Know Before You Go SRI LANKA
Introduction The anticipation of your holiday should give you enormous pleasure. In order to ensure you are fully prepared for your next trip we have put together this document which contains essential information about the country you are soon to visit. We know that visa requirements and electrical currents are not the most scintillating of topics but we also know that being forewarned is forearmed and we would hate for you to come back from your holiday, thinking “if only Steppes had told me that!” Travelling should be inspirational but above anything else it should be fun. We hope this information takes care of the more mundane matters of planning a trip so that you can then focus on building up excitement levels pre-travel, safe in the knowledge you’ve got everything covered.
DID YOU KNOW? “Sri Lanka is generally regarded as the source of the finest sapphires in the world. It is known that sapphires have been mined, set into jewelleryand traded abroad since 500 B.C., if not before.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long are the flights to Sri Lanka? The flight time from London Heathrow to the capital, Colombo, is around 11 hours.
How much luggage can I take? International airlines mostly work on an allowance of 23kg for checked bags and 1 piece of hand luggage.
What is the time Zone in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka is 5 1/2 hours ahead of GMT.
Do I need any immunisations or malaria tablets?
What is the International dialling code for Sri Lanka? + 94.
The best person to speak to is your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner as the advice can change. Some parts of Sri Lanka are affected by malaria and you may need a course of tablets.
Can I use my mobile phone in Sri Lanka?
What is internet access like in Sri Lanka?
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies, although coverage is average. Pre-paid sim cards can be purchased on arrival and topped up throughout your stay. Charges for UK mobile calls are very expensive.
Is Sri Lanka now safe to travel around? Known for its turbulent history and civil war, peace was declared in Sri Lanka in 2009. It is now very successfully re-building itself as a tourist destination and is doing everything to welcome visitors to the country. As when travelling to any destination, we always advise taking precautions when looking after your personal belongings.
Internet access is now growing throughout the country, with internet cafes found in the larger cities and at luxury hotels. Connection speed can sometimes still be slow, so please bear this in mind.
Do the hotels have hair dryers? Most of the high end hotels will provide a hair dryer in the room, although this is not generally always the case. Making a call to reception can usually sort this out, or bringing your own ensures you will never be caught short.
Can I use my credit card? What animals will I see in Yala National Park? With over 126,000 hectares of parkland to explore, visiting Yala is like stepping into the pages of The Jungle Book. Elephants, monkeys, exotic birds and of course leopards with an array of other wildlife call Yala home, with the park having one of the densest leopard populations in the world.
Where can I find updates on the weather before my trip? Worldwide weather information is available: www.onlineweather.com or www.bbc.co.uk/weather
Yes, some higher end hotels, restaraunts and shops will accept credit cards for larger transactions. It is also wise to carry some local money for smaller purchases and staff gratuities.
Are ATMs easily accessable? ATMs are becoming more widespread in the larger cities, but more difficult to find outside of these. Before leaving for more rural areas, we advise making sure you have plenty of cash with you in case ATM access in unavailable.
LANGUAGE We feel that it is important to try to learn the native language, even if it is only the words for hello and goodbye, not forgetting thank you.
ENGLISH
SINHALA
Hello
Ayubūvan
How are you?
Ko-ho-madha?
I am fine, thank you
Hondhin innavā
Goodbye
Gihillā ennam
Please Thank you Yes/No How much is it? My name is... Cheers/Good health! Sorry
karunakarala Istuti Ow/Na Kiyeda meka? Magē nama Vāsatāvan/Jaya vevā! Mata samāvenna
FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE In association with the 'Know Before You Go’ campaign Steppes Travel are working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Please visit the Foreign Office website for any updates: www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
VISA REQUIREMENTS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Visas are required for British Nationals to Sri Lanka for a stay up to 30 days from the day of arrival. This is applied for online at http://www.eta.gov.lk. You must have two blank pages side by side, (a left hand and right hand page) for the stamp and at least six months to run from the return date of travel. This is being strictly enforced by the immigration department and without this you will not be allowed entry.
For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover you can speak to our specialists or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.
Other nationals please check with the respective embassies or representatives. Please note that it remains your responsibility to organise visas when required (unless otherwise specified by your consultant) although we are more than happy to advice, help and provide the relevant supporting documentation where necessary.
If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel support the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.
VACCINATIONS
HEALTH & SAFETY
Vaccinations to consider when visiting Sri Lanka are Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Malaria is a risk in the northern part of the country, however, we advise you to either check online at the Fit for Travel website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or with your local GP/ travel clinic regarding ‘boosters’ for standard immunisations such as Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies. Pre-existing conditions If you have specific medical requirements, please consult your doctor prior to departure to obtain adequate supplies of any necessary medication that may be required whilst on holiday. Please carry personal medication with you in your hand luggage (in line with current airline regulations), remembering to keep a copy of your prescription or the usage guidelines with you as well.
