Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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.
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233 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Catherine Larkin
Reviewed January 2019
15 day Discover Sri Lanka trip from Sun 30 Dec 18 to Sun 13 Jan 2019
An absolutely fab holiday. It exceeded all my expectations. Top top top class Sri Lankan tour guide was one of the highlights. Very well paced. Fantastic variety of activities , often x 2 per day, as well as plethora of places to visit .Activities sometimes meant being organized to get up at 6am to climb up a beautiful rock or spent walking three hours to the ‘world’s end’ , to cycling, water river rafting under the bridge built in 1956 for the movie ‘Bridge over the river Kwai, to taking a train journey from a height of nearly 2,000 meters to just under 1,000 M. Whale spotting, beach side hotel to relax in, a long day on Safari seeing everything BUT the elusive Leopard. We had x 3 days in the lovely town of Kandy and saw their splendid Botanic gardens as well as visiting a gem shop to learn about their famous Sapphires from a gemologist – Princess Di’s ring came from here. Interesting diversion to an Aryuvedic herbal clinic where we had an interesting talk from a long qualified herbalist as well as neck, shoulder and face massages,, Got to sample locally made Sri Lanka curries made by a family almost in the middle of the jungle. Also had a meal in one of the houses that Exodus built for people who lost homes in the 2004 Tsunami when 50,000 Sri Lankans perished.
I almost forgot – a trip to a tree plantations/factory is also organised and yes, you will definitely wish to bring some home – prices v reasonable!
Very comfortable bus to ride on and all 9 hotels, bar 1, were top class.
Our tour guide was immensely informative on all aspects of Sri Lankan life, culture, history as well as past and current politics. He was also extremely kind and attentive and looked after each person,s needs, no matter how diverse or demanding!!
Yes, a trip I shall have fond memories of for many a year. I highly recommennd it if you relish adventure, activity and good fun.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many, may....every day was special so cannot say....
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader, Dilepps Fernanda, deserves a gold medal for his guidance of our trip. His in-depth knowledge of his country and its customs was superbly matched by his ever willingness to deliver it. Added to that his kindness and consideration foreac and every single member of our group made our trip one of top class. I have been on many other Exodus, Explore, Travel Department (Irish co) and also,other travel companies organised holidays in Europe and worldwide and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I have never before experienced the charm, expert care, guidance and consideration of a guide that marches this person’s. You are very lucky to have him as an employee, in my view. His sense of humour was a delight and further added to our enchantment with this superbly organised and delightful adventure. Congratulations all round but specifically to Dilepps who deserves the Best Exodus Leader of the year and by a very long shot!!! He is a wonderful asset for the Exodus company!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a wonderful, activity-fueled and adventurous holiday. Leave all of your worries at home and be present for every day of this spectacular holiday. Bring lots of skin Factor, Mosquito repelllanr, a sun hat and extra cash. The small print mentions rewarding your guide and coach driver and his aide. (Well deserved) Not everyone on our trip was prepared for this eventuality.
Rachael Meadows
Reviewed January 2019
WOW!
This was our first Exodus tour and it certainly won’t be our last. We saw so much of the country and had an amazing guide (Sujan) who was passionate about not only his job but more importantly his country.
Seeing wild elephants (not only in the national parks) was our highlight of the whole trip.
One negative was the gem factory visit, where the staff were quite pushy in gaining a sale. Be warned – you can get the same jewellery in the hotel shop at a much better price.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the wild elephants.
When whale watching we saw dolphins, a blue whale AND a killer whale - what an experience.
Thoughts on Group Leader
AMAZING. So passionate about his job and country. Nothing we asked was too much trouble for him and he made slight changes to timings/order of events so that we got the most out of each activity.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Beware of the pushy gem factory workers who are keen for a sale.
Amrit Panesar
Reviewed December 2018
amazing trip, full of surprises
a great, well organised trip – The hardest thing i needed to do was to wake up on time – everything else was taken care of. Loved the safaris, bird watching, village walks/cycling, train journey, whale watching and more. Hotels were great too.
Most Inspirational Moment
Elephant safari was my highlight- so exciting getting close (but not too close) to the elephants. A totally majestic animal. I also loved the cycling through the village, meeting locals along the way- taking photos of breathtaking scenery along the way. To top it off, we had the most amazing food in the village, sitting in the open surrounded by trees and plants. Food was absolutely amazing, best meal of the tour - and the family was so friendly. They were so happy for us to dine at their home. was a total pleasure.
Thoughts on Group Leader
A Legend. Sujaan, looked after us throughout the trip and would make sure that we didn't miss out . on anything, including eating fresh fruits and local delicacies - not to mention teaching us how to make coconut daal.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You will be dining a lot in hotels- mostly buffets which is not great if you are vegetarian- i did feel that i was eating more western food, as i wanted to try out the local food. Apart from that, Sri Lanka has everything to offer. I felt very safe, being a solo traveller and a women.
Mary Fenelon Bourke
Reviewed December 2018
Unforgettable Sri Lanka
This two week trip of Sri Lanka covers a lot of ground & various experiences & really gives the traveller a great taste of what this wonderful country has to offer.
