Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Birdwatching, which I found in the hotel, but our guide never even told us about it. Train journey was a complete disaster, everyone pushed onto the train, hanging on for dear life near open doors. Exodus never bothered to book seats. No one could see anything except other people's armpits. No apology from Exodus when several of our party emailed them immediately. An appalling and dangerous situation. The game parks are so full of land rovers chasing the animals that the smell of diesel was unbearable, whale watching the boatschased the whales until they were disorientated. Our guide never checked that everyone was alright - he marched on so fast - just trying to rush through the day, and twice people fell behind unwell, once he did not even notice........... Lovely countryside, smiley people but just too touristy

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above, and very bad at communicating anything off the script. Maps given out after you leave the venue so you couldn't see everything. All done so he could get through the day as quickly as possible, and on to his next meal. When we had free time no suggestions given of the best sites and restaurants. Very charming and smiley and enthusiastic, but only on his terms, which is not like most guides, who seem to go the extra mile for their customers. We were offered nothing except watching with the optional white water rafting - that is not optional just boring and time wasting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The food was good but far too much. Not a company or country I would recommend, and I have travelled extensively both with tours and independently.

Suggestions

Why did you not book seats on the train? Other companies do

Most Inspirational Moment

I could just rewrite the itinerary! Everyday was filled with wonderful experiences. It could be seeing elephants to discovering a beautiful lesser known Buddhist temple. So many inspirational moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oscar was awesome! I’ve been on a few Exodus trips and he was one of the best guides I’d experienced. He always went the extra mile for us to ensure we had a wonderful time. Superb in organising and communicating. And a great sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take every opportunity and enjoy.

Suggestions

Just go!

Most Inspirational Moment

Overall it was a great holiday with so many highlights. The cycling day in the villages was particularly memorable as was the optional white water rafting. We would recommend the safaris especially the one to Yala NP. The beach side Insight Resort at Ahangama was very good. It was great swimming in the warm sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was an excellent guide- as well as being friendly and sociable he was very organised and his attention to detail was impressive. He told us a great deal about the culture, history and politics of a country he obviously loves and was also willing to answer our questions and give advice on activities we planned for our free time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We changed £500 at the airport on arrival and paid by card at the hotels - this seemed about right. All the walking is on fairly good surfaces and you shouldn't need more that good trainers. The temperatures were generally in the upper 20s except when we got to the south coast when it hit the mid 30s (too hot!) We recommend all the optional trips except: 1. The Adam's Peak climb - This is very hard even for experienced walkers. 6 of us went on it and it was a surreal experience walking up 5500 relentlessly steep illuminated (no need for a torch) concrete steps with hundreds of other people. Even at 4am it was very humid and exhausting. It was very crowded at the top and unfortunately we had a poor local guide. It's good to have done it but I wouldn't recommend it. 2. No one went whale watching - it was an early start and we were advised that we might be out for up to 7 hours and still not see many whales.

Suggestions

We understood that the maximum number on the trip was 16 when we booked and were surprised that we had 18. Although the group was good (no really annoying people!) we think 18 is too many. Most people on the trip wanted to stay at the famous Hill Club but we were informed that it had received mixed reports in the past and we were therefore staying at the disappointing Mirage Hotel some way out of town. We think this had more to do with the Hill Club increasing its prices and strongly recommend that Exodus go back to using it.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many of them! The cave temples at Dambulla, climbing Lions Rock at Sigirya, the country cycle ride with a home lunch under the trees, the imposing ruins at Polonnaruwa, three lovely days in Kandy, Horton Plains (quite a tough hike, but an amazing view at World's End), scenic Ella Gap, and our visit to the Exodus tsunami house, where we were welcomed and had a delicious home-cooked meal at a very reasonable cost. We also enjoyed Galle, though we thought a few hours there were quite enough.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oscar was the best guide we have had on any holiday, and this was our fourth Exodus trip. He was so interesting, we didn't want to miss a word! He was very empathetic to our group, and went beyond the call of duty in that if only a very small group of us were doing an activity, he was there with us. As a group, we all loved Oscar, and his love of his country was impressive. On the last evening Oscar brought us on a walking tour of Colombo which wasn't on the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The optional activities are really worthwhile. The elephant safari, the cultural show, white water rafting and the whale watching trip. We would really recommend this trip to Sri Lanka!

Suggestions

The road surfaces are very good, so travelling is very comfortable. Hats, sunscreen and mosquito spray essential! We use Incognito from our Health Food shop which isn't so severe, and works just as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not one particular thing. The weather was very foggy when we were due to trek Worlds End. So guide asked group to vote on whether we did it. Group voted not to. No one did Adam’s Peak. Cycling was fun. Places to explore on your own in Kandy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was very well organised. We never had any problems. He has done the trip many times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mosquito repellent necessary. We were in Colombo for a few days before the trip started - those that arrived on the group flight were tired for first few days. Cycling is fun and easy. Group size of 16 but coach size could take more so fairly comfortable. Driver very good in the crazy traffic.

