Mountain Biking Worldwide have been closely involved with SriLankan Airlines for nearly 10 years now
The relationship commenced way back in 2014 with the airlines sponsorship of our very own Rumble in the Jungle mountain bike race and has continued to present, with their recent support of the #ridesrilanka high profile island wide cycle tour.
And now they’re spreading their wings (excuse the pun) further afield and have stepped in to support Yak Attack, Nepal 2023.
SriLankan Airlines have been flying directly from Colombo to Kathmandu from August 2021, which is not only good news for us, but for everybody wanting a no hassle way of travelling to Nepal.
With very few direct flights to Nepal and the usual routing from Europe being the Middle East or India, a flight via Sri Lanka offers a convenient and pleasant alternative. With their ever expanding network of flights, SriLankan Airlines offer direct flights to Colombo from (among others) London, Paris, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Sydney and Tokyo. From Sri Lanka it’s just 3hours 35minutes to Nepal, landing at the main international airport, Tribhuvan on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
On average direct flights from Europe or Australia to Sri Lanka’s international airport Bandaranaike take around 11 hours, and once there you are only approximately 1 hour away from the capital Colombo, or a mere 20 minutes to the closest beach resort, Negombo.
The visa process for Sri Lanka is also very easy. You apply and pay online at Sri Lanka ETA with a transit visa of up to 2 days being free and a stay up to 180days being $50. This is also a multiple entry so can be used for both outward and return journeys (assuming they are within 180 days). A transit visa however is only applicable for 1 visit and another application must be submitted before leaving Nepal.
Once at the airport the process of clearing immigration is fast and efficient with queues very rarely longer than a few minutes, with baggage collection and customs clearance being equally as well organised.
Transport from the airport can be arranged in advance or taken directly from outside the arrivals hall, with a taxi to Colombo city centre costing around $30 and Negombo around $20.
At the moment, there are 5 weekly flights scheduled from Colombo – Kathmandu – Colombo during November and December 23 so if time is limited a stay of 1 night in both directions is most probably all that is required to link up with an international flight. If you’re looking for 5* opulence and glitzy living then Colombo has it all. Look no further than the Cinnamon Grand or Lakeside for city centre luxury and visit GalleFace hotel for a taste of the colonial era.
If a relaxed beach vibe if more your scene then Negombo is ideal for a short stopover. Just 20 minutes from the airport and you’ll be on golden sands with the Indian ocean lapping at your feet. We highly recommend Goldi Sands for a stay in Negombo, offering luxury and relaxation at an affordable price directly on the beach front.
Of course, if you have the time then you’d be crazy not to take the opportunity to explore Sri Lanka some more. It has one of the most diverse landscapes on earth from golden sandy beaches to expansive national parks, home to leopards and elephants, to mist shrouded mountains and so much more. A great infrastructure means you can see a lot in a short time and the diversity means you can spend a long time on this beautiful island without ever getting bored and no matter how long you stay you’ll always be greeted with a welcoming smile. Jump over to our article h “Why Sri Lanka?” for ideas of what’s on offer or of course feel free to contact us to help you put a holiday itinerary together.
We’ve flown numerous times with SriLankan Airlines from London, Melbourne and Kathmandu and we can thoroughly recommend them to take care of all your travel needs. From check in to arriving at your destination and everything in between, the service is always exemplary.
If you’re thinking of visiting Nepal or holidaying in Sri Lanka then look no further than Sri Lankan Airlines and SriLankan Holidays to take you there.
Tourism in Sri Lanka has always been more than just a tribute to the sheer natural beauty and the varied terrain of the island. From the days of legend and ever since, visitors have journeyed from all over the world to marvel at the richness and depth of ancient cultures, scenic landscapes and enthralling adventure holidays, all widely available in Sri Lanka. But what captures their hearts is more than just the surface charm of a wild, untouched paradise.
SriLankan Holidays is the leisure arm of the national carrier, which promotes travel to and from Sri Lanka, and also within all points throughout the airline’s network. SriLankan Holidays partners many leading hotels, tour operators and other tourism related organizations to give travelers a wide selection of holiday opportunities with an all-inclusive concept, which includes customized packages.
Now you can fill your heart with a heady dose of Sri Lanka by selecting from a range of holiday packages that will best suit your travel desires. The packages generally include return airfare with airport taxes from the respective destinations, 4*/5* hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast on twin sharing basis, transfers at destination as per the itinerary. SriLankan Holidays also design personalized itineraries to suite your interest. For more details please email cmbholidays@srilankan.com or log on to our website www.srilankanholidays.com
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