We had cultural experiences in Dambulla & Sigiryia , saw elephants & leopard on safari ,experienced hiking, biking, white water rafting, tea plantations, cities like Kandy & Galle, colonial experiences in Nuwara Eliyia , super food & the services of Ruwan an exceptional guide.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing Lion's rock in Sigiryia, seeing leopard in Yala, white water rafting in Kitulgala.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan is a fantastic leader, super organised & efficient but in a gentle effective way. He made sure that we had great experiences.He is clearly passionate about his country & his job & he ensured that we had a memorable holiday.
He also was very funny which is not easy when English is not his first language.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for rain most days in November/early December. We were lucky that it was mainly in the evenings but it was still more than we expected.
Bring good insect sprays, walking shoes for the hikes & climbs & temple cover up clothes for the temples.
Joy Harrington
Reviewed December 2018
Srilanka
Great trip. Good balence of culture, wildlife and activities. Our guide Ruwan was fantastic; always smiling and had any problems sorted before they occurred. All hotels were of a high standard and the food was good (although we would have liked to eat at local restaurants) transport was excellent, our coach was clean, comfortable and roomy. We definitely had the best driver in Srilanka. I would highly recommend this trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the safaris, elephants and leopards. The cycle ride around the villages was amazing with lovely food at a villages house. The walk in the highlands was also another highlight. Kandy and Galle were fantastic towns and would have loved to spend more time there
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruwan was brilliant. Professional, fun and informative. Nothing was too much trouble and he went out of his way to look after the people who were poorly. I feel as if I have made a new friend and will definitely vote for him in Exodus guide of the year
Advice for Potential Travellers
Keep your purse shut at the Gem factory! Pushy salesman and over priced!
Definitely visit ‘Charlie’ at the cemetery in Kandy and listen to his stories. Helga folly is worth a visit for a drink
Denise Young
Reviewed December 2018
Discover Sri Lanka
An excellent holiday with a good tour leader, excellent driver and helper and fun holidaymakers.
Most Inspirational Moment
The optional excursion of the mangrove swamps
Thoughts on Group Leader
He tried his best.
Nigel Camille
Reviewed October 2018
Discover Sri Lanka
The discover Sri Lanka trip offers a great mix of learning, seeing and experiencing what Sri Lanka has to offer, mixed ample opportunities to simply relax by the pool trying to decide what mixer to have with your large glass of Arrack
Most Inspirational Moment
I really enjoyed visiting Lions Rock, which after getting your breath back after climbing all the stairs offers wonderful views of the surrounding area, as well as an insight to Sri Lanka history.
I also enjoy the unscheduled visit to Little Adams peak, after rain meant that Hortons plain was not viable, this was a great alternative and offered beautiful views of Sri Lanka
Thoughts on Group Leader
Roshan, was great, he gave a very good in depth introductory talk on the first day and provided us with an excellent history lesson of Sri Lanka, as well as being very knowledgeable in terms of the fauna and flora of the various regions.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There is very little street food or dining out culture in Sri Lanka with the exception of Kandy and less so Nuwara Eliya, therefore you will be eating the vast majority of your meals in hotels, with buffets being the easiest choice but it does make it more expensive. A la Carter is an option at most places but service tends to be slow and therefore often requires pre-ordering.
Hilda Dumpleton
Reviewed September 2018
Discover Sri Lanka review
An excellent holiday with so much to see and do.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspitational moments but if I had to select one it would be seeing the procession in Kandy. Excellently arranged by our guide even to sorting our evening meaL. The fire dancers and highly decorated elephants were a sight to behold. The drommers and dancers added to the occasion.I will never forget it.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Roshan was superb. He was highly skilled in getting the group to see as much as possible of his country. He was also quite relaxed letting us have enough time to see the sights e.g. around the temples and the statues of the Buddha. His instructions were always clear and explanatory. But most of all he was fun! An absolute brilliant guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take clothes to cover up but only needed for temples. But dress respectfully at other times.
Hilda Dumpleton
Reviewed September 2018
Discover Sri Lanka review
An excellent holiday with so much to see and do.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspitational moments but if I had to select one it would be seeing the procession in Kandy. Excellently arranged by our guide even to sorting our evening meaL. The fire dancers and highly decorated elephants were a sight to behold. The drummers and dancers added to the occasion.I will never forget it.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Roshan was superb. He was highly skilled in getting the group to see as much as possible of his country. He was also quite relaxed letting us have enough time to see the sights e.g. around the temples and the statues of the Buddha. His instructions were always clear and explanatory. But most of all he was fun! An absolute brilliant guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take clothes to cover up but only needed for temples. But dress respectfully at other times.
Bryan Mason
Reviewed August 2018
Fabulous variety and rich culture
A very broad tour of the principal cultural and wildlife sights. Fantastic sights ranging from Buddhist sculptures, tea plantations to leopards and elephants in their natural habitat. Great food, landscapes and experiences.
Most Inspirational Moment
The best moments include visiting the Buddha’s tooth relic in Kandy, spotting leopards in Yalla National Park and travelling on a packed train from the Hill country to the valley while viewing stunning scenery through the (open) train carriage door.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Neelaka was consistently upbeat, exceptionally informative about the country and always on hand to smooth out any issues and enable the tour to get on with enjoying the country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for the rain and cold In Nuwara Eliya, to eating a lot of delicious food and to open your eyes to an extremely wide range of scenery, climate and wildlife.
