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Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code
Fly into and out of Colombo International Airport (CMB).
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What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?
Before 3 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 5:30 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 30 minutes away from Colombo International Airport.
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What time should my flight depart on the last day?
There are no activities planned for the last day, however, your last hotel in Kosgoda is located around two hours away from Colombo International Airport. You should arrive at the airport three hours before your flight departs, so we advise booking flights after 2 pm to allow for travel time.
Alternatively, Flash Pack can organize a post-trip night at the Kosgoda hotel or at a hotel near Colombo Airport.
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Are airport transfers included?
If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We also include a group transfer back to the airport (or the hotel near Colombo) on your last day. This is because your last hotel, in Kosgoda, is located around two hours away from Colombo International Airport and it would be hard to organise these transfers yourself. As we are only able to offer one group departure transfer, this could mean waiting at the airport for your flight.
However, if you choose to stay an extra night at the Kosgoda hotel or Colombo hotel, it is up to you to book onward transfers to the airport. Your Pack Leader can help you book your transfers the night before if needed.
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Will there be a kitty for tips?
During the welcome meeting, the leader of your group will request that each member contributes 25 USD to a ‘tipping kitty’. This pooled fund is intended for gratuities to be distributed among ‘on the ground’ staff, such as waiters, porters, and other personnel providing services during the trip.
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Do I need a visa?
All visitors will need to apply for an e-visa online: http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
We recommend that you have at least six months validity remaining on your passport and can show a return ticket.
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How much should I budget per day for extras?
8,000 LKR, the equivalent of 30 GBP / 40 USD per day.
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What fitness levels do I need for this trip?
We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness. Overall, the trip is relatively relaxed so no level of fitness is needed. However, there is a good amount of walking (at your own pace) and a climb up Pidurangula rock on Day 2 so good, worn-in walking shoes or trainers are advised. When climbing Pidurangala, the last 800 meters will be challenging as there are no fixed steps and so you have to navigate around the rocks, which is really fun.
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When's the best time to go? What is the weather like?
November to March are usually the best months to go weather-wise, however because of this they can get quite crowded, so we also recommend going in the shoulder seasons on either side. November to March sees pleasant temperatures ranging between 80-90ºF (27-32ºC). April, July, and August are the hottest months, with temperatures elevating to 97ºF (36ºC).
May and June are monsoon periods so best to avoid if possible. September and October are inter-monsoon periods, so can still be a great time to travel as it is much quieter, just with a few rain showers.
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What are the Covid-19 requirements for visiting Sri Lanka?
Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travelers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.
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What other vaccinations and medication will I need?
We recommend checking with your local travel clinic six to eight weeks before your trip to see if any medications or vaccinations are required.
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What should I pack?
Your Sri Lankan adventure will involve a variety of activities, so you’ll need to pack a range of clothes. Generally, we recommend bringing light and breathable tops and shorts that will keep you cool in the humid climate, but some warmer layers may be required in the hills of central Sri Lanka as it can get cool, especially at night. You will also need to bring a light waterproof with you as it can rain all year round.
It’s important to pack some modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for when you visit Sri Lanka’s magnificent temples. Large colorful scarves and sarongs are popular for temple visits and they can easily be bought locally.
What you pack is personal to you and our list is certainly not exhaustive. If you have any questions about what to pack for your trip to Sri Lanka, please get in touch with one of our friendly Trip Experts.
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Baggage
- Large backpack or suitcase – it’s up to you whether you bring a backpack or a suitcase, but either way, a soft-sided bag is best for packing into transfer vehicles.
- Day bag – this will need to be big enough to fit your daily essentials, such as water and your camera.
Clothing
- Lightweight tops – t-shirts are great for day-to-day wear, but we also recommend bringing lightweight long-sleeved tops to keep insects off of your skin.
- Activewear – breathable and lightweight materials will be perfect for the more energetic activities on this adventure.
- Sunhat/sunglasses – the sun is likely to be very strong during the day, so protecting yourself with sunglasses and a sunhat is vital.
- Light waterproof jacket/poncho – it can rain at any time of the year in the highlands of Sri Lanka, so a poncho is recommended.
- Jumper/sweater – you may want a light jumper/sweater for any cooler evenings and for rooms with strong air-conditioning.
- Modest clothes – you’ll need to make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered during temple visits. Long trousers, long skirts and sarongs all work well. You may also be required to take your shoes off, so you might want to have a pair of socks in your bag to avoid bare feet.
- Linen trousers – always handy for keeping the sun off of your legs and for covering your legs during temple visits.
- Swimwear – you’ll have plenty of chances to go for a swim in hotel pools and the sea.
- Evening outfit – what you wear in the evenings is up to you, but you may want some nicer clothes for meals and drinks.
Shoes
- Hiking shoes/trainers – you’ll need comfortable, worn-in hiking shoes suitable for climbing up Pidurangala rock.
- Day shoes – for walking around cities, we recommend closed and comfortable shoes.
- Sandals/flip-flops – it’s a good idea to bring a comfortable pair of shoes for relaxing in at hotels.
- Evening shoes – you might want some shoes to wear out in the cities in the evenings.
Accessories
- Electricals and accessories – phone, camera, chargers, etc
- Plug socket adapter – plugs in Sri Lanka usually either have three round prongs (type D) or three square prongs (type G). Bringing an extension cable will allow you to charge multiple devices with one adapter.
- Book or music – for transfers and any relaxed evenings, you might want to bring a book or some music.
- Eye mask and earplugs – if you’re a light sleeper, you may feel more comfortable bringing these as a precaution.
- Pool towel – hotels will provide bath towels, but you might want to bring a towel for going swimming. Travel towels work well and pack down very small to save space.
- Hand fan – it can get very hot and humid, so a fan can be a handy addition to your bag.
Toiletries/medical
- Any personal medication you require
- Personal toiletries – toothbrush, deodorant, razors, hairbrush, etc
- Shampoo and conditioner – most hotels will provide these, but we recommend bringing your own because small plastic bottles are not environmentally friendly.
- Painkillers
- Anti-bacterial gel
- Tissues
- Insect repellant
- Lip balm with SPF
- Moisturiser
- High SPF factor suncream
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What are the drive times like?
This is a trip for travellers that enjoy a road trip. The total drive time is around 25 hours and some of the mountain roads are winding, so we don’t advise joining if you suffer badly with motion sickness or any other ailment that extensive travel can make worse. We use a comfortable vehicle, complete with Bluetooth through which you can connect your Flash Pack Spotify playlist, but there are some long drives, like from from Mandaram Nuwara to Yala, for example. We do break up the drives by stopping off at points of interest or to have authentic experiences, such as visiting a local craft village.
