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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.

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276 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Discover Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an amazing country and our guide, Roshan, was excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The festival at Kandy; climbing Lion Rock; the bicycle ride through the village; the beach stay. I also loved the food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was an excellent guide. He was attentive to our various needs and made alternative plans when we were unable to walk on the Horton Plains due to rain. I am particularly grateful that he made sure that I not only saw the festival at Kandy but also found us such great seats. I did not know much about Sri Lanka but I am now inspired to learn more thanks to Roshan's informative mini-history talks during our long travel days, which I really enjoyed.

Discover Sri Lanka

The quality of the Exodus guides and the itineraries

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the highlights of Sri Lanka and getting a real taste of the country. The cycle ride with farmhouse lunch

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely first class so knowledgeable and passionate about his country. Imparted history, politics and cultural information. Had a fantastic sense of humour

Discover Sri Lanka

From being met at the airport to saying good bye – a well organized trip with a super group and a guide who led us through the country and history. A real cultural delight.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing an elephant herd on safari - learning about how the spices grow at the spice garden - seeing the tea factory. A big highlight, our guide managed to arrange a 1 to 1 Kandy dancing lesson for my daughter. Brilliant!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan is so relaxed, organised, professional, fun, a good teacher, leader and laughs with the group. You really feel cared for as an individual and as a group, not an easy skill but then you realise he's won the exodus guide award and you can see how and why. I don't think I've enjoyed an exodus holiday as much as this is my fourth!

Discover Sri Lanka

Our guide Roshan had extensive knowledge of Sri Lanka and was very friendly and super helpful and patient. I loved the trip. I loved the variety of experiences… safaris, visiting Buddhist temples, tea plantations, cycling, train ride, white water rafting, Kandy festival, beach, shopping etc

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the opportunity to see a bit more of real Sri Lanka away from the main tourist trails. I loved the day cycling through villages and eating at a local family's house and the day we went on tractors and played Sri Lankan games and ate in a family's hut. I ski loved the train ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan has extensive knowledge about Sri Lanka and shared this with the group. He answered every question we asked. His love for his country shone through and enthused others. He was always helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. I left my scarf on the tractor and he willingly organised for it to be returned with his usual smile. I was so grateful. It rained one day and he has to reorganise the day and sorted out an excellent day for us. An amazing tour leader!!

Sri Lanka is very special

This holiday really delivered beyond our expectations in every respect. The itinerary is packed and varied; culture, wildlife, scenery, exciting activities and enlightening experiences. We climbed Lions Rock; biked alongside rivers, lakes, fields and forest; walked to World End and Horton Plain; explored jungle villages, ancient temples and botanic gardens; rafted across rivers and over rapids; swam in the ocean and gorgeous hotel pools, rode the gloriously scenic train from Pattipola to Ella and even braved tuk tuk rides amidst the mad chaos of The Sri Lankan roads. We jiggled around in jeeps, seeking elephant and leopard and enjoying everything else our excellent guides spotted on two very special safaris. Sounds exhausting doesn’t it but with a very comfortable air conditioned bus to transport us between beautiful hotels in superb situations, and delicious multicultural buffets and wonderful Sri Lankan curries and Lion Beer to reenergise us at the end of each day we were always ready and eager for the next early start. Longer trips were broken up with lovely lunch stops and there were interesting visits to spice gardens, a gem museum, a folk museum and a tea factory. We went from busy towns and hot, humid forests to cooler high country and finished at refreshing beaches, journeying via temples, lakes, paddy fields and the gorgeous contours of tea plantations. We saw traditional dancing and fire eaters in Kandy and had time off to wander the markets and soak up the vibes. There were plenty of spontaneous surprises to add a little extra. We felt safe and welcome, the hospitality was genuine, everyone was so friendly, the children are delightful, and although there is some obvious poverty the people seem happy at heart and very keen to share their love of their country with us visitors. The wildlife in this fabulous country is all around you, flora and fauna in abundance and breathtakingly beautiful.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many, we were so lucky to have three leopards wander up and across the path in front of our jeep at Yala, so that must be top of the long list. Watching a herd of thirteen elephants with a month old calf on our ecosafari was also very special. The abundant bird life everwhere, fruit bats and monkeys in the trees at our hotels, the enormous lush plants and fabulous trees, the serene beauty of the temples and the glorious scenery. But the joyous laughter and “Bye”of the children as they ran out of their homes when we passed on our bike ride through the fields and farm lands will echo in my memory for ever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nalaka has been leading these tours for ten years and his total commitment to ensuring we had the best the best experiences was clear from day one. He was friendly, approachable, enthusiastic, kind, calm, caring and capable. He shared his deep knowledge of his country’s history, culture, customs and wildlife in interesting talks, in excellent English, on our bus journeys and his relationships with the locals, guides and villagers ensured we had the best experiences on every visit or activity. He quickly moulded strangers into a team of friends and we have all invited him to visit us. He gave excellent safety advice, solved any issues speedily and without fuss, informed us of the next day’s itinerary verbally and on WhatsApp and charmingly underplayed the highlights so that we were always amazed and delighted by every special surprise. Along with Janaka our reliable driver and Kapila our friendly assist who filled our water bottles and gave us a fresh blossom every morning he showed us how delightfully friendly, respectful and polite the Sri Lankan people are, he was the perfect ambassador for his country and for Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of cash to change into local currency at the airport, you will need it for the tip kitty and extras- there are ATMs at most towns but not always reliable. Mosquito repellent is a must, especially if you are wearing shorts and t shirts- roll on Deet is a good idea to target heels and wrist etc. Pack clothes that are quick drying, breathable fabric for hot, humid weather. Take binoculars and an app on your phone to identify all the wonderful animals and plants. Go, enjoy, and be amazed.

