Highlights
► Jeep Safaris: Elephants, Leopards, Aquatic Birds & More
► Reaching Adam’s Peak at Dawn, a Hiker’s Fantasy
► Hiking the Ancient Mountain of Sigiriya
► Exploring Abandoned Cities/Archeological Sites by Bike
► Cave Temples & Other Exotic-Looking Spiritual Sites
► Train Ride Through Postcard-Perfect Tea Plantations
► Whale & Dolphin Watching Near Mirissa or Snorkeling Near Hikkaduwa Resort
► Fine Beaches Surrounding Hikkaduwa Resort
► A Wetland Boat Cruise
► Waterfalls
► Colonial-Era Architecture in the Town of Galle
► Rich Culture
► And Much, Much More…
What's Included
International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging *Some restrictions apply
English-Speaking Tour Guide
All Ground & Water Transportation
All Activities in Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Your Own On-Call Concierge
Breakfasts
What to Expect on This Tour
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Itinerary
Day 1: Getting to the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
From the airport in Colombo, we have a private driver and tour guide take us to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. En route, specifically in the town of Kurunegala, we can have lunch (or dinner depending on your arrival time into Colombo's international airport). As this is the first day of our trip and jet-lag is common, we simply go for an evening stroll in Polonnaruwa after checking into the hotel.
Day 2: A Guided Bike Tour of an Ancient City Followed by a Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park
Today starts with a guided bike tour of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Afterwards, we have lunch. Next, we are taken to Minneriya National Park. There we go on a jeep safari. In the evening, we are taken to Sri Lanka’s landmark hill, Sigiriya. This is where our hotel is located.
Best known for pagodas and ruins, the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Another draw is the town’s population of toque macaques. These monkeys have been living in the ruins since human occupation. They continued to thrive long after the humans left. The Minneriya National Park is best known as a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests.
Day 3: Hiking the Ancient Rock of Sigiriya, Hiking Pidurangala Rock & Visiting a Cave Temple
Today starts with a guided hiking tour of the ancient sites of Sigiriya. On the top of the rock, we will have a great view of the surroundings. We should be returning to the bottom of the base around 9:30am. We are then taken to Pidurangala Rock. There we are also provided with a guided hiking tour. We have lunch after hiking down Pidurangala Rock. After lunch in Sigiriya, we are taken to Dambulla Cave Temple. There we are given a guided tour. Afterwards, we are taken to Sri Muthumariamman Temple, in Matale. There we are given a guided tour. Finally, we are taken to the city of Kandy. This is where our hotel is located.
From all of today’s attractions, Sigiriya and Dambulla Cave Temple are the most popular. Dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 feet) high, Sigiriya is a site of historical and archaeological significance. Sigiriya contains (A) ruins of an upper palace located on the flat top of the rock, (B) a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and a mirror wall with frescoes, (C) lower palaces located behind lavish gardens, and (D) moats and ramparts. The Dambulla Cave Temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. This cave temple and World Heritage Site is one of most tourists’ favorite attractions in the country.
Day 4: A Tooth Temple, Royal Botanical Gardens, a Tea Factory Viewing & a Very Scenic Drive
Today starts with a guided tour of Kandy’s key attraction, the Temple of the Tooth. Since ancient times, this temple has played an important role in local politics. After exploring it, we are given a guided tour at Kandy’s second most popular attraction, the Royal Botanical Gardens. Best known for its collection of orchids, these gardens attract around two million visitors annually. The Royal Botanical Gardens are home to more than 4,000 species of plants, including spices and palm trees. After walking around these gardens, we can purchase lunch. After our meal, we are provided with a guided walking tour around town.
After discovering Kandy, we are taken to a tea factory. En route, we pass through arguably the greatest landscape in the country. The tea plantations in the countryside are absolutely gorgeous to look at. After our tea factory tour, we are taken to a mountain called Adam’s Peak. Our hotel is located in this area.
Day 5: Adam's Peak’s Sunrise Hike, a Train Ride Like No Other & Breathtaking Tea Plantations
Today we take a hike up Adam’s Peak. It is a 2,243-meter (7,359-feet) tall conical mountain located in the center of the country. Seeing from atop the sunrise and the surroundings, this is a hiker’s fantasy. Note that views from above the mountain may be obstructed due to fog. There really isn’t much that can be done about it. Hopefully it will be a clear morning. Hiking back to the base takes about 2.5 hours.
After our hike, we are taken to our nearby hotel so we can have breakfast, shower and check out. Next, we are taken to the town of Nuwara Eliya. There we can purchase lunch. After our meal, we are taken by a quite popular and scenic train ride to the town of Ella. This is where our hotel is located.
