Sri Lanka 2025 - Escorted Tour
From AUD 6,080/pp
ON REQUEST - please contact our office for final places on the tour:
Email: info@astsports.com.au
Tel: 1800 026 668
Australia returns to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy followed by a one-off One Day International. On our last tour in 2022 the Aussies retained the title thanks to a 1-1 series draw. We can’t wait to be back to Sri Lanka and get behind the team as they go for a rare subcontinental series win!
Match Dates
- First Test: 29 January-2 February, Galle
- Second Test: 6-10 February, Galle
- Only ODI: 13 February, venue tbc
Incredible Sri Lanka Touring
Our tour is loaded with an enormous range of inclusions to ensure this is one of your most incredible sporting tour experiences ever!Our full tour includes all your transport connections, airport transfers, 4 & 5 star resort hotel accommodation throughout, welcome & farewell group dinners, Test Match hospitality seating with lunch & drinks included each day, stunning Sri Lankan sightseeing, the services of AST’s leading Sri Lanka tour rep and experienced local guides. Plus the added bonus of our proud tour hosts Geoff Marsh & Steve O’Keefe who will be bringing a truly unique insight into all the cricket action both on & off the field.
This is one tour not to be missed!
AST Tour Packages
We have 19, 15 & 13-night tour options depending on how much cricket and touring you are able to enjoy. If your travel dates are restricted contact us and we can put together a bespoke quote for you.The tour begins with 5 days of sampling the best Sri Lanka has to offer including the natural wonders of Dambulla & Sigiriya, the temples of Polonnaruwa & Kandy and the incredible UNESCO train journey through Sri Lanka’s tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya.
World-famous Galle International Cricket Stadium then plays host to both Test matches. In between the Tests we will visit Yala National Park, known as a sanctuary for Sri Lankan elephants, leopards and aquatic birds.
Australia and Sri Lanka will then face off in a one-off ODI on 13 February ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. The venue for this match is still to be determined and we will have an optional 3-night package to add this to your tour coming soon!
TOUR HOSTS - GEOFF MARSH PLUS STEVE O'KEEFE!
With Merv on other duties in January, AST are delighted to announce that our Sri Lanka Test Tour will be hosted by Australian batting legend & former Sri Lanka coach Geoff Marsh for both Tests.
And in a fantastic coup, we are also extremely proud to inform that Geoff be accompanied at the first Test by one of Australia's most popular characters and spin bowling experts, Steve O'Keefe.
Having been an unmistakable feature of the Australian summer for the past decade with the Sydney Sixers, plus his incredible Test Match figures of 12 for 70 in India in 2017 (in what was Australia's first Test win in India in 13 years), Steve's friendly style and modern cricketing insight will be an exciting and invaluable addition to our tour. We can't wait to welcome Steve on board!
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is home to beautiful tropical beaches, cooler temperate rain forests and vast plantations of the world's finest tea. The island’s incredible national parks feature a wide range of wildlife, and the cities and towns are home to both native and colonial architectural traditions.All of these are enhanced by the combination of local hospitality, superb cuisine and a shared love for the game of cricket, a sure-fire topic of conversation with any Sri Lankan!
This is truly a unique opportunity to support the Aussies and experience the amazing island country that is Sri Lanka!
Flights
SriLankan Airlines operates direct flights to Colombo from Melbourne and Sydney, see www.srilankan.com for details.Qantas (www.qantas.com) and Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) have flights available from Australian capitals via Singapore.
The first night of the tour stays at our Colombo Airport hotel as flights with the above airlines arrive late in the evening. Contact us if you would prefer to meet the group in Galle at the start of the tour.
Visas & Insurance
All travellers to Sri Lanka are required to apply for online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. Apply online at www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ (US$50).Travel insurance is not included in our travel packages or tours. Fast Cover Travel Insurance are offering AST customers 5% off travel insurance. You can apply for a quote at fastcover.com.au and can be contacted on 1300 409 322 if you have questions.
Tour Payments
Payments are required as follows:- At the time of booking a minimum deposit payment of 40% of your booking total is due.
- The final balance of your booking is due by 13 December 2024.
Any Questions?
