Regal Galle
Australian Cricket Tour To Sri Lanka 2022
The CONFIRMED Tour Schedule:
1st T20 | Colombo RPICS | June 07
2nd T20 | Colombo RPICS | June 08
3rd T20 | Kandy PICS | June 11
1st ODI | Kandy PICS | June 14
2nd ODI | Kandy PICS | June 16
3rd ODI | Colombo RPICS | June 19
4th ODI | Colombo RPICS | June 21
5th ODI | Colombo RPICS | June 24
1st Test | Galle | June 29 - July 3
2nd Test | Galle | July 8 - 12
**If you do not wish to enjoy any of the following hotel tours, you can stay where you prefer and book our Match Ticket & Dinner Only Package for just A$490 per test**
CRICKET IN GALLE - ACT 1
- When: June 26 - July 4 | 8-Nights
- 1st Test Only
- Hotel: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
- Per Person:
- Twin £915 or A$1650
- Single £1280 or A$2300
- Extra Nights A$220/A$200
- Book: Here
- Contact Us For Availability
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
Arrive into Colombo on June 26, and then kick back for 3 nights at our outstanding Hikkaduwa Beach Resort before the 1st Test. We will get you from Colombo Airport for the 2 hours drive south, get you to and from the cricket, and create a special atmosphere with great people, many of who have travelled with us for 20+ years. With abundant places to wine and dine, shop and see around the hotel, you may wish to stay for the 2nd Test. Otherwise, you will check out on July 4, the day after the test, but depending on your travel plans, you may need an extra night, before or after your time in Hikkaduwa. If you arrive on the night of June 25 then an extra night is needed.
PHOTO: Hikka Tranz By Cinnamon Hotels (Photo by Cinnamon Hotels)
CRICKET IN GALLE - ACT 2
- When July 5 - July 13 | 8-Nights
- 2nd Test Only
- Hotel: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
- Per Person:
- Twin £915 or A$1650
- Single £1280 or A$2300
- Extra Nights A$220/A$200
- Book: Here BY MAY 31
- Contact Us For Availability
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
Fly into Colombo on July 5, 3-nights before the Test, and we'll get you from the airport and down to awesome Hikkaduwa where you can unwind for at least 2 full days before the first ball. We get you to and from the game and help you relax with two dinner parties, including drinks. Our shuttle bus can drive you to other beaches if you don't simply relax on the sand of our protected bay. If you are not joining Four Points Road Trip starting July 13, you will check out of the resort the day after the test, for your onward travel. Depending on your departure flight time, you may need an extra night as many have already booked. If you arrive on the night of July 4 then an extra night is needed.
PHOTO: Galle International Cricket Stadium From Galle Fort
CRICKET IN GALLE - ACT 3
- When: June 26 - July 13 | 17-Nights
- 1st Test & 2nd Test Only
- Hotel: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
- Per Person:
- Twin £1885 or A$3400
- Single £2660 or A$4800
- Extra Nights A$220/A$200
- Book: Here BY MAY 31
- Contact Us For Availability
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
ACT 3 is what the majority are doing.
Flying in on June 26 flopping on the beach of our awesome Hikkaduwa resort, enjoying two test matches at Galle International Cricket Stadium, indulging at four dinner parties, coastal sightseeing being Tests, and then flying out after 17 glorious nights, if not doing our Four Points Road Trip after the 2nd Test.
With 4 days between Tests, you can do nothing, or a mountain of things, including scuba-diving. Our resort has a PADI diving centre offering 3-day on-site courses if you want that adventure.
Our shuttle bus can drop you at other gorgeous beaches such as Unawatuna, Koggala, Mirissa, or Weligama to see the stilt fishermen, all south of Galle, though you can travel there very easily on the plethora of public buses or rickshaws that ply Galle Road.
If you haven't seen it, you will need a good day to fully explore Galle Fort, or for something more flavoursome, Sri Lanka cooking classes are available in abundance.
Our experiences at Yala National Park have never been good and thus we won't invest any more time or money, but you can. Yala day trips are approx A$150 and easily bookable at the time. Many people have incredible Yala experiences, we haven't, seeing more vehicles than animals. We prefer safari in South Africa, not Sri Lanka.
All that said, if you just want to sit back on the beach our resort has life-savers, and coast guard police on-site all day to ensure you remain safe in the waters, that are treacherous along this coast. This is one reason why we changed hotels, for the other had no patrols and a violent current, which for a beach holiday, is not the best!
PHOTO: Hikkaduwa Beach at Hikka Tranz Resort
CRICKET IN GALLE - ACT 4
CANCELLED
- When: June 26 - July 13 | 17-Nights
- 1st Test | Hill Country | 2nd Test
- Hotel: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
- Hotel: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya
- Per Person:
- 2 Persons* £5100 or A$9200
- Single £3550 or A$6400
- Extra Nights A$220/A$200
- Book:
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
Land on June 26, and after an awesome 1st Test, we will take you to Qantas' Lake Koggala for one of the best scenic journeys in Sri Lanka. Buzzing up to the hill country, Cinnamon Air lands on Lake Gregory, from where you will be delivered to the famous Cinnamon Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya for three glorious nights, dinner included!
