Discover Sri Lanka

Just returned from this trip. It was a brilliant 2 weeks. So varied and enjoyable. The hotels are a great standard with exceptional food choice and a pool at every one. Everyday is something different, lots of opportunities to spot wildlife, learn about the culture and see beautiful scenery. Sri lanka is a wonderful country, you won't regret booking this holiday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My first Exodus trip and what a wonderful trip it was. Such a great insight into this wonderful country which has stunning scenery, amazing historical sites, wildlife, interesting fauna and flora, beautiful beaches and above all very friendly people who are desperate for tourists to return. As a single female traveller I always felt safe, and never felt hassled or threatened when having free time on my own. The tour gives you a real mixture of scenery, temples, wildlife, activities, interaction with some local families, free time, beach days - although we covered about 1500 km in 2 weeks it never felt like we were in the bus too much - and there was so much to view outside. A couple of long days were nicely broken up with different activities. Several of the hotels had stunning views and nice swimming pools - perfect for an early morning or late afternoon swim. All in all a fabulous trip!

Amazing places, scenery, people and activities

This was a great overview of Sri Lanka showing what the country has to offer on culture, landscapes and wildlife. Hotels were generally of a good standard and some had spectacular views. There were some long days involved but these were broken with stops and lunches.

A beautiful country with contrasting scenery from white sand beaches to green tea plantations and jungle and plains. The tour was a great mix of history and temples with wildlife and scenery. Welcoming, hospitably people with a rich and diverse culture A range of hotels from satisfactory to good, expect buffet meals with some a la carte, but be prepared to wait.

What a brilliant trip, the itinerary is well put together, the first week we were doing towns and temples, and the second week was a bit more relaxed in scenery and nature. I was very impressed with all of the hotels used, most had swimming pools and all the rooms were modern and spacious . The last one in Colombo with a roof top bar !

Had a brilliant time with varied activities, lovely hotels, excellent driver and most importantly one of the best guides I have ever had.

This 15 day trip is described as easy/moderate however it is quite full on with so much packed into the time. Sri Lanka is a diverse and interesting country and we were very lucky to have such a knowledgeable and interesting guide, Roshan who brought not only the presenting experience but the history to life. All eyes and ears on him from everyone when we were discussing the day to come. I would add he had the patience of a Saint and witty and entertaining flow to keep us all engaged. The variety of walking, wildlife, history, belief systems, culture, flora, fauna, whale watching and even cycling which I sucked at gave perspective .so lovely to mix with local families on occasion and have such a variety of places and settings with something amazing around each corner. Our driver was remarkable, treating any road challenge like a confident puzzler and kept us safe in some interesting situations.for me the natural beauty of Sri Lanka left me in awe with such a variety of landscapes to explore. There were a couple of very early starts but totally reasonable to catch the hidden gems and avoid the worst of the heat. Dont underestimate the humidity. Hotels were all well placed for what we were visiting each day though if you like to shop or visit a village or town every day that's not an option. There are days where the shoppers can get their fix along the way. Alot of food is buffet style but with great variety and always fresh fruit. Wonderful tea but no real milk to go with it, not alot of dairy produce at all and powdered creamer offered instead. Lovely to have a swimming pool or ocean opportunity to swim and chill out on the days with more free time or after a long day. All the hotels were of a reasonable standard, some more quirky than others but not your generic corporate cloned/squeeze everyone into soul less spaces , mostly fitting the environment they were in. Be prepared to take a variety of clothing, flip flops to walking shoes, vest tops to sweat shirts,shorts to walking trousers. I used my umbrella once. Options to get laundry done along the way. Read the brochure carefully so you know your likely daily spend and added trip costs. Roshan kindly worked costings out in local currency, dollars and sterling which helped on days away from atms.

I loved this trip, a beautiful Country, very friendly people, a great leader and another wonderful Group of people to share it with. One of my best Exodus trips.

The Discover Sri Lanka trip was a wonderful combination of culture, activities and rest.

This was a good way to see all Sri Lanka has to offer.

Trip was very diverse with a great bunch of travelling companions. So much to see and do with sufficient amount of downtime. Standard of accommodation exceeded our expectations and the transport (coach) supplied was comfortable with plenty of room for everyone.

This trip covered so many different experiences, every day was a delight. Our group were the best travelling companions you could possibly hope for and were a pleasure to be with. The hotels were of a very good standard.

A great tour around Sri Lanka seeing beautiful scenery, animals, temples and local people

Excellent tour leader, varied and interesting itinerary, excellent organisation and accommodation.

This is an excellent trip around Sri Lanka, combining activities (rafting, hiking, cycling), culture (temple visits, tea and cinnamon farms) and nature (safaris, whale watching), with a generous amount of pool and chill time. The many optional activities allow for doing as much or as little as desired, and there is plenty to keep occupied with when down time is available. The included activities gave a fascinating insight into daily life, including the Sri Lankan games (I don't think any of our groups will be winning prizes in those games for a while!). The locals were all so friendly and hospitable, and the hotels exceeded my expectations throughout.

Loved this trip it had a fabulous mix of places to visit and activities. From visiting serene temples to racing down the rapids in a raft everything was well organised and reasonably priced. A wonderful tour guide who attended to everyone’s needs efficiently and with fun, a great group of people and stunning countryside. I would recommend this trip to everyone.

