Discover Sri Lanka

184 Reviews

Excellent

33%

Good

67%

Average

0%

Rather Poor

0%

Bad

0%

• K

  katie
  Written on April 23, 2018

  3.0 - Average

  I have to agree with Bettina's review of Discover Sri Lanka tour. Missed activities, poor quality hotels, very bustling experiences, no successful attempts to avoid overtly crowded activities and sites. In my case our guide had insufficient knowledge or English to explain any of the sites visited, did not plan our activities in advance with the consequence that several key aspects of the trip were unavailable. There were several occasions where we were dropped at hotels at lunch time with limited lunch and dinner options. Exodus said they would answer my complaint to them within 4 weeks but 8 weeks later have not. From the extremely positive reviews of other tours it seems obvious to me that Discover Sri Lanka was a below par experience. As a first timer with Exodus it would be difficult to trust them again given their total lack of response. I emulated the premium tour on a private basis (as it was full) so the cost was considerable but as I say, extremely disappointing.

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• 

  Bettina
  Written on January 20, 2018

  3.5 - Good

  It was my least enjoyable Exodus trips. It was all about the tea and tourism. Everywhere was really busy ,several activities were cancelled. The lines for 'highlights' were long. I have always had good experiences with Exodus as they managed to get away from the crowds, not this time. There was a descrepency with the quality of hotels. The hotel we had on the trip notes was not available so we were placed in anternative. It was obvious that it was not of similar value and on investigation there was a significant difference in price. Therefore it would have financially bennifited the company which does not lead to good reviews. Sri Lanka is known for its food but we were given very few alternatives to the usual Hotel Banquet which after a few days became monotonous. I would suggest it was a bad time to travel. I would not recommend this trip with Exodus, although I can see the potential for Sri Lanka.

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• 

  Ciaran
  Written on November 26, 2017

  4.0 - Good

  Good trip overall. The guide was approachable, helpful and knowledgeable. The sights were interesting and the itinerary generally good. The hotels were a bit of a mixed bag, some more style over substance. Would have preferred more local rather than hotel meals.

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• ER

  Evelyn
  Written on March 7, 2017

  4.5 - Excellent

  Absolutely wonderful, one of the best trips I have ever taken, and certainly the best organised one.

