delhi to colombo - 15 days - trip notes (au) - on the go tours

TRIP NOTES

Delhi to Colombo15 days | Delhi to Colombo

Combine the incredible sites ofIndia's Golden Triangle with SriLanka's ancient ruins, verdantjungles, cool mountains andamazing wildlife. Explore thelegendary Taj Mahal and pink cityof Jaipur, Dambulla's rock temple,sip pure Ceylon tea and discoverthe bustling city of Colombo.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Agra – Enjoy a guided tour of

striking Agra Fort and India’s mostrecognisable site - the legendary TajMahal

• Sigiriya – Explore the UNESCO-listedrock fortress, which is more than1,500 years old

• Delhi – See the highlights of India’scapital including Jama Masjid andthe Rajpath, and enjoy a rickshawride through Chandni Chowk bazaar

• Udawalawe National Park – Lookout for elephants and leopards on agame drive in the biodiverse reserve

• Colombo – Take a tour of Sri Lanka’slargest city and see the beautifulGangaramaya Temple

• Dambulla – Marvel at the impressiveCave Temple, the largest templecomplex in Sri Lanka

• Polonnaruwa – Discover theimpressive temple of Gal Vihara andthe 12th century Royal Palace

• Nuwara Eliya – Pass throughsprawling tea plantations as we takea scenic train ride to ‘Little England’

• Jaipur – Visit the highlights of thePink City including Amber Fortand the Jantar Mantar SpaceObservatory

• Kandy – Ride on a tuk-tuk in thecountryside and enjoy a guidedsightseeing tour including thefamous Temple of the Tooth

• Karauli – Stay at the Palace BhanwarVilas, home to the current Maharajaand be amazed by the rarely visitedCity Palace

• Kayanwala – Canoe to the villageand help cook a delicious traditionallunch with a Sri Lankan family

What's Included• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 2

dinners• 14 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels• Guided sightseeing - Delhi, Jaipur,

Agra, Karauli, Colombo, Dambulla,Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, NuwaraEliya and Udawalawe NP

• Scenic train trip journey Kandy toNuwara Eliya,canoe and tuk tuk trips

• Rickshaw ride in Delhi and travel byjeep to stunning Amber Fort in Jaipur

• Jeep safari game drive inUdawalawe National park

• Escorted by an English-speakingIndian and Sri Lankan tour guide (forgroups of 6 or more)

• Services of English-speaking Indianspecialist guides at some sites

• Airport arrival and departure transferon days 1, 8 and 15

• All relevant transfers andtransportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: USD$75-$85pp, paid in

local currency• Entrance Fees: USD$75-85pp, paid in

INR in India & USD$120-$140pp, paidin USD in Sri Lanka

• International flight from Delhi toColombo

• International flights and visas• Tip for your tour guide in India and

Sri Lanka. We recommend youallow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller.Tipping your guides is an entirelypersonal gesture

Delhi to Colombo - 15 days updated on 15-10-2022 04:04:01

www.onthegotours.com - [email protected] 020 4571 1381 USA 866 616 5394IRE 1800 936 885 CAN 866 890 7038AUS 1300 855 684 SA 0800 990 337NZ 0800 44 77 69

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangementsfor this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasonscould force us to make changes to this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection ofcosts at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the travellerand not that of On The Go Tours.

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TRIP NOTES

Delhi to ColomboDETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : DelhiSaturday. Namaste! Welcome toDelhi. On arrival at the airport you’ll betransferred to our hotel to spend therest of today at leisure. This eveningmeet your guide and group at thehotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.Entrance fees for your tour and a tipkitty will be collected at the welcomedinner on day 2. The tip kitty will coverany tipping required throughout thetour, apart from a tip for your tourguide. Overnight - Delhi

Day 2 : Old and New Delhisightseeing

Our tour begins with a sightseeingtour of Old Delhi. This 17th centurywalled city of Shahjahanabad wasthe erstwhile capital of Mughal India,with city gates, narrow alleyways,bazaars, mosques and other historicmonuments. Today Old Delhi is still ahive of activity, and the Chandhi Chowkbazaar is a colourful place to peoplewatch. We will enjoy a rickshaw ridethrough this bustling bazaar. Sightseeing highlights of Old Delhiinclude:• Jama Masjid- The largest mosquein India and the final architecturalextravagance of Shah Jahan• Raj Ghat - on the banks of theYamuna River lies a marble memorialmarking the spot where the greatleader - Mahatma Gandhi wascremated after his assassination

New Delhi, in contrast to Old Delhiis a city of wide tree-lined streets,parks, fountains and roundabouts– designed by Edward Lutyens andbuilt as the imperial capital of Indiaby the British. This part of the city alsohouses many government buildingsincluding Rashtrapati Bhavan – theofficial residence of the President ofIndia which stands at the opposite endof the Rajpath from the India Gate. Sightseeing highlights of New Delhiinclude:• Humayun's Tomb - the magnificenttomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun• Rajpath – an immensely broadboulevard flanked on either side byornamental ponds. The Republic Dayparade is held here every 26 January,drawing millions of people to thisspectacle. It is at the eastern end ofRajpath we’ll see the India Gate• India Gate - The 42 metre high stone“Arch of Triumph”, erected in memoryof Indian soldiers who died in the FirstWorld War Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner atour hotel.Overnight - Delhi (B, D)

Day 3 : The Taj Mahal

Delhi - Agra. This morning we makeour way to Agra, the erstwhile capitalof the Mughal empire. When we arriveour first stop is the impressive AgraFort, which boasts some of India's finestMughal buildings behind its fortifiedwalls. Construction of the fort beganduring the reign of Emperor Akbar andadditions were made until the ruleof his grandson Shah Jahan. DuringAkbar’s time, it was primarily a military

fort though later the focus shifted and itbecame a palace. From the Agra Fort we make a shortjourney to the legendary Taj Mahal. Builtby the order of Emperor Shah Jahan inthe 17th century in affectionate memoryof his beloved wife Mumtaz, the TajMahal is perhaps one of the mostextravagant monuments to love everbuilt and has no peers. A staggeringtotal of 20,000 workers contributed theirskills in the construction of this uniquemausoleum. Overnight - Agra (B)