Email us at info@astsports.com.au if you have any questions about the tour.Inclusions
Accommodation
- 1 night at Jetwing Blue Hotel, Negombo
- 2 nights at Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya
- 1 night at The Grand Kandyan, Kandy
- 1 night at Araliya Green City, Nuwara Eliya
- 6 nights at Radisson Blu Resort, Galle
- 2 nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Weerawila, Yala
- 6 nights at Araliya Beach Resort, Unawatuna
- Breakfasts daily
Match Tickets
- Hospitality air-conditioned box seats for each day of the 1st Test
- Hospitality air-conditioned box seats for each day of the 2nd Test
- Lunch every day of the Tests
- Beer, wine & soft-drinks included
Sightseeing
- Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary
- Dambulla Cave
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Historic Polonnaruwa
- Kandy Temples
- UNESCO-listed historic Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train
- Kataragama temple visit
- Morning & evening guided game drives in Yala National Park
- Historic Galle Fort & old town tour
Transfers
- Private arrival transfers with airport meet & greet
- Air-conditioned coach transfers throughout
- Historic Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train journey
- Return match transfers every day of the cricket
- Galle to Colombo city or airport transfers at the end of the tour
Tour Hosts & Guides
- Tour hosted by Geoff Marsh (both Tests)
- Co-host Steve O’Keefe (1st Test)
- Experienced AST tour leader throughout
- Local English-speaking tour guide throughout offering invaluable local insights
Dinners
- Welcome dinner including drinks during 1st Test
- Farewell dinner including drinks during 2nd Test
Plus
- Morning briefings each day of the cricket
- AST tour merchandise
ODI Add-On (11 to 14 February)
Accommodation
- 3 nights 4-star hotel (venue TBC)
Match Tickets
- Hospitality air-conditioned box seats for the one-off ODI
- Dinner included
- Beer, wine & soft-drinks included
Sightseeing
- City tour on 12 February (details tbc)
Transfers
- Air-conditioned coach transfers throughout
Itinerary
Thursday 23 January - Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Our tour begins with a night in Negombo near Colombo airport so you are able to arrive any time in the afternoon or evening.
Once booked, email your flight details to us at info@astsports.com.au and we will arrange for your airport greeting and hotel transfer.
Overnight: Jetwing Blue Hotel, Negombo (or similar)
Friday 24 January - Pinnawela & Dambulla
Today we travel to the mountain town of Kandalama. Along the way we stop off at the Pinnawela Elephant Sanctuary. Originally established in 1975 as an educational and conservation centre to support seven orphaned calves, Pinnawela Elephant Sanctuary is now famous for its scientific captive breeding program.
After checking in at our hotel we visit the famous Dambulla Rock Temple, known to have been used since the 1st century AD and consisting of five caves converted into shrines with over 150 statues of Buddha spread throughout. More frescoes on the ceilings here depict scenes from Buddha’s life and important events from the country’s history.
Overnight: Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya (or similar)
Saturday 25 January - Sigiriya Rock & Historic Polonnaruwa
Today we visit the World Heritage listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The summit offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the caves of the rock contain world-renowned frescoes. The ‘Lion Rock’ is said to be built by King Kashyapa at the end of the 5th century as an unassailable fortress and is a breathtaking sight to behold.
We then make our way to another local World Heritage area, the historic city of Polonnaruwa. The medieval capital and crown jewel of King Parakramabahu I, Polonnaruwa is home to stupas, Buddha statues, irrigation canals, Hindu sculptures and beautiful stone carvings.
Overnight: Aliya Resort and Spa, Sigiriya (or similar)
Sunday 26 January - Kandy
We travel today to the city of Kandy where we will take a guided tour of the city.
Kandy is the former capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom that eventually fell to the British after holding out from the Portuguese and Dutch for over 300 years, and its most famous attraction is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Believed to hold a tooth from Buddha himself, the temple is the most important Buddhist symbol in the country and the main pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka.
Overnight: The Grand Kandyan Kandy (or similar)
Monday 27 January - Historic Kandy-Nuwara Eliya Train
Today will be a real treat for our group as we embark on a spectacular train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful train trips, on this route we will wind our way through some of Sri Lanka’s picturesque landscapes thanks to continuous rolling hills of tea plantations and forest. This is a fantastic opportunity to see parts of Sri Lanka off the beaten track!
