Algarve Odyssey
The coast, villages and countryside of the Eastern Algarve and then explore the treasures of this most westerly corner of Europe.
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at [email protected]
With sandy, palm-fringed beaches, jewelled cultural treasures, high mountains and chance encounters with all manner of wildlife, Sri Lanka oozes culture, history and some excellent walking.
From£2,499
Sri Lanka
Pioneer
Jan
Feb
Sep
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 47300
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Overview
We fly to Colombo for the chance to stroll through its colonial streets. Next, we head down to Galle for a guided tour and lunch. At Rajarata we have to chance to see Sri Lankan gem mines. This is lo-tech mining in the extreme. There is a mine 5 minutes' walk from our hotel, owned by the hotel. The manager will be delighted to show us around.
The highlands are where the best walking can be found: Lipton’s Seat, Little Adams Peak and the Horton Plains. Horton Plains are more reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than tropical Sri Lanka. Of course this is tea country so we stop for a brew and see how it’s all processed. High grown tea is lighter on the palate and favoured by west Europeans, low grown tea is darker and stronger in flavour. It suits the Russian palate better.
In Kandy we are immersed in culture; the Temple of the Tooth is one of Buddhism’s most important shrines. From Habarana, highlights include Sigiriya, the Lion Rock, a spectacular rock fortress. We walk through a typical rural Sri Lankan landscape stopping at a farm to get an insight into rural lives. We will also spend an afternoon exploring Minneriya National Park, looking for herds of elephant on open grassy plains. Our final night is spent by the beach relaxing.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
In a British Colonial building that was formerly the headquarters of a well-known bank, the Steuart by Citrus is located on a cobblestone street 15 minutes on foot from Galle Face Green park along the Indian Ocean. The relaxed rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea & coffee making facilities. There's a low-key, Scottish-themed restaurant/pub that features live music on the weekends.
The Ratnaloka Tour Inn, the only star class hotel close to the city of gems, Ratnapura. It is located in the tranquil village of Kosgala 8 kms away from Ratnapura. The simply furnished rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. There is an outdoor swimming pool by the river in the hotel garden.
The Orient Hotel offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and tea & coffee making facilities. Amenities include a bar, and a games room with pool table.
The recently refurbished Galway Heights Hotel has rooms with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV and minibar. There's a low-key pub and restaurant, library and games room.
Overlooking the Hanthana Mountain Range, the Earls Regent Hotel is 6 km from the centre of Kandy. Rooms feature traditional hand-painted murals and come with free Wi-Fi, TV, minibar, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities. Breakfast and dinner are buffet style with plenty of choice. There is a small swimming pool.
Habarana Village by Cinnamon is located a short walk from Habarana town. It has a long and impressive drive that leads up to the open plan reception. The restaurants offers a huge buffet for breakfast and dinner which caters for every taste. Rooms are located in blocks in front of the unusual triangular swimming pool and a large lake which offers plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Rooms offer free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, safe, hair dryer and tea & coffee making facilities. Alas the website requires patience to find out what you need. Keep a look out for troops of monkeys crossing the grounds and fruits bats flying out to eat around dusk.
Set near the shores of Nuwara Wewa lake, the Rajarata Hotel is a short distance the temples of Anuradhapura and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi sacred fig tree. Rooms feature balconies or patios, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea & coffee making facilities. Amenities include a casual restaurant, cocktail bar and tea lounge. There's also an outdoor pool, along with sun loungers.
Set along Negombo Beach, the Goldi Sands Hotel is surrounded by palm trees The casual, bright rooms offer flat-screen TV, safe, minifridges, as well as tea & coffee making facilities. There's a casual bar and a restaurant with a terrace. Other amenities include direct beach access, outdoor pool and spa.
Trip Information
This is a Grade 3 leisurely holiday which mixes active sightseeing with short countryside walks. Some of the walks in the central highlands are more challenging, notably World's End and Mini Adams Peak. Please see the Itinerary section for more information on these walks.
The holiday consists of a good mix of travelling, easy walking and sightseeing – it promises to be a great experience. Many of the walks will be fairly short – usually between one and four hours on undulating ground, and taken as a part of a varied daily programme. Much of the sightseeing in towns and at archaeological sites will also be on foot and on uneven surfaces.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Currency in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Rupee.
Please note the Rupee is not available to purchase outside Sri Lanka. Most major banks will allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There will be an opportunity to change money at the airport. There are ATMs in major towns and cities but not all of them accept international cards.
