This all-inclusive journey is $4999 (USD) per person (double occupancy) before November 30, 2019. After that date the price is $5299 (USD).

If you prefer to have your own room, the single supplement is $699 USD and will be added to your last payment. (Click here to understand why this single supplement is necessary). Please note that we cannot guarantee you a roommate for this trip, and if you room alone, you will be responsible for the single supplement.

A $1000 deposit holds your space.  The second installment of $2000 is due by August 10, 2019 (150 days before the start of the trip) and the balance is due by October 9, 2019 (90 days before the start of the trip).  Single supplement ($699) is due along with the last installment.

Price Includes:

• Sri Lanka visa fee
• Internal transportation within Sri Lanka, including airport transfers
• Daily sessions with Tempel Smith
• All accommodation
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (from dinner on the 7th until breakfast on the 18th)
• All site fees
• All tips to hotel staff, restaurant staff, and drivers
• Donation to Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
• Donation to Tempel Smith

Price does not include:

• International airfare (although we can and will be more than happy to help you decide on arrangements)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Additional tip to your guide Chandima
• Souvenirs
• Laundry fees
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snacks and beverages outside meal times

Please refer to the Price tab for specific information about price & what is included on your journey.

A $1000 non-refundable deposit holds your space; the second installment of $2000 is due on August 10, 2019, and the balance is due October 9, 2019. 

We accept payments via check and credit/debit card. For guests outside the U.S., please see RetreaTours.com/twdetails for your best option or contact us for bank transfer details. 

• Paying by Check: Checks can be made out to RetreaTours and sent to 8821 NW 14 Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024.
• Paying by Credit Card or PayPal balance: You can pay with credit card or PayPal balance through the following the green buttons below.  Please click the appropriate amount to be taken to PayPal’s homepage to complete your transaction. All PayPal transactions must be in USD.  Note that you do not have to have a PayPal account to pay this way; Please click here for instructions. 

Click here to pay the $1000 deposit by credit card (via PayPal)

Click here to pay the $2000 installment by credit card (via PayPal) [due by August 10th, 2019]

Final installment due on October 9, 2019. We’ll provide you the amount and invoice well before the due date.

On this pilgrimage we will be exploring the Buddha’s three trainings to Great Peace: Harmlessness, Mindfulness, and Wisdom. The Harmlessness practice will be training in the 5 Precepts, the Mindfulness practice will come though meditation on breathe, body and loving kindness. Through teachings and group discussions we contemplate what the Buddha understood about suffering and how it comes to an end.

Please click here or the green button below to access the registration questions via Google Forms. Your spot is considered reserved when you have completed these questions and submitted your deposit. 

Click here to complete your registration questions

Please click here to download a copy of the contract for your records. 

• Passport and Visa information
• Food
• Health & Vaccines, Altitude, Travel Insurance
• Money & How to Get Local Currency
• Hotels
• Communication
• Suggested Physical Fitness Requirements

PASSPORT/VISA

• What do I need to know about the visa?    

First and foremost, your passport MUST be valid at least 6 months beyond the end date of the trip, and you’ll need two empty pages in the Visas section of your passport (make sure they are in the Visa section, not the Amendment or Endorsement section). 

As a convenience to you, we will be applying for the Sri Lankan visa on your behalf before the trip and the fee is included in your trip price.

FOOD

• I have special dietary needs—can I be accommodated?

Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty of delicious curries and dal available along with local rice and other starches. Celiacs and those avoiding gluten will also enjoy the abundance of rice, meat proteins, and vegetable options, as well. Part of your registration includes asking about dietary allergies and special needs, but please feel free to contact us beforehand if you have any specific questions or concerns about Sri Lanka food.

You can read more about the specialties of Sri Lanka cuisine here. 

• Can I drink the water?

In a word, No. Although many cities around the world are getting more advanced public water systems, we don’t recommend it.  Not only from a pathogen standpoint, but it’s a different set of bacteria than your body is used to. Why risk an upset stomach if you don’t have to? We recommend drinking only bottled water, and you will want to rinse your toothbrush off in bottled water.

