The terms that apply when you enquire about, quote or book a trip with The Travel Cafe.
Last updated: 31 August 2026
The Travel Cafe is a registered travel brand in Sri Lanka operated by EdEt Tours (Private) Limited. Your booking contract is with EdEt Tours (Private) Limited.
A deposit of USD 150 per person is required to confirm your reservation with The Travel Cafe. The deposit forms part of, and will be deducted from, the total cost of your trip.
Once the deposit has been received and we have issued your booking confirmation, your reservation will be considered confirmed.
The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before the commencement of your trip. Your booking will be considered fully paid once all outstanding amounts have been received.
For reservations made within 60 days of the trip commencement date, full payment will be required at the time of confirmation.
If you choose to pay by credit or debit card, your payment is also subject to our Credit Card Payment & Chargeback Policy.
We understand that travel plans can change. If you need to cancel your trip, please notify The Travel Cafe in writing as soon as possible.
The USD 150 per person booking deposit is non-refundable. However, should you need to cancel your trip, the full value of your deposit may be applied towards a future booking with The Travel Cafe, provided the new trip commences within 24 months of the original trip's scheduled commencement date.
The deposit credit is non-transferable and may only be used by the original traveller towards their own future booking. The credit will be deducted from the total cost of the new trip and cannot be exchanged for cash. Any unused credit will expire at the end of the 24-month period.
If you cancel after your booking has been confirmed, the following cancellation charges will apply:
For cancellations 60 days or more before trip commencement, no additional cancellation fee applies. The USD 150 per person deposit remains non-refundable in cash but may be used as a future travel credit under the terms stated above. For cancellations within 60 days of trip commencement, the applicable cancellation charge includes the original booking deposit and is not charged in addition to it. The 24-month travel credit applies only to the original USD 150 per person deposit, not to any additional cancellation charges.
If a particular booking requires an exceptional non-refundable commitment exceeding this amount, The Travel Cafe will disclose this to you before you confirm the booking.
We understand that plans can sometimes change, and The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests to amend a confirmed booking.
For changes requested 60 days or more before trip commencement, The Travel Cafe will not charge an amendment fee. Any additional costs resulting from changes to accommodation, transport, experiences or other arrangements will, however, be payable by the guest.
All changes are subject to availability.
Changes requested 59 days or less before trip commencement will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to additional costs.
A request to postpone or move the entire trip to different travel dates will not automatically be treated as an amendment. Where the change substantially alters the original booking, The Travel Cafe may treat the request as a cancellation of the original booking, and the applicable cancellation charges will apply.
A reduction in the number of guests may affect the trip price for the remaining guests. The applicable cancellation charges will also apply to any guest who withdraws from the booking.
Personal travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all guests travelling with The Travel Cafe. It is each guest's responsibility to arrange and maintain appropriate insurance covering the full duration of their trip, including any additional nights or onward travel where applicable.
Guests should carefully review their policy wording, coverage limits and exclusions to ensure that their insurance is suitable for their individual circumstances and the activities included in their itinerary.
Insurance should provide appropriate cover for the following:
We strongly recommend arranging travel insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed so that eligible cancellation cover may be available from the outset.
Guests are responsible for ensuring that their insurance covers their intended destination, all insured travellers and the activities they plan to undertake. Policy documents and emergency contact details should be kept accessible throughout the trip.
The Travel Cafe does not arrange, assess or verify guests' travel insurance policies and accepts no responsibility for inadequate cover, policy exclusions, declined claims or a guest's failure to obtain appropriate insurance.
The Travel Cafe's booking and cancellation terms will continue to apply regardless of whether a guest has obtained travel insurance. A guest's failure to obtain insurance, or an insurer's refusal to meet a claim, does not create an entitlement to a refund or compensation from The Travel Cafe beyond that provided for under these Booking Terms.
For further guidance on choosing suitable cover, please refer to the Travel Insurance section of our Good to Know page.
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they hold a valid passport and obtain any visa, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or other documentation required to enter Sri Lanka.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your trip in Sri Lanka.
Guests who require an ETA can check the current requirements and apply online through the official Sri Lankan ETA website at eta.gov.lk.
Entry requirements may vary according to nationality and can change from time to time. It is the guest's responsibility to check the requirements applicable to their individual circumstances before travelling.
