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Uncover heritage, history—and wild elephants—on a tour of South India and Sri Lanka’s cultural treasures and national parks.
On a tour of cultural multitudes, you’ll breathe air tinged with tea and cinnamon, look up (way up) at technicolor temples, and slumber on a houseboat. South India and Sri Lanka contain an entire universe—one steeped in heritage and interspersed with abundant natural wonders and the thundering hoofbeats of Asian elephants. South India welcomes you to a galaxy of tropical experiences at a much more deliberate pace than its Northern counterpart. You’ll weave through the French colonial je-ne-sais-quoi of Puducherry to the sacred city of Madurai, to the free-roaming wilderness of Periyar National Park and the meandering emerald-green backwaters of Kerala. Then, it’s Sri Lanka’s turn to dazzle you with Kandy’s elaborate cave temples and nose-tickling spice plantations found throughout the island nation. Extend your trip to Southern Sri Lanka and after a scenic train ride through every shade of green on the Sri Lankan highlands, look for leopards on a game drive and learn about the roots of Ceylon cinnamon in its very birthplace.
Your tour package includes
- 13 nights in handpicked hotels
- 13 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 8 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 liquor tasting
Included highlights
- Mahabalipuram’s seaside monuments
- Aurobindo Ashram in Colonial Puducherry
- Madurai’s technicolor temples
- Periyar spice and tea plantations
- Periyar National Park game drive
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Chennai today.
Welcome to India! After arriving in Chennai, transfer to your hotel in Mahabalipuram. You’ll touch down later in the evening, so use the rest of your day to settle into your accommodations, catch up on rest, and get ready for the beginning of your journey.
Enjoy a quiet morning, then set off on a guided tour through the coastal city of Mahabalipuram where temples from the Pallava dynasty stand, centuries later, against the orange sunsets on the Bay of Bengal. Get to know this port city, a former gateway of trade, and discover the famous Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.
- Begin with a visit to the Shore Temple, constructed from blocks of granite and boasting all the hallmarks of Dravidian architecture: intricate carvings, ornate pillars, and elaborate sculptures of mythological figures. The temple’s pyramidal structure rises above a sandy beach, casting an ethereal aura at sunrise and sunset.
- Continue to Pancha Rathas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its unique monolith rock-cut temples. These five rathas, or chariots, are carved from individual large pink granite boulders, and showcase the influence of various dynasties. Consider the exquisite artistry (and engineering prowess) of the design that’s managed to survive salty winds and tsunamis for 1,400 years.
- View Arjuna’s Penance, where you’ll be greeted by an enormous bas-relief on this 43-foot-tall monument extolling stories from the epic of the Mahabharata. One of the central motifs portrays Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, standing in penance to the Lord Shiva. Carved into the rock face, you’ll spot vivid representations of gods and celestial beings.
- See the intriguing, gravity-defying Krishna’s Butterball, a curiously shaped balanced boulder precariously perched on a sloping hillside. Legend has it that the rock was placed there by Lord Krishna, known for his love of butter—and mischievous nature.
Tonight, continue to get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers during an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Puducherry was a French colonial settlement until 1954, and remnants of that heritage are evident in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural fusion. Enjoy a scenic drive to this small, seaside town where you’ll find colorful colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and spiritual havens on a walking and rickshaw ride tour with a serving of French flair.
- Pass through the French Quarter, also known as the White Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through its winding streets lined with saffron-colored French colonial architecture, perhaps snacking on a baguette from one of the many bakeries.
- Stop by the experimental township of Auroville, founded in 1968 to promote human unity and sustainable living. At the center of Auroville is the Matrimandir, an iconic golden spherical structure surrounded by twelve petals.
- End your tour with a visit to the Tamil Quarter, known as the Heritage Town, and make your way through candy-colored building facades with traditional wooden doors and windows, temples, shrines, bazaars, and Promenade Beach.
Take a break this afternoon with an included lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Mahabalipuram where you’ll enjoy your free time. Our suggestion? Find a beachside cafe and indulge in right-off-the-boat seafood and thirst-quenching coconut water. For a South Indian snack to tide you over, try dosas—savory crepes made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils cooked until they’re crispy, golden brown, and ready to be dipped in chutney.