Time here will be 'at your leisure'. Our driver & guide will take you around the region to places you may want to see such as beautiful tea plantations, waterfalls, viewpoints over Nuwara Eliya, and the town of Ella and 9 arches bridge.
You may want to do nothing but sip tea on the lawn of the hotel, or tee up on the lush lawn of Nuwara Eliya Golf Club where an afternoon beer on the terrace is a long-time favourite of ours.
If you want a 5am start, visit Horton Plains National Park where are casual 3 hours walk will get you to and from World's End escarpment for beautiful early morning views down to the south coast. The entrance fee is payable at the time.
After breakfast we'll roll downhill by road to Hikkaduwa the before the 2nd Test, stopping for lunch where Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. You'll be on the beach late afternoon to top up the tan before our 2nd Test dinner party.
PHOTO: Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
CRICKET IN GALLE - ACT 5
- When: June 26 - July 13 | 17-Nights
- 1st Test | Colombo Tour* | 2nd Test
- Hotel: Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
- Hotel: Cinnamon Red Colombo
- Per Person:
- Twin £2050 or A$3700
- Single £2825 or A$5100
- Extra Nights A$220/A$200
- Book: Here BY MAY 31
- Contact Us For Availability
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
We have always loved Colombo and can't hide our disappointment at not playing a Test here. As such, with 3 spare nights between tests, if you want something a little busier than another 3 nights on the beach, join us in COOL COLOMBO.
The day after the test we go north to Sri Lanka's capital ticking the box on their 5 Test venues, and Sri Lanka Cricket Museum. If you wish you can tee up at the beautiful Royal Colombo Golf Club (optional), do some much-needed shopping in the big malls, inhale the walls of nostalgia at the famous Cricket Club Cafe, whilst living at the funky Cinnamon Red Hotel. We have dinner included each night at a restaurant of our choosing.
After three nights in the ever-growing and diverse Colombo, we head back to Hikkaduwa Beach the day before the 2nd Test, for a leisurely afternoon before our 2nd Test dinner party, where you will meet a lot more great people joining us.
PHOTO: Glowing And Growing Colombo
Included In Your Hotel Test Tours Above:
- Return Airport Transfers (Shared)
- 8 Nights Hikkaduwa Beach Resort Per Test
- Full Breakfast Daily
- Dinner Party With Drinks Before Each Test
- Match (Shaded) Tickets To All 5-Days Of Each Test
- Return Match Day Transfers
- Optional Trip To Hill Country Or Colombo
- Commemorative Apparel
- Dinner Party With Drinks Day 5 Of Each Test
- Our 27 Years Cricket Travelling Experience
**If you do not wish to enjoy any of the above hotel tours, you can stay where you prefer and book our Match Ticket & Dinner Only Package for just A$490 per test**
PHOTO: Sri Lanka From Sri Lankan Airlines
Hikkaduwa Beach Resort
When we started preparing for Sri Lanka 2022, we chose a hotel north of Galle instead of staying on Unawatuna Beach. As we learned, during our pre-tour tour after Pakistan 2022, being close to the cricket should not be the only positive. There was nothing around the 'new hotel', and the beach waters, though largely protected by two breakwaters, were treacherous. Thus we moved further north to Hikkaduwa.
Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon is a refurbished resort (we stayed here in 1999!) in the heart of Hikkaduwa, the biggest beach resort town in Sri Lanka. The resort only has two restaurants and one bar, which means you must walk thriving Galle Road in search of varietal sustenance, and that is a great thing.
PHOTO: Hikka Tranz By Cinnamon Hotels
There would be 150+ restaurants and bars and cafes along the 3km stretch of Galle Road that hugs the coast. Marry these with supermarkets, wine shops, take-aways, galleries, clothing, and souvenir stores, and you will soon know why we are staying here. This is so much better than Galle!
With a giant swimming pool, pool bar, and vast lawns scattered with lounge chairs and palm trees, you can find a quiet corner away from many, if not sitting on your room balcony, all of which face the ocean. Importantly, the swimming and the sun-bathing beach is a calm bay protected by life-savers, Sri Lanka coast guard, and tourist police (with an office on the beach). We even have a turtle hatchery, and a resident turtle named Rosie.
If you are enjoying our Match Ticket & Dinner Only Package, we recommend you book accommodation in Hikkaduwa. There are several good hotels close to our resort, and a wealth of great guesthouses.
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
Australian Cricket In Galle
There would not be many cricket aficionados that would not wish to see a game at Galle International Cricket Stadium; the colossal 16th Century Dutch Fort cricket's finest backdrop. Having seen every Australian Test Cricket Tour to Sri Lanka since 1999, seeing another Test at Galle is normal.
Perhaps spending another 8 if not 17 nights on the west coast is what makes Galle so appealing. We're more than happy to enjoy two Tests in Galle, and invite you to do the same, though we have options if you don't want to stay put for 17 nights.
