How long have you been in business?
Blue Dot Tours (Pvt) Ltd., a team has been faithfully serving extremely satisfied visitors to Sri Lanka from all over the world since 2008.
How can I contact you?
Blue Dot Tours (Pvt) Ltd., is an Internet-based company providing a wide range and flexible tour itineraries with great prices. This generally means that we prefer to communicate via email whenever possible. This mode of communication enables us to communicate with our clients very quickly. In an unlikely event you need to call us you can do so by calling the numbers below.
Tele: 009 411 272 700 1
24 hour hotlines: 009 477 772 772 2 – 009 477 288 431 1
How can we trust you?
Many satisfied customers,for one! There are 2 WAYS for you to CONFIRM these very low discounted rates. (1) is to simply pay only 10% of the total value of tour,as an Advance Confirmation Deposit, which will be deducted from your tour bill, or (2) is to SCAN & EMAIL, or FAX to us, your passport (photograph page) and airline ticket only. Either way it will FULLY CONFIRM your booking, on the dates that you require. You are most welcome to pay the full balance value of your tour package after your arrival in Sri Lanka, and after discussing all the details of your tour package with one of our company Representatives, to your complete satisfaction. In many cases, we are paying more than your 10% deposit to confirm all your tour arrangements, so we are, trusting you to arrive, so you need to trust us to be here for you, when you do! (Peak period bookings please refer to booking conditions)
Do we really pay just 10% or forward a copy of the passport, the airline ticket details?
Yes, no strings attached! Your 10% or copy of passport, airline ticket gets us “into action” booking and confirming all of your holiday arrangements, and then replying to you within 24 hours with a complete, detailed, itinerary of your entire tour program. Then, you just lean back and relax, and you will find our friendly representative waiting for you at the airport when you arrive, with a complete package of literature and helpful items to make your holiday in Sri Lanka truly memorable!
How flexible are our tour arrangements going to be?
You will have the luxury of having your own private air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking chauffeur-guide, who will take you where you want, and when you want, as long as you follow the basic tour itinerary and reach your confirmed hotels on the days you are supposed to! Your Blue Dot Tours is about as flexible as it can be, but still saves you money, because your hotel accommodation is booked and confirmed well in advance, at these amazingly low rates!
How do you keep your rates so low?
We, being primarily an internet-based company, keep our overheads and profit margins low. Secondly, we offer our partner hotels only confirmed bookings, because you have paid your 10% deposit or forward copy of passport and airline ticket, we know that you are coming to Sri Lanka, and we pay, on behalf of you, for all, of these hotels well in advance, giving us the absolute lowest rates. This system keeps these hotels very loyal to us, and we can then consistently request, and get, much lower rates than even some of the biggest tour companies in Sri Lanka, which we then pass on to you.
What if we don’t have our flights booked yet?
Not a problem. You are very welcome to confirm your tour now with approximate dates, and then inform us later about your exact flight details, and we will adjust your bookings accordingly, at no charge.
Do you have a brochure?
Blue Dot Tours (Pvt) Ltd., relies on its website to sell its holidays. We do not have printed brochures but rely on our website to provide as much information as possible. In essence our website is our brochure. This approach has quite a few advantages. Firstly in almost all cases our holidays are customized to suit each booking. Therefore having a printed brochure rarely achieves its purpose. Furthermore the fact that we don’t use printed brochures keeps our costs to a minimum and this is directly passed onto our customers. Thirdly by visiting our website you can keep up-to-date on any special offers and late availability bargains.
How should I prepare before I contact you?
Please browse our website and get an idea of what interests you would like in your holiday. This would considerably speed up the entire process and help us offer you an itinerary that best suits you within a relatively short period of time.
Do I need a visa in Sri Lanka?
Please note the new Visa procedure implemented by the Department of Immigration/ Emigration for all Tourists arriving in Sri Lanka took effect from the 1st January 2012. It has been made mandatory that all tourists fill in the ETA form on-line and apply for your visa prior to Arrival. For more information, visit www.eta.gov.lk.
You could also apply for the visa on arrival at the airport.
In all cases, it is advisable to have six months left on your passport at the time of travel.
Is my personal and credit card information that I provide to you safe?
We do not divulge your personal information to any third parties except when required by law. All credit card information you submit is directly through the Bank of Ceylon Bank servers utilizing the very best in security. Therefore all your data is safe.
