How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Tikiri was first class. He worked so hard at making everything look easy, unfailingly good humoured and enthusiastic about Sri Lanka, he even understands the British sense of humour.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

This is an excellent introduction to a rather neglected country, a good mixture of culture, history, sight-seeing and adventure (elephant safari and climbing Sigiriya and Adams Peak). The -optional- walks are gradually increased so the toughest is the last, but well worth doing. Expect to meet really friendly people and the hotels are much better than expected. Food is excellent( apart from beetroot toffee..) It's a busy schedule without being too rushed and there a couple of relaxing days at the end.

Do you have anything else to add?

Sri Lanka is a lovely country, go now before the tourists rediscover it.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Tikiri was amazing, he knows the island and the tour inside out which meant for a super smooth running tour. He has a great sense of humour and kept us stocked up with treats and biscuits throughout the trip.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"- Do the whale watching tour, it's amazing. Very difficult to take pictures on the boat as you need to be able to focus and zoom in fairly quickly but great memories, and a few great shots in the end.

- The jeep safari to see the elephants, I did not expect to see that many elephants on the safari but there were lot's. Lot's of different family groups to allow for some great pictures.

- Take an extra pair of socks if you are planning to do the trek to Adams Peak, just in case it rains. You have to take off your socks and shoes when you get to the top and if the ground is wet, it's not much fun walking back down with wet socks on. It's also fairly chilly at the top so take a jacket/ fleece with you."

Do you have anything else to add?

Sri Lanka is a flavourful, colourful country with a laid back charm. Great for wildlife and culture lovers alike. After two weeks in Sri Lanka you will feel like part of the Island. I also loved visiting the tea plantation and the spice garden, really insightful visits with plenty of opportunities to buy locally produced spices and tea.

 

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Tikiri was excellent. His organisational skills and personable nature made the trip a success. He gave just the right amount of information at the right time, together with his colleagues Sanath and Uncle made sure everybody was well looked after and his enjoyment and apparent pride in his country were infectious. We never felt either rushed or bored and Tikiri was always ready to consider suggestions and wishes of the group.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Be aware that the tour is probably slightly more active than you might expect from the trip notes, with some fairly demanding, although optional, climbs up rocks, fortresses and mountains. Also, cheap local food is not easily accessible in some locations, so budget slightly higher than you might if you were planning to eat cheaply.

Do you have anything else to add?

The tour was very well organised, there was a brilliant variety of experiences, activities and accommodation, as well as the right amount of down-time, and overall, it was a fascinating and extremely enjoyable introduction to a lovely country! Tip: if you want to go, go soon: for now, tourism is not over-developed and places are not crowded. That might change in a few years' time.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Jude Ranatunga was a superb leader.  Very knowledgeable, always cheerful, managed changes to the itinerary to please all members of the group.  He worked hard to ensure hotel, restaurent, baggage arrangements etc worked faultlessly

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

The comprehensive itinerary does involve some long hot days.  Take appropriate clothing and footware.  Both men and women are required to cover shoulders and knees and go barefoot in the many temples visited.  A skirt for ladies and a wrap-around sarong for men are ideal.

Do you have anything else to add?

"The hotel used for Adam's Peak (at Dalhousie ?) was not of an acceptable standard. There were no toilets adjacent to the dining room, the only public area in the hotel.  Guests had to return to their own bedrooms.  Ours was 161 steep and uneven outside steps up the hillside.  Terms there were full board but the food at breakfast and dinner was the poorest of the hoiday.

Rather than have 3 nights at Unatawuna, it would have been better to have taken time visiting one of the national parks where leopards can be seen. "

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Priya was excellent.  Nothing was too much trouble and he gave us intensely detailed and extensive information about all things Sri Lankan!.  I came home with hand written recipes for Sri Lankan Curry and Dahl.  Priya was one of the best guides I've had (I've done ten Explore tours) - he successfully juggled with the demands of a mix of ages, nationalities and personalities with considerable energy, effort and eagerness to please.  Driver and bus assistant were good too.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take good shoes, mosquito repellant, neck pillow for snoozing on the bus after one of the many early morning starts!  Umbrellas were provided and we were very glad of them!

Do you have anything else to add?

"Hotel at Sigiriya is rather grimy and not really up to standard, but some of the others were delightful and full of charm.  Loved the hotels at Giritale, Kandy and Banderawela.  The bus is a bit cramped for leg room and day-pack space.  
A wonderful tour, packed with experiences."

