South India & Sri Lanka: Game Drives, Temples & Tropical Coasts

• To enter India and Sri Lanka, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond their return date. We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter India. You can apply for an eVisa or traditional visa in advance. To do so, visit the Indian consulate and follow our walkthrough guide. For additional assistance, you may use a third-party provider like VisaCentral—however, these services charge a fee in addition to the cost of your visa.
• U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa from the Sri Lankan government’s Electronic Travel Authority website eta.gov.lk/slvisa prior to departure.
• If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Indian consulate for specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code LAK.

• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Chennai and depart from Colombo.
• When you arrive in Chennai, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with either a Go Ahead sign or one bearing your name. If you don’t see them immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler and will be back shortly.
• Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.

Physical Activity Level

This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout your trip.

Tour Pacing

This is a very fast-paced tour. Tour pacing considers how often you’ll switch hotels, what you’ll do each day, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• 2 one-night stays.
• Most days and evenings to be full of included activities.
• Most transportation to be by motor coach.
• Some transportation by rickshaw, tuk-tuk, boat, and commercial flight (plus a train ride on the tour extension).
• Daily bus time to vary and occasionally be lengthy.

Walking, Terrain & Physical Considerations

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 2–3 miles each day on city streets, cobblestone roads, and uneven stone and dirt paths.
• Stone pathways and archaeological sites can become slick when wet.
• To get in and out of the game drive vehicles, travelers should be prepared to climb a small ladder or negotiate upward and downward steps.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.

Climate Considerations

• Temperatures during the warmer months (April–June) can often range from 90–105 F in India.
• During the cooler months (October–March), expect cooler temperatures from 50–65 F in India.
• Monsoon season (June–September) brings high levels of humidity; short, intense bursts of rainfall; and temperatures from 75–95 F in India.
• Temperatures in Sri Lanka average in the high 80sF year-round, but temperatures may be cooler depending on your elevation.
• During the Maha season (September–March), Sri Lanka experiences monsoons in the northeast.
• During the Yala season (May–August), Sri Lanka experiences monsoons in the southwest.

Physical Activity & Tour Pacing Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage-handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the whole group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The group can’t miss any activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, wheelchairs and walkers will be difficult to use and aren’t recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring any mobility aids with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.

• This tour utilizes various modes of transportation, including planes, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, and 4x4 land cruisers (plus a train on the tour extension). To board some of them, you may have to climb raised platforms or steps: For instance, the 4x4 land cruisers used on the game drives have high steps. Often, there won’t be access to ramps or lifts. Additionally, you may have to stoop to get into and out of your seat on boats.
• Your game drives will be long and may cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride and the impact it may have on your body.
• Flights from Chennai to Madurai and Kochi to Colombo are included in the price of your tour. The tour extension also includes a train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag each due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you’re responsible for any baggage fees incurred.
• Contact your airline(s) for the baggage size and weight restrictions on your flights. Please note that the flights included on the tour may have baggage restrictions as low as 33lbs for checked bags and 15lbs for carry-on bags. You will be responsible for any costs associated with overweight baggage.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels, airports, or train stations.

• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It’s preferable not to visit temples or other holy places with bare legs or shoulders; entrance may be denied on this basis. And remember: You must remove your shoes at all Hindu and Buddhist religious sites.
• Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities. Binoculars are also handy for taking a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.

• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
• India operates on 230-volt electricity and uses a Type D plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.
• Sri Lanka operates on 230 volts and uses Type D or M plugs with two small, round pins and one larger round pin, and a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.

• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most can be bought while on tour. While traveling, you can purchase them directly through your mobile app for an additional $10USD on the excursion’s price.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least three days prior to your tour departure. Please note: Some excursions have advance booking deadlines, so check your itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss out.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather, or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you’ll be refunded the full cost of the excursion. (It may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.)
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions, which can only be purchased on tour, in cash, in the local currency.

• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
• Local governments may require proof of yellow fever vaccination—often referred to as a “yellow card”—or a statement of medical exemption from it. This is only required of travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. (Please note: The U.S. and Canada aren’t on that list.) Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of your tour, as well as for any possible delays.
• Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure: Its rays can be especially strong in some of the areas you’ll visit.
• Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, even when brushing your teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables, unless they’ve been washed and peeled or cooked in clean water.
• Public restrooms in India can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
• Bring a small first aid kit—including antacids, antidiarrheals, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medicines you take—in your carry-on bag.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code LAK.

• This tour includes seven lunches and eight dinners: They may be set, plated set menus; buffets; or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
• A hotel breakfast is included each morning, and is typically a buffet-style meal with hot and cold options.
• While meat-free options abound in the country, the southern regions of India are often lighter with a focus on a rice-based diet using coveted spices like curry leaves, tamarind, coconut, and chiles which are often combined to create a vibrant marriage of flavors. You’ll find spicier dishes in the south make use of the many spices found in the area, but you’ll also find plenty of milder meals as well.
• Meals are usually served with rice or a variety of breads—such as unleavened roti, deep-fried puri, and famous, flat naan.
• Sri Lankan cuisine draws inspiration from nearby India and the colonial powers that formerly controlled the country. Spices are prevalent in almost every type of food and a simple, yet flavorful dish of rice and curry can be found almost everywhere. Since the country is an island, cuisine that incorporates fish and coconut is also popular.

• At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10–$12USD per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person, per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price; it isn’t necessary to tip baggage handlers.

• You’ll use the Indian rupee in India and the Sri Lankan rupee in Sri Lanka.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas—though you may want to order some currency from your local bank or a retailer, such as Travelex, before you arrive.
• Travelers may bring up to 25,000 rupees with them when entering the country through an airport. Travelers may also take up to 25,000 rupees out of the country, unless they’re continuing to Bhutan or Nepal.
• If you wish, you can get rupees at a currency exchange booth at your arrival airport. Keep a receipt of your transaction.
• Cash is the preferred method of payment across India. Some larger vendors may accept international debit and credit cards, such as Mastercard and Visa. This, however, is uncommon, and minimum purchases are generally required on card-based transactions.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, bus driver, and local guides.

• To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

• Your Tour Director will lead your group. Their role is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each day’s activities, and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and can’t provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.

• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is having access to our 24/7 Emergency Support Team.
• Our extensive network of global offices and our integration of ISO 31000 risk management guidelines help this dedicated team anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible, iterative way.
• Using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience, this team assists travelers and Tour Directors in case of emergencies—stepping in for everything from personal health concerns and injuries to major world events.
• Our On-Tour Support team can also provide additional support for travelers on tour, arranging assistance from outside specialists and liaising with local and international authorities as needed. And if there’s an emergency on the road or at home, the team will support and facilitate communication between travelers and their families.

• India and Sri Lanka are 5.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 10.5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). The country doesn’t observe daylight saving time.
• When it’s noon in New York from November through March, it's 10:30pm in India and Sri Lanka. Subtract an hour from April through October.

• When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
• Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.