Sterling cash can be exchanged but make sure any notes you bring are in pristine condition. Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes are not exchangeable in Sri Lanka.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Local Guides
To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.
We fly from London Heathrow to Colombo direct with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Travel in Sri Lanka is by road and rail. Please note that the road system in Sri Lanka is not maintained to the same standard found in Europe, and occasionally detours or delays may occur due to blockages or road works. Even travelling short distances is likely to take considerably longer than you might expect.
If you are joining or leaving the holiday abroad we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will meet the party at the first hotel and leave at the last hotel – please contact us before departure to confirm the hotel details! However, should you wish to join the holiday at Colombo airport or wish to make other alternative arrangements, please be sure to let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.
Passport Information for Sri Lanka
Passports are required and should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay. Visas are required for trips to Sri Lanka. All tourists travelling to Sri Lanka must now obtain an ETA before travelling. They cost 35 US$ per person. To apply please visit www.eta.gov.lk
First you will be asked to select your language. Select English.
This brings you to a page that explains about the ETA system. To apply for the ETA click the ‘Apply’ button in the middle of the page. This brings up a page requesting you to agree to the conditions of the Sri Lankan government. You must click 'Agree'.
This brings you to a page asking you to select which type of visa you require. On the top left of the screen select Tourist ETA for an individual. You must make a separate application for each individual travelling.
You will be asked for passport details, address in Sri Lanka and your home address. For the address in Sri Lanka use the first hotel listed on the accommodation list overleaf on this Holiday Information Sheet. When asked to select nationality, Country of birth, etc British citizens will have to select 'British Citizen' there is no option of 'Great Britain' or 'United Kingdom'.
Your flight number will be on your flight tickets received 10 days before departure. use the flight number of the flight that lands in Colombo. If you would like to apply for your visa further in advance please contact us for flight details. You should then submit your application printing a copy for your reference. You should keep a printed copy of your application for future reference.
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday charge and will be taken at the hotels. Some breakfasts may be packed for early starts. Lunches, which are not included in the holiday apart from two days, will be at hotels, restaurants or hotel-prepared picnics. Bottled water is widely available. There will be a supply on the coach.
Meals are usually buffet style with choice of Western or Sri Lankan food and vegetarian options. Sri Lankan food can be hot & spicy. However, there will always be plenty of options which are not spiced. Make sure you walk around a buffet in Sri Lanka with the local guide who can explain to you some of the unfamiliar names of the food on offer. There will always be plenty of choice to suit every diet and lifestyle choice.
Local Lion Beer is reasonably inexpensive, wine is expensive although no more than one would pay in the UK. Perhaps avoid the cheaper local wine as it is not of the highest quality! Most rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and a bottle of water is often provided.
Footwear
Good quality waterproof walking shoes or trail shoes with a thick, moulded sole with a good tread and a low heel are likely to be all that is required for these holidays. If you are a frequent walker and are comfortable in good quality hiking sandals, these may be adequate for some walks. You can wear lightweight walking boots if you prefer.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Country Specific Kit
Wildlife and scenery viewing experiences are always improved with binoculars. For seeing a bird in the treetops or picking out some detail on the horizon they are invaluable. If you have a pair, please bring them with you on your holiday. On some holidays it will be appropriate to have them with you all the time. Sometimes you might prefer to avoid carrying the extra weight. Your tour leader will always be happy to advise which days it will be particularly useful to take them.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
The Map Shop
Maps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Sri Lanka
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Sri Lanka. You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK. Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid immunisation is recommended. You might also like to consider immunisations against Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B. There is a low to no risk of Malaria in Sri Lanka. Dengue fever exists in Sri Lanka; please take normal precautions against mosquito bites.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.
Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for travel to your holiday destinations (country and geographical region) and for medical expenses, mountain rescue (including helicopter rescue) and emergency repatriation to your home country in the event of illness or injury. Your policy should also provide adequate cover for the activities, included and optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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Useful Information
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Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 111mm
February
Avg. Rain: 71mm
March
Avg. Rain: 88mm
April
Avg. Rain: 155mm
May
Avg. Rain: 180mm
June
Avg. Rain: 125mm
July
Avg. Rain: 101mm
August
Avg. Rain: 97mm
September
Avg. Rain: 133mm
October
Avg. Rain: 265mm
November
Avg. Rain: 288mm
December
Avg. Rain: 212mm
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