Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite day was the one where we cycled through the local villages and countryside and stopped for lunch at a house. (fantastic curry). We had a coconut break at a local farm where we watched a man climb a tree to get our coconuts and were shown how to make the milk. It was these little things which made the trip a little different. The temples and heritage sites are great but experiencing real Sri Lanka was even better. I was amazed by the Sri Lankans attitude to visitors. Everywhere we went people would be smiling and waving (even as we drove past on the coach). They really like having tourists and we were asked many times what we thought of their country. Beautifull was always the answer.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was so well organised. He took all the stress out of the trip for us brits who have no idea how to tip, or when to tip (althought we did have a go at bartering  in the towns when we had the chance). Snacks appeared  on journeys and Roshan was always calm and informative (even when the bus broke down and a new one just magically apperared when we got off the train). The trip ran like clockwork and not only that, but he's a really friendly guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy! Do all the extra activities that you can.

Most Inspirational Moment

Far too many! The Elephant orphanage, White water rafting, yala

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was fab!

Most Inspirational Moment

The elephant orphanage and the old capital of Sri Lanka, Polunnaruwa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was fantastic. There's really nothing to add.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our game drive in the National Park got extremely dusty. A dust-prove cover for your camera and lenses is highly recommended. I wish I had brought mine.

Most Inspirational Moment

The old cave temple paintings and sculptures were stunning, the rafting was so peaceful, the lovely hotel at Sigiryi, the baby elephants crossing the river, the leopard crossing the road (!), shopping with the locals for sarongs and saris in Bandarawela, the food and the wonderful tea? No for me it was sitting in the doorway on that crazy train ride with our legs out watching the amazing countryside go by… worth the wait for sure!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was fantastic - he kept us all amused with his infectious giggle and little sayings, he looked after us well. He is very knowledgable and his passion for his country shines through, he obviously loves his job.He coped with a very mixed group so well and also commended us for looking after each other which was rather touching.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep a stock of good mosquito repellent and some antihistamines for the last third of the trip.Mind the rocks in the sea at the beach hotel, I am still suffering from cuts on feet, sustained swimming in waist-deep water - ouch! Don’t let that put you off the sea is otherwise wonderful…Even if you don't usually keep a diary make a few notes each evening, it will help sort out the photos and some parts fly past so fast you'll need a personal reminder of what you did each day.Go with an open mind and be as lucky with the weather as we were!Do try the cocktails - you're on holiday after all!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots of wonderful moments.  Once I had managed to relax on the elephant ride it was a fantastic experience.  The elephant orphanage was worth visiting.  The safari was very exciting.  When there was a sighting by the tracker who was accompanying our group but in a different vehicle to us our driver received a phone call and off we went at speed in our truck to find it.  We were very lucky seeing a sloth bear and a leopard but seeing the wild elephants, buffalo, macat monkeys, crocodiles and loads more was wonderful.  On our cycle ride we saw loads of beautiful kingfishers and other birds.  The cold Lion beer and a home cooked meal in the middle of the ride was delicious.  Sri Lanka is beautiful country it was wonderful seeing so much and so many beautiful views.  Oh, I forgot to mention the temples.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Sujan was great.  He was very knowledgeable about nearly everything and what he did not know he seemed to have a book about it.  He was good company.  We all felt very safe and cared for.  All little stresses were taken away from us.  There was a kitty for Sujan to do all tipping and other sundry expenditure.  The bottled water was sorted for us.  He told us when we could change more money and where. He also encouraged us to be mindful that were a group and to be considerate of the others.  He made sure that the group went at the speed of our slowest member. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

There was a lot of packing and unpacking because of the number of hotels we stayed in, so organise your luggage if possible.  It also meant that it was difficult to get clothes washed and dried.  The hotels did offer a laundrey service but we were not always there long enough to get it done.  It was hot and humid and I would take more underwear.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waiting at the top of Adams Peak covered in sweat in the freezing cold for the sun to peak out behind  the clouds, thinking we were going to be disappointed and then sudddenly it appeared and the view was exposed. The most incredible view, and a moving experience watching people from every generation slowly making their way up and down in bare feet. Tiring but well worth giving up a nights sleep.  Watching the elephants at Pinnewala was incredible, it was mesmorising just watching them.Cycling at Gitale - beautiful ...and hysterical bikes!Sharing the daily experiences over an evening G&T with a great group of people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As has been noted in previous reviews, Roshan is a legend.... clichés for every occasion! Despite this the organisation of the trip was incredible. he didn't win tour guide of the year for nothing. Everything was on time and organised, no waiting around or faff. Even when the coach broke down, a replacement turned up within an hour (and that bus experience was itself a highlight...). Instructions were clear, and information was concise and without overload. A real attention to detail which made the trip so smooth. If only he could have stopped the rain!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a very leisurely trip with plenty of 'down' time. The hotels are predominately of a very high standard, and with swimming pools (which you always have time to use). It was Sri Lankan new year when we were there, which meant shops were closed for a lot of the trip and alcohol wasn't served in some of the hotels... this also meant that there were festivals everywhere. Ordinarily this wouldn't be a problem and would be an interesting experience, but there was all night partying going on on the nights after climbing Adams Peak and this meant very little sleep and I became a bit grouchy! Ear plugs would have been handy....If you do Adams Peak, take a windproof jacket, some base layers and some spare socks. It can be very cold at the top - and as it is a temple, you have to take your shoes off... If you are reasonably fit, do it - its worth the sleep deprievation.The flight is very long (plus hour stopover in Malé), and not the most comfortable - broken seat on the way out and no entertainment on the way back. Some of the others booked the flights separately on emirates and got a much better deal.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having lunch with Tsunami victims - this was the best rice and curry conjured up in such a little space - it was like feeding the 5000, even though there were only 20 of us.  So much to choose from  Exodus have worked tirelessly to support these people and it is amazing how much can be achieved with so little.As well as this, the variety of the excursions was well received.  The group was great, as were the elephants, the wildlife - not to mention all the different types of birds - I've never seen so many kingfishers in my life, the locals and the changes in scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was great.  He showed us his country, a few dance steps and how to play cricket.  He introduced us to the Sri Lankan way of life including the local tipple - arrack - which readily flowed in the evenings.  A perfect tour leader who joined in the fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and enjoy yourself, but don't bank on the weather behaving itself.  We went in what was supposed to be the "dry" season, but it wasn't, so an umbrella will be a must!  Keep the salt sachets from the aircraft as this will come in handy to add to some water in a bottle for the jungle walk - a great remedy for leeches.  Opportunities are few and far between for shopping, so enjoy the sapphires, spices and oils.  Galle was great and cheap for shopping for scarves/clothes.  If you are thinking of climbing Adam's Peak to see the sunrise, make sure you consider this carefully as you will need to be fit and able to cope with lack of sleep and of course if the weather is bad you won't see the sun rise!  Climbing the Lion Rock gave a great view of the area.