HEALTH

• What vaccines do I need?

None are required to enter Sri Lanka, but we suggest you work with your physician or your area’s travel health expert to decide what options are best for you.  You can read the American CDC’s Sri Lanka recommendations here and the Scottish NHS Sri Lanka recommendations here.

• What about malaria? What about Zika?

As always, we request that you work with your physician or travel doctor when making these choices. Please see our blog about this topic for more information about malaria.

The World Health Organization declared Sri Lanka free of malaria in September 2016.  Here is a link to the Scottish NHS Malaria risk map of Sri Lanka.

Please click here to learn more about the CDC’s recommendation about Zika in Southeast Asia (please note that Sri Lanka is not currently listed as a country of concern).

   *All of the information here is for reference purposes only and is not intended to substitute for advice from your licensed health care professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health condition or disease. If you are experiencing medical issues, you should contact your medical health care provider.

• Do I need travel insurance?

We require that our guests carry travel insurance because it just makes sense. It’s a relatively small expense but affords huge peace of mind!  When choosing a travel insurance policy we require that you are covered for emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, and repatriation. We also highly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance, as this may cover cancellation penalties in certain circumstances if you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly due to illness, injury or other unforeseen circumstances. 

Please see RetreaTours.com/Travel-Insurance for more information.

MONEY

• How much money should I bring?

Only what you need for extras (souvenirs, alcohol, massages, etc) since everything else on this trip is included. We have included all base tips to hotel and restaurant staff, but we would never take away the opportunity to tip more if you feel moved to do so. We can advise on the tipping to your local expert guide, Chandima. 

• How do I get the local currency?

The local currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR). You can either exchange cash in Sri Lanka or use a local ATM (which we prefer) to get soles. Just make sure you call your bank and credit card company to let them know you’ll be traveling in Sri Lanka, so they don’t put a hold on your card when they see it being used halfway across the world. When exchanging cash, you always get a slightly better deal when exchanging $100 bills. You do NOT need to exchange money before you arrive in Sri Lanka, as exchanging money while still in your home country usually has a very poor exchange rate.

HOTELS

• What kind of hotels will we be staying in?

All of our hotels in Sri Lanka are in the 4-star category, and they each have wifi, hot water, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms with Western-style toilets.  Here are the names of the hotels we will be using:

• Negombo: Suriya Resort & Spa
• Anuradhapura: Forest Rock Garden
• Sigiriya: Sigiriya Jungle Resort
• Kandy: Hotel Suisse 
• Colombo: Dwell Hotel Colombo 

COMMUNICATION

• How can my family get ahold of me in an emergency?

Before the trip begins we will give you the contact information for our hotels to pass along to your loved ones. If you choose to bring your cell phone or tablet, you can use VoIP services such as Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime to connect with your loved ones at home, as well.

SUGGESTED PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

This journey is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or walkers. Guests must be able to walk 1 mile unassisted and participate in 3-5 hours of mild physical activity on most days. Some of our sites will have steep steps, although it is not required to climb at each these spots (such as Mihintale).

All of our hotels in Sri Lanka are in the 4-star category, and they each have wifi, hot water, air-conditioning, and private bathrooms with Western-style toilets.  Here are the names of the hotels we will be using (and their websites) if you would like to check them out online!

• Negombo: Suriya Resort & Spa
• Anuradhapura: Forest Rock Garden
• Sigiriya: Sigiriya Jungle Resort
• Kandy: Hotel Suisse 
• Colombo: Wonder Hotel Colombo 

Early Arrival

This journey will officially begin at dinner on January 7th. If you wish to arrive early, we can help you make arrangements at our starting hotel or elsewhere. If you wish to arrive to the hotel (Suriya Resort & Spa) early, a single room is $165 (including breakfast & dinner) and a double room is $185 (including breakfast & dinner).

Please remember that if you arrive in the wee hours of January 7th (~2 to 5 AM), you’ll still need a place to rest your weary head, necessitating a room the night of January 6th/morning of January 7th. Otherwise, you may have to wait until 2 PM to check in.

