Elegant Sri Lanka FLY013 with THY
1st Day ISTANBUL – COLOMBO
We meet at the Istanbul New Airport international departure terminal three hours before the flight. After the baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight to Colombo begins with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. We spend the night on the plane.
2nd Day COLOMBO – PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE – SIGIRIYA – HABARANA
After our arrival in Colombo, we transfer to our private bus waiting at the airport. Then we head for a tour of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, stopping for a buffet breakfast by the river along the way. Established in 1975, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage started with seven orphans. Today, some of those orphans have the chance to see their grandchildren born in the same place. The initial purpose of the orphanage was mostly tourism-focused, but it has quickly transformed into a conservation and education center. During our visit to the orphanage, we will have the opportunity to walk alongside the elephants and watch them using their trunks to bathe. After our tour, we set off for Sigiriya. We transfer to our hotel and have free time to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
3rd Day HABARANA – SIGIRIYA – DAMBULLA TEMPLE – SIGIRIYA – HABARANA
We set off early in the morning for our tour of Sigiriya. Prepare to be amazed as we embark on a fascinating journey to explore the ancient marvel of Sri Lanka, the Sigiriya "Lion Rock" fortress! 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, navigating steep stairs 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. Upon reaching the summit, we will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the lush Sri Lankan countryside. Together, we will stand atop this ancient fortress where kings once reigned and took refuge. The ancient citadel and its surrounding gardens will unfold before us as proof of Sri Lanka's architectural and engineering prowess. The enigmatic Lion's Gate, the most important part of Sigiriya, will be our next stop. Together, we will witness the massive lion's claws guarding the entrance, a symbol of the citadel's magnificent past. As we explore the remnants of the royal palace and admire the intricate water gardens below, we will travel back in time to an era of wealth and splendor. After our tour, we return to the hotel for breakfast. Then we set off for our tour of the Dambulla Temple. 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 extraordinary cave temples, each a sanctuary of ancient art and spirituality. Dambulla is not just about temples; it holds immense historical significance. We will explore the rich history of these caves, where ancient kings sought refuge and left behind magnificent cave frescoes and statues that continue to inspire us today. Our journey in Dambulla takes us to the heart of Buddhism. Together, we will witness the 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 our tour, we transfer to the hotel and have free time to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
4th Day HABARANA – SIGIRIYA – SPICE GARDEN – KANDY – SRI LANKA TRADITIONAL SHOW
After breakfast at the hotel, we will vacate our rooms and head to Kandy. We continue our journey by visiting the Spice Garden. When we step into this green paradise, a symphony of scents will greet us. Together, we will stroll through vibrant greenery, where cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and other exotic spices are abundantly grown. As we learn about the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of these valuable ingredients, our journey will be a sensory delight. We will discover the ancient trade routes that brought these spices to the island and their roles in shaping the country’s culinary traditions. However, the Spice Garden is not just about spices; it is also a treasure trove of medicinal plants. We will explore healing herbs used in traditional Ayurveda medicine and gain insight into their healing properties. Together, we will learn how these age-old remedies are still commonly practiced in Sri Lanka today. Then we proceed for our tour of Kandy. As we step into Kandy, we will be transported to a world where tradition and history blend seamlessly with modern life. The Temple of the Tooth Relic will be among the sights we see during our tour. Kandy Lake is an oasis in the heart of the city. Together, we will enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake, taking in its tranquil beauty and the city views. Afterward, we set off for our Sri Lanka Traditional Show. We step into a visual experience enhanced by traditional music and drumming rhythms, showcasing the rich and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel in Kandy and have free time to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
5th Day KANDY – GREGORY LAKE – NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast at the hotel, we head to the Kandy train station. We board the famous Sri Lanka Train to reach Nuwara Eliya. We enjoy the scenery as the train winds its way through the mountains and into the tea region. Our luggage will follow us in the bus to Nanu Oya station. During our tour of Nuwara Eliya, we will also stop by Gregory Lake. Nuwara Eliya is not only known for its mountain airs and scenery but is also the heart of Sri Lanka, producing the world’s best tea and is a popular holiday destination. The highest mountain in Sri Lanka, Pidurutalagala, is located here. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel in Nuwara Eliya and have free time to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
6th Day NUWARA ELIYA – COLOMBO
