Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

White water rafting was brilliant. Cycling around Giritale. Elephant ride and the Elephant orphanage.The walk on Horton plains to see World's End.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was great very helpful and Knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

 It was a great trip but I felt let down and cheated by the standard of the hotels provided. Before each one Sujan warned us how bad it would be and what to expect. I just wish this was told to us before we booked.8/10 hotels were shockingly bad - dirty sheets, dirty towels, dirty bathrooms - plus loads of little crawly friends to keep you company in the room. Geckos come as standard. A lot of time is spent on the bus - take travel sickness pills.Expect curry and rice for breakfast lunch and dinner.Do all of the extra activities not only because they are worth it and fun but also because the alternative option is staying behind doing nothing at one of those awful hotels.Take loads of insect repellent and sun screen. Don't forget Afterbite. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling around Giritale tank in the scorching heat being greeted and high-fived by locals coming out of their houses to see 15 madly grinning tourists.  Finishing the cycle with an incredible curry and rice lunch in a local house whilst enjoying an ice cold sprite.  One of those rare moments when you no longer feel like a tourist looking in and begin to feel part of the fabric of a place.  An incredible day that will stay in my mind forever.The Sri Lankan people in general - they often don't have a huge amount when compared to their Western counterparts but they are so happy, welcoming and proud of their country - you can't help but feel uplifted.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujan was a legend.  I don't think I have met a more organised, accomodating person - every transfer was seamless, every question answered.  A vertitable treasure trove of knowledge whether it be the local wildlife, local traditions, religion, where to shop.  Genuine, passionate and friendly - a great person - ISTUTI!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an intensive holiday - you go to a lot of places so there is a lot of travelling on buses and you have to stick to a pretty rigid timetable.  This can be quite tiring and occassionally frustrating - especially when you visit somewhere that you fall in love with but only get a couple of hours there :(Accommodation is highly variable - there are some relatively decent hotels and some ... less decent hotels - dirty sheets, poor facilities, unpleasant bathrooms.  Regardless of the standard hotel also prepare yourself for occassionl bugs in the room - cockroaches, termites, ants, spiders, beetles, mozzies.  And you'll always have geckos in your room sitting on the ceiling :) 

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourites included:- Cycling around the local villages and meeting local people (take some pencils for the children)- Climbing Lion's rock - great views and a sense of achievement- Paddling down the river on a raft watching people playing and washing up!- Watching the women pick the tea on the plantations

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan is excellent. Always accommodating and very knowledgeable. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take lots of wet-wipes - it's humid on the coast and dusty on the game drive.You need to like rice and curry - some are mild so no problems there. The food is delicious.Most hotels have a pool, so don't forget your swimming gear.

Most Inspirational Moment

My first blue whale was probably the highlight for me but there were quite a few memorable moments on this fabulous trip that I shall remember.The walk on Horton plains to see World's End was spectacular as was climbing Sigirya. The cycle ride in Giratale where one got a feel for village life in Sri Lanka, was also really enjoyable.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Well no wonder Roshan has won awards for guiding these tours, he was great and a true professional. All the information and history lessons he gave us were in manageble bite size portions, always managing to throw in a cliche or three! He got people involved in the Sri Lankan games and his enthusiasm for his country was infectious.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Liking curries (they were VERY good) is helpful, although there are alternatives but hey, when in Rome! Take plenty of light loose fitting clothes, I found ordinary T-shirts too hot.Watchout for the sun when whale watching, we all came back looking like lobsters .

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the climb up Adams Peak even though there was no decent sunrise. But there are so many: Sigiriya rock, the cycle ride and lunch, elephants, views, swimming in the river, temples, the peace of Hortons Plains and the train ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you feel reasonably fit do Adams Peak but it isn't for everyone. TAKE YOUR TIME and do it at your own pace, take a head torch if you have one, also plenty of warm clothing for the top including extra socks as you have to take your shoes off. The worst part was the 2 hour journey to get there, too bumpy to sleep and I wished I'd taken travel sickness pills! Recovering from the lack of sleep was easier than I expected and it was good to have the Plains walk the next day so we didn't seize up.Don't bother with dollars, sterling is fine and you can pay for trips and the tip kitty using £. Take a waterproof and a lightweight umbrella if you have one (they make good sunshades too), we had a lot of rain even though it wasn't the rainy season!

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.