Day 4 : Karauli

Agra - Karauli. Bright and early thismorning we leave Agra and driveto the ghostly former Mughal city ofFatehpur Sikri, which has been desertedfor over four centuries after it wasallegedly abandoned due to a lackof water. Thanks to the very durablered sandstone from which it wasbuilt, Fatehpur Sikri still remains well-preserved and is a fascinating place toexplore. It is divided into four parts - thewomen's quarter, emperor's quarter, aquarter for princes and noblemen andweapons housing. Here we see varioustemples, pavilions and public areasoffering insight into how life must havebeen for the inhabitants of this old city. We drive on to Bharatpur wherewe'll enjoy lunch before continuingour journey to Karauli, arriving midafternoon. The rural village of Karauliwas a princely state of India from 1348until 1949. The current Maharaja (181stin the Royal Dynasty) and Maharaniof Karauli have recently opened thedoors of their stately Palace BhanwarVilas, built in 1938, as a 3-4 star heritage




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TRIP NOTES

Delhi to Colombohotel and we'll spend the night here.During our stay we can explore thepalace, guest quarters, banquet andreception halls, stables and groundsat leisure. The sovereigns, continue toreside at the palace and the youngprincess often gives guided toursof the palace, which we will takepart in, if the opportunity arises. Thefamily is also lovingly restoring theKarauli City Palace, which we visit laterthis afternoon. Tonight there is theopportunity to attend the eveningAaarti (prayer) taking place nearby.Overnight - Karauli (B, L, D)

Day 5 : Jaipur

Karauli - Jaipur. This morning wemake a quick visit to the children andteachers at a local school (if open)where we operate our ‘Change forChildren’ programme. If you havebought any educational items with youto hand out to children this would bethe time to do so. Then we drive on toUNESCO-listed Jaipur (approximately 5hours), the bustling capital of the stateof Rajasthan. Upon arrival the rest ofthe day is free for you to spend at yourown leisure. Overnight - Jaipur (B, L)

Day 6 : The Pink City of Jaipur

Jaipur. Early this morning there is theopportunity to see Jaipur from high

above with an optional hot air balloonride. We then travel just outside ofJaipur to the stunning 16th centuryAmber Fort where we enjoy a tour ofits interior and grounds. Set atop a hill,the fort is a superb example of Rajputarchitecture. Later we visit a cottonweaving house to see a demonstrationof fabric dying and block printing. En route to the City Palace, we passHawa Mahal – the Palace of the Winds.Although little more than an impressivefaçade, it is one of the city’s landmarksand a stunning example of Rajputarchitecture. Next we visit the CityPalace, a blend of Rajasthani andMughal architecture, which is still theresidence of the Maharaja - if the flagis flying, it means he is home! A part ofpalace has also been converted intoa museum, which has an impressivecollection of arts, carpets, enamelwareand weaponry. Just over the road from the City Palaceis Jantar Mantar, an observatory ofastronomy built by Jai Singh in 1728.On our way up here be sure to keepan eye out for the snake charmers,fortune tellers and astronomers liningour pathway. Of the five observatoriesbuilt by Jai Singh, this is the largest andbest preserved. At first glance, JantarMantar resembles a sculpture park,though in fact, each construction hasa specific scientific purpose. Somemeasure the positions of stars, whilstothers calculate eclipses, the lunarcalendar and simply the time of day.Even today, most of the constructionsremain accurate! Later this evening you can also opt toexplore the Johari Bazaar in the Old PinkCity which is a great place to pick upsome souvenirs. Top choices includejootis (traditional Rajasthani curledshoes), Jaipur’s famous blue pottery,textiles and handicrafts around theCity Palace or Hawa Mahal. Our vehiclewill be available to drop you to themarket, and it is easy enough to grab a

rickshaw on the way back. Overnight -Jaipur (B)

Day 7 : Return to Delhi

Jaipur - Delhi. This morning we driveback to Delhi. The afternoon is free foryou to further discover the city. Opt fora meal in the heart of the city or simplyrelax and chat with group members atthe hotel. Overnight - Delhi (B)

Day 8 : Delhi to Colombo

Our tour of India concludes today.Transfer to Delhi airport for your flightto Colombo in Sri Lanka. Please note,the flight from Delhi to Colombo is notincluded in the cost of this tour. SriLankan Airlines fly direct. If you provideus with your flight details, we will bethere to meet you at Colombo airportand transfer you to your hotel. The restof the day is at leisure. Overnight -Colombo (B)




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TRIP NOTES

Delhi to ColomboDay 9 : Dambulla & Sigiriya

Colombo - Dambulla - Sigiriya. Visita local market in Naramwela thismorning and continue to the DambullaRock Temple, the largest and best-preserved temple complex in Sri Lanka.There are hundreds of paintings andstatues of Buddha spread over the fiveimpressive caves. The largest of theseis a 14-metre statue, carved straightfrom the cave rock. After our visit we continue to the iconicUNESCO-listed Sigiriya rock fortress,which is more than 1,500 years old.Explore the impressive Lion Gate, theupper palace and the mirror wall, whichwas once polished so clean that theking could see his own reflection. Youcan also see the famous paintingsof the Heavenly Maidens, reached byclimbing a spiral stairway.Overnight - Sigiriya (B)

Day 10 : Polonnaruwa & SpiceGardens

Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Kandy. Ourfirst stop today is Polonnaruwa. Thisfascinating 11th century city is hometo many interesting ruins and famousmonuments including the Royal Palaceand Gal Vihara, a monument with 4images of Buddha, all intricately carved

into the rock. Polonnaruwa was oncethe capital and is also the secondmost ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is nowa UNESCO World Heritage Site andwas once used as a back drop to 80ssensation Duran Duran's 1982 video,Save A Prayer.Once we’ve fully explored Polonnaruwawe take a bullock cart ride and shortcanoe trip to the village of Kayanwala.Here, at Kayanwala village we take partin a cookery demonstration in the mudbrick home of a local woman and enjoya freshly prepared lunch of curry, dahl,spiced rice, pickle and more. En routeto Kandy we stop off a spice gardenin Matale, to see the different herbsand spices, which Sri Lanka is famousfor. You will be introduced to differentspices and shown how some of thesespices are grown and processed.Overnight - Kandy (B)

Day 11 : Temple of the Tooth &Tuk Tuks

This morning we take a sightseeingtour of Kandy - the last capital of theSri Lankan kings. The name Kandyconjures visions of splendour andmagnificence. Many of the legends,traditions and folklore are still lovinglykept alive. Our first stop will be theTemple of the Tooth Relic. Legend hasit that one of Buddha's teeth was takenfrom him as he lay on his funeral pyre.It was then smuggled into Sri Lankain 313AD. It now attracts daily pilgrimswho come bearing lotus flowers andfrangipani. After driving around theKandy Lake - built by the last Sinhalaking Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798,visiting the local bazaar and a gem

museum we take a Tuk Tuk ride up intothe hills to look down upon the city. Later we head back to Kandy for theevening visiting a working tea factoryat Geragama en route. Geragama TeaFactory is located in close proximity tothe city of Kandy was established in theyear 1903, manufacturing 'Low Grown'and 'Long Leaf' tea. Overnight - Kandy(B)