No fear if you can’t arrive until later on January 7th; if your flight arrives after dinner on January 7th, we’ll make sure you are caught up to speed and know when to meet the group for departure on the 8th and you can meet everyone at breakfast!

Early Departure

We will arrive back in Colombo in the late afternoon of January 17th. Dinner and your hotel room that night are included, as well as breakfast on January 18th. If your preferred flight leaves late on the night of the 17th or early in the pre-dawn hours of the 18th, it will be nice to have a hotel room to recollect, repack, and freshen up before your flight.

If you wish to remain at our last hotel (Dwell) longer, a single room is $125 (including breakfast & dinner) and a double room is $145 (including breakfast & dinner).

Weather Notes

The average temperature in your travels around Sri Lanka will be between 72 and 88°F (22 and 32°C) with a relative humidity between 65% and 90%. Hopefully for most of you, this will be a reprieve from some harsh winter weather! Although this is not the rainy season, rain can still occur, so you’ll want to bring some protection from the sprinkles.

Here is a suggested packing list, clothing first and accessories second.

NOTE: As we’ll be visiting many active temples and sacred spots, you’ll want to approach your wardrobe with relative modesty, with shorts and skirts below the knee. You’ll want to cover your shoulder at sacred sites, so bringing a lightweight cotton scarf for a quick wrap solution is a fantastic idea. If you choose to wear shorts above the knee, you can also use a sarong/scarf to cover up during your time in the temple.

Considering the warm weather, you’ll want to opt for lightweight fabrics, like cotton or linen. Although it is not at all necessary for tourists, it is still worth noting that Sri Lankans traditionally wear all white when visiting sacred sites.

For any excursions at dawn or dusk, you’ll want to wear lightweight long sleeves and pants in order to prevent mosquito bites. Although there is no malaria in Sri Lanka, you don’t want to be itchy the whole trip!

Please use this clothing list as a mere suggestion, and wear what you feel comfortable in! You will have the opportunity to have laundry done at your own expense at the hotels; please confirm with the hotel that the laundry will be down by the time you have to check out in each location.

• 10+ pairs undergarments; you can always have them washed or wash them in your bathroom
• 3-5 pair light cotton pants or long skirts.
• 4-5 cotton t-shirts, blouses, or shirts.
• A light sweater/cardigan for chilly morning or evenings.
• Sleeping attire
• Comfortable walking shoes. Boots aren’t at all necessary and can be cumbersome when going in & out of and temples (where you’ll have to remove shoes). Sneakers, comfortable slip-ons, or walking sandals (like Tevas, Chacos, or Keens) will suffice.
• A pair of sandals or flip-flops, if you wish.  They’ll be convenient for around the hotels and local excursions.
• Scarves/sarongs are super handy for so many reasons (men and women, as outlined above, for cover-ups at temples)
• A swim suit or two for your time on the beaches or hotel pools. You may wish to bring a cover-up for lounging.
• A heavier shawl or light to mid-weight cardigan for your air conditioned vehicle rides and restaurant meals, if you are easily chilled.

Accessories:

• Some guests like to bring convenient inflatable meditation cushions for their sitting practice. Here are some examples over at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wbHx92 