Excellent introduction to the country's culture, society and wildlife in a good-sized group of 15.

A relatively undemanding tour, mainly by bus, of most of Sri Lanka’s highlights ranging from amazing Buddhist images and the fascinating remains of a former capital to tremendous short hikes, a bike ride, a beautiful seaside hotel, wildlife safaris and visits to rural homes. The hotels were good or excellent and the mainly local food was very good with good non-local alternatives.

Most Inspirational Moment

The climb of Sirigiya Rock: a precipitous (but safe) ascent of the side of this former fortified palace on the top of a massive rock outcrop.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. As well as being a walking encyclopaedia of Sri Lanka, Sujan Weerakoon is a superb organiser who seems to be able to fix any problem with a smile. With his great sense of humour and ability to tell it as it is, he quickly established a brilliant rapport with everyone in the group. He was always ready with accurate and clear advice as to where to eat and what to do during the few free periods.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Less active travellers can easily sit out the more strenuous activities. Expect some rain (at least in mid-late January) but don't let that put you off: it's warm. Good coffee is hard to come by. Bring binoculars and/or a telephoto lens for wildlife spotting.

Fabulous Christmas and New Year trip to Sri Lanka

This was an amazing trip with such a varied itinerary – trying to remember everything we did at the end of it was quite a challenge. At the same time we didn’t feel over rushed although we were on the go much of the time. The hotels were great with really lovely swimming pools which we made the most of. We were lucky enough to travel with a great group of people who quickly became friends and to have a fantastic team taking us around this beautiful country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably cycling through rural Sri Lanka on Christmas Day meeting the local people and experiencing the warmth of their hospitality for our spectacular Christmas lunch. Cocktails on the 26th floor roof terrace on our final night in Colombo after an amazing trip was also a highlight. As were the elephants, the wildlife around the lake at Kandy, Horton Plains, climbing Adam’s Peak, the train through tea county, white water rafting, Lion Rock…..!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sujee was the perfect leader. Knowledgeable with a clear love of his country and people. Nothing was too much trouble and he looked after us extremely well and with very good humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go.

Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!

This action-packed cultural trip ticked every box imaginable for me. We saw incredible wildlife including leopards, water buffaloes and caimans on game drives in Yala National Park. We got the chance to taste the famous tea in lush tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya and find out more about the process from leaf to cup. The group also got to see fire-dancing performances in Kandy one evening, which gave us a real insight into the country’s fascinating customs and traditions. The hotels on this trip are also incredible – we were lucky enough to have unobstructed views of Sigiriya Rock from Hotel Sigiriya and breathtaking sunset views overlooking the lush islands in Giritale. The last hotel, Hotel Cinnamon Red, also had a brilliant affinity pool – taking in the skyscrappers of Colombo! For the adventurous, this itinerary doesn’t disappoint either as you can go on whitewater rafting excursions, rural cycling trips and whale watching (in season). Visits to colourful temples, fresh fruit markets and the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home were other cultural pitstops that gave you a real flavour of what the country was like. Once I arrived home, I wanted to do it all over again. It was an incredible trip with a great group of people that I’ll treasure forever.

Most Inspirational Moment

It had to be when we arrived at the Giritale Hotel - the views blew me away. The open-air lounge was the perfect place for a sundowner. The group got together to watch the sunset with a couple of lion beers and we got the pleasure of watching purple-faced langurs running around with their babies clinging to their bellies as they rummaged through the shrubbery a stone's throw away from where we were sitting. It was incredible watching the sun go down behind the lush islands, and watching the monkeys scurry around - I've never been in a hotel like it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was an incredible leader - he's worked for over 20 years as an Exodus expert guide, so his local knowledge and experience was second to none! He was approachable, friendly and informative - everything a great leader should be, I couldn't recommend him enough. He really enhanced the group's experience and it was such a great trip that we'll all remember forever - thanks for everything Roshan!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring temple socks for hot days, when you need to remove your shoes to walk around the temples - they were really useful!

Discover Sri Lanka

Just back from this trip, it was our first trip to Sri Lanka and our second trip with Exodus. It was a really great trip, really varied, we saw so much and yet the pace was just perfect. A beautiful country and very friendly and safe.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights but seeing the elephants on safari and at the transit home will stay with me forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was simply the best leader! He had fantastic knowledge, stories on the bus were so interesting, he had a great sense of humour and we loved spending time with him. Nothing was too much trouble, a genuinely lovely person. Roshan is a credit to Sri Lanka and to the Exodus company. Our driver Abey and driver assistant Samit, deserve a shout out too, always smiling!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully and listen to your guide, Roshan gave us all the tips we needed. Visit Sri Lanka, you won't be disappointed!

Varied tour in a beautiful and friendly country

We enjoyed a wide range of experiences – very much as described in the trip description. Many years ago a friend who cycled through many many countries came back and declared Sri Lanka to be the most beautiful place he had visited. Indeed he was right – the parts of Sri Lanka we visited were really lovely and also very friendly. We would have like more extended opportunities for walking and cycling but there’s no doubt we packed in a lot (sometimes I felt we were a little rushed on eg at Lion’s Rock). Hotels were of a good standard and generally very friendly. Highly recommend a visit to Sri Lanka whether on this trip or independently.

Most Inspirational Moment

Great to climb Lion's Rock and see the volcano rim surrounding us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roshan was very knowledgeable and interacted well with the group. He was particularly good at seeing wildlife and when we had to change a day of the trip explained the alternatives clearly. We are vegan and he asked the chefs at the hotels to show us which parts of the buffets were vegan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes and reviews we read gave a very accurate view of the experience. Definitely go to Sri Lanka, your experience will be defined by the time of year you go. We enjoyed getting out of (most of) the hotels when we could.