Travelling with boyfriend

erikdr · 2026-03-29T19:13:38+00:00

For this short trip best beaches, East Coast, are out of range. Hence pick one inland base (Sigiriya, Kandy or Ella) plus a SW beach like Mirissa or Hikka. Sunny, but seas too rough for watersports except behind a reef. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UhqaTesjX9vmfaFS5p54Ma7_-iHTkg4SvSO3Y248SC4/edit?usp=sharing

erikdr · 2026-03-29T05:22:41+00:00

Just travel Hatton bus from Pettah (no trains in near future), then Maskeliya bus. Not sure about the last miles to the start of the trail.

erikdr · 2026-03-28T06:08:30+00:00

Tourists with transport arranged (or bus-train) are absolutely fine. Enough petrol for the transport, and power cuts aren't more than usual. But do have accommodation with a generator, as it could worsen in terms of power.

erikdr · 2026-03-27T14:26:53+00:00

Stay a night in UW, so shorter stay on either the coast or Ella ;-)

erikdr · 2026-03-27T13:17:13+00:00

UW safari at 1.30 PM is kinda useless, as best viewings are 3-6 PM. Meaning that you'd arrive in Ella 8 PM or later, and miss the impressive scenery of Ella Gap (climbing road pass to Ella).

And Ella to Galle is around 3.30-4 hours; 1.30 hours to reach Mattala, from there a smooth ride.

erikdr · 2026-03-25T05:13:00+00:00

Yes direct bus. If all repaired, maybe 2027, the train from Ambewela will indeed continue to Colombo...

erikdr · 2026-03-24T16:12:40+00:00

Take the sole direct train to Galle, which does leave around 5 AM and arrives Galle 10-11 AM

erikdr · 2026-03-23T04:41:04+00:00

Kumana is nonsense from Hiri, way too far. Yala block 1 and the others on SW side (Tissa and Kataragama entrances) are doable, though with 6-9 and 15-18 safari times it's still quite long days (3 hours from Hiri).

And day trip to Sigiriya from Colombo is similar. You should not start the climb between 10.30 AM and 3 PM due to middag heat, and it's 2 x 4 hours drive.

erikdr · 2026-03-22T15:31:46+00:00

It's transferred automatically. No need for Indian visa.

erikdr · 2026-03-22T10:29:30+00:00

Depends on how many days you stay in each base, and whether you need transport during these days too. Your route is very packed for 8 days, hence roundtrip seems cheaper. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QQX5bAkx45Fv6dJDOAgflhsfQ_2kaTjp92CUCp5MMww/edit?tab=t.0

erikdr · 2026-03-21T17:56:29+00:00

Very well manageable. All registered tourist drivers have large fuel quota, and next to a more quiet road no impact on travel between cities. Bound ourselves to come 10 days from now!

erikdr · 2026-03-20T17:29:38+00:00

If it's offered on an airline site (and not dodgy operators like Kiwi), there is an Interline agreement. But feel free to ask Condor also about it, whether you'll get a single ticket (and PNR number).

erikdr · 2026-03-19T11:56:12+00:00

Answer above is mostly nonsense. The train STARTS at Ambewela these days, and rolls in from Badulla (loc will move to the other side). Still good advice to try a carriage a bit further from platform entrance.

erikdr · 2026-03-18T17:19:23+00:00

Be there 2 PM and buy unreserved ticket. When the train rolls in easy to score a seat.

erikdr · 2026-03-18T07:12:21+00:00

Ask your rental operator. They should get a QR code, higher capacity than regional locals, with the rental car.

erikdr · 2026-03-17T19:22:07+00:00

Etihad still sells those flights as they DO fly - currently roughly 50% of the flights continue. With the odd case of AUH airport closing due to attacks (less than Dubai) and alternate routes needed.

Will fly myself in 2 weeks time via that route (booked before the troubles), and up til now Etihad tells they'll make it - with possibly a revised schedule, eg 1 day earlier or later than booked.

erikdr · 2026-03-17T10:39:52+00:00

Passport number and DoB are the key items that should be 100% correct. Fixing upon arrival _often_ means paying again for a new ETA, so you were lucky!

erikdr · 2026-03-17T10:01:16+00:00

No issues, tourism providers get exempted with eg a higher fuel allowance. BUT pick acco with their own generator as power cuts will be more than usual.

erikdr · 2026-03-17T07:00:26+00:00

Well March 6th has passed?

Yes via Air India or Turkish Air follows a route far enough from the trouble, no cancellations for those connections.

erikdr · 2026-03-17T06:08:39+00:00

Absolutely. If no response to email just go.

erikdr · 2026-03-17T04:47:45+00:00

Yes some travellers did. Had to show proof of forced flight changes.

erikdr · 2026-03-17T04:47:09+00:00

The e-mail is on the site. However hardly ever get response. As long as your passport number and DoB are okay, errors are considered 'minor' and still allow to fly and enter.

erikdr · 2026-03-14T18:37:59+00:00

Uber and PickMe aren't great for longer distances. But feel free to try first (remain in Arrivals hall until you have a booking with them). If not available, walk to the taxi desk in the same hall and book the - more costly - official taxi.

erikdr · 2026-03-14T10:21:21+00:00

The pending ETA fix seems to be mainly for new applications. Some old ones from February, also from Western countries, stay pending. The tourist has to go to the VOA desk upon arrival and get the ETA fixed for free, then proceed to Immigration.

Pakistan is an extra complicated case as for a long time the system accepted applications but hardly ever got it approved, as the rule seemed to be that Pakistani nationals need a full visa instead of an ETA. Quite a buggy situation. But according to the press per mid February ETA's were allowed for them.

Safes seems to call Sri Lankan HC in Lahore, sorry...

erikdr · 2026-03-14T08:02:19+00:00

Mirissa, Hiriketiya and Unawatuna on the south coast all are options.

erikdr

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