelogue. no flying tigers though

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ing-tiger.html

Thanks ajmat. I will have a look at it.

rangaraj · 3rd June 2010, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by woof

@HappyWheels & rangaraj... Thanks for the info. Well, I'ld love to go for beach holiday. So, where should I head too? Preferably should not be very far off from Colombo. Any good hotels/beach resorts? And, what should be the mode of travel?

We stayed at the Bluewaters and the heritance ahungalla. There are many in Bentota and if you dont want to drive far from the airport, negambo is close by. There are many properties that are smaller and more expensive and exclusive.. We skipped them as we have a 3 year old son..Galle is a fair way from Colombo..

HappyWheels · 3rd June 2010, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by woof

@HappyWheels & rangaraj... Thanks for the info. Well, I'ld love to go for beach holiday. So, where should I head too? Preferably should not be very far off from Colombo. Any good hotels/beach resorts? And, what should be the mode of travel?

No suggestions as I stayed with friends and also traveled with them; so free transport, stay and food.

rangaraj · 3rd June 2010, 22:49

Two options.. either contact the hotel and make the booking and they can arrange for airport transfers. Alternately contact SriLankan Holidays - they do air and hotel/transport as a package and give you a discount on the air ticket as well. They in turn sub contract it to Jet Wings - a company that owns hotel properties as well as does tours.. You could contact them as well, but they did not respond when the properties were not theirs.

ajmat · 4th June 2010, 09:35

The Beach Negombo is very near the hotel. Else Ahungalla and Bluewater are halfway to Galle - about 2 hours drive

theMAG · 4th June 2010, 09:45

Sri Lanka is an awesome place to holiday in. We'd been to Wadduwa, Bentota and Colombo during our stay there.

libranof1987 · 16th November 2011, 13:56

Folks, some friends and I were discussing our new year eve plans and we thoguht of Sri Lanka.

First of all, does it make sense to spend new year eve in SL (as in, can one party/celebrate)?

We are thinking of 30th, 31st and 1st as of now; in this time span, what should we explore?

Any pointers on the best deals on airlines, the good places (not luxury wise) to stay and the places to hang out please.

We want the entire expense to be under 20k, possible?

aravind84 · 24th January 2012, 18:40

Team,

Time again for me to sort to all of your expert guidance and advice. I am planning for a vacation to Srilanka from 4th Feb till 8th Feb.

This is my first international travel and so forgive me for my ignorance if any.

I have got the quote from Aitken Spence for 350 $ per person. We are 2 pax travelling.

I have booked the flight tickets through Srilanka Airlines as well.

Help needed in the following areas

1. What would be the approx cost of lunch and dinner for 4 days as this is not included in my package
2. Reg Exchange currency : Should i opt to exchange it in Chennai itself or should i be exchanging it in Srilanka
3. What would be the approximate SL currency i should have on hand (Would 25K be enough). Ofcourse where ever i can pay using credit card i would prefer to do that.
4. I have been asked to get an ETA from SL website which has replaced the on arrival visa. how long does it normally take to get the ETA?
5. My Tour package includes (Colombo , Kandy , Nuwara Eliya). Can Yala national park be accomodated ( in terms of the distance)
6. Any other suggestions / help please.

Thanks,
Aravind

vnabhi · 7th October 2012, 18:53

Hi guys
I am planning a 7 day 6 night trip to Sri Lanka this month, and likely to use Aitken Spence for the same rate given below.

I'd be glad if someone, including aravind84 could update me on the answers to the questions 1, 2 and 3 below.

Thanks in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravind84

Team,

Time again for me to sort to all of your expert guidance and advice. I am planning for a vacation to Srilanka from 4th Feb till 8th Feb.

I have got the quote from Aitken Spence for 350 $ per person. We are 2 pax travelling.

Help needed in the following areas

1. What would be the approx cost of lunch and dinner for 4 days as this is not included in my package
2. Reg Exchange currency : Should i opt to exchange it in Chennai itself or should i be exchanging it in Srilanka
3. What would be the approximate SL currency i should have on hand (Would 25K be enough). Ofcourse where ever i can pay using credit card i would prefer to do that.
4. I have been asked to get an ETA from SL website which has replaced the on arrival visa. how long does it normally take to get the ETA?
5. My Tour package includes (Colombo , Kandy , Nuwara Eliya). Can Yala national park be accomodated ( in terms of the distance)
6. Any other suggestions / help please.

Thanks,
Aravind

aravind84 · 7th October 2012, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Hi guys
I am planning a 7 day 6 night trip to Sri Lanka this month, and likely to use Aitken Spence for the same rate given below.

I'd be glad if someone, including aravind84 could update me on the answers to the questions 1, 2 and 3 below.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I did the trip in Feb 2012 and went through Aitken Spence. Regarding their service first, they are excellent and provide good assistance through out the trip. We opted for a 4 star hotel stay in Kandy and a 3 star stay at rest of the places. Overall the hotels were as expected and no deviancy in service.

