DESIGN YOUR TRIP

Sports tours do not get organised overnight, but Red Dot is here to do the hard work for you, from concept to completion. The best tours are not sold ‘off the peg’: each tour is very different and for this reason Red Dot has a team whose sole responsibility is the design and organisation of your itinerary. We hand-pick opposition, hotels and venues to suit your needs. Throughout this process a Red Dot consultant will be in constant discussion with you in order to formulate the perfect tour.


When to Go

Sri Lanka’s tropical climate generally offers warmth and sunshine throughout the year. Figures vary widely from region to region. For the purposes of your tour, the south-west monsoon (Yala) brings most rain during May/June. There are also inter-monsoon rains, usually in October/early November. For schools, a good time to tour is just before or after the school term season. Easter is popular and, for clubs, September offers sharp prices. Alternatively, there is a buzz and fine weather all over the island in December, January and February time when tourism is at its peak.


Getting There

Sri Lankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad offer one-stop flights from the UK via the Gulf to Colombo. Those travelling from the USA, Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and the Far East can catch a connecting flight to Colombo from many of the main cities in Europe, the Middle East or South East Asia.

By booking flights with us, you have the benefit of full ATOL protection on your tour. As a holiday company, as well as a proven sports specialist, we have long-standing relationships with all major airlines to Sri Lanka. We can offer flights from Heathrow with the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, as well as options via the Middle East from a host of UK airports with carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar.


Itinerary Development

Red Dot’s cricket itineraries go through four definite stages, to keep you fully informed with the progress of your tour.

Stage 1:  Contact Red Dot Tours

If the idea of a tour to Asia takes your fancy, simply contact Red Dot for more information and to get an idea of what we could do for you. Write an email or phone us with some rough details and preferences based on what you have seen on our site, or any other inspiration. This does not commit you to anything – just a chance for us to show off what we can do for you.

Stage 2: Sample Itinerary

The sample itinerary is a basis for discussion. Red Dot will design an itinerary for your needs, with suggested flights, accommodation, excursions and fixtures. This will include an approximate price estimation, which in advance, of course is subject to change.

Stage 3: Draft Itinerary

The draft itinerary takes in your feedback, and makes changes where deemed appropriate. An acceptance of the draft itinerary by the tour leader expresses a definite decision of the club to tour.

The following then takes place:

(i) Flights and accommodation are confirmed and held. (note: flights cannot normally be held more than 11 months before travel, accommodation about nine months before travel).
(ii) Potential opponents are contacted with a request for fixtures and grounds are booked in advance whenever possible.

Upon acceptance of the Draft Itinerary, all booking conditions come into effect.

Stage 4: Confirmed Itinerary

Due to the nature of Sri Lankan cricket, the confirmed itinerary can only be produced about two months before departure. Fixtures agreed in principle in the provisional itinerary are reconfirmed, including opponents, ground booking, playing hours, requested age and playing standard. These fixtures may be subject to change for circumstances beyond our control. The final payment is due.

Please note: Fixtures can never be entirely guaranteed. Red Dot makes all efforts to confirm requested cricket fixtures at the earliest stage, but Sri Lankan sports administrational methods of organisation means that late changes are sometimes unavoidable. Any changes would be in the spirit of the original itinerary. Full explanations will be provided for any changes to confirmed fixtures.