This morning, board a flight to Madurai, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, often referred to as the “Athens of the East.” Standing since the fourth century B.C., Madurai is even mentioned in Greek and Roman texts. Upon arrival, set off on a sightseeing tour with your Tour Director and discover why the city is a renowned cultural hub and street food paradise.
- Enter the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, an architectural marvel built in the 17th century in the Indo-Saracenic style. Its detailed stucco work and magnificent 82-foot-tall pillars recall Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch influences, and although the palace was once four times larger than it stands today, it still thrives as one of the wonders of South India.
- Take your time to walk through the palace, which was designed as King Tirumala Nayaka’s residence and is comprised of royal quarters, ponds, gardens, and an auditorium.
- Hop aboard a cycle rickshaw and head toward the rainbow-hued Meenakshi Amman Temple—an icon of Dravidian architecture and notable for its towering gopurams (gateway towers), carved pillars, and prismatic sculptures depicting deities and mythological tales.
Freshen up at your hotel before heading back into the city for the Sundown Ceremony, or Athazha Puja, at the Meenakshi Temple. Admire the evening ritual marking the closure of the temple for the day with the rest of the city by your side, and look on as priests perform arati—the waving of lighted lamps—to the deities. During the symbolic procession, icons adorned with exquisite attire and jewels are paraded around before the final arati, a fiery display of large oil lamps waved in circular motions, dispells any lingering darkness.
Please note: Non-Hindus may not enter the Temple’s inner sanctum during the ceremony and will watch from the outside gallery.
Return to Meenakshi Temple, where you’ll be able to fully take in the grand scale of one of India’s largest temple complexes in the light of day. This morning, you’ll get a more in-depth overview of the temple—adorned by hundreds of vibrantly colored sculptures—and the story behind it, which reflects the matrilineal traditions of South India.
- Step inside the sprawling temple grounds and walk amongst the beautiful gardens, fountains, unique halls built over centuries, and the prayerful Golden Lotus Pond within.
- Learn how the temple site is believed to be where Lord Shiva took the form of Lord Somasundara and married Meenakshi, the reincarnation of the Goddess Parvati.
- Follow a perfumed trail of marigolds, roses, lotus, tuberoses, and jasmine to Madurai’s famous flower market. The vibrant blooms hold immense religious significance in Indian culture, and you’ll spot devotees purchasing flower offerings.
After an included lunch at a local restaurant with your group, you’ll make your way further inland this afternoon to Periyar National Park. Tucked into the Western Ghats of Kerala, this lush mountainside reserve is home to elephants, tigers, leopards, the Indian bison known as gaurs, and wild boar.
If that’s not exciting enough, add a visit to a Kerala martial arts show where your eyes and heart will leap in sync with the intense practice of Kalaripayattu. Watch practitioners wave weapons like spears and the urumi—a sword with a deadly whip-like blade. Alternatively, use your free time this evening to rest up for tomorrow’s nature walk.
Later tonight, gather for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Kerala Martial Arts Show
From $39 per person
Embark on a sensory journey through the abundant spice plantations surrounding Periyar National Park, where the air is infused with the tantalizing aromas of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Verdant groves adorned with trees and vines, branches heavy with fragrant treasures, await you. During your visit to a spice plantation, you’ll set off on a walk to learn the secrets of spice cultivation, from the delicate blossoms to the meticulously harvested bounty that make up the essence of India’s culinary heritage.
After an included lunch at your hotel, you’ll continue your adventure on foot during a nature walk through Periyar National Park with a naturalist guiding the way. The renowned wildlife sanctuary is one of the most popular destinations in Southern India, anchored by Periyar Lake—a prime spot for sambar deer viewing. Experience the park’s biodiversity up close and keep your fingers crossed for the rarest of treats—a sighting of the Bengal tiger.
Return to the hotel to freshen up before joining your group for an included dinner this evening, served with your choice of beer or wine.