For me all inclusive (includes my food, stay, touring, shopping, air tickets) came up to 75K for two of us .

Cash conversion do some here in India and rest at the Colombo airport as you can get better rates.

Regards,
Aravind

2nd June 2010, 09:50	#1
woof BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 140 Thanked: 28 Times	Sri Lanka I have to go the land of Jayasuria’s and Murlidharan’s next week for work. I will be reaching there on Sunday, and will be back by next Sunday. So, has anybody been there? If yes, please share your experiences. What are must visit places in and around Colombo? What to do? What not do? Heard that Maldives is just an hour away from SL. Is it worth going over there to just 2-3 days? (can go only on Friday morning, and have to return back to Delhi on Sunday evening)
	() Thanks

2nd June 2010, 11:31	#2
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,145 Thanked: 571 Times	Go to Kandy and visit the Buddha temple. They house the tooth of Buddha, which is brought out when there is drought. Legend or belief has it that, bringing the tooth out of the temple brings rain. Go to Nurelia; good tea estates and a good spot on the top; they have good farm over there. Go to Galle; the corals are great there (not sure the effect of the Tsunami on it). Great beach. Sigiriya: A palace built on top of a mountain. Great climb and view. You will find some ancient marvels of architecture there - they actually had a working fountain there! Apart from all this, if you are into dress shopping, buy! Mens clothing are a steal there. Thats it from me. Not been to anywhere else. :( Check if Jaffna is open for tourists. Heard that it is a great place to visit. (Not sure what though)
	(2) Thanks

2nd June 2010, 12:45	#3
rangaraj BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 570 Thanked: 10 Times	Depends on your interest Well there is culture, beaches, hills, wildlife, city.. Colombo has some great places to shop and party - cheap There are some great beach resorts - There are some dive spots as well, but you may have to watch out for the monsoons through. The tea estates and the hill country Lots of Buddhist temples, Hindu temples.. Some casinos as well.. So depends..
	() Thanks

2nd June 2010, 13:38	#4
woof BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 140 Thanked: 28 Times	@HappyWheels & rangaraj... Thanks for the info. Well, I'ld love to go for beach holiday. So, where should I head too? Preferably should not be very far off from Colombo. Any good hotels/beach resorts? And, what should be the mode of travel?
	() Thanks

2nd June 2010, 19:31	#5
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,177 Thanked: 31,077 Times View My Garage	Check out my travelogue. no flying tigers though http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ing-tiger.html
	() Thanks

3rd June 2010, 22:49	#9
rangaraj BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 570 Thanked: 10 Times	Two options.. either contact the hotel and make the booking and they can arrange for airport transfers. Alternately contact SriLankan Holidays - they do air and hotel/transport as a package and give you a discount on the air ticket as well. They in turn sub contract it to Jet Wings - a company that owns hotel properties as well as does tours.. You could contact them as well, but they did not respond when the properties were not theirs.
	() Thanks

4th June 2010, 09:35	#10
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,177 Thanked: 31,077 Times View My Garage	The Beach Negombo is very near the hotel. Else Ahungalla and Bluewater are halfway to Galle - about 2 hours drive
	() Thanks

4th June 2010, 09:45	#11
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Sri Lanka is an awesome place to holiday in. We'd been to Wadduwa, Bentota and Colombo during our stay there.
	() Thanks

16th November 2011, 13:56	#12
libranof1987 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: All over! Posts: 8,173 Thanked: 20,586 Times	Re: Sri Lanka Folks, some friends and I were discussing our new year eve plans and we thoguht of Sri Lanka. First of all, does it make sense to spend new year eve in SL (as in, can one party/celebrate)? We are thinking of 30th, 31st and 1st as of now; in this time span, what should we explore? Any pointers on the best deals on airlines, the good places (not luxury wise) to stay and the places to hang out please. We want the entire expense to be under 20k, possible?
	() Thanks

24th January 2012, 18:40	#13
aravind84 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chennai Posts: 225 Thanked: 158 Times	Chennai - Srilanka - Need help in planning Team, Time again for me to sort to all of your expert guidance and advice. I am planning for a vacation to Srilanka from 4th Feb till 8th Feb. This is my first international travel and so forgive me for my ignorance if any. I have got the quote from Aitken Spence for 350 $ per person. We are 2 pax travelling. I have booked the flight tickets through Srilanka Airlines as well. Help needed in the following areas 1. What would be the approx cost of lunch and dinner for 4 days as this is not included in my package 2. Reg Exchange currency : Should i opt to exchange it in Chennai itself or should i be exchanging it in Srilanka 3. What would be the approximate SL currency i should have on hand (Would 25K be enough). Ofcourse where ever i can pay using credit card i would prefer to do that. 4. I have been asked to get an ETA from SL website which has replaced the on arrival visa. how long does it normally take to get the ETA? 5. My Tour package includes (Colombo , Kandy , Nuwara Eliya). Can Yala national park be accomodated ( in terms of the distance) 6. Any other suggestions / help please. Thanks, Aravind
	() Thanks