Sri Lanka is beautiful and worth traveling too. Would I recommend doing it with Exodus? Not for me – their tour was too overly structured, and the local tour operator doesn’t follow the ethos of traveling small and local. Our group was only 15 but our experience was no different than if we had been on a motorcoach with 50 tourists. We were always one of dozens of other coaches packing lunch and coffee stops, nothing unique about it. We thought we’d be able to have lunches and dinners on our own, as they are not included in the tour, but actually there was never another option besides the big-tour stops chosen by our guide, and the hotels were too remote to walk to anyplace else. The tour included a number of “cultural” stops that were really just high-pressure shopping opportunities, again filled with other tour buses, as if they were all in on it. We saw and did a lot in Sri Lanka but it could have been a more authentic experience.
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean Trips
Discover Indian Ocean holidays from Exodus, the small-group adventure experts. Sri Lanka is nicknamed the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, so it’s no surprise all our Sri Lanka tours take in the waters that lap at the country’s glorious beaches.
From November to April, you can go whale watching from the glorious beaches in the south, with the chance to spot the largest animal that has ever lived, the blue whale, plus sperm whales and the dolphins that love to frolic in the boat’s wake.
See the trips below for a great range of small-group holidays to the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka.
Indian Ocean Adventure Holidays
Hannah Devine Sri Lankan Highlights
Elizabeth Lash Sri Lankan HighlightsThis tour is the perfect introduction to Sri Lanka – a great balance of historical landmarks, cultural insights, stunning scenery and amazing wildlife (with a few opportunities for retail therapy thrown in). Our days were pretty full and varied, with something for everyone – no drive was longer than two hours, other than on our last day (going back to Colombo). The bus was comfortable and big enough for everyone to have a window seat if they wanted.
Our hotels were pleasant and well situated but some were a little tired around the edges, but I felt that was fair, given the reasonable price of the tour. The food was delicious throughout – we ate mainly in our hotels, with a few meals in local restaurants recommended by our guide, Mahen.
Carmen Geyer Sri Lankan HighlightsDefinitely an incredible experience! This trip is a fantastic introduction to Sri Lanka, covering all the must-sees in the regions visited, but at a good pace with some down time to explore in between.
Accommodation is good, staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. Local food is absolutely delicious, with loads of vegetarian and vegan options.
Can’t wait to visit again!
Expert Blog Entries
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus’ experts.