Day 12 : Scenic Train trip & TeaPlantations

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morningoffers free time before transfering toPeradeniya railway station for a scenictrain journey though tea plantationsand waterfalls up to Nanu Oya. Onarrival at Nanu Oya railway station wetransfer to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’smost popular hill resort because ofits invigorating mountain climate andscenery. Nuwara Eliya is also the heartof Sri Lanka’s tea country producinga significant share of the world’s besttea. Sri Lanka’s highest mountainPidurutalagala is located here and canbe seen on the trip. This afternoon we take a sightseeingtour of Nuwara Eliya on a beautiful drivethrough 'Little England'. Overnight -Nuwara Eliya (B)




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TRIP NOTES

Delhi to ColomboDay 13 : Udawalawe NP JeepSafari

Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe NationalPark. Leaving Nuwara Eliya today, wetravel to Udawalawe National Parkand join a wildlife game drive thisafternoon. The park is largely madeup of grassland plains and you have agood chance of spotting rare speciesincluding elephants, leopards and theelusive Sri Lankan Sloth Bear. Overnight- Udawalawe National Park (B)

Day 14 : Colombo sightseeingUdawalawe National Park - Colombo.We begin our final journey back toColombo this morning with a visit to theGem Mine and Museum at Ratnapura.Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industryand is home to 40 out of the 85 types ofgems in the world. Arriving to Colombo, we commencea city tour seeing the Fort area inthe north of the city, famous for itsgovernment buildings and interestingshops. Taking a stroll along Galle FaceGreen we'll see kite flying and informalgames of cricket being played beforeheading over to the somewhat uniqueGangarama Temple. Colombo has lotsof beautiful temples which are all areintricately-carved and it's also a greatplace to shop. Fashion, both brandedand unbranded is widely available inthe capital, as are souvenirs, books, artsand crafts and electronics. Overnight -Colombo (B)

Day 15 : ColomboSaturday. Our tour comes to an endtoday with an included departuretransfer to the airport.(B)

ACCOMMODATION

Highlighted below are some of theaccommodation/ hotels which wefrequently use on this tour. We reservethe right to substitute these stays toones of a similar standard.Please refer to your Tour Voucher foryour confirmed arrival hotel or startpoint and further arrival information.

Jaypee Siddharth HotelThe luxurious Jaypee Siddharth is astunning property located just fivekilometres from the New Delhi RailwayStation. Guestrooms are exquisitelydecorated with a blend of creamand brown tones and benefit from airconditioning and complimentary WiFi. Ifyou have free time, guests can indulgein one of the rejuvenating treatmentsavailable at the spa, take a dip in theoutdoor pool or work up an appetite inthe gym. A range of cuisines are servedin the various restaurants found withinthe hotel complex.

Vivanta by Taj DwarkaVivanta by Taj Dwarka is a modern,luxury hotel located in Dwarka, onthe outskirts of New Delhi, just a 15-minute drive from the airport. Spreadover 7 acres, this striking hotel has aunique angular design and offers 250luxurious rooms and suites. All tastesare catered for at the hotel's multi-cuisine restaurant, while the IndusExpress restaurant serves mouth-watering Punjabi cuisine. Head tothe popular Tipple bar for a deliciousarray of heady cocktails or relax by thepoolside with a refreshing smoothiefrom the Celsuis Pool Bar. The nearbySector 21 Metro station provides directaccess to the heart of the city and aftera day of sightseeing you can cool off

with a refreshing dip in the outdoorpool or relax in the sauna and massageparlour.

Hotel JiviteshThe Jivitesh Hotel is centrally locatedin the heart of Karol Bagh, a popularneighbourhood of Delhi renownedfor its excellent shops and vibrantstreet markets. The Jivitesh offerscomfortable and spacious guestrooms, with modern amenities such asfree WiFi, and you can be assured of awarm welcome and excellent customerservice from the hotel staff. Enjoyauthentic Indian vegetarian cuisineat the hotel's restaurant and take arefreshing dip in the outdoor swimmingpool after a day of sightseeing in thecapital. Please note: The swimmingpool at the Jivitesh hotel is currentlyunder renovation and is expected to befinished by September 2020.

Hotel Royale ResidencySituated a stone’s throw awayfrom the legendary Taj Mahal, theRoyal Residency Hotel is perfectlylocated for anyone wanting toimmerse themselves in Agra’s famousmonuments. Each comfortable air-conditioned room features a minibarwith tea and coffee making facilities,satellite TV as well as excellent en-suitefacilities. Guests can enjoy an array offlavours around the world in the multi-cuisine restaurant, or perhaps sip on acocktail next to the outdoor pool.




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Delhi to Colombo

Bhanwar Vilas PalaceBuilt in 1938, this stunning property isthe residence of the Maharaja (181stin the Royal Dynasty) and Maharaniof Karauli. Both the architecture andfurniture have been designed in fittingwith colonial styles and the propertyoffers a fantastic insight into thehistory and elegance of a bygone era.Rooms are split between deluxe roomsand luxury suites, each including arange of modern amenities such asa mini bar, a well-appointed ensuiteand a plush king-sized bed. In theevenings, guests can tuck into an arrayof regional specialties as well as cuisinefrom around the world in the hotel'srestaurant. The hotel is just 7km fromthe nearest train station.

Mandawa HaveliMade of pink and red sandstone, thebeautiful heritage-style MandawaHaveli is a fine example of typicalRajasthani architecture. All roomsare well appointed with intricatelycarved wooden beds and king-size royal portraits, with modernamenities such as free WiFi and ensuitebathrooms. Spend an evening diningon continental, Indian or Rajasthanicuisine on the outdoor terrace orrequest a private, candlelit dinner onthe rooftop under a star-studded sky.Well located in the heart of Jaipur cityon Sansar Chandra Road, this hotelis just a few minute’s drive from thePalace of the Winds.