Travel to Alleppey—gateway to the peaceful Kerala Backwaters—and board a houseboat for the day. As you motor along its lagoons and canals, you’ll enjoy a lunch prepared by private chefs, then have a more intimate tour of Kerala’s narrower waterways on a country boat.
Meander through canals, experiencing the tranquil rhythms of rural Kerala in close detail on the banks of the water, before returning to your houseboat and settling in for the evening. Take in the vistas slowly passing you by, then sit down for another freshly prepared feast. Retire for the night and let the rock of your craft lull you to sleep.
Disembark your houseboat and transfer to Kochi (also known by its former name, Cochin), a major port city on the southwest coast of India and a significant trading hub for centuries, attracting merchants and explorers from around the world. Today, it blends modernity with tradition and hosts visitors hopping between ancient landmarks, colonial architecture, and local eateries offering delectable seafood dishes.
Along the way, stop to get a history lesson on the industrial importance of coir, derived from the husks of coconuts and used in the making of eco-friendly ropes, mats, brushes, and other handicrafts. During a visit to a coir factory, you’ll view the full process of turning the fibers into floor mats which are shipped worldwide and learn about coir’s vital role in the local economy and Kochi’s commitment to environmental conservation.
Continue to your hotel in Kochi and get settled in. Later this evening, join your group for a spellbinding Kathakali performance. Blending dance, music, grand costumes, and intricate makeup, Kathakali recounts episodes from Indian epics and folklore using expressive gestures and movements called mudras.
Choose to enjoy a free morning to relax or take part in a meditative, complimentary yoga lesson at your hotel early this morning. Then, discover why Kochi is considered the finest jewel in Kerala’s crown on today’s sightseeing tour.
- Begin at Fort Cochin—a seaside neighborhood whose name belies its serenity. Formerly the site of the first European fort on Indian soil, the district now houses some of the oldest colonial architecture in the country.
- Enter Mattancherry Palace—the “Dutch palace” built by the Portuguese and adorned with priceless Kerala murals—before moving on to the Santa Cruz Basilica. One of nine basilicas in India, its eggshell walls and Gothic styling immediately catch the eye.
- Make a stop at the oldest European church in India: St. Francis. Built in 1503, St. Francis Church was once the final resting place of Vasco da Gama. From there, walk to the equally significant Paradesi Synagogue. This Orthodox congregation is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations; you’ll find time-worn gravestones inscribed in Hebrew in its cemetery.
- Continue through the Old City and stroll through the fantastically fragrant Spice Market, navigating its stalls with help from your Tour Director.
This evening, join a cooking demonstration and home-hosted dinner starring some of Kerala’s specialties.
Leave India behind and fly to Sri Lanka today, known as Ceylon during the country’s time under Dutch and British occupation. When you land in Colombo, you’ll forge on to Dambulla, a quiet town and sacred pilgrimage site—your launchpad for exploring the surrounding sites of Sri Lanka’s exuberant landscape.
After an included lunch, hop aboard a 4x4 safari vehicle and set off into Minneriya National Park, where you’ll have a chance to encounter the famed Asian elephant and other wildlife during an afternoon game drive. The park’s extensive grasslands, wetlands, and scrub forests also provide a habitat for 160 species of birds. During the dry season (June to October), you may even witness “The Gathering,” when herds of hundreds of elephants congregate around the Minneriya Tank—a manmade reservoir the animals depend on for drinking water during the dryer months.
Tonight, enjoy an included dinner served with beer or wine.
Please note: In the event water levels are too high in Minneriya National Park, the game drive will be moved to a different national park.
Uncover the historical and cultural heart of Polonnaruwa, which served as Sri Lanka’s capital from the 11th to the 13th century and is renowned for its archaeological treasures.
You’ll have plenty of time to explore the highlights like the Royal Palace complex for an insight into the governance and lifestyle of ancient royalty, as well as the Gal Vihara rock temple. The latter, a masterpiece of Sinhalese artistry, features four colossal statues of Buddha carved into a single granite rock face.
