Chris Lanka Holidays

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Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions govern your use of our website and your booking of any tour, transfer, accommodation, activity, or other travel-related service arranged by Chris Lanka Holidays. By making an enquiry, requesting a quotation, or confirming a booking with us, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

 

These Terms apply to all services provided by Chris Lanka Holidays, including but not limited to tour packages, day tours, private and group excursions, chauffeur-guided transport, accommodation arrangements, activity and experience bookings, and any other travel service booked through our website, by email, by phone or through one of our representatives or partner agents.

 

Please read these Terms carefully before booking. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not proceed with a booking and contact us so we can address your concerns.

 

Last updated: 10 August 2026

Our Role

Chris Lanka Holidays acts as a tour operator and destination management company (DMC). We design itineraries and arrange, coordinate, and book services on your behalf with independent, third-party suppliers such as hotels, airlines, transport providers, chauffeur guides, and activity operators. Except where we are the direct provider of a service, Chris Lanka Holidays acts as an intermediary between you and these independent suppliers, whose own terms and conditions of service will also apply to the relevant part of your trip.

Eligibility and Restrictions

  • Our services are available to clients worldwide, and our team is experienced in supporting travellers from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and beyond.
  • The person making a booking must be at least 18 years of age and must have the legal authority to agree to these Terms on behalf of every traveller included in the booking.
  • Travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or another authorised responsible adult throughout the trip.
  • Certain adventure activities, wildlife experiences, water-based activities, and excursions may carry minimum age, health, or fitness requirements set by the relevant third-party operator; these will be advised at the time of booking wherever possible.
  • Clients are responsible for ensuring that they hold a valid passport (with the minimum validity required for entry to Sri Lanka), any necessary visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), suitable travel insurance, and any vaccinations or health documentation required for entry or for the activities included in their itinerary.

Enquiries, Quotations and Bookings

A quotation issued by Chris Lanka Holidays does not constitute a confirmed booking and does not guarantee the availability of any accommodation, transport, guide, or activity referred to in it. A booking is only confirmed once we have received your written acceptance of the proposed itinerary, the required deposit or payment, and we have issued a written booking confirmation.

It is the responsibility of the lead booker to check the booking confirmation, itinerary, and all traveller details carefully upon receipt and to notify us immediately of any errors, as some changes may not be possible and may incur a fee once arrangements have been confirmed with suppliers.

Payment Terms

  • A non-refundable deposit (typically 20–30% of the total tour cost, or as otherwise specified in your quotation) is required to confirm a booking, with the balance due no later than 30–45 days before the tour start date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
  • Bookings made within 30–45 days of travel may require payment in full at the time of booking.
  • Accepted payment methods include bank transfer and secure online payment gateways; card processing or bank transfer fees, where applicable, are the responsibility of the client.
  • Failure to make payment by the due date may be treated as a cancellation by the client and may result in the loss of the deposit and application of the cancellation charges set out in Section 7.
  • All prices are quoted in the currency stated on your quotation (typically USD) and, once a booking is confirmed and paid in full, are not subject to change except where required by a change to your itinerary that you have requested, or as set out in Section 9.

Booking & Cancellation Policy

We understand that travel plans can change. The following cancellation charges apply, calculated from the date we receive written notice of cancellation, and are expressed as a percentage of the total tour cost, unless a supplier (such as an airline, train operator, boutique hotel, or safari camp with its own non-refundable policy) applies stricter terms, in which case the supplier’s terms will apply to that portion of the booking:

  • More than 45 days before travel: loss of deposit only.
  • 30–45 days before travel: 30% of total tour cost.
  • 15–29 days before travel: 50% of total tour cost.
  • 7–14 days before travel: 75% of total tour cost.
  • Less than 7 days before travel, or failure to arrive/no-show: 100% of total tour cost.

Where a booking includes a group of travellers, a reduction in group size may result in a re-calculation of the per-person price for the remaining travellers, as many tour rates are based on the number of participants sharing services.

Chris Lanka Holidays reserves the right to cancel a booking in exceptional circumstances, including insufficient group numbers for a group tour, safety concerns, or a Force Majeure Event; in such cases, clients will be offered an alternative itinerary or date where possible, or a refund in accordance with Section 8.

