Our tour allows you to experience the beautiful interior of Sri Lanka, exploring the delights of Dambulla, Sigiriya Rock and the colonial cities of Kandy and Galle. Visit ancient temples of past civilisations, wonder at the beautiful botanical gardens in Peradeniya, meet the elephants at the Pinnawala Orphanage and take a safari through Yala National Park.
Indulge yourself with a fabulous extension to the Maldives. Arriving at Male airport you will be transferred to your hotel for pure bliss. Enjoy spectacular views of the bluest seas from all directions whilst you unwind and relax on this island of paradise.
Depart on your scheduled, overnight flight to Colombo International Airport.
Dinner
On arrival you will be met by your local guide and transferred to Dambulla which will take approximately 4 hours. The rest of your evening at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart in the morning to explore the stunning Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century AD. Also known as the 'Lion Rock', it is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the jungle. Following lunch continue on to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa which was once a royal capital of the Sinhalese kingdom and is over 1000 years old. It was chosen as the capital as it was advantageously positioned to safeguard against possible attacks from the southeast, as well as supposedly having fewer mosquitoes! Here you can admire the ruins of the Royal Palace and wander around the Gal Vihara, famous for its splendid carved Buddha statues. Please note: photography is prohibited in parts of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Prohibited areas will be clearly signposted.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, visit the UNESCO registered Dambulla Rock Temple, where the impressive caves contain over 2000sq metres of painted walls and ceilings which were once gilded by the ancient King to mark his place of worship. You will then travel to Kandy en route visiting a spice garden followed by lunch and check in at your hotel. Continue to the famous Temple of Tooth Relic in the afternoon - Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic and one of the holiest shrines in the Buddhist world, and is also a UNSECO world heritage site. Before dinner relax whilst watching an eclectic cultural show, where performers will dazzle you with ornate costumes and traditional dances.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you will travel to the beautiful botanical gardens in Peradeniya, boasting more than 4,000 species of trees, plants, orchids and creepers. Next, a highlight of this tour is a trip to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975 to care for abandoned and wounded elephants. Witness these magnificent creatures in close quarters and see elephants being fed, bathed and trained by the wildlife authorities. This afternoon enjoy a city tour of Kandy, including the bazaar and arts and crafts centre and a gem museum. Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings and after defending themselves for over three centuries from the Dutch and Portuguese it finally fell to the hands of the British in 1815.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Departing Kandy this morning, breathe in the divine scent of Ceylon tea on a morning tour of a sweeping tea plantation, before participating in a short walking tour of Nuwara Eliya, whose idyllic mountainside setting strikingly overlooks its neighbouring valleys, meadows and peaks. A truly tranquil district often referred to as the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, take in vistas of misty hillsides, peppered with brightly dressed tea pickers en route to your hotel near Yala.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The morning is at leisure before your exciting jeep safari around the magnificent Yala National Game Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka with a unique ocean front setting. The park is home to elephants, wild boars, buffaloes, bears, deer and crocodiles as well as a number of migratory and indigenous birds. You may even spot a leopard!
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, you will arrive in Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon and the centre of the Dutch regime in the 17th century. A city tour lets you discover the majestic Galle Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the surrounding historic buildings which reflect the Dutch heritage which once reined the country. Travel north, to Colombo, for your final night.
Breakfast
Transfer to the Airport for your flight to the Maldives. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Surrender to serenity as you bask in the tranquil beauty of the Maldives. Whether you're lounging, indulging in world-class spa treatments, or simply soaking up the golden sun on powdery white sands, every moment is yours to savour. Dive into the crystal-clear turquoise waters, explore vibrant coral reefs, or sip a refreshing drink. This is your time—relax, rejuvenate, and let the magic of the Maldives embrace you.
Transfer to the airport for flight back to the UK.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in May 2026 and June 2026
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I’ve travelled with Mercury several times before on group tours, but always with my husband. This was my first tour since I was widowed so I was a little apprehensive about travelling solo, but everything was so well organised that I had no worries and I enjoyed the whole experience. Thank you. Be prepared to participate with your group, don’t forget your swimsuit, and enjoy every moment of this wonderful tour!
Patricia Orrill
13 Jun 24Ernest the guide was fantastic. His knowledge and experience were second to none. He ensured all the washrooms were of high standards and we stopped regularly. Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the elephant experience were my personal favourites. The food was fabulous and the rooms were clean and fresh. I will definitely take another escorted tour with you.
Natalie Lisa Kershaw
23 May 24The Jewels of Sri Lanka tour was excellent, with a brilliant guide and so many interesting places to see. The driver and assistant were very good. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Rishi Gudka
22 May 24The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is required for entry into Sri Lanka. This must be obtained before arriving in Sri Lanka. To apply, please visit the official website: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/. The cost is approximately $50. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote "Mercury Holidays". Passports must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of arrival in Sri Lanka. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
Maldives visa requirements
On arrival in the Maldives, you will receive a 30-day visa. We recommend bringing a copy of your confirmation invoice with you to avoid any delays at the airport.