On arrival at the Nanu Oya train station we will be picked up by our tour vehicle and proceed for a city tour of the renowned British colonial retreat Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight: Araliya Green City, Nuwara Eliya (or similar)
People on our 15-night package will be met at Colombo airport today and stay in nearby Negombo this evening (contact us if you would prefer to meet the group in Galle at the start of the tour). Once booked, email your flight details to us at info@astsports.com.au and we will arrange for your airport greeting and hotel transfer.
Tuesday 28 January - Nuwara Eliya to Galle
This morning we travel south to the city of Galle. Founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century with stone sea walls expanded by the Dutch, the old town centre features colonial architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church and Galle Lighthouse on the fort’s southeast tip.
This evening our tour hosts Geoff Marsh and Steve O’Keefe will be on hand to offer their thoughts for the upcoming series.
Overnight: Radisson Blu Resort, Galle (or similar)
Wednesday 29 January to Sunday 2 February - First Test, Galle
Each morning Geoff & Steve will offer us their thoughts on the day’s cricket after which we will be transferred to the ground on our private coach.
Hospitality match tickets are included for each day of the cricket including lunch.
After the first day’s play we will have our group dinner hosted by Geoff and Steve who will share some of the history of the Sri Lankan-Australian cricketing rivalry.
Overnight: Radisson Blu Resort, Galle (or similar)
Monday 3 February - Kataragama Temple & Yala National Park
This morning we travel across Sri Lanka’s south coach to Yala, home of Sri Lanka’s second largest national park.
Along the way we visit Kataragama Temple. The temple is dedicated to the Buddhist deity Kataragama deviyo and the Hindu god Murugan and it is a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, Hindus and the local Vedda people.
After arriving at tonight’s hotel we will embark on an evening safari drive in search of the nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Weerawila, Yala (or similar)
Tuesday 4 February - Yala National Park Safaris
Today we explore more of Yala National Park on our morning and evening jeep safaris.
Situated in Sri Lanka’s south-east, hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and then a national park in 1938. Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species. Among its more famous residents are the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted dear, peacocks, and crocodiles.
Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Weerawila, Yala (or similar)
Wednesday 5 February - Galle transfer
This morning we return to Galle for the second Test.
Our 13-night package ends today with a transfer to Colombo. Once again, please email your departure flight details to us and we will pass these on to our transfer providers. Note that we expect to arrive in Colombo in the early evening. Extra nights in Colombo can also be arranged.
Overnight: Araliya Beach Resort, Unawatuna (or similar)
Thursday 6 to Monday 10 February - Second Test, Galle
Once again, each morning Geoff will offer us his thoughts on the day’s cricket after which we will be transferred to the ground on our private coach.
Hospitality match tickets are included for each day of the cricket including lunch.
In the evening of day 4 we will have a dinner event hosted by Geoff and some special guests to reflect on play and look ahead for the future of the Australian team.
Overnight: Araliya Beach Resort, Unawatuna (or similar)
Tuesday 11 February - Tour Departure
Our standard tour concludes today with a coach transfer from Galle to Colombo airport, once again please let us know your departure flight details to arrange for your transfer. If required, an optional extra night in Negombo is available to purchase on request.
Important Note: If you are booking a late night flight out of Colombo (i.e. just after midnight), make sure you book your departure for the date of 12th February (e.g. 12:30am / 00:30hrs on 12th Feb).
ODI Add-On
Our three-night ODI add-on is also available from today. The venue for the ODI is still to be confirmed, today we will travel from Galle to the host city for the first of our three-night stay.Overnight: to be confirmed
Wednesday 12 February - Sightseeing Tour
We will have details for today’s included sightseeing tour as soon as match venue details are confirmed.
Overnight: to be confirmed
Thursday 13 February - Australia v Sri Lanka ODI
Match transfers and hospitality tickets are included for today’s one-off ODI.
Overnight: to be confirmed
Friday 14 February - Departure
Our tour ends with a transfer to Colombo airport, once again please let us know your flight details to arrange for your transfer.
Gallery
Packages
AUD 8,260
/per person
AUD 7,090
/per person
AUD 6,080
/per person
ODI Add-On (11-14 February)
AUD 0
/per person