Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

So many wonderful things to view on this trip from such a diverse country, my stand out moment was Lion Rock and Clare loved every experience the trip provided however, what stood out to her most was how welcoming and friendly the country and people were.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was an excellent group leader who along with our Driver (Also Roshan) and Assistant (Sundan) made this a well organised and laid back trip, all are a credit to their country and company. Roshan was very knowledgable and delivered all the information with passion and humour. He provided so much information without it feeling like information overload. He was always on hand to answer any queries or concerns and always dealt with them with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Plenty of opportunities to access ATM's for local currency so you don't need to carry excessive cash with you, a mix of currencies (Dollars, Pounds & Rupees) served us well as most places accept card payments, Revolut or similar pre paid cards are ideal. If internet access is a priority, Wifi in the hotels is adequate however other members of the group purchased pre-paid SIM cards very cheap (£4) with lots of data.

Suggestions

If you're in two minds about this trip, do not hesitate as it certainly won't disappoint!! Everything about this trip from the group leader and team to travel companions, places we visited, things we did, hotels we stayed at, food we ate and the people of Sri Lanka were absolutely fantastic...

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to choose just one. I enjoyed the cycling through villages, the white water rafting and the hike on Horton Plains, especially as being in my mid 70s I had worried I might not be able to keep up with the younger members. However, the icing on the cake was seeing the turtle on the beach laying her eggs on the beach by our hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was the best leader you could wish to have. He gave us lots of background information on everywhere we were going and the history of Sri Lanka. He had a wonderful sense of humour and full of good advice on recommendations on where to eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try everything on offer, you may well surprise yourself.

Suggestions

A really wonderful 2 week tour, even better than I'd hoped. Well done!

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending time with locals on the two farm visits. The Sri Lankan games were great fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was excellent. He was relaxed but organised. He gave us a lot of information about the country and it’s history. Great sense of humour. An exceptional guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the wide variety of activities.

Suggestions

Such a varied and interesting trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bicycle ride and Lions Rock

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent 10/10

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be advised that the Horton Plains Hike is quite challenging. Several in the group struggled.

Suggestions

Great trip. Highly recommend

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up Adam's Peak with the many locals partaking in the pilgrimage to the Temple of the Foot and reaching the top in time for a fabulous sunrise.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was an excellent group leader - so knowledgeable, organised and always willing to help organise little extras. His history and cultural lessons on the bus were delivered with enough information to allow us to really understand the country but without being too much of an information overload. He was always patient, in good humous and made sure we were all well looked after, helping also to deal with lost luggage and any special requests people had. Our driver (another Roshan) and helper (Sandun) were also excellent and kept us and our belongings safe throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The leopards in Yala were elusive for us, but you will get out of the safari what you put in. We saw an incredible mixture of animals - land monitor lizards, chameleons, salamander, crocodiles, water buffalo, black-naped hare, deer - to name just a few, along with an incredible array of colourful and impressive birds. At the end of the day, nature is wild and nothing is guaranteed so go with your fingers crossed but take the time to appreciate all the other wildlife on offer as well. The Adam's Peak hike is strenuous but absolutely worth it. The entire hike is up 5,500 steps so your calf muscles and knees will feel it the following day, especially the final half an hour which is up unrelenting steep steps. It is thoroughly worth it though, and watching the sunrise with hundreds of other pilgrims was an unforgettable experience. Take out plenty of cash at the airport as optional excursions all need to be paid in cash - if you do all of the optional activities (elephant safari, rafting, Adam's Peak, whale watching, mangrove boat trip), you will need around £250 equivalent, plus money for tips, tuk-tuks, local shopping, lunches etc. Hotel bills can be paid on card. There are additional ATMs available in Kandy and Ahangama. People's Bank and Bank of Ceylon tended to be reliable and at the time of writing did not charge ATM fees for foreign cards.

Suggestions

Sri Lanka is not nearly as conservative as sometimes made out in terms of dress. Apart from the temple visits, where knees and shoulders must be covered, it was generally fine to wear shorter shorts (I would not recommend hot pants, but knees showing was fine) and vests for general activities, both in town and in the rural areas. Be prepared for the humidity and ensure you keep hydrated, and wear plenty of bug spray the entire time - the mosquitoes are persistent day and night!

Most Inspirational Moment

A toss up between Asian elephants walking past our jeep close enough to touch and watching the sunrise over the Indian Ocean whilst the stilt fishermen worked hard to catch a the day’s bounty.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan our group leader was excellent. He was very perceptive to individual peoples needs whilst delivering an amazing time for the whole group. He had a great understanding of people and therefore everyone in the group of 18 felt looked after and listened to. He had a fantastic knowledge of Sri Lanka and if he didn’t know something he would research the answer and tell us later. He had a great sense of humour and really helped to make the tour special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of mosquito repellent as they loved to have a nibble of us all. Take a jumper for the mountains and be prepared to eat a lot of curry.

Suggestions

I’ve wanted to visit Sri Lanka for a long time and I’m so pleased I did. It is so beautiful and not too many tourists.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many...The tranquility of the ruins atop Lion Rock, the amazing bird life, the leopard at Yala and the sunset over the lake, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, the hanging parrots and sunbird in the date palm outside my window, the thrill of white water rafting (a first for me). All unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb. Amazingly well organised. He coped with the different demands of our varied group with good grace, always pleasant, always polite, always fair and kind to everyone. A great job Sujan! Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lots, but everyone finds their own way. Try everything. Don't forget plenty of sun block and plenty of insect repellent. An umbrella is a useful item. Best place to buy tea is not at the plantation itself because of limited stock and relatively little choice, but in Galle on Rampart Street when you walk around the old fort. T-shirts at the botanical gardens shop are decent quality. Take binoculars, really worthwhile, and a bird book if interested. There are kids at the farm visit, so a colouring book or 2 as giveaways may be welcome.

Suggestions

If you have never tried white water rafting and fancy it, this is an excellent opportunity, the water is warm. Chill, enjoy and soak up all Sri Lanka has to offer, the history, the wildlife, the people, it is an uplifting experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the baby elephants playing together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was a really great guide. Very knowledgeable. Great sense of humour. One of the best guides I’ve had on trips. Very organised. Always ready to help out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take cash for optional trips. Can be paid in pounds or dollars.

Suggestions

Would recommend Exodus. Nice hotels and great balance between seeing everything and time to chill out.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip had everything from Bhudist temples and ancient forts to nature reserves. For us seeing elephants, a leopard and two blue whales would have to be the highlights of the trip. On a more human dimension though the traditional games organised by our group leader Roshan were brilliant, getting everyone involved, even the driver and assistant joined in!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan did an excellent job with a diverse bunch. His good sense of humour and organisational skills meant that things ran smoothly, even though there were a range of optional trips that were not taken up by eveyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sri Lanka is ready for and needs tourists! We did not experience any disruption or see any protests during the trip. The hotels and local restaurants/cafes all provided varied menus (especially if you enjoy a curry).