FAQS
We know travellers are concerned about financial pressures on all travel providers. That’s why we have changed our payment terms so we only request up to 50% deposit and the balance only 30 days before travel.
Trust, expertise and value is at the heart of everything we do. We offer independent, knowledgeable and efficient advice to devise the holiday that you need at a competitive price. Our flexible approach gives you the holiday you want and our Operations support and fair Booking Conditions protect you if things go wrong. Our caring and efficient approach has won consistent praise.
The more we know about your likes and dislikes and what most interests you, the more we can help. All the pre-planning you do is to your advantage as it helps us provide the exact holiday you need. However, if you have no ideas at all, we will help to guide you to your perfect trip.
Information provided in our payment centre is protected by the secure systems of Srivice providers. We advise you never to email us your credit card details. We will never spam you and in the event that we will need to pass on information to third parties, it will be in line with our Privacy Policy. We shall only send you occasional information, such as a free monthly emailed newsletter, and requests to be removed from this list will immediately be respected.
Our holiday brochure is our unrivalled and frequently-updated Internet site. We believe that use of the Internet allows us to respond flexibly to changing circumstances, such as price cuts and last-minute offers, and offer a wider range of accommodation and specialist tours. Please take time to surf around; you will be surprised by the extensive information on offer.
Some hotels have a complete liquor licence which covers the sale of all types of alcohol, whilst some have partial liquor licence which only permits the sale of beer and wine. There are also some hotels which do not have a licence at all. To find out more details about the liquor policy at the hotel(s) you will be staying at when you travel to Sri Lanka, please contact your travel consultant.
Consider late June and early July, perhaps using the East coast rather than the deep South. October to early December offers good value for the West and South: the monsoon rains occur largely in the late afternoon and at night.
We value independently-minded customers. We believe that by buying flights, accommodation and transfers from us you receive many advantages. But we are happy to provide as little as a few nights of accommodation in your ideal villa. Just tell us what you need.
Our company offers total flexibility and can respond to all requests to adjust itineraries. We will advise whether we believe the adjustments to be realistic. On occasions, these adjustments will involve a change in price. We do not levy a charge to tailor-make holidays.
Travel industry regulations state that you receive a Confirmation of Travel document once your holiday has been agreed and booked: this confirms your holiday. You will also receive other useful information. You should then arrange payment as laid down in our booking conditions (see next question). Until then, there is no contract between you and our company.
Travel industry regulations state that you receive a Confirmation of Travel document once your holiday has been agreed and booked: this confirms your holiday. You will also receive other useful information. You should then arrange payment as laid down in our booking conditions (see next question). Until then, there is no contract between you and our company.
We offer payment by the following methods.
In common with other travel companies, we advise our clients not to undertake self-drive car hire unless they are highly experienced in driving conditions in this part of the world. However, we offer competitive self-drive car hire with a reputable company in specific circumstances.
Uniquely, our drivers are in possession of a strict Drivers Code, in which your safety and satisfaction are the priority. The driver knows your itinerary and is expected to follow it. How much he also acts as a guide depends upon your individual wishes. He may offer additional excursions or shopping visits, but will immediately respect your decision to say `no.’ We recommend that you contact our Colombo office if you have problems in this regard. Additional excursions may require an extra charge. Read the customer feedback for comments about our drivers.
We retained enormous faith in holidays in Sri Lanka long before the end of the terrorist conflict in 2009. Since then, Sri Lanka tourism has prospered, but still offers wonderful value as well as infinite variety. Violent crime is extremely rare. Hygiene standards are good. Tourists are warmly welcomed.
Whilst most of the hotels and villas have indoor bathrooms, some properties in Sri Lanka will have open-air showers or toilets, where either a section of the wall or the roof is removed. If this is an issue, please let your travel consultant know so that we can avoid booking you into this type of accommodation.
We recommend that you contact your doctor, at least a month before departure, and request that full details of your condition are provided in writing. We will then forward this information to the airline, ground agents, or hotels as appropriate.
If you have booked airport transfers or if the package includes pickup at air port, you will be met by our ground agents at Bandaranaike International Airport. Our ground agents can be found holding a name card just outside the arrivals hall and we provide a mobile phone number for your driver a few days before your holiday.
Our Colombo office is willing to respond to requests for changes of hotel or a sudden change of itinerary. We recognise that new discoveries can bring the temptation for a change of plan. In some cases, however, it must be understood that such changes may prove impossible. Others will necessarily accrue a surcharge.
Please note that we never officially recommend, or accept commission from, any Sri Lanka outlet and therefore cannot take any responsibility for the quality of goods sold. Any opinions expressed by our drivers are solely their own views and do not constitute company recommendations. If you make a purchase, you should be aware that you may face unexpected extra costs for tax, handling charges, customs, and delivery fees.
For almost all villas, menus are discussed with guests on a daily basis, so fresh ingredients can be purchased by staff for your meal. It is very important that you check the cost of food with the cook and/or houseboy: there have been instances where guests have been unpleasantly surprised with the final food bill. Do keep in mind though that some villas also have menus, in which case there will be fixed prices and service charges.
Local currency is Sri Lankan Rupees. Currency can only be exchanged in Sri Lanka, so you would be best to bring US Dollars, British Pounds or Euros. The bank booths in the airport arrivals hall generally offer the most competitive rates and quick service. Debit cards and credit cards can be used in most restaurants and shops. We advise against Traveller’s cheques, which are rarely accepted. ATM machines are widely available in major cities. Beware credit-card frauds whenever you pay direct.
An evisa is required to visit Sri Lanka and a full range of tourist and business visas, including multiple entry and long stay, are available. Travellers must apply at www.srilankaevisa.lk.
Our stated policy is to return all recoverable costs, above and beyond the minimum shown in our Booking Conditions. We respond as quickly and fairly as we can. We expect our customers to take their holiday bookings as seriously as we do, but we recognise that holidays are occasionally cancelled for valid reasons. Our Booking Conditions give full details.
We do not supply individual vouchers to customers before travel. Our operations team has booked the hotels as shown on your Confirmation of Travel Document. All necessary hotel vouchers will be sent directly to the hotels concerned, so showing the Confirmation of Travel Document and passport at check-in is all you need to do.
We provide a contacts sheet with contact details for our team in Sri Lanka. We can also provide a list of hotel phone numbers on request. Leave contact numbers, plus a copy of your itinerary, with appropriate friends or relatives. Mobile phones operate in all major areas and you can buy low-cost pay-as-you-go Sri Lankan SIM cards on arrival, or we can purchase these in advance on your behalf.
TESTIMONIALS
"Booking our Sri Lanka tour with Charika Holidays was the best decision! The team was incredibly helpful, ensuring every detail was perfect. From the lush tea gardens to the stunning beaches, every moment was unforgettable. Thank you for a remarkable vacation!"
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