After having breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Colombo via Kandy. On the way, we will visit the Nuwara Eliya Tea Factory. Giragama is always a known name when it comes to Ceylon tea. We visit the tea factory in Giragama for an authentic experience wrapped around a cup of tea. We will watch how tea is processed before it is classified and taste a fresh cup of Ceylon tea straight from the field. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel in Colombo and have free time to relax. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
7th Day COLOMBO – NEGOMBO
After breakfast at the hotel, we vacate our rooms and set off for a city tour of Colombo. Colombo, like many capitals of developing countries, has a changing face with skyscrapers rising behind historical buildings. Nevertheless, the old buildings retain their charm. Among them are the 100-year-old clock tower and many British-built colonial buildings. Another interesting place is the Pettah Market, where we can shop at reasonable prices. There are also places like the Hindu and Buddhist temple, residential areas with magnificent houses, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, a gift from the People's Republic of China to Sri Lanka. After visiting the Gangaramaya Temple and the Colombo National Museum, we head toward Negombo. Soft waves and golden sands create a perfect ground for relaxation. Together, we will explore the bustling streets of the city filled with colonial architecture and vibrant markets. We will discover the rich heritage of Negombo, influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial periods. We will see the views of the sea and the catamarans, the backdrop of Negombo, and the lake famous for its lobsters, crabs, and prawns, along with the fish auctions. We visit the Dutch Fort and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. After the city tour of Negombo, we have free time. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
8th Day NEGOMBO – ISTANBUL
We will have an early breakfast at the hotel and meet at the time indicated by your guide for transfer to the airport with our breakfast boxes. After baggage, ticket, and customs procedures, we fly to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. Upon our arrival at Istanbul Airport, our tour and services conclude.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage + Kandy Temple + Sigiriya Fortress + Dambulla Temple + Local Guides + City Tourist Taxes
150 € per person
***To be paid to our guide during the tour***
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IMPORTANT NOTES & FLIGHT INFORMATION |
The participant accepts in advance that they will pay the amount specified in the tour program for expenses that will arise for the local guide, museum & site entrance fees, city taxes, and if applicable, audio system costs during the travel. The participant has been fully and thoroughly informed on this matter.
TK730 ISTCMB 18:30 05:15* TK731 CMBIST 06:45 12:55
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IMPORTANT NOTES
- Our tour program is organized with a minimum participation of 20 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the cancellation notification date is 21 days prior to the tour departure. The tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.
- In cases where the tour is conducted but there is not enough participation, English guiding may be provided.
- In cases where only category information is provided without mentioning names in the tour program and/or there are alternative options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by your agency 48 hours prior to the tour departure.
- During fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at a distance greater than the specified kilometers. In such cases, your agency will provide information 15 days prior to the tour departure.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized for general introductions of the cities and are maximum 2-3 hours, performed with guiding commentary from within the vehicle, without including museum and site entrance fees. If planned tours cannot occur due to local authorities not allowing visits at the designated time and date, or because of bad weather conditions making the tours impossible, Fly Express is not responsible for the inability to conduct these tours. Some tours may be conducted using public transport or on foot where vehicle access is restricted.
- Triple rooms can be provided based on hotel availability, and in these types of rooms, the bed allocated for the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since the extra beds are made up of pull-out and coach beds, participants acknowledge that they accept the potential cramped conditions in the room if there are 3rd persons or children in the reservations. Child discounts apply only for one child in the age group accompanying 2 adults. No bed guarantee is provided for children aged 0-2.
- Breakfasts included in the tour program are served with a limited menu, usually consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee, suitable for the breakfast culture of the visiting country, and may be served in a separate hall allocated for groups.
- As tour flights are group tickets, flight times may vary. You can confirm up-to-date flight details with your agency. Current times will be communicated by your agency with the tour information.
- Participants must confirm flight times without domestic flights. If guests have booked their domestic connecting flights independently from the agency, they cannot claim a refund from the agency in case of cancellation or time changes. By purchasing the tour, guests acknowledge and accept any financial or moral damages that may arise due to the cancellation or change of the tour. Fly Express cannot be held responsible for this situation.
- In accordance with airline rules; if the outbound flight of round-trip air tickets is not used, the return flight will be canceled by the airline.
- Guests not flying must arrive at the starting point of the tour on their own means and without any delay. Otherwise, they will be responsible for all transfers themselves.