Radisson Hotel ColomboThe Radisson Hotel Colombo (formerlyOZO Colombo) is a modern and stylishhotel, with sweeping Indian Oceanviews from its rooftop infinity pool andmany of its rooms. There's free WIFIaccess throughout the hotel and theguestrooms are bright and airy with allmodern amenities. To top it off, there'salso a fantastic fitness centre and arestaurant serving delicious, authenticSri Lankan cusine. The hotel is centrallylocated on Marine Drive, near GalleRoad and just a 10 minute drive fromthe city centre.

The Paradise Resort & SpaAn eco-friendly resort surroundedby the lush foliage of Sigiriya, thiscomfortable and conveniently locatedhotel is just a short distance fromthe sights of Sigiriya and Dambulla.The resort itself boasts an outdoorswimming pool and four dining options,where you can enjoy a selection oflocal fare and international favourites.There's also complimentary WiFi, a gymand spa facilities, and even bicyclerental available so you can explore thelocal area.

Radisson Hotel KandyThe stylish Radisson Hotel Kandy(formerly OZO Kandy), prides itself

on its smart facilities and stunningmountain surrounds. Its highlight beingthe rooftop pool where you can soakup panoramic views over Kandy whilstenjoying a cocktail or two. The hotel’sall-day dining restaurant serves a tastyarray of Asian and international cuisineusing only fresh and handpickedproduce. Other amenities include afitness centre and complimentary WiFi,with guestrooms boasting signaturesoft beds and rain showers.

Jetwing St Andrew'sJetwing St. Andrew's is a unique colonialretreat set in a former country houseand surrounded by landscapedgardens. All the spacious rooms areclassically furnished with elegant woodand offer free WiFi and flat-screenTVs. The grounds of the hotel give agreat feel of colonial splendour andguests can wake up to a typical Englishbreakfast and enjoy a stiff brandy atthe bar later in the day. Fine dining isoffered at the Old Course Restaurantand the hotel also boasts an antiquesnooker table, which is the oldest in SriLanka.

Grand Udawalawe Safari ResortSituated on 7 acres of land, the GrandUdawalawe Safari Resort is the onlyhotel of its class in the area. Roomsare spacious with beautiful hard woodflooring and artwork depicting thewildlife of Udawalawe. Food here isdelicious and plentiful with an extensivebreakfast menu. The outdoor pool isa great place to relax by and enjoy




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Delhi to Colomboa refreshing splash in after a goodday on safari. Well located just afew minutes drive from UdawalaweNational Park.

BEFORE YOU GO

Sri Lanka - VisasVisas are required for all visitors to SriLanka. Your visa application must besubmitted to the Ministry of Emigrationand Immigration via the online ETA(Electronic Travel Authorisation) priorto departure. The cost of this visa iscurrently USD$50, although please notethat fees are subject to change. To apply for your ETA visit -www.eta.gov.lk This is a very simple process andrequires no additional documents. Youmust fill in the required information andonce the visa is approved, you will benotified with an ETA approval noticepromptly. The Visa issued will be a Double-EntryTourists Visa applicable for 30 daysfrom the date of arrival to Sri Lanka. IMPORTANT NOTES: Please be advisedthat visa requirements are subject tochange and that visa procurement isalso the responsibility of the travellerand not that of on the go. Please alsoensure that your passport is valid for atleast 6 months from your planned dateof return from Sri Lanka.

Guides & GroupsOur longest group tour in India is ourPassage to India tour – 14 day tour,and in Sri Lanka our Sri Lanka NortheastExplorer – 12 day tour. All other grouptours that we offer are sectors of thislarger tour. As such on your holiday you

may have travellers join you part waythrough your tour or end their holidaywhen you continue on. You also mayhave a number of escorting guidesthroughout your tour, ie one guideescorting days 1-5 then another for theremainder of the holiday. Whenever there is 6 persons of more onyour holiday you will have a tour guideescorting/ travelling along with you.Your guide will conduct the sightseeingarrangements, or accompany youwhere the local law dictates thata local guide must conduct thesightseeing in this region. Where thegroup number is less than 6 personsyou will travel from place to place witha driver and meet a local guide ateach new destination that will conductyour sightseeing arrangements in thislocation.

Sri Lanka - Health RequirmentsAlthough not required as a condition ofentry to Sri Lanka, it is recommendedthat you are vaccinated againstHepatitis A and Typhoid, coupledwith Tetanus and Polio (oral dose).A Malarial risk exists throughoutthe year across the entire countrywith the exception of the districts ofColombo, Nuwara Eliya and Kalutara.You will need to embark upon acourse of Malaria prophylactics.Additionally, there may be vaccinationrecommendations for Rabies andJapanese Encephalitis at certain timesof the year for some rural regions.Vaccination requirements can changeso please check with your local healthcare provider before travel. Sunstroke, upset stomachs anddiarrhoea are a common occurrenceamong travellers in foreign countries,and Sri Lanka is no exception. Werecommend that you pack a highfactor sunscreen and a personal firstaid kit containing anti-diarrhoea,headache tablets, band-aids,antiseptic cream, handy wipesetc. If you are currently prescribedmedication, take an ample supply.

Some dispensary items may not beavailable in Sri Lanka. Imodium/ anti-diarrhoea - is also a great standby forthe sudden onset of a diarrhoea attackbefore a journey that might not offerimmediate, clean and comfortablerest stops for those afflicted. Imodiumhelps stop the sudden onset and flowof diarrhoea in its tracks, affordinga hassle-free day of travel andsightseeing.

Sri Lanka CurrencySri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Poundssterling, US Dollars and Euros areeasily exhanged in major towns andcities. You can obtain Sri LankanRupees at any major bank or at yourhotel. Exchange rates are subject tofluctuations.• USD 1 = LKR152• GBP 1 = LKR206• AUD 1 = LKR114• EUR 1 = LKR166

Sri Lanka - ClimateSituated in the Indian Ocean, at thebase of the Indian Sub-Continent andaround 880km north of the equator,the island nation of Sri Lanka has apleasant tropical climate and despiteits two short monsoon seasons hasno ‘off-season’ as such. The averagetemperature of the low lands rangesbetween 25 – 30 degrees C, with highertemperatures in April. The hill country isparticularly popular at this time of theyear where temperatures can be 5 to8 degrees cooler during the day, yetrather chilly at night. The two monsoonsare the southwest from May to July,affecting south/west/central areasand the northeast from September toNovember, affecting north/east areas.Despite intermittent rain, the sun doesshine and the days are warm, unlike thepartnering of rain and cold weather inEurope.

Sri Lanka - Time & VoltageSri Lanka is 5 hours and 30 minutesahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).Sri Lanka does not observe daylightsaving.