For lunch, enjoy Sri Lankan hospitality with a traditional home-cooked meal. If you’re up for it, consider adding the optional hike to Sigiriya rock to your itinerary. The entrance to this UNESCO-listed fortress carved out of volcanic rock is guarded by two massive lion paws. Take in the view from its base or trek the 1,300 steps to the top for a panoramic view. Alternatively, you can visit Rankoth Vehera, the largest and most culturally significant stupa in Polonnaruwa.
Tonight, take in the rich musical culture of the country during a Paduru party, a village tradition in Sri Lanka. In Sinhalese, “paduru” refers to a canopy and during the Paduru party, a canopy adorned with colorful decorations, flowers, and traditional embellishments is erected. Enjoy a feast of authentic dishes and imbibe in a sip of arrack—a spirit made from fermented and distilled coconut sap that is aged in wooden barrels for at least three years. The liquor is rare in North America but common (and popular!) in Sri Lanka and India.
Sigiriya Rock Hike
From $89 per person
Start the day with a visit to Dambulla’s claim to fame, the Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla—a series of five caves painstakingly decorated with Buddhist murals and more than 150 statues of Buddha. It’s a profound spiritual experience amidst timeworn surroundings.
- Uncover the caves’ more than 2,000-year legacy as you gaze upon artwork spanning several centuries, some as old as the first century B.C. Of its many eye-popping highlights is the colossal reclining Buddha statue almost 50 feet in length.
- Learn the lore of the temple’s sacred water pot, said to never run dry or overflow despite a constant supply of water from a small natural spring.
- Breathe in a heady bouquet of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, mace, and vanilla with a visit to a spice garden, where you’ll take a short walk with a local guide and learn how these popular spices are grown, processed, and used in everything from cooking to medicine.
Gather for an included lunch before continuing your journey to Kandy, a historic and cultural treasure with a large collection of ancient temples, architecture, vibrant markets, and a holy relic of Buddha. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the area on your own or better yet, find a restaurant serving kottu roti, a dish of chopped flatbread mixed with griddled vegetables, onions, and meat, egg, or fish.
Set off for a morning of sightseeing as you get to know the bustling city of Kandy. From its perch amidst rolling green hills, surrounded by serene lakes and rivers, Kandy’s landscape is an idyllic backdrop for exploration.
- Enjoy a scenic drive along Kandy Lake, an artificial body of water built in the early 1800s by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy. Swaying in the breeze, you’ll see a vast canopy of palm, nuga, sal, and Mara trees.
- Shop for artisanal batik textiles and peruse the sparkling selection of gems in Kandy’s Market Square, where tourists and locals alike converge over stalls replete with fresh produce, spices, and colorful clothing.
- Hop into a tuk-tuk—a nimble three-wheeler designed to zip through narrow lanes—and head to the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most holy Buddhist sites in the world. Venerated as a symbolic representation of the Buddha, the tooth relic supposedly grants its holder a divine right of governance over the land.
Add a home-hosted lunch to your itinerary and deepen your connection to Sri Lanka. Visit a local family and learn about what goes into a traditional meal before enjoying it with your hosts. Alternatively, take a walk and look for expertly carved wooden pillars, red-tiled roofs, and verandas adorned with flash designs—the classic elements of Kandyan architecture.
Tonight, come together and celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner, served with your choice of beer or wine.
Sri Lanka Cooking Demonstration & Lunch
From $89 per person
Return to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city and thriving metropolis, where you’ll make your way around the city on a walk through colonial history and contemporary skyscrapers.
- Kick things off with an included lunch before meandering through Galle Face Green, a recreational hotspot in the city which stretches along the shoreline.
- Step inside the formidable Neo-Baroque style Old Parliament Building turned exquisite treasury before continuing through the Fort area—the walled part of Colombo originally built by the Portuguese.
- Stroll through the Fort down Chatham Street—lined by shops, salons, mosques, and eateries and surrounded by Victorian and Edwardian-style buildings.
- End in the Pettah neighborhood, home to the city’s largest market, where you’ll have a last chance to bargain for textiles or ceramics.
