Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing elephants for the first time at the Hurulu Eco Park, and continuing to see them even after leaving the reserve. Also being lucky enough to see Golden Jackals by pure chance on the root back to the hotel from the reserve.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant. Very friendly and knowledgeable, taught us all a lot and had a sense of humour as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I highly recommend this tour. Eat out at restaurants recommended by the guide, you won’t regret it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Joining in the pilgrimage to the top of Adam's Peak, a 1000m climb of 5,500 steps over 7km done overnight to reach Sri Lanka's fourth highest peak for sunrise. It was superb to experience what the locals put themselves through, with everyone from infants to the elderly making their way up past all the tea houses. It is really strenuous, but a great personal achievement too. The wildlife park at Yala, the Sri Lankan games, bicycle ride and farmer's lunch, and cinnamon farm were other highlights among many.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was great - attentive to all our needs, ensuring we were looked after well and keeping us organised; he has great skills in providing story-like tales of the history, politics, religion and cultural habits, using wit and personal stories to bring it to life and keep it interesting. His English was excellent and he made liaising with locals so much easier.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have access to a good amount of cash, as the optional tours and activities all need payment in Rupees or Pounds. You can pay for meals and drinks in the hotels by cash, or simply use a card/mobile. All the hotels had English style sockets, so no adapters were needed. Be prepared for mosquitos - take repellent such as Aloe Vera or citronella. Be prepared for some early starts, but there's plenty of time to snooze on the bus. Water for drinking bottles is provided. Having a group tipping kitty saves a lot of hassle. Share photos on a WhatsApp group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure what inspirational moments were on the trip as it was exciting and informative . Meeting and moving amongst the locals was great. It reminds us what we have and what you really do need. The only real inspiration was to make sure that we repeat the holiday trips regularly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was great, he got to know us and allowed the trip to develop, it never feeling too much of a rush or exercise to be completed. His talks on the general history were pitched just right and were informative and interesting. The issues and political landscape since independence were well explained and informative. He made an effort to understand and nurture the group

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring plenty of insect repellant. Clothes can be laundered at a reasonable cost at the hotels so not some may clothes need be brought resulting in a lower weight suitcase to lug around.

Suggestions

We felt totally safe on the road although it was great to observe the antics of the general road user. The white water trip was good for the grade three. The other trip was basically a flat paddle, not anywhere near as enjoyable as the former.. Hotels were great, I wouldn’t consider using higher grade ones as it would increase the remoteness and isolation from the local community and culture

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from. I loved cycling through the villages stopping for coconut water ( I didn’t even know I liked it!) and then having a delicious home cooked lunch at a family home. Seeing lots of healthy wild elephants roaming the Nature reserves with their young and having a leopard cross the track in front of our jeep at Yala. The white water river rafting was such fun and I definitely recommend doing that option.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan provided us with great commentary throughout the tour especially on the bus. He had fabulous organisational skills and made sure our tour continued to plan despite the civil unrest and diesel shortage. He didn’t let those troubles get in the way of our holiday. By the second week we had all bonded into a lovely group which he was very much part of.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take socks for the temple visits- you could fry an egg on the ground. UK sockets are in all the hotels we stayed in so no need to bring adaptors. It’s colder in the tea plantations area so take long Pajama bottoms if you feel the cold ( or just put the heater on!) and a fleece for evening. Definitely take a waterproof! I took a small over body bag when cycling that fitted my phone so I could take photos. You can pay optional trips in £ so I’d take extra for that other than the £150 to change into SR at the airport. I paid hotel bills with credit cards. On your free day in Nuwara Eliya I recommend afternoon tea at “The Grand” at 2.30pm . It’s about £6. Also beforehand go for a tour of “The Hill Club” . It’s 200SR to be a member for the day ( 50p) and have drinks on the lawn. Take insect repellent and a torch and a plastic bag to put your wet clothes in after rafting ( you will get wet) Good idea to wear the clothes you went cycling in with swimwear underneath and change after. Swim in the Indian Ocean at the beach resort. The water is warm and the swimming pool is like a hot bath. The group kitty idea is much easier and it’s one less thing to think about!

Suggestions

A fabulous trip and pretty active. I bought loads of elephant trousers and luckily they did not take much room in my case. Going price approx £4 a pair! Great for gifts or wearing at night to avoid insect bites!