Refund Policy

  • Where a cancellation is made by the client, any refund due will be calculated after deducting the applicable cancellation charge set out in Section 7, together with any non-refundable costs already paid to third-party suppliers on your behalf such as flights, train tickets, entrance permits, or non-refundable accommodation.
  • Where Chris Lanka Holidays cancels a confirmed booking for reasons within our control, clients will receive a full refund of amounts paid, or the option to transfer the value to an alternative date or itinerary.
  • Where a booking is cancelled or curtailed due to a Force Majeure Event, refunds will be limited to amounts we are able to recover from our suppliers, less any reasonable administrative costs already incurred; we will always act in good faith to minimise loss to the client.
  • Approved refunds are processed to the original method of payment, typically within 14–30 business days of approval.
  • No refunds are given for unused portions of a tour, including meals, excursions, or accommodation nights not taken, where these were available to the client but voluntarily not used.

Accuracy of Information, Pricing and Itinerary Changes

Chris Lanka Holidays makes every effort to ensure that all information, prices, and itineraries published on our website or provided in a quotation are accurate at the time of publication. However, we reserve the right to modify itineraries, accommodation, transport, attractions, pricing, or schedules where this becomes necessary due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to weather conditions, road closures, natural disasters, government regulations, airline schedule changes, or supplier availability.

Where a significant change to your confirmed itinerary becomes necessary, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and will endeavour to offer a comparable alternative. Images used on our website are representative of the type of experience, accommodation, or destination on offer and may not depict the exact room, vehicle, or location you will experience. Wildlife sightings on safari or nature-based excursions can never be guaranteed, as these depend on the natural behaviour of wild animals.

Force Majeure

Neither Chris Lanka Holidays nor the client shall be held liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations under these Terms where this is caused by a Force Majeure Event, meaning any circumstance beyond the reasonable control of the affected party, including but not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather, pandemic or epidemic, war, civil unrest, terrorism, strikes or industrial action, government action or travel restrictions, or airline or airport disruption.

Where a Force Majeure Event affects a confirmed booking, Chris Lanka Holidays will work with the client in good faith to reschedule, amend, or otherwise adjust the itinerary where possible, and refunds in such circumstances will be handled in accordance with Section 8.

Child Policy

  • Children are welcome on the majority of our tours, and we are happy to design family-friendly itineraries on request.
  • Children travelling must be accompanied at all times by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised adult, who accepts full responsibility for the child’s supervision, safety, and welfare throughout the trip.
  • Age-based discounts on accommodation, transport, or entrance fees, where available, are set by individual hotels and suppliers and will be confirmed at the time of quotation; typically, children under 2 years (infants) stay free of charge, and reduced rates may apply for children sharing a room with adults, subject to each hotel’s own policy.
  • Certain activities, including some water sports, wildlife experiences, hiking, and adventure excursions, may have minimum age, height, or health requirements set by the third-party operator, which will be communicated where known.
  • Parents and guardians are responsible for informing us in advance of any medical conditions, dietary needs or other requirements relevant to a child’s participation in the itinerary.

Travel Documents, Insurance and Health Requirements

  • Clients are solely responsible for ensuring they hold a valid passport, appropriate visa or ETA, and any other travel documentation required for entry into Sri Lanka and any other country visited as part of their itinerary.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance, covering at minimum trip cancellation, medical treatment and evacuation, and personal belongings, is strongly recommended for all travellers and may be a mandatory requirement for certain tours, particularly those involving adventure activities, hiking, or remote areas.
  • Clients should consult their doctor or a registered travel health clinic regarding recommended vaccinations and health precautions for travel to Sri Lanka well in advance of departure.
  • Clients must disclose to Chris Lanka Holidays, prior to travel, any pre-existing medical condition, mobility limitation, or dietary requirement that may affect their participation in the planned itinerary, so that we can make reasonable arrangements where possible.

Client Conduct and Responsibilities

By booking with Chris Lanka Holidays, clients agree to:

  • Comply with all applicable Sri Lankan laws and regulations at all times during their trip
  • Respect local customs, religious practices, and cultural heritage, including appropriate dress and behaviour at temples, religious sites, and local communities
  • Follow reasonable instructions given by Chris Lanka Holidays guides, drivers, and representatives, particularly those relating to safety
  • Maintain valid travel documents and suitable travel insurance throughout the trip
  • Disclose relevant medical conditions to us where these may affect the itinerary or the client’s safety
  • Behave respectfully towards hotel staff, local communities, fellow travellers and wildlife
  • Avoid any illegal, dangerous, or disruptive behaviour

Chris Lanka Holidays reserves the right to terminate services, without refund, where a traveller’s conduct places themselves, others, or wildlife at risk, or breaches Sri Lankan law, hotel policy, or the reasonable instructions of our staff or suppliers.