If a guest is unable to travel or enter Sri Lanka because they do not have the required passport, visa, ETA or other documentation, The Travel Cafe's normal cancellation terms will apply.
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they are reasonably able to participate in the activities included in their chosen trip.
If you have any mobility requirements, dietary requirements or other special requirements that may affect your trip arrangements, please let The Travel Cafe know before your booking is confirmed. This allows us to determine whether appropriate arrangements can reasonably be made.
The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements but cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
Guests are responsible for seeking their own medical advice regarding their fitness to travel, vaccinations, medication and any other health considerations relevant to their trip.
If a guest does not inform The Travel Cafe of a requirement that subsequently affects our ability to provide the agreed trip arrangements, any additional costs resulting from necessary changes will be the responsibility of the guest.
Accommodation included in your trip will be as described in your confirmed itinerary or booking confirmation.
Hotel rooms are subject to the individual hotel's standard check-in and check-out times. Early check-in and late check-out cannot be guaranteed unless specifically included in your confirmed arrangements.
Requests such as adjoining rooms, specific room locations, bed configurations or other preferences will be passed on where possible but cannot be guaranteed unless specifically confirmed as part of your booking.
Occasionally, circumstances beyond The Travel Cafe's control may make it necessary to change a confirmed hotel. If this happens, we will arrange suitable alternative accommodation of a comparable standard wherever reasonably possible.
If the alternative accommodation is of a lower standard or represents a material reduction in what was included in your confirmed booking, The Travel Cafe will make an appropriate adjustment or refund for the difference.
Any additional accommodation, room upgrades, minibar charges, laundry, room service or other personal expenses not specifically included in your trip are the responsibility of the guest.
Transport and transfers included in your trip will be as described in your confirmed itinerary or booking confirmation.
Guests are responsible for being ready at the agreed time and location for scheduled transfers, excursions and other transport arrangements.
Travel times shown in an itinerary are approximate and may be affected by traffic, road conditions, weather, local events or other circumstances beyond The Travel Cafe's control.
Where circumstances require a change to the planned route, departure time or transport arrangements, The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to minimise disruption to the trip.
If a guest misses an included transfer or other transport arrangement because they are not available at the agreed time and location, any additional transport required will be at the guest's expense.
Our standard luggage allowance is one standard suitcase per person, preferably soft-sided, together with one small personal bag such as a backpack or day bag. Soft-sided luggage is preferred as it is easier to accommodate in touring vehicles.
Guests travelling with additional, oversized or unusually bulky luggage should inform The Travel Cafe before their trip. Additional or alternative transport may be required where luggage cannot reasonably be accommodated in the vehicle provided, and any resulting additional cost will be advised to the guest.
Experiences and activities included in your trip will be as described in your confirmed itinerary or booking confirmation.
Some experiences may be affected by weather, local conditions, availability or other circumstances beyond The Travel Cafe's control. Where an included experience cannot operate as planned, we will make reasonable efforts to arrange a suitable alternative.
If a suitable alternative cannot be provided, The Travel Cafe will refund the amount attributable to the experience that could not be provided.
Guests are responsible for following reasonable instructions provided by guides, activity hosts and other persons responsible for the safe operation of an experience.
Where an experience has specific age, mobility, clothing or other participation requirements, these will be communicated where applicable. Guests should let The Travel Cafe know before booking if they have any requirements that may affect their ability to participate.
If a guest chooses not to participate in an included experience after the trip has commenced, no refund will normally be provided.
Children are welcome on The Travel Cafe trips unless a particular trip or included experience has a specific age restriction.
Guests under the age of 18 must travel with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult authorised to accompany them.
Prices for children will be advised at the time of quotation and may vary depending on the child's age, accommodation arrangements and the services included in the trip.
Room occupancy and arrangements for children are subject to availability and will be confirmed as part of your booking.
Some experiences or activities may have minimum age, height or other participation requirements. Where these apply to an included experience, The Travel Cafe will advise you where applicable.
Parents, guardians or accompanying adults are responsible for the supervision and wellbeing of children travelling with them throughout the trip.
International flights to and from Sri Lanka are not included in your trip unless specifically stated in your booking confirmation.
