Travel Policies
Booking & Confirmation
- A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of the required advance payment and written confirmation from Ceylon Samurai Tours.
- All guest details (full name as per passport, nationality, date of birth, and passport number) must be provided at the time of booking to arrange internal flights, national park permits, and hotel registrations.
- Tour itineraries are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Where a specific hotel, guide, or vehicle category is unavailable, we will offer a comparable alternative of equal or higher standard.
Payment Terms
- A booking is confirmed only upon receipt of the required advance payment and written confirmation from Ceylon Samurai Tours.
- All guest details (full name as per passport, nationality, date of birth, and passport number) must be provided at the time of booking to arrange internal flights, national park permits, and hotel registrations.
- Tour itineraries are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. Where a specific hotel, guide, or vehicle category is unavailable, we will offer a comparable alternative of equal or higher standard.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cancellations must be submitted in writing (email) and are effective from the date of receipt.
Cancellation Notice | Refund |
45+ days before arrival | Full refund, minus bank/processing charges |
30–44 days before arrival | 75% refund |
15–29 days before arrival | 50% refund |
7–14 days before arrival | 25% refund |
Less than 7 days / no-show | No refund |
- Certain components (e.g., train reservations, national park permits, festival-period hotels, internal flights) may be non-refundable regardless of notice period, as dictated by third-party suppliers.
- Refunds are processed within 14–21 business days via the original payment method.
Amendments & Rescheduling
- Date changes or itinerary modifications requested more than 21 days before travel will be accommodated where possible at no extra charge, subject to availability.
- Changes requested within 21 days of travel may incur amendment fees and are subject to supplier availability and cancellation terms.
- Ceylon Samurai Tours reserves the right to modify itineraries due to weather, road conditions, safety concerns, or circumstances beyond our control, while maintaining the overall quality and value of the tour.
Visa & Travel Documents
- Guests are responsible for holding a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from the date of entry) and obtaining the Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival.
- Ceylon Samurai Tours can advise on the ETA process but is not responsible for visa refusals, delays, or entry denials by immigration authorities.
- Guests should verify visa and health requirements applicable to their nationality with the nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission.
Health, Safety & Travel Insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance (covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and personal belongings) is mandatory for all guests and must be arranged independently prior to departure.
- Guests should inform us in advance of any medical conditions, mobility restrictions, or dietary requirements so that suitable arrangements can be made.
- Ceylon Samurai Tours is not liable for medical expenses incurred during the tour; guests travel at their own risk on activities such as hiking, water sports, safaris, and wildlife excursions.
Accommodation & Meal Policy
- Hotel check-in/check-out times follow individual property policies (typically 2:00 PM / 11:00 AM), and early check-in or late check-out cannot be guaranteed unless pre-arranged and paid for.
- Meal plans (bed & breakfast, half board, or full board) are specified per itinerary; special dietary requirements should be communicated at booking.
- Room categories and views are subject to hotel allocation and cannot be guaranteed unless specifically booked and confirmed.
Transport & Guiding
- All tours include a private, air-conditioned vehicle and an English-speaking chauffeur guide unless otherwise specified. Guiding in other languages (Japanese, Italian, Spanish, etc.) is available upon request and subject to guide availability and additional charges.
- Driving hours are regulated for guest safety; itineraries are planned with reasonable daily driving limits.
- Ceylon Samurai Tours is not responsible for delays caused by traffic, road closures, strikes, weather, or other conditions beyond our control.
Wildlife & Safari Excursions
- Sightings of wildlife (leopard, elephant, blue whale, and other species) can never be guaranteed, as these are wild animals in natural habitats. Itineraries are designed to maximise opportunity based on known patterns, but Ceylon Samurai Tours cannot be held responsible for the absence of specific sightings.
- Safari jeeps may be shared with other travellers unless a private jeep has been specifically booked and confirmed.
- Guests must follow park ranger and guide instructions at all times for their own safety and the protection of wildlife.
Seasonal & Weather Considerations
- Sri Lanka has two monsoon systems affecting different coasts at different times of year. Itinerary routing (e.g., choice between Yala and Wilpattu national parks, or south/west versus east coast beach stays) may be adjusted seasonally to ensure the best guest experience.
- Some national parks close periodically for conservation purposes (Yala typically closes in September); alternative parks will be offered where this affects a confirmed itinerary.
- Ceylon Samurai Tours reserves the right to amend daily routing due to weather conditions, always aiming to preserve the overall quality of the tour.
Poya (Full Moon) Days
- Sri Lanka observes monthly Poya (full moon) public holidays. On these days, the sale of alcohol is restricted nationwide by law, and some shops, bars, and attractions may operate reduced hours or close.
