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Reviews

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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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Reviews

Excellent trip taking in Sri Lanka’s culture, scenery and wildlife

15 days touring holiday packed with activities showcasing the rich and immense history, culture and wildlife of Sri Lanka with an outstanding local guide leading the trip along with his driver crew. We visited temples, ancient cities, waterfalls, tea plantations and saw an immense amount of flora and fauna, and had a wide variety of amazing food every day. Travelling around the south of the country we saw stunning landscapes and got to experience the real Sri Lanka as we cycled and hiked through villages and national parks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Sigiriya. I’d been nervous about the final climb and had great support from members of our group and the sense of achievement I felt at the summit and the breathtaking scenery gave me such self confidence. This whole trip has opened my eyes to a whole new way of travel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Ruwan, has a vast knowledge of plants and trees and could identify and spot birds and wildlife. He engaged with the whole group and it was a pleasure to get to know him at mealtimes. He always made sure were fully prepped for our activities and shared the history, culture and traditions of Sri Lanka as we travelled around the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book it!! ….. and when you do embrace and enjoy every moment and experience …. and take lots of photos so you can remember and relive all those special moments!

An unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka

This trip felt like a genuine deep dive into Sri Lanka rather than just a highlights tour. The itinerary covers a huge amount of ground, but it never feels rushed or overwhelming. One day you’re exploring ancient ruins and temples or climbing a rock fortress; the next you’re in lush green hills or spotting wildlife on safari, before unwinding by the sea.

What really stood out throughout the trip was how friendly and welcoming the Sri Lankan people were. Everywhere we went, we were met with smiles and kindness, which made the whole experience feel even more special and memorable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Rather than one defining highlight, it was the contrast throughout the journey that made the biggest impression. The shift from busy cities and cultural sites to the calm, green hill country felt particularly striking, especially with the cooler air and sweeping views over the tea plantations. Climbing Sigiriya stands out as a real sense of achievement, while the safari brought a completely different kind of excitement. That said, some of the most memorable moments were the simplest: watching daily life unfold, enjoying the scenery, eating lunch cooked by a local family, waving to children as we cycled or walked through villages, and the unexpected interactions along the way that gave a real sense of the country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was an excellent guide. His organisation was spot on, keeping everything running smoothly without it ever feeling overly structured. His bus talks were engaging, full of insight into Sri Lankan culture, history and everyday life. He created a relaxed, friendly atmosphere within the group while remaining highly professional throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and be ready for a varied pace, some days are busy with activities and places to explore, but these are balanced by a few relaxed moments. Pack more T-shirts than you think you’ll need - you’ll definitely go through them quickly in the heat and humidity. Also, don’t underestimate how much the group dynamic adds to the experience. Spending time getting to know your fellow travellers really enhances the journey. Most importantly, take time to appreciate the smaller moments - interactions with people, the changing scenery, and the little details that make Sri Lanka such a rewarding place to visit.

Beautiful country and people

A lovely trip to this beautiful and varied island that mixes culture, history and lots of nature. Now more than ever Sri Lanka needs income from sustainable tourism and we’d strongly recommend it as a laid back and fascinating destination for anyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Sigiriya, cycling along the canal to a delightful lunch of many traditional dishes that you don't find in the hotel buffet, seeing elephants in the wild with their babies, walking Horton Plain and seeing the clouds drifting in below us at World's End, spending time at a farm.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was impeccably organised, great fun and worked hard to ensure the group gelled quickly. He has a great love of Sri Lanka and this came across in everything he did for the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's easy to get cash from ATMs, the food was delicious and generally very good and varied for vegetarians. Bring plenty of light clothes it was up to 35C in March and a waterproof, because when it rains, it rains!