Day 6: Waterfalls, Temples & Hiking Little Adam’s Peak for Sunrise
The early morning starts with a hike to Little Adam’s Peak. We watch the sunrise once reaching the top of the mountain. The guided tour from the bottom to the top and back down takes a little under 2 hours. Afterwards, we are taken to Dhowa Rock Temple. There we are provided with a guided tour. Next, we are taken to the Nine Arch Bridge. This is where an antiquated train passes by. It serves as a popular tourist attraction.
After lunch, we take a short drive to Ravana Falls. These falls measure approximately 25 meters (82 feet) in height, featuring water falling from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. Its cave lies 1,370 meters (4,490 feet) above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. Excavations undertaken in the cave uncovered evidence of human habitation dating back 25,000 years. There we are provided with a guided tour. Afterwards, we are taken to Ravana Cave Temple. There we are provided with another guided tour. The day ends in Tissamaharama, a town near to Yala National Park. Our hotel for the evening is located in Tissamaharama.
Day 7: Wildlife Jeep Safari, Stilt Fishing, Colonial Galle & the Beach Resort of Hikkaduwa
Today starts with an early-morning, Jeep safari at Yala National Park. Yala is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is best known for its variety of wild animals, such as elephants, leopards and aquatic birds. After the tour, we are taken to Tangalle. There we can have lunch. Next, we are taken to the town of Weligama, which is home to the tradition of stilt fishing. Afterwards, we are taken to the somewhat colonial city of Galle. Galle has a handful of worth-seeing monuments built during European colonization, such as its fort. Our guided tour in Galle takes about 1 hour. Lastly for today is a drive to Hikkaduwa. This is where our hotel is located. Hikkaduwa was once a hotspot for hippies but is now better known for its relatively nice resorts. Hikkaduwa is especially popular with Russians. Note that Hikkaduwa’s high season is November through March.
Day 8: Whale Watching Near Mirissa or Snorkeling Near Hikkaduwa
Today we go snorkeling near Hikkaduwa or whale watching near Mirissa. It depends on what month you are traveling. November through April is whale watching season. If you are joining our tour between November and April, then we are taken to a village called Mirissa. Early morning, we go whale-watching on a relatively large boat. Dolphins are also often seen in the area. The boat should return to Mirissa around 12:00pm. We are then taken for lunch nearby. Afterwards, we are taken back to our hotel.
If you are joining our tour between May and October, then we have the morning and early afternoon to recover after all of these adventurous activities. Midday, we are picked up at the hotel and taken to a dock where we get onto a boat leaving for Coral Garden. Near this area, specifically at the coral sanctuary, we can go snorkeling. It features approximately seventy varieties of multi-colored corals. In the late afternoon, we are picked up at the dock and taken back to our hotel.
Day 9: A Wetland Boat Cruise, a Striking Religious Temple & Colombo's National Museum
Today starts with a drive to Madu Ganga. For whatever odd reason, not a lot of natives know about this place. Nevertheless, this wetland boat cruise is definitely a highlight when visiting the country. Madu Ganga might be one of the last remaining tracts of untouched mangrove forests in Sri Lanka. What’s more, the inhabitants of its islets produce peeled cinnamon and cinnamon oil. There we are provided with a guided boat tour. Next, we are taken to a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda. There we are provided with a guided tour. Afterwards, we have lunch in the coastal town of Bentota. After our meal, we are taken to the Raja Maha Vihara Temple, in Kelaniya. This is arguably Sri Lanka’s most beautiful religious monument. There we are provided with a guided tour. We are then taken to Colombo, specifically to see its national museum. It features the throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs as well as many other exhibits telling the story of ancient Sri Lanka. There we are provided with a guided tour. Still in Colombo, we are then taken to our hotel.
Day 10: Our Tour Ends This Morning
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Colombo.
Customer Reviews
The trip to Sri Lanka through CharlieTheTraveler was one to remember, as it included high quality activities that made the trip well worth it. It was obvious our tour guide enjoyed his job and knew plenty about the country. The sites we visited were beautiful and made the trip very enjoyable. I definitely want to book my next trip with this company.
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Our trip with CharlieTheTraveler was memorable. We were provided with a variety of top-notch activities. They were all worthwhile. Our tour guide understands his work well. We enjoyed watching wildlife as well as visiting tea plantations and many other must-see places. Our tour guide really knows Sri Lanka inside and out. I will do another tour with CharlieTheTraveler for my next vacation. The company gained my respect and trust.
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CharlieTheTraveler put my mind at ease because of its organization and experience. Our tour guide had everything planned out quite well. He was very efficient with managing the time we had at each attraction, not too little and not too long. Our group was small, relative to other tour operators’ group sizes-and I actually preferred it that way. CharlieTheTraveler chooses quality over quantity and this is one of the reasons why I recommend the company to my friends and family.