Head to the hotel where you’ll enjoy an included dinner served with beer or wine. Then, relax in a day room before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home or make room in your heart for an extension to Southern Sri Lanka and explore unique villages, surprisingly cool climates, and thriving cinnamon and tea farms.
Please note: If you are traveling on the extension to southern Sri Lanka, you will not return to Colombo and will continue to Nuwara Eliya where you will spend the night.
Arrive home today.
Travel to Nuwara Eliya, and stop by one of the region’s stunning, terraced tea plantations. After the crop was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 19th century, the area became the country’s tea capital and Sri Lanka grew to be one of the world’s largest exporters.
- Learn how raw tea leaves are harvested, dried, cut, rolled, and fermented—all before they get steeped in your cup.
- Sample tea varieties as you’re guided through proper tasting techniques. Notice the mouthfeel—smooth and silky? Brisk and astringent? Floral or fruity?
After an included lunch at a local restaurant, join your Tour Director and get to know the city affectionately known as “Little England” for its British colonial architecture and chilly temperatures. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and tea estates, you’ll be sure to see the British influence on charming bungalows, public buildings, and hotels.
- Visit Seetha Amman Kovil, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rama’s wife, whose tragic story is recounted in the epic poem, Ramayana. The temple holds significant cultural and religious importance for Hindus, particularly those of Sri Lankan Tamil descent.
Head to your hotel to freshen up. Then, gather with your group for an included dinner served with beer or wine.
Board the train and travel to the resort village of Ella. Reputed as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, you’ll roll through the riotous green hills of the Sri Lankan countryside. As you watch the landscape ebb in and out of view, enjoy an included boxed lunch aboard the train.
When you arrive in Ella, transfer by bus to your hotel in the Yala National Park region, home to Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park and its most famous, if people-shy resident, the Sri Lankan leopard. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with your group, served with your choice of beer or wine.
Please note: If the trains are canceled due to inclement weather, you will transfer to Ella by bus.
Rise early and head out on a game drive through Yala National Park this morning. The country’s most-visited, and second-largest national park weaves dense forests, grasslands, scrub jungles, lagoons, and coastal areas into a tapestry teeming with wildlife. As you travel through the park aboard your 4x4 safari vehicle, watch for the wild elephant herds that populate the area. They share space with the elusive leopard—and with one of the highest densities of that apex predator in the world, you just might see one on the hunt. There are also endangered crocodiles and dozens of species of birds, including the largest bird in Sri Lanka, the black-necked stork.
After a short break for an included lunch, you’ll return to the park to continue your game drive and admire the park’s conservation efforts that include habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and sustainable tourism practices.
Tonight, freshen up back at the hotel, then enjoy an included dinner served with beer or wine.
Travel to Galle—a coastal, colonial city, stopping along the way to learn about how true cinnamon is harvested. After a pause for lunch, you’ll join a guided walk through a Ceylon cinnamon plantation.
- Meet up with a local guide and traverse the plantation, learning about the historical significance of cinnamon. The spice was highly valued in ancient civilizations and continued to be a commodity during the height of the Spice Routes.
- See the full journey of cinnamon production from planting and harvesting, to drying and processing cinnamon bark. During the rainy season, the outer bark of the tree is carefully stripped away, revealing the precious inner bark. The inner bark is then peeled off in thin strips and laid to dry in the sun. As the strips dry, they naturally curl up to form the characteristic cinnamon quills.
Continue to Galle and enjoy a free afternoon to relax or unroll a beach towel on the soft sands of the Indian Ocean and enjoy its turquoise waters.
Later tonight, sit down for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Enjoy a free morning (a few more beach moments, perhaps?) before having lunch in the Galle Region. Then, return to Colombo where you can relax in a day room before traveling to the airport for your overnight flight home. If you have time and have a hankering for some last-minute shopping, head to the busy market stalls of Pettah for a memento from your trip.
Arrive home today.
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Reviews
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This oceanfront hotel is located on Pallava Beach in Mahabalipuram. Guests enjoy the fitness centre, beautiful garden, and outdoor pool. Nearby you’ll...
