Itinerary
The trip to Sri Lanka begins. You will be greeted by our administrative team upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. After that, they were taken to Negombo, a town only 15 minutes away. Dinner, lunch, and breakfast will be provided at the hotel that we have selected for your first night. After such a long trip, you deserve to kick back and enjoy your time here. The administrative team will give you a briefing (on health and safety, emergency precautions, etc.) and provide you with more information regarding your wonderful time in Sri Lanka. You can spend the night here.
After Breakfast, you’ll begin the 4 hours’ drive to Habarana. Habarana is a small city in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. Habarana is a popular tourist destination for wild safari lovers as it is the starting point for the safari in the nearby Habarana jungle. When you arrive, you’ll check in to the hotel or similar, which is your base for the 2 nights. Then it’s on to the areas main attraction which is the Sigiriya Rock fortress.
On the way to Sigiriya rock, you’ll pass by overflowing fruits stalls, fields of tall palms and pretty paddy fields. If you are very lucky you will see some wild elephants crossed the main road and stay calm. Climb to the top of this 200-metre-high ancient portress takes you. Past painted on the rock face, and detailed frescos. On the top are breath-taking panoramic views of the island and make sure your camera is ready. Our second calling point will be is Dambulla cave temple on the way back to the hotel where you can see magnificent Buddha images. Also, lovely quiet, calm environment and the fresh breeze give you a lovely romantic feeling.
After Breakfast, you’ll be heading to Safari, enjoy the thrilling look at the wild elephants of Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla National Park or Hurulu Eco Park, during these 3/4 hours private jeep safari. Travel to a wildness refuge known for hosting one of the largest gatherings of Asian elephants on earth (June/September), observing these giant animals as they drink and feed. The chances to observe many species of birds, fish and many more wild animals. After finishing safari and it’s time to go back to your lovely hotel and relax at Habarana.
After Breakfast, you’ll be heading to see Sri Lanka Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy, where you can stand in the shadow of tall palms, stroll around the orchid house, and take in the scents of the spice garden. Then it’s on to Kandy city is a large city in central Sri Lanka. Kandy is a lovely, carm city surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. The city’s heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling. Kandy is famous for the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Mailigawa) shrine, Buddhist sites. Kandy was the last capital of the ancient king’s era of Sri Lanka. You’ll spend the night at Digana or Kandy. 1 night here.
After your breakfast, you will get the train (Blue Train) trip to ELLA.ELLA is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka and area has rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the most memorable trips in the world and it’s definitely the best way to get there. You can be experiencing some beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails and hanger round in the cafes. Only a short walk from Ella is the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. You can walk across it, under it or just sit and wait for the train to pass while you sip a cup of coffee, Tea at Nine Arches Bridge Café. Stay 1 night here.
After Breakfast, you’ll be transferred to your beach hotel in or Mirrissa. The driver will pick you from Ella and drive through lovely route passing by small cities like Haputale, Belihuloya (Lunch), Balangoda, Pelmadulla, Kahawatha, Rakwana, Deniyaya, Kotapola, Akuress and to final destination Mirissa. On this way you can experiencing very famous Gem Industry and Tea Plantation on your way to Mirissa. When you arrive, you’ll check in to the hotel or similar, which is your base for the 3 nights. From here you can visit the city of Koggala, Galle, Hikkaduwa and Mirissa.
After Breakfast, you’ll be heading to see Hikka, Galle. Hikkaduwa is 1-hour drive away from Ahangama. It is not the best beach in Sri Lanka but there is a coral reef that reduces wave power to minimum and provides a lot of species of bright reef fishes to watch using a mask. So, it has right to existence. You can see lots of Turtles and if your like to learn surfing there is few locals to help your needs for few RS. There are plenty of shops to buy drinks and beach cloths and etc at Hikkaduwa area.
