Booking Terms and Conditions

Sri Lanka Escapes asks its customers to accept the conditions below at the time of booking.

All tour and itinerary prices are based on AUD $ Australian Dollars, please convert to your Local Currency CAD, USD, GBP, EURO - payment can be made in any Currency. We will send you a payment link/invoice and this can be paid in your local currency on request with minimal bank fees.

In case of all other Cancellations, the following conditions will apply:
- Cancelling for any reason 30 days or more before arrival, then the 50% paid deposit for the tour will not be reimbursed. - Depending on hotel policies, other fees may be added to the amount withheld.

- Cancelling for any reason 30 - 21 days before arrival - 75% of the total tour amount will be retained

- Cancelling between 20 to 15 days before arrival – 90% of the total tour amount will be retained

- Cancelling between 14 to 1 days before arrival – 100% of the total tour amount will be retained
- No-show or last-minute cancellation (14-1 days before arrival) – 100% of the total tour amount will be retained
- When the agreed tour has commenced, the tour has started, or the tour is mid-way through, the tour has ended all Sri Lanka Escapes services have been fulfilled with all our services rendered for the proposed date the tour was booked and

confirmed - 100% of the total tour amount will be retained.

When the client is invoiced and pays their deposit or final payment as per the invoice, it indicates the client is required to tick that they have read and understand the full Terms and Conditions when booking with Sri Lanka Escapes. It also clearly states, that if this is left unticked and the client pays the deposit, the client has accepted all Terms and Conditions per the link included in the invoice and via the website.

No refunds will be issued under any circumstances to the client as per the above conditions clearly outlined as the client agreed with the Terms and Conditions by paying the deposit. All client funds for their proposed tour are forwarded to our Office in Sri Lanka to distribute all the funds to our service providers. This is paid well in advance in full and nothing can be retrieved by return.

For anything unforeseen, we highly recommend covering yourself and your travelers by taking out Comprehensive Travel insurance when you book your trip so you are covered.

Sri Lanka Escapes will provide a cancellation tax invoice if this is required by your insurance provider if it is cancelled prior to your proposed travel date only. Sri Lanka Escapes takes full care but no responsibility. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for your travel. Please refer here for an Insurance quotation: https://www.srilanka-escapes.com/insurance

A/ Booking & Payment

Hotel bookings

Please note, that all hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. We will always make an effort to secure the requested hotel but in case of non-availability, we will propose a similar hotel. Until the booking is confirmed (deposit payment received), no hotel booking can be guaranteed. Any subscription to book is considered final from the receipt of payment of a deposit and the subscription form duly completed by the customer. Hotels, guest houses, and homestays provided in all itineraries are of good standard and provide nice clean private rooms with private facilities and meals as specified in the itinerary. The client has the option to choose the category of the hotels they wish to stay in at the time of booking. Hotels can not be changed before the tour once the itinerary has been confirmed and received, anytime prior or midway through a tour.

If the client is not happy with the hotels on tour, then the client can book and pay for an additional hotel directly, but under no circumstances will they be given or offered a credit or refund for a no-show as all hotels have all been paid well in advance and they will not refund and classed as a no show.

Hotels in Sri Lanka are categorized on our itineraries and are rated as a 3-star hotel, Guest House, and or Quality Homestay style accommodations with private rooms, private bathrooms, and bed and breakfast. Hotels rated as 4-star or 5-star hotels have much higher standards of accommodation and are priced accordingly and can not be compared. All Hotels are different and can not be compared as they are individually owned throughout Sri Lanka.

It is in Sri Lanka Escapes' best interest to provide quality hotels, guest houses, homestays, or 4-5 star hotels for our clients while participating in our itineraries as this is important for our clients and future clientele. Sri Lanka's hotel category can not be compared with any other country as each country differs in standards and this is beyond our control.

Deposit payment

A deposit payment of 25% of the total amount of the tour package must be received by Sri Lanka Escapes, in order to confirm the booking. You can choose to make an online payment with a credit card (an additional 2% of bank charges), via Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or bank transfer. Please note, that in Sri Lanka, many hotels confirm room reservations only after receiving an advanced payment or even full payment. When the deposit is paid, we can reserve your rooms. However, these pre-reservations are only valid for a limited time (subject to availability). Then all funds will be forwarded to Sri Lanka to all our service providers and no refund is possible.

Balance payment

25% payment due 16 weeks from departure date

25% payment due 12 weeks from departure date

25% payment owing or total balance for full payment 8 weeks from the departure date

Last minute confirmation

Any Bookings occurring less than 8 weeks before departure must be accompanied by a 100% payment for the service/tour is required to be paid in full.

B/ Prices are subject to change

The tour price you agreed on at the time of booking will change only in the case of:

Exchange rate fluctuations: Our rates can be affected by any change in the exchange rate between the Sri Lankan Rupee and AUD, EURO, or USD. A fluctuation of more than 3 rupees in the exchange rate will provoke an update of our rates. We will then send you an updated invoice with the new amount for your consideration. This condition applies to all our tours and packages, quotations as well as bookings.
Variations in petrol prices
Tax increases: In case the Sri Lankan government decides to increase taxes without prior notice, the tour price is subject to change (even though the booking was confirmed).
Changes in entrance fees/ fees for activities

C/ Visa & Passports

Every individual traveler is required to possess a valid passport, which is valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in Sri Lanka.

