Sri Lanka Escorted Tours & Holidays

Choose the holiday style that’s right for you

We all have our own individual requirements when it comes to how we travel. It’s your holiday, and at Distant Journeys you can choose the style of holiday that suits you best.

Classic Tours

Our Classic escorted tours are a great way to travel and experience Sri Lanka. Enjoy the scenery, culture and sights with a group of like-minded people, guided by a friendly and knowledgeable Tour Manager who will bring the destination to life. Our Very Best of Sri Lanka tour covers all of the countries many highlights and travels with no more than 24 people.

• 17-day Very Best of Sri Lanka

Solo Tours

Our Exclusively Solo itineraries are crafted to include activities and sightseeing to create friendships forged through shared experiences, and memories to last a lifetime. You will be accompanied by a Tour Manager, dedicated to ensuring you get the best from every moment of your holiday and at the end of a busy day, you can retreat to the privacy of your own hotel room. Travelling with no more than 19 people, these tours represent great value for solo travellers.

• 14-day Treasures of Sri Lanka

Private Tours

For those who like to travel as a couple or with a group of friends, our Private Tours offer an intimate, exclusive holiday experience that is surprisingly affordable. Enjoy the same expertly-crafted itinerary and hand-picked hotels, but with the exclusivity and convenience of your own friendly and knowledgeable guides, your own private vehicle and a departure date to suit you.

All our tours to Sri Lanka are offered as a Private Tour.

We include so much

Every Distant Journeys tour to Sri Lanka from the UK is meticulously planned, and designed to offer great value by including many meals, activities and experiences in the price of the tour. As you would expect from a touring holiday, we include return international flights from the UK on an award-winning scheduled airline, with all your on-board meals and drinks included. Once you have arrived in Sri Lanka, you will enjoy transportation in modern air-conditioned coaches, hotel porterage for your luggage, all pre-payable airport and resort taxes, and all the entrance fees to the many incredible places you will visit.

Breakfast and dinner are included each day, in addition to lunch one day and high tea on another. What’s more, to help you make the most of your time, you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable Tour Manager throughout your journey; a friendly, helpful guide who will ensure you can enjoy every moment of your well-earned holiday.

Our escorted tour of Sri Lanka includes:

• Return economy class flights with Qatar Airways from London Heathrow
• Airport transfers overseas
• Superior hotels, with great locations
• Daily breakfast and dinner, plus a lunch and a high tea
• Experienced local tour managers and drivers
• Incredible excursions
• All pre-payable airport taxes
• All hotel porterage
• ATOL protection for your holiday
• Our Price Promise

Freedom & Flexibility

Distant Journeys’ escorted tours offer the perfect balance between an organised, comprehensive itinerary and the freedom and flexibility that our guests really appreciate.

Freedom Days

We have built in some Freedom Days in Sri Lanka, with a choice of activities for you to choose from. Nature and wildlife lovers may wish to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty with a trek through a rainforest in Kandy, rich in native birdlife, or enjoy a whale watching cruise in search of the magnificent blue whale off the coast of Galle. Maybe take a tuk tuk to explore the rural temples of Gampola, or learn to cook like a local under the tuition of a renowned local chef in Galle. It’s all about making the most of your holiday, your way.

Choose your Yala Safari Experience

The Very Best of Sri Lanka tour includes a two-night stay in Yala National Park, home to an eclectic array of wildlife including elephants, bears, crocodiles, wild boars and of course the elusive leopard. Our hotel is the stunning Jetwing Yala, from where we will venture into the National Park on a thrilling safari.

For those wanting to get even closer to nature, there is an alternative to spend the two nights in Yala at one of Sri Lanka’s amazing safari camps. Set in truly remarkable locations, you’ll enjoy two safari drives into lesser-known areas of Yala and all meals, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Please enquire for details and supplements.

Would you like to stay a little longer?