Galle is lovely City. It’s on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It’s known for Galle Fort, the fort field old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th Century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Galle lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip. Lovely place to hanger round in the afternoon. There are so many restaurants to feed your appetites in Galle especially some seafood restaurants to the Japanese sushi bar. You can see lovely beaches on the way to Galle. This is your own time to relax on your trip. Plenty placers to sun bath and to chill.
After your lovely breakfast, you can be heading to lovely Mirrissa beach in Mirissa. It had enough gone on to give it an atmosphere without being overcrowded. There are a lot of places that you can lay a towel on the sand and relaxed. However, if you love to do whale watching need to leave your hotel early morning and that can arrange with some best local whale watching company and will be cost you a bit extra money. The trip can be arranged to your expectation, and please let us know your interest and we are here to help to full fill your needs. You can spend the whole day here and back to the hotel for dinner.
After breakfast, you will head for Colombo, and on the way, you will have the opportunity to have a free tour of a tea factory, where you may learn about the production process and drink a cup of tea. Stay in Colombo for one night. You will get the opportunity to sample some delicious street food and do some shopping.
Your action-packed week comes to an end today. After breakfast, you will be heading to the Bandaranayake International Airport. Make sure your travel documents are ready and our administration staff will meet you at the Airport to full fill your needs and stay until your departure. We wish you a very pleasant flight and let us know your tour experience and we hope to see you again on a different adventure. Hope you had a lovely stay in Sri Lanka and hope to see you again. Please share your lovely experiencing in Sri Lanka with some pictures taken by you. Thank you and visit us again.
Joining point
Bandaranayake International Airport
Joining point
Bandaranayake International Airport
Problems and emergency contact information
For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist. For further contact details please use the following page:
www.taprorabana.com/contact details
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction – if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
Taprorabana local Operator: 0094760318789
Taprorabana UK: 0044 7519420353
Itinerary disclaimer
ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are modified on a regular basis throughout the year to reflect client input and the current situation in each destination. As a result, the information in this essential trip information may differ from what was provided to you when you booked your trip. It is critical that you examine this material prior to flying to ensure that you have the most recent changes. Weather, local conditions, transportation timetables, public holidays, and other factors may necessitate changes to your itinerary once you get to your destination. Seasonally, the arrangement and timing of included activities in each location may also vary to ensure our travellers have the greatest experience possible. Once on tour, your tour leader will keep you informed of any changes.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
The day-to-day programme includes a list of optional activities that have proven popular with previous visitors. This is not an exhaustive list and should only be used as a guide for some of the options available. Prices are for admission only and do not cover transportation to and from the locations or local guides unless otherwise specified. All activities are subject to availability and may be on a first-come, first-served basis. It is conceivable that you will not be able to complete all of the activities mentioned in the time allowed at each site, so some advance planning for what you are most interested in is encouraged. Look for a notice in the Special Information part of the day-to-day schedule when it is recommended that traveller’s pre-book certain activities. Most can be organised independently on the day, or you can let your leader know you’re interested in the group meeting and they can help.
Where activities are deemed medium or high risk, we collaborate with operators whose safety and credentials we have observed and evaluated. Although it is possible to locate the same activity for a lower price with another operator on the ground, we cannot guarantee the safety or quality of that operator. We have not analysed medium- and high-risk activities that are not specified above, and as a result, our personnel and leaders are unable to assist you in organising these activities. Activities that are in violation of our responsible travel principles are also not included. Please keep in mind that you do whatever you want and at your own risk if you do something that isn’t listed.
