Elegant Sri Lanka with THY (FLY013)

Tour details
Day 1 ISTANBUL – COLOMBO We meet at Istanbul New Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight to Colombo on Turkish Airlines scheduled service begins. Overnight on board. Day 2 COLOMBO – PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE – SIGIRIYA – HABARANA After our arrival in Colombo, we transfer to our private bus waiting for us at the airport. Then we set off for our Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage tour. On the way, we enjoy an open buffet breakfast by the river. Founded in 1975, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage began with seven orphans. Today, some of these orphans have had the chance to see their own grandchildren born in the same place. The original purpose of the orphanage was more tourism-oriented, but it soon became a conservation and education center. During our visit, we will be able to walk alongside the elephants and watch them wash themselves with their trunks. After the tour, we head to Sigiriya. Transfer to our hotel and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 3 HABARANA – SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA TEMPLE – SIGIRIYA – HABARANA We depart early in the morning for our Sigiriya tour. Get ready to be amazed as we embark on a fascinating journey to discover the ancient wonder of Sri Lanka’s “Lion Rock” fortress, Sigiriya! As we approach Sigiriya, we will be greeted by the towering presence of this legendary rock formation. Together we will climb the magnificent Sigiriya Rock, passing through steep stairways and ancient pathways to reach the summit. Along the way, we will admire the intricate frescoes adorning the rock face, each offering a glimpse into the artistic brilliance of a bygone era. Once at the top, we will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the lush Sri Lankan countryside. Together, we will stand atop this ancient fortress, once ruled by kings and used as a refuge. The ancient fortress and the surrounding gardens will unfold before us as a testament to Sri Lanka’s architectural and engineering prowess. The enigmatic Lion Gate, the most important feature of Sigiriya, will be our next stop. Together we will witness the giant lion paws guarding the entrance, a symbol of the fortress’s magnificent past. As we explore the remains of the royal palace and admire the intricate water gardens below, we will travel back in time to an age of wealth and splendor. After the tour, we return to our hotel for breakfast. Then we depart for our Dambulla Temple tour. As we step into the mystical surroundings of Dambulla, we will be welcomed by the serene atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Together, we will embark on a pilgrimage through five remarkable cave temples, each a sanctuary of ancient art and spirituality. Dambulla is not just about temples; it is a place of immense historical significance. We will explore the rich history and cultural importance of these caves, where ancient kings sought refuge and left behind magnificent cave frescoes and sculptures that continue to inspire us today. Our journey in Dambulla takes us to the heart of Buddhism. Together, we will witness intricate cave paintings depicting the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, providing us with insights into the profound philosophy that has shaped the lives of millions. After the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 4 HABARANA – SIGIRIYA – SPICE GARDEN – KANDY – SRI LANKA TRADITIONAL SHOW After breakfast at the hotel, we check out of the rooms and depart for Kandy. We continue our journey by visiting the Spice Garden. As we step into this lush paradise, a symphony of aromas will greet us. Together, we will wander through vibrant greenery where cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and other exotic spices are abundantly grown. Our journey will be a sensory delight as we learn about the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of these precious ingredients. We will explore the ancient trade routes that brought these spices to the island and their role in shaping the country’s culinary traditions. But the Spice Garden is not just about spices; it is also a treasure trove of herbal remedies. We will discover the medicinal plants and herbs used in traditional Ayurveda medicine and gain insight into their healing properties. Together, we will learn how these age-old remedies are still widely practiced in Sri Lanka today. Then we depart for our Kandy tour. As we step into Kandy, we will be transported to a world where tradition and history blend seamlessly with modern life. Among the places to be seen on our tour is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Kandy Lake is an oasis in the heart of the city. Together, we will enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake, taking in its serene beauty and city views. Then we depart for our Sri Lanka Traditional Show tour. We step into the rich and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka, the Jewel of Asia, with traditional music and drum rhythms enhanced by visual shows. After the tour, transfer to our hotel in Kandy and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 5 KANDY – GREGORY LAKE – NUWARA ELIYA After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Kandy train station. We board the famous Sri Lanka Train to reach Nuwara Eliya. On our train journey winding through the mountains into the tea country, we enjoy the scenery. Our luggage will follow us by bus to Nanu Oya station. During our Nuwara Eliya tour, we also stop by Gregory Lake. Nuwara Eliya is not only known for its mountain air and scenery, but is also the country’s most popular holiday resort and the heart of Sri Lanka, which produces the world’s finest tea. Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, is located here. After the tour, transfer to our hotel in Nuwara Eliya and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 6 NUWARA ELIYA – COLOMBO After breakfast at the hotel, we travel via Kandy to Colombo. On the way, we depart for our Nuwara Eliya Tea Factory tour. When it comes to Ceylon Tea, Giragama has always been a well-known name. For an authentic experience centered around a cup of tea, we visit the tea factory in Giragama. We watch how the tea is processed before classification and taste a fresh cup of Ceylon Tea straight from the estate. After the tour, transfer to our hotel in Colombo and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 7 COLOMBO – NEGOMBO After breakfast at the hotel, we check out of the rooms and depart for Colombo city tour. Like many capitals of developing countries, Colombo has a changing face, with skyscrapers rising after historic buildings. Nevertheless, the charm of the old buildings remains. The 100-year-old clock tower and many British colonial buildings are among them. Another point of interest is Pettah Market, where we can shop at affordable prices. The Hindu and Buddhist temples, residential areas with magnificent houses, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, gifted to Sri Lanka by the People’s Republic of China, are also on the route. After visiting Gangaramaya Temple and the Colombo National Museum, we head to Negombo. Soft waves and golden sands create the perfect setting for relaxation. Together, we will explore the lively streets of the city, full of colonial-era architecture and vibrant markets. We will discover Negombo’s rich heritage, influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial periods. We see the scenery where the sea and catamarans form the backdrop of Negombo, the lake famous for its lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, and the fish auctions. We visit the Dutch Fort and Saint Mary Catholic Church. After the Negombo city tour, free time. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Day 8 NEGOMBO – ISTANBUL At the hotel, with breakfast boxes prepared early in the morning, we meet at the time announced by your guide and transfer to the airport. After baggage, ticket, and customs procedures, we fly to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines scheduled service. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our tour and services come to an end.
What's included
- Turkish Airlines scheduled flight economy class ticket for the Istanbul (IST) – Colombo (CMB) outbound and Colombo (CMB) – Istanbul (IST) return, - 2 nights half-board accommodation at 4* hotels in Habarana, - 1 night half-board accommodation at 4* hotels in Kandy, - 1 night half-board accommodation at 4* hotels in Nuwara Eliya, - 1 night half-board accommodation at 4* hotels in Colombo, - 1 night bed and breakfast accommodation at 4* hotels in Negombo (in the form of a breakfast box) - Airport-hotel-airport and city transfers, - Sri Lanka train ticket - Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Tour - Dambulla Temple Tour - Sigiriya Tour - Spice Garden Tour - Kandy City Tour - Gregory Lake Tour - Nuwara Eliya Tea Factory Tour - Colombo Panoramic City Tour - Negombo Tour - Professional Turkish-speaking guide and assistant services, - TURSAB professional liability insurance.
Not included
Sri Lanka visa on arrival (60 USD) Travel health insurance Lunches and dinners not specified in the program, All kinds of personal expenses and hotel extras, International departure tax, Entrance fees to museums and historical sites, Tourist city taxes, Driver tips 10 Euro per person (optional)
Need to Know
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage + Kandy Temple + Sigiriya Fortress + Dambulla Temple + Local Guides + Tourist City Taxes Per person €150 ***To be paid to our guide during the tour*** IMPORTANT NOTES & FLIGHT INFORMATION - Hotel check-in times are between 15:00–17:00 / check-out times are between 10:00–12:00. - Departure and arrival times are local times. - Flights marked with * arrive at the destination on the next calendar day after the departure date. The participant hereby acknowledges in advance that they will join the tours organized and specified in the tour program without disrupting the program, and that they will separately pay the amount previously announced in the tour program during the trip to the tour representative for expenses such as local guides, museum & archaeological site entrance fees, city taxes, and, if applicable, audio headset systems. The participant has been fully and completely informed on this matter. TK730 ISTCMB 18:30 05:15* TK731 CMBIST 06:45 12:55 IMPORTANT NOTES - Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the final cancellation notification date is 21 days before the tour departure. The cancellation due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you through your agency. - If participation is insufficient but the tour is still operated, English-speaking guiding may be provided. - In cases where the hotel(s) are specified only by category without a name and/or alternative hotels are listed for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be announced by your agency 48 hours before departure. - During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than those specified in kilometers. In such a case, your agency will inform you 15 days before the departure date of the tour. - Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours organized for the general introduction of the cities and are conducted only as panoramic tours with commentary from the vehicle, without museum or archaeological site entrance fees, and last at most 2–3 hours. If, on the day and time of the tour, such tours and other tours specified in the program cannot be carried out because local authorities do not permit visits or entry, or due to closed roads, or if weather conditions make the tour impossible, Fly Express is not responsible for the inability to operate such tours. Some tours may be conducted by public transportation or on foot where roads are closed or vehicle access is not permitted, as far as possible. - Triple rooms may be provided subject to hotel availability, and in such rooms the bed assigned to the third person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are folding or coach beds, participants making reservations for a third person and/or child are deemed to have accepted the possible cramped conditions in the room and the type of bed. Child discounts apply only to one child staying with 2 adults and within the relevant age group. A bed is not guaranteed for children aged 0–2. - Breakfasts included in the tour are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited and are generally offered as a limited continental breakfast consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated for groups. - Tour flights are group tickets, so flight times may change. You can confirm the current flight details with your agency. Updated times will be communicated by your agency together with the tour information. - Before