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Prisanth looked after the group so well, rounding us up at the temples was no easy task but he managed it with ease.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

The first week is busier with most of the temples being situated in the north of the route so prepare for a busy first week and a relaxed second week as you head to the coast.  Take long shorts and a head scarf for the temples, you won't be granted access unless your knees and shoulders are covered.

Do you have anything else to add?

Sri Lanka was a wonderful country, very relaxed and much quieter than I was expecting. There are tourists around but it still feels very unspolit.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

"Knowledgeable, flexible with a good sense of humour.
The weather was against us but Upali ensured we were able to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary plus some extras"

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Pack a camera and check the upto date weather forecast, don't rely on averages :)

Do you have anything else to add?

"Some of the hotels used are past their best - particularly in Sigiriya. However by far the favourite was in Bandarawela - a beautiful building full of charm.

The transport was inadequate, very cramped particularly for anyone over 5' 4"" who would like some leg room. Really not good for journeys of any duration - the softener was the regular supply of biscuits by the tour leader :)"

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Excellent leader who helped and guided us with everything as and when we required.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take a pen knife so you can eat things like fruit on the street or a picnic. Mangoes especially were beautiful.

Do you have anything else to add?

"The food was excellent, it isn't as spicy as South India but it is quite hot, which for us was a real treat.
It gets colder into the hills so ensure you hve at least 1 jumper. "

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Jude was excellent in all respects, and provided daily surprises over and above the itinerary. His knowledge of everything Sri Lankan was also excellent.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Try to go when the visit to Adams Peak is on the itinerary.

Do you have anything else to add?

The addition of a train ride to the itinerary would be good, and would not be difficult to organise.

 

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Leader etc were good. i liked the fact that they looked and stopped when there was some wildlife and birds. they added to the enjoyment of the tour which is what one hopes for and normally gets.
I had been on this tour before about 6 years ago. the highlight then was the hotels and the quality of the food. this was mostly buffet and lots of choice. i sold the holiday to my partner on this
Unfortunately this had changed. the food was much poorer except for a few hotels like the suisse in kandy . there was too much sri lankan food which is hot and spicey.....with no options!we found out at the end of the tour that the leader jude was partly responsible for this. we think this was unforgivable  and as irene got ill at the hill resort , blamed on chillies, she hardly ate for some days.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

If you are not keen on sri lankan food do not have jude as your leader or if you do get him be very firm with him from the start. and you can quote me on that, he will under stand.

Do you have anything else to add?

a very good tour spoilt by the food issue which was not there 6 years ago and not helped by the leader jude

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Tour leader was exceptional. Knew everything about the tour and ensured it ran like clockwork.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Loads to see and do. Pack some sturdy boots or shoes for hard walking up Adams Peak.

Do you have anything else to add?

IT GETS VERY COLD AT TEA PLANTATION! Take something warm.

Wonderful holiday - very well organised and with a good pace. Though the early mornings were a shock to begin with we soon realised how much better it was to be sight seeing before the sun became too hot - and we could fit much more in! Our tour leader, Pryantha was outstanding and really made the holiday even more special by keeping us to schedule, giving helpful advice as well local and cultural information. The driver also was brilliant and the coach was clean, air conditioned and comfortable. The only advice would be to take cool cotton tops (that cover shoulders for the temples) and lots of mosquito repellant and possibly a plugin model for the night time.

Pack mosquito repellent and be prepared for lots of Buddhism. Highlights were anything involving elephants or tea! ( SL - 23rd July 2011)

Ayubowan. Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings. Cocktails in Bandarawela. Damsels of Sigiriya. Elephants everywhere. Four thousand eight hundred steps to Adam's Peak. Galle tropical storm. Hats off, shoes off. Itchy bites. Jungle jeeps. Kandyan drummers. Langur monkeys. Munchee Lemon Puffs. New friends. Observing life through the bus window. Polonnaruwa Buddhas. Quiz in the Spice Garden. Relaxing afternoons at Maskeli Oya. Stupendous stupas. Toddy tapping. Unawatuna traffic. Views of picturesque hill country. Waterfalls and weddings. Xceptional guiding by Tikiri. Yogurt, pineapple and baby bananas. ZZZs on the plane. (SL - 15th January 2011)