Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The elephant safari, white water rafting, cycling through paddy fields and villages, the stunning views from mountain tops, the delicious food, local people smiling and waving all the time, the wildlife and a very nice group with helpful guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was excellent. The holiday packed a lot in and it was all organised extremely professionally. Sujee's local knowledge and obvious love for his country made the trip a real pleasure. He went out of his way to accommodate people who had different needs and requests and he was always helpful and friendly. I don't know when he can have slept! The driver and assistant were excellent too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early starts and living out of a suitcase for a couple of weeks. I think we stayed in ten different hotels. It is worth it though, as you get to see so much of a very beautiful country. If you do the Adam's Peak walk, it gets extremely busy near the top. Also, if you go on the whale watching trip don't accept a 'sea sickness tablet' from the captain. Ours had a sedative effect and everybody who took one fell asleep on the way back.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Lion rock fortress at Sigiriya was quite amazing especially the rock paintings. You have to use your imagination to envisage the whole face of the rock covered in paintings and then marvel at the almost impossible problems that the painters must have overcome to complete their task.Riding on the neck of an elephant was magical - Hero's ears flapped against my legs and I could feel the power of his muscles moving as he carried us along beside a lake. He seemed to appreciate a good scratch behind his ears and really didn't mind me standing on his head to dismount! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was well organised, had a fund of knowledge - both of the history and the wildlife and plants, was approachable and had a good sense of humour. He efficiently sorted out a problem with the initial coach, organising a couple of minibuses and then a replacement coach during a busy day without us missing out on any of the planned programme. He was sensitive to the various needs of the group and always managed to find us a 'good-looking loo' when it was needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A liking for reasonably hot curries would be an advantage. Rice and curry is the staple meal although more western fare was usually available. Try the red and white wine if you must but the local Lion beer is a far better alternative! The walking is easy but a good pair of walking shoes with a good grip is recommended, especially if the paths and rocks are slippery from rain I would imagine.

Most Inspirational Moment

At the elephant orphanage, Sujan had reserved tables at the restaurant directly above the herd of 50 elephants playing in the river - unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was totally professional, his attention to detail and knowledge of his country was first rate. He firmly believed in responsible tourism and putting money into the local community where it is most appreciated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do all the optional activities that you possibly can, they were all great fun .

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding an elephant. The guides are amazing, and really go out of their way for you to enjoy the trip. The elephants are beautiful and clearly well loved.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was amazing. Very informative and very funny. Kept the group together and went out of his way to ensure a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of how active the holiday is. It isn't restful, but it is beautiful. You see so much.Climb Adam's Peak if you get chance, but it is hard work. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I went on this trip to relax but it was impossible to ignore the many and varied photographic opportunites! There were certain locations that were inspirational such as Kitulgala by the river. The river rafting was a fun experience but most of all I will remember Sri Lanka as one of the friendliest nations I have visited.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujeewa Rathnayaka was an excellent group leader. He was kind, considerate and always mindful of each individual's needs. His explanations were informative and very interesting.  His constant attention, careful planning and attention to detail made the holiday a great success. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the dawn from the top of Adam's Peak.  It was well worth the climb.The Hill Club was fabulous  !  Quite unique.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was very knowledgable about the country including its history and politics.  He created a very positive atmosphere within the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of insect repellant and sun tan lotion.  Travel light since there is a lot of moving on from place to place.If possible take smart clothes for the Hill Club  - gentlemen need a jacket and tie, which can be borrowed.  Worth  bringing your own tie.  And you need a shirt with a collar.   Dining in the formal dining room is a great experience !

Most Inspirational Moment

There were quite a few highlights -for me climbing Sirigiya Rock Fortress and seeing the amazing unspoilt views all around - well worth the climb. I really also enjoyed the cycle ride in Giritale where village life continues at a leisurely place where we had one of the best lunch buffets meal of the trip. The walk in Horton Plains to See World's End - that was pretty spectacular sight when the clouds lifted like magic and you could see the very large drop!I was actually a bit speechless with the sheer beauty of the place ! I really enjoyed the village games we played in the middle of a banana plantation.It was very fun but boy was Roshan competitive! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan - he is an exceptionally great leader. He was always cheerful and had a quotation or cliche for every occasion! He made the trip from a very good one to an exceptional one with his banter. He always gave clear and concise information as well as mini history lessons in manageable portions. He was good in getting everyone involved in  the village games as well as in the cricket matches.Roshan works hard but plays cricket harder!  