Travelling with Steppes Travel is a wonderful chance to experience a stunning array of cultures, landscapes, ecosystems and activities. At the heart of this experience are the differences between our respective ways of life. You should understand that this means that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please refer to our full health and safety information on our website, under Travellers Code.
AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION • • • •
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While travelling, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months. Have appropriate visa for your destination and transit points. Please note the date, time of your flight and also the time to arrive at the airport. Please be on time. Please advise if you have a special meal requests (fasting, vegetarian, medical, Muslim, baby food, etc…), while booking your flight or buying your ticket. Food items are not allowed to be carried in the cabin or inside the hand baggage. Please affix your name and address label on the baggage. It is also recommended to put the label in side of your checked in baggage to help us identify the bag in case the baggage tag/label attached outside is detached & lost. Please do not put valuable items such as money, jewellery, cameras and other expensive electronic items in your check-in baggage. If hand baggage is collected at the check-in counter or at the gate due to its size being above the allowed limit, the airline will not be liable for the damage and loss of valuable items in the baggage. Do not carry liquids or gels of over 100ml, toy or replica guns, razor blades, household cutlery, knives, scissors, knitting needles etc. in your hand baggage. For your own and the flight's safety and security, please do not accept any item from anyone as you will be held responsible & accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody.
SHELF IMPROVEMENT
ETIQUETTE & CULTURE
We have put together a small list of books that are set around Sri Lanka. Both fiction and non-fiction, they will help you establish an understanding and feel for the country.
Sri Lanka is the Gem of the Indian Ocean. Not only does it boast golden sands, tropical weather, colonial towns and lush green tea plantations, but its culture is one rich in history and tradition. Theravada Buddhism is the main religion, with over 70% of Sri Lankan followers. The national language is Sinhala with Tamil and English following behind.
Author
Title
Michael Ondaatje Romesh Gunesekera Karen Roberts Leonard Woolf Rory Spowers Paul Theroux Gordon Weiss
Running in the Family Reef July The Village in the Jungle A Year in Green Tea and Tuk-Tuks Ghost Train to the Eastern Star The Cage, The fight for Sri Lanka and the last days of the Tamil Tigers Anil’s Ghost The Spice Route
Michael Ondaatje John Keay
ELECTRICITY Electric current in Sri Lanka is 220/240V. Most electrical outlets require UK style (three large flat pin) plugs.
Being predominantly Buddhist, there are certain customs to follow when visiting Sri Lanka. Footwear must be removed when visiting temples and covering legs and bare shoulders should also be respected. When giving or receiving, eating or shaking hands it must be done with the right hand only, as it is believed the left hand is unclean. When photographing people, it is polite to ask before you do so. If photography is prohibited, there will be signs stating so, please adhere to these as they are there for a reason. Please be aware that you are travelling in a country where services and transport structures are very different from our own western viewpoints.
CLIMATE
FOOD & DRINK For such a small country, Sri Lanka packs a punch when it comes to the variety, influence and flavour of its cuisine. Famous for its spice trade and colonial connections, influences range from Malaysia, Southern India and Portugal to Arabic and British. When it comes to the staple daily diet of Sri Lankans, rice with an array of tasty curries is usually on the menu with something to tickle everyones tastebuds. Many Sri Lankans are vegetarian so meat free meals are also widely available.
Tropical in its climate, Sri Lanka generally benefits from good weather almost year round. For example, parts of the country are affected at certain times by two annual monsoons which focus on the southwest from May to August and the northeast from November through to February.
It is also very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. Dehydration is possibly the single biggest cause of ill health on safari. Bottled water is widely available, and it is important to check the seal is unbroken. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration.
We want your holiday to be unspoilt by food and drink related health problems, please… • • • •
Avoid buffets in warm climates, and stick to dishes that have been freshly cooked and served, and not left hanging around in the warm. Do not buy food from roadside stalls unless you have seen it cooked in front of you. Stick to bottled water and make sure the seal is unbroken. Make sure that all fruit and vegetables eaten raw, are washed in boiled or bottled water before eating.
MONEY The currency in Sri Lanka is the Rupee (LKR) which is made up of 100 Cents. Both USD and GBP are accepted and currency can be changed by banks and legal money changers, with some hotels also having a bureau de change. When leaving the country, all local currency must be changed back before departure. To find the present, up to date currency rate of conversion for where you are travelling to, log on to: www.xe.com/ucc or use the XE app.
Credit cards ATMs are available in Colombo and larger towns like Kandy. Credit cards are mostly accepted at most top end hotels and restaraunts with MasterCard and Visa being the most widely accepted, followed by Amex and Diners Club.
