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We booked the Classic Ceylon Sri Lanka Tour for our honeymoon. The tour agent was Aitken Spence Travels. Day 1: Arriving at Colombo airport, we were greeted by our guide/driver named Rane (guide and driver are the same person throughout the tour). Our first stop was the Ramada Hotel in Columbo, where we checked in. You can take advantage of the afternoon to explore the city or relax at the hotel. We have reviewed each hotel separately in this thread if you want to learn more about each hotel review in detail. Our guide agrees on a time for you to be picked up the next morni g, which was ours at 8am. to start on time. Colombo is a busy city so traffic can be very busy. Day 2: Drive from Colombo to Dambulla, which is approximately a 4-hour drive away. Your guide will make a rest stop for a drink if you wish. Once we reach Dambulla we visit the Temple of the Rock. This fascinating temple is built on the side of a rock with some historical monuments of Buddhas and paintings. Once we had visited the temple, we stopped for lunch at one of the various Sri Lankan tourist restaurants. The food is in keeping with the country and there are usually rice, potatoes, various meats and salads on the menu. We were never disappointed. Lunch is not included in the tour price so it is extra, but at approx 600 rupees it is very reasonable in terms of cost. Some days we didn't fancy lunch and you can skip this if you want. Your driver will be very accommodating. We were then taken to our hotel which would be home for the next 3 nights: Amaara Forest Hotel (review available separately). The following days consisted of: Day 3 - Drive from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa to visit the 2nd Heritage of the Capital City. This is an amazing experience that offers a fantastic insight into Sri Lankan history. After this we reached Minneriya to the national park. The opportunity to see elephants in the wild is something not to be missed. There are also wild buffaloes, monkeys, birds, and many more animals to witness. We also visited a silk shop where silk was made, and we were dressed in traditional Sri Lankan clothing, where you can take photos of each other. The ladies at this store were wonderful and we bought a few items. The woodcarving factory is also a good stop, where you can watch how they make traditional Raksha masks and other items. We really wanted to buy a pair of these and the factory store on site had plenty to choose from at reasonable prices. Day 4 - Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock). This spectacular rock of approximately 200 m high has impressive views. The only way to achieve this is through lots of steep steps so you will need to wear some good trainers as flip flops will wreck your feet. It can get quite busy on the stairs for the first part as there are historical paintings to see a third of the way which causes the delay, but it picks up soon after. Don't let this delay put you off, I almost decided not to bother you, but the wife talked me into it and I'm glad I did. When you get to about 2/3 of this way, this is where the Lions entrance is. At one point this one had a huge rock lion face on it which is sadly gone. From this point you can reach the top and the view of Sri Lanka can be seen for miles. Word of advice to all of you, there are people who offer to "show" you the rock, they will expect payment for their services, so you politely say no or agree to a cost up front. Also when on the stairs there will be men offering to help him up (at one point taking my wife's hand and escorting her down the stairs which I soon said no to) in all fairness once I say no they will leave you alone, so don't do it. Don't let this discourage you, but be prepared. This day you also have a tour of a rural town in a carriage and a boat ride. You may be offered lunch here which is a great experience and at 600 rupees well worth it. A local lady prepares dinner in her cabin in the woods, and there is a good choice to have. You won't get a chance to experience this again so totally recommend it. Day 5 - Kandy. The journey from the hotel above to here is around 2.5 hours, but it breaks down to an intermediate stop at Spice Garden, where you can see how various spices grow and are shown how to make curry mixes from scratch. The day also included a visit to a gem museum. Generally these places have a room or two showing the history of the gems etc but then a shop at the end. We found the gem shop too expensive for what we wanted to get out of our souvenir shopping, so we didn't buy anything. Again, you don't have to buy anything if you just want to look around. After you transfer to another hotel, we stopped at Earls Regent in Kandy. Day 6 - We visit the Botanical Garden which is a lovely relaxing day where you can walk slowly and take in the surroundings. After this, you can have lunch or return to the hotel to relax. Day 7: We visit a tea plantation on this day where you can see the process from tea leaf picking to the final product. We were allowed to pick tea leaves in the hills as well as visit the shop on site to pick up some reasonably priced local tea/souvenirs. From this point, you can return to the final hotel of the tour to rest in Nuwara Eliya. You can, if you wish, take a walk in the area near the hotel. Day 8 _ This is the route back to the airport, which takes around 7 hours in total, but is broken down by the different sights offering opportunities for waterfalls and a few breaks at local cafes and restaurants. As a guide, we leave at 8:30 am and arrive at the airport at 3:30 pm. Overall the tour was amazing but very tiring. It's not a relaxing vacation, so if you can get a second week in a row somewhere, you can relax. We went to the Maldives which is a 1 hour flight to Male airport. Some final points:
We were advised to tip the driver between $5-10 per person per day as an example, but you can tip what you feel was worth. Your guide will offer to take you to other places that are not listed on the tour and will be charged. If you don't want to do this, just say no thanks and they won't accept you. We almost fell for this and arrived at a spa which we were told would cost 5,000 rupees each for an hour which works out to a total of �40 so not a huge cost but we really didn't want a spa visit So we politely said we weren't interested. On the last day you will also be asked if you want to go rafting, which we didn't do as the last thing we wanted was to get wet en route to the airport. Overall, a worthwhile trip to an amazing country.