URBAN ADVENTURES
Come celebrate the best with us. Day. Ever. Urban Adventures are for individuals who want to get away from the masses and genuinely connect with a city while accompanied by a native. Our Urban Adventures excursions take travellers to intriguing sites to experience local culture and see what makes a place special. The trip can be as short as a couple of hours or as long as a whole day. If you are travelling before or after your vacation with us and would like to book an urban adventure ahead of time, please contact your booking agent or use this link: www.taprorabana.com/contact
Feedback
After your travels, we want to hear from you! We rely on your feedback. We read it carefully. Feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and what we could be doing better. It allows us to make improvements for future travelers.
www.taprorabana.com/review
Itinerary disclaimer
PASSPORT
To travel internationally, you must have a valid passport. As a general rule, most nations require that your passport be valid for at least six months. Your passport information is required to complete your reservation. Please double-check the passport information you provide. Any inaccuracies given may result in additional fees for booking revisions. We recommend that you bring copies of the major passport pages and other vital documents with you and leave duplicates with family or friends at home.
VISAS
Individual travellers are responsible for obtaining visas. Entry requirements are subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date information particular to your nationality and circumstances, consult your government’s overseas travel advisories as well as the consulate website of the country or countries you are visiting. Please keep in mind that while COVID-19 restrictions are in effect, not all visa information found online from other sources may be genuine.
Please be sure to also check requirements of countries you are flying through, as visas may be required even when transiting through an airport.
Visas can take several weeks to process, so make sure you research the requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for obtaining any necessary documents as well as the application and processing time. Your booking consultant can advise on a visa processing service or you can apply yourself directly through a consulate. Below you will find general visa advice about the destinations on your trip.
Below you will find general visa advice about the destinations on your trip. Due to constantly evolving COVID-19 requirements and restrictions, please refer to your government’s foreign travel advice for most up to date information.
SRI LANKA VISA
Please check with the Sri Lanka Embassy or Consulate in your country for up-to-date visa information.
Travellers requiring a Sri Lanka visa prior to entry can apply online at the following website: www.eta.gov.lk
SRI LANKA ENTRY & EXIT REQUIREMENTS
For the latest update of what is required in order to enter Sri Lanka, please check your government’s foreign travel advice and also visit the following website: https://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR SRI LANKA TRAIN TICKET BOOKINGS
Train tickets in Sri Lanka must be booked with passport numbers. Please make sure you provide us with your correct passport number no later than 60 days prior to departure. If you have to renew your passport after booking, please notify us as soon as you have a new passport number.
Medical and health information
GENERAL HEALTH
To properly participate in this tour, all travellers must be in good physical health. When choosing your trip, please ensure that you have thoroughly reviewed the itinerary and assessed your capacity to manage and appreciate our style of travel. Please keep in mind that if our group leader or local guide believes that any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without putting themselves and/or the rest of the group at risk, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
Before departing, you should visit your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information and any necessary immunizations. We suggest that you bring a first-aid kit and any personal medical needs, as it may be hard to get these things while you are traveling.
COVID-19
The safety and wellbeing of our travellers, leaders, crew, staff, and suppliers continues to remain our highest priority as we travel.
VACCINATION POLICY
From 1 January 2023, Taprorabana will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for this trip. However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully. For more information, including a detailed, please visit https://tourism.taprorabana.com/covid19.
HEALTH SCREENING
If you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.
From 1 January 2023, Taprorabana will no longer require travellers to complete a self-screening health form at the group meeting for this trip.
If you are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have any health concerns during the trip, we will follow the advice of local health authorities to determine whether medical assistance, isolation or further action is required.
Travellers who test positive while taking part in an Taprorabana trip will need to leave the group for a minimum of five days and may only re-join the group if presenting as asymptomatic – our team will assist them in arranging a place to self-isolate and any onward journey.
It’s quite possible that the destination country may have different or more strict protocols than your home country regarding COVID-19. This may include hotel or hospital quarantine or quarantine for the group. Please check your government’s travel advice or contact the closest embassies to find out the details. We ask all travellers to continue to monitor their health throughout their travels and report any relevant symptoms to their tour leader.