- Itineraries falling on a Poya day will be planned around these restrictions where possible; guests are advised in advance if a travel date coincides with Poya.
Temple & Religious Site Etiquette
Guests visiting temples, shrines, and other religious sites are required to observe local customs:
- Shoulders and knees must be covered; sarongs are available for hire at some sites.
- Footwear and hats must be removed before entering temple grounds.
- Guests should not pose for photographs with their back turned to a Buddha statue, as this is considered highly disrespectful and is a punishable offense under Sri Lankan law.
- Guides will provide guidance on appropriate conduct at each site visited.
Currency & Tipping Guidance
- The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). While major hotels and shops accept cards, cash is recommended for rural areas, local markets, and small purchases, as ATM availability can be limited outside major towns.
- Tipping is not compulsory but is customary and appreciated for drivers, guides, and hotel staff. Suggested tipping guidelines can be provided by our team prior to travel.
Force Majeure
Ceylon Samurai Tours shall not be held liable for failure to perform any obligation due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather, pandemics, civil unrest, government restrictions, strikes, or airline/supplier failures. In such cases, we will work with guests to reschedule or provide credit notes where possible, though refunds cannot always be guaranteed for costs already incurred with third-party suppliers.
Liability
- Ceylon Samurai Tours acts as an agent for hotels, transport providers, activity operators, and other third-party suppliers, and is not liable for their acts, omissions, or service failures beyond our reasonable control.
- We accept no liability for loss, injury, damage, or additional expense arising from delays, cancellations, or events outside our control.
- Guests are responsible for their own belongings and valuables throughout the tour.
Pricing, Single Supplement & Group Bookings
- Published tour prices are based on two adults sharing a room (“per person sharing”). Solo travellers will be charged a single supplement, quoted at the time of booking.
- Group bookings (typically 6+ guests travelling together) may be eligible for discounted rates; please contact us for a custom group quote.
- Quoted prices are based on exchange rates at the time of quotation. Ceylon Samurai Tours reserves the right to adjust pricing in the event of significant currency fluctuation, fuel price changes, or supplier rate increases prior to full payment; guests will be notified of any such adjustment before it is applied.
Optional & Locally Booked Excursions
- Excursions and activities not included in the original confirmed itinerary (e.g., spontaneous local add-ons booked during the tour) are subject to separate payment and the cancellation terms of the relevant local operator, which may differ from this policy.
- Where possible, our guide will confirm pricing and cancellation terms for any optional excursion before booking on the guest’s behalf.
Children & Family Travel
- Children are welcome on most tours. Age-appropriate activity adjustments can be arranged upon request.
- Child pricing (where applicable) is based on sharing a room with two full-paying adults; please contact us for specific age-based rates.
Complaints Procedure
Any concerns during the tour should be raised immediately with your guide or our 24/7 support contact so they can be resolved in real time. Post-tour complaints should be submitted in writing within 14 days of tour completion for review.
Booking Transfers
Confirmed bookings are non-transferable to another individual or party without the prior written consent of Ceylon Samurai Tours, and may be subject to an administration fee where a transfer is approved.
Privacy Policy
- Personal information collected during booking (names, passport details, contact information, payment details) is used solely for the purpose of arranging and delivering your tour, including hotel registration and permit applications as required by Sri Lankan authorities.
- We do not sell or share guest data with third parties beyond what is necessary for tour operations.
- Guest data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil legal, accounting, and customer service obligations, and is not kept beyond a reasonable period after tour completion unless required by law.
- Guests may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their data by contacting us directly.
Photography & Marketing
With guest consent, photographs or videos taken during the tour may occasionally be used for Ceylon Samurai Tours’ marketing purposes. Guests may opt out at any time by informing their guide or our office.
Responsible & Sustainable Tourism
Ceylon Samurai Tours is committed to responsible travel practices, including supporting local communities and small businesses, respecting wildlife and protected areas, and minimizing environmental impact where possible. We encourage guests to travel mindfully — respecting local customs, conserving water, and avoiding single-use plastics where alternatives are available.
Accessibility
Please inform us at the time of booking of any mobility considerations, so that we can advise on suitable accommodation, transport, and itinerary pacing. While many sites in Sri Lanka (including some ancient monuments and safari terrain) have inherent accessibility limitations due to their natural or historic condition, we will do our best to recommend accessible alternatives where needed.
Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These policies, and any bookings made with Ceylon Samurai Tours, are governed by the laws of Sri Lanka. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Ceylon Samurai Tours reserves the right to update these policies at any time. The version published on our website at the time of booking shall apply. For questions regarding these policies, please contact our reservations team before confirming your booking.