This posh hotel is located just outside of downtown Madurai. Guests enjoy two swimming pools, a variety of on-site dining options, and coffee house. N...
This luxury resort is located in the lush forests neighboring Periyar National Park. Guests enjoy the elegant rooms, relaxing location, and the on-sit...
This traditional house boat is located in Alappuzha, Kerala. Guests enjoy music systems, a crew, and housekeeping services. Nearby, you'll find the Ke...
This modern hotel is located on Willingdon Island. Guests enjoy multiple restaurant options, an exercise room, and an outdoor pool with a sundeck. Nea...
This lakefront hotel is located on the shores of the Kandalama reservoir in Dambulla. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, wellness centre, and bar. The hot...
This charming hotels sits on the shores of the Mahaweli River in Kandy. Guests enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, an outdoor pool, an...
This country-home style hotel is located in Nuwara Eliya. Guests enjoy the relaxing garden with sweeping views, live music, and on-site restaurant. Ne...
This jungle hotel is located on the shores of the Laccadive Sea in Yala. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, walking tours, private chalets, and the sun te...
This colonial-styled hotel is located overlooking the Indian Ocean in Galle. Guests enjoy the outdoor pools, spa, beach access, and a variety of dinin...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- To enter India and Sri Lanka, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond their return date. We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must also obtain a visa prior to their tour. You may apply for an eVisa yourself or use a third-party provider, such as our partner company, VisaCentral. Regardless of your choice, you’ll have to pay to receive an Indian visa.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa from the Sri Lankan government’s Electronic Travel Authority website eta.gov.lk/slvisa prior to departure.
- If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Indian consulate for specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code LAK.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Chennai and depart from Colombo.
- When you arrive in Chennai, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with either a Go Ahead sign or one bearing your name. If you don’t see them immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler and will be back shortly.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who purchase their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights, and who’ll arrive and depart from the same airports on the same travel days as their fellow group members, may request transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Physical Activity Level
This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout your trip.
Tour Pacing
This is a very fast-paced tour. Tour pacing considers how often you’ll switch hotels, what you’ll do each day, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- 2 one-night stays.
- Most days and evenings to be full of included activities.
- Most transportation to be by motor coach.
- Some transportation by rickshaw, tuk-tuk, boat, and commercial flight (plus a train ride on the tour extension).
- Daily bus time to vary and occasionally be lengthy.
Walking, Terrain & Physical Considerations
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2–3 miles each day on city streets, cobblestone roads, and uneven stone and dirt paths.
- Stone pathways and archaeological sites can become slick when wet.
- To get in and out of the game drive vehicles, travelers should be prepared to climb a small ladder or negotiate upward and downward steps.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Temperatures during the warmer months (April–June) can often range from 90–105 F in India.
- During the cooler months (October–March), expect cooler temperatures from 50–65 F in India.
- Monsoon season (June–September) brings high levels of humidity; short, intense bursts of rainfall; and temperatures from 75–95 F in India.
- Temperatures in Sri Lanka average in the high 80sF year-round, but temperatures may be cooler depending on your elevation.
- During the Maha season (September–March), Sri Lanka experiences monsoons in the northeast.
- During the Yala season (May–August), Sri Lanka experiences monsoons in the southwest.
Physical Activity & Tour Pacing Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage-handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the whole group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The group can’t miss any activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, wheelchairs and walkers will be difficult to use and aren’t recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring any mobility aids with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour utilizes various modes of transportation, including planes, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, and 4x4 land cruisers (plus a train on the tour extension). To board some of them, you may have to climb raised platforms or steps: For instance, the 4x4 land cruisers used on the game drives have high steps. Often, there won’t be access to ramps or lifts. Additionally, you may have to stoop to get into and out of your seat on boats.
- Your game drives will be long and may cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride and the impact it may have on your body.
- Flights from Chennai to Madurai and Kochi to Colombo are included in the price of your tour. The tour extension also includes a train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag each due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you’re responsible for any baggage fees incurred.