MOSQUITIO-BORNE ILLNESSES
All regions of Sri Lanka can experience outbreaks of dengue fever, with cases more prevalent in the west of the country. There is no vaccination against it, but there are preventative measures that you can take such as wearing long clothing, using repellent and being indoors particularly around dusk and dawn. If you have a fever or feel unwell, please let your leader know right away. Outbreaks of other mosquito-borne diseases (including chikungunya fever, Japanese encephalitis and filariasis) occur regularly. Protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses by taking measures to avoid insect bites.
Food and dietary requirements
Please fill our food requirement form and let us know before you travel at
www.taprorabana.com/customer food requirement.
Accommodation
Money matters
Sri Lanka’s official currency is the rupee (LKR). There are numerous ATMs in Sri Lanka that take both Visa and MasterCard. Although this is a safe and easy way to access money during your vacation, we urge that you carry some cash with you in case ATMs are unavailable. In case of an emergency, some cash in UK Pounds should be kept on hand. Major credit cards are accepted in larger stores and restaurants only in major cities. Cash advances against credit cards are permitted by some banks.
SPENDING MONEY
Every tourist has a unique approach to spending money on their journey. You are more aware of your spending habits than we are, so please budget for items like extra meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Check the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly to understand what is included in the trip fee and what you may need to pay for while travelling.
TIPPING
If you are pleased with the services provided, a tip is appropriate, though not required. While it may not be customary for you, it is very important to the people who will look after you during your journey, inspires excellent service, and is a well-established feature of the tourism industry in many Taprorabana destinations. Although they can be difficult to find, we recommend carrying small notes of local currency with you every day to make tipping easier.
The following amounts are per person suggestions based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:
Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants – round your bill up to the nearest UK S Pounds 1. More up-market restaurants we suggest 10% to 15% of your bill.
Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your tour leader. We suggest Uk Pounds 2-3 per day for local guides.
Drivers: Your tour may include a variety of drivers. Some may accompany you on a short journey, while others may accompany you for several days. We would recommend a greater tip for individuals who are more active with the group, but we recommend £2 per passenger every day for both the bus and the crew.
Your Tour Leader: You should also consider tipping your tour guide for exceptional service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely up to the individual, but as a guideline, Uk £ 5 per person, per day, can be used. Of course, you are free to tip as much or as little as you like, based on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember that tipping is optional and should only be given when you receive exceptional service.
In total, we recommend you budget approx. Uk £10-Uk £ 15 per day of your trip to cover tipping.
On Day 1, your tour leader will explore the idea of running a group tip kitty with you, in which everyone contributes an equal amount and your group leader pays the tips while maintaining a running record of all cash spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be examined at any time, and any money left over at the end of the tour is refunded to the members of the group. This is often the easiest way to avoid problems like not having enough small change or not knowing when or how much to tip.
Please do not tip with coins, notes with very small denominations, or soiled or damaged notes. This is considered an insult in some cultures.
CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We strive to plan for every contingency, but certain things are out of our hands. Due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event, we have the right to amend an itinerary after departure. You will bear the additional costs of any necessary itinerary changes in such emergency situations. Please keep in mind that we are not responsible for any incidental expenses incurred as a result of itinerary changes, such as visas, vaccinations, or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have an extra Uk £ 500 on hand in case of an emergency (e.g., severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other unforeseen changes to your itinerary. These things sometimes necessitate last-minute changes in order for our trips to continue, and as a result, there may be some additional costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in Uk £ for universal traveller’s convenience; however, once in the country, local currency may be required to cover these costs.
Packing
What you need to pack will depend on the type of vacation you choose, the countries you visit, and the time of year you travel. In general, we recommend packing as lightly as possible and ensuring that you can carry and lift your own luggage, as well as walk with it for short distances.
Most travellers travel with a backpack, but an overnight bag with a shoulder strap can be sufficient if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient, but carrying straps are recommended. A lockable bag or little padlock comes in handy. When exploring during the day and for your overnight hike into the tea plantations, you’ll also need a daypack or bag to carry water, a camera, and other items.