Wonderfully varied trip

This trip was an excellent way to see a lot of Sri Lanka in 2 weeks. There was so much variety in the places we visited and the activities undertaken. We were able to experience culture and history in the temples and towns and then enjoy the wildlife on the safaris and the cycling trip. The Sri Lankan people were very welcoming.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved climbing Sigiriya. We nearly didn't do the optional elephant safari but are so glad we did. I also really enjoyed the white water rafting - even the higher level wasn't too scary for a beginner. It was interesting visiting the tea factory and the spice garden and visiting a local farming family and playing games with them was fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Prathab, was excellent. He made everything run very smoothly and was calm and efficient throughout. He was very knowledgeable about history, culture and nature and his love of Sri Lanka shone through. He had a good sense of humour too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some early starts and some long days. We had a fair bit of rain in February but it was too warm for raincoats. All the locals carry umbrellas as shelter against the sun and any sudden downpours. It was very humid (sweaty!) and it's useful and cheap to get some laundry done when you're at a hotel for a couple of nights. You will need plenty of cash for excursions and tips though you can pay with card at most of the hotels.

Wonderful experience

What a wonderful country! The food. The people, the environment! Just stunning! Just had 2 weeks with the exodus tour , our guide Roshan was exceptional! This is the 2nd exodus tour I’ve done and it didn’t disappoint. So much was packed in to the itinerary. The accommodation in the main was excellent. Def do all the extra bits and the white water rafting level 3 should not be missed! Im in my 60s and i loved it! I would absolutely recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I dont think I can pick one, it was all wonderful. Getting caught in a tropical storm and wading back to the hotel was def memorable!

Thoughts on Group Leader

10 out of 10!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Def do the extras that are offered and absolutely follow the advice of your guide especially in places that are crowded. Apparently sri lankans dont que!

Such a wonderful trip

This trip offered an exceptional variety of experiences, from climbing Lion Rock and cycling through rural villages to visiting a local smallholding and enjoying white-water rafting—alongside memorable visits to beautiful temples. We met our group and guide on the first evening, and from that moment onward, the experience exceeded expectations.

There were so many highlights that it is difficult to single out just a few. However, sharing an outdoor lunch prepared by a local family and visiting the Udawalawe Elephant Orphanage were particularly special moments. That said, exploring a tea plantation, touring a spice garden, hiking Little Adam’s Peak, and every other activity on the itinerary were equally enjoyable.

Our guide, Prathap, was outstanding—humble, highly organised, genuine, and engaging. He was expertly supported by his assistant, Lucky, and our driver, Charles, whose combined efforts ensured the trip ran seamlessly and was thoroughly enjoyable throughout.

Exodus Travels has curated this itinerary exceptionally well, striking the perfect balance between vibrant city life (albeit wonderfully chaotic), peaceful rural experiences with opportunities for cycling and hiking, and relaxing time along the coast.

We are already looking forward to planning our next adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably cycling through the villages and stopping for lunch with a local family but there were a lot of great moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prathap was AMAZING! He made the trip. I cannot over emphasise how good he was. Lucky and Charles were also excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is full on, so make the most of the rest days.

Fabulous trip with an excellent guide, highly recommended

The trip is a great introduction to Sri Lanka well organised with a packed varied and interesting itinerary. There was a good mix of activities (walking, rafting, cycling) varied transport (buses, boats, bikes, tuk tuk and a train as well as culture (temples, ancient cities, tea & cinnamon farms, markets, botanical gardens and beaches. There was still enough free time to explore on your own or use the pools/swim in the sea.
The hotels were better than we expected, in good locations, most with lovely pools. The exception was Araliya Red in Nuwara Eliya which was a huge cold soulless barn of a place with the worst food and service of the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many highlights, Lion’s rock in Sigiriya was just sensational, the elephants on the first safari wandering next to the jeeps, cycling along canals to a local house for an amazing lunch cooked by the family who were so welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Mr Bujan was outstanding. He was very informative and passionate, incredibly well organised and went out of his way to ensure we had the best trip possible despite the disruption caused by the cyclone at the end of November. He changed the order of events to allow us to travel on the only section of the rail trip that was running again and made sure we arrived early enough to avoid the rows. Every day he briefed us on what was coming up and made sure we always knew where to be and when and how long a stop/activity would last. He then followed up with a Whatsapp reminder.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect some early starts and some long days Take binoculars to see the wildlife. Optional trips must be paid in cash so worth working out how much you might need for this as it does add up. If you want an active extension to the trip instead of the Maldives consider the 8 night Cycle the Coast of Kerela. The flight from Columbo to Kochi takes only 1hour 10 mins

Perfect way to experience the best of Sri Lanka!

