People who make the place make sense
Tour guides
National guides, site guides, naturalists and cooks, all licensed, all local.
A rock is a rock until someone tells you why a king built a palace on it. Our guides are SLTDA-licensed national guides and site specialists: a naturalist in Sinharaja who can call birds in, a heritage guide in Galle who grew up inside the fort, a tracker in Yala who knows which leopard sleeps where.
National guides
Licensed to guide across the whole island, fluent in English, and available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese and Hindi on request.
Site guides at every UNESCO site
Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Kandy and Galle each get a specialist who does only that place.
Naturalists and trackers
For Sinharaja, Yala, Wilpattu and Kumana we use naturalists with binoculars, scopes and patience.
Food and craft guides
Market walks, home cooking classes, tea tasting, gem and batik workshops with people who do it for a living.
Honest price guide
What it costs, before you ask.
- National guide, full day
- from US$ 45
- Site guide at a UNESCO site
- from US$ 15
- Naturalist, half-day walk
- from US$ 30
Guide prices for 2026. Your quote is fixed once you approve it, and it lists every line.
Good to know
Common questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, WhatsApp us and a human replies.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival, applied for online at eta.gov.lk. Since May 2026 the fee is waived for citizens of 40 countries including the UK, USA, most of the EU, India, Australia, Canada, China and Japan; other nationalities pay US$ 50. The ETA gives 30 days with double entry. We send you a step-by-step guide when you book.
When is the best time to visit?
Sri Lanka has two monsoons that hit opposite sides of the island, so there is always a dry coast. December to April is best for the south, west and hill country. May to September is best for the east coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay) and still fine for the Cultural Triangle. We route every trip around the season, so you are never on the wrong beach.
How much does a trip cost?
A private tour with your own driver and mid-range hotels runs from about US$ 120 to 180 per person per day, two sharing, including breakfast. Boutique and luxury hotels move that up. Our sample itineraries show a from-price; your quote lists every hotel and every entrance fee, so there are no surprises.
Is it safe to travel in Sri Lanka right now?
Yes. Sri Lanka welcomed a record 2.36 million visitors in 2025 and is on track for more in 2026. The roads are the main risk, which is why we use experienced drivers and never drive at night in the hills. We follow Foreign Office and State Department advice and will tell you honestly if anything changes.
Tell us your dates. We will do the rest.
A day-by-day plan with named hotels, in your inbox within 24 hours. No deposit until you are happy with it.