- Passengers must be present at the specified airport at the times indicated according to airline rules. Fly Express is not responsible for passengers who do not complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or who complete these procedures on time but are unable to board the flight. All costs related to obtaining new round-trip flight tickets that will be required for passengers who miss the flight and any transfers in the destination area will be borne by them.
- Guests’ personal belongings, bags, luggage, passports/ID cards are under their own responsibility, and Fly Express is not responsible for forgotten/lost/stolen items. In cases where forgotten items are found, there is no obligation to deliver them to the country and/or person, and the costs incurred during delivery are the responsibility of the item owner.
- In cases of illness, loss, theft, etc., the guide cannot accompany guests individually due to the integrity and continuity of the group.
- During the purchase of the tour, it is mandatory to provide the correct information regarding the name, date of birth, and passport number as stated on the passport. Plane tickets will be issued according to this information. Fees for ticket cancellations and changes due to incorrect information will be charged to you.
- Some airlines may charge for catering and online check-in services.
- Seat numbers on the bus cannot be guaranteed during the tour.
- During our tours, the times communicated by our guide to the guests represent the movement, the moment the vehicle’s wheels start turning. Our guide is responsible for ensuring the equal rights of all guests and will not wait at meeting times. In the event of a delay, guests will need to reach the next stop on their own.
- Extra tours are organized by the local agency with a minimum participation of 20 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the trips may not take place or the prices, contents, and transport used may vary according to the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of the tours may be adjusted by the guide based on whether museums and sites at the destinations are open or closed and weather conditions. Different guides may accompany guests during extra tours.
- Extra tours not included in our classic packages are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to participate in extra tours are considered to accept waiting in a suitable resting establishment along the way. These passengers will be taken to the resting establishment before the extra tour starts, and after completing the tour, they will be picked up from where they were dropped off.
- In programs that include extra tours, payment for the entrance fees to museums & sites must be made either during the reservation or to the guide during the tour.
- Participants acknowledge that they will pay the amount specified in the tour program for expenses arising from local guides, museum & site entrance fees, city taxes, and if applicable, audio system costs, and accept that they will pay this amount additionally during the journey. Participants have been fully and comprehensively informed regarding this matter.
- Fly Express is an intermediary between the airline and passengers and is subject to the La Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There might be risks of delays in scheduled and charter flights, or times may change prior to the existing tour and flight. Fly Express is obligated to notify these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour being aware that flight details may change and accepting this condition.
VISA
- Visa is required for Turkish citizens. To apply for a visa, a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel needs to be presented along with the documents listed in the "Required Documents for Visa" provided by our agency.
- Visa is required for green passport holders. It is stated that applicants must present a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel along with the documents listed in the "Required Documents for Visa."
- Guests traveling with T.C. green passports must renew their passports if the issue date is older than 10 years; otherwise, they may not be accepted into the destination country or the airline may refuse to carry them. In this case, the responsibility lies with the passenger.
- Having a visa does not guarantee entry into the country; the passport police have the authority to deny you entry. Fly Express is not responsible for this situation, and the responsibility lies with the passenger.
- The visa information indicated in the program is applicable to Turkish citizens. Guests holding passports other than the Republic of Turkey must obtain visa information from the relevant consulates.
- Torn, worn, wet, or similarly damaged passports must be renewed to avoid issues with customs police at the country border. If such damaged passports belong to T.C. citizens requiring a visa, the visa must be present in the new passport. Otherwise, the responsibility lies with the passenger.
- Guests under 18 years old are advised to show a document proving the joint consent of both parents when traveling alone or with only one parent at the country entry/exit points, as police officers might request it.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class plane ticket from Istanbul (IST) to Colombo (CMB) and return,
- 2 nights half-board accommodation in 4* hotels in Habarana,
- 1 night half-board accommodation in 4* hotels in Kandy,
- 1 night half-board accommodation in 4* hotels in Nuwara Eliya,
- 1 night half-board accommodation in 4* hotels in Colombo,
- 1 night bed + breakfast accommodation in 4* hotels in Negombo (in the form of a breakfast box),
- Transfers between 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 guiding and assistance services,
- TURSAB professional liability insurance.
Not Included
- Sri Lanka entry visa (60 USD)
- Travel health insurance
- Lunch and dinner not specified in the program
- All personal expenses and hotel extras
- Departure tax
- Entrance fees for museums and archaeological sites
- Tourist city taxes
- Driver tips 10 Euros per person (optional)
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