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Delhi to Colombo Standard voltage is 230 - 240V; 50HzAC. Sockets are of the 3 round-pinvariety, similar though not identical toEuropean sockets. Use a power adaptorwith a hairdryer or other appliances.

Sri Lanka - What to Pack• Suitcase or frameless backpack/rucksack if preferred.• Small day bag for your camera,water, sunglasses, i-Pod etc.• Please see the heading ‘Etiquette’ forrecommendations on what/what not towear.• Personal first aid kit (see ‘HealthRequirements’).• Sunglasses, hat, umbrella, money belt.• Torch and Swiss army knife (don’tpack in hand luggage)• DEET - based industrial strengthmosquito/insect repellent.• High factor sunscreen and bathers/swim costume.• Anti-bacterial hand gel/wet wipes.• Flat pack toilet paper/tissues.• Universal adapter for your hairdryer, i-Pod or digicam• Two spare passport photos and aphotocopy of your passport in case ofloss or theft.• Although film is available at similarprices to the UK or Australia, it isadvisable to carry all you anticipateusing from the UK, particularly if yourcamera uses the APS ‘drop-load” film.• Spare camera batteries, especiallyif you possess a digital camera,which requires specialist high-powerbatteries.• Your luggage should not exceed 20kg(44pounds). Pack as light as possible toleave room for the souvenirs!

Sri Lanka - Food & DrinkSri Lanka offers a diversity of cuisine.The national dish is rice and curry (evenfor breakfast!). A typical Sri Lankan mealconsists of a ‘main’ curry that could befish or meat with several side dishesincluding vegetables, chutneys and‘sambol’. Made of ground coconut,onion, chilli, dried fish and lime, sambolis fiendishly hot.

Excellent seafood can be found alongthe coast, including local crab, prawnsand tuna. Local specialities includeappa or hoppers which are small rice-batter pancakes eaten with palmtreacle and yoghurt. Roti stuffed with fresh chilli, onions andcooked eggs, griddled meats or fish arealso popular. Kotu roti is chopped rotiwith onions, vegetables and meat. Colonialism left an indelible stampon the local cuisine. A popular Dutch-Portuguese dish is Lamprais (ricesteeped in stock with a special curry),accompanied by frikkadels (meatballs),baked and served in banana leaves. Sri Lanka grows some of the finesttea in the world for export. Your bestchance for a good cuppa is in the hillcountry, where tea plantations andhotels serve the pick of the locallyharvested crop.

Sri Lanka - Trading Hours• Generally 0930 – 1300hrs and 1400 –1900hrs or later.• Shops are closed on Sunday. In touristareas, shops are open from 1000 –2200hrs, including Sunday.• Markets are open 0800 – 1830hrsMonday – Saturday (limited sections onSun).• Banks are open 0830 – 1230hrs and1330 – 1700hrs Monday – Friday.

Sri Lanka - ShoppingSri Lanka is excellent for gemstonesespecially sapphires, moon-stonesand cats-eye. Other items to lookout for include spices, wood carvingsand other handicrafts, clothingof types, batik and hand-woventextiles, brassware, handmade lacefrom Galle and of course tea. Teavaries in quality, so if you’re buyingin bulk, ask for a tasting! If seekingmodern local chic, Colombo offers aselection of department stores andstylish boutiques. Refrain from buyingsouvenirs made of coral (creationof this sort of tourist that contributes

greatly to the destruction of Sri Lanka’sreefs), ivory or the hides of endangeredanimals.

Sri Lanka - EtiquetteDespite the inevitable ups and downsof traveling abroad, you will generallybe shown great hospitality in Sri Lanka.In return, please demonstrate sensitivityand respect for the local customs. SriLanka is a conservative country; so careshould be taken to dress respectfullyin large cities and towns, for examplewhen at markets or public places. • Don’t try to sneak into temples andmosques that forbid non-Hindus ornon-Muslims.• Never touch a carving or statue of adeity within a temple.• Do not touch locals on the head orpoint the soles of your feet at a person,religious shrine or image of a deity. Thisis very disrespectful.• Take care to dress conservatively andensure that limbs are covered whenentering any place of religion. Pleasealso ensure footwear and headwear isremoved if entering any Buddhist, Hinduor Muslim place of worship.• Ladies should avoid wearing ‘clingy,tight or suggestive attire, and stick tocool, flowing cottons in busy city areasand markets. T-shirts are fine!• Beach attire is fine on beaches, in aresort or by a hotel pool and at touristsites but ladies, avoid wearing bikinitops anywhere but on the beach or atthe pool.• Nudity and topless bathing areprohibited. Heavy fines can beimposed.• Displays of intimacy are notconsidered suitable in public.• Ex-military style clothing should notbe worn.• It is polite to ask permission beforetaking photos of people.• Use your right hand for giving, taking,eating or shaking hands as the left isconsidered to be unclean.• Don’t be surprised if you arefrequently the centre of attention when




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Delhi to Colombotravelling around the country. Staringunabashedly is not a social taboo.• Do carry toilet paper with you (oradjust to the Sri Lankan habit of usingwater instead), but don’t throw it downthe toilet without first checking to seeif there’s a basket to put it in (narrowpipes clog easily).• Don’t be surprised to see mendefecating or urinating in public whenrestrooms are not readily available.Women, in the same circumstance,tend to use cover of darkness andhuddle in groups.• Mosques are open to non-Muslimsbut cannot be visited during prayertime, particularly noon on Friday.• Photography is prohibited in certainsections of sacred sites. Do not attemptto be photographed with Buddhistbhikkus (monks) or to pose for photoswith statues of Buddha or other deitiesor paintings.• Do be open and friendly inconversations with locals. Sri Lankanscan be quite talkative, asking strangersquestions (about marital status, salary,etc.) that might be interpreted as overlypersonal in other cultures.

Confirming your tripAt time of booking please provide uswith:- YOUR FULL NAME and DOB, 120 daysprior to departure to secure train tickets- A SCANNED COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT,90 days prior to departure to bookyour safari by canter vehicle inRanthambore National Park. If booking less than 120/90 days, everyeffort will be made to secure seats inthe same carriage and canter as theothers in your tour group, though thismay not be possible.