• A hat with a brim is a great idea for your daytime adventures.
• Sunglasses
• Ear plugs and eye shades to help you sleep better and recover from jet lag more quickly. BJ swears by this! Click here for more of our tips on preventing and dealing with jet lag. 
• Good sunscreen.  Lauren prefers mineral-based ones like Devita: good for you, good for the environment. How do you know if it’s mineral based? If the active ingredient is either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide—that’s it. They might be a little pricier initially, but a little goes a long way.
• Daypack or camera bag. (If you need a recommendation on a camera, BJ would be happy to help, just email him. We can discuss what type of photography you like, how much you want to spend, and how much you want to lug around.)
• If you do bring your camera, don’t forget extra batteries and/or your charging cord! You may want to think about an extra memory card, too.
• Binoculars for your safaris (especially if you don’t have a zoom camera)
• Toiletries. Although our hotels will have shampoo and soap, you may wish to bring your own favorites, and don’t forget the hair conditioner!
• A few packs of travel tissues isn’t a bad idea, to keep on you for public restrooms.
• Wet wipes and/or hand sanitizer. Nothing replaces good ol’ hand-washing, but this will work in a pinch.
• Ladies will want to bring any necessary feminine hygiene products with them.
• Plug adaptor for electronics. Here’s a nice example of a great universal adapter and here’s one with USB ports, as well. (Click here for a visual of Sri Lanka’s plugs).
• A print out of your RETURN airline ticket itinerary. You can also have it readily accessible on your phone (you may want to save it as a photo).
• Photocopy of your passport and your visa, just in case you need them.
• A small travel umbrella; can work for rain (which we’re not expecting) OR as a parasol
• A lightweight rain shell or poncho.
• Small notebook and pen for journaling purposes, if you desire!
• A small flashlight (or the flashlight on your phone)
• Mosquito repellent. While there is no malaria in Sri Lanka, there is still dengue and the general nuisance of itchy mosquito bites. Prevention is the best solution!
• Enough of any prescription drugs you need, as well as over-the-counter needs.  We recommend Imodium (anti-diarrheal), a probiotic (Lauren is a BIG fan of Jarrodophilus EPS), as well as melatonin and Benadryl for jet lag purposes.
• An extra pair of prescription eyeglasses and/or sufficient contact lenses.
• We will have wifi at all of our hotels, if you want to stay in touch via your smart phone or tablet. Don’t forget your chargers! We recommend setting up Skype, FaceTime, or another wifi-based calling service before leaving home, and familiarizing your loved ones with it before you leave.

BJ and Lauren live out of their suitcases year round and they swear by packing cubes!  Rolling your clothes (instead of folding) and using packing cubes make packing a dream!

We require that each guest carries travel insurance that covers emergency medical treatment, and emergency evacuation and repatriation. 

We suggest trip cancellation insurance, as well, as you never know what obstacles life can toss at you leading up to a trip. However, we do not require this coverage, we only suggest it highly.

Below you will find some options to look into, if this is a new world to you. However, we ask that you carefully consider your choice in travel insurance. What works for some people may not work for others, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions. Please do take the time to consider the best policy for your individual needs.

World Nomads provides medical coverage for guests under 70 that includes trip cancellation, as well. You can use the box on this page to get a quote and see coverage.

InsureMyTrip.com is a good place to see and compare many policies at once, and you can refine the options by what coverage you would like. This website includes options from companies like Allianz, Travel Guard, Trip Assure, April, GeoBlue and more.

It may also be a good idea to check with your credit card companies, especially American Express, to see if they offer any medical coverage for travel.

Please email Lauren@RetreaTours.com if you have any questions not addressed on this site. Thank you!

Husband and wife team BJ Graf & Lauren Rathvon created RetreaTours in 2010 with one goal in mind: to make world travel accessible, authentic, and astounding. In order to focus fully on this passion, they moved out of the U.S. in January 2013 to reside full-time overseas. Each day is spent exploring new destinations, strengthening local ties & relationships, and creating memorable and transformative retreats and tours (aka, RetreaTours!)

BJ & Lauren craft each element of the trip with intention, and they understand that it is this careful attention to detail that sets them apart.  Fueled by their passion, armed with know-how, and supported by knowledgeable local professionals in all of their destinations, BJ & Lauren set the scene for the vacation of a lifetime. The dynamic duo are available to answer any and all questions before the trip begins. From giving advice on the best flights and travel insurance to providing a packing list, FAQ, and even a tiny “phrasebook,” BJ & Lauren pride themselves on these ‘nuts & bolts’ of personalized service.

Although we will not be with you on tour in Sri Lanka this year, we are in involved in every aspect of the trip planning & execution, and we are deeply committed to bringing you the best experience possible!