SRI LANKA

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT?

The more severe “yala” monsoon affects the south and west of the island from April through to September. On the flip side, the “maha” monsoon affects the east and north from November through to March.

Therefore the best time to visit Sri Lanka is between November and April in the south-west and February to September in the north-east.

But anytime is a great time to visit because the island has an abundance of places to discover regardless the weather or the time of year.

climate

Sri Lanka is very much a tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons and a generally humid climate.  However the seasons depend on your location on the island.  Average temperature will be around 27 degrees Celsius in coastal flat areas, 20 degrees Celsius in Kandy and may fall to about 15-17 degrees Celsius in the hills. You should be prepared for cool nights in the hills – as low as 10 degrees Celsius.

IS IT SAFE TO VISIT SRI LANKA?

Sri Lanka is a peaceful country welcoming international visitors from around the world. Travelling around the island is very safe and locals speak a variety of languages including English.

Our guides and chauffeurs will ensure your safety and wellbeing throughout your stay.

Please visit Smart Traveller for more information and updated travel alerts: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/sri-lanka

DO I NEED A VISA TO VISIT SRI LANKA?

Australian citizens need a visa to visit Sri Lanka, this can be done online in approximately 30 minutes via the link below.

http://www.eta.gov.lk

packing list

Sri Lanka is a tropical country and light cotton clothes are the most ideal.  If you are visiting religious sites, it is a must to pack appropriate clothing: gents are required to wear trousers to cover the knees or a ‘sarong’ with a shirt or t-shirt and ladies should pack either trousers or skirt that covers the knees and a shirt that covers the shoulders. 

It is also NOT advisable to wear deep, revealing necklines.  Cotton clothes are useful at any time of the year but you will need light woollens for the hills and waterproof clothing or an umbrella.   Don't forget comfortable shoes, sandals or trainers and cotton socks.   If you are planning to trek and climb go prepared with suitable gear. 

When visiting temples or sacred sites there are some strict guidelines to remember.

Ladies: Shoulders need to be covered and no shorts, short skirts or tops with revealing or plunging necklines. It is advisable to have a sarong or scarf on hand to cover your shoulders and legs when entering the temple or sacred site.

Gents: Long pants and shirts with short sleeves. If you are wearing shorts, have a sarong on hand as you may be asked to cover your legs.

NB: At temples and sacred sites you will be asked to remove your shoes and enter barefoot. Your shoes will be taken care of by an attendant. A monetary tip when collecting your shoes after your visit will be appreciated.

Sunglasses, hats suncreen and mosquito repellent - the tropical strength kind.

do i need any vaccinations?

Depending on your health it is best to discuss this with your own doctor. There are no prescribed vaccinations for visiting Sri Lanka. Malaria tablets may be a good idea if travelling to very remote parts of the island.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Special permits are somletimes required for professsional photography. Each site will have the requirements stated through signage.

When photographing images of the Buddha in temples and sacred sites, please be mindful to be respectful of the religious significance of the images. Sitting on a statue is forbidden and could result in fines or being arrested.

HIRING TUK TUKS

Many foreign visitors are renting the local three-wheelers or “tuk tuks” as a cheaper alternative to renting cars or hiring taxis. This can be a dangerous decision as the traffic in Sri Lanka is chaotic, even for the most seasoned local drivers.

Exercise caution when driving on the roads in Sri Lanka as many roads are busy with not only cars and trucks but also private buses, public buses, bicycles, tuk tuks, motorcycles, scooters, dogs, cows and the occasional elephant.

india

When is the best time of year to visit?

The best time to visit India is between October and March when the heat subsides, especially in areas like Rajasthan. This is the main tourist season, so expect crowds in the more popular tourist locations.

December and January are much cooler, with potential fog, while the higher Himalaya can be very cold, but with clearer mountain views.

climate

Weather in India is divided into three distinct seasons -- winter, summer, and the monsoon. Generally, the best time to visit India is during the winter, when the weather in most places is relatively cool and pleasant.  Summer (March to May) India starts heating up from around February.  By April, many places are experience daily temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

is it safe to visit india?

