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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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239 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Discover Sri Lanka

Overall the tour was excellent. We had a beautiful group and the best tour leader I have had in over 20+ years of small group adventure touring. Roshan was exceptional and a credit to Exodus. He is a keeper and never let him go. All his explanations gave you enough information without bombarding you with facts and figures than can easily be forgotten. He was patient and kind and you could tell that he LOVED to share his knowledge of a country that he loves and is passionate about. So professional and a great communicator. Thank you sooo much Roshan, you made our trip so memorable.

Most Inspirational Moment

The elephant safari in Minnierya was just fantastic. To many on our trip, this was the first time they had seen elephants in the wild and we saw huge herds and family groups with so many babies...a special wildlife experience. The sighting of 2 leopard at Yala was equally as amazing BUT overall the people of Sri Lanka and the feeling of being safe and welcome in this delightful country are what stands out the most. An example was on a jam packed train, I was standing in the aisle with my husband and a lady sitting with her family, made some room by squeezing closer to the window with her daughter and offered me a space beside her. Just lovely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was exceptional. I cannot speak more highly of him. From the initial meeting on day 1 - we knew we had someone special. Every day he would brief us on the day ahead so that we could plan and be on time. His commentary gave you enough information to understand what you were seeing and his insights into local customs, politics, history and culture bought the destination to life. He took care of all the tipping which would have made us all anxious and he always had us at the right place at the right time. We had to leave the tour a day early due to my father passing away and Roshan was so helpful and kind. Thank you so much Roshan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Change the majority of your money - whether it be USD, GBP or AUD at the airport. ATM's do work but can be hit and miss. If you do want an ATM - use one recommended by your tour leader. Sri Lanka is more expensive than other Asian countries so do take more money with you. Credit cards are widely accepted so can be used for hotel bills and all major purchases.

Discover Sri Lanka : 16 April to 1st May

One of the best holidays I’ve taken. Everything went smoothly and this was in no small part due to our amazing leader Suresh, more of whom later. With it’s great variety of destinations and activities you really feel that you get to see and appreciate the country without the travelling being too onerous. The coach was very comfortable with plenty of space for everyone, the driver brilliant, and we generally arrived at each hotel with enough time to relax and enjoy the facilities.

Most Inspirational Moment

One of the things that appealed to me about this trip was the variety of things to see and do, from temples to tea plantations, cycle rides to river rafting, elephants to bee-eaters. It did not disappoint and I simply cannot pick a highlight as I loved it all. Every day was a completely new experience and the holiday seemed to last a lot longer than 2 weeks!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I cannot praise Suresh highly enough. One of the first things he said to us was that, for the next 2 weeks, he was here for us 24/7 and he was true to his word. Nothing was too much trouble for him but it wasn't just that, he went that extra mile to find out what you liked and were hoping to see/do and then, using his charm and many contacts, trying to make it happen. He even managed to get some stilt fishermen on their stilts even though it was out of season for them!! He never sat down to eat until he was sure that we were all happy. The local food is delicious but spicy and not everyone could eat it but he made sure there was always an alternative. He often organised discounts in the hotels and did wonders with the kitty. The best meals we had were when Suresh took us out from the hotels - one time to have the local specialties of egg hoppers and roti, a banquet for 400 rupees (£2!!). Another example of Suresh's enthusiasm for his job and his clients was for one of our friends on the trip who had a birthday whilst we were there and who, above anything else, wanted to see a leopard. The safari was the day before her birthday, we set out at 2.15 and by 5.30 with dusk falling and the park due to close, we still hadn't seen a leopard - to be truthful the chances are very slim but Suresh had clearly told the guide in our jeep to do his best so we kept going and low and behold, just as our guide pointed to his watch and set off back, we turned a corner and there was a leopard in the middle of the road. Great celebrations that evening but the next day our friend woke to find balloons outside her bedroom door, the bus full of balloons and her hotel room that evening decorated with petals and towels turned into elephants - plus a birthday cake. A very special day thanks to Suresh.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A few practical comments: Most but not every hotel provide a hairdryer. (Yes, I'm female!!). Most but not every hotel had at least one UK style plug socket. Sri Lankan plugs have 3 round pins, one large and 2 the same size as European plugs so it is possible to use those but we bought an adaptor at the airport (Dixon's was the cheapest!) and I was pleased to have it. You do not need to take all your money in cash. Most of the hotels allowed you to pay by credit card. There are banks and ATM's but not before Kandy and they didn't always have any money!! We all changed money at the airport which was quick and easy. The first hotel turned out to have a slightly better rate but that would only make a difference if you were changing a large quantity of money which you shouldn't really need. Prices for food and drink varied significantly between hotels. A 625ml bottle of Lion Lager cost under 500 rupees (£2.50) at the first hotel and 900 at the second so check or you may get a shock when you receive your bill!

Discover Sri Lanka 20 Feb- 8 Mar

A fascinating introduction to this beautiful country

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was cheerful, knowledgeable, and looked after the whole group very well. He also has a great voice!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Useful to take walking boots and poles

Wonderful and varied trip to Sri Lanka

We really enjoyed this trip which was well thought out and very varied. The hotels were generally of a good standard and some of them were positively luxurious. Most had pools which we enjoyed using. The guide and drivers were excellent and we had a big coach for 16 people so we were able to spread out when travelling. We saw an awful lot of different things but still had some free days and afternoons to relax or do our own thing.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots of these: seeing elephants in the wild, cycling between villages looking at the wildlife and visiting 2 families for snacks and meals, visiting Dambulla cave temple, trying all the delicious Sri Lankan food, meeting friendly Sri Lankan children and adults, dining in the formal restaurant at the Hill Club, walking on Horton Plains...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was excellent. He was very attentive to individual needs whilst being extremely well organised and ensuring that the trip ran smoothly. He was also very knowledgeable and able to tell us things in an easy to understand way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a guide book to enable you to make the most of the free time available.