Responsible Tourism Policy

Chris Lanka Holidays is committed to responsible tourism that respects the people, culture, and environment of Sri Lanka. We ask clients to travel with awareness and respect, and we, in turn, commit to:

  • Working with local guides, drivers, and small businesses to ensure tourism benefits local communities
  • Presenting Sri Lankan culture, religion, and heritage accurately and respectfully in our itineraries and content
  • Advising clients on appropriate behaviour and dress at religious and cultural sites
  • Discouraging any activity that exploits or endangers vulnerable people, including children, or that causes harm to animals or the environment
  • Supporting fair treatment and fair pay for the guides, drivers, and staff we work with.

Sustainable Tourism Commitment

We recognise our responsibility to help protect Sri Lanka’s natural environment and biodiversity for future generations. Where possible, Chris Lanka Holidays:

  • Prioritises partnerships with hotels, camps, and operators who demonstrate environmental and sustainability practices
  • Promotes responsible wildlife viewing that follows national park guidelines and minimises disturbance to animals and habitats
  • Encourages clients to reduce single-use plastic consumption during their trip and supports operators taking steps to do the same
  • Supports the conservation of protected areas, marine environments, and cultural heritage sites visited on our itineraries
  • Continually reviews our supplier relationships and practices with sustainability in mind.

Health & Safety Policy

  • The safety of our clients, guides, and staff is a priority in the design and delivery of every itinerary.
  • Vehicles used for transport are maintained and operated by licensed, experienced drivers; seatbelts should be worn at all times where fitted.
  • Guides and drivers are briefed to monitor road, weather, and local conditions and may adjust plans where necessary for client safety.
  • Clients participating in adventure activities, water sports, hiking, or wildlife excursions must follow all safety briefings and instructions given by the relevant activity operator or guide.
  • Clients travel at their own risk with respect to activities inherently involving an element of risk, including but not limited to safari excursions, water-based activities, hiking, and adventure sports, and are encouraged to assess their own fitness, health, and risk tolerance before participating.
  • In the event of a medical emergency, our team will assist clients in accessing appropriate medical care as quickly as possible; however, the cost of medical treatment and evacuation is the client’s responsibility and should be covered by their travel insurance.

Limitation of Liability

Chris Lanka Holidays acts as a tour operator and destination management company arranging services provided by independent, third-party suppliers. While we carefully select the partners we work with, we cannot accept responsibility or liability for airline delays or cancellations, hotel operational issues, weather disruptions, government actions, strikes, third-party service failures, loss of or damage to luggage or personal belongings, or illness or injury, except where this is caused directly by our own proven negligence.

To the fullest extent permitted by Sri Lankan law, Chris Lanka Holidays’ total liability to a client in respect of any claim arising from a booking shall not exceed the total amount paid by that client for the relevant booking, save in respect of death or personal injury caused by our proven negligence, where liability cannot be excluded by law.

Indemnity

The client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Chris Lanka Holidays, its directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, losses, damages, costs, or expenses arising from the client’s breach of these Terms, breach of Sri Lankan law, or wilful misconduct or negligence on the part of the client during the course of their trip.

Intellectual Property and Website Disclaimer

All content on the Chris Lanka Holidays website, including text, images, logos, itineraries, and design, is owned by or licensed to Chris Lanka Holidays and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use our content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

Our website and its content are provided “as is” and, while we take care to keep information up to date, we make no warranty that the website will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free from viruses or other harmful components. Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only, and Chris Lanka Holidays is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any external website.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms, and any booking made with Chris Lanka Holidays, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Sri Lanka. In the event of a dispute, clients should first contact Chris Lanka Holidays directly so that we may attempt to resolve the issue promptly and amicably. If a dispute cannot be resolved through direct discussion, the parties agree to attempt resolution through mediation before resorting to formal proceedings. Any unresolved dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Sri Lanka.

General Provisions

  • Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with your booking confirmation and itinerary, constitute the entire agreement between you and Chris Lanka Holidays in relation to your booking.
  • Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
  • Amendments: Chris Lanka Holidays reserves the right to update these Terms from time to time; the version published on our website at the time of your booking will apply to that booking.
  • Assignment: Clients may not transfer or assign a confirmed booking to another party without our prior written consent.
  • No Waiver: A failure by Chris Lanka Holidays to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be considered a waiver of our right to enforce that provision at a later time.

Contact Us

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