Tipping Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, below is a brief guideline to assist you. (The below amounts are only a guide and subject to exchange rates at the time of travelling) Guides General Hotel staff
Porterage Transfer driver/guides
US$10 per guest per day US$5 per guest per day to be placed in the communal tipping box to be distributed equally amongst all the staff. US$1 per person per movement US$2 per person
Giving money Whilst the giving of money is a matter of personal preference or conscience, Steppes Travel feels that it is best to give a donation to a proper charitable entity, as opposed to freely giving cash to individuals.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Just because we believe travel should be of benefit to both traveller and the host country, that doesn’t mean having fun is frowned upon. On the contrary, it is positively encouraged and because you’ll feel like you’re giving something back to the local people, wildlife and environment, you’ll have even more to smile about. Our policy is that we endeavour: • •
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To work with privately owned companies and hotels rather than state owned or foreign companies in the countries that you visit. To support a number of charities which promote a wide range of education programmes together with environmental and community projects in the countries we visit. When possible, we encourage you to visit these initiatives. To encourage travellers to visit unspoilt areas of the world where low impact tourism can have a hugely beneficial effect. To take you beyond the ordinary, to local markets or community craft schemes rather than large corporation tourist shops so that your money benefits those who need it most.
Our ‘responsible policy’ is not just limited to the destinations in which we operate. Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.
In return we ask you: • • • •
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To be sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies, which to us might seem strange. To be aware of local resources, particularly water and its purity, and treat them with care. To be generous in relation to local monetary values, but do not over tip To give money where it is needed and not to hordes of children. Handing out gifts creates an air of expectancy and exacerbates the problem. Far better to give items such as pens to teachers. To not buy goods that will have a detrimental effect on either wildlife or the environment however beautiful or plentiful they may seem. It only encourages others. You are encouraged to report back on your experience and on the behaviour and awareness of our agents and local guides on your return. Only in this way can we improve and ensure our demands are being met.
We are committed to developing our Policy of Responsible Practice even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels and encourage our suppliers to do the same.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
British High Commission British High Commission Colombo 389, Bauddhaloka Mw, Colombo 7 Sri Lanka
+94 11 5390639
colombo.general@fco.gov.uk
Health and Vaccinations Malaria Hotspots Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice
www.malariahotspots.co.uk 0845 8502829
Fit for travel
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Passport and Visa requirements The Visa Service
0870 8900185
www.cibtvisas.co.uk
Identity and Passport Service
0870 210410
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office
Heathrow Airport
0870 0002468
www.heathrowairport.com
Gatwick Airport
0870 0002468
www.gatwickairport.com
Airports Flights Airline information
www.airlinequality.com
Currency Currency converter
www.xe.com/ucc/
WHAT TO PACK You will have your own ideas from past experiences regarding your personal list of ‘utterly indispensables’ and favourite items, so the following are our suggestions to supplement your own packing list.
Important Stuff • • • • • •
Passport and photocopy (keep photocopies separate) Itinerary & Airline reference number Copy of insurance policy Credit cards/cash Emergency contact numbers International vaccination card where relevant (i.e Yellow Fever Certificate)
*Please keep your photocopies separate from your originals.
Clothing • • • • • • • • •
Base-layer: T-shirts and vests Outer-layer: waterproof jacket Comfortable walking boots or trainers Long trousers suitable for walking. Pockets helpful 2/3 Long-sleeved shirts Wide-brimmed sun hat Socks/underwear Mid –layer: Fleece or jumper Walking sandals
Essentials • • • • • • • • • •
Soft bag between 45-70 litres 20-litre daypack, for keeping everyday items handy Field Guides/pocket language guide Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised Camera, memory cards, cleaning materials, spare batteries Diary, note pad, pens, reading material Torch with spare batteries and bulb Waterbottle – 1 ltr Camera Bag Wash-kit
Medical equipment • • • • • • •
Personal medical travel kit Personal prescription medicines Insect repellent Lip salve Spare prescription glasses Contact lens & cleaners Sunscreen
Please remember that the early mornings and evenings can be cool, so please ensure you pack enough warm clothes. It is advisable not to wear black or brightly coloured clothing on safari.
USEFUL TRAVEL APPS
XE Currency Know how much you’re spending with live updates.
Google translate Translates between 64 languages, with audio too.
Evernote Food Document recipes you love as you travel.
Map My Walk Calculate your duration, distance, pace and speed.
Weather Pro
Pin Drop
Weather reports for up to two million locations.
Pin on a map to record locations you’ve discovered.
Flight Track
Travel Smart
Follow detailed paths of thousands of flights.
Access to emergency services & health advice.
Prizmo
Trip Journal
A pocket scanner for all your important documents.
Tipulator Nifty tip calculator, also helps to split bills easily.
Flashlight Simple gadget, always handy for travelling.
Virtual scrapbook, geotagging pictures & videos.
WhatsApp Messenger Free to send pictures, videos & sound clips over wifi
Viber International calls and messaging for free.
Packing Pro
Triposo
Packing suggestions based on your destination.
Pocket Wikitravel, internet connection not required.
THE STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP 51 CASTLE STREET CIRENCESTER GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL7 1QD
T +44 (0)1285 880 980 F +44 (0)1285 885 888 ENQUIRY@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM WWW.STEPPESTRAVEL.COM