FAQ – Die üblichen Fragen

Visa

All international travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, to enter Sri Lanka. The only exceptions are nationals of the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, who can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, Maldivians even get 90 days. Everyone else must apply for the ETA online before travel, or get it on arrival at the airport for a higher fee. Please note: your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Sri Lanka.

Click here for the official ETA online visa application

Since May 25, 2026, nationals of 40 countries receive the tourist ETA free of charge for stays of up to 30 days. Other SAARC nationals, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, pay 20 USD. All other nationalities pay 50 USD. Transit passengers pay nothing regardless of nationality, and children under 12 are also exempt from the fee.

Click here to go directly to the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

Malaria and Dengue Fever

Generally, the risk of malaria and dengue fever infection in Sri Lanka is lower compared to other countries in South and Southeast Asia. Most hotels provide mosquito nets. In the mountains, the air cools significantly overnight, which naturally keeps mosquitoes away, so a mosquito net usually isn't needed there. We would generally advise against taking malaria prophylaxis, due to its fairly strong side effects — and for a typical 2–4 week holiday, it isn't necessary. (This reflects our personal opinion and isn't intended to contradict medical advice or guidance from the Federal Foreign Office.)

Footwear

Hiking boots are certainly recommended and helpful — both high- and mid-cut boots are suitable for our hikes. One pair should be enough; simply put, whichever pair you find most comfortable to walk in. We typically use mid-cut hiking boots ourselves.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles aren't strictly necessary, but they're certainly useful on our hikes — especially for those already used to hiking with poles.

Luggage

You can always store your luggage at the hotel or with the driver in the car/van during excursions. For the trekking hikes themselves, a small backpack should be enough, along with a rain jacket and a sweater for the cooler evenings. Temperatures in the mountains can drop from around 25°C during the day to as low as 8°C at night.

Currency Exchange

Euros, US dollars, and Swiss francs can easily be exchanged at any currency exchange office in Sri Lanka — you'll find these in almost every town. Your driver will, of course, be happy to help you exchange money safely. Airport exchange counters are generally legitimate and offer the same rate as those elsewhere. Banks typically charge an exchange fee, while smaller exchange offices usually don't. For this reason, we'd recommend exchanging your euros, USD, or Swiss francs for Sri Lankan rupees directly at the airport.

Contact Details

After booking, approximately 2 weeks before your tour begins, we'll send you the contact details for your driver and our main contact person in Sri Lanka. For anything else, you can always reach us via our German landline number, so you'll have plenty of ways to get in touch and guaranteed support throughout.

Phone

You can use your smartphone, iPad, or laptop anywhere — simply pick up a local tourist SIM card at the airport in Colombo for around 8 euros. These SIM cards come pre-loaded with credit and a data package. Free Wi-Fi is also available at every hotel.

Driver

The same driver will accompany and guide you throughout your entire tour, except during trekking hikes, where one of our trekking guides will lead you — after which you'll be reunited with your regular driver. Your driver checks guests into hotels and guesthouses and stays overnight nearby.

Tipping

Since earning a living can be quite challenging for many Sri Lankans, we believe any tip is genuinely appreciated and gratefully received. The exact amount is, of course, entirely up to your personal discretion.

We hope this has answered your questions. If anything is still unclear, please feel free to write to us.