Guests are responsible for arranging their own international flights and for ensuring that their flight arrangements correspond with the commencement and end dates of their trip.
Where airport transfers are included, guests must provide The Travel Cafe with their confirmed arrival and departure flight details in sufficient time for the transfers to be arranged.
If your flight schedule changes after you have provided these details, please inform The Travel Cafe as soon as possible so that we can make reasonable efforts to adjust your transfer arrangements.
The Travel Cafe is not responsible for airline delays, cancellations, schedule changes, missed connections or other airline-related disruption. Where such disruption affects your trip, we will make reasonable efforts to assist with revised arrangements.
Any additional costs arising from flight disruption, including additional accommodation, transport or changes to the trip arrangements, will be the responsibility of the guest. Guests should seek reimbursement for eligible costs through their airline or travel insurer, where applicable.
Trip prices will be provided in the currency stated in your quotation or booking confirmation.
All The Travel Cafe trips include accommodation, breakfast, transport and sightseeing as described in the trip itinerary. Sightseeing includes the sightseeing programme and associated transport. Entrance and admission fees are included only where specifically stated in the itinerary or booking confirmation.
Any additional meals, experiences, entrance fees or other services that are included will be specifically stated in your itinerary or booking confirmation.
Unless specifically stated as included, international flights, visas and ETA fees, travel insurance, meals and drinks other than breakfast, gratuities, personal expenses and any other services not listed as included are not part of the trip price.
A quotation is subject to availability and does not constitute a confirmed booking until the required deposit has been received and The Travel Cafe has issued your booking confirmation.
Once your booking has been confirmed, The Travel Cafe will normally absorb reasonable fluctuations in currency exchange rates and ordinary changes in supplier costs.
However, The Travel Cafe reserves the right to adjust the trip price where circumstances beyond our reasonable control result in a material increase in the cost of providing your trip. These circumstances may include significant or rapid changes in currency exchange rates, the introduction or increase of government taxes, levies or statutory charges, changes to government policy or regulation, significant increases in compulsory entrance or permit fees, exceptional increases in fuel or transport-related costs, or other significant external economic or regulatory changes that directly affect the cost of your confirmed arrangements.
Any price adjustment will be limited to the additional cost arising from the relevant change. The Travel Cafe will explain the reason for the increase and the additional amount payable.
Where an increase results in the total confirmed trip price increasing by more than 5%, you may choose either to accept the revised price or cancel your trip and receive a refund of all amounts paid to The Travel Cafe in respect of that booking. Normal cancellation charges will not apply in these circumstances.
If the increase is 5% or less of the confirmed trip price, the revised price will apply and the normal booking and cancellation terms will continue to apply.
If you request changes to your confirmed booking, any resulting increase or decrease in cost will be advised before the requested changes are confirmed.
The Travel Cafe will make every reasonable effort to provide your trip as described in your confirmed itinerary. However, travel arrangements can occasionally be affected by circumstances that require changes before or during your trip.
Where a minor change is necessary, The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to provide arrangements of a similar standard and will inform you where appropriate.
If The Travel Cafe needs to make a significant change to an important part of your trip before it begins, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible and explain the alternative arrangements available.
Where the proposed change materially alters the trip you booked, you may choose to accept the revised arrangements or cancel your booking and receive a refund of the amounts paid to The Travel Cafe for the affected trip.
If The Travel Cafe is unable to operate your trip and has to cancel it before commencement, you will be offered either suitable alternative arrangements, where available, or a refund of the amounts paid to The Travel Cafe for the cancelled trip.
The Travel Cafe will not be responsible for additional or consequential costs arising from a change or cancellation that are outside the arrangements booked through us, including international flights booked independently by the guest.
Where changes become necessary after your trip has commenced, The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to provide suitable alternative arrangements and minimise disruption.
Sometimes events outside The Travel Cafe's reasonable control may affect our ability to provide some or all of your trip arrangements.
These circumstances may include severe weather or natural disasters, fire, flood, epidemic or pandemic, war or threat of war, civil unrest, terrorism or security incidents, strikes or industrial action, government action or restrictions, border closures, significant transport disruption, or other exceptional events that could not reasonably have been anticipated or avoided.