India is a peaceful country, however skirmishes are known to break out in regional areas from time to time. Please visit Smart Traveller for more information and updated travel alerts: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india

do i need a visa to visit india?

All international travellers are required to obtain a visa prior to travelling to India. India visas can be obtained from the India Embassy in your capital city or via a VFS office.

The regulations in filling our the visa form is quite strict - this is coming from personal experience when it took me several visits to the VFS office to get the paperwork correctly filled in according to the Indian Embassy requirements.

VFS has offices in most capital cities in Australia. Please visit their website to find your nearest office: https://services.vfsglobal.com/aus/en/ind

packing list

It is strongly suggested to pack clothes that can be worn in layers.  This is mainly due to the changing temperatures in different locations of India. Think in terms of casual, comfortable, hand-washable clothing: cottons and linens are great choices. Breathable natural fiber fabrics are best. Light woollens are good for venturing into the hills where it will be cooler in the evenings and early mornings. Hats and sunglasses are essential.

Smart casual attire is appropriate for dinner.

As in Sri Lanka, it is recommended to wear clothes covering the arms and legs when visiting old parts of a city or religious and sacred sites. These sites will also require entry barefoot so be prepared to take off your shoes.

do i need vaccinations to visit India?

Depending on yor health, it is best to discuss this with your doctor. Malaria tablets may be a good idea if travelling to remote areas of India.

PHOTOGRAPHY

India provides a plethora of backdrops for the photography buff and taking photos is addictive in this environment. However, not everyone is happy having their photo taken so please be respectful when taking photos of people - best to ask.

Photography at monumnet sites is permitted, however professional photography may require a permit.

DRIVING IN INDIA

It is not recommended to hire a car and set off on your own. India is a vast continent and once the city limits are left behind, many locals do not speak English and navigating local roads can also be challenging. Think overloaded trucks, local buses, cars, motorbikes, dogs, horses, camels and herds of goats.

maldives

when is the best time to visit the maldives?

The best time to visit the Maldives is December to April, as that's dry season, with little rain and low humidity leading to bright blue skies, cloudless days and still, balmy evenings.

The island nation is warm and sunny year-round, but consists of a dry season and a wet, rainy season.

climate

The weather in the Maldives is usually picture perfect: sunlit days, breezy nights, balmy mornings, and iridescent sunsets with the average temperature at about 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Maldives has two distinct seasons; dry season (northeast monsoon) and wet season (southwest monsoon), with the former extending from January to March and the latter from mid-May to November.

is it safe to visit the maldives?

The Maldive Islands are generally very safe for travel with the exemption of Malé which has been subject to the ocassional politcal protest and skirmish.

Please visit Smart Traveller for more information and updated travel alerts: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/maldives

do i need a visa to visit the maldives?

A tourist visa is granted to all visitors on arrival to The Maldives. For all details please visit: https://immigration.gov.mv/tourist-visa

PACking list

The Maldives is a very resort-styled holiday destination and each island is basically one resort. Some islands are larger than others and some islands have sister properties which can be visited for as a day trip or for a meal.

Therefore, resort wear is the best option for The Maldives. This would include, light cotton kaftans, sarongs, bathing suits, pantsuits, shorts, flowing dresses and oversized shirts. Anything that will give a sense of beach or pool.

For the resorts, any casual clothing and resort ware is suitable, however most resorts have dress codes for restaurants and bars and stipulate NO bathing costumes in these areas.

Dinners can be semi-formal so pack a few smart casual items like loose pants or flowy dresses or shirts.

Suntan lotion, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, a good post-sun moisturiser and mosquito repellent - the tropical strength kind.

do i need vaccinations to travel to the maldives?

Depending on your health, it is best to discuss this with your doctor.