This truly is an excellent trip, and way to see beautiful Sri Lanka at a good pace. You cover so much in 2 weeks, and every day is different with sightseeing, walking, cycling, wildlife – there really is something for everyone. Sri Lanka is a fantastic country with wonderfully welcoming people.
This trip really makes you feel you are benefitting the local communities that you are interacting with – spending time with local families, playing traditional games and getting a deeper understanding day-to-day life and traditions. You get a better understanding for the tougher and sadder side of the history of the country, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the joyful people who live there. It really is a wonderful trip, made better by a great group and leader!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking Sigiriya Rock - an amazing view from the top and sense of achievement for the group! The times spent with local families were also highlights - fantastic lunch under a banyan tree and hearing more about their local business, and playing traditional games on a families farm, our group had so much fun this day and shared loads of laughs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was the epitome of a fantastic guide. He's been leading this tour for 20+ years and his knowledge, expertise and professionalism is stand-out. We were unlucky to be on this tour when Cyclone Ditwah hit, and Roshan was absolutely fantastic looking after us as a group, arranging excellent "Plan B's" where needed, while also managing a really sad and devastating situation happening in his country. He brought calmness and good humour every day and is a brilliant ambassador for Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow and just enjoy it - November is rainy, but expect that, and be open to plans changing and trusting the guides judgement to still make every day brilliant. All optional activities need to be paid for in cash, so take some local currency or exchange it on arrival, as the first ATM is a few days away on the tour, and not everywhere accepts card payments (some lunch stops). Be prepared for hotel buffets - the accommodation is great, but often further away from towns. The food was often a wide variety and always tasty. Take good mosquito repellent from home, and plenty of it - you can't buy DEET there! The bus can get chilly with air conditioning - suggest leaving a jumper/extra layer on the bus for this - especially for the longer journeys

Incredible 2 weeks covering the whole of Sri Lanka !

An amazing all round trip – Sri Lanka is one of my favourite countries I have been to so far ! Sri Lanka truly offers everything from beaches ,mountains,safaris and forests. The people are so friendly and the food is incredible .

This trip enables you to see the whole of Sri Lanka at a fair pace – you able to see all the main attractions and the lesser known spots as well . There is a perfect amount of free time allowing you time to relax by the pool or enjoy the hotel . The hotels were of high standard and the service at all of them was exceptional.

I felt like we had sufficient time in every place and everything ran so smoothly.We were able to see and learn so much in the two weeks. This holiday was incredibly well planned and run . Thank you Exodus !

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the farmhouse and being able to take part in traditional Sri Lankan games - This was such an incredible experience that allowed us to experience local life .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was incredible and very helpful !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack a warm jacket/jumper as gets cold in the highlands

5 stars

Just returned from this trip. It was a brilliant 2 weeks. So varied and enjoyable. The hotels are a great standard with exceptional food choice and a pool at every one.
Everyday is something different, lots of opportunities to spot wildlife, learn about the culture and see beautiful scenery.
Sri lanka is a wonderful country, you won’t regret booking this holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being amazed by all the different wildlife every day. From fruit bats to kingfishers. Baby elephants at the elephant sanctuary.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was a very considerate and calm leader. Everything always felt well prepared and under control, nothing was too much trouble and he gave a lot of learning opportunities. Great sense of humour and a positive attitude that really made the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink lots of water, take electrolytes.