Entrance feesOn our group tours, select entry feesare included with in the tour costs,however all other entrance fees mustbe budgeted for by you. The totalcost of these entrance fees, as notedunder 'Exclusions' on the first pageof this document are required to

be paid locally by each traveller atthe Welcome Meeting. Entrance feeamounts are subject to change andas such upon arrival to India your tourleader will highlight the exact totalentrance fee cost for your tour. PLEASENOTE: Entrance fees are to be paid inINDIAN RUPEES (INR) and they will becollected on day 2 of your tour. If travelling on our Railways of the Rajtour, entrance fees will not be collectedand are payable by you at each site.If travelling to Sri Lanka on our Delhi toColombo tour, entrance fees for theSri Lanka section of your tour will becollected by your guide in Sri Lanka andpayable in USD.

Tipping kittyTipping is not a natural part of manyWestern cultures and many of us feeluncomfortable, or unsure about whenor how much to tip. However, in Indiatipping makes up a significant part ofmany people’s wages so it’s importantthat we get it right. For this reason,we’ve developed a very simple systemto take all the hassle out of tipping. With our ‘tipping made easy’ policy,a nominal pre-determined amountis collected from all group tourparticipants to cover tips during yourtour. This then saves you the hassle ofwhen and how much to tip bellhops,luggage handlers, local guides andother support staff. The tipping kittyamount is noted under 'Exclusions' onthe first page of this document. PLEASENOTE: The tipping kitty is to be paidin INDIAN RUPEES (INR) and it will becollected on day 2 of your tour. If travelling onto Sri Lanka on our Delhito Colombo tour, the tipping kittyfor that section of your tour will becollected by your guide in Sri Lankaand is payable in Sri Lankan Rupees(SLR). If travelling on our Railways of theRaj tour, a tip kitty will not be collectedand we ask that you independentlymanage tipping along the way.

Our ‘Tip Kitty’ doesn’t include a tipfor your group tour guide, where wesuggest an amount of approx USD$4-7per day multiplied by the duration ofyour tour. Naturally though, the amountis up to you. The tip for your guide is anentirely personal gesture. If travelling on a group tour with lessthan 6 participants, in place of ‘tippingmade easy’ we recommend thefollowing amounts per person per daybe allocated to cover tips paid directlyby you to - bellhops, luggage handlers,your driver and local guides - USD$9per travellers if the day includes a localguide and sightseeing and USD$4 pertraveller, if the day excludes a localguide and sightseeing.

Guides & groupsOur longest group tour in India is ourHighway to Himalayas – 16 day tourand our Passage to India – 14 daytour tour. All other group tours that weoffer are sectors of a longer tour. Assuch on your holiday you may havetravellers join you part way throughyour tour or end their holiday whenyou continue on. Whenever there is6 persons of more on your holidayyou will have a tour guide escorting/travelling with you. Your guide willconduct the sightseeing arrangements,or accompany you where the locallaw dictates that a local guide mustconduct the sightseeing in this region.Where the group number is less than6 persons you will travel from placeto place with a driver and meet alocal guide at each new destination,who will conduct your sightseeingarrangements in this location.

Change for childrenOn many of our Group Tours we stopat one of two Village Schools wherewe operate our ‘Change for Children’programme. If travelling via Karauliyou will meet the children at Nishabdlocal school (supporting deaf and blindchildren), and if via Bharatpur, AdarshVidya Mandir local school. If you havebought any educational items with you




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Delhi to Colomboto hand out to children, this would bethe time to do so. You can also makea donation to the school if you choosevia our Change For Children Project.Your guide will hand out envelopes tothose interested. All schools are closed from mid-May through till the start of July forthe Summer Vacation and thenin December for Winter Vacation.Additionally, they may be closedthroughout the year during festivalweeks such as Holi, Diwali and others -including teacher training days whichonly tend to be announced a dayor two prior. Accordingly, it is not bepossible to visit the schools duringthese times and should you havebought along items for the school, yourguide will be happy to pass them onwhen it re-opens, on your behalf. The schools have made the followingsuggesting's to support onwardeducation:• Wall charts – map of the world,numbers, letters, multiplication tables• Any visual teaching resources,coloured cardboard, junior scissors,rulers, sharpeners, lead pencils• Reading books – suitable for any agebetween 4 – 12 years of age• Sporting equipment – cricket bat,tennis balls, soft balls, skipping ropes,elastics• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, liquid soapfor washrooms

India Country Guide

Welcome to India - ArrivaltransferIf your holiday includes acomplimentary airport arrival transfer(as indicated in the 'Inclusions' sectionof these Trip Notes on page 1) fromDelhi's Indira Gandhi InternationalAirport, our arrival procedure is asfollows: Arrive to Delhi's Indira GandhiInternational Airport, where afteryou have attended to customs and

immigration formalities, pleaseproceed to the arrival hall. Please haveyour tour voucher handy and make itavailable to our representative whowill be waiting for you in the arrivalshall, holding a prominent On The GoTours logo signboard, ready to escortyou to our awaiting transportation andonward to your start hotel. If, for any reason you have troublelocating our representative (afterwaiting 20 minutes in the arrival hall)or your flight is delayed, please call orsend a text message (standard textmessage, not Messenger or WhatsApp)to the emergency contact number asstated on your Tour Voucher. Pleasedo not leave the airport or go to thehotel on your own. Call our emergencycontact number and follow the advicegiven by our local team. If travelling on our other India holidaysthat don't arrive into Delhi Airport (witharrival via Kochi, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai,Chennai, Trivandrum, Kolkata andDimapur Airport), the procedure formeeting you at the airport is the sameas those detailed above. Pre and post tour accommodationcan be arranged upon request,please contact us for rates. If youare arriving early and book pre touraccommodation with us then youwill still qualify for our complimentaryairport arrival transfer. If arriving prior to 9am on day 1(essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning)consider purchasing a night of pre-tour accommodation to save youwaiting until hotel check in time, whichis generally 2pm.

Visas & passportsVisa requirements are subject tochange and visa procurement is theresponsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours. Please also ensurethat your passport is valid for at least

6 months from your planned date ofdeparture from India. After booking your holiday, pleaseprovide us with your passport detailsas soon as possible so that we canproceed to book all services. Please beadvised visa requirements are subjectto change, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirementswith the embassy before travel. Forinformation about visas, head towww.onthegotours.com/India/Visas

Health requirementsYou should seek medical advice forvaccinations and about medicationsbefore travelling. WaterAs tap water is not safe to drink inIndia, only drink bottled mineral waterwhich is readily available in hotels,shops and restaurants. You should alsoavoid salads which may be washed inunhygienic water.