Here are some suggestions and pointers on what you’ll need for this vacation.
ESSENTIALS:
- Lightweight clothing. You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing and warm layers. Long shirts and pants for protection against mosquitoes are useful. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry. Maybe bring a change of smart clothes for dinner in Colombo. Please also bring clothing that covers arms and pants/skirts that go past the knee for entry into local temples. For women, a light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when hot.
- Closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through cities as well as bush/grass-lands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings.
- Sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
RECOMMENDED:
- The Hill country of Sri Lanka can be cold, especially on the tea plantation hike. Please bring a light, warm waterproof jacket.
- Hiking boots, socks and light hiking clothing such as synthetic T shirt styles that wick away moisture
- Personal medical kit. A larger kit will be on hand with your leader, but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids and insect repellent.
- Water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world.
- Camera / phone.
OPTIONAL:
- Ear plugs to guard against street noise, barking dogs and snorers.
- A good book, journal and music player.
LUGGAGE LIMIT:
Please keep your luggage to a minimum. One small soft-sided bag plus a day pack (no more than 15-20kgs in total per person) is essential. We recommend against bringing hard/externally framed suitcases as they are difficult to store and can damage equipment and other travellers’ belongings. If your trip is beginning and ending at the same location, excess luggage can usually be stored at your arrival/departure hotel and can be collected after your trip.
VALUABLES:
Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, and use your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
BATTERIES/POWER:
Most of our trips have access to power to recharge batteries for phones and cameras every day. We recommend that you carry an extra battery for your camera and/or a small portable power bank.
Phone and internet access
In general, hotels in Sri Lanka provide excellent WiFi connectivity. Most hotels provide free WiFi in public areas, and many also provide WiFi in rooms. Your tour guide will provide you with the best communication advice in the country’s most remote areas. When you arrive at the airport, you can acquire a local SIM card. Etisalat and Airtel are two of the larger operators with the most extensive nationwide coverage.
Climate and seasonal information
SRI LANKA WEATHER:
The weather in Sri Lanka varies based on the time of year and the region you visit. The northeaster monsoon season lasts from December to March, while the southwest monsoon season lasts from May to October. Flooding and landslides are possible during this time, so plan for delays or reroutes to avoid affected areas. Summers in Sri Lanka are extremely hot, with short, sharp monsoons in the southwest. If you are travelling during this time of year, make sure you apply adequate sun protection and drink enough water.
PERAHERA FESTIVAL
This annual festival, held in July or August, consists of ten days of evening processions to honour the Sacred Tooth, which is housed at Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth. A parade of more than 50 decorated elephants is part of the celebration. We do not include the event and cannot purchase tickets on your behalf due to our stance on elephant cruelty.
Group Leader
Every group trip is led by one of our group leaders. The group leader’s goal is to take the stress out of your travels and help you have the best trip possible. Taprorabana tries hard to give you a leader with a lot of experience, but because travel is seasonal, it’s possible that your leader is new to the area or is training other group leaders.
Your guide will provide information about the areas you are visiting, make suggestions for things to do and see, recommend fantastic local eating establishments, and introduce you to our local friends. While they are not typical guides, they should have a broad general understanding of the areas visited on the journey, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We at Taprorabana want to provide local guides with specialised knowledge of the locations we visit. If you want to delve deeper into the local culture at a specific place or venue, your leader can propose a local guide service at most of your trip’s main stops.
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide routinely updated overseas travel information on international travel safety issues. We recommend that you check your government’s travel advice for the most up-to-date travel information before leaving and that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip.
We strongly advise using a neck wallet or money belt while travelling to protect your passport, flight tickets, cash, and other valuables. You won’t need your jewellery when travelling, so leave it at home. Many of our hotels provide safe deposit boxes, which are the safest place to keep your belongings. It is advised that you use a lock to secure your luggage.
