DISCOVER SRI LANKA

16 days from GBP1,779 to GBP2,249 including flights
Tripcode: AIL

Countries Visited: Sri Lanka

Review your Exodus adventure now

Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 40 reviews.

Chaya parmessur

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written January 2012
Great trip in every way. A good selection of activities and could not have seen more of Sri Lanka in such a short time. The guide, Roshan, knew how to balance being there when he is needed and not being pushy.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved the cycling day and spending some time with the local family.
The local games we played at a local banana plantations was also great insight into the local life.
Good to see the work Exodus and Roshan had done for the tsunami victims.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just enjoy!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
One of the best trips so far!
Zoe Pease

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written January 2012
Fantastic holiday - lots of variety, not too hectic but plenty to do. Great food too.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Whitewater rafting (on a very gentle river) watching the world go by and the locals bathing in the early evening. The Sri Lankans were amazing friendly and hospitable. I have never been to a country where so many locals waved spontaneously as we passed.
What did you think of your group leader?
Roshan was outstanding. He's the best tour leader I've ever travelled with. It is no surprise that he won Exodus tour leader of the year. He was incredibly insightful on Sri Lankan history and culture and gave us a perfect level of detail.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take lots of mosquito repellant.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The first hotel we stayed in was very basic. Don't be put off by this. It was by far the worst hotel we stayed in. Most of the hotels we stayed with were great.
Elaine Stanford

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written January 2012
Just the perfect combination of activities, scenery, history, tour leader, group dynamics, fun, weather, accommodation, food, organisation, information and support staff.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were quite a few.
Achievement and reward - climbing Adam's peak (5,500 steps) and seeing the sun rise across the mountains and the shadow cast across the landscape behind - just magical.
Scenery - from the walk to Worlds End and the view from the train journey were all awesome
Enjoyment - watching the elephants at the orphanage play, bath and interact so gently with each other it made you marvel at the sensitivities and humility of these fine large animals
What did you think of your group leader?
Faultless. He was well organised, calm, polite, knowledgable, humorous and good fun. He also cared a great deal about his county, its people, history, culture and its future so you empathised much more with the country through his knowledge, passion and balanced observations. He joined in with the group and at the end he said "he felt he was on holiday with us". I think that is a great compliment to him and the group that went.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Yala National Park was not as good as anyone's expectations. So either make it an option or be a bit clearer on what to expect. Jostling mad jeep drivers, too many cars for the area, a dust bowl due to number of jeeps making photography very difficult, animals keep their distance (due to noise I expect), roads are in terrible condition so ride is horrendus, area open to visitors is not that large as only a fifth of the park area.
Jenny Grant

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written December 2011
I can thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone considering Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. The country is beautiful, the people so friendly, and every day there is something new to see or do on this very varied trip.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There wasn't any one moment that I could pick out as we did so many different and interesting things on this holiday. Among my highlights were cycling around the paddy fields and viewing it's great bird life, visiting the ancient capital of Polonaruwwa and the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, then catching the train down from the hill country, playing Sri Lankan games in a banana plantation, then...... well nearly every day had it's own inspirational highlights. And I must mention the great local food we ate at lunchtimes, particularly on the bike ride, at the house of a Tsunami victim, and some fabulous samosas and other snacks just before the train ride.
What did you think of your group leader?
Roshan Fernando is one of the best leaders I've been with - I think it says it all that he won the Leader of the Year award in 2010!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a decent waterproof - it rains a lot even when if it's not officially the monsoon season. Change plenty of currency at the airport, then you need not bother again until Kandy where there are several options available, but the hotels will all accept credit cards if you prefer. Don't worry if you're not a fan of curry - there are plenty of other options as most evenings you eat in the hotel where you can choose from a huge range of foods from the buffet, or order from the menu. I do love curry myself, and ate plenty of different curry dishes - highly recommended and not too spicy!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trip has it all - if you haven't been to Sri Lanka then you should seriously consider going. It's graded as 'leisurely' but that doesn't mean 'slow and boring' - there are so many things to do and see that every day seemed to be full of activity - especially if you opt in to some of the extra trips. I did a couple of excellent side trips, but also enjoyed the time to relax and mooch by myself when I didn't.
Helen Ross