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend the flight out with Emirates as you essentially can gain half a day on the beach on arrival. I flew from Manchester so got to the hotel at 10.30am whereas the group flight gets in about 5.30pm. The half a day enabled me to get over the jet lag  quicker and enjoy the ocean! Plus you get 30kg luggage allowance so if you don't have to worry if you end up buying lots of pressies like tea, tea and more tea !

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the elephant ride - I would advise everyone to take the opportunity to ride on the head of the elephant as that is brilliant fun. Make sure you buy bananas to feed it while you are on there!The bike ride was great - a fabulous opportunity to see the non-touristy side of the country and the lunch was the best of the whole trip.I also loved the traditional Sri Lankan games we played at the farm - although I'm still not sure if they really were traditional games or if Roshan just wanted to get us doing silly things so he could laugh at us

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was great. This was his 177th trip but he still seemed very enthusiastic and proud of his country. His depth of knowledge was amazing and he gave a great insight into both the history and the current situation in the country. He was great fun but at the same time very organised and professional. I will warn future travellers - he is very competitive at cricket!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did Adam's Peak which I am glad to have done as it was an interesting experience climbing up with all the pilgrims. I was very disappointed at the top though as it is small, built up and very crowded so I didn't get to see much of the famous sunrise so beware this is the case, but it is still worth doing. You also do need to be fit to do it as it takes at least 3 hours to climb up and there are over 5,200 steps. I am fairly fit but my legs were still very very sore for the next 2 days.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was inspirational so much to see and do - still trying to take it all in. Coming down from Lions Rock in a tropical storm soaked to the skin but warm; being brave enough to do white water rafting - only grade 3 but  enough for me! Riding an elephant , seeing crocodiles in Yala, friendly locals waving as we drove past, the excitement of seeing the golden casket in the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and so much more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was an excellent leader - very knowledgeable, friendly and kept us in order!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of loose cotton clothing. There's only one cool night and the hotel offer you hot water bottles. Insects weren't a major problem at least not with 50% Deet insect repellent. Some of the coach journeys are long and winding so take travel sickness tablets if you need them.I changed £160 at the airport and a further £60 in Kandy - that was plenty unless you want to buy jewellery in the gem factory! Do as many of the optional extras as possible and have fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

A Little Doggerel on the Occasion of the return of the Sixteen from Sri Lanka. (With apologies to J. Milton Hayes, Rudyard Kipling etc.) There's at least a hundred Buddhas on the road to Kandy Town, Where the locals all smile broadly as they wish us ayubowan. Yes! Welcome to Sri Lanka! We're here to see the sights! Just sixteen cheery travellers for sixteen days and nights. There's Graham, Neil and Jason, Big Andy, Jo and Steve - Two Lindas, Charlie, Rob and Kevin make a move to leave - Two Alisons and David, Ron and Anna swell the throng And Sujan takes us all in hand to jolly us along. We clamber over boulders, we march through Horton Plain, We trudge up dusty mountains and scramble for the train, We bounce through raging waters and creep through temple prayers And ride upon the elephants and sweat up rocky stairs. We cycle by the river, we wonder in the caves, We gaze at tea plantations and gambol in the waves, We picnic in the jungle and sample Sujan's fare And watch the whales and fruit bats (and the leopards - if they're there). We see the sea, the waterfalls, the forests and the plains, The pools and 'tanks' and rivers, the sun and (sometime) rains, The trees and crops, the flowers, the birds, the turtles and the crocs And thirty dusty elephants who bathe amongst the rocks. There's at least a hundred Buddhas on the way back home through Galle - Some are very short and fat and some extremely tall, But when we all wend homewards we won't forget this isle - 'A Land of Milk and Honey' - an island with a SMILE. (But what will we all really remember - ancient cities - distant views? No - Charlie dancing frantically in his hotel room in his sexy mankini ……)