Your leader will join you on all included activities; nevertheless, you will have some free time during your vacation to follow your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will advise you on the available options in a given location, please keep in mind that any optional activities you participate in are not part of your Taprorabana itinerary, and Taprorabana makes no representations about the activity’s safety or the standard of the operators who run them. Please use your best judgement while choosing an activity to do in your spare time. Please keep in mind that your Leader has the authority to change or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if necessary due to safety concerns.
Taprorabana operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips.
CURRENT SITUATION:
The recent terrorist attacks were a tragic occurrence that has had a significant influence on the country’s tourism. Taprorabana is committed to our local personnel and the communities we visit, and we will continue to run all of our tours in Sri Lanka. While the security situation is currently considerably more stable, there is still a strong police presence in towns and cities, as well as several checkpoints. We will keep running our tours in Sri Lanka in line with official travel advice and the rules of the country. We don’t expect major changes to your plan at this time, but keep in mind that the country is still recuperating and factors like travel times between destinations and time spent going through security at the airport may be affected.
POLITICAL TENSION:
Protests and large public gatherings can devolve into violence or become targets for politically motivated attacks. In response to protests, police have used tear gas and water cannons. Curfews can be imposed at any time. You should avoid all major public meetings and listen to your leader’s instructions. Some security forces are visible, especially in the northern and eastern regions. Military and police checkpoints can be set up, and road closures can happen at any time.
PETTY CRIME:
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and other petty crimes are common in Sri Lanka, especially in crowded places like tourist areas, markets, and public transportation. Carry only what you need, and use hotel safes whenever possible. Card skimming has been reported; therefore, only use ATMs attached to banks or major hotels. Some tourists unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods, particularly jewellery and gems; be aware that you may not be purchasing the genuine article.
LOCAL LAWS:
You must carry a form of official photo identification with you at all times – a copy of your passport is a good idea. Be aware that smoking and drinking in most public places is illegal.
BICYCLE HELMETS:
Please note that helmets are not always provided for sightseeing on bicycles. If you wish you can bring along your own.
A couple of rules
Everyone has the right to travel safely. We do not accept any sort of violence (verbal or physical) or sexual harassment, whether it occurs between customers or involves our leaders, partners, or local residents. Sexual interactions between a tour guide and a client are strictly prohibited. Illegal drug use or possession will not be tolerated on our travels. If you choose to drink alcohol while travelling, we advocate safe drinking and expect you to follow local alcohol consumption rules. The sex tourism sector is well-known for exploiting vulnerable individuals and wreaking havoc on communities, including impeding the development of sustainable tourism. As a result, patronising sex workers will be prohibited on our travels.
By travelling with us, you agree to follow these terms. You must always follow the laws, customs, foreign exchange, and drug regulations of the countries you visit, and you agree to travel in accordance with our Responsible Travel Guidelines. The group leader’s decision is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveller or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a group leader’s decision or interfere with the group’s well-being or mobility, the group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately with no right of refund. We may also decide not to transport you on any future trips. If you notice someone acting inappropriately while travelling with us, please notify your tour leader or local guide right away. Call us at the number listed in the Problems and Emergency Contact section of this Essential Trip Information instead.
Travelling on a group trip
When you travel in a group, you will experience all of the benefits and possibly some of the drawbacks of group travel. Your other travellers will most likely come from all around the world and be of various ages. We ask that you be mindful of your group’s diverse requirements and preferences. Patience with your fellow travellers is often required for everyone’s benefit. Remember that you have collective obligations as well. If you are asked to be somewhere at a specific time, make sure you don’t keep the rest of the party waiting. We’ve discovered time and again that the greatest excursions we run are those where the dynamics within the group work effectively, and this requires very little effort on your part. We are unable to provide you with contact information or any personal information about your fellow passengers booked on your trip prior to departure due to privacy concerns.