PHOTO: Cricket On Galle Fort
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
For years we stayed at Unawatuna south of Galle, but opting for change, we're now at vibrant beach resort town of Hikkaduwa to the north, at the cool Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon Beach Resort. Being further from the game than usual, we will get you to and from Galle each day, and you'll have your toes in the sand or a chilled Lion Lager in hand, just 20mins after stumps.
If you're flying in to enjoy this unique double test, shared transfers from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport for the 2 hours journey are included.
As this is a shared transfer for 4 or more persons, you may have to wait for others on other flights. We have transport staff at the airport day and night to meet you, and look after you whilst waiting. If you do not wish to wait, you can book and pay for a pre-paid taxi on arrival to be on your way within minutes!
PHOTO: Unawatuna Beach
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
As with all our Cricket Tours, we host a dinner party with drinks the night before the Test which means in Hikkaduwa we'll be barefoot on the beach with flame torches, barbeques, and music to welcome everyone. Here you will receive your match tickets and apparel, and learn how to reach the game 20 mins down the road. Our tickets are in a shaded stand on the western side of a ground that does not have a lot of cover at all.
With 2 - 4 full days to invest before each Test, Sri Lanka's south coast is a wealth of quaint villages, tranquil lakes, and remote beaches, easily reached by train, rickshaw, bus, or taxi. We don't include any day trips, instead leave you to decide how to invest your time before or between Tests, if not flopped on our hotel's beach. We will of course be here to point you in many right directions.
If you are enjoying both tests and don't want to stay stuck in the sand, the day after the 1st Test, pack your bags and board Cinnamon Air from Lake Koggala to Nuwara Eliya. This amazing flight over the hill country is as unique as anything in Sri Lanka. Landing on Lake Gregory, you'll have 3 nights in Nuwara Eliya at the stunning Grand Hotel with dinner included. A vehicle is on call to take you anywhere around the cool, tea carpeted hills visiting waterfalls, viewpoints, or Ella, if you don't just want to laze at the hotel or play golf at beautiful Nuwara Golf Club.
If you want a little more action, then the day after the 1st Test we'll zip back up to Colombo for 3 nights in this ever-changing dynamic capital. Did you know Colombo has 5 Test Cricket Grounds? We'll visit all of them, along with Sri Lanka Cricket Museum and more personally to us, famed Cricket Club Cafe.
Otherwise, Colombo is the place for affordable and high-end shopping in incredible new malls, filled with restaurants, cafes, and convenience foods. If shopping isn't needed, then you can tee up on splendid Royal Colombo Golf Club. A$120 will give you 18 holes, clubs, a caddy, and cart, and a few beers on the sweeping colonial terrace. Dinner is included each night at a restaurant of our choosing.
If you prefer to do as little as possible and just wait out the 2nd Test, you're welcome to vedge out at the resort or do easy trips to quiet places at your leisure. Over the years, many have enjoyed Mirissa Beach, the famous stilt fishermen at Weligama, a slow boat around Lake Koggala, a train to Matara and Dondra Head, the southern-most tip of Sri Lanka, or even surfing and diving at Hikkaduwa.
PHOTO: Galle International Cricket Stadium Seen From Galle Fort
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
Without encouragement, you must visit Galle Fort and walk the vast grassy ramparts at sunset, which is many Sri Lankans' favourite 'must-do'. The oldest Dutch building in the Fort is the National Museum of Galle, with exhibits from Portuguese, Dutch and British occupations.
Galle Fort is evolving with ongoing restoration & investment. Compared with our first visit in 1999 when one walked the walls and then walked home, you can now spend a day within, eating, drinking, learning, shopping, admiring, and even living.
Restaurants, cultural shops, museums, cafes, hotels, and bars are plentiful throughout this imposing 'rock'. Watching a session of play from atop Fort is also a favourite of everyone that comes to Galle for cricket.
PHOTO: Morris Minor In Pedlar Street, Galle Fort
- Call or Message: WhatsApp +61.402.222217
A late afternoon favourite is going to Koggala Beach. Walking left off the highway will bring you to the railway line on which you can walk through palm forests and on the bridge over the entrance to Lake Koggala. Spend sunset on Koggala Beach watching beach cricket, sipping a never-cold-enough Lion Lager if not a refreshing local 'arrack and soda'.
PHOTO: Railway Bridge Over Entrance To Lake Koggala
For a unique piece of history, Qantas flew modified Catalina seaplanes from 1943 - 1945 from Perth to Lake Koggala on what remains the world's longest (by time) non-stop flights between 27-33hours. The flights witnessed the famous double-sunrise and helped re-establish the Australia - England air link.
If you are only doing the 1st or 2nd Test, your tour includes the 3 nights before each test, leaving you to check out the day after each test. Depending on your flight time, you may need or want an extra night. When you are leaving us after either test, a shared return airport transfer is included. All in all, two smashing tests are much awaited in Regal Galle.
If you've questions about our Australian Cricket Tour To Sri Lanka 2022, please ask!
Thank You!