If you have a UK passport, you will need to ensure that your passport is valid for at least one month after the date you arrive in Maldives. If your passport does not fulfil the entry requirements, then you will be refused boarding onto your flight and Mercury Holidays will not be responsible for your lost holiday.
You must complete a Traveller Declaration form online within 96 hours of arrival and departure. Please visit https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd.
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Jewels of Sri Lanka is rated Intermediate. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, and you will be getting on and off coaches, and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary. Early morning flights depending upon the schedule and some early morning sightseeing’s are also in this tour. Please note there are approximately 1,300 steps to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Be sure to take a bottle of water and keep yourself hydrated. The last place to buy water is a canteen near the main entrance. There are also lots of steps at Dambulla Rock Temple.
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR) and it is a closed currency. This means it is not possible to buy Sri Lankan money in the UK before you travel. It is important to budget carefully as you should not take any Rupee (LKR) out of Sri Lanka when you depart. There are foreign exchange offices and cash available in most places during your tour. Your tour guide will assist you at the start of your tour with currency exchange. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some shops and restaurants; a charge is sometimes added for using them. You can take cash or travellers' cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in Sri Lanka. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.
The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiya. The Maldivian Rufiya is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of the Maldives. US Dollars are also widely accepted in these destinations, should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and items not included.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 - £200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
It is customary to tip your guide and driver. This is at your discretion, but we recommend you allow approximately £5 per person, per day for the driver and assistant and £4 per person, per day for the national guides. It is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange. Most guides collect a kitty tip, approximately GBP 15pp for whole tour. Guides usually collect this at the beginning of tour to tip bell boys, porters, trackers and other assistants who will service you throughout the tour.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 25. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in some of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. For groups of 5 people or less you will have an English speaking Driver Guide or a Driver and Local/Guides
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Your beach stay is not escorted by a tour guide and your time will be free to explore the area at your own pace.
Safari Vehicles
Your safari will be taken in a jeep, this is a large open roofed truck that seats up to 6 people. Safari drivers take you to areas of the park where wildlife are more likely to be seen but as with all wildlife experiences nothing can be guaranteed. Please note that many paths inside the park are bumpy and dusty.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Sri Lanka. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
A triple room is available but please note that this will be a twin room with a fold away bed for the 3rd passenger.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Please note: Please take cash for drinks in the hotels as cards are not always accepted.
There are some dry hotels in Sri Lanka, and some hotels where alcohol can be consumed on the premise but must be brought in from outside. Your guide will pre-warn you of this and if anyone in the group would like to purchase drinks before getting then he will arrange for you to visit a local shop and get what you need wherever possible.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so to ensure your comfort and well-being, two bottles of drinking water will be provided on touring days.
In Sri Lanka, the sale of alcohol is prohibited by law on specific days throughout the year. These include Poya Days (full moon days), Independence Day in February, World Temperance Day in October, the day before and after Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, the day following Vesak Poya Day in May, and Christmas Day. This ban applies to all shops and hotels, ensuring that alcohol is not available for purchase on these designated days.
Alcohol is not allowed on entry to The Maldives. If you have bought liquor, beer or related items containing alcohol from a duty free shop while on route to the Maldives, these products must be bonded in the airport’s customs department upon arrival. These goods will be returned before departure.
In Sri Lanka they celebrate various festivals throughout the year, Vesak Poya is considered one of the most important Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka and is celebrated on the full moon poya day falling in May. The celebrations begin on the full moon day and continue for a week, where every corner has magical and colourful lanterns. Thai Pongal is the equivalent to a thanksgiving festival usually celebrated in January, followed by the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which is usually celebrated in April, it is a festival were people ensure their houses are clean, purchase new clothes, and prepare many traditional sweets.
It is seen as respectful to cover your shoulders and not to expose too much skin in Sri Lanka, so it would be advisable to pack a shawl or similar for women to cover up, including wearing up to/covering your knees when entering religious buildings etc.
Please note that plastic bottles are banned in the national parks so keep a reusable water bottle for your tour.
On your arrival in Colombo you will be met by a Guide or Airport representative from our local agent, Aitken Spence, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Aitken Spence representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries.
If you need to contact Aitken Spence during your stay the details are: Aitken Spence Travel (Colombo) 4th Floor Aitken Spence Towers 02 315, Vauxhall Street Colombo 02 Sri Lanka Contact number: 0094 112 499623
Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Aitken Spence Travel Contact Telephone number Rizmika 0094 772 916461 Kushani 0094 760 530644
Maldives Beach Stay: Representative service will be on telephone contact only due to geographical reasons. If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are: Emergency number: Nuwan Dissanayaka (Ace Travels Maldives): 00960 7782396 Airport contacts (local agent): Airport hotline number – 009607920058 Sujeewa – 009607920053 Maadhin - 009609809990