If such circumstances affect your trip, The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to minimise disruption and, where possible, arrange suitable alternatives.
If your trip cannot proceed before commencement because of circumstances beyond our reasonable control, The Travel Cafe will seek to recover amounts paid to hotels and other providers on your behalf. Any amounts successfully recovered, together with any funds relating to your booking that have not already been committed, will be refunded to you.
The Travel Cafe cannot guarantee the recovery of payments already made to third parties where those amounts are non-refundable as a result of the circumstances concerned.
Where your trip has already commenced, The Travel Cafe will make reasonable efforts to assist with alternative arrangements. Any additional costs arising as a result of circumstances beyond our reasonable control will normally be the responsibility of the guest.
This is one of the reasons adequate travel insurance is a mandatory requirement when travelling with The Travel Cafe.
Guests are expected to behave responsibly and with consideration for other guests, guides, drivers, hotel staff, local communities and the people they meet during their trip.
Guests must comply with the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka and follow reasonable instructions given by The Travel Cafe, guides, drivers or others responsible for the safe and orderly operation of the trip.
The Travel Cafe reserves the right to end a guest's participation in a trip where their behaviour is unlawful, abusive, threatening, persistently disruptive or places themselves or others at unreasonable risk.
Where a guest's participation is ended for these reasons, The Travel Cafe will not be responsible for providing a refund or for any additional accommodation, transport or other costs incurred by the guest.
Guests are responsible for any loss or damage they cause to accommodation, vehicles or other property during their trip and may be required to meet the reasonable cost of repair or replacement.
We want you to enjoy your time in Sri Lanka. If something is not as expected during your trip, please let The Travel Cafe or your guide know as soon as possible so that we have the opportunity to address the issue while you are travelling.
We will make reasonable efforts to resolve problems promptly and, where appropriate, arrange a suitable solution or alternative.
If an issue cannot be resolved during your trip, please contact The Travel Cafe in writing after your trip, providing details of the problem and any relevant supporting information.
Where a guest does not report a problem during the trip when there was a reasonable opportunity to do so, this may limit our ability to investigate or resolve the matter afterwards.
Nothing in this section affects any rights that a guest may have under applicable law.
The Travel Cafe will exercise reasonable care in arranging and providing the services included in your confirmed trip.
Many of the services included in a trip, including accommodation, transport, sightseeing and experiences, may be provided by independent service providers. The Travel Cafe will take reasonable care in selecting and arranging these services but does not directly control the day-to-day operation of independent providers.
The Travel Cafe will not be responsible for loss, damage, delay, disruption or additional expense resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, except where responsibility cannot lawfully be excluded.
Guests remain responsible for their personal belongings throughout the trip. The Travel Cafe is not responsible for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings unless directly caused by our negligence or where liability cannot otherwise lawfully be excluded.
The Travel Cafe will not be responsible for losses arising from a guest's own actions or omissions, failure to follow reasonable instructions, failure to comply with these Booking Terms, or arrangements made independently of The Travel Cafe.
Nothing in these Booking Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.
The Travel Cafe will collect and use personal information where reasonably necessary to respond to enquiries, arrange and administer bookings, provide trip services and communicate with guests about their travel arrangements.
To provide your trip, it may be necessary to share relevant personal information with hotels, transport providers, guides, experience providers and other parties involved in delivering your confirmed arrangements.
The Travel Cafe will only share information that is reasonably necessary for these purposes and will handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.
Guests are responsible for ensuring that information provided to The Travel Cafe is accurate and up to date. Where a guest provides personal information relating to another traveller, they should ensure that they have permission to provide that information to us.
Further information about how The Travel Cafe collects, uses, stores and protects personal information is set out in our Privacy Policy.
The Travel Cafe is a registered travel brand in Sri Lanka and is operated by EdEt Tours (Private) Limited.
When you make a booking with The Travel Cafe, your booking contract is with EdEt Tours (Private) Limited, which is responsible for accepting payments and providing or arranging the trip services described in your confirmed booking.
These Booking Terms, your booking and any dispute arising from or relating to them will be governed by the laws of Sri Lanka.
Any dispute that cannot be resolved directly between the guest and The Travel Cafe will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Sri Lanka, subject to any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable law.
Get in touch and we will be glad to help.