A very varied trip in a green and beautiful land with palm fringed beaches and he warmth of the Indian Ocean. We covered 1600km and seemed to do it all, temples, wildlife safaris, historical ruins, adventure white water rafting, markets, tea plantation, botanical gardens, shopping, culture, beach. Name it and we were there! A comprehensive and very enjoyable itinerary.

We are just home from a fantastic tour of Sri Lanka. Never has an Exodus holiday (this was our eighth tour) been so diverse of culture and wildlife. For example, day one, we were sitting in our hotel which was right beneath Lion Rock (the ancient capital of Sri Lanka) and that afternoon we went on a safari and saw loads of elephants in their natural habitat. Day-after-day, there was something to experience - temples, wildlife, locals, forests, cycling, trekking and even a couple days at one of the world’s top surfing oceans.  Most of the hotels were of an excellent standard with lovely swimming pools. Generally speaking all Sri Lankan staff are very slow and laid-back but after a couple days we felt that this attitude actually helped with the relaxing, chilled atmosphere. Our guide Roshan was highly experienced – he was incredibly diligent, thorough and knowledgeable with exceptional attention to detail – one of the best Exodus guides we’ve met so far.

A great holiday. Lots of variety. Small group. Great guide. Would recommend.

The discover Sri Lanka trip allowed us to see the highlights of the centre and South of the country with a well thought out itinerary. Some days are full on, with early starts and reasonably energetic walks or cycles, the activities are punctuated by two night stops at some hotels, allowing recuperation.

Perhaps the greatest holiday I’ve ever been on. From safaris in beautiful national parks in search of elephants, to visiting fascinating ancient cities, to eating amazing food, all of it was top notch. I really cannot fault the guide (Roshan) at all. He was informative, and taught us all a thing or two about the country, it’s culture, wildlife, etc.

The trip involved truly discovering the wildlife, geography, culture, history, religion and entertainment of Sri Lanka and its people. We saw temples, religious ceremonies, games, wildlife, markets, spice farms, tea plantations and dancing; we tasted some wonderful local food; we heard their amazing morning bird choruses, as well as amazing tales by Roshan, our guide; we travelled by bus, boat, tuktuk, bicycle and train, and stayed in some amazing hotels. Travelling with Exodus and having a local guide made the whole experience easy - everything is organised for you. The balance of activity and rest is really well thought out so it keeps you busy, but with rest breaks to enjoy the sun, the pool or simply explore a little more. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.

A well oiled but flexible trip around central and southern Sri Lanka. Especially enjoyed the rail journey, cycling and meeting the local people. We got to see most of the animal highlights and enjoyed the beach hotel. The additional excursions means that it is a full on tour. Suggest adding on an additional two or three days to wind down.

Firstly just to say how amazing it was to travel long haul again! Every day was a highlight! It was great to use the first day on arrival to chill and get to know the group round the pool of the hotel then the next day we were off on our adventure. The Cave temples were fascinating then we were climbing Lion’s rock, looking for elephants and cycling. Not a dull moment! Lots of interesting UNESCO heritage sites to visit .Even the long drives were punctuated with interesting stops eg Spice garden The Sri Lankan food and hospitality was excellent and there was a good variety of Western food for a change if you wanted it. Loved the fresh pineapple and the bananas. A well balanced trip with culture, nature and activities but enough time to chill by the pool or book a massage in the hotel spa. Loved seeing the tea plantations and getting a really good cuppa on holiday! A holiday full of experiences!

I am so glad I decided to book this tour to Sri Lanka, I had the most amazing holiday! What a beautiful, wonderful, welcoming country this is, I cannot recommend it enough. I usually travel along, but decided to join a group for the first time so I didn't have to organise everything myself, and the trip exceeded expectations.

I was well impressed with Sri Lanka - charming people, friendly and calm perhaps due to the widespread effect of Buddhism. Our well planned route took us inland, through the mountains and round the south coast with expert guide Nalaka, so we got a great overview of the island. Lovely hotels, most with pools, and superb food - buffets with the chance to try everything mixed with home cooking on banana leaves. We had the opportunity to travel in different ways - rafts, bikes, jeeps and trains; we saw wildlife close up, especially elephants of course, crocodiles, monkeys and a wide range of birds; and we explored some incredible historic sites. A very memorable and fun trip with a lovely group.

From tropical beaches, through steaming jungles to Scottish moorlands Sri Lanka has it all. Where else can you grow where they grow pineapples, coconuts and cashew nuts a few miles down the road from tea, potatoes and leeks? Fantastic scenery, great food and wonderful people.

We were a mixed bunch of travellers from mainly the UK, aged from 24 to 76, single and partnered. Roshan was our tour guide - he'd been doing it for over 10 years, so there was a certain repetition in his recommendations. Sometimes we were simply let loose to explore without guidance. We enjoyed his descriptions about social life in Sri Lanka and his take on politics but he was reticent about the current situation and we learned little about his private life. He was very helpful at all times. Some days were full of activity and others were more relaxed. Sigirya was my favourite hotel. We were there over the New Year's holiday so some activities such as the Tea factory visit, were not as illuminating as they would otherwise be. The buffet food was excellent and the hotels left little to complain about. Unfortunately our trip ended on Easter Sunday, when over 250 people were killed in Colombo. Exodus were very good at organising transport to the airport despite the curfew.