Essential packingPlease check local temperaturesso you can pack accordingly. Visitwww.worldclimate.com • A small daypack for your day-to-dayneeds• Tour Voucher and a copy of yourtravel insurance policy, spare passportphotos and a photocopy of yourpassport• Universal travel adaptor• Insect repellent to guard againstmosquitos• Spare camera batteries and memorycards• Consider packing some pencils, pensor modest educational supplies thatcan be given to village schools or streetchildren• Buy some Indian Rupees at theairport on arrival and keep a supply ofsmall notes for local transactions

Domestic flights - BaggageallowanceIf your holiday includes a domesticflight or you have independently




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Delhi to Colombobooked domestic flights separate tothat of your international flights, pleasebe mindful that that free baggageallowance for Economy class travelon flights within India is near always15kg, with 5-7kg allowance for handluggage. Additional weight is chargedper kilo and is payable by you directlyto the airline at check-in. If travellingwith more than 15kg on a flight includedwithin your holiday, please contact usso we can confirm the exact luggageallowance for your flight and give youthe current per kilo cost for additionalweight.

What to expectPlease visit www.onthegotours.com/India/Travel-tips-and-useful-info forlocal customs, currency, WiFi and otherhelpful information to prepare you foran enjoyable holiday.

Train travel in IndiaTravelling by train in India is anunforgettable local experience whereyou will get to meet Indian people andexperience daily life as they do. TheIndian Railway system is the world’ssecond largest, with over 108,706 kmof track, connecting more than 7000stations. Every day, more than 7000trains run, carrying some 14 millionpassengers, including us. Severalour holidays include train journeys,some by day and others overnight. Ifyour holiday does include train travel,we have noted within the itinerarythe coach/class of travel that willbe booked. Below is some furtherinformation that may assist you inplanning for your journey. AC CHAIR CARIf travelling on a daytime journey, youwill travel in an air-conditioned seatedcarriage (called AC chair car), similarto that of a standard city trains in mostwestern countries. When travelling toloftier destinations where the weatheris cooler, air-conditioning may not beprovided. 2nd AC COACH/SLEEPER

If travelling overnight, weaccommodate passengers in the 2ndclass sleeper air-conditioned category(unless otherwise indicated at a higherlevel). 2nd class sleeper air-conditionedcabins consist of 2 upper and 2 lowerbunks, plus a double-decker set ofbunk beds on the opposite side ofthe cabin shared by you and otherIndian travellers. You can sit up on yourbench seat during the day and simplylie down once you are ready to go tosleep. All cabins are mixed sex. Your cabin isnot self-contained as such. ‘Cabins’ areseparated from the carriage corridorby curtains, serving as an artificialbarrier that can be drawn at night.Luggage, including hand luggageshould be locked (as you would dowhen travelling on any overnight trainanywhere in the world) and can bestored underneath the lower bunks oron the floor. The carriage is mannedby an attendant who will distributelinen, free of charge. Dependent uponthe service, a variety of snacks anddrinks or full dinner service can beordered at an additional cost (exceptfor the Shatabdi Express and RajdhaniExpress where meals are includedwithin your fare). Food aboard theShatabdi Express train is most oftenexceptionally good, though on manyother train services it is probably bestto buy snacks, fresh fruit that can bepeeled or meals prior to the start ofyour journey. In addition, there are WCfacilities (European and ‘squat-style’) ateach end of the carriage. Cleanlinessvaries, so be prepared and take yourown anti-bacterial hand wipes andtoilet paper. 1st AC COACH/ SLEEPERAll Indian trains offer 2nd and 3rdAC coaches, but only a handful oftrains offer 1st AC coaches, which canaccommodate a tiny total of 18 people.1st AC coach/ sleepers only have berthson one side of the train hence makingthe cabin more spacious. The cabin

may have 2 berths or 4 which seat/sleep 2 or 4 persons. You can sit up aon bench seat during the day, whichis folded into bunk beds at night. The1st AC coach also has a door makingit fully closed and lockable for 2 or 4persons. Beds are a tad wider andmattresses more cushioned. Eachcabin has a 'bell' switch, which whenpressed summons the attendant of thecoach. 3rd AC COACH/ SLEEPERWe do not include 3rd AC coachtravel within any of our tours, thoughif you were considering it for personalarrangements a description canbe given as follows. 3rd AC coachis very similar to 2nd AC coach withthe only difference being that thereis a middle berth ie not just a 2 bunkbed but a triple bunk bed, hencemaking it possible for 6 people to beaccommodated within the space. Likethe 2nd AC coach there is also anotherset of bunk beds on the opposite side- running parallel with the length of thetrain. Like 2nd AC, there’s no door justcurtains and again you sit up on yourbunk bed during the day and lie downto sleep.

Travel Operators for TigersTravel Operators for Tigers (TOFT),is a UK based campaign, set up toencourage sustainable wildlife tourismin tiger reserves and national parks.Funds generated through TOFT willbe used to fund tiger conservationinitiatives and local communitydevelopment, through their two partnerconservation organisations - GlobalTiger Patrol and the EnvironmentalInvestigation Agency. On The Go Toursare members of TOFT and we happilypledge a USD$20 contribution to TOFTfor each of our clients that choose totravel on a wildlife tour to India with us.

Not like home... & beggingTravelling to far–flung corners of theearth often involves encounteringlifestyles and conditions that are verydifferent from what you are used to




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TRIP NOTES

Delhi to Colomboback home. As such it is important tocome prepared for unusual situations,local inadequacies and unpredictableevents as and when they occur.Foreign travel is definitely not suitablefor people who expect or demandeverything to go exactly as planned, asthings can and do change in foreigncountries. The people, customs, creed, food andlanguages of India are different fromone region to the next. It is as vast asit is crowded, and as opulent as it issqualid. India is exciting, intense anddiverse - an all-embracing experience,a veritable assault on the senses.Sometimes the poverty will get youdown, Indian bureaucracy can test yourpatience and facing another trafficjam will seem almost too much tobear. Yet, it’s all worthwhile! While Indiais far from the easiest country in theworld to travel around, On The Go willtry their upmost to make your holidayas seamless as possible. Our holidayscombine comfortable transportation,comprehensive sightseeing and goodhotels, allowing you to concentrate ongetting the most out of your stay. India is a country of unparalleledcontrasts, a destination where you’ll beafforded plenty of unique encounters,and if you can travel with an openmind you will have a wonderful timehere. In return, please remember todemonstrate sensitivity and respect forlocal customs. BeggingWith more than 350 million peoplein India living on less than USD$2 perday, inevitably you will come acrossmany people begging for money.Begging has a legitimate place inIndian society. Even poor peoplegive to beggars or charities to earnreligious merit. The Indian government,however, would like to regulate beggingmore stringently. Though begging iscommon, you are not under obligationto give money. If you choose to givemoney to beggars, we advise you to

do this from the vehicle and not on thestreet. Alternatively, consider donatingpencils, pens or modest educationalsupplies to village schools.