If you would like to extend your Very Best of Sri Lanka holiday, we have a beach stay extension available. Alternatively, you can extend your Exclusively Solo Treasures of Sri Lanka tour if you wish to spend a little longer relaxing at the Anantara Kalutara Resort. Simply let us know, and we will be happy to make the arrangements – it’s all part of our service.

Special Offer

Last-minute savings: Save £100 per person on Sri Lanka tours departing between January and April 2026. Book by 30th November 2025.

Early Booking Offers: SAVE £200 per person on Sri Lanka tours departing from September 2026. Book by 30th November 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there a time difference?

  Sri Lanka is GMT +4½ hrs.

• What is the currency?

  Sri Lankan Rupee

• What will the weather be like?

  Sri Lanka’s climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons. Generally speaking, the coastal areas of Sri Lanka enjoy temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F) while the upland areas are cooler and more temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20°C (60-68°F). Our tours of Sri Lanka operate in January, February and March, which is a great time to travel across the whole country. Sri Lanka is generally basking in sunshine and relatively dry throughout these months. Temperatures will be warm, although it is noticeably cooler up in the hill country around Nuwara Eliya. We recommend checking up-to-date weather forecasts before you travel.

• What clothing should I take to Sri Lanka?

  Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sun-screen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.

  It is always worth being aware of local customs when visiting sacred places. As a general rule, when visiting such places, it is recommended that arms and legs are covered. Women may also wish to take a shawl to cover their shoulders and all visitors should wear long trousers, skirts or shorts that reach below the knee. Taking off your shoes is also a prerequisite before entering many sacred places, and as floors can sometimes be wet or very hot, a few pairs of spare socks will be very useful. For our safaris in Yala National Park, we recommend layered clothing including something warm as it can be cold on early morning drives. If you have them, binoculars will provide a great opportunity for closer wildlife viewing.

• What is the best way to pay for things in Sri Lanka?

  You cannot obtain Sri Lankan Rupee before arrival in the country. Opportunities for cash withdrawals from ATMs are limited and restricted to daily limits ranging between Rs40,000 and Rs60,000 (approx. £148 and £220). We recommend taking some sterling or US dollars that can be exchanged locally in Sri Lanka at local money exchanges. When you change money, ask for some small bills and keep these separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible. Small amounts of US dollar bills are handy for tipping.

  Major credit cards can be used throughout your tour in most hotels. We recommend advising your bank of your travel plans so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to use your card to make a purchase or withdraw money.

  Your tour manger will be on hand to help you find the best places to exchange your money.

  You may also wish to consider a currency card to buy currency and lock in a great exchange rate before you travel. Distant Journeys recommends Revolut, a digital banking app which offers a pre-paid physical or virtual currency card. It is also simple to apply for, set up and use.

  For more information on the Revolut Currency Card, please click here

• How much should I tip in Sri Lanka?

  Unlike the UK, tipping is very much a way of life in Sri Lanka. We have included a number of gratuities into your tour, although for your Tour Guide, Drivers and assistants, suggested tipping amounts are as follows

  Very Best of Sri Lanka: USD $100 per person to be distributed amongst the Tour Manager, driver and assistant.

  Treasures of Sri Lanka: USD $120 per person to be distributed amongst the Tour Manager, driver and assistant.

  Private Tours
  Driver Guide: USD $25 per day

  Holiday Extensions
  Drivers: USD10 per transfer

• What are the entry requirements for Sri Lanka?

  The following information on entry requirements, passports and visas is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

• Do I need to renew my passport?

  A valid ten-year British passport is required for all holidays, valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return date to the UK. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport, please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document. Our recommendation is that you should apply at least three months before your holiday.

• Do I need to have any vaccinations?

  Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and may change at any time. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel.

  We also suggest referring to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website, and the NHS Travel Vaccinations website.

• Will I need a visa to enter Sri Lanka?

  You are required to obtain a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before you travel.

  The cost of an ETA is $50 USD. You can apply within 90 days of travel here.

  For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website.

  Please note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.