Craving a nature-filled escape with a dash of adrenaline? This 12-day tour through Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands is a dream for adventure-seekers. Kick off in Ubud with white water rafting, then hike through rice paddies and traditional villages en route to Candidasa. The journey continues as you bike the slopes of Mount Agung and ascend the mystical path to Lempuyang Temple.
Along the way, relax on sun-drenched beaches, trek through monkey-filled forests to Mt Rinjani, and snorkel alongside sea turtles in the pristine waters of the Gili Islands. The tour also offers insights into Balinese culture, from temple visits to old-school blacksmithing demonstrations, and plenty of time to unwind and embrace the laid-back island lifestyle.
Designed for those who love to stay active, this challenging tour package’s unique selling point is its perfect blend of outdoor adventure and cultural immersion—delivering unforgettable experiences on land and sea, all with the support and camaraderie of a small group.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Venture beyond the beaten path on the Cambodia Adventure, a 12-day tour from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City that showcases Cambodia’s lesser-known charms. Cruise the rivers of Kampot, explore the majestic Angkor temples, and enjoy a homestay in the welcoming village of Chambok. Reflect on the country’s poignant history in Phnom Penh, all while your expert guide brings Cambodia’s stories to life. With plenty of flexibility for personal exploration, this easy-paced tour is ideal for those who want an authentic, immersive experience. The highlight? A deeper connection to Cambodia’s communities and culture, far beyond the typical tourist trail.
Local boat ridesLocal culture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Home-stay, Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Phnom
Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Kompong Cham, Sihanoukville
Excellent trip variety of places visited and gained a wonderful insight into Sri Lanka. Group was good company and the guide made sure we all enjoyed our holiday being very knowledgeable and helpful.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Guest House
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Colombo, Negombo, Demodara, Udaw
Colombo, Negombo, Demodara, Udawalawe, Koggala, Wilpattu National Park, Mihintale, Giritale, Sigiriya, Kandy, Adam's Peak, Nuwara Eliya
Trip was amazing. We covered all the places as per the itinerary. Our guide is very humble and great person, explained about all the places in detail. Worth visiting the coutnry with Aitken & Spence.
Komodo Island Hopper: A very nice, varied tour! A great combination of experiences (waterfalls, snorkeling, lots of animals and views) and relaxation, for example on the beach. Rizky "the Komodo Bro" always tried to get the best out for us. He was always helpful and looked after the well-being of the group very well. Thank you Rizky!
BeachChill out
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Resort, Bungalow, Hotel
Age Range
18-40 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kuta, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Sumba
Kuta, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Sumbawa, Moyo Island, Satonda Island, Komodo Islands, Flores Island
Northern Thailand’s allure is legendary, and the "Beautiful Northern Thailand" trip lets you experience it all over 15 days. This group tour invites you to trek through hilltribe villages, float down the River Kwai, and explore the historic temples of the Siam Kingdom. Starting and ending in Bangkok, you’ll also join cooking classes, connect with welcoming locals, and enjoy plenty of free time to follow your own interests. The trip’s enduring popularity stems from its perfect mix of adventure, culture, and flexibility—making it a benchmark for travelers seeking an authentic, moderately active Thai experience.
Local cultureCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Sleeper Train, Guest House, Hotel, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai
Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Hilltribe Trek, Doi Mae Salong
Awesome trip and experience! From Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, PANDAS!!!, Everest in all its glory & amazing Tibet, crossing Himalayas & finishing in Kathmandu! What more could you ask for!!
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