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed everything, the variety of the different visits and activities was really appreciated. I loved learning more about the history of Sri Lanka and visiting archaeological sites and temples. Visiting caves that contained giant prehistoric Buddhas cut into the rock was mind blowing! Cycling along the canals (Sri Lankan canals are much more beautiful than British ones) and drinking freshly picked coconuts was also very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was a fantastic and very experienced, patient leader . He organised everything so we could focus on enjoyed the trip and activities and was as incredibly knowledgeable and supportive and kind to everybody in the group. He also took us to some great restaurants that we would never have found without his local knowledge. Roshan ensured the trip went without a hitch and made it a really special holiday for us all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The facilities were great, if you forget to take anything you won't have a problem. The hotels were all very accommodating. The bus we traveled on was very well kitted out (air conditioning, limitless water). I felt safe at all times as a female traveler. The food is absolutely incredible, the best cuisine I've had on a holiday by a long shot.

Suggestions

I cannot recommend this beautiful island enough, I am so glad I went on this trip. The wildlife is so diverse and absolutely incredible!!

Most Inspirational Moment

I was particularly inspired by the view from the top of Sigiriya rock in the early morning mist, the folk museum and the life of Martin Wickramasinghe and the cheek of the monkeys!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nalaka was an excellent tour guide - charming, well organised, informative and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No real need for adaptors - most hotels have sockets which take UK plugs. Walking boots are pretty useful - the Horton Plains track in particular is rough. And 'temple clothes' are needed - even just a sarong which can cover the legs or shoulders and old socks to wear on the hot rocks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a 5ft water lizard at our first road side stop after leaving the airport. Just a taste of what was to come.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader had a great sense of humour and loved his country. Standard answer to any question was usually "90 minutes" and he wasn't far wrong.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow. Sri Lankans don't like to hurry and preparing fresh food takes time.

Suggestions

Not quite paradise but not far from it. If you have been you will know what I mean, if not then what are you waiting for?

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to the Tsunami house.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above. Roshan is, I felt, naturally reserved. Apart from learning our names, he seemed disinterested in who we were and where we had come from. He delivered his messages as required but I felt he was sometimes bored. He rarely asked us how we were and did not fully engage with us. (I went on an Exodus Rajasthan trip last year and had an excellent guide, Ayjay, so I had high expectations). Occasionally, towards the end of the trip, he spent more time with us at our evening meal. I foolishly left my camera behind at the Tea factory and he was very good at recovering it. I wish him well for the future.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax. Sri Lanka is not Europe. Go with the flow. Service can sometimes be slow and unresponsive. This was my third trip to Sri Lanka. The people you will meet are kind and helpful. Health and safety warnings can be excessive. I had no insect bites and was never exposed to danger. Lions Rock, Adams Peak and the walk to Worlds End can be hot and challenging.

Suggestions

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing elephants and leopards (and other animals) close up from a jeep in Yala and Minneriya. The ceremony at The Temple of the Tooth. Climbing Lion Rock. On the cycling day we enjoyed seeing the countryside, wildlife, and the local people, also having an amazing collection of curries cooked on a farm for lunch. Paul and I don’t cycle but tuc tucs were hired for the non cyclists so that we could still enjoy the day to the full.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was an amazing tour leader. There are some long journeys on this trip but they didn’t seem long as he made them very interesting with his informative talks on the history and culture of Sri Lanka and by regular stops for treats like bananas and Jack fruit, view points and waterfalls. He was very calm and well organised, warm and friendly and a good sense of humour. We were always well informed on where we were going, timings and what to take etc. Nothing was too much trouble for Ruwan and it was a pleasure to have him as our tour guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, the hotel laundry service was excellent, good value, and in most cases same day service. Leave some room in your suitcase for purchases, I.e. tea. It was very hot and humid during our stay (March) so you’ll need loose cool casual clothing. It’s probably best if you like curry, there’s the most amazing selection at the buffets, and a lot are vegetarian. However, it’s usually possible to order a la carte, just remember to do so at least half an hour in advance! Binoculars were useful, especially in the game parks. Walking trainers best for Horton Plains. We changed some money at the airport on arrival but all the hotels took credit cards.

Most Inspirational Moment

The people. The demure attentive school parties studying their history. The simple delight of the toddlers waving at "funny people" wobbling past on bikes. The sheer scale of the monuments and the civil works built centuries ago. The cleanliness of a poor but proud community. The tolerance of the traffic simply weaving its way all over the roads even if they start from the left! Hardly a horn to be heard

Thoughts on Group Leader

Neelaka twice joint runner up in Exodus's leader poles was the finest guide we have experienced, absolutely on top of his job, and obviously enjoying it! Nothing left to chance based on years of experience and practice and a genuine love of people, fine ambassador for his country. Very touched to be introduced to his wife on the last night, a first for her and us, thank you!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and embrace this wonderful place, and do the optional extras too!