purchasing domestic flights, it is necessary to confirm the tour flight times. If the guest has purchased a domestic connecting flight from a provider independent of the agency, they cannot claim any refund from the agency in the event of cancellation of the trip by the agency or a schedule change. The guest accepts in advance all material and moral losses that may arise due to the cancellation or change of the tour when purchasing the tour. Fly Express cannot be held responsible for this. - In accordance with airline rules, if the outbound flight of a round-trip ticket is not used, the return flight will be canceled by the airline. - Guests joining the tour without flights must be present at the tour starting point on their own, without any delay and with their own means. Otherwise, they will be responsible for all transfers themselves. - Under airline rules, Fly Express is not responsible for passengers who do not present themselves at the specified airport at the stated times, do not complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or complete them on time but are unable to board the aircraft and therefore cannot travel. Guests who miss the flight will be responsible for all costs required to join the tour, including the procurement of new round-trip tickets and transfers in the destination region. - Participants are responsible for their personal belongings, bags, suitcases, and passports/ID cards, and Fly Express is not responsible for forgotten/lost/stolen items. Even if forgotten items are found, there is no obligation to deliver them to the country and/or person, and any costs incurred during delivery are the responsibility of the owner. - In cases such as illness, loss, or theft, the guide cannot provide one-on-one assistance to guests because the integrity and continuation of the group is essential. - It is mandatory to provide the name as written in the passport, date of birth, and passport number correctly at the time of purchasing the tour. Airline tickets are issued according to this information. Ticket cancellation and change penalties arising from incorrect information will be charged to you. - On some airlines, food, beverages, and online check-in services may be subject to a fee. - Seat numbers on the bus cannot be guaranteed during the tour. - The times announced by our guide during the tours are the time when the vehicle will depart, not the waiting time. Our guide, who is responsible for equally respecting the rights of all guests, will move the vehicle without any waiting at the meeting times. In such cases, a guest who is late must reach the next stop on their own. - Extra tours are organized by the local agency we work with and require a minimum participation of 20 people. If the required number is not met, the excursions cannot be operated, or the extra tour prices, content, and vehicles used may vary depending on the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of the tours may be changed by the guide depending on the opening/closing status of museums and archaeological sites at the destinations and weather conditions. Different guides may accompany guests during extra tours. - In our classic packages, where extra tours are not included, extra tours are optional at the participant’s discretion and are not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to join the extra tours during the trip are deemed to have accepted waiting at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at a roadside rest stop before the extra tour starts and picked up again from the same point after the tour is completed. - In programs where extra tours are included, museum & archaeological site entrance fees must be paid either to your agency at the time of reservation or to the guide during the tour. - The participant hereby acknowledges in advance that they will join the tours organized and specified in the tour program without disrupting the program, and that they will separately pay the amount previously announced in the tour program during the trip to the tour representative for expenses such as local guides, museum & archaeological site entrance fees, city taxes, and, if applicable, audio headset systems. The participant has been fully and completely informed on this matter. - Fly Express acts as an intermediary between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. On scheduled and special flights there may be a risk of delay, or times may change before the current trip and flight. Fly Express is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change. VISA - There is a visa requirement for Turkish citizens. For the visa application, it is necessary to apply with a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end date of the trip and the documents specified in the “Required Documents for Visa” list obtained from our agency. - There is a visa requirement for holders of green passports. For the visa application, it is necessary to apply with a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end date of the trip and the documents specified in the “Required Documents for Visa” list obtained from our agency. - For Turkish green passport holders traveling, if their passport was issued more than 10 years ago, they must renew their passports. Otherwise, they may not be admitted to the destination country and/or may not be allowed to fly by the airline. In such a case, responsibility lies with the passenger. - Having obtained a visa does not mean entry to the country is guaranteed; passport control officers have the authority to deny entry. Fly Express is not responsible for this; responsibility belongs to the passenger. - The visa information stated in the program applies to citizens of the Republic of Türkiye. Guests holding passports other than those of the Republic of Türkiye should obtain visa information from the relevant consulates. - To avoid problems with customs police at the border of the country to be visited due to torn, worn, wet, and/or similarly damaged passports, such passports must be renewed, and if the country applies visas to T.C. citizens, the relevant visa must be in the new passport. Otherwise, responsibility lies with the passenger. - For minors under 18 traveling alone or with only one parent, the border police may request a document showing the mutual consent of both parents when entering or leaving the country; therefore, we recommend that minors under 18 and their parents pay particular attention to this matter.