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written November 2011
A great trip covering the cultural, historical and landscape highlights of beautiful Sri Lanka
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip was very varied covering the main cultural, historical and landscape highlights of this beautiful country. My particular favourtites were a cycle trip through local villages culminating in a fabulous lunch cooked by locals and served al fresco on large palm leaves, yummy! Another highlight was a wonderful walk on Horton Plains followed by a great train ride down a 6000ft descent; fabulous scenery. The trip to the elephant orphange was another highlight; around 50 elephants withing touching distance parading down to bathe in the river was a sight to behold. Two days of relaxing on the beach at the end of the trip was perfectly placed and the perfect opportunity to get my longed for camera shots of the local fisherman suspended on poles in the sea collecting their catch of the day.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was very knowledgable and experienced; this being his 171st exodus trip! He had honed his skills at providing a good combination of knowledge/guidance with enough opportunities for personal day dreaming, contemplation and reflection as we rolled along on our journey. Admiration for his ability to stay so fresh and enthusiastic after 171 trips :-)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Best to change most of your money at the airport as they give the best rates. Deet 50% keeps the mosies away - only got two bites the whole trip!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The only part of the trip which was a little disappointing was the amount of buffet meals we ate in hotels! Buffet is BIG in Sri Lanka and it s a little overpowering to have so many buffet meals. I would have liked more opportunities to take meals in local restaurants, although I appreciate that with some of our hotel locations this option was not always easily available.
Overall, it was a fantastic trip with a great group of people. Happy Days!
Rochelle Gardiner

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written November 2011
Perhaps one of the most rewarding holidays I have been on. The group was lovely, our guide superb and Sri Lanka was breath takingly beautiful.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking on Horton Plains to Worlds End and the train ride down the mountain. Simply wow!
What did you think of your group leader?
Superb! Roshan was so professional from the outset. Sharing his abundance of knowledge and his country with such enthusiasm. No request was beyond his capability.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Wear insect repellant.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would just like to thank Exodus as this holiday was perfect for me.
Claire Whittle

DISCOVER SRI LANKA

Written November 2011
I choose this Exodus trip because I wanted to go on an adventure and having seen the itinerary I suddenly didn't want to go anywhere else! I felt that this trip was offering so much variety with the wildlife, sunshine, walking, cycling, rafting, cultural/historic sites, jungle, beaches, hill country...I could go on...but to sum up, it delivered all that was promised and more.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
One of the most enjoyable activities on the trip was the bike ride to a local village, where we stopped at a farmers house for the best curry I had on the trip! The reason this bike ride really touched me was the peaceful way this allowed you to soak up the atmosphere and the scenary, but also the friendly welcoming atitude of local people...we must of looked like quite a spectacle, 15 British people and a Canadian...on bright yellow bikes, wizzing (and sometimes wheezing!) past peoples houses...children came out and waited by the side of the road to wave to us as we went by :)
I'd also have to mention the first time we saw an elephant in the wild, catching a train from up in the clouds of hill country, the view from the top of Sigiriya Rock and as a keen photographer...all of the inspirational photo opportunities throughout the trip!
What did you think of your group leader?
Sujan our tour leader was absolutely brilliant, we always knew exactly what was happening and what was expected of us; he kept us amused and informed, teaching us Sinhalese and Sri Lankan songs! And went above and beyond when we ended up in the midst of an unexpected cyclone, he made sure we were all safe, reassured us and then created a cocktail to calm our nerves when the storm had calmed! Sujan obviously loved his homeland and this love was infectious, also him and his crew had an amazing eye for spotting wildlife and maximised the number of elephants we got to see!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for all weather conditions!!! We had so many days of beautiful sunshine, but I wasn't quite prepared for how wet it could be when the heavens did open!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
What an amazing adventure, with a lovely bunch of fellow travellers! I can't wait to book my next trip!