Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the devotion of old people climbing Adam's Peak.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, very amusing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear socks on temple visits to avoid burnt feet. Leeches are a problem, wear leech socks (£20) or poly bags inside your boots (free).

Suggestions

Camping was disappointing (and I do a lot of camping). I would have liked to have included Anuradhapura and Polonnawura and instead miss out on the day spent hanging around a (wet) tea planter's bungalow after the Adams Peak climb. We were in Galle during the Buddhist New Year and museums/churches were closed.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly enjoyed the trekkings in the Knuckles Ranges, but found extremely interessing as well the atmosphere of the Temple of the Tooth in Candy and the train journey from Ella to Badulla. Most pleasant place to stroll and relax definitely Galle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujeewa, our team leader has been truly excellent: very knowledgeable on subjects as different as Wildlife, history, traditional handicrafting. He has also been extremely nice to all of us, attentionate and helpful as well as an excellent organiser.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a very good tour for thos who want to discover a wide range of aspects of Sri Lanka. Walking is an integral part of the trip but not overwelming on other activities such as cultural visits etc.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the leopard in Yala national park. Staying in tea plantation bungalow. Walk to Ella Rock and Little Adams Peak.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan- very knowledgeable, friendly, calm and experienced. Could pronounce place names slower please and clearer and talk about only one day at a time to avoid confusion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take socks for hot temple courtyards, ear plugs for occasional noisy air conditioning. Beware of hot spicy food, including salad and soup, test everything before you eat. But the curried meat is often mild, the heat is in the sauce.

Suggestions

Adams Peak was so crowded as to be dangerous. The top half was inaccessible owing to numbers of people. NKAR should have known this. A big disappointment. 2.5 hours in jeep on Knuckles with sideways seats and no seat belts, being thrown about on a road that was barely servicable was not a good experience. Why change hotels in Kandy - unnecessary. Why go to a hotel in Colombo when we did not see the town? Stay near airport? Walking round Kandy lake horrid and polluted when beside road. Only temple side of lake is enjoyable. Horton Plains disappointing-crowded with noisy people and so no wildlife. Rethink!

Most Inspirational Moment

The welcoming smiles of the Sri Lankan people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was excellent - caring, helpful and knowledgeable with a passion for his country. Nothing was too much trouble for him or his team and they were a team who worked really well together.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an umbrella as well as a sunhat!

Suggestions

No.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was great to see the wildlife in their natural habitat. Elephants and blue whales to monkeys and colourful birds. The people were so kind. Landscape/scenery varied and beautiful throughout.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Kind. Knowledgeable. Sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take leech socks, deet, waterproofs, umbrella.

Suggestions

The food was excellent. One problem with jewellery that I bought at the gem factory which is hopefully being resolved.

Most Inspirational Moment

The friendliness of the tea plantation workers who are among the poorest in Sri Lanka, and an elephant blocking the road on one of our trips

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldn't have been better. A really lovely intelligent and capable man

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go! Take mosquito repellant

Suggestions

the repellant on your boots makes leech socks unnecessary. nobody used them

Most Inspirational Moment

Adams peak was what I wanted to achieve on this holiday, as I knew it would be one of the most beautiful places to see. To reach the top of the mountain and wanting to see what the temple was like when I got there. Eventually three of us made it to the temple at the top,It felt like you could touch heaven as the clouds were just beneath you. Breathe taking views It was the most challenging of all the walks we did but I felt so humble to get to see and be part of the pilgrim The Sri Lankan people with there children,carrying their babies, old and frail achieving to reach the very top to worship, people stopping off along the side of the trail to rest and have tea . Such a honor to be there and get to the top

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujeewa Rathnayaka was a fabulous guide, full of local knowledge going above and beyond his job. He arranged lots if different experiences for us to be part of , giving individuals there dreams come true. When we arrived from the train in Ella, we were greeted by the other members of Sujeewa team with bunches of flowers, that was such a lovely touch. His team of drivers and assistant were more than excellent so friendly they couldn't do enough for us all

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would highly recommend this holiday, as it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. With happy and friendly people along the trip, they were delighted for us to see and be part of the country

Suggestions

Exodus have planned this holiday with great detailed experiences for everyone to see and enjoy I can't wait to see we're I can go next xxxx

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many - for my husband the challenge of Adams Peak was inspirational. Meeting locals and the beautiful landscapes and walking around the tea plantations and visiting the cave temple in Dambulla, visiting Kandy and the temple of the tooth and the historic port of Galle were just amazing for me. In fact every day there was something inspirational!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was very well organised, very friendly and professional and very kind and also had a good sense of humour! He was very passionate about his country and keen to impart his knowledge - we learned so much about Sri Lanka which was amazing. His back up team of drivers deserve a mention for their hard work and commitment to delivering a top class service, always with a huge smile!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go and open up your heart to Sri Lanka - you will be fully rewarded!

Suggestions

The accommodation in Dickoya was very picturesque in a very beautiful location surrounded by tea plantations and a reservoir and I wouldn't want to change this - however the bottom bungalow had a rodent problem in our bedroom and the whole place needed a very thorough deep clean - towels were extremely thin old and stained as were the bed linen. These are issues that could easily be rectified.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of my trip was Adam's Peak. The amount of pilgrims going up there carrying elderly or disabled relatives or friends was amazing. Lots of young people too, and different religious beliefs. Truly inspiring!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was a very good guide. Very informative, and helpful. He was always there with us, and kept an eye on the slower members of our group. He arranged many little treats with our kitty, too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have adequate mozzie spray. I had taken plenty, but still got bitten.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Adam's Peak in time for sunrise (notwithstanding that the clouds had gathered).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was excellent throughout and provided good local knowledge and background information - all with a nice sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's worth doing some homework on Sri Lankan birdlife before you leave, and take a good pair of binoculars.

Suggestions

Generally the accommodation was good, the highlight being the tea plantation bungalows. If I'm being critical, the campsite didn't really work for me - it might be better to consider finding a lodge or guest house instead.