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The tour was awesome! Traveling with CharlieTheTraveler is a lot of fun. Everything from the start to the end ran smoothly. The tour guide was very friendly and energetic. He was professional and at the same time, passionate. He kept our group lively with his jokes and provided a clear explanation regarding all of the places we had visited. The package was full of excitement. I would definitely bring a friend or family member the next time I plan to travel with the company.
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I found our tour guide very professional and well-versed in the culture of Sri Lanka. I felt safe while traveling with him, which I never really feel while traveling in a foreign country. CharlieTheTraveler assembled a great itinerary for this trip as it captures the country’s essence perfectly.
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There were some excellent tours of natural wonders on this trip to Sri Lanka. CharlieTheTraveler highlighted the beauty of the country and organized an unforgettable trip! I am looking forward to the next trip I book with this company.
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CharlieTheTraveler’s tour to Sri Lanka was interesting, for sure. I had fun and traveled without any stress. The tour guide was also great. He was very passionate and happy. He made us all feel very comfortable. He didn’t bore us with too many details but instead excited us with every destination we had visited and attraction we saw. All the places we went to were a ‘must-see’. I do plan on traveling with CharlieTheTraveler again. The company exceeded my expectations.
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There is no doubt in my mind that the company CharlieTheTraveler made the perfect itinerary showing the best Sri Lanka has to see and do. We could not have done the tour better ourselves. The tour was organized, time-efficient and exciting. We group members were given VIP treatment the whole way through. Our tour guide went well beyond my expectations just to make us feel happy and safe.
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CharlieTheTraveler planned this trip with a balance of natural and cultural activities in Sri Lanka. This 10-day trip included excursions I never would have planned on my own. It was obvious the company planned this with care, all the while with my safety as the number one priority (my enjoyment the second priority!).
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I appreciated how much of the natural beauty this company highlighted in the Sri Lanka trip. I love to travel and I found this trip one of the best trips I have been on, as there were endless possibilities to explore. I felt our tour guide was an excellent resource and had a wealth of knowledge of the area.
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I wanted a revitalizing trip. The trip I booked through CharlieTheTraveler to Sri Lanka proved to be what I was looking for. I felt connected to nature and all of the beautiful natural landscapes seemed to refresh my body, mind, and soul.
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CharlieTheTraveler chose amazing sites to visit each day of this 10-day Sri Lanka trip. The tour guide provided by the company was knowledgeable about the area and provided me with all the information I needed in order to remain respectful to the culture of the native people.
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The accommodations provided by CharlieTheTraveler were remarkable. Typically, traveling overseas is stressful and I am on high alert at all times, meaning I never really relax on a vacation that is meant to be relaxing. However, I felt safe while on this trip due to the tour guide being very familiar with the area and the first class accommodations that were included.
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I have never really traveled to an international destination. However, it didn’t take me long after reading everything CharlieTheTraveler fit into this trip to book it for myself. The company provided almost everything for me, including the detailed itinerary which gave me the best idea of what clothing to bring and all the essentials needed.
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I would recommend CharlieTheTraveler for this Sri Lanka trip. The company provided an awesome tour guide who was charismatic and overall welcoming. His knowledge of the area made the tours truly authentic.
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I read the amazing reviews for this company’s tours and felt confident booking a trip to Sri Lanka with them. I absolutely loved the authentic breakfasts that were provided, which reflected the local cuisine. Our tour guide had the best suggestions for other meals, depending on where we were each day and what we were willing to try. I had the best food of my life on this trip.
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I am generally attracted to romantic getaways, so when I saw all that CharlieTheTraveler offered for this Sri Lanka trip, I was pleasantly surprised that they included so many attractions that were perfect for my spouse. I found this to be a wonderful trip for our anniversary. Our tour guide was not overbearing, so I was glad to have some alone time at these beautiful sites with my spouse.
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Sri Lanka is known for its natural beauty and the deeply rooted culture. CharlieTheTraveler perfectly blended these two aspects of the country into this trip. I enjoyed going to both historical landmarks and exploring the amazing landscapes.
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I appreciated the natural sites of this trip. I think CharlieTheTraveler did a great job in choosing attractions for us to visit. This company highlighted the beauty of the country in this tour, so much so that I didn’t want to leave! The trip relaxed and refreshed me.
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I booked through CharlieTheTraveler for my Sri Lanka trip. This was the best rated company I found that offered as much attractions during the 10-day trip for as little as they were charging. This was by far the best vacation I’ve been on. The company provided amazing accommodations and the perfect tour guide for our group.
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Sri Lanka is a beautiful country that I am very glad I visited through booking with this company. Our tour guide got to know each person in the group which made the 10-day tour comfortable and fun. This will not be the last trip I book through CharlieTheTraveler!
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The vacation in Sri Lanka was ideal for me. I did very little preparing, as CharlieTheTraveler did most of the work for me. My partner and I were provided transportation to and from the airport and all of our accommodations were clean and safe. I felt welcomed from the first moment I met our tour guide.