Suggestions

Exodus offer different tours to Sri Lanka. Make sure this is the right one for you. This trip was right for us - but - maybe Exodus could tweak to provide more local experiences. Exodus staff in London we’re very good with the booking and pre-tour information. Trip notes accurate. Will continue to travel with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a lot of good moments on the trip. The ones that particularly stand out are: climbing Lion Rock, white water rafting and the Temple of the Tooth ceremony. Also, we enjoyed the cave temples at Dambulla and the optional boat ride through mangrove swamps.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nalaka was a lovely chap who got everyone smiling. Douglas, our driver, and Amal, the Driver’s Assistant, were both excellent too. Nalaka was very caring and dealt with any issues promptly and effectively. He made us aware of the need to be courteous to hotel staff and the beach ladies at the Insight Resort; many of the staff are boys from local farms who are doing their best to be helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Insect repellent isn’t listed under Essential Equipment in the Trip Notes, but you need to take some. Binoculars aren’t listed either, and these are very useful for the wildlife trips. Horton Plains: the walk is harder than it sounds, it’s partly on uneven ground and involves some ascents and descents. We were fine, but a couple of people in our group really struggled and ended up missing lunch and nearly missing the train too. Whale watching: we paid a bit extra to have a private boat just for the group and this was well worth it. The boat pitches and rolls quite a lot out once out at sea and we recommend you take sea sickness pills. The cycle ride was good fun, easy going on level ground, but do take time at the start to find a bicycle that suits you both in the height and length of frame – some are more adjustable than others. Lastly, we found some of the hotel bathroom and shower floors were very slippery – take care!

Suggestions

Take an open mind and try all the activities, this trip covers a wide range of activities, and some of the ones we weren't wild about were other group members' highlights. If you've been to India, Sri Lanka is similar but different: generally cleaner, with less hassle and more organised. If you haven't visited the area before then this trip provides and excellent introduction. Oh, and although we saw lots of elephants and other wildlife we didn't see a leopard, remember, it's not guaranteed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a leopard and lots of beautiful green bee-eaters in Yala NP.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstandingly good - well organised, gave us just the right amount of information, thoughtful, always available and clearly proud of his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the people, enjoying the scenery and being able to bring those memories home

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was very good and passionate about his country and all it has to offer. He was also grateful that people visit his country and the benefits it brings to the people. And believe me we saw plenty of evidence of this on our trip..

Advice for Potential Travellers

My advice would be to have a certain level of fitness for the walking and cycling. You do need to be fit for Adams Peak.

Most Inspirational Moment

Basically too many to pick from it s difficult to pick one they just kept coming every day. From cycling through the countryside to playing traditional Sri Lankan games, what a plethora of mind blowing days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nalaka was excellent , he was so passionate and knowledeable about his beautiful island. His care and attention he gave to all the 16 tourists in his care was exemplary making sure we were always safe and that the activities were within the capabilities of all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about buying a plug adapter as all the hotels have sockets which take the english three pinned plug. Sterling can be exchanged everywhere as well as the airport and several places would accept sterling as payment. ATMs are available and reliable in all the destinations used.

Suggestions

Be prepared to be blown away with the beauty of the island and the friendliness of the people. Be prepared to meet wonderful people in the most remote areas visited.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sri Lanka is a calmer version of India; the cultural and historical sites are as grand but the hassle is much less. The caves at Dambulla with their frescos and statues, the climb to Sigiriya and the remains at Polonnaruwa are spectacular; Kandy is probabaly the most frantic of all the stops but interesting all the same with the visit to the Temple of the Tooth and the Botanical Gardens.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tirikiri was caring and considerate if a little slow on picking up on group members needs e.g. money exchange, appropriate footwear but overall a nice enough chap and quite willing to share his obvious love for Sri Lanka.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Two things: 1. The cycling was more of a challenge than expected; female members of the group found the universal bikes hard to manage - do not be afraid to take advantage of the support vehicle to follow the cyclists. 2. The Horton Plains experience was of mixed value. The paths were not all easy with deep ruts, serious roots and steep inclines - appropriate footwear is essential. The views at World's End were obscurred by cloud mist inspite of an early start to avoid it and the absence of any wildlife rather negated the reason for the trek. Following the trek the train journey to lower levels proved to be a really challenging experience; crushed onto a train, standing in confined spaces with open doors for 90 minutes was not fun and no chance to see the much vaunted views of the cloud forest and tea plantations rather defeated the purpose of this part of the trip.