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  Anonymous
  Written on October 22, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A wonderful country with wonderful people. A varied trip with many hidden delightsWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The walk on Horton Plains, and the view from Worlds End. Simply sensational views and a lovely walk.  The walk up Lions Rock and the Elephant orphange was always great  What did you think of your group leader?Roshan was fantastic, passionate about his country but always balanced with his views. He blended well with the group and was very open about answering questionsDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Decent insect repellant, sunblock, patience, and if you are taking the optional whale watching trip make sure you get information about the sea conditions !! Qulaity of hotel and food can vary but if you bear this in mind you will have a wonderful holidayIs there anything else you would like to add?Be prepared for some long travel days but this will be worth it, take a decent book and/or IPOD to pass the time.
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 15, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Such a fantastic and diverse holiday, encompassing many of the highlights of the country and smiley faces wherever we went. Made all the better by a great group who really got on well and an exceptional leader in RoshanWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The time, effort and kind-heartedness that Roshan has invested in trying to help some of the people effected by the tsunami and the poverty (caused by years of war) is truly inspirational stuff and a lesson to us all. His informative morning talks really gave us a different perspective on the struggles of his people and being able to meet many locals on the trip felt very special.What did you think of your group leader?Roshan is a truly exceptional group leader and deservedly won the Exodus leader of the year in 2010. The fact that he has done this trip 195 times now and still has the boundless enthusiasm, passion and humour of a newby is quite incredible. He also plays a mean game of cricket which (as a cricketer myself) I really appreciated.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't have any pre-conceived ideas on what you do or don't want to do before you leave, or how much money you are willing to spend. The options are all worth doing for different reasons - but worth deciding how you feel on the day and after they are explained fully. Don't necessarily expect to see leopards or whales and you won't get too disappointed if you don't end up seeing any (as happeend for our group). And regarding the money - it's very easy to be persuaded into buying gifts and souvenirs - most of us came back with gems of some description. But that ensures that money does end up trickling down to the people who need it. Sri Lanka is still suffering from the years of war and political mismangement and the people need all the help they can get from tourism.Is there anything else you would like to add?Personal highlights for me:Hotel and walk up Lion rock - spectacular!Spending time in Kandy - check out the cricket ground, one of the prettiest settings in the worldHighlands incl Hill Club stay, Horton Plains and thrilling train journey  
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 15, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Such a fantastic and diverse holiday, encompassing many of the highlights of the country and smiley faces wherever we went. Made all the better by a great group who really got on well and an exceptional leader in RoshanWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The time, effort and kind-heartedness that Roshan has invested in trying to help some of the people effected by the tsunami and the poverty (caused by years of war) is truly inspirational stuff and a lesson to us all. His informative morning talks really gave us a different perspective on the struggles of his people and being able to meet many locals on the trip felt very special.What did you think of your group leader?Roshan is a truly exceptional group leader and deservedly won the Exodus leader of the year in 2010. The fact that he has done this trip 195 times now and still has the boundless enthusiasm, passion and humour of a newby is quite incredible. He also plays a mean game of cricket which (as a cricketer myself) I really appreciated.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't have any pre-conceived ideas on what you do or don't want to do before you leave, or how much money you are willing to spend. The options are all worth doing for different reasons - but worth deciding how you feel on the day and after they are explained fully. Don't necessarily expect to see leopards or whales and you won't get too disappointed if you don't end up seeing any (as happeend for our group). And regarding the money - it's very easy to be persuaded into buying gifts and souvenirs - most of us came back with gems of some description. But that ensures that money does end up trickling down to the people who need it. Sri Lanka is still suffering from the years of war and political mismangement and the people need all the help they can get from tourism.Is there anything else you would like to add?Personal highlights for me:Hotel and walk up Lion rock - spectacular!Spending time in Kandy - check out the cricket ground, one of the prettiest settings in the worldHighlands incl Hill Club stay, Horton Plains and thrilling train journey  
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 4, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A fantastic holiday, extremely well organised tour, loads of interesting places to visit and exciting activities.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cycling through the countryside, seeing how people really live and sharing a home-cooked meal in banana plantation.  Kandy August festival was a unique experience, extremely colourful and skilful.  Huge number of elephants dressed in their regalia being paraded accompanied by the beat of drums,  dancers dressed in wonderful costumes all lit up by flares (no health and safety measures!) must not be missed.What did you think of your group leader?Very knowledgeable, good sense of humour, always helpful and professional.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?I was told that meals were not included because there was a huge choice of restaurants to chose from and that people liked that freedom.  This information was incorrect.  All the hotels were set in magic settings but there were on a limb and the only place to eat was in the hotels which provided good food, buffet or a la carte at reasonable prices by our standard.  I think that in all fairness this needs to be pointed out.  A shame that we could not go out and experiment a bit with authentic non hotel food.Is there anything else you would like to add?An alternative activity needs to be found for those who do not go rafting.  Only a third of the group opted for that activity and there was little to do for the others except hang around.  There was no pool at that particular hotel by the river.  Also 'jungle walk' was a very brief walk merely lasting one hour.  It was very interesting but needs to be extended.  Everyone would have been happy to carry on for a while to soak in the atmosphere and see more birds. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 4, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A fantastic holiday, extremely well organised tour, loads of interesting places to visit and exciting activities.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cycling through the countryside, seeing how people really live and sharing a home-cooked meal in banana plantation.  Kandy August festival was a unique experience, extremely colourful and skilful.  Huge number of elephants dressed in their regalia being paraded accompanied by the beat of drums,  dancers dressed in wonderful costumes all lit up by flares (no health and safety measures!) must not be missed.What did you think of your group leader?Very knowledgeable, good sense of humour, always helpful and professional.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?I was told that meals were not included because there was a huge choice of restaurants to chose from and that people liked that freedom.  This information was incorrect.  All the hotels were set in magic settings but there were on a limb and the only place to eat was in the hotels which provided good food, buffet or a la carte at reasonable prices by our standard.  I think that in all fairness this needs to be pointed out.  A shame that we could not go out and experiment a bit with authentic non hotel food.Is there anything else you would like to add?An alternative activity needs to be found for those who do not go rafting.  Only a third of the group opted for that activity and there was little to do for the others except hang around.  There was no pool at that particular hotel by the river.  Also 'jungle walk' was a very brief walk merely lasting one hour.  It was very interesting but needs to be extended.  Everyone would have been happy to carry on for a while to soak in the atmosphere and see more birds. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on July 16, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  I absolutely loved this trip and the whole experience surpassed my expectations. I have never previously travelled with Exodus but certainly will again in the future. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There are so many inspirational moments of the trip; climbing Lion Rock, the bike ride through villages (having not been on a bike since I was a child, this was a personal achievement), the walk through a forest and eating fruit that seconds earlier we had seen being picked from a tree are just a few that come to mind.What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader Sujan, was exceptional. His knowledge, passion and fun shone through and I have him to thank for making the trip so enjoyable.