Discover Sri Lanka

I had an amazing time on this trip. It was a very varied itinerary with a good combination of temples/ruins, wildlife, walking and city /town exploring.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights it is difficult to say - whether watching the sunrise from Adams Peak, looking out over World's End or seeing the Temple of the Tooth, it was all inspirational!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was an excellent guide. As well as giving us interesting insights into the country and his own personal beliefs and experiences, he took the time out to help me explore my own family background (I have ancestors who grew up in Sri Lanka).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the Adams Peak climb if you can - the sunrise is spectacular. Although, be prepared for a busy climb - there must have been thousands of people all trying to get to the top at the same time. The Exodus Maldives extension was lovely so I'd recommend that too as a very relaxing way to finish the holiday.

Thoroughly Enjoyable Holiday!

A well thought through trip agenda that gave us a great chance to see a wide variety of aspects of Sri Lankan life and culture. This covered wildlife, temples, tea plantations, city and village life, with several opportunities to meet Sri Lankan families. The trip was well supported by our tour leader and his team.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our group gelled together without exception, climbing Lion Rock was probably the highlight, although there were many other fascinating aspects to the holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group Leader Sam was a charismatic leader for whom nothing was too much trouble. He gave us fascinating insights into Sri Lankan history, religion, with a very strong grasp of the flora and fauna of his island, for which he clearly loved.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a variety of conditions and activities and take appropriate clothing and footwear, some of the activities will require a comfortable set of walking shoes, yet others sandals. Also take both shorts, something for the evening and be prepared to cover-up when visiting temples.

Discover Sri Lanka Holiday

This holiday surpassed our expectations. The country has varied terrain and its wildlife, especially the bird life is spectacular.

Most Inspirational Moment

A bike ride though villages where we observed what everyday life means for of Sri Lankans e.g. Planting and harvesting rice and coconuts, washing and bathing in local rivers, cooking over wood fires, school children dressed in their pristine white uniforms walking home from school. All along the route darted a wide range of colourful butterflies and birds.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Sujee was exceptionally well informed and we were particularly impressed by his commitment to responsible tourism and his desire to directly impact local economies. He showed the greatest care for our group and all his actions were underpinned by a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We didn't take anti malarials as the risk seems very low but instead used DEET type products. Our guide advised us about the safety of food. Some street food is cooked in oil that has been reused too often and salad may have been washed in unclean water. For ladies a light pashmina is very useful for covering up at holy places.

Discover Sri Lanka

A good insight into the culture, wild life, landscape and of course food of the country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the ascent of Adam's Peak. The 2am start to do the 4,600 ft of ascent with 5.5- 6.0K steps in high humidity is not for the faint-hearted nor the unfit. I did wonder myself what I was doing there at times. The further up you get and the more tired you get the steeper it gets. It was worth doing though, to witness the sunrise the morning puja, aqnd all else that was going on there. You also give yourself some cred if you can reply positively that you had done it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was just great, a real people's person. He was excellent company, genuinely interested in everyone. He was a fine guide and tour leader. Not forgetting the bus driver and his assistant who were consistently helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Adam's Peak: Think carefully, are you fit enough and mad enough to want to do it? - not all of us did it, it was an optional extra. Sigirya Rock: The metal stair ways look more scary than they actually are; they are quite safe. One thing to wary of though, you will be 'assisted' up the stairways, one on each arm and a third one from behind especially if, like me, you are getting on a bit in years, though I am quite capable. They are not official helpers and will demand a tip at the half way point. Get rid of them if you don't require their services. Game Drives: They were a bit of a disappointment; there were far too many safari vehicles, (at least 20) all jockeying for position to view whatever there was to see. It's a wonder we saw anything given the noise and pollution they produced. The roads in the Yala NP were in a very bad state making for a very uncomfortable and slow ride

Wonderful Trip

A great holiday, very busy, lots of activities and varied landscapes. Wildlife and birds in abundance, plus we felt we experienced more of the people and their lives than the usual package tour.
Not for the faint hearted, some early starts and full days but well worth it.
Hotels were better than expected with some lovely swimming pools.
The hotel food became rather repetitive as hotels have the ubiquitous buffet.
Our guide and his team were outstanding and looked after us in every way.
Highly recommend but avoid Chinese New Year!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing herds of Asian elephants up close on safari. Seeing the blue whale at Mirissa, but spoiled by the Chinese on the boat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Nothing too much trouble, plus a sense of humour

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's full on. Be prepared for early get ups and take powerful DEET. The mossies and insects are venal, especially on the river trip.

Excellent Overview of Sri Lanka

A busy but not too strenuous 2 week discovery-tour of Sri Lanka, taking in a wide range of sights and experiences.
16 in group all very friendly. Mix of couples and singles. Excellent guide, Neelaka, with good knowledge of history, geography and wildlife. Also efficient, and calm, with good sense of humour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Yala National Park , Adams Peak, and the home-cooked lunches served so graciously by locals

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, see above

Advice for Potential Travellers

Perfect introduction to Sri Lanka Watch out for Chinese New Year - crowds of Chinese visit at this time. Can result in queues at popular places