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Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the natural landscapes and the culture of the local people. This was very helpful as I learned what to and what not to do to avoid being disrespectful. I truly loved the culture and experiencing it all while on this trip. CharlieTheTraveler did a great job planning this out!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Financing Offered for This Tour?
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “Sri Lanka in 10 Days” tour is available for $1,679 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except flights. It also includes an English-speaking tour guide and all activities and all entry fees. If you would like lodging included for all nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guides, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $2,264 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that whereas there is no fee associated with paying by check, there is a 3.5 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1. How many persons in your party-including yourself-would be joining this tour?
2. Would you be sharing the room with others in your group (e.g. a spouse, relative or friend) or do you want the room exclusive to you?
3. Where would you be flying from (and back to)?
4. On what date would you like to leave home?
5. Would you like to extend the duration of this tour so you have some free days just to relax? If you have 1 extra day, then we recommend Hikkaduwa. If you have 2, then we recommend 1 in Hikkaduwa and 1 in Colombo.
What’s Excluded in the Price?
Any airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Are Domestic Flights Needed for This Tour?
At What Specific Hotels Would We Be Staying?
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Night 1: Lake Habarana, Preferred Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
Night 2: Sigiriya, Preferred Accommodation: The Elephant Corridor
Night 3: Kandy, Preferred Accommodation: Mahaweli Reach Hotel or The Grand Kandyan Hotel
Night 4: Adam’s Peak, Preferred Accommodation: The Argyle
Night 5: Ella, Preferred Accommodation: EKHO Ella or 98 Acres Resort & Spa
Night 6: Kataragama, Preferred Accommodation: Grand Tamarind Lake
Nights 7-8: Hikkaduwa, Preferred Accommodation: Lavanga Resort & Spa
Night 9: Colombo, Preferred Accommodation: The Kingsbury Colombo or Shangri-La Colombo or Taj Samudra or Galadari Hotel or Hilton Colombo or Cinnamon Grand Colombo
Is This a Private or Group Tour?
The boat daytrip near the village of Mirissa is shared with other travelers. The rest of the tour is exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.
Am I Sharing the Room with Someone?
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
What is the Age Range & Nationality of the People Who Book This Tour?
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Are Kids Allowed on This Tour & Are They Charged the Same as Adults?
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
How Strong Do I Need to Be For This Trip?
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Are Disabled People Allowed on This Tour?
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Do I Get Any Free Time to Myself?
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
What Happens If I Arrive Late?
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Can I Opt-Out of Certain Activities?
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
What Happens If I Get Injured on This Trip & Cannot Continue?
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
What Happens If I Cancel This Trip?
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
What Happens If You, CharlieTheTraveler, Cancel This Trip?
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation. Note: We are not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, nor is this transaction covered by the Restitution Fund.
How Do You Help Prepare Us For This Trip?
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email is more like a timetable combined with important contact information.
Is There Anything Out of the Ordinary I Should Bring on This Trip?
Only if visiting between May and October, bring (A) a lockable waterproof bag (to bring onto the boat), (B) a waterproof case for your identification card and credit cards (when swimming) and (C) water shoes. On a different note, you may need to bring adapters for your electronic devices.
Is CharlieTheTraveler Licensed & Which State in America Issued it?
The owner of the travel license is the same owner of CharlieTheTraveler. Charlie is a California born and bred resident. The company is headquartered in Greater Los Angeles. The registration number is CST 2136740-70. Please note that travel agents registered as a seller of travel in California does not constitute approval by the State. Also please note that California law requires sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. CharlieTheTraveler has a trust account.
Are the Tour Guides Licensed & Will They Be With Me the Entire Time?
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
Are We Required to Have Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all of our customers, for their protection and safety. CharlieTheTraveler does not sell travel insurance. We cannot endorse any specific company. Please check out different companies online and go with the one which offers the most comprehensive coverage.
In Which Language(s) is This Tour Offered?
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Can We Customize This Tour?
Although we are open to customizing this tour to fit your liking, as a general rule, we discourage the practice. We do our best to keep the cost of the tour low. The more we customize it, the quicker the price goes up. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
Do We Need to Get Our Own Transportation to and From the Airport?
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Is Someone Available for Us 24-7 While on This Tour?
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Where Can I Read About All of Your Terms & Conditions?
Why Our Tours Beat Competition
- We routinely pick up the phone and otherwise respond to messages quickly and thoroughly.
- We do not cancel because of group size turnout, unlike with most competitors.
- Virtually no company offers multiday tours as comprehensive as ours. This is a verifiable fact.
- We do not charge solo travelers single supplements for the tours.
- For most of our tours, you can start on any date.
- We have hundreds of 5-star reviews online.
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