- Contact your airline(s) for the baggage size and weight restrictions on your flights. Please note that the flights included on the tour may have baggage restrictions as low as 33lbs for checked bags and 15lbs for carry-on bags. You will be responsible for any costs associated with overweight baggage.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels, airports, or train stations.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It’s preferable not to visit temples or other holy places with bare legs or shoulders; entrance may be denied on this basis. And remember: You must remove your shoes at all Hindu and Buddhist religious sites.
- Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities. Binoculars are also handy for taking a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- India operates on 230-volt electricity and uses a Type D plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.
- Sri Lanka operates on 230 volts and uses Type D or M plugs with two small, round pins and one larger round pin, and a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most can be bought while on tour. While traveling, you can purchase them directly through your mobile app for an additional $10USD on the excursion’s price.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least three days prior to your tour departure. Please note: Some excursions have advance booking deadlines, so check your itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss out.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather, or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you’ll be refunded the full cost of the excursion. (It may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.)
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions, which can only be purchased on tour, in cash, in the local currency.
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
- Local governments may require proof of yellow fever vaccination—often referred to as a “yellow card”—or a statement of medical exemption from it. This is only required of travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. (Please note: The U.S. and Canada aren’t on that list.) Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of your tour, as well as for any possible delays.
- Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure: Its rays can be especially strong in some of the areas you’ll visit.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, even when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables, unless they’ve been washed and peeled or cooked in clean water.
- Public restrooms in India can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
- Bring a small first aid kit—including antacids, antidiarrheals, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medicines you take—in your carry-on bag.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code LAK.
- This tour includes seven lunches and eight dinners: They may be set, plated set menus; buffets; or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
- A hotel breakfast is included each morning, and is typically a buffet-style meal with hot and cold options.
- While meat-free options abound in the country, the southern regions of India are often lighter with a focus on a rice-based diet using coveted spices like curry leaves, tamarind, coconut, and chiles which are often combined to create a vibrant marriage of flavors. You’ll find spicier dishes in the south make use of the many spices found in the area, but you’ll also find plenty of milder meals as well.
- Meals are usually served with rice or a variety of breads—such as unleavened roti, deep-fried puri, and famous, flat naan.
- Sri Lankan cuisine draws inspiration from nearby India and the colonial powers that formerly controlled the country. Spices are prevalent in almost every type of food and a simple, yet flavorful dish of rice and curry can be found almost everywhere. Since the country is an island, cuisine that incorporates fish and coconut is also popular.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10–$12USD per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person, per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price; it isn’t necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You’ll use the Indian rupee in India and the Sri Lankan rupee in Sri Lanka.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas—though you may want to order some currency from your local bank or a retailer, such as Travelex, before you arrive.
- Travelers may bring up to 25,000 rupees with them when entering the country through an airport. Travelers may also take up to 25,000 rupees out of the country, unless they’re continuing to Bhutan or Nepal.
- If you wish, you can get rupees at a currency exchange booth at your arrival airport. Keep a receipt of your transaction.
- Cash is the preferred method of payment across India. Some larger vendors may accept international debit and credit cards, such as Mastercard and Visa. This, however, is uncommon, and minimum purchases are generally required on card-based transactions.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, bus driver, and local guides.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will lead your group. Their role is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each day’s activities, and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and can’t provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is having access to our 24/7 Emergency Support Team.
- Our extensive network of global offices and our integration of ISO 31000 risk management guidelines help this dedicated team anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible, iterative way.
- Using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience, this team assists travelers and Tour Directors in case of emergencies—stepping in for everything from personal health concerns and injuries to major world events.
- Our On-Tour Support team can also provide additional support for travelers on tour, arranging assistance from outside specialists and liaising with local and international authorities as needed. And if there’s an emergency on the road or at home, the team will support and facilitate communication between travelers and their families.
- India and Sri Lanka are 5.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 10.5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). The country doesn’t observe daylight saving time.
- When it’s noon in New York from November through March, it's 10:30pm in India and Sri Lanka. Subtract an hour from April through October.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
- Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.