ShoppingIndia is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. Atthe many bazaars known as ‘chowks’,the cardinal rule is to bargain hard.State run craft emporiums that stockthe best of what a state has to offercan give you a reasonable idea ofwhat is acceptable in terms of priceand quality. You'll find carpets ofquality equal to those of Persian origin,Rajasthani pottery and metalwork,embellished slippers known as jootis,jewellery in breathtaking designs.Likewise, leatherwork, silks and sarisin spectacularly colourful designs,paintings and clothing make excellentsouvenirs. In the tourism industry it’s commonpractice for commission to be offeredin exchange for recommendingparticular shops or suppliers. This canbecome an issue when clients feelobliged to purchase goods. We do ourbest to avoid this by monitoring allshopping experiences offered. All shopping experiences on yourtour have been noted in the itineraryand they been carefully selectedbased upon positive feedback fromOn The Go travellers. You are underno obligation to partake in a listedshopping experience and you are mostwelcome to wait inside or outside thepremises. Although we only visit reputableretailers, please note that we cannotexplicitly guarantee the quality oftheir products. All purchases madewhilst on holiday with us are at yourown discretion. Please make sure thatyou are completely happy with yourpurchase. On The Go cannot be heldresponsible for any items that you buyif they fail to meet expectation, or any

shipping arrangements. Proceed withcaution.

Sri Lanka Country Guide

Welcome to Sri Lanka - ArrivaltransferA complimentary airport arrivaltransfer is included. Upon arrival atColombo Airport you will be met bya representative from On The GoTours. The prominent sign depictingour company logo easily identifiesour representative, please have yourTour Voucher handy and make itavailable to our representative. Ourrepresentative will assist you with yourluggage and escort you to our vehiclefor your transfer to your hotel. If, for any reason you have troublelocating our representative (afterwaiting 20 minutes in the arrival hall)or your flight to Sri Lanka is delayed,please call or send a text message(standard text message, not Messengeror WhatsApp) to the emergencycontact number as stated on yourTour Voucher. Please do not leave theairport or go to the hotel on your own.Call our emergency contact numberand follow the advice given by our localteam. Pre and post tour accommodationcan be arranged upon request,please contact us for rates. If youare arriving early and book pre touraccommodation with us then youwill still qualify for our complimentaryairport arrival transfer.

Visas & passportsVisa requirements are subject tochange and visa procurement is theresponsibility of the traveller and notOn The Go Tours. Please also ensurethat your passport is valid for at least6 months from your planned date ofdeparture from Sri Lanka. After booking your holiday, pleaseprovide us with your passport details




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TRIP NOTES

Delhi to Colomboas soon as possible so that we canproceed to book all services. Please beadvised visa requirements are subjectto change, therefore it is essential thatyou check current visa requirementswith the embassy before travel. Forinformation about visas, head towww.onthegotours.com/Sri-Lanka/Visas

Health requirementsYou should seek medical advice forvaccinations and about medicationsbefore travelling. WaterAs tap water is not safe to drink in SriLanka, only drink bottled mineral waterwhich is readily available in hotels,shops and restaurants. You should alsoavoid salads which may be washed inunhygienic water.

What to packPlease check local temperaturesso you can pack accordingly. Visitwww.worldclimate.com • Suitcase or frameless backpack/rucksack if preferred• Small day bag for your camera,water, sunglasses, i-Pod etc.• Please see go towww.onthegotours.com/Sri-Lanka/Travel-tips-and-useful-info forrecommendations on what/what not towear• Personal first aid kit• Sunglasses, hat, umbrella, moneybelt, DEET - based industrial strengthmosquito/insect repellent. High factorsunscreen and bathers/swim costume• Anti-bacterial hand gel/wet wipesand flat pack toilet paper/tissues• Universal travel adaptor• Tour Voucher and a copy of yourtravel insurance policy, spare passportphotos and a photocopy of yourpassport• Spare camera batteries, memorycards• Pack as light as possible to leaveroom for the souvenirs!

ShoppingSri Lanka is excellent for gemstonesespecially sapphires, moon-stonesand cats-eye. Other items to lookout for include spices, wood carvingsand other handicrafts, clothingof types, batik and hand-woventextiles, brassware, handmade lacefrom Galle and of course tea. Teavaries in quality, so if you’re buyingin bulk, ask for a tasting! If seekingmodern local chic, Colombo offers aselection of department stores andstylish boutiques. Refrain from buyingsouvenirs made of coral (creationof this sort of tourist that contributesgreatly to the destruction of Sri Lanka’sreefs), ivory or the hides of endangeredanimals. In the tourism industry it’s commonpractice for commission to be offeredin exchange for recommendingparticular shops or suppliers. This canbecome an issue when clients feelobliged to purchase. We do our best toavoid this by monitoring all shoppingexperiences offered. All shopping experiences on yourtour have been noted in the itineraryand they been carefully selectedbased upon positive feedback fromOn The Go travellers. You are underno obligation to partake in a listedshopping experience and you are mostwelcome to wait inside or outside thepremises. Although we only visit reputableretailers, please note that we cannotexplicitly guarantee the quality oftheir products. All purchases madewhilst on holiday with us are at yourown discretion. Please make sure thatyou are completely happy with yourpurchase. On The Go cannot be heldresponsible for any items that you buyif they fail to meet expectation, or anyshipping arrangements. Proceed withcaution.

It's not like home & what toexpectPlease visit www.onthegotours.com/Sri-Lanka/Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs, currency, WiFiand other helpful information toprepare you for an enjoyable holiday. Travel to far - flung corners of the earthinvolves lifestyles and conditions thatare sometimes very different from whatyou are used to back home. You mustcome prepared to cope with unusualsituations, local inadequacies andunpredictable events as and whenthey occur. Foreign travel is definitelynot suitable for people who expect ordemand everything to go exactly asplanned. With the greatest respectand in the interest of your ultimateenjoyment you must understand this.Things can and do change in foreigncountries.




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delhi to colombo - 15 days - trip notes (au) - on the go tours

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