Every individual traveller is required to possess a Visit Visa. A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period of time and the condition/s of the stay. A Tourist Visa is issued to bona fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visiting relatives, or yoga training for a short period of time. All travelers must obtain their own valid visa prior to arrival. It is every traveler’s responsibility to ensure, that all requirements of immigration and other government authorities are met for the booked destination(s). Should you breach any government regulations, fines, penalties, payments or any other kind of expenditures will be your sole responsibility. The ETA visa is issued for a period of 30 days (Please check all the updates on entry requirements on the official website Electronic Travel Authorization System of Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration. https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/

Itinerary Changes & Cancellation Policy

Change of tours/itinerary

Sri Lanka Escapes may be obliged to modify a route and/or service in case of force majeure such as adverse weather conditions or political tensions. We will do our utmost to minimize the consequences of these changes so that the tour goes as smoothly as possible. Sri Lanka Escapes cannot be held responsible for any cancellation and/or modifications due to the reasons mentioned above.

Cancellation Policy

Any cancellation must be communicated to us in writing. We will therefore retain the following fees:

For certain special services such as the privatisation of transport or any other type of privatisation, the full payment will be kept according to the conditions of our provider.
Cancellation more than 30 days before the date of arrival - 25% of the total tour price will not be refunded. Depending on hotel policies, other charges may be added to the amount withheld.
Cancellation between 21 and 30 days before the date of arrival - 40% of the price of the trip is retained.
Cancellation between 15 and 20 days before the date of arrival - 50% of the price of the trip is retained.
No show and cancellation between 1 and 14 days before the date of arrival - 100% of the price of the trip is retained.
Once the tour has commenced - 100% of the price of the trip is retained.
Once the tour has been completed and ended - 100% of the price of the trip is retained.

During the high season (from December 15th to January 15th):

Cancellation beyond 46 days before the arrival date - 25% of the total tour price will not be refunded.
Depending on hotel policies, other charges may be added to the amount withheld.
Cancellation between 45 and 31 days before the date of arrival - 40% of the total trip is retained.
Cancellation between 30 and 21 days before the arrival date - 50% of the total trip is retained.
Cancellation between 20 and 14 days before the arrival date - 75% of the total trip is retained.
No show and cancellation between 1 and 14 days before the date of arrival - 100% of the total trip is retained.
Once the tour has commenced 100% of the price of the total trip is retained.
Once the tour has been completed 100% of the price of the total trip is retained.

Refunds

The refund amount made by Sri Lanka Escapes will be made by bank transfer within 21 days of the cancellation of the request. All bank charges will be deducted from the total amount to be refunded.

Insurance

Sri Lanka Escapes is a Tour Coordinator and covered by Public Liability Insurance. The insurance coverage does not include certain activities such as bungee jumping, parachuting, paragliding, skydiving, martial arts, hang-gliding, and all other similar activities.

Sri Lanka Escapes cannot be held responsible for any financial loss or any costs related to physical or other injuries (theft, loss,...). The same applies to fines, penalties, and damages, as well as any act of war, terrorism, or sabotage. In addition, Sri Lanka Escapes cannot be held responsible for claims arising from the use of aircraft, marine vehicles over 10 meters in length, and hovercraft.

Personal Travel Insurance
Sri Lanka Escapes strongly encourages all travelers to take out repatriation travel insurance and get vaccinated before the trip. The travel agency does not provide insurance coverage for its clients. Clients are responsible for any health-related expenses that may be incurred during the trip. Please send us your emergency contacts before your arrival. For more information on travel-specific insurance policies, we recommend that you contact your insurance company or the following insurance company link here: https://www.srilanka-escapes.com/insurance

Luggage Size

Luggage per person requirements due to limited space in the travel vehicle

-One piece of hand luggage up to 7kg (30cm H x 50cm L x 30cm W) Carry bag / Backpack.

-One piece of large luggage no more than 20kg (60cm H x 70cm L x 50cm W)

Remarks

Personal belongings are the responsibility of each client. Sri Lanka Escapes will not be responsible for any belongings that are lost or stolen or damaged during the tour or at the hotels. Sri Lanka Escpaes is not a ticketing agency and is not responsible for airfare for the tour. Sri Lanka Escapes is not responsible for any tour penalties due to delays in flight arrivals and lost or misplaced luggage. The agency does not cover domestic airfare unless otherwise stated in the tour itinerary. All travel documents are not transferable under another name. Included in these documents are vouchers, coupons, or tickets. The check-in time is at 1400 hours and check out at 1200 hours. However, these times may vary depending on the hotels. Or the client can pay an additional fee for early check-in or late check-out at the time of booking their itinerary trip with Sri Lanka Escapes.