We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Sri Lanka |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£0.40 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.40 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£0.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£4.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£6.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Effective January 1st, 2012, all foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka for a short stay of up to six months, including transit passengers, will have to apply for travel authorization online prior to their travel to the country.
The new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) system will scrap the previously implemented 'on arrival visa' at the ports of entry.
The full online system will be effective from January 1st, 2012.
If you are entering Sri Lanka on or after January 1st 2012, you must visit http://www.eta.gov.lk to apply for the ETA, prior to travel. It is strongly recommended that you print and bring a copy of the ETA approval notice with you.
The Sri Lankan authorities require that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Sri Lanka.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Good mosquito repellent containing DEET is advisable.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Additional Information for your Cycling Tour
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Cycling Safety
Our bikes are serviced frequently: spokes, tyres, gear and brake mechanisms are checked over and tested thoroughly by experienced mechanics before each tour begins.
We strongly recommend that you wear a helmet whilst cycling. We do not provide helmets locally; by bringing your own you can ensure a good fit and that it hasn’t been damaged.
Your tour leader will give a full safety briefing at the start of the tour, along with instructions on how to deal with any minor mechanical problems you may have along the way. Puncture repair kits will be provided locally, when and where necessary during the trip.
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Bike details
Bike hire is included on all Explore cycling trips: you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a support vehicle, spare parts and take care of day to day bike maintenance. All you need bring is your own helmet. If you prefer to use your own saddle or pedals please bring them too, as they can be fitted to your bike for the duration of the tour.
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| Bike Details |
Equipment Provided |
| Bike type: |
Hybrid |
| Bike model: |
Trek |
| Number of gears: |
Shimano Alivio, 24 gears |
| Brakes: |
Shimano V-Brake |
| Suspension: |
Front Suspension |
| Frame range: |
17"-21.5" |
| Panniers/bike bag type provided: |
No |
| Water bottle holder provided: |
Yes |
| Water bottle provided: |
No |
| Adjustable handlebars: |
Yes |
| Female saddles provided: |
No |
| Gel saddles provided: |
No |
| Option to fit own saddle: |
Yes |
| Option to fit own pedals: |
Yes |
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Climate
Year round high temperatures in coastal regions: Colombo averages 27°C. It is much cooler in the hills with Kandy averaging 20°C and Nuwara Eliya down to 16°C. Springlike temperatures in the hill country, but chilly evenings. Two monsoon periods: Apr-Sep when rain is confined to the southwest; and Oct-Mar when it falls in the northeast.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Clothing
In general pack for warm and hot weather. However, you must bring a warm sweater or jacket for cycling on cool days and for wearing during the evenings. We recommend you bring padded cycle shorts, cycle gloves and quick drying cycle shirts. In case of rain, waterproofs are essential.
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Footwear
Trainers for cycling plus comfortable shoes for around town.
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Equipment
A puncture repair kit and lock are provided – we recommend you bring your own helmet. We strongly advise that helmets are always worn whilst cycling. Bring a water-bottle that fits into the water bottle holder on the bike. Wraparound sunglasses help protect your eyes. For added comfort you may like to bring a gel seat cover. A torch is useful in case of powercuts/ emergencies.
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All bed linen is supplied on our 2 nights simple camp – there is no need to bring any extra equipment or sleeping bags. We recommend you bring along a torch.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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