Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...
This is a holiday when you are on the move a lot,therefore you get a real insight into how the island "ticks".The people are happy and friendly and the hotel staff are excellent.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The view from World'sEnd.The excellent meal provided by the Tsunami victims.Being given shelter by a local villager during a downpour on our jungle walk.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sujan is an excellent leader.His knowledge of the culture and wildlife of his country is encyclopaedic.A fantastic personality with a superb sense of humour.Any problem was efficiently resolved.Even providing ash for a Leech wound!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Expect some rain.A waterproof jacket is essential although umbrellas were available on the bus.There are times when footwear with a good tread are essential.Be aware of tourist scams in Colombo.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was an excellent holiday with a great group of fellow travellers.It's worth taking part in all the activities.
Having not done a holiday like this before I didn't know what to expect but it surpassed all my expectations, every day brought the most amazing experiences or stunning landscape - it was truly spectacular!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There are way too many to name just one inspirational moment - standing on top of Sigiriya Rock, watching and feeding the elephants at the elephant orphanage, The World's End at Horton Planes, the train ride to Banadarawela, the stunning tea plantation landscape and the wonders of Yala National Park name just a few of the amazing moments we experienced on this fantastic holiday.
What did you think of your group leader?
Roshan was excellent, organised, easy going, knowledgeable and friendly - the perfect tour leader and a leader that got no end of compliments from the seasoned group travellers from within the group! An excellent tour leader who helped make the holiday what it was.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take good walking shoes, plenty of shorts for the walking portions of the holidays (though for the temples you need to cover your shoulders and your knees). Ladies you may want to take a dress and chaps may want to pop a jacket into the mix for one of the evening meals (I'm not sure that the accommodation is the same all of the time but you may just need it). Take plenty of deet bug spray and lots of memory cards for your cameras. Beware of local animals - especially at the hotel on the South Coast - don't leave items un attended on sun beds or put put items of clothing out to dry on the ground floor terraces as you may find the animals take a liking to them and you won't see them again (I lost my walking shoes!).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was an absolutely stunningly, amazingly, spectacular trip and has totally given me the travel bug. I can't wait to head off again and see more of the world. The island of Sri Lanka is beautiful in every way, the group I travelled with and the tour leader made every moment special, the food and the accommodation were great. Once you arrive you'll not want to leave.
This was my first Exodus trip and it exceeded my expectations! I have always travelled independently and this trip combined joys of travelling with ease and organisation. There would have been no way that I could have visited all of these sites in the time allotted! Sri Lanka is a beautiful and varied country.
A fantastic trip! As this was my first Exodus trip (or any kind of adventure holiday) I didn't really know what to expect but we saw so much and it was so well organised that this has been my best holiday yet.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My favourite day was the one where we cycled through the local villages and countryside and stopped for lunch at a house. (fantastic curry). We had a coconut break at a local farm where we watched a man climb a tree to get our coconuts and were shown how to make the milk. It was these little things which made the trip a little different. The temples and heritage sites are great but experiencing real Sri Lanka was even better. I was amazed by the Sri Lankans attitude to visitors. Everywhere we went people would be smiling and waving (even as we drove past on the coach). They really like having tourists and we were asked many times what we thought of their country. Beautifull was always the answer.
What did you think of your group leader?
Roshan was so well organised. He took all the stress out of the trip for us brits who have no idea how to tip, or when to tip (althought we did have a go at bartering in the towns when we had the chance). Snacks appeared on journeys and Roshan was always calm and informative (even when the bus broke down and a new one just magically apperared when we got off the train). The trip ran like clockwork and not only that, but he's a really friendly guy!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just enjoy! Do all the extra activities that you can.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
As I have already said, I didn't know what to expect but the hotels far exceeded my expectations. They were all clean and of a good standard but some were amazing (Sigriha was my favourite). The vast majority have pools and the food is also to a good standard (Although I've now eaten so much curry I don't think I will be eating it again for quite some time). Watch out for the monkeys!!
Had a great time, it's a beautiful country with contrasts from the heat of the jungle to the cool tea plantations. Friendly people and lots of interesting sights to see, and of course baby elephants!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were loads of interesting things - the temples at Dambulla and Polonnaruwa, and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. Enjoyed the elephant ride, and seeing elephants try to push each other into the water at the orphanage. We were lucky enough to be there at the time of the festival in Kandy which was brilliant. Also were lucky to see two leopards on the safari at Yala National Park. Enjoyed the walk on Horton Plains, high up in the mountains, and the Hill Club which felt like being in an Agatha Christie novel.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had Roshan Fernando who was brilliant. He always gave us loads of info about what we'd be doing every day, how long it would take to get to places and what clothes would be suitable e.g. if we were going to temples or walking in the jungle. He told us all about the history, culture and customs of the country, always making it sound fresh and interesting. Loves dropping in jokes and sayings at every opportunity and had us all singing along with him and the mariachi band at a couple of hotels!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Definitely give this trip a try. I've never been anywhere like it before and really enjoyed it. There are some early starts but it's worth it and you get to see a lot, it's a very varied country.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't worry if you're not a massive fan of curry - I'm not and I found plenty to eat. Most of the hotels do buffets so it's easy to try little bits of everything. Take plenty of clothes, unusually I wore pretty much everything I took as it's so hot and, in some places, dusty. A little thing, but you have to leave your bags out for collection in the morning when moving on and there's not always time to go back to the room to brush your teeth, so maybe take a little mouthwash if you like a minty feeling! If you're there during the festival in Kandy, take a bit of extra cash to secure a seat at the parade, it's worth it as it's quite a long procession.
This was a great trip; it had everything - beaches, wildlife, history. You get to see five UNESCO World Heritage sites, and if you're lucky, you might get to see a leopard.Highly recommended!!!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The elephant orphanage and the old capital of Sri Lanka, Polunnaruwa.
What did you think of your group leader?
Roshan was fantastic. There's really nothing to add.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Our game drive in the National Park got extremely dusty. A dust-prove cover for your camera and lenses is highly recommended. I wish I had brought mine.
A great trip, a bit of everything, a lovely mixed group and a super tour leader, what more could one ask?Time for relaxation round the pool with a beer, swapping tips on photography, making new friends and marvelling at the wonders of the glorious Sri Lankan weather! Too far to travel and too much to see in any shorter a trip - if you are tempted just go for it!
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The old cave temple paintings and sculptures were stunning, the rafting was so peaceful, the lovely hotel at Sigiryi, the baby elephants crossing the river, the leopard crossing the road (!), shopping with the locals for sarongs and saris in Bandarawela, the food and the wonderful tea? No for me it was sitting in the doorway on that crazy train ride with our legs out watching the amazing countryside go by… worth the wait for sure!
What did you think of your group leader?
Sujan was fantastic - he kept us all amused with his infectious giggle and little sayings, he looked after us well. He is very knowledgable and his passion for his country shines through, he obviously loves his job. He coped with a very mixed group so well and also commended us for looking after each other which was rather touching.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Keep a stock of good mosquito repellent and some antihistamines for the last third of the trip. Mind the rocks in the sea at the beach hotel, I am still suffering from cuts on feet, sustained swimming in waist-deep water - ouch! Don’t let that put you off the sea is otherwise wonderful… Even if you don't usually keep a diary make a few notes each evening, it will help sort out the photos and some parts fly past so fast you'll need a personal reminder of what you did each day. Go with an open mind and be as lucky with the weather as we were! Do try the cocktails - you're on holiday after all!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Back just a week and we are already planning our reunion party! Looking forward to the next Exodus holiday...
from 88 reviews.
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