I notice you do not have ATOL bonding, Should I be worried?
ATOL protection only applies to passengers who purchase tickets in the UK. Our holidays are sold directly from Sri Lanka and our packages do not include airfare. Therefore we do not need ATOL bonding. Furthermore, We cannot apply for ATOL since we currently do not have a UK registered office.
We do however offer UK clients an airline booking engine via our website. The booking engine is operated by onlinetravel.com and is ATOL bonded.
How can I pay for my holiday?
Blue Dot Tours (Pvt) Ltd., offers payment by the following methods:
01 On-line credit card payments: We are currently implementing our internet payment gateway which will be able to accept Visa and Mastercard.
02 Bank transfers: For payment by bank transfer, the sender must pay all charges. You will require the following information:
Please note that IBAN numbers are not required when remitting to Sri Lankan banks
Note: Customer should pay all bank charges.
Note: In all these cases, we levy no hidden charges such as booking fees.
What if I have to cancel my holiday?
Please let us know as soon as possible. We expect our customers to take their holiday bookings as seriously as we do.
We, however, recognize that holidays are occasionally cancelled for valid reasons. Our cancellation charges in our booking conditions apply, at our discretion, in case we cannot recover payments and admin costs committed on your behalf. In most cases, it would be possible to postpone your travel dates and reschedule your holiday with little or no charge.
Do you promote only certain hotels?
We have our choices based on character, level or service and the prices offered. We also constantly evaluate newer properties and add them to our choice of hotels from time to time. We also endeavor to rotate our choice of hotels so that all those concerned get bookings from us. However if you have a choice of hotel we have no problems booking you in. In all cases we will negotiate the best rates for you.
Do you pre-book accommodation, in the way that many package-holiday companies do?
Since we primarily deal with independent travellers we do not pre-book accommodation. We however set to make reservations no sooner we receive word from you.
We only send you the confirmation invoice once we receive confirmation from all of the hotels.
Why do you advise ‘book early’?
During the Peak Season which is during Christmas and New Year it is nearly impossible to find rooms. Therefore we advise all our clients to make bookings at least 4 – 6 months prior to arrival for these particular seasons.
In almost all cases the earlier you book the better rate you will get for your holiday.
I have a medical condition that may need special assistance during my stay. What should I do?
Please inform us of any condition you may have any specific information from your doctor. We will then advise you accordingly and make the necessary arrangements for your holiday.
Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any medical condition that may hinder your enjoyment on tour.
Why have we not received any hotel vouchers? Is our booking confirmed?
Blue Dot Tour (Pvt) Ltd., does not offer hotel vouchers, but your booking invoice would specify what hotels have been booked.
Can I drive my own car in Sri Lanka?
In general we don’t recommend you drive in Sri Lanka unless you have previous experience driving in this part of the world.
If I book a car and driver, will I be hassled to make excursions or shopping trips?
Our chauffeurs have agreed to a code of conduct document which outlines the conduct during the tour. While they may offer you additional excursions and visits to shops, they will respect your decision to say no. In the unlikely event that these guidelines are not adhered to, please call our Colombo office.
Can Blue Dot Tours (Pvt) Ltd., recommend any shopping outlets?
We generally do not recommend any shops or outlets but our chauffeurs generally will take you to shops that are registered with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Please retain all receipts of purchase as this is the only document you have if you need to make a claim of any sort.
Can I change my itinerary when I am in Sri Lanka?
Changes to the itinerary can be made while on tour but in almost all cases the change will incur a surcharge.
I have heard that return flights have to be reconfirmed when we are in Sri Lanka? Is this true?
The majority of airlines including Sri Lankan airlines do not need reconfirmation.
What if people need to contact me in an emergency when I’m in Sri Lanka?
Most of our chauffeurs can be reached via mobile phone. Most of the hotels you will be staying at too will have telephone facilities. We advise you to leave a copy of our contact numbers with your family prior to departure. Any messages we receive from them we will forward to you as soon as possible.
I’m looking for a low-season holiday to obtain the best prices. At what time of year can I find the best deals?
May, June and early July are the best times to travel to make maximum use of the off season rates. November can offer good value for the West and South. Avoid Christmas, Easter and school summer holidays.
What do you advise about money?
Credit cards are accepted island wide in most hotels and supermarkets. The country also has a very good ATM network with Cirrus, Maestro and Plus debit cards usable at almost all ATM’s. The general withdrawal limit per day is USD.200.00 per day with some ATM’s offering up to USD.400.00 per day.
All currency that is legal tender is readily accepted and can be changed in most money changers. Travellers’ cheque can only be en-cashed at banks but the process is time consuming and some may also have an upper limit to the amount you can en-cash in one day.
Our personal advice is to carry a small amount of cash and use your debit and credit cards for all transactions.
What type of clothes should be worn?
In the intense heat of the low country, loose cotton skirts or trousers and tops, and a sleeved blouse, long skirt, pant, for visiting temples, are ideal for women. Men should wear cotton trousers or shorts and a T-shirt, or even the local sarong. Take a sunhat and sandals slippers or open shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Being a conservative society, especially in rural areas, very short skirts and shorts should be avoided. If you are to spend time in the hill country pack a light sweater, and if you intend to sample a nature trail, bring along a sturdy pair of walking shoes or trainers. If you are travelling with children, a sunhat, loose cotton shorts and tops, including long-sleeved tops to protect them from mosquito bites, will be needed.
What do you advise when traveling with children?
If you are a parent traveling with children, it is your responsibility to take care of them and tend to their safety. Most of your travel companions will have a real interest in learning about the cultures of countries they are touring and want to enjoy uninterrupted commentary from the Tour Director. It is also a great way for children to learn about other places and to respect other cultures.
Any conditions when touring the motor coach?
Eating and smoking on our motor coaches is strictly prohibited, so you can enjoy your scenic drives in a clean, hygienic, and state-of-the-art environment.
Any advice regarding baggage’s?
For your own comfort, please travel light (baggage dimensions and weight limitations are given in your travel documents). On the motor coach, carry only essential items in a small backpack to ensure it fits in the luggage rack or under the seat in front of you, rather than on your or your neighbor’s lap! Trolley bags that are used as carry-on luggage on airlines are too large for motor coaches and are strictly prohibited on the motor coach.
Any information on our tour director & driver?
Every Cosmos vacation is special because of the experienced, knowledgeable, and motivated Tour Directors who escort each tour. These friendly professionals are highly respected, are trained in dealing with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and work hard to provide you with an enjoyable and hassle-free vacation. They will tell you delightful stories, give local insights, and work behind the scenes so that operational details are taken care of for the next day of the journey. Many hold professional degrees and are highly qualified. They justifiably expect to be treated and respected as professionals.
Your drivers ensure that you have a comfortable and safe journey as you discover new places on your vacation. They navigate through heavy traffic and ensure your motor coach is neat and tidy for your next day of travel. They, too, expect to be treated with courtesy
Any information regarding Tour director & Driver gratuities?
At the end of each tour, our travelers take the opportunity to thank the Tour Directors and drivers for their services by paying them a gratuity. This has been automatically included in your invoice at the time of booking, so you don’t have to budget for this at the end of the tour. Please contact us if you prefer to pay the gratuities directly on your vacation. The exact amount of gratuity that you are paying is included in the price box for your chosen vacation. You will receive a gratuity voucher with your travel documents—all you need to do is give this to the Tour Director and the driver at the end of the tour. Tips charged at the time of booking are fully refundable if you need to cancel your vacation for any reason. Tips for Local Guides are not included in this charge. Tips added are only for the main tour and exclude extensions. You may pay these directly on your vacation.
What do you I do when I have an issue during the tour?
If you have an issue or concern, please approach your Tour Director, rather than wait for the situation to escalate, waiting until the end of the tour to bring it up, not bringing it up at all, or just discussing it with other passengers. The only person who can help resolve any situation that arises is your Tour Director. At the same time, be reasonable and understand that s/he is managing a large group. Everyone wants a wonderful travel experience—including your Tour Director!
Advice from us here at Blue Dot Tours:-
People everywhere love to welcome visitors to their part of the world. They appreciate those who take an interest in their culture, so having an open mind will help you take away some great experiences. The best way to embrace the local culture is to do what the locals do—and on our vacations, you will have ample opportunity to do so!
It All Depends on You
We live in a wonderfully diverse world. One of the greatest benefits of travel is the opportunity to return with different experiences and new points of view. Consideration for others goes a long way toward making your own vacation experience an unforgettable one!
If you have any specific questions on your tour write to us at ( Blue dot tours email address)