SOLO TRAVELLERS
The beauty of our travel style is that it appeals to lone travellers who wish to connect and share experiences with like-minded people. Rooming is arranged on a twin-share basis on our tours. We match solitary travellers with another traveller of the same gender based on the gender marking on their passports. As a responsible tour operator, we endeavour to offer a welcoming and safe environment for everybody. Please contact us if your gender identity differs from what is listed on your passport so that we can discuss rooming possibilities with you. On most tours, we also offer an optional single supplement for those who wish to have their own accommodations. Please keep in mind that this only applies to lodging during the tour. We will book pre-trip and post-trip accommodations on a single-room basis. Some accommodations are rented on an open-gender, multi-share basis on a small number of itineraries (for example, on a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam). It will be explicitly stated in our Essential Trip Information before booking and travelling in certain cases.
Travel Insurance
For those travelling internationally, travel insurance is required on all of our tours. We demand that you be covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation, at the very least. If you are travelling within your own country or region, please ensure that you have easy access to the public medical system in the event of an accident. We strongly advise all travellers to obtain insurance that covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage or personal goods. For overseas travel, you will not be allowed to join the group unless your leader has seen proof of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number.
If you have credit card insurance, your group leader will need the name of the participating insurer or underwriter, the level of coverage, the policy number, and an emergency contact number rather than the name of the bank and the details of your credit card. Please contact your bank for these details before travelling to the country.
European Union law says that people who live in the European Union or Switzerland and have basic international health insurance do not need travel insurance. However, because this does not cover emergency rescues, private health treatment, or repatriation to their native nation, complete travel insurance is generally advised. Travelers from the European Union or Switzerland who choose not to purchase travel insurance when travelling outside of their home country must sign a travel insurance waiver form at the group meeting.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip leaders, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel.
LOCAL DRESS:
When packing, keep in mind that dress standards in Asia are conservative, especially outside of big cities. We strongly advise modest clothing to respect this and for your personal comfort. Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is required. In the generally hot Asian environment, loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool.
Many rural communities in Asia will require women to wear modest attire even when swimming. Singlets, tank tops, and topless sunbathing are all forbidden. When visiting sacred locations, men should wear long trousers, and women should wear a long skirt or sarong.
BUDDHA IMAGES:
Posing for a photograph next to a statue of Buddha is considered extremely disrespectful or even illegal as is mistreatment of Buddhist images, which can include the wearing of tattoos, jewellery or clothing associated with Buddhism.
ELEPHANT PERFORMANCES & ELEPHANT RIDING:
While we respect each individual’s travel decisions, Taprorabana does not include elephant rides or other unnaturally performing activities on any schedule, and we encourage that you avoid them if they are offered to you during your stay. Professional wildlife conservation and animal welfare organisations, including World Animal Protection, advise that captive elephants, contrary to popular belief, remain wild animals and that, despite good intentions, many venues are unable to provide the appropriate living conditions elephants require, negatively impacting their well-being. While there is some validity to the notion that the money you pay for the activity supports the elephants and their mahouts, we also know that it stimulates demand for elephants caught in the wild or captive-bred. We appreciate your help in enhancing the lives of these magnificent creatures.
The TAPRORABANA Foundation
Did you know that tourism is one of the most important contributors to the world economy, accounting for one out of every ten jobs? That is why we support local programmes that create meaningful jobs and train individuals to work in the places we visitor ten jobs? That is why we support local programmes that create meaningful jobs and train individuals to work in the places we visit. And it’s why we exist: to make it simple for travellers to give back to the people and places they’ve visited in a meaningful and effective way.
The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society helps communities and protects elephants. Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) has been working to find solutions to the human-elephant conflict for over 21 years. They launched Project Orange Elephant by working directly with communities to persuade farmers to plant oranges, a crop that elephants are not attracted to. At the same time, planting oranges provides rural Sri Lankan farmers with a new, sustainable source of income while protecting both their families and wild